Purpose Subcutaneous nodules in children are commonly caused by pilomatrixoma, dermoid cysts, soft tissue tumors etc. Parasitic infections are reported to cause subcutaneous nodules and are infrequently described, mostly in the adult literature. We aim to describe the clinicopathological features of subcutaneous lumps caused by dirofilarial infestation in children in an endemic country. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients presenting with the above condition to Lady Ridgeway Hospital from 2018 to 2022 and their relevant details were captured in a proforma. Results There were 55 patients with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The mean age at presentation was 50 months (7–156 months). The mean duration was 97 days (1-820 days). The common sites involved were scrotum (30.9%), back (14.5%), abdominal wall (102.7%) and face (10.9%). The majority had a painless nodule (70.9%) while 10 (18.2%) had features of acute inflammation. Thirty (55.5%) had preoperative ultrasonography which showed features of parasitic nodules in 26 (47.3%). Parasite was demonstrated in histopathological analysis only in 30 patients (54.5%). Conclusion Dirofilarial nodule should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous lumps in children, especially in the endemic areas.

Subcutaneous nodules in children are commonly caused by pilomatrixoma, dermoid cysts, soft tissue tumors etc. Parasitic infections are reported to cause subcutaneous nodules and are infrequently described, mostly in the adult literature. We aim to describe the clinicopathological features of subcutaneous lumps caused by diro larial infestation in children in an endemic country. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of all patients presenting with the above condition to Lady Ridgeway Hospital from 2018 to 2022 and their relevant details were captured in a proforma. ResultsThere were 55 patients with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The mean age at presentation was 50 months (7-156 months). The mean duration was 97 days (1-820 days). The common sites involved were scrotum (30.9%), back (14.5%), abdominal wall (102.7%) and face (10.9%). The majority had a painless nodule (70.9%) while 10 (18.2%) had features of acute in ammation. Thirty (55.5%) had preoperative ultrasonography which showed features of parasitic nodules in 26 (47.3%). Parasite was demonstrated in histopathological analysis only in 30 patients (54.5%). ConclusionDiro larial nodule should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous lumps in children, especially in the endemic areas.

Introduction: Anorectal malformations (ARM) have an incidence of around 1 in every 5000 live births. They are associated with other anomalies, especially cardiac, which are more prevalent than in the general population. Cardiac anomalies affect the overall outcome of these patients.Objectives: To describe the 2D echocardiogram findings of neonates born with ARM, who were referred to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Sri Lanka (LRH) for paediatric surgical management.Method: A retrospective analysis was done of medical records of neonates with ARM who were referred to LRH between November 2015 and April 2019. Cardiac anomalies were categorized as major and minor according to their severity.Results: There was a total of 60 patients with ARM: 48 with isolated ARM, 10 with ARM and oesophageal atresia (OA), 1 with ARM and duodenal atresia (DA) and 1 with ARM, OA and DA. The male to female ratio was 7:3. Associated congenital heart disease (CHD) was seen in 48 (80%) patients and it was commoner in patients with other associated gastrointestinal (GI) anomalies (92%) compared to patients with isolated ARM (77%). The common cardiac anomalies were combined atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (31.3%), isolated ASD (16.7%) and isolated PDA (16.7%). In those with cardiac defects, 43 (89.6%) had minor defects.

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem autoimmune vasculitis that manifests as oral and genital ulcers with varying degrees of dermatological and ocular involvement. Aseptic splenic abscesses are a rare entity commonly occurring in autoinflammatory diseases and are rarely associated with BD. Here, we present the case of a 16-year-old male with BD who presented with prolonged fever and constitutional symptoms and was found to have an aseptic splenic abscess. Rapid resolution of the symptoms along with radiological evidence of abscess shrinkage was achieved with corticosteroid therapy.