title: Ileal atresia secondary to antenatal strangulation of Littre's hernia in an exomphalos minor.
abstract: We describe an unusual case of ileal atresia, resulting from antenatal strangulation of a Meckel's diverticulum in an exomphalos minor. This is a rare antenatal complication of Littre's hernia, which has not been previously described. A small exomphalos minor at the base of umbilical cord and late onset vascular accident at the narrow defect leading to ileal atresia may be missed in the prenatal diagnosis. The triad of exomphalos minor, Meckel's diverticulum and terminal ileal atresia secondary to antenatal strangulation of Littre's hernia is very rare to find in the same patient. A small exomphalos minor at the base of the umbilical cord can be missed even in the postnatal period. Our case lends direct evidence of vascular accident as a cause of ileal atresia and supports vascular theory. Whenever possible umbilicus should be preserved naturally and exomphalos sac should be opened higher up for excellent cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. ramnik@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Ramnik V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: A Kate
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Coppi
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierro
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007409:Intestinal Atresia / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications*