[Spontaneous rupture of a choledochal cyst in a 11-month-old girl]. / Rupture spontanée d'un kyste du cholédoque chez une enfant de 11 mois.

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital malformations of the biliary tract. Though most cysts are diagnosed incidentally, some present directly with complications. We report on the case of an 11-month-old girl admitted for abdominal pain, fever and vomiting. Ultrasonography revealed intraabdominal fluid and the absence of a choledochal cyst diagnosed 2 months earlier. Laparotomy for suspected rupture of a choledochal cyst was planned and a choledochojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y was performed. Spontaneous rupture of a choledochal cyst is rare and occurs most frequently in children under the age of 4. The exact cause is yet unknown and several factors have been implicated. The most probable cause is the combination of pancreatic reflux and epithelial irritation of a weakened cyst wall. Choledochal cysts should preferably be treated as soon as the child is 6 months old. Complete excision of the cyst is mandatory because of the risk of malignant transformation.

[Management of abdominal trauma in children]. / La prise en charge des traumatismes abdominaux de l'enfant.

Management of abdominal trauma in children has considerably changed over the last fifteen years. This is mainly due to advances in imaging techniques combined with a more conservative approach. Non-surgical management is frequently preferred with close clinical and biological surveillance, in addition to comprehensive imaging evaluation. The imaging work up must be adapted to this conservative approach. The increasing availability of helical CT technology and Doppler US imaging can be used to advantage in the evaluation of these patients. Euratom Directive 97-43 identifies children as a particular subgroup of patients with regards to exposure to ionizing radiation thus requiring us to reconsider the routine use of CT in this patient subpopulation and promoting the use of alternate imaging techniques. Based on a review of the literature as well as our own experience, where we currently favor US with selective use of CT, the advantages and pitfalls of each imaging technique will be reviewed. Ultimately, the imaging protocol for each patient should be based on availability, expertise, and individual clinical setting.

[Vesicoureteric reflux and functional voiding dysfunction in children]. / Reflux vésico urétéral et troubles mictionnels fonctionnels chez l'enfant.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy of the different treatments of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) associated with reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia (RBSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 33 children (28 girls) aged 4 to 12 years presenting reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia and vesicoureteric reflux have been reviewed. The most common clinical symptom was urinary tract infection. Voiding dysfunction included: dysuria, urinary leak, enuresia, urgency, constipation. In most cases, vesicoureteric reflux was low grade (grade 1, n=9; grade 2, n=18; grade 3, n=6) and bilateral (n=18). Three types of treatments have been utilized: reimplantation, reeducation, medical treatment (diet, antibio-prophylaxis, anti-cholinergics). RESULTS: Eleven children (2 with a solitary kidney) underwent early reimplantation which was effective on vesicoureteric reflux but 6 of them had post-operative voiding dysfunction and 5 had a new episode of urinary infection. Six had reeducation first then they underwent reimplantation. Sixteen children had an exclusive medical treatment (13 with reeducation). In 9 children vesicoureteric reflux disappeared (one child still complains of voiding dysfunction). In 7, voiding dysfunction improved but vesicoureteric reflux is still present. CONCLUSION: The management of vesicoureteric reflux associated with reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia is complex. Surgery should certainly not be the initial treatment. However, it can remain useful if one wishes to get complete resolution of reflux.

[Ultrasound for initial evaluation of post-traumatic renal lesions in children]. / Les ultrasons dans l'exploration initiale des lésions rénales post-traumatiques de l'enfant.

PURPOSE: To describe the findings and limitations of color doppler ultrasound (CDUS) compared to enhanced CT in the evaluation of pediatric renal trauma and to determine the indications for first line imaging work up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 17 children (9 girls) aged 3 to 18 years were shown to have one or multiple post-traumatic renal lesions. All renal lesions were unilateral. All children presented with hematuria (microscopic (n=8), gross (n=7), not specified (n=2)). 16 had CDUS and enhanced CT (gold standard). A 13-year old girl had been imaged by both CDUS and IVU. RESULTS: No correlation between the degree of hematuria and the severity of renal lesion could be found. Final diagnosis was: fracture with uro-hematoma (n=6), contusion (n=5), pedicular lesion (n=2), clotted ureter (n=1), intra cystic hemorrhage (n=1), subcapsular hematoma (n=1), urinoma with no evidence of fracture (n=1), extra-urinary lesion (n=7). In four cases, CDUS was abnormal but the diagnosis of fracture had not been made. In 3 cases, a uro-hematoma was present and CDUS misdiagnosed a pedicular lesion. CONCLUSION: Imaging strategy should not rely on the type of hematuria. Presence of a urinoma alters the sensitivity of CDUS. When performed in ideal conditions, a comprehensive normal CDUS examination is probably sufficient to exclude a major renal injury.