Effectiveness of two-dimensional shear-wave sonoelastography in the diagnosis and follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the effectiveness and utility of two-dimensional shear-wave sonoelastography (2D-SW-SE) in the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three infants were included in the study, 13 in the IHPS group and 10 in the control group (CG). Preoperative B-mode ultrasonography measurements (longitudinal length and single-wall thickness of the pylorus) and 2D-SW-SE measurements (pylorus tissue stiffness and shear-wave propagation speed) were compared between the groups. The infants with IHPS then underwent Ramstedt pyloromyotomy and were invited for follow-ups on the tenth day and the first, third, and sixth months postoperatively. Measurements taken at the follow-ups were compared with the preoperative values. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups regarding age, gender, body weight, or week of birth. The pyloric lengths in the IHPS group were longer than in the CG (p < 0.001), and the single-wall thicknesses were thicker (p < 0.001). The pylorus in the IHPS group was four times stiffer than in the CG (27.4 kPa versus 7.66 kPa), and the shear-wave propagation speed in the tissue was higher (1.34 m/s versus 2.69 m/s; p < 0.001). Both values decreased over time in the IHPS group and were normal by the third postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-SW-SE can be used as an assistive imaging tool alongside B-mode ultrasound for diagnosing IHPS. It can also be used to identify inadequate surgery by detecting whether the pyloric tissue has softened at follow-up.

Evaluating Postoperative Outcomes and Investigating the Usefulness of EU-TIRADS Scoring in Managing Pediatric Thyroid Nodules Bethesda 3 and 4

Objective: The aim was to assess postoperative outcomes in pediatric thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN) and their respective the European-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) scores. Methods: Forty-four pediatric patients at a single center with thyroid nodules classified as AUS/FLUS or SFN from August 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, thyroid function, nodule size, and ultrasonographic features were collected. Postoperative pathologies were categorized into benign, low-risk, and malignant neoplasms according to the World Health Organization 2022 criteria, and EU-TIRADS was used for retrospective radiological scoring. Results: Among 21 (47.7%) of patients who had surgical intervention, 72% had Bethesda 3 and 28% had Bethesda 4 thyroid nodules. Post-surgical histopathological classifications were 43% benign, 19% low-risk, and 38% malignant. Of note, EU-TIRADS 3 and 5 scores were present in 44% and 56% of the benign cases, respectively. Malignant cases tended to produce higher EU-TIRADS scores, with 64% rated as EU-TIRADS 5. Bethesda category 4 nodules had a 66% malignancy rate, significantly higher than the 27% in category 3. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of histologically benign cases were classified as EU-TIRADS 5, suggesting that EU-TIRADS may lead to unnecessary biopsies in benign cases. Malignant cases were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score, indicating a positive correlation with malignancy risk, particularly in Bethesda 4 cases. However, the EU-TIRADS system's predictive value for malignancy in Bethesda 3 cases was poorer.

A unique case of a newborn with a hemangioma on the omphalocele sac.

BACKGROUND: Mass lesions of the umbilical cord are rare anomalies. There have been rare reports of hemangiomas of the umbilical cord, but the co-occurrence of omphalocele and hemangioma of the umbilical cord has not been previously reported. Nonetheless, the condition is clinically significant as it may cause the disturbance of intrauterine fetal circulation, retardation of fetal growth and development, non-immune hydrops fetalis, morbidity and mortality. CASE: Here we aim to report a case that was prenatally diagnosed with an omphalocele and that presented after birth with a hemangioma on the omphalocele sac. CONCLUSIONS: When dealing with umbilical mass lesions in the prenatal and postnatal periods, a hemangioma on the omphalocele sac should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients when an omphalocele is suspected.

Analysis of risk factors of mortality for pediatric burned patients with inhalation injury and comparison of different treatment protocols.

