GCT-45. YOLK SAC TUMOR IN THE CEREBELLAR VERMIS - A CASE REPORT

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a non-germinomatous malignant germ cell tumor in a young child. It usually arises along a midline axis, mostly pineal region or suprasellar compartment, and it is exceedingly rare to locate in a cerebellar vermis. In the present report, we describe a case of a pure YST located in the cerebellar vermis and review the previous literature. A three-year-old boy visited a local clinic for gait disturbance and frequent vomiting. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a homogeneously-enhanced mass with a cystic component in his cerebellar vermis, and it resulted in hydrocephalus. By its location and his age, our pre-operative diagnosis was a medulloblastoma, and we performed a total resection of the tumor with ventricular drainage. Unexpectedly, the histological investigation revealed it to be a YST. We confirmed that the serum levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP) had elevated at 3176.4 ng/ml in his preserved sample, obtained before the surgery, and it was consistent with the pathological diagnosis. He is receiving chemotherapy consisting of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide, followed by radiation therapy. In this case, pre-operative MRI revealed that the tumor did not grow into the IVth ventricle in spite of midline location, which was not typical for medulloblastoma. Of note, serum AFP levels had increased, and they might contribute to a precise pre-operative diagnosis and be able to propose an alternative treatment plan, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce surgical risk. As a conclusion, a YST should be considered even if it locates in a cerebellar vermis.

Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction as the Initial Clinical Presentation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Rare and Severe Disorder

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a rarely recognized complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present a 36-year-old African American female, with only known past medical history of anemia, admitted for frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever that had been ongoing for 5 days. Laboratory results revealed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Imaging revealed dilated small bowel loops, abdominal ascites, as well as mild bilateral hydroureteronephrosis without obstructing calculus. Serologic testing confirmed a diagnosis of SLE. The patient was placed on immunosuppressive therapy and responded well. IPO has previously been described as a rare finding in patients with SLE, with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and lupus interstitial cystitis having been noted as common concomitant factors. One must have a high level of suspicion to recognize it as being one of the initial clinical presentations. Early recognition and appropriate management preclude unnecessary invasive procedures that do not take into account the pathophysiology of the condition and allow for appropriate management and return of peristaltic function.

A Sporadic and Lethal Lassa Fever Case in Forest Guinea, 2019

Lassa fever is a rodent-borne disease caused by Lassa virus (LASV). It causes fever, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, coughing, diarrhea, internal bleeding and facial edema. The disease has been known in Guinea since 1960 but only anectodical acute cases have been reported to date. In January 2019, a 35-year-old man, a wood merchant from Kissidougou, Forest Guinea, presented himself at several health centers with persistent fever, frequent vomiting and joint pain. He was repeatedly treated for severe malaria, and died three weeks later in Mamou regional hospital. Differential diagnosis identified LASV as the cause of death. No secondary cases were reported. The complete LASV genome was obtained using next-generation sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this strain, namely the Kissidougou strain, belongs to the clade IV circulating in Guinea and Sierra Leone, and is thought to have emerged some 150 years ago. Due to the similarity of symptoms with malaria, Lassa fever is still a disease that is difficult to recognize and that may remain undiagnosed in health centers in Guinea.

A 3-day course of 1 mg/kg versus 2 mg/kg bodyweight prednisolone for 1- to 5-year-old children with acute moderate exacerbation of asthma: a randomized double-blind noninferiority trial

Background Even though the guidelines on the management of preschool asthma recommend early use of corticosteroids for acute moderate-to-severe exacerbations, considerable variation exists with regard to type and dose of steroids. Objectives To compare the clinical outcomes and side effect profile between 1 mg/kg/day and 2 mg/kg/day of oral prednisolone when administered for 3 days in preschool children with acute moderate asthma exacerbations. Study Design and Setting Randomized double-blind noninferiority trial was done in the paediatric emergency of a teaching hospital. Patients, Interventions, and Outcomes A total of 128 children aged 1 to 5 years who presented to the paediatric emergency with acute moderate exacerbation of asthma were enrolled. They were randomized into two groups. One group received 1 mg/kg/day and the other 2 mg/kg/day of oral prednisolone for 3 days. Severity of asthma exacerbation was measured by Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) score. The PRAM scores, wheeze recurrence, and side effect profile were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results The difference in the PRAM scores at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after intervention between the two groups was statistically insignificant. Need for escalation of therapy, salbutamol nebulization, time for resolution of symptoms, and recurrence of wheeze were similar between the two groups. Vomiting was significantly less frequent in low-dose group with a relative risk of 0.19 to 0.99 compared to high-dose prednisolone. Conclusion Prednisolone at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day was not inferior to 2 mg/kg/day in terms of clinical improvement and recurrence of wheeze within 1 week and has less frequent vomiting compared to higher dose.

