We report on the rare disease of posterior fossa abscesses secondary to dermal sinus associated with dermoid cyst in 4 pediatric cases seen over a 15-year of period. All children had a small dimple or a pinhole on the skin of the occipital region. On admission they had the signs of increased intracranial pressure, while 3 of them still suffered from signs of meningitis resulting from a bacterial infection through the dermal sinus. CT scan and MR images revealed both the route of the dermal sinus and intracranial lesions. Total resection was successfully achieved before various treatments in all patients without nervous sequelae. In conclusion, a posterior fossa dermoid cyst should be considered in all children with an occipital dermal sinus. Cerebellar abscesses will arise once bacterial infection has occurred through the associated dermal sinus. Radiological studies such as CT scans and MR images can help confirm the diagnosis and locate the lesions. Early neurosurgical interventions including external ventricular drainage, external abscess drainage and primary removal should be planned as soon as possible in accord with the children's condition.

Foreign body aspiration is a life-threatening emergency in children. An 11-year-old girl presented at the emergency department with a case of accidental foreign body aspiration. The patient had symptoms of acute respiratory distress followed by cyanosis of the lips. Radiological examination demonstrated a radiopaque foreign body. Under analgesic and amnestic anesthesia, we extracted the metal bead using alligator forceps, with a direct laryngoscope and a flexible bronchoscope. This method afforded an improved visual access to the operative field and allowed for intra-operative manipulation, thus obviating the need for thoracotomy.

This corrigendum corrects article “External auditory canal haemorrhage as the first sign of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare case” and its publication reference i.e. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2020; 37:163. Access corrected manuscript Pan African Medical Journal. 2020; 37: 163. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.163.21968. PubMed PMID: 33425196. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7757232. Epub 2021/01/12. eng.

Introduction: Rigid bronchoscopy has been proven to be an excellent tool for the diagnosis and management of several causes of central airway obstruction (CAO). The invasive treatment of silicone bronchobrachial stenting has been performed in children and adults with CAO, and satisfying results were obtained in previous studies. However, there are few reports on infants with central airway obstruction treated with stenting via rigid bronchoscopy. This technique remains a challenge to pediatric thoracic surgeons, pediatric interventional pulmonologists, and otolaryngologists who struggle to treat airway obstruction disease. Patient concerns: Four patients were presented to our hospital with complaints of dyspnea for a period of time after their birth Diagnosis: Three patients were diagnosed as tracheobronchomalacia, and tracheoesophageal fistula. Interventions: Four patients were treated with silicone stenting through rigid bronchoscopy. Outcomes: Silicon stent was adequate for improving the obstruction of the tracheal tract. All the patients were followed-up longer than 6 months. Three patients could breathe normally; the stent migrated in only 1 patient. Conclusion: Invasive silicone tracheobronchial stenting via rigid bronchoscopy is a viable option for infants with CAO. Choosing an appropriate size is a critical factor for success of stenting according to our experience.