Mesocolic hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in children. The diagnosis involves a high index of suspicion and prompt intervention to prevent strangulation and a high morbidity. The embryological basis of the condition is of paramount importance to assist the eventual surgical correction.

A case of leucocytoclastic vasculitis involving the entire small bowel is reported. A high index of suspicion and recognition of the early palpable purpuric skin lesions in patients with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal hemorrhage might avert unnecessary surgical exploration in some patients.

Gastric volvulus is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. Emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in patients who present with signs and symptoms suggesting foregut occlusion. We report an illustrative case and review the pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis and treatment of this rare entity.

Abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis secondary to fish bone ingestion is extremely rare. We present a case of ingested fish bone complicated with self-sealing small bowel perforation and abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis. Following principles of necrotising fasciitis, a high index of suspicion led to early diagnosis and early treatment. The patient enjoyed a good recovery.

Four Asian patients presented with dysphagia. In each case the oesophagus was involved by adjacent tuberculous subcarinal glands. The lungs were clear and symptoms of systemic illness were minimal. Findings at oesophagoscopy were non-specific and early diagnosis rested on a high index of suspicion and a strongly positive Mantoux test. Bacteriological proof was obtained early in only two of the ...

A preterm neonate underwent emergent laparotomy for presumed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Intra-operatively, neonatal perforated appendicitis (NPA) was encountered. This may represent a form of NEC localized to the appendix. A high index of clinical suspicion and early laparotomy are recommended.

Injury to the spinal cord without radiological abnormality often occurs in the skeletally immature cervical and thoracic spine. We describe four adult patients with this diagnosis involving the cervical spine with resultant quadriparesis. The relevant literature is reviewed. The implications for initial management of the injury, the role of MRI and the need for a high index of suspicion are hig...

Sacral stress fractures are a frequently overlooked cause of low-back and buttock pain in athletes. A high index of clinical suspicion and use of appropriate diagnostic tools can provide the accurate diagnosis. Early diagnosis and closely monitored and structured rehabilitation program can considerably accelerate return to sport.

Renal arteriovenous fistula (rAVF) is an uncommon condition, usually iatrogenic and in most cases caused by percutaneous renal needle biopsy. This is a report of rAVF following flexible ureteroscopic electro-hydraulic lithotripsy of a lower pole renal calculus and its subsequent management. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of this rare complication, which is easily treate...

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare disease in children. Children with NPC almost always have the undifferentiated variant of the disease, which is associated with advanced locoregional and distant metastasis. We report two cases to illustrate that high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose NPC in children especially those with atypical presentation of otitis media with effusion (OME).