Laparoscopic fundoplication for a case of esophageal hiatal hernia after gastroschisis repair

Background Esophageal hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux have been recognized as inevitable complications after the definitive gastroschisis operation. Patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux require anti-reflux surgery; however, the surgical adhesions may complicate subsequent surgical therapy, especially in the cases treated by staged repair. Case presentation A male infant who showed a severe gastroesophageal reflux due to hiatal hernia after staged abdominal fascial closure of gastroschisis. In spite of continuous conservative management, frequent vomiting and hematemesis had become progressively worse at the age of 8 months. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was attempted and completed with no adverse events. Conclusions Laparoscopic fundoplication may be applied, as a first-line approach, for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in this difficult group of patients, after the repair of congenital abdominal wall defect.

Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis: A Case at the Gunung Wenang Hospital Manado - North Sulawesi Indonesia

On a baby girl of 4 weeks old with the dtagnosts of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, an extremely rare case in our Hospital, surgical operation was done using the Fredet Ramsted method. The main complaint was frequent vomiting. The diagnosis was based on projectile vomiting, retarded growth, constipation, moderate dehydration and was confirmed by barium meal study. Ten days after the operation, she was discharged in a good condition.

Gastric Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature for Gastric Submucosal Masses Distinction

Schwannomas origin from Schwann cells sheath and generally are benign, slow-growing, and asymptomatic neoplasms which frequently appear in the head and neck. Although gastrointestinal schwannoma is really rare, the most affected organ in GI system is the stomach. Gastric schwannoma forms 0.2% of all gastric tumors. This neoplasm is always detected as a submucosal mass, the same as other gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Although these tumors have almost the same presentations, they are completely different at therapeutic options and prognoses. Hence, it is important to distinguish them apart and make an accurate diagnosis to optimize treatment outcomes. Herein, we report a case of 28-year-old woman with frequent vomiting and abdominal pain caused by 5 × 6 cm schwannoma in the antrum of the stomach. This is a rare case of gastric outlet obstruction due to a massive schwannoma. In addition, all other probable submucosal masses will be discussed at different aspects.

Citrullinemia Type I - A Case Report

Citrullinemia type I (CTLN1) is an inherited urea cycle disorder where the enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase is deficient. It can lead to recurrent hyperammonemic crisis that may result in permanent neurological sequelae, even death. Vomiting in patients with urea cycle disorders may either be the result or cause of acute hyperammonemia, particularly if due to an illness that leads to catabolism. Therefore, age-appropriate common etiologies of vomiting must be considered when evaluating these patients. We present a case of a 2 year 5 month old female child with CTLN1 who had a history of frequent vomiting after the age of one year and some recent neurological manifestations like excessive crying and lethargy and one episode of unconsciousness. Investigations revealed high level of ammonia. Amino acid profile using tandem mass spectrometry showed markedly increased plasma level of citrulline. After administration of sodium benzoate and protein restricted diet there was dramatic improvement of all the symptoms.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2015; 33(2): 98-100

Characteristics of Norovirus infection in Serbia

Background/Aim. Norovirus (NoV), formerly Norwalk-like virus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans of all ages. It is known that 90% of viral gastroenteritis and about 60-85% of all outbreaks of gastroenteritis, especially in the territory of United States of America, Europe and Japan are caused by this virus. For the countries of the northern hemisphere, individual cases and outbreaks of acute NoV gastroenteritis appear in seasonal pattern, mainly during the winter months. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of acute gastroenteritis with the established NoV etiology in Serbia. Methods. The study group included 88 patients with the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, throughout the year 2010 and 2011. From all the patients, stool samples were taken less than three days from the onset of symptoms. Detection of NoV in stool samples was performed by commercial qualitative immuno-chromatography assay. Statistical analysis included application of ?2 test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis's test, Spearman?s rank correlation test and logistic regression analysis. Results. Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis caused by NoV were recorded to be the most common in children with the incidence of infection of 50% in the age group 0-15 years. Analysis of individual symptoms in the NoV proven infection, showed that diarrhea was the most common symptom, followed by vomiting especially in small children, while abdominal pain was most common in elderly (? 65 years). The presence of frequent vomiting, more than 4 times/day, indicated NoV infection in the women, while for men the infection was always presented with diarrhea. Conclusion. The obtained results confirmed that small children and elderly are the most susceptible to NoV infection and that out-breaks are more frequent in the winter months. Those who consumed food in restaurants and other public facilities were not at higher risk for NoV infection.

A Case of Battery Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient: What Is Its Importance?

This is a case of a two-year-old boy who has been suffering from food regurgitation and frequent vomiting over the past seven months which were progressively worsening with time. He was initially diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and treated accordingly but responded only minimally. Investigations and interventional procedures including a chest X-ray showed a metallic round object in the upper esophagus consistent with a button battery which was removed via a thoracotomy after an esophagoscopy was not successful. This child would not have developed such serious complications and would not have required major surgery had the foreign body been identified and removed early on.