Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children: A Case Report

Introduction: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition in children complicating closed or penetrating trauma to the abdomen and thorax. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl with a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Case Presentation: An 11-year-old girl was seen in the paediatric surgery department for a thoracolumbar spine deformity and intermittent chest pain. These symptoms occurred after a domestic accident involving a fall from a low wall onto the thoracolumbar spine 5 months previously. The diagnosis was suggested by the presence of a left hemithoracic hydroaera and confirmed by a thoraco-abdominal CT scan. Surgical exploration revealed a linear rupture of the entire left hemi-diaphragm with herniation of the stomach, small intestine, cecum, transverse colon and omentum. We performed a double-layer suture of the diaphragmatic rupture with a non-absorbable suture without edge rejuvenation after the reduction of the hernia. The outcome was favourable with normal postoperative radiographs at one year follow-up. Conclusion: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, although uncommon and difficult to diagnose, is a condition that is relatively easy to manage surgically, even if it is discovered late. In all cases of trauma to the thoracolumbar spine, regular follow-up and repeat X-rays are necessary if pain persists.

Large Conventional Osteosarcoma of the Proximal Humerus in a 13-Year-Old Child: Case Report

Introduction: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children. It is highly aggressive and has a poor prognosis. A late presentation modifies and makes difficult the management affecting the survival of children. We report the case of a large conventional osteosarcoma in a 13-year-old girl. Case Presentation: Adolescent girl admitted for painful swelling of the left shoulder with absolute functional impotence of the thoracic limb and severe anemia. The painful swelling was thought to have been caused by a minor trauma that had occurred six months previously. The patient’s general condition was poor, and she presented with a large, shiny, painful mass over the shoulder and upper 2/3 of the left arm, measuring 28 cm long by 28 cm wide and 57 cm in circumference, and a large fistulous axillary adenopathy. CT scan showed a tumour lesion of the left humerus with liver and lung metastases, raising suspicion of osteogenic osteosarcoma. The tumor was classified according to TNM staging: T2N1M1(a + b). Management was modified when uncontrolled bleeding developed. It consisted of an extended amputation of the left thoracic limb. Pathological analysis showed a high-grade conventional osteosarcoma. Quality improvement was obtained for thirty days, followed by the onset of dyspnea. The evolution was towards death at forty days post-operatively. Conclusion: Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer. Delayed treatment leads to a fatal outcome. Early diagnosis is one of the challenges to be met in order to improve survival.

Rare Neonatal Digestive Surgical Emergencies at the Brazzaville University Hospital Center

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the morbidity-morality of rare neonatal digestive emergencies in order to improve their management. Observations: 7 newborns ranging in age from 6 hours to 3 weeks were treated for rare digestive pathologies between January 2013 and July 2017 (a period of 3 years and 6 months) in the Department of Pediatric surgery of Brazzaville University Center, Congo. Males were predominant (5 versus 2 females). Pathologies listed were: 1 antenatal volvulus of the small intestine, 1 annular pancreas and 5 gastric perforations. The average time of care in the operating room was 12 hours. The newborns were hospitalized in the pediatric surgery department in 28.6% of cases (n = 2), and 71.4% (n = 5) in the neonatology department. The antenatal volvulus of the intestine and annulus pancreas were integrated into a nosologic entity named neonatal occlusion (NNO). The postoperative outcomes were simple for 4 patients (57.14%) while 3 patients died immediately after surgery (42.86%). Conclusion: Neonatal surgical emergencies are still difficult to manage in our context. The lack of knowledge of these rare pathologies, which delays their management, considerably increases morbidity-mortality. The critical analysis of this series highlights diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties particularly with gastric perforations, hence the interest of better popularization of pediatric surgery.

Isolated Caeco-Vesical Fistula: A Case Report

Congenital uro or genito-digestive fistulas are frequently found in the context of caudal pole malformations. Isolated congenital forms without associated anorectal malformation have not been reported until now. We report the first case we know a 9 year old female child received in a pediatric surgery consultation for fecaluria evolving since birth with a permeable anus. She presented a good general condition, a good staturo-ponderal and psychomotor development, a vulva soiled by stool and a permeable anus with a tonic sphincter. A retrograde urethrocystography revealed a caeco-vesical fistula. Surgery consisted of ligation-section of the caeco-vesical septum. A follow-up urethrocystography at three months post-surgery no longer visualized the fistula. Our post-operative follow-up is 4 years. Isolated congenital caeco-vesical fistula is an unknown pathology whose late diagnosis can have serious repercussions.