Congenital retroperitoneal tumour: rhabdomyoma or rhabdomyosarcoma?

This case report demonstrates the difficulties experienced by pathologists when confronted with a tumour that is not typical of either a benign tumour or its malignant counterpart and adds to the rapidly growing list of conditions diagnosed by means of antenatal ultrasonography.     

Stenting of anomalous left carotid artery using a radial artery approach.

A 90-year-old male presented with symptomatic severe stenosis of an anomalous left carotid artery originating from the brachicephalic trunk. A previous attempt at selective cannulation of the left carotid artery was unsuccessful using a transfemoral approach. We performed successful carotid artery angioplasty and stenting using a right radial artery approach.     

The Malone Antegrade Continence Enema Procedure,An Indian Perspective

Eight patients with bowel incontinence underwent an open Malone Antegrade Continence Enema (MACE) procedure between May 1997 to May 2000. Indications for the procedure included high anorectal malformation in 3, bowel dysmotility in 1. spinal dysraphism in 3 and presacral teratoma in 1. Age at presentation varied between 06 to 12 years. All but one patient claimed excellent results. Complications of the procedure included stomal stenosis in 1, stomal leak in 2 and inadequate emptying of effluent in 1. Patient selection was the key to success. All patients except one, were children who were literate and had access to a western toilet Whereas, for the vast majority in the Indian rural setting, the procedure may not be beneficial but for a select group of bowel incontinence children, this procedure may bring a dawn of hope.Key Words: Bowel incontinence, Malone Antegrade Continence Enema     

Contribution of exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in acute and chronic experimental renal infection

The role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A was studied in acute and chronic pyelonephritis models employing an exotoxin A-producing strain PAO, and its toxin deficient mutant PAOT1. Interestingly, the mutant strain was found to be at an advantage in its ability to induce acute pyelonephritis and it induced severer renal pathology. No significant differences were observed in the ability of the parent strain and its mutant to induce chronic renal inflammation.     

Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum – An early Experience

The technique of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is a new operation that allows for repair of this deformity without any cartilage resection or sternal osteotomy. The procedure has revolutionized the management of pectus excavatum. Six cases of pectus excavatum were referred to our centre for surgical correction. However, based on Haller''s CT index 2 merited surgery. Our results suggest that the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is an exciting operation with minimal morbidity and excellent results. The innovative incorporation of thoracoscopic techniques and small but important modifications to the techniques will make this operation very effective and safe.Key Words: Minimally invasive surgery, Pectus excavatum     

Caroli syndrome

We describe a case of Caroli syndrome (Caroli's disease and congenital hepatic fibrosis) in a 10-year-old boy with bilobar involvement and numerous renal cysts. Liver transplantation offers the only hope for such patients. Accepted: 17 May 1999