Associated malformations in delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background/purpose: Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been considered rare, and clinical manifestations differ from the more common newborn entity. Associated malformations in late-appearing CDH have been reported in a few patients. The authors reviewed their clinical experience to catalogue the frequency and clinical importance of associated malformations in patients with late-presenting CDH.

The role of smooth muscle cell differentiation in the mechanism of obliteration of processus vaginalis.

Background/purpose: Development of indirect inguinal hernia and hydrocele in childhood is readily explained by the persistence of smooth muscle component around the processus vaginalis (PV) after the descent of the testis into the scrotum. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM MHC) isoforms as the markers of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation in childhood inguinal hernia and hydrocele and in age-matched controls.

Methods: The authors analyzed sacs from patients with inguinal hernia (male, 10; female, 10) and hydrocele (n = 10) immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin, SM1, SM2 and SMemb.