The role of schistosomes in the pathologenesis of acute appendicitis in an endemic area was investigated. Of 1600 appendicectomies received in our laboratory, 26 showed appendiceal schistosomiasis, which prompted what we believe to be the first detailed histopathological evaluation of all appendices with schistosomal infestation, without prior knowledge of the clinical and operative diagnoses. The results suggest that there are two types of schistosomal appendicitis, each with distinct clinicopathological features and different pathogenetic mechanisms. They could be called obstructive and granulomatous schistosomal acute appendicitis, respectively.

The clinical biochemical, radiological, and histological data of a 5-year-old boy with severe limb deformities and renal failure due to oligomeganephronia and renal hypoplasia are reported. This patient represents another example of acrorenal syndrome. This boy has a severe visual defect due to pigmentory retinopathy, which has not been reported previously.

Endoscopic duodenal biopsy is adequate not only for the diagnosis of villous atrophy, but also for the detection of other gastroenteropathies. Accordingly, when expertise and equipment are available, EDB should be the procedure of choice not only in industrialized but also in developing countries.

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