Metal bezoars are uncommon foreign bodies (FB) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and comprised of a wide variety of objects. A 17-year-old schizophrenic presented with abdominal pain and distension along with non-bilious vomiting for 2 weeks. Physical examination revealed dullness to percussion in the epigastrium. Plain radiographs revealed objects of metal density contained within a dilated stomach. Laparotomy was performed revealing metal objects in stomach.

Keywords: Metal bezoars, Psychiatric illness, Intestinal obstruction

How to Cite: Siddiqui Z. Metal bezoars causing upper gastrointestinal obstruction in a schizophrenic. APSP J Case Rep 2011; 2:14

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla. It has wide and subtle range of clinical manifestations including sustained hypertension in about 1% of pediatric patients. Although laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard treatment method in adult patients, few reports have described this technique in children. We report a child with unilateral pheochromocytoma who presented with poor weight gain, polyuria and polydipsia. Diagnosis was based upon clinical and laboratory evaluation. She was treated successfully by laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Penetrating abdominal injuries are uncommon in the pediatric age group and are associated with a high mortality. A seven year old girl suffered penetrating injury to perineum when she fell onto the trident (trishula – traditional three pronged spear) implanted alongside Lord Shiva’s idol. The rod caused perforations of the transverse mesocolon, ileum at 3 places, right lobe of liver, diaphragm, parietal pleura, and exited from 7th intercostal space. Surgical repair of each damaged site was undertaken. Despite delayed presentation, the child survived following surgery.

Penile trauma is an uncommon but potentially serious injury presenting to pediatric emergency room. Strangulation injuries of the penis can be self-inflicted or occur accidentally. However, self-inflicted strangulation of the foreskin in children is rare. This is a case of 7-year-old uncircumcised boy who himself tied foreskin of prepuce with a cotton thread. The thread was cut and circumcision performed to remove the damaged foreskin.

Lymphangioma is an extremely rare cause of scrotal swelling. We are reporting such a tumor in a one and half year old child presenting with a painless, progressive scrotal swelling. The mass was evaluated and excised completely. Histopathology confirmed it as Lymphangioma.

A neonate, who had undergone primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula, developed right pleural effusion in the postoperative period. It was initially misdiagnosed as an anastomotic leak, but later confirmed to be chylothorax. Conservative treatment failed. Application of biological fibrin glue (sealant) on the mediastinum through a thoracotomy was curative.

A 30-month-old male infant presented with sacrococcygeal and pre-sacral mass. Ultrasound (US) abdomen revealed a huge pre-sacral mass with irregular margins extending into the pelvis, pushing the rectum antero-laterally. CT scan and MRI confirmed the US findings. Serum alpha fetoprotein level was abnormally elevated. Histopathological examination of surgical-specimen suggested sacrococcygeal yolk sac tumor (YST).

Segmental dilatation of the colon is a rare congenital disorder of colonic motility and often involves a short segment that causes chronic constipation in children. There are only 10 cases of neonatal colonic segmental dilatation described in literature. We managed a case who presented in the neonatal period with abdominal distension. There was dilatation of whole of the colon except part of ascending colon and the rectum. The case was managed by tubularization of the segmental dilatation of colon with stoma formation as first stage followed by delayed anastomosis during second stage.

Pyloroduodenal duplication is the rarest alimentary tract duplication known so far. A 1-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain, lump in the epigastrium and occasional vomiting. On ultrasound and CT scan of abdomen suspicion of duplication cyst was made. Operation revealed a duplication cyst along pylorus and first part of the duodenum. Excision of free part and mucosal stripping of the attached part of the duplication was done.

Bilateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare birth defect, with a poor prognosis. We describe a case of bilateral CDH discovered while repairing the right sided CDH. Diaphragmatic defect was repaired and a silo was applied on the abdominal wound to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome. The patient however died postoperatively due to severe pulmonary hypertension.

A heterotopic pancreas as the lead point of ileo-ileal intussusception is extremely rare. A 12-year-old previously healthy boy, presented to the emergency room with the complaint of severe abdominal pain for the last 6-8 hours. A preoperative diagnosis of ileo-ileal intussusception was made on ultrasound and an emergency exploratory laparotomy was done. At laparotomy an ileo-ileal intussusception was found and a polyp noted as a lead point. On histopathology this polyp was found to be heterotopic pancreas.

Congenital median upper lip fistula (MULF) is an extremely rare condition resulting from abnormal fusion of embryologic structures. We present a new case of congenital medial upper lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of a 6 year old girl.

Peritonitis due to rupture of liver hydatid cyst secondary to blunt abdominal trauma can present with fatal consequences. Timely diagnosis and appropriate surgical management can be life saving. We report a case of ruptured liver hydatid cyst in the peritoneal cavity following trauma and its successful operative management in a preadolescent previously asymptomatic boy. Importance of detailed physical examination and early diagnosis by using appropriate radiological investigations is highlighted.

Fetus in fetu is a rare developmental aberration, characterized by encasement of partially developed monozygotic, diamniotic, and monochorionic fetus into the normally developing host. A 4-month-old boy presented with abdominal mass. Radiological investigations gave the suspicion of fetus in fetu. At surgery a fetus enclosed in an amnion like membrane at upper retroperitoneal location was found and excised. The patient is doing well after the operation.

Empyema thoracis is a well known complication following para-pneumonic effusions in paediatric age group. Usually it is unilateral but rarely could be bilateral. Herein we report a case of bilateral tuberculous empyema thoracis in a 12 years old, unvaccinated girl with a positive history of contact with tuberculosis. She was managed conservatively with tube thoracostomies and anti-tuberculous drugs. Emphasis is on the conservative approach and patience in management of patients with bilateral empyema thoracis.

Decorative crystal gel balls are used for decoration purpose. Due to their attractive appearance they may be ingested by children. This may result in grave complications. A case of decorative crystal ball ingestion is being reported in a 6 months old infant who presented with sub acute intestinal obstruction and was operated. Crystal gel balls were causing obstruction of jejunum. Enterotomy and removal of the mass of jelly balls was done with primary closure. The patient was re-operated for anastomotic disruption on 6th postoperative day. Baby developed septicemia, and succumbed after 2 days of second operation.