No abstract

We had experience with a case of mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall (MHCW) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). We reported the first case of asymptomatic MHCW in a child with preoperative PET/CT. Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a rare benign tumor that usually presents as a visible chest wall mass or respiratory problems secondary to compression of the lung in early infancy. It is often reported that malignant transformation is extraordinarily rare. Positron emission tomography/CT is useful for diagnosis of malignancy. There is no report of MHCW in a child with preoperative PET/CT before. We examined an asymptomatic 1-year-old girl with an incidental finding on a chest x-ray. Scans of CT and PET/CT were performed before surgical resection. After surgery, the resected tumor was examined histologically. Chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest confirmed a 25-3 20-mm round shaped intrapleural mass containing calcification and destructing the rib, arising from the third rib. Scan of PET/ CT demonstrated the mass with light FDG accumulation. Histologically, the mass was homogenous, with thick funicular of hyaline cartilage interdigitating with scattered fiber. There were no malignant cells. No malignant MHCW was demonstrated in the

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, dai-kenchu-to (DKT), on obstructive bowel diseases in children. We have treated 46 pediatric patients with various obstructive bowel diseases with DKT: six patients with postoperative ileus, 12 with large abdominal surgery (including three neonates), one with ano-rectal anomaly, three with Hirschsprung's disease, two with functional bowel obstructions, one with SMA syndrome, and 21 patients with chronic constipation. DKT (0.1-0.15 g/kg) was mixed with 5-10 ml of warm water, and was given orally two to three times a day. DKT was effective for 39 patients (85%) and their clinical symptoms improved. DKT was ineffective in seven patients: two with postoperative ileus, two with Hirschsprung's disease, and three with chronic constipation. DKT had mild but significant effects for various obstructive bowel diseases in children, while no side effects were encountered. Our current strategy for pediatric patients with obstructive bowel disease is to use DKT first and then test its efficacy. If DKT is effective, the regimen is continued. However, in cases where DKT is not effective, we will consider laparotomy or will further investigate the illness.

Hepatic portoenterostomy (Kasai operation) for the patient with biliary atresia (BA) can restore the bile flow in approximately 80% of children operated on before 60 days of life [1]. However, in terms of long-term survival, according to a recent nationwide survey among the major pediatric centers in Japan, only 325 of 2013 patients had more than 10 years' survival, and only 157 patients (7.8%) remained jaundice-free with normal liver function [2]. About 20% of BA cases without jaundice are generally able to survive for long periods; and most of those patients have portal hypertension or abnormal liver function [3-5]. As the results of liver transplantation have improved, controversy has arisen over the optimal care of these children [4, 6, 7]. Some investigators have claimed that transplantation is the favored primary therapy for most patients with BA [8]. We are thus at a turning point concerning the primary therapy of BA, which makes it necessary to determine the exact indications for the Kasai portoenterostomy and the timing of liver transplantation. This paper describes our strategy for the optimal treatment of BA patients based on our 117 patients who have had various form of portoenterostomy.

Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination seemed to accelerate the recovery of patients with fistula-in-ano in infancy.