Paediatrics: Gastro, urinary + liver Flashcards
Clinical presentation of Mesenteric Adenitis
Prodrome of viral illness - adenovarius, rhinovirus
Central colicky abdominal pain
Fever
Malaise
Enlarged submandibular lymph nodes
Definition and cause of MeA
Intercurrent viral infection causes inflammation of mesenteric lymph nodes.
causative organism: adenovirus, EBV, group B strep
Most common type of inguinal hernia in child and why?
Indirect hernia - patent processus vaginalis
What is the difference between indirect and direct inguinal hernia
Direct - bowel herniates through posterior wall defect (Hesselbach triangle)
Indirect - bowel herniates through internal ring and often presents in scrotum
What is the classic presentation of an inguinal hernia
mass in abdomen, groin or scrotum - prominent when straining or crying
thickened spermatic cord (boys) or round ligament (girls)
nausea + vomiting,
How to differentiate between a reducible and irreducible hernia
increase abdominal pressure by pressing on abdomen or asking child to cough.
If it reduces it is most likely direct, if irreducible most likely indirect and at risk of incarceration (presents with vomiting)
What is the management for an incarcerated inguinal hernia
Resuscitate with fluids, NBM, NGT, AXR (shows obstruction, gas trapped in hernial sac) –> surgery (division and ligation of hernia)
What is a hydrocele and in which condition does it most commonly occur with?
hydrocele a/w inguinal hernia.
Processus vaginalis is too small to allow bowel to pass through, but peritoneal fluid can leak through into scrotum
Presents as B/L painless/non-tender testicular swelling, blue in colour, +ve transillumination
What is the presentation of testicular torsion
Sudden onset pain in scrotum, groin, inguinal canal or abdomen,
nausea + vomiting, crying, scrotal skin red and swollen
What is a torted hydatid
Hydatid of Morgani is embryological remnant that appears as mass on superior pole or testis
How can you differentiate between testicular torision and a torted hydatid
Testicular torsion (presents at adolescents)
- sudden onset pain in scrotum, groin, inguinal canal or abdomen
- nausea, vomiting
- redness and swelling of scrotum
Torted hydatid (presents before puberty in children)
- gradual onset pain in scrotum, groin, inguinal canal or abdomen
- Focal tenderness in upper pole of testis
- Blue dot sign
What is the investigation of hydrocele
Transillumination of testis (observe fluid within)
What is the management of testicular torsion
Emergency surgery within 6-12h of symptom onset (to save testis and avoid ischaemia)
- Untwist totted tests
- Fix both testis (C/L has high risk of also torting)
What are the two investigation of testicular torsion
- Scrotal examination - observe U/L tenderness and swelling
- Doppler US - observe testicular torsion and if blood flow still intact
What is the management of inguinal hernia
Opioid analgesia
Aim to reduce hernia (even if irreducible) to reduce oedema
Surgery - ligation and division
When do both testis usually descend
Third trimester
What is the referral process for undescended testis
Testis not descended at birth - see GP in 6-8 wks
Still not descended - see GP in 3 months
Still not descended - organise surgery before 6 months
What are the investigations for undescended testis
- Massage (all)
- retractable testes can be persuaded to lower into scrotum when massaged above groin
- it is brought back with cremaster reflex - HCG (used for B/L impassable testis)
- inject IM HCG
- if testis are present they will cause an increase in testosterone.
- If there is no increase, seek endocrinologist
What is intussusception and in which age range does this commonly present
Enlarged payer’s patch acts as lead point, merges and invaginate onto another section of bowel –> small bowel obstruction –> engorges –> gangrenous –> perforation and peritonitis
6-18 months (peaks at 3 months and 2 years)
How does intussusception present (early and late)
Paroxysmal pain:
Acute, sudden onset paroxysmal colic pain a/w pallor and vomiting (child screaming, drawing knees to chest)
Post-pain:
Child exhausted, falls asleep, malaise, dehydrated, refuses feeds
Late: Bile stained vomit (obstruction) red-current jelly stools (rectal bleed) abdominal distension (obstruction) rebound tenderness (peritonitis)
What is the key finding of intussusception?
- Abdo exam - sausage shaped mass
- USS - target sign
- DRE - blood
- AXR - bowel obstruction
Treatment of intussusception
Resuscitate - plenty of fluids
NBM
NGT
Prophylactic Abx
Radiological reduction by air enema (pneumatic air insufflation to resolve bowel obstruction)
Laporatomy and bowel resection (last line)