The Diagnostic Value of Immunohistochemistry Markers in Hirschsprung Disease; A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers are employed to improve the diagnostic yield when testing for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Yet, a superior test has not been identified.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of IHC markers.

Ventral body wall closure: Mechanistic insights from mouse models and translation to human pathology.

The ventral body wall (VBW) that encloses the thoracic and abdominal cavities arises by extensive cell movements and morphogenetic changes during embryonic development. These morphogenetic processes include embryonic folding generating the primary body wall; the initial ventral cover of the embryo, followed by directed mesodermal cell migrations, contributing to the secondary body wall. Clinical anomalies in VBW development affect approximately 1 in 3000 live births.

Managing giant omphalocele: A systematic review of surgical techniques and outcomes.

Aim: We analysed closure techniques in the treatment of giant omphalocele. A challenging pathology where there lacks consensus.

Methods: Cochrane, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2022 using terms and variations: omphalocele, exomphalos, giant, closure and outcome.

Surgical and Endoscopic Intervention for Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: The Kings College Hospital Experience.

Paediatric chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a rare and debilitating pathology that often requires invasive diagnostics and therapeutic interventions either to address a primary cause such as a pancreaticobiliary malunion or to deal with secondary complications such as chronic pain. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are two endoscopic modalities that have an established diagnostic role in paediatric CP, and their therapeutic utilisation is increasing in popularity. Surgical decompression of the obstructed and dilated pancreatic duct plays a role in alleviating pancreatic duct hypertension, a common association in CP.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 and Osteopontin Serum Levels as Biomarkers for Biliary Atresia.

Objectives: Matrix metallopeptidase-7 (MMP-7) and osteopontin (OPN) are important components in the pathophysiology of fibrosis in biliary atresia (BA). There has been much recent interest in MMP-7 serum level in the diagnosis of BA. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of both MMP-7 and OPN in a Western BA study.