Diagnostic accuracy of barium enema versus full-thickness rectal biopsy in children with clinically suspected Hirschsprung's disease: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Hirschsprung's disease (HSD) remains a common cause of pediatric intestinal obstruction. Barium contrast enema (BE) is the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of clinically suspected cases. Here, we aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of BE in children with clinically suspected HSD when compared to a gold standard full-thickness rectal biopsy (FTRB). Methods: We recruited and consecutively enrolled children with clinically suspected HSD at two tertiary teaching hospitals. Participants underwent BE imaging and two radiologists interpreted the findings independently. Participants further underwent FTRB by pediatric surgeons as the confirmatory test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) with the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated on Stata version 14.2, taking FTRB as the standard. Results: We enrolled 55 cases, of which 49 completed the evaluation and were included in the final analysis. The median age was 9.4 months (interquartile range: 2-24], with a male-to-female ratio of 4.4:1. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of BE were 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.81-0.99]), 0.73 (95% CI [0.39-0.94]), 0.92 (95% CI [0.82-0.97]), and 0.80 (95% CI [0.50-0.94]), respectively. On AUC, the diagnostic accuracy of BE compared to the confirmatory FTRB was 0.84 (95% CI [0.69-0.98]). The diagnostic accuracy was higher in neonates (ROC: 1.00) when compared to infants (ROC: 0.83) or those above 1 year of age (ROC: 0.798). HSD-suggestive BE findings were associated with absence of ganglion cells on FTRB (χ 2 = 23.301, p < 0.001). Inverted rectosigmoid ratio and transition zone were more sensitive in detecting HSD of 0.92 (95% CI [0.74-0.98]) and 0.81 (95% CI [0.63-0.92]), respectively. Conclusion: BE is sufficiently accurate in the diagnosis of children with HSD, suggesting BE would likely be used to inform surgical management in settings where confirmatory biopsy is lacking. However, clinical judgment is warranted in interpreting negative BE findings.

Dorsolumbar parasitic twin associated with lipomyelomeningocele: a case report from a tertiary teaching hospital, Ethiopia, East Africa.

A parasitic or heteropagus twin is a grossly defective fetus (or fetus part) attached externally, with or without internal connections and is dependent on the cardiovascular system of the other twin (autosite) for survival. The estimated incidence is approximately 1 per 1 million live births. To date according to the authors' knowledge; there are a few case reports published in the literature. Here we present a case of dorsolumbar parasitic twin with associated lipomyelomeningocele.

Pediatric Radiology Fellowship Creation as an International Education Outreach Effort in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, there were no pediatric radiologists in Ethiopia, a country of 100 million people. The radiology residency programs lacked training in pediatric imaging acquisition and interpretation. OBJECTIVE: We established an accredited local pediatric radiology fellowship program in Ethiopia. METHODS: With assistance from US faculty from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Ethiopian radiologists created a 2-year fellowship training program in a university-based Ethiopian radiology residency program that incorporated formal lectures and seminars, case tutorials, journal clubs, teleradiological conferences, paper presentations, and online courses from collaborating institutions. Formal accreditation of the program was achieved from the university, and core values were established to ensure sustainability and self-sufficiency. The Ethiopian institution provided funding for the fellows, and US faculty volunteered their time. RESULTS: In 2015, 2 radiologists were recruited to the new fellowship; after graduation in 2017, they formed the first pediatric radiology section at the Ethiopian institution. Three new fellows were recruited in 2019, and the program is now self-sustaining. Pediatric imaging training has also been added to the radiology residency. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a pediatric radiology fellowship in a country with high need but little existing faculty expertise is feasible through outreach efforts.

Renal Arterial Doppler Resistive Index in Differentiating Obstructive and Non-Obstructive Hydronephrosis in Children at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia, October, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Most congenital anomalies of the urinary tract present with hydronephrosis. Some are physiological while others pathological. Ultrasound, micturating cyst urethrography, dynamic renal scintigraphy, intravenous urography, dynamic and static magnetic resonance urography are used for examination. Currently, renal arterial Doppler resistance index is used as complimentary mechanism. This study assesses our experience in resistive index measurement in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of forty-two infants and children (<14 years) with hydronephrosis were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Ultrasonography to assess the degree of hydronephrosis and avoiding cystourethrogram were used for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux and posterior urethral valve. Intravenous urogram and surgery were used to confirm causes for obstructive hydronephrosis. Doppler ultrasonography assessed both kidneys to determine mean resistive index for both obstructive and non-obstructive hydronephrosis as well as nonobstructive kidneys. Independent t test was used for analysis at p< 0.005. RESULTS: The major cause for obstructive hydronephrosis was pelviuretheric junction obstruction (47.6%) followed by posterior urethral valve (16.7%). For non-obstructive hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux was the main cause followed by prune belly syndrome. The mean resistive index for non-hydronephrotic kidneys was 0.6654 ±0.053, for nonobstructive hydronephrotic ones was 0.6825 ± 0.06668 and obstructive ones was 0.7791 ± 0.11977. The mean resistive index difference between the obstructive and non-obstructive hydronephrosis was 0.09661 with standard error of difference 0.02443. The difference was statistically significant (P-<0.001). A mean RI ROC curve showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 71.1%, 81.2%, 75.4% respectively (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the mean renal arterial resistive index was significantly higher in obstructive hydronephrotic kidneys than non-obstructive hydronephrotic kidneys. This can be a valuable tool for diagnosis and follow-up after intervention.