BACKGROUND: We present our approach of pediatric burned patients with the suspicion of inhalation injury. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on children with the suspicion of inhalation injury admitted to our burn center from December 2009 to December 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, total burn surface area (TBSA), presence of inhalation injury, level of carboxyhemoglobin, grade of inhalation injury, duration of mechanical ventilation, reintubation rate, total length of hospital stay, and the mortality rate. We also reviewed the required treatment of patients with inhalation injury. RESULTS: A total of sixty pediatric burn patients were suspected inhalation injury were included in this retrospective study. 40 pa-tients included in the study were male. Age average of the patients was 87.7 months. Total burned surface area average was 32%. 46 of these patients had inhalation injury. Patients with larger cutaneous burn and needed early intubation have a higher risk of inhalation injury. There was no significant relation between inhalation injury grades and mortality and treatment protocols. Higher levels of car-boxyhemoglobin and larger TBSA are the risk factors for mortality at univariate analysis. Pediatric patient with inhalation injury whose TBSA is higher than 47.5% has a 5 times higher risk of mortality at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that TBSA is the risk factor that independently affects the mortality in pediatric patients with inhalation injury. Among the patients with higher than 47.5% burn surface area, the mortality rate rises 5 times.

Approaches of 112 ambulance service staffers to children with burns: A survey assessment.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the knowledge of 112 ambulance service staffers (doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians [EMTs], and paramedics [PMs]) who were the first intervention to pediatric patients with burn injuries regarding first intervention and patient transfer. METHODS: The study included 373 personnel working in 112 ambulance services in Ankara province. Participants were asked 17 questions to measure their knowledge of burns in children. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21.0. RESULTS: Of the participants, 26 (7%) were doctors, 25 (6.7%) nurses, 180 (48.3%) EMTs, and 142 (35.3%) PMs. Of the participants, 118 stated that they always calculate the burn surface area, while only five (1.3%) marked the correct choice of the Lund Browder scheme to the question by which method they calculated. One hundred twenty one personnel (32.4%) use the Parkland formula to calculate the amount of fluid to be given during transfer while only 7 (1.9%) use the Galveston formula, which is more suitable for chil-dren. Of the participants, 56 (15%) answered as lactated Ringer's solution which is the correct fluid to the question of which fluid do you give at the scene and during the transfer. One hundred fifty-three participants (41%) responded correctly to the scenario question expected to recognize inhalation damage while only 138 (37%) responded correctly as 'I do immediately intubate' to the inhalation injury described scenario question. One out of 373 (0.3%) participants marked the appropriate procedure for a patient who had a 50% scald burn during the first intervention and transfer. The rate of topical lidocaine use of participants was high (70.8%). Of the 373 participants, only 33 (8.8%) thought themselves competent for first aid and transfer of children with burns. If training on the subject was held, 333 personnel (89.3%) wanted to participate. CONCLUSION: It is expected that the knowledge of 112 ambulance services who see pediatric burn patients first, perform the first intervention, and provide transfer would be suitable. However, our questionnaire shows that these personnel have insufficient knowledge and need to be trained.

Comparison of Optical Forceps-Assisted Single-Port Laparoscopic PIRS and Open Surgery in Morgagni Hernia Repair.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the results of classical surgery (CS) and optical forceps-assisted single-port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing (SP-PIRS) repair for the treatment of Morgagni hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Morgagni hernia who were operated on between January 2005 and July 2020 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups (CS or SP-PIRS) and compared retrospectively in terms of demographic data, defect size, duration of hospitalization, costs, postoperative complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included in this study. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of gender, defect size, postoperative complications, and recurrence (p > 0.05). The SP-PIRS group had a shorter operation time (p < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.02), and lower cost (p < 0.01) than the CS group. The average follow-up was 24 months, and recurrence was detected in two patients in each group. CONCLUSION: SP-PIRS repair is recommended because it is practical to perform and reduces the duration of surgery, hospital stay, and cost. It is superior to other laparoscopic techniques, as there is no need to use additional study forceps, except in extreme cases, and the surgeon can perform the procedure without an assistant to hold the laparoscope.

Determination of Factors to Distinguish MIS-C from Acute Appendicitis in Children with Acute Abdominal Pain.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to make the differential diagnosis between acute appendicitis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) for patients presenting with the complaint of acute abdominal pain (AAP) and to identify the determining factors for the diagnosis of MIS-C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one children presenting with AAP/suspected AAP were evaluated. Of these, 24 (29.6%) were included in the MIS-C group (MIS-C/g) and 57 were included in the suspected appendicitis group (S-A/g), which consisted of two subgroups: appendicitis group (A/g) and control observation group (CO/g). RESULTS: Comparing MIS-C/g, A/g, and CO/g, duration of abdominal pain (2.4, 1.5, 1.8 days), high-grade fever (38.8, 36.7, 37°C), severe vomiting, and severe diarrhea were higher in MIS-C/g. Lymphocytes count (LC) was lower, while values of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and coagulopathy were higher in MIS-C/g (p < 0.05). The optimal cutoffs for the duration of abdominal pain was 2.5 days; the duration of fever, 1.5 days; peak value of fever, 39°C; neutrophil count, 13,225 × 1,000 cell/µMoL; LC, 600 × 1,000 cell/µMoL; ferritin, 233 µg/L; and D-dimer, 16.4 mg/L (p < 0.05). The optimal cutoff for CRP was 130 mg/L (sensitivity 88.9, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, NPV, negative predictive value 92.5%, p < 0.001). All patients in MIS-C/g tested positive by serology by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CONCLUSION: The duration of abdominal pain, presence of high-grade and prolonged fever, and evaluation of hemogram in terms of high neutrophil count and low LC exhibit high sensitivity and negative predictive value for MIS-C presenting with AAP. In case of doubt, inflammatory markers such as CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, and serology for SARS-CoV-2 should be studied to confirm the diagnosis.

Evaluation of dynamic/thiol disulphide balance and ischaemia modified albumin in children with trauma.

AIM: Trauma is the most common cause of death in childhood. Tissue damage, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory response are mainly responsible for increasing free oxygen radicals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the use of thiol-disulphide and ischaemia-modified albumin levels as a diagnostic laboratory parameter in trauma children. METHODS: Of 202 children, 101 were hospitalised in the paediatric surgical intensive care unit with trauma, and 101 were healthy children. Levels of native thiol (-SH), total thiol (SH + SS), dynamic disulphide (SS), dynamic disulphide (SS)/total thiol (SH + SS), albumin and ischaemic modified albumin (IMA) were measured from the sera of patients and healthy volunteers. For statistical analyses, SPSS 17.0 was used. Mann-Whitney U and paired correlation tests were used where appropriate. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in the trauma group (boys: 61 girls: 40) was 7.88 years and the control group was 8.00 years. In the trauma group, 86 children were exposed to blunt trauma, 15 children had penetrating trauma and 54 patients had multiple trauma. Surgical procedures were performed on 17 patients. In the trauma group, native thiol, total thiol, dynamic disulphide/total thiol, albumin and IMA levels were significantly lower than that of the control (P < .001), and their dynamic disulphide (P = .001) was higher compared with the control. There was no difference thiol-disulphide parameters in trauma groups sub-division as surgery (n = 17) vs follow-up (n = 84) groups or multiple trauma (n = 54) vs isolated organ trauma (n = 47) groups or penetrating (n = 15) or blunt trauma (n = 86) groups. CONCLUSION: Thiol-disulphide balance and IMA levels show changes in favour of oxidative stress in children with trauma; however, it cannot be used as a laboratory marker that helps to show the system and organ affected by the trauma and to decide the surgical intervention.

Algorithm for the diagnosis and management of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Although the initial reports of COVID-19 cases in children described that children were largely protected from severe manifestations, clusters of paediatric cases of severe systemic hyperinflammation and shock related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection began to be reported in the latter half of April 2020. A novel syndrome called "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children" (MIS-C) shares common clinical features with other well-defined syndromes, including Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome. Our objective was to develop a protocol for the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of patients with MIS-C. METHODS: The protocol was developed by a multidisciplinary team. We convened a multidisciplinary working group with representation from the departments of paediatric critical care, cardiology, rheumatology, surgery, gastroenterology, haematology, immunology, infectious disease and neurology. Our protocol and recommendations were based on the literature and our experiences with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. After an agreement was reached and the protocol was implemented, revisions were made on the basis of expert feedback. CONCLUSION: Children may experience acute cardiac decompensation or other organ system failure due to this severe inflammatory condition. Therefore, patients with severe symptoms of MIS-C should be managed in a paediatric intensive care setting, as rapid clinical deterioration may occur. Therapeutic approaches for MIS-C should be tailored depending on the patients' phenotypes. Plasmapheresis may be useful as a standard treatment to control hypercytokinemia in cases of MIS-C with severe symptoms. Long-term follow-up of patients with cardiac involvement is required to identify any sequelae of MIS-C.

IgG4-related disease and ANCA positive vasculitis in childhood: a case-based review.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) type 1 is an IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), characterized by inflammatory pseudotumors and histologically by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates rich in IgG4 positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis. Although quite rare, IgG4-RD was found to be associated with medium or small vessel vasculitides. A new overlap syndrome between IgG4-RD and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) has recently been described in the adult population. Here we present a 16-year-old adolescent girl admitted with abdominal pain, episcleritis, palpable purpura, salivary gland enlargement, and bloody diarrhea. Laboratory investigations revealed findings of glomerulonephritis. Abdominal imaging surprisingly revealed a focal mass in the pancreatic tail, while the c-ANCA level was found to be quite high as well as serum IgG4 level. Biopsy of the pancreatic mass showed lymphoplasmacytic IgG4 positive cells infiltrating the pancreas with storiform fibrosis compatible with IgG4-related AIP. The renal biopsy that was done simultaneously showed necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis indicating AAV. Renal biopsy showed IgG4 positive plasma cells very rarely by immunohistochemical examination, which does not indicate any significance for IgG4-RD. Our diagnosis was IgG4-related AIP and AAV overlap syndrome, which has not been reported in the pediatric populations yet. IgG4-RD should be investigated in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis who shows atypical organ involvement. We searched the Pubmed/Medline and Google Scholar databases to identify clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of the patients with IgG4-related AIP and AAV.

Electrical Injuries in Children: A 10-Year Experience at a Tertiary Pediatric Burn Center.

Electrical injuries comprise 4% of cases but have higher morbidity and mortality. This study aims to share our experiences with pediatric electrical injuries and propose strategies to prevent them. The files of pediatric electrical injuries between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The following were investigated: age, gender, cause, length of stay in the pediatric burn center, total burned surface area, voltage-type, and surgical procedures performed. The patients from low- and high-voltage groups were compared. Eighty-five patients were treated in the last 10 years. Seventy were males, the mean age was 9.9 years, the average length of stay in pediatric burn center was 18.2 days, and the average total burned surface area was 11.7%. Forty-three patients were injured with high-voltage and 42 with low-voltage electricity. Fasciotomy was performed in 25 patients, grafting in 40 patients, and amputation in 12 patients. The most often amputated limb was the right arm/forearm. Psychiatric disorders developed in 24 patients. One patient died. In conclusion, the incidence of high-voltage electrical injuries increases with age. They are more prevalent in males, more often accompanied by additional trauma, and have higher total burned surface area, surgical procedures are performed more often, and hospitalization times are longer. For prevention, precautions should be taken by governments and families, and education is critical.

A serious complication of liver hydatid cysts in children: cystobiliary fistulas.

AIM: We aimed to determine predictive factors for predicting cystobiliary fistulas (CBF) in children after treatment of liver hydatid cyst (LHD). METHODS: The records of patients who were treated for LHD between 01.06.2009 and 1.06.2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, laboratory test results, size and number of cysts, method of first intervention (percutaneous or surgery), whether or not CBF developed and how it was treated were investigated. Among findings, those could be predictive were investigated. Data were evaluated with SPSS 21.0 program, p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients, 48 (49.5%) were male, 49 (50.5%) female, the mean age was 11.2 years, Eighty patients had right (82.5%), 13 had left, and 4 had bilobar involvement. As first intervention, surgery was performed in 39 (40.2%); percutaneous treatment was performed in 58 (59.8%) patients. In 8 patients (20.5%) in surgery group and in 6 patients (10.3%) in percutaneous group, totally in 14 patients (14.4%), CBF developed. The mean cyst diameter of CBF-developed group was 114.36 mm, and of CBF-undeveloped group was 74.30 mm. There was no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of age, sex, involved lobe, other organ involvement, and preoperative results (p > 0.5). There was a significant relationship between the cyst diameter and the rate of CBF development in both surgical and percutaneous groups (p < 0.05). ROC analysis was performed, and the cut-off value for the development of CBF detected as 69 mm for children. Since obstructive jaundice seen in adults is not common in children, an increase in liver function tests and bilirubin levels were not seen in our patients. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was found only between the size of the cyst and developing CBF. Cysts greater than 69 mm have a higher risk of developing CBF after both percutaneous and surgical treatment and should be closely monitored.

Evaluating incorrect management of transferred pediatric burn patients.

BACKGROUND: Burns constitute one of the most important, potentially fatal types of trauma. Appropriate emergency management is essential in the avoidance of complication and the success of treatment. Emergency management and indications of transfer throughout the country were reviewed in the present study. METHODS: Charts of 187 patients transferred to the present hospital from other cities between January 2009 and December 2013 were evaluated. Factors included demographics, referral vehicles, intravenous fluid therapy, respiratory conditions, urine drainage, and surgical complications. RESULTS: According to transfer criteria, only 15 patients (8%) were transferred under appropriate conditions. In the transfer of 172 (92%) patients, at least 1 error was found. CONCLUSION: Transport failure, and incorrect management and treatment causing complications such as the development of respiratory problems after unnecessary sedation, occur in developing countries such as Turkey. Referral protocols for burn patients have already been defined in the country, though training and feedback regarding effective treatment is still lacking.

The outcomes of becoming a pediatric burn center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Burns are one of the most important causes of traumatic death in children worldwide. A pediatric burn center was established in our hospital in August 2009. The aim of this study was to compare patient profiles and data before and after the burn treatment center was established. METHODS: Burn patients were admitted to the pediatric surgery department between January 2005 and August 2009, and there was no intensive care service in this department. Intensive care service has been provided since August 2009 with the burn center established at our hospital. The 316 cases that were followed-up at the pediatric surgery department in the first period were identified as Group I and the 442 cases that were admitted to the burn center in the second period were identified as Group II. The data of the groups were then compared. RESULTS: Mean age of the cases was 5.1 years in Group I and 7.7 years in Group II. The total mean body burn percentage was 16.12% in Group I and 17.54% in Group II. Although scalding burns were the most subtype in both groups, flame burns were 2.13 times, electrical burns 3.44 times, flame+inhalation burns 8.33 times, and burns with an over 40% total burn surface area were 2.41 times more common in Group II than in Group I. The mortality rates were 0% in Group I and 2.26% in Group II. CONCLUSION: Converting to a normal department admitting burn patients in a burn unit format to an actual burn center means more severe cases will be admitted. This requires a patient and attentive process while the burn team struggles with the new patient profile on one hand and has to learn how to overcome with less personal trauma the loss of patients, a feeling it is unfamiliar with, on the other, which is also an actual training process for the entire burn team.

Management of stone disease in infants.

Evaluating and treating renal stone disease in infants are technically challenging. In this study, we evaluated the surgical treatment of renal stones in children under 1 year of age. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients under 1 year old who were treated with ESWL, endourological or open surgical procedures for renal stone disease between January, 2009 and December, 2012. The patients' age, gender, stone size, stone location and number, complications, stone-free status, and postoperative complications were recorded. 19 of 121 infants with a mean age of 10.2 ± 3.07 months were treated with surgical procedures. Six (75%) of eight cystinuria patients required a surgical intervention. Retrograde endoscopic management was performed in thirteen patients (63.4%) as an initial surgical approach. There were three major (15.7%) complications. The rate of open surgical procedures was 31.6% (6 of 19 infants). The cutoff value of stone size for open surgery was 10 mm. There was a significant relationship between the conversion to open procedures and stone size, stone location, and symptom presentation especially the presence of obstruction (p < 0.05). After repeated treatments, the stone clearance rate of RIRS reached 84.6%. Retrograde intrarenal surgery is an effective and safe treatment method for renal stones in infants and can be used as a first-line therapy in most patients under 1 year old. This is especially important if an associated ureteral stone or lower pole stone that requires treatment is present and for patients with cystinuria, which does not respond favorably to ESWL.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of renal stones in children: factors influencing stone clearance and complications.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a known option for the treatment of upper tract calculi with an excellent success. However, the reports of RIRS in prepubertal children are limited. In this study, we evaluated the factors which affected the success rate and the complications of RIRS at renal stone treatment in childhood. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of children under 14 years old who underwent RIRS for renal stone disease between January 2009 and December 2012. Patients' age, gender, body mass index (BMI), stone size, stone location, stone number, intraoperative complications, stone free status, postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: There were 80 ureterorenoscopic procedures performed in 58 renal units of 47 children (23 males and 24 females). The patients' ages ranged from 8 months to 14 years (mean age 4.7 ± 3.4 years). There was a difference in the distribution of symptoms in age groups. UTI was higher in the 1-4 years age group, abdominal pain was seen mostly in children aged 5-14 years. Multiple stones (included staghorn stone) were noted in 60.4% of patients. In 27.6% of patients, ureteral stones were accompanied by renal stones in our series. In the infancy group, cystine and staghorn stones were more frequently seen, mostly bilateral. After a single ureteroscopic procedure for intrarenal stones in children, we achieved stone free status in 50.9% of the ureters (n=26). After the repeated sessions, the stone clearance rate reached to 85.1%. CONCLUSION: Retrograde intrarenal surgery can be used as a first line therapy to treat renal stones in children. This is especially important if an associated ureteral stone is present that requires treatment; or in patients with cystinuria, which is not favorably treated with ESWL. Complications were seen more frequently in patients with cystine stones. Extravasation was noted more frequently in patients admitted with UTIs. There was a significant relationship between the conversion to open procedures and the age groups, with most procedures occurring in infancy. The parents should be informed about the probability of multiple procedures to achieve stone free status.

Ureteroscopy for treatment of ureteral stones in children: factors influencing the outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors that affect the success and complication rate of ureteroscopy for ureteral stone treatment in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of children who were treated for ureteral stones at our institution from 2009 to 2011. The demographic data, stone size, stone location, number of stones, intraoperative complications, stone-free status, postoperative complications, and conversion to an open procedure were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 54 ureteroscopic procedures were performed in 32 children. The mean age was 5.91 ± 4.98 years. Conversion to an open surgical procedure was required in 6 patients (18.75%). A significant relationship was found between conversion to an open procedure and patient age. Although the initial complete clearance rate was 57% after the first session, overall, the stone-free rate was 92.68%. A significant relationship was found between stone-free status and patient age and stone composition. Our overall complication rate was 9.7%. Only 1 major complication (2.4%) occurred. A significant relationship was found between the occurrence of complications and patient age. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopy is an effective method to treat ureteral stones in children. Cystine stones and lower patient age carry a risk of not achieving a stone-free status. The complication rate and conversion to an open procedure were greater in patients <5 years old. Parents should be informed before treatment that their children might require multiple treatment sessions.

Calretinin immunohistochemistry in Hirschsprung's disease: An adjunct to formalin-based diagnosis.

AIM: This study was designed to assess the utility of calretinin immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven definitive resection materials from 10 Hirschsprung's disease patients and 3 initial full-thickness rectal biopsies of these patients were retrieved from the pathology archives. Additionally, 15 distal colon and 13 proximal colon full-thickness samples from 23 non-Hirschsprung's disease patients were also evaluated as the control group. All material was reevaluated by light microscopy for the presence or absence of ganglion cells and immunostained with calretinin, including proximal surgical margins and aganglionic zone samples from each resection material. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for calretinin provided highly compatible results with hematoxylin-eosin findings in Hirschsprung's disease and non-Hirschsprung's disease patients, except in one Hirschsprung's disease patient with very rare nerve stainings at the distal surgical margin. CONCLUSIONS: Calretinin immunohistochemistry was found to be highly sensitive and specific in detecting aganglionic segments. New research should be conducted in order to clarify calretinin staining patterns of the transitional zone, rare Hirschsprung's disease types, pure hypoganglionosis patients, and the anorectal junction, and for the mapping of fetal and neonatal colonic specimens. The technique seemed very effective for lowering the need for excessive sectioning and practical regarding the erratic nature of the acetylcholinesterase staining.