Primary Omental Torsion in Children in the Laparoscopy Era: What Have we Learned so far?

BACKGROUND/AIM: Primary omental torsion is uncommon, mimicking appendicitis and other acute abdominal pathologies. It often escapes diagnosis on imaging investigation or conventional open laparotomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laparoscopy on the various parameters of this entity, including incidence, diagnosis, and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed, including PubMed and Scopus databases, without a time limit, following the PRISMA principles. A total of 16 articles from January 2000 to December 2023, corresponding to 56 children with primary omental torsion, complied with the research criteria. RESULTS: Primary omental torsion was associated with obesity. Symptoms were right abdomen oriented, often compared to those of acute appendicitis. Preoperative ultrasound displayed low diagnostic accuracy, whereas computerized tomography diagnosed only two thirds of cases. In all patients, the vermiform appendix was normal. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy affected both diagnosis and treatment of primary omental torsion in children. Easy peritoneal cavity access rendered possible the diagnosis of cases previously discharged as abdominal pain of unknown etiology. Combined with the increased pediatric obesity, it also affected primary omental torsion incidence. The recent pathogenetic theories may be better supported today, as laparoscopy provides a detailed view in situ, and facilitates harvesting of fat tissue from the omentum for molecular investigation. The diagnostic efficiency of laparoscopy is superior to ultrasonography and computerized tomography. Finally, the removal of the ischemic omentum is technically easier compared to the open laparotomy alternative with all the technical difficulties of traction of a vulnerable hemorrhagic tissue through a small incision.

Infantile hemangiomas screening modalities for primary care physicians.

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumors in children. They present a characteristic natural history of spontaneous involution after a phase of initial proliferation. A small but significant minority demonstrates incomplete regression or complications and requires prompt intervention. Prediction of the evolution of infantile hemangiomas is challenging because of their morphological and behavioral heterogeneity. The decision between referral for treatment and observation is sometimes difficult, especially among non-expert physicians, with the risk of missing the period for optimizing outcomes in case of delayed intervention. The aim of this review is to update our knowledge, especially of the primary care providers, regarding the ongoing difficulties of the early clinical evaluation of infantile hemangiomas, and to outline the importance of current practical scoring tools for the identification of the lesions which require expert consultation and referral.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children and Adolescents; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pitfalls.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) represents an acute, severe complication of relative insulin deficiency and a common presentation of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) primarily and, occasionally, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents. It is characterized by the biochemical triad of hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia and/or ketonuria, and acidaemia. Clinical symptoms include dehydration, tachypnoea, gastrointestinal symptoms, and reduced level of consciousness, precipitated by a variably long period of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. The present review aims to summarize potential pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of DKA. A literature review was conducted using the Pubmed/Medline and Scopus databases including articles published from 2000 onwards. Diagnostic challenges include differentiating between T1DM and T2DM, between DKA and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS), and between DKA and alternative diagnoses presenting with overlapping symptoms, such as pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, acute abdomen, and central nervous system infection. The mainstays of DKA management include careful fluid resuscitation, timely intravenous insulin administration, restoration of shifting electrolyte disorders and addressing underlying precipitating factors. However, evidence suggests that optimal treatment remains a therapeutic challenge. Accurate and rapid diagnosis, prompt intervention, and meticulous monitoring are of major importance to break the vicious cycle of life-threatening events and prevent severe complications during this potentially fatal medical emergency.

Post-Traumatic Stress as a Psychological Effect of Mild Head Injuries in Children.

BACKGROUND: Head trauma is one of the most common pediatric emergencies. While the psychological effects of severe head injuries are well studied, the psychological consequences of mild head injuries often go overlooked. Head injuries with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-15, with symptoms such as headache, vomiting, brief loss of consciousness, transient amnesia, and absence of focal neurological signs, are defined as mild. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stress of children with mild head injuries and their parents' relevant perception during the early post-traumatic period. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study on a cohort of children with mild head injuries and their parents. Two questionnaires were implemented, the Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) which was compiled by the children, and the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13), compiled by their parents. Both questionnaires are widely used and reliable. The first presents an excellent predictive ability in children with a risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, while the second is a weighted self-completed detecting instrument for the measurement of post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents, with a detailed evaluation of their reactions to the traumatic incident. The participants responded one week and one month after the traumatic event. RESULTS: A total of 175 children aged 6-14 years and 174 parents participated in the study. Stress was diagnosed in 33.7% of children after one week, and in 9.9% after one month. Parental responses suggesting stress presence in their children were 19.0% and 3.9%, respectively. These outcomes showed that mild head injuries are not so innocent. They are often underestimated by their parents and may generate a psychological burden to the children during the early post-traumatic period. CONCLUSIONS: Mild head injuries may affect the emotional welfare of children. Healthcare providers should understand the importance of the psychological effect of this overlooked type of injury. They should be trained in the psychological effect of trauma and be aware of this probability, promptly notify the parents accordingly, and provide psychological assistance beyond medical treatment. Follow-up and support are needed to avoid the possibility of future post-traumatic stress disorder. More extensive research is needed as the outcomes of this study regarded a limited population in numbers, age, and survey period. Furthermore, many children with mild head injuries do not ever visit the emergency department and stay at home unrecorded. Community-based research on the topic should therefore be considered.

Association of the Bacteria of the Vermiform Appendix and the Peritoneal Cavity with Complicated Acute Appendicitis in Children.

BACKGROUND: Primary infection has been questioned as the pathogenetic cause of acute appendicitis. We attempted to identify the bacteria involved and to investigate if their species, types, or combinations affected the severity of acute appendicitis in children. METHODS: Samples from both the appendiceal lumen and the peritoneal cavity of 72 children who underwent appendectomy were collected to perform bacterial culture analysis. The outcomes were studied to identify if and how they were associated with the severity of the disease. Regression analysis was performed to identify any risk factors associated with complicated appendicitis. RESULTS: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus species were the most common pathogens found in the study population. The same microorganisms, either combined or separate, were the most common in the appendiceal lumen and the peritoneal cavity of patients with complicated appendicitis. Gram-negative bacteria and polymicrobial cultures in the peritoneal fluid and in the appendiceal lumen were associated with complicated appendicitis. Polymicrobial cultures in the peritoneal cavity presented a four times higher risk of complicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Polymicrobial presentation and Gram-negative bacteria are associated with complicated appendicitis. Antibiotic regimens should target the combinations of the most frequently identified pathogens, speculating the value of early antipseudomonal intervention.

Pelvic Floor Muscles Contribution in Surgical Outcome of Children with High-type Anorectal Malformations.

As a consequence of high-type anorectal malformations (ARMs) pathogenesis, the pelvic floor muscles remain severely underdeveloped or hypoplastic, the rectal pouch is located at the level or above the puborectalis sling, and the bowel terminates outside the sphincter muscle complex support. For children with high-type ARMs the ultimate objective of therapy is mainly to grow up having bowel continence function that is compatible with a good quality of life, and the final prognosis depends significantly on the grade of development of pelvic floor muscles and the successful entering of the anorectum fully within the support of the external anal sphincter due to intraoperative conservation of the puborectalis sling. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently become the preferred imaging study for prediction of functional outcomes, since it can define the anatomy and evaluate the development of the sphincteric muscles before and after surgical correction. Based on recent literature and our clinical experience, we will discuss the relevance of pelvic floor muscles MRI to the clinical outcome of children with high type ARMs.

Acute Appendicitis in a Diabetic Child with Salmonella Infection.

Acute appendicitis is the most frequent and challenging condition requiring emergent intrabdominal surgery in children. The diagnosis of appendicitis becomes more difficult and challenging in children, especially with other medical problems. Computed tomography is the primary tool for diagnosing or excluding appendicitis in cases with atypical presentation. Salmonella infections may present as acute abdominal problems in children. We present a clinical combination that has never been previously reported, of a diabetic girl with non-typhoid Salmonella infection, diagnosed with acute appendicitis. We wonder about the causal correlation of these diseases, versus their simple coexistence.

Endoscopic Injection Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children: Meeting with the Factors Involved in the Success Rate.

The challenges and controversies in vesicoureteral reflux intervention guidelines resulted in a more individualized treatment planning. Endoscopic injection therapy is now widely used and is considered preferable, but still remains less successful than ureteral reimplantation. Τhe endoscopic vesicoureteral reflux approach should be risk-adapted to current knowledge, so more experience and longer-term follow-up are needed. The precise of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors that affecting endoscopic injection therapy success rates and outcome have not yet been clearly determined. The aim of this study was to investigate these associated factors. Although the reflux grade is the most well-known factor that can affect the success of the procedure, there is no agreement on which factors are the most influential for the efficacy of endoscopic reflux treatment. So, we carried out a broad review of published papers on this topic, and we presented all the potential predictive variables of endoscopic reflux resolution in children.

Dimercaptosuccinic acid scan challenges in childhood urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux and renal scarring investigation and management.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a precipitating factor in acute pyelonephritis (APN), and a risk factor for renal scar formation, even if VUR and APN occur independently. There is no scientific evidence on a specific diagnostic evaluation of children after a febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Based on recent literature and our clinical experience, we reviewed the role of 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in UTI/VUR imaging. We also reviewed the DMSA challenges and controversies in UTI/VUR management. A DMSA renal scan is the most reliable tool for the establishment of the diagnosis of APN during febrile UTIs acute phase. The "top-down" approach focuses on kidney involvement during UTI rather than on VUR existence, with a goal of diagnosing APN and/or renal dysplasia. Therefore, DMSA is performed before void cysteourethrography (VCUG). Late DMSA scanning should be performed to evaluate the presence of permanent renal scars. DMSA may be considered valuable in the follow-up of children with VUR, in order to detect new renal scarring after breakthrough or recurrent UTIs. An abnormal DMSA scan comprises a risk factor for VUR identification after UTI, for recurrent UTIs, renal damage/scarring, renal function deterioration, and a negative predictive risk factor for VUR improvement and/or spontaneous resolution. An individualized DMSA risk-based dynamic approach may assist physicians on VUR management decisions. DMSA could play an important role in selecting children with UTI/VUR who would benefit from close monitoring and/or early intervention. However, more data are needed for evidence-based guidelines.

Predictive risk factors in childhood urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux, and renal scarring management.

Approaches to the management of children with urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and renal scars have been challenged and have become controversial over the past decade. It is difficult to determine when, how, and which patients will benefit from the diagnosis and management of this condition. Therefore, the issues of diagnostic imaging, observation, follow-up, and intervention tend to be decided more on a case-by-case basis, rather than by using an algorithm. Over the past few years, there have been advances in the identification of risk factors that predispose patients with UTI to present with VUR, to develop recurrent UTIs and renal scars, to have deteriorating renal function, to show VUR improvement and/or spontaneous resolution, and to be candidates for and benefit from early surgical intervention.

Surgical morbidity in obese children.

In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in childhood obesity. At present, pediatric surgeons manage a greater number of pediatric patients who are significantly overweight. Little data exist regarding the surgical challenges of obese children. This review study was designed to examine the relationship of obesity to surgical comorbidities, postoperative complications, and perioperative outcome in children, and to pediatric trauma. Obesity seems to be an independent risk factor in surgical-related pediatric morbidity and should be considered an important variable when looking at surgical outcomes in the pediatric population. Identification by and awareness among pediatric surgeons, of increased risk factors for peri/postoperative complications, will be crucial in optimizing the hospital stay and outcome of these children.

Adrenal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma in children: report of two cases.

Adrenal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma are uncommon. Adrenal hemorrhage in children associated with multiple organ injury, which has received little attention in the past, is an increasingly recognized phenomenon in modern trauma centers with the widespread use of abdominal computed tomography. Adrenal trauma occurs in the setting of multisystem organ injury. Isolated adrenal injury is exceedingly rare. We report two children with blunt adrenal trauma (one isolated and one with associated injuries), who were admitted during the last two years to our Pediatric Surgery Department after abdominal trauma. We determined the prevalence, management and general prognosis of blunt adrenal injury in the pediatric population. Traumatic adrenal hemorrhage appears to be an incidental and unsuspected finding that resolves on follow-up imaging.

Blunt adrenal gland trauma in the pediatric population.

A retrospective review of the literature was performed to determine the natural history, prevalence, prognosis and management of adrenal injury associated with blunt abdominal trauma in pediatric population. Blunt adrenal injury in children is uncommon, rarely isolated, and typically present as part of a multi organ trauma. Adrenal hemorrhage is being diagnosed more frequently since the emergence of computed tomography in modern emergency rooms. Obstetric birth trauma during vaginal delivery of a macrosomic fetus may result in neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. In children appear to be an incidental finding that resolves on follow-up imaging. Most of these injuries are self-limited and do not require intervention. The differential diagnosis of an adrenal neoplasm, especially in children with an isolated adrenal hemorrhage, must be considered. The presence of adrenal hemorrhage in the absence of a trauma history should alert to the possibility of pediatric inflicted injury.