Laparoscopic management of a small bowel obstruction caused by an unusual pericecal hernia: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pericecal hernia is a rare type of internal hernia and may present with unspecific signs and symptoms. Thus, preoperative recognition of pericecal hernias can be challenging and difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of pericecal hernia in a rare location that was managed laparoscopically. A 63-year-old medically free gentleman presented to the emergency room with clinical and radiographic evidence of small bowel obstruction. An abdominal computed tomographic scan showed diffuse small bowel dilation and a transitional zone at the distal illeal loop near the ileocecal junction. The patient was admitted and started on conservative management. Two days later, there was no improvement in the patient's situation, and the patient underwent laparoscopic exploration where part of the distal ileum was seen going through a mesenteric defect superior to the ileocecal valve. The herniated bowel was reduced, and the hernia orifice was closed with sutures. The patient was discharged at day 9 postoperatively with excellent clinical and radiographic findings during the postoperative period. DISCUSSION: Pericecal hernia in the superior ileocecal recess is the least common location for this type of hernia. Previously, laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction was not recommended. However, recent evidence has shown excellent outcomes of laparoscopic management of pericecal hernia. CONCLUSION: In pericecal hernia, having a high index of suspicion may help prevent delayed diagnosis and management. Laparoscopic exploration is a safe and acceptable modality for the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel obstruction due to pericecal hernias.

Surgical management of a retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele is a very rare form of pseudomeningocele, that is known to be associated with cervical trauma. Identifying such pathology can be challenging leading to delayed management. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of post-traumatic retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele that was managed surgically in a 21-year-old gentleman with poly-trauma injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. After 10 weeks since the traumatic event, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scan showed evidence of bilateral atlanto-occipital dislocation and a fluid collection of 8 × 4 × 2 cm in the retropharyngeal space. The patient was found to have dysphagia and muffled voice with difficult visualisation of the vocal cords upon examination. After a multidisciplinary team decision, the patient underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak management, pseudomeningocele resection and dural defect repair with shunting conducted by the Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology. Postoperative assessments and patient's symptoms, at 9 months follow-up, were satisfactory and reassuring. DISCUSSION: It's believed that conservative management with bed rest, elevation of bed head and acetazolamide is the initial step in management. As an alternative measure, shunting of the CSF had led to resolution of the collection. However, surgical removal of the collection and direct dural defect repair have been suggested in the literature but needed to be properly studied. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of this condition is important to avoid management delay. With a multidisciplinary approach, surgical management can be safe and an acceptable option for retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele.

Unilateral Exserohilum Allergic Fungal Sinusitis in a Pediatric Host: Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a result of an inflammatory reaction to fungi in the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Although the causative agents of AFS vary, Exserohilum species are among the rare ones, as only a few cases have ever been reported a few times in the literature. The objective of this report is to highlight this unusual fungal type causing unilateral AFS in Saudi Arabia. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We present a case of AFS who initially presented at the age of 15 years, and was operated on in 2015 by another health care provider. He presented again in 2019 complaining of intermittent loss of smell and greenish nasal discharge, mainly from the right side for 3 months, which was associated with right-sided nasal obstruction. Based on the history and physical examination, a diagnosis of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis was made. The patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) of the paranasal sinuses and polypectomy. Histopathology of the samples taken during the surgery showed Exserohilum specie. The diagnosis of AFS was confirmed using Bent and Kuhn's criteria. DISCUSSION: Allergic fungal sinusitis is believed to be an allergic reaction caused by a broad spectrum of species, the majority being Aspergillus in India and Saudi Arabia. Exserohilum species are one of the rare organisms causing AFS in our region. CONCLUSION: Most cases of AFS in our region have been reported to be caused by Aspergillus. Here we report a case of unilateral Exserohilum AFS in an immunocompetent pediatric patient.

Bilateral Valgus Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in an 11-year-old Girl.

Valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is very infrequent, and it is characterized by a superolateral displacement of the epiphysis on the metaphysis. To date, less than 100 cases of valgus SCFE have been described in the literature. Bilaterality of valgus SCFE is extremely rare, and it presents management challenges to the treating orthopedic surgeons. Herein, we report the case of an 11-year-old Saudi Arabian girl presented to clinic with a one-year history of bilateral hip pain and limping. Past medical history was negative for endocrinopathies, hemoglobinopathies, bone disorders, trauma or radiation therapy to the pelvis. On physical examination, the patient looked tall and obese. On clinical examination, the patient showed a waddling gait and an external rotation on walking. A frog-leg lateral radiograph showed bilateral SCFE with a valgus deformity. The right and left femoral neck-shaft angles measured 154.3 and 148.2 degrees, respectively. Computed tomography (CT) scan suggested a moderate bilateral posterior slippage of femoral heads; the right and left femoral head-neck angles measured 60 and 52 degrees, respectively. A final diagnosis of bilateral valgus SCFE was established. Consequently, the patient underwent bilateral percutaneous in situ pinning with single cannulated screws. Postoperatively, the patient made an uneventful recovery. At one-year follow-up, hip radiograph showed bilateral atypical narrowing of the joint space and suspected chondrolysis and the physis of both proximal femoral heads were fused. On the right side, the fixating screw was penetrating into the articular surface of the femoral head with some osteoarthritic changes. Considering the patient's worsening situation, it was decided to perform a revisional surgery. The revisional surgery included the removal of bilateral screws and administration of local steroids and analgesics for pain control. Post-revisional surgery at three months, though the patient was limping with a pelvic tilt, she was able to ambulate with the aid of axillary crutches.