Scrotal approach for inguinal hernia and hydrocele repair in boys.

Purpose: The scrotal approach to repairing inguinal hernias and hydroceles in boys is a relatively new approach, which offers the paediatric surgeon the choice of leaving a more cosmetically acceptable scar. This paper reports the experience of one centre using this approach.

Methods: 195 consecutive repairs in 176 boys were studied.

VACTERL with hydrocephalus and isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a first cousin.

A male infant is described of VACTERL with hydrocephalus where a female first cousin of this child had isolated oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula. Possibly modes of inheritance are discussed.

Benign lipoblastoma arising in the neck.

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are rare benign tumours of embryonal fat that exhibit a tendency to invade locally but not to metastasize. This condition most often presents before the age of 3 years, affects males more than females, and is typified by a slowly-growing, usually subcutaneous mass arising in a limb. Cases involving the head and neck are extremely rare, with only nine cases in the neck having been described to date.

Neonatal thymic haemorrhage.

Thymic haemorrhage in a neonate is an exceedingly rare condition. A case is presented of a neonate presenting at birth with cyanosis, respiratory distress and an anterior mediastinal mass. The radiological findings are demonstrated.