Morphological comparison of processus vaginalis from boys with undescended testis and hernia sacs from boys with inguinal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the morphological features of processus vaginalis (PV) and hernia sacs obtained from boys with undescended testis and inguinal hernia, respectively, in order to investigate whether these structures have similar histology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples of PV (n=61) and hernia sacs (n=68) obtained from boys operated for undescended testis (n=58) and inguinal hernia (n=64), respectively, were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for optical qualitative microscopy analysis. The histological structures of each group of samples were compared by a pathologist blinded to the specific pathology. RESULTS: The most prevalent histological findings were connective tissue, smooth muscle, mesothelium, nervous elements, striated muscle and mesonephric remnants with no statistical differences between the groups. The amount of smooth muscle was greater in the hernia sac group where it appeared as a layer. In contrast, the smooth muscle present in the form of sparse bundles around the connective tissue in the PV. CONCLUSIONS: Sacs obtained from boys with inguinal hernia and PV obtained from boys with undescended testis shares a similar histology except for the amount of smooth muscle when analyzed qualitatively by optical microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin stain.

Biliary ascariasis after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

The authors report on a 6-year-old girl with biliary ascariasis after surgical treatment of a choledochal cyst and biliary-digestive tract reconstruction by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. A precise diagnosis can be obtained by ultrasonography. Surgical treatment is required when clinical and endoscopic treatments fail. In countries in which this disease is endemic, biliary ascariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cholangitis after surgery for hepaticojejunostomy.