Repairable Block Failure Resilient Codes

In large scale distributed storage systems (DSS) deployed in cloud computing, correlated failures resulting in simultaneous failure (or, unavailability) of blocks of nodes are common. In such scenarios, the stored data or a content of a failed node can only be reconstructed from the available live nodes belonging to available blocks. To analyze the resilience of the system against such block failures, this work introduces the framework of Block Failure Resilient (BFR) codes, wherein the data (e.g., file in DSS) can be decoded by reading out from a same number of codeword symbols (nodes) from each available blocks of the underlying codeword. Further, repairable BFR codes are introduced, wherein any codeword symbol in a failed block can be repaired by contacting to remaining blocks in the system. Motivated from regenerating codes, file size bounds for repairable BFR codes are derived, trade-off between per node storage and repair bandwidth is analyzed, and BFR-MSR and BFR-MBR points are derived. Explicit codes achieving these two operating points for a wide set of parameters are constructed by utilizing combinatorial designs, wherein the codewords of the underlying outer codes are distributed to BFR codeword symbols according to projective planes

Hair tourniquet syndrome of the clitoris and labia minora: Report of three cases and review of the literature

Hair tourniquet syndrome (HTS) is a rare condition and may pose diagnostic dilemma. The purpose of this study is to report our experience in 3 female cases with HTS involving genitalia. All the patients in this series presented with swollen and edematous genitalia and clitoris accompanied by strangulation in clitoris or labia minora with a hair thread. Strangulating hair was excised and removed under local anesthesia. The pain was cleared away and edematous discoloration disappeared immediately. Local application of antibiotic ointment was added to the treatment in these cases for a period of 6-7 days. The anatomy of the genitalia was found to be normal in these children during the follow up exam. A brief literature review on this subject is also given in this review

Epidermoid inclusion cyst after urethroplasty: A rare complication

Epidermoid inclusion cysts (EIC) is a disease caused by the nidation of the epidermal tissues and sebaceous materials into the dermal and subcutaneous layers. This entity is usually observed after trauma and surgical procedures. A 5-year-old boy with a ventral penile mass was admitted to our department. The history of the patient revealed that he was operated at the age of 1 year for hypospadias in a different medical center. The patient’s history also revealed that during the initial operation, a skin graft was used for covering urethroplasty. One year later the operation, a ventral penile mass was observed by his mother during wash. The mass continued to increase in size reaching of 1 cm in diameter. The mass was excised and the histopathological study revealed that the mass was compatible with an EIC. With 2 years of follow up the patient is disease free. EICs after penile surgical interventions may be a factor of anxiety for both the children and their parents. In order to avoid this unwanted complication, implantation of the superficial tissue layers into the deep the dermal and subcutaneous tissues should be avoided

Femoral hernia in children as a rare pathology: A retrospective case series

Background: Femoral hernias are uncommon groin pathology among children. The rarity of the pathology results in increased complications, delayed diagnosis and inappropriate inguinal exploration. In this study, we review our experience with this surgical entity over a 10-year period. Materials and Methods: The medical records of seven children who underwent femoral hernia repair between January 2010 and January 2021 at a single tertiary centre were retrospectively analysed. Reviewed data included demographics, pre-operative diagnosis, operative technique, complications and follow-up. Results: Seven children (5 females [71%] and 2 males [29%]) were operated due to femoral hernia. Median age was 8 years (range: 3–16 years). Four (57%) patients had right-sided femoral hernia and three (43%) were on the left side. The correct pre-operative diagnosis was obtained in three (42%) cases. The remaining four misdiagnosed cases were diagnosed as femoral hernia at the surgery. In all cases, the initial presentation was swelling; two (28%) had inguinal pain and three patients (42%) required emergency inguinal exploration due to suspected incarceration. All patients had repair of their hernia by open technique; the femoral canal was closed by mesh plug or Vicryl sutures. All patients were discharged without complications. No recurrence was detected and the median post-operative follow-up period was 24 months (range: 8–48 months). Conclusion: Femoral hernia is a challenging pathology and correct diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. In equivocal cases, ultrasonography and laparoscopy may be useful. Appropriate pre-operative diagnosis evades complications and delays in treatment. Regardless of the surgical approach recurrences and complications are very rare in children

