Anal canal duplication in an 11-year-old-child

Anal canal duplication (ACD) is the least frequent digestive duplication. Symptoms are often absent but tend to increase with age. Recognition is, however, important as almost half of the patients with ACD have concomitant malformations. We present the clinical history of an eleven-year-old girl with ACD followed by a review of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis based on all the reported cases in English literature

Not all pediatric intestinal polyps are alike

Background/Aims : In childhood, clinical presentation of intestinal polyps is variable. Painless rectal red blood loss is the most common presenting sign. Most polyps are sporadic, isolated and benign. However, it is important to correctly identity exceptions. Hare inherited polyposis syndromes need to be recognized because of their increased risk of intestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies. Furthermore, a correct diagnosis and treatment of rare gastro-intestinal malignancies is crucial. Methods : Between 2016 and 2018 we encountered 4 different types of intestinal polyps. A database search was performed and patient tiles were checked for clinical manifestations and histopathology. Literature was searched to recapitulate red flags for these syndromes, probability of underlying genetic disorders and diagnostic criteria. Results : Between 2016 and 2018, 28 patients presented at the Ghent University Hospital with 30 juvenile polyps. Furthermore, we diagnosed juvenile polyposis syndrome, Li Fraumeni syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in 1 patient each, whilst 2 FAP patients were in follow-up. Each of these diagnoses has a different lifetime risk of (extra)-intestinal malignancy and requires a different approach and follow-up. Histopathology and genetic testing play an important role in identifying these syndromes in pediatric patients. Conclusion : Although most intestinal polyps in childhood are benign juvenile polyps that require no follow-up, rare inherited syndromes should be considered and correctly diagnosed since adequate follow-up is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal complications and malignancies