Chronic intestinal failure in children.

BACKGROUND: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) in childhood is caused by congenital malformations and inflammatory diseases of the gut. Its reported prevalence is 13.7 per million population. Long-term home parenteral nutrition has dramatically improved the life expectancy and quality of life of children with CIF. The affected children are now treated with parenteral nutrition at home as soon as their medical state and family circumstances allow. METHODS: The authors present data from a patient registry and review publications retrieved by a selective literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Children with CIF can now be expected to survive beyond adolescence, at the very least, and enjoy good quality of life. This goal can only be achieved if nutritional therapy is carried out safely and the affected children's development is closely monitored by an interdisciplinary team that consists of primary care physicians/family doctors, neonatologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, and pediatric surgeons. Moreover, the prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment of complications such as infection, liver disease, renal dysfunction, and disturbances of bone metabolism is of vital importance. The patients' families must be supported by specially qualified ambulatory nurses and social workers. Treatment with parenteral, enteral, and oral nutrition and surgery enables most infants with CIF to meet all their nutritional needs orally by the time they start going to school. For children who suffer from intractable complications, intestinal transplantation provides a real and increasing chance of survival.

Patients with disorders of sex development (DSD) at risk of gonadal tumour development: management based on laparoscopic biopsy and molecular diagnosis.

UNLABELLED: Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? In some individuals with disorders of sex development (DSD), gonadal tumour risk is increased. The individual risk is estimated based on the molecular diagnosis and the age and approaches 30% in the high-risk group. In the past, early gonadectomy has been advised for all individuals with 46XY DSD. Gonadectomy clearly represents an overtreatment for many individuals with 46XY DSD. Thus, further clinical indicators of individual tumour risk are urgently needed. The present study provides a comprehensive description of gonadal morphology, as seen during laparoscopy. For the first time, laparoscopic features, molecular diagnosis and histopathological findings are presented in a comprehensive context. The present study adds a detailed morphological description of the variability found in different subgroups of 46XY DSD. As three of four detected tumours were microscopic, early diagnosis by inspection appears unfeasible. Biopsy, gonadopexy and precise localisation of the gonad will potentially allow for gonadal preservation in well-defined clinical situations. OBJECTIVE: • To investigate the role of laparoscopy for the early detection of gonadal tumours, with emphasis on gonadal preservation, in patients with 46XY disorders of sex development (DSD). In patients with DSD, gonadectomy is frequently recommended and depending on the age and the molecular diagnosis, an increased gonadal tumour risk exists and undesired hormone effects may arise. However, gonadectomy is irreversible and impacts considerably on body image. It represents an overtreatment for some patients and should be considered after a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Laparoscopy is an important technique, because it is able to retrieve small gonads and allows guided biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • We performed laparoscopic assessment of the gonads in 40 patients with various 46XY DSD. • In all, 77 gonads were evaluated, images were analysed and compared with histological findings. • Laparoscopic procedures included gonadectomy, biopsy, laparoscopic orchidolysis or the Fowler-Stephens procedure as well as the removal or splitting of uterine remnants. RESULTS: • In all, 19 patients underwent gonadectomy and tumours were discovered in four. • Three patients had only microscopic evidence of tumour, in one the tumour was diagnosed intraoperatively. • In 21 patients, biopsies were taken and the gonads preserved. • Laparoscopic biopsy and gonadopexy was performed in six patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). CONCLUSION: • Laparoscopy and biopsy detected three microscopic tumours, one tumour was macroscopically evident. • In CAIS, gonadopexy improved the visibility of the gonads on postoperative ultrasonography. This procedure facilitated the examination of the gonad at follow-up. • In complete gonadal dysgenesis, a highly variable morphology of the gonads was found. Laparoscopy improved exposure of gonads and Müllerian structures, and facilitated biopsies and organ-preserving procedures.

The combination of Hirschsprung's disease and achalasia.

The unusual combination of Hirschsprung's disease and Achalasia in one case treated by standard procedures led to the discussion about RET germ-line mutations and consequently to the speculation about higher risk for multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2-related tumors. Although a mutation could be excluded by sequence analysis in this case, the correlation of these specific diseases affords additive investigations to make sure that no further prophylactic procedures were necessary.