A huge duplication cyst of the ileum

Background: Massive unilocular intraabdominal cysts in children are rare. Alimentary tract duplications can present diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Although they can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus, they are commonly seen in relation to the ileum. We herein present an unusual case of duplication cyst itself occupying virtually all of the available intraabdominal volume. It appeared to be an enteric duplication cyst of ileal origin. Case Report: A 3-month-old girl was admitted to our hospital for investigation of progressive abdominal distension and biliary vomiting. Plain radiography of the abdomen showed normal air-fluid level in the stomach and paucity of gases in rest of the abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a huge, homogenous cyst extending from the xiphisternum down to the pelvis. The cyst was excised completely. Macroscopic examination and histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of a huge enteric duplication cyst arising from the ileum. Conclusions: Enteric duplication cyst should be considered in a patient with an abdominal cystic mass. Radiologist must take into account patient age, clinical parameters, and imaging findings to identify the likely etiology of a cystic mass

Effect of Total Macroscopical Sampling of the Pediatric Appendectomy Specimen on Histopathological Diagnosis: EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC APPENDECTOMY SPECIMEN

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is considered the most common abdominal surgery in children. Pathological examination of the appendectomy specimen mainly is performed to document the presence or absence of inflammation and confirm the clinical diagnosis. If the diagnosis made by the pathologist is as ‘no appendicitis’, then clinical work up for other causes should be performed. Routine macroscopic evaluation of the appendectomy specimen consists of obtaining one section each from the base, body and the tip of the appendix and additional sections obtained from exuding or perforated areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the final pathological diagnosis would change when the appendectomy specimen is sampled totally. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we performed conventional macroscopical sampling from the tip, body and base of the appendix and embedded these tissues in the first two cassettes, then the rest of appendix was completely sampled in additional two to five casettes. The histopathological diagnosis of conventionally sampled tissues and the histopathological diagnosis of total macroscopical sampling were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 87 appendectomies were evaluated, of which 58.6 % were male, and the mean age was 11.7 (1 years-18 years). The initial histopathological diagnosis was changed in 14 (16%) cases. In 8 (9.2%) cases, the initial diagnosis of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia changed to acute focal appendicitis (early appendicitis). In 4 (4.6%) cases the initial diagnosis of acute suppurative appendicitis changed to acute suppurative and perforated appendicitis, and in 2 (2.2%) cases acute perforated appendicitis changed to acute perforated and gangrenous appendicitis. Conclusion: Total macroscopical sampling of the appendectomy specimen in cases of negative appendicitis would improve the diagnosis and can document early appendicitis in pediatric cases

Assessment and outcome of pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction: A tertiary-care-center experience from Turkey

WOS: 000463369400008PubMed ID: 30666970Background/Alms: Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a severe disorder of gut motility. In this rare and difficult-to-manage disease, complex treatment method, such as intestinal transplantation, is sometimes needed. This study evaluated the management and follow-up results of patients with PIPO who received treatment at our center. Materials and Methods: The cases of 13 patients with PIPO were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, clinical features, etiologies, pharmacological and surgical treatments, nutritional support, anthropometric findings, small bowel transplantation (SBT), and survival rates were assessed. Results: Two of the patients were diagnosed at 1 and 5 years of age, while other patients were diagnosed during neonatal period. The etiological cause could not be identified for 5 patients. Pharmacological treatment response was observed in 38.4% of patients. Post-pyloric feeding was applied in 4 patients, but no response was observed. Gastrostomy decreased the clinical symptoms in 3 patients during the abdominal distension period. Total oral nutrition was achieved in 38.4% of the total-parenteral-nutrition (TPN)-dependent patients. It was observed that anthropometric findings improved in patients with total oral nutrition. Liver cirrhosis developed in 1 patient. Venous thrombosis developed in 4 patients. The SBT was performed on 3 patients. One of these patients has been followed up for the last 4 years. Conclusion: Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disease that can present with a wide range of clinical symptoms. While some patients require intestinal transplantation, supportive care may be sufficient in others. For this reason, patients with PIPO should be managed individually