Background: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most widely used indicator of kidney function although it does not invariably reflect the functional status after renal injury. The concept of renal function reserve (RFR) as the ability of the kidney to increase GFR following a protein load was introduced in 1980s. In hydronephrotic children, the acute hemodynamic response to intravenous protein load can cause changes in renal function that are different from changes in normal controls. Materials and Methods: RFR was evaluated in 21 children with hydronephrosis (group I - study group) and in 20 healthy children (group II - control group) by subtracting the baseline GFR from the stimulated GFR following an intravenous protein load. GFR was determined by double compartment-2 plasma sample method using ^99m Tc DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) radioisotope as the filtration agent. Results: The baseline GFR, stimulated GFR and RFR of hydronephrotic children (group I) was found to be significantly lower ( P = 0.01, P = 0.001 and P = 0.03 respectively) as compared with healthy normal children (group II). The stimulated GFR shows a strong correlation with the baseline GFR in both the groups, but the RFR shows a high inverse correlation to the baseline GFR in controls and a very low correlation in study group. Conclusion: RFR is preserved in children with hydronephrosis, but it is reduced in comparison to healthy children. However, its clinical utility to unmask the severity of hydronephrosis is limited by the various limiting factors.

The purpose of this study was to enquire into the clinical features and methods for the diagnosis and management of single-system ectopic ureters associated with renal dysplasia. Materials and Methods: A total of 13 female patients were studied. Main stay of diagnosis was ultrasonography of KUB region and intravenous urography and renal scan was used to confirm the diagnosis. Histopathological evaluation was done in all cases for documentation of renal dysplasia. Result: In eight cases ectopic ureter with dysplastic kidney was seen on left side and in five it was on right side. All the patients were treated with nephroureterectomy of the affected side because of poor functioning of ipsilateral dysplastic kidney. Conclusion: Continuous urinary incontinence in females with a normal voiding pattern should prompt an evaluation for ureteric ectopia and when initial evaluation yields diagnosis of solitary kidney the clinician should be aware of the possibility of a hypoplastic and/or dysplastic on one side and normally functioning kidney on opposite side. Nephroureterectomy is the treatment of choice for unilateral single system ectopic ureter with renal dysplasia of affected side.

Aim: To report the results of the early discharge of children after hypospadias repair with an indwelling catheter. Materials and Methods: To facilitate early the discharge of children after hypospadias repair, the author adopted the technique of draining the indwelling urinary catheter into diapers in children undergoing this operation. Home catheter care was taught to the mother; the dressings and catheters were subsequently managed in the outpatient clinic. Results: Over a 2-year period, 43 children were managed by this technique and were sent home within 24-48 h after the operation with an indwelling catheter. Minor problems requiring outpatient visits to the surgeon occurred in nine (20%) children after discharge from the hospital. All the nine children were successfully managed as outpatients and no child required rehospitalisation. The catheter remained in position for 5 days in all the children. The overall results were satisfactory with an acceptable (7%) fistula rate. Conclusions: It is possible to reduce the duration of the hospital stay of children after hypospadias repair without compromising on the final results.

Aim: This is to report the challenges and experience gained with non operative management of splenic injuries in a developing country where sophisticated imaging facilities are either not available or exorbitantly expensive. Materials and Methods: All patients who presented with splenic injury at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between January, 2000 and December, 2006 were assessed and those who met the criteria were recruited for non operative management. Diagnosis of splenic injury was made by combining clinical assessment and ultrasound findings. Results: A total of 24 children with a mean age 12 ± 0.04 years and male/female ratio 1.7:1 were treated during the period. Road traffic accident, accounting for 50% of the cases was the major cause of trauma followed by falls from heights. Delay in presentation was a major concern as 62.5% of them were not referred until shock supervened. None of the patients could afford CT scan but ultrasound scan was able to confirm diagnosis in all. Basing decision on clinical parameters, non operative management was successfully done in 75% while 25% were operated as they could not meet the criteria. No mortality was recorded in the non operated group while one was recorded in those operated. The average length of hospitalization was two weeks. Conclusion: Non operative management of splenic injuries can be successfully done in a developing country using clinical parameters as a guide. The 75% of patients with splenic injury treated can be improved upon by health awareness campaign/improvement in government policy that will result in early presentation.

