Patient Query in Adolescent Testicular Torsion Cases: "Was it Necessary to Mention My Scrotal Pain?"

Objective This study investigates the reasons for the failure to diagnose testicular torsion (TT) in different healthcare facilities (HCFs) and by various physicians. Method We retrospectively analyzed all male patients who underwent TT surgery within the adolescent age group between 2015 and 2023. Healthy adolescent patients who initially presented or were referred to an HCF and were subsequently diagnosed at our hospital for TT surgery were analyzed, focusing on why they were not diagnosed earlier. Results A total of 11 patients aged 10 to 17 who were surgically confirmed to have TT at our hospital between 2015 and 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients had been admitted to various public and private HCFs due to the sudden onset of symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, fainting, sweating, and walking difficulties during and after working hours. Four patients had previously been admitted to one HCF, while seven had been admitted two to six times to an HCF. All patients were healthy, and all but one had received age-appropriate education. However, only two of them had reported experiencing scrotal pain. Laboratory tests and/or radiological examinations were conducted on eight patients, and nine patients received medical treatment and/or prescriptions. None of the patients were initially diagnosed with acute scrotum. Conclusion Despite having unrestricted and free access to well-equipped HCFs, the early diagnosis and treatment of TT are not ensured. Factors contributing to this delay include patients' concealment of, or failure to fully disclose, scrotal complaints, as well as physicians' incomplete history taking and genital examinations. The physician's male gender was not found to contribute to an earlier diagnosis of TT. A mandatory genital examination should be included in the emergency assessment protocol for male patients.

Retrograde coiled spring jejunal intussusception in an infant due to Foley catheter gastrostomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: For infants who need long-term enteral feeding but are unable to maintain sufficient oral intake, feeding gastrostomy tube placement is required. The use of a Foley catheter as a replacement catheter in a Stamm gastrostomy is indicated in the absence of dedicated gastrostomy feeding tubes; however, this approach has been associated with many morbidities. In this report, an unusual case of an infant who underwent a major operation due to coiled spring jejunal intussusception caused by Foley catheter migration is described. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-month-old neurologically impaired premature female patient was admitted to the emergency unit with respiratory distress, nonbilious vomiting and an ineffective gastrostomy feeding tube. Her history revealed that, at the age of 2 months, she had undergone Stamm gastrostomy for enteral feeding with a Pezzer catheter. However, at the age of 5 months, the Pezzer catheter became dislodged and was replaced with a Foley catheter. The patient subsequently underwent emergent exploratory laparotomy due to intestinal obstruction. During the operation, retrograde coiled spring jejunal intussusceptions with multiple areas of local necrosis and perforations were observed. Resection of the affected jejunal segment and end-to-end anastomosis were performed. The postoperative period was long and very demanding due to the presence of several comorbidities. To our knowledge, this is the first operative demonstration of coiled spring intussusception. CONCLUSION: This case report aims to increase clinical awareness of the possibility of coiled spring intussusception following the use of Foley catheter in a gastrostomy and the difficulties encountered in the surgical course of a premature infant.

Analysis of the use of upright abdominal radiography for evaluating intestinal perforations in handlebar traumas: Three case reports.

RATIONALE: Intestinal perforations due to blunt abdominal handlebar trauma are difficult to diagnose. This report presents a retrospective analysis of 3 patients with intestinal perforations due to abdominal bicycle handlebar trauma who were diagnosed via upright abdominal radiography. PATIENTS CONCERNS: All the patