Tanju Aktuğ

Prospective Study Investigating Routine Usage of Ultrasonography as the Initial Diagnostic Modality for the Evaluation of Children Sustaining Blunt Abdominal Trauma

In this prospective study, 217 children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma were initially evaluated with ultrasonography (US) and those with any abnormal ultrasonographic findings were further evaluated with computed tomography. Results of ultrasonographic examination were normal in 157 children and showed abnormalities such as free intraperitoneal fluid (FIF), intra-abdominal organ injury, and intrapleural fluid in 60 children. Computed tomographic examination of the 42 children with organ injury, the seven children with minimal FIF of no definite source, and the three children with intrapleural fluid revealed findings consistent with ultrasonographic findings. Computed tomographic examination of the eight children with more than minimal FIF of no definite source detected by US showed the source as liver injury in one and spleen injuries in two patients. The source of FIF could not be identified with computed tomography in five patients. After clinic follow-up examination, one of these five patients was operated on for abdominal tenderness, fever, and air-fluid levels detected on plain abdominal radiographs, and duodenal perforation was encountered. Clinical courses of the patients with normal ultrasonographic findings were uneventful. We conclude that US, aside from being a screening tool, is alone sufficient in the evaluation of the majority of the children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma. Although this is a preliminary study with further work needed to be done, we propose that further evaluation with computed tomography should be performed on those children in whom more than minimal FIF of no definite source is detected with US.

The effects of intraamniotic human neonatal urine and meconium on the intestines of the chick embryo with gastroschisis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Urinary waste products in the amniotic fluid has been implicated as a cause of intestinal damage (ID) in gastroschisis based on the fact that fetus urinates physiologically into the amniotic cavity. However, experimental and clinical data suggest that intrauterine defecation is a physiological event, thus gastrointestinal waste products also may be responsible for ID in gastroschisis. An experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of intraamniotic human neonatal urine and diluted meconium on the intestines of chick embryo with gastroschisis. METHODS Five-day-old fertilized chick eggs (Gallus domesticus) were used. Gastroschisis was created through amniotic cavity without opening the allantoic cavity. Sterile urine and meconium were obtained from newborn humans, and 1% meconium suspension was prepared. The eggs were divided in to 3 groups. In the first group, gastroschisis was created, and amniotic fluid was reinstilled without changing its composition (control group). Equal amounts of amniotic fluid and urine mixture was instilled into the amniotic cavity in second group (urine group) and 1% meconium suspension was instilled in similar fashion in the third group after creation of gastroschisis (meconium group). RESULTS Histopathologic features of the intestines of the urine group did not differ from the intestines of the control group. The meconium groups bowel showed serosal thickening, inflammation, focal fibrin, and collagen deposits. Histopathologic changes of intestines induced by intraamniotic diluted meconium are consistent with the ones described for human gastroschisis specimens. CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal waste products seem responsible for the ID in gastroschisis rather than urinary waste products.

Amniotic fluid exchange for the prevention of neural tissue damage in myelomeningocele: an alternative minimally invasive method to open in utero surgery.

Objective: Experimental studies have shown that neural tissue damage in myelomeningocele (MMC) is acquired, resulting from exposure of neural tissue to amniotic fluid (AF). Similar to neural tissue damage in MMC, in gastroschisis, intestines exposed to AF are damaged. In gastroschisis, intestinal damage can be prevented by changing the composition of the AF with partial AF exchanges. An experimental study was performed to investigate whether the neural tissue damage in MMC can be prevented by AF exchange. Methods: Thirteen-day-old fertilized chick eggs were used. In group 1, the amnio-allantoic membrane was opened to create a common cavity, and MMC was created (MMC-only group). In group 2, after creation of MMC, amnio-allantoic fluid exchange was performed (MMC-plus-exchange group). Chicks were extirpated for histopathologic examination 5 days later. Results: While edema, focal calcification, fibrosis, capillary cell proliferation and scattered mononuclear cells were observed in the MMC-only group, histopathologic changes were mild in the exchange group. The number of neuron-specific enolase stainings (+) neural cell count was significantly higher in the exchange group compared to the MMC-only group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Exposure of MMC to AF causes structural neural tissue damage that can be prevented by AF exchange. AF exchange is minimally invasive compared to open in utero surgery for the closure of MMC. By AF exchange, neural tissue damage that occurs during the gestational period may be prevented.

Short-term intestinal ischemia-reperfusion alters intestinal motility that can be preserved by xanthine oxidase inhibition.

While the effects of transient intestinal ischemia on mucosa have been well investigated, less is known about its effect on motor function. An experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) on intestinal motility and intestinal muscular microcirculation. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) baseline, (2) sham operation, (3) I/R, and (4) I/R with allopurinol pretreatment. Ischemia was induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 10 min. Gastroanal transit time (GATT) was measured with serial x-rays after instillation of barium sulfate to the stomach. Intestinal muscular microcirculation was evaluated by determining the number of carbon-perfused intestinal muscular microvessels (CPIMM). I/R prolonged GATT and decreased CPIMM significantly (P < 0.01). Pretreatment with allopurinol prevented prolongation of GATT and returned the number of CPIMM to the level of sham treatment (P < 0.01). In conclusion, reperfusion after 10 min of SMA ischemia alters intestinal motility. The no-reflow phenomenon plays an important role in this alteration of motility. Administration of allopurinol before reperfusion preserves intestinal motility by preventing the occurrence of no-reflow phenomenon.

Sacrococcygeal extraspinal ependymomas: the role of coccygectomy.

BACKGROUND Ependymomas, the common glial tumors of the spinal cord, occur occasionally outside the central nervous system and are called exstraspinal ependymomas (EEP). EEPs are found primarily in sacrococcygeal region during childhood. The pathogenesis and the treatment of the sacrococcygeal (SC) ependymomas are still controversial. Therefore, we present our case with metaanalysis of other case reports to determine the optimal treatment modality for SC EEPs. METHODS A metaanalysis of case reports of SC EEPs, including the current case, was conducted. Also all available case reports of EEPs, without age limit, were analyzed to determine the distribution of EEPs localization. RESULTS EEPs usually are found in teratoma localizations such as the SC area, ovary, paraovarian structures, and medastinum. The distribution of EEPs localization differs with age. Local recurrence rate of EEPs after coccyx excision is zero, however, it increases to 71% when the coccyx was left behind. CONCLUSION The identical clinical characteristics of the SC teratomas and EEPs imply that the SC EEPs may be monophasic teratomas as their ovarian counterparts are named. Coccyx excision is an important part of the surgical treatment of these tumors, with an apparent decrease in the recurrence rate.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children performed using single endoscopic GIA stapler for both mesoappendix and base of appendix

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Similar to open appendectomy (OA), most of the methods described for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) require two steps: (1) dissection and division of mesoappendix and (2) excision of appendix. Dissection of mesoappendix requires more skill and experience during LA. In single endoscopic GIA stapler laparoscopic appendectomy technique (SESLAT), both mesoappendix and base of appendix may be divided in one step with the application of a single endoscopic GIA stapler. METHODS LA was attempted in 18 patients who had acute appendicitis and was successfully performed in 16 patients. RESULTS In two patients, the operation was converted to OA. The authors did not need conversion to OA because of complication resulting from the use of the stapler. CONCLUSIONS SESLAT is a quick, easy, and versatile method for LA in children that obviates dissection of mesoappendix and related complications. Thus, it enables LA to be performed by inexperienced beginners.

End-results of experimental gastroschisis created by abdominal wall versus umbilical cord defect

An experimental study was conducted to determine the end-results of two different defects on the anterior abdominal wall: an abdominal wall defect (AWD) versus an umbilical cord defect (UCD) using chick embryos. The AWD was created by leaving an intact skin bridge between the defect and the umbilical cord in group l; the UCD was created on the umbilical cord near the junction of the skin in group 2. At the end of incubation, the intestines appeared hemorrhagic in the AWD group, but not in the UCD group. During microscopic examination, hemorrhagic areas were observed in the bowel wall and mucosal villi in the AWD group but not in the UCD group. The end-result of the defect causing the physiological umbilical hernia resulted in bowel damage resembling the classic picture of gastroschisis (GS). We conclude that the site of the defect in GS is not the abdominal wall itself, but the physiological umbilical hernia.An experimental study was conducted to determine the end-results of two different defects on the anterior abdominal wall: an abdominal wall defect (AWD) versus an umbilical cord defect (UCD) using chick embryos. The AWD was created by leaving an intact skin bridge between the defect and the umbilical cord in group l; the UCD was created on the umbilical cord near the junction of the skin in group 2. At the end of incubation, the intestines appeared hemorrhagic in the AWD group, but not in the UCD group. During microscopic examination, hemorrhagic areas were observed in the bowel wall and mucosal villi in the AWD group but not in the UCD group. The end-result of the defect causing the physiological umbilical hernia resulted in bowel damage resembling the classic picture of gastroschisis (GS). We conclude that the site of the defect in GS is not the abdominal wall itself, but the physiological umbilical hernia.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibition prevents intestinal damage in gastroschisis: A morphological evaluation in chick embryos

PURPOSE Increased small bowel nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity accused for postnatal intestinal dysmotility in gastroschisis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of prenatal NO synthase inhibition on intestinal damage in gastroschisis. METHODS Sixteen-day-old fertilized chick eggs were divided into 4 groups. In the control group, the allantoic and amniotic membranes were opened to create a common cavity. In the gastroschisis group, a defect in the abdominal wall was made, and intestinal loops were exteriorized. In the gastroschisis pretreated with L-NAME group, gastroschisis was created, and L-NAME was administered into the amnioallantoic cavity for 4 days. In the gastroschisis sham pretreated group, after the same surgical procedure as the previous group, same amount of saline was given beside L-NAME. At the end of 20th day of incubation, intestinal morphological changes were investigated macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS Macroscopic changes such as shortening, thickening, and fibrous adhesions were found in the exteriorized bowels of the just gastroschisis group and the gastroschisis pretreated saline group. However, there was only mild thickening in the gastroschisis pretreated with L-NAME group. Microscopically, compared with the gastroschisis group, serosal thickness, muscular thickness, and bowel wall thickness were found to be significantly lower in the gastroschisis pretreated with L-NAME group (128.0 +/- 19.3 microm and 239.5 +/- 3.0 microm v 57.0 +/- 8.2 microm and 145.0 +/- 9.7 microm). CONCLUSION It is possible to decrease intrauterine intestinal morphological changes in gastroschisis by inhibiting NO synthase.

Is ipsilateral testis mandatory for the occurrence of contralateral intratesticular biochemical changes indicative of hypoxia after unilateral spermatic cord torsion

Experimental unilateral spermatic cord torsion has been shown to induce both ipsilateral and contralateral intratesticular biochemical changes indicative of hypoxia. An experimental study was conducted to see whether the presence of the ipsilateral testicular tissue is necessary for the occurrence of the biochemical changes in the contralateral testis. Male, adult, albino rats were divided into four groups each containing 10 rats. One group served to determine basal values of biochemical parameters indicative of tissue hypoxia, another group was subjected to unilateral spermatic cord torsion in the presence of ipsilateral testis; a further group was subjected to unilateral spermatic cord torsion after ipsilateral subepididymal orchiectomy, and the last group underwent unilateral subepididymal orchiectomy alone as control. Lactic acid, hypoxanthine and lipid peroxidation product levels which are biochemical indicators of tissue hypoxia were determined in testicular tissues and kidneys. All three parameters increased significantly in contralateral testes but not in kidneys after unilateral spermatic cord torsion both when the ipsilateral testis was present and absent (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the ipsilateral testis does not play a role in transmitting these contralateral changes after unilateral spermatic cord torsion. Impulse-triggering contralateral changes may arise from spermatic vessels or nerves.

Congenital esophageal stenosis owing to tracheobronchial remnants : A case report

A 3.5-year-old girl who had congenital esophageal stenosis caused by tracheobronchial remnants without esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula is presented. The diagnostic difficulties are discussed.