Aim: We evaluated the treatment outcome of the patients having cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Materials and Methods: During the period of 1975 to 2005, 392 hydrocephalic patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, of these eight developed abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. The medical records regarding the etiology of hydrocephalus, age of shunting, infectious screening, therapy and follow up were evaluated. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal in all except in 4 patients who showed high level of C-reactive protein. One patient had significant abdominal symptoms as pain, vomiting and diarrhea. All were treated by cyst excision, exteriorization of shunt and antibiotic treatment. A new shunt was placed once cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative. Conclusions: cyst excision, appropriate antibiotic therapy followed by new shunt placement once cerebrospinal fluid cultures are negative constitutes the required treatment for these patients with abdominal pseudocyst.

Xipho-omphalopagus twins are conjoined twins sharing some part of gastrointestinal system and lower sternum. These types of twins have best chances of survival if successfully separated. We report a case of successfully separated Xipho-omphalopagus twins, highlighting the importance of proper planning and team effort in such separations.

Authors report an 11-month-old female child, who presented with recurrent episodes of colicky abdominal pain and diarrhea. An abdominal ultrasound revealed small bowel intussusception. She was also noted to have a thick walled gall bladder and a solitary gallstone. Further investigations confirmed the diagnosis of coeliac disease. The combination of small bowel intussusception, coeliac disease and cholelithiasis is unique and has not been reported in the literature.

An 8-year-old girl presented with distal ileal obstruction secondary to transmesenteric hernia. The ileum just proximal to the herniated loop was ischemic, while the herniated bowel did not show ischemia. The ischemia was due to stretching and torsion of the vessels around the mesenteric defect by the herniated bowel. Such a mechanism has not been reported before.

Introduction: Large fetal neck masses can present a major challenge for securing an airway at birth with associated risks of hypoxia, brain injury and death. Teratomas of the oropharynx are rare, presenting 3% of teratomas in childhood, and are treated by surgical excision. If respiratory distress accompanies the lesion, priority must be given to the securing of the airway. Case History: We present a case of an infant who was diagnosed antenatally as having a huge oropharyngeal teratoma. The anaesthetic, surgical and neonatology teams were ready to perform surgical excision depending on the placental circulation immediately after securing the airway. The tumour weighed 1591 g and was 20 x 22 x 12 cm. The patient was a male and weighed 715 g. Histopathology showed Grade II teratoma. Conclusion: Large fetal neck masses can present a major challenge for securing an airway at birth with associated risks of hypoxia, brain injury and death. A multidisciplinary team approach combined with an accurate prenatal diagnosis obtained through fetal ultrasound is the key to a successful outcome. Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) that is based on the placental blood during intubation, tracheostomy or surgical excision is the standard procedure.

A case of dextrogastria associated with multiple jejunal atresia and inverse rotation of the bowel in a neonate is presented. The management of this rare condition is highlighted with a review of the literature.

A rare case of a five-year-old boy who sustained closed abdominal trauma with rectal tear and evisceration of ileum and sigmoid colon per anum, is presented. He was managed successfully with resection anastomosis of ileum and sigmoid colostomy, which was closed subsequently. The relevant literature is also reviewed.

Spigelian hernias are uncommon in children. We report a 3-year-old boy with right spigelian hernia and right undescended testis. The hernial sac contained the testis, which is a rare presentation. The repair of the large defect with a prosthetic mesh and a concomitant orchidopexy were performed uneventfully.

Cystic dilatation of vagina due to genital tract obstruction is rare. the cause of obstruction can be imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal septum and vaginal atresia. We pictographically demonstrate a case of 45 days old infant presenting with abdomino-pelvic cystic mass