Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Laparoscopic Technique for Serial Collection of Liver and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes in Macaques
11:06

Laparoscopic Technique for Serial Collection of Liver and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes in Macaques

Published on: May 2, 2017

An appendiceal leiomyoma in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Elliot Sambol1, Danielle Patterson, Rafael Rivera

  • 1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Suite 10 W, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Pediatric Surgery International
|September 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) face higher risks of smooth muscle tumors. This report details the first appendiceal leiomyoma case in a pediatric AIDS patient, highlighting a rare complication.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) exhibit an elevated risk for lymphoproliferative and neoplastic disorders.
  • Smooth muscle neoplasms, including leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas, are among the potential complications.
  • The incidence of smooth muscle tumors in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is significantly higher than in immunocompetent children.

Observation:

  • A 12-year-old African American girl with vertically acquired AIDS presented with severe abdominal pain.
  • Abdominal exploration revealed an appendiceal leiomyoma, a previously unreported location for such a tumor in this population.
  • Lesions in HIV-infected children are typically found in the lung, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first documented instance of an appendiceal leiomyoma in a child with AIDS.
  • The rarity of appendiceal leiomyoma in immunocompetent children (2 per ten million) underscores the increased risk in pediatric AIDS patients.
  • The clinical presentation included severe diffuse abdominal pain, necessitating emergency evaluation.

Implications:

  • Appendiceal leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in children with AIDS.
  • This finding expands the spectrum of gastrointestinal smooth muscle neoplasms associated with pediatric HIV infection.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of these rare tumors in immunocompromised children.

Related Concept Videos

Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Appendicitis01:19

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...