Efficacy of keratinocyte growth factor (palifermin) for the treatment of caustic esophageal burns.

Current treatment strategies against the development of corrosive esophageal strictures remain unsatisfactory. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of keratinocyte growth factor, in the form of palifermin, for the prevention of stricture development following esophageal caustic injuries in a rat model. A total of 32 female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, which included the control (C), burn (B), steroid (S) and steroid plus palifermin (S/P) groups. An experimental corrosive esophageal burn model was established in the B, S and S/P groups. Weight gain was recorded and histopathological evaluation was performed for each group. Weight gain in the S and B groups was compared with the control group and statistically significant differences were observed. In addition, statistically significant differences in weight gain were observed between the S/P group and the B group. Histopathologically, statistically significant differences were identified with regard to submucosal collagen deposition, muscularis mucosa and tunica muscularis damage when comparing the B group with the C group. In addition, statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the S and S/P groups with the B group. Furthermore, significant submucosal collagen deposition and tunica muscularis damage were observed in the S group when compared with the S/P group. The stenosis indexes in the C and S groups were significantly lower compared with the B group. In addition, the stenosis index in the S/P group was significantly lower compared with the S group. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the effect of palifermin on corrosive esophageal burns. The addition of palifermin to the corrosive esophageal burn standard treatment regimen was found to reduce the degree of fibrosis and ameliorate histopathological damage in an experimental model of corrosive esophagitis in rats.

Polyorchidism presenting with inguinal hernia and hypospadias.

Polyorchidism is defined as the presence of more than two testes. Triorchidism is the most frequent presentation. This anomaly is extremely rare, and approximately a hundred cases were described in the literature. We report a case of triorchidism presenting with inguinal hernia and penoscrotal hypospadias in a three-year-old male and briefly discuss current management of polyorchidism. Management remains controversial especially if there is no associated abnormality identified. The absence of any concomitant disorder and if testicular tumour can be ruled out by sonography or magnetic resonance imaging, surgical exploration with biopsy could be unnecessary. On the contrary, surgical exploration has the advantage of allowing for fixation of the testes to prevent torsion and determination of testicular outflow tracts and estimating reproductive capacity.

Management of fetal bronchogenic lung cysts: a case report and short review of literature.

Congenital malformations of the lung (CML) are rare with similar embryological and clinical spectra and could result in mortality if left untreated. Bronchogenic cysts are formed during the budding of the tracheal diverticula and ventral foregut in the embryological period. In this paper we want to present a case of bronchogenic cyst with continuous intrauterine cyst aspiration follow-up. After the baby birth was operated and the postoperative period was uneventful. The pathological examination revealed a bronchogenic cyst.

A rare cause of partial intestinal obstruction in a child: colonic lithobezoar.

The accumulation of undigested foreign bodies or nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract forming a conglomeration is called a bezoar. Bezoars are referred to according to the foreign bodies that constitute their core: phytobezoar (fibres or seeds of vegetables and fruits), trichobezoar (hair), lactobezoar (remnants of milk) and lithobezoar (rock or similar substances).

Transverse testicular ectopia associated with incarcerated inguinal hernia: a case report.

Transverse testicular ectopia is rarely associated with incarcerated inguinal hernia. A 14-month-old male complaint of irreducible inguinal hernia due to transverse testicular ectopia is reported. The clinical and operative findings and treatment options are discussed. It is thought that surgeons who frequently repair inguinal hernias should be aware of the appropriate surgical management options available to them when this condition is unexpectedly identified during inguinal exploration.

A rare cause of hemorrhagic shock in children: bladder hemangioma.

We report the first case of urinary bladder hemangioma that caused hemorrhagic shock consequent to massive hematuria. A 2-year-old girl was presented with hemorrhagic shock and macroscopic hematuria. After rapid resuscitation was performed, radiologic investigations demonstrated a solid enhancing mass originating from the dome of bladder. Partial cystectomy was made. Histopathologic examination of resected specimen revealed cavernous hemangioma. Although bladder hemangiomas are rare benign tumors, it should be kept in mind that they can lead to life-threatening complications when the diagnosis is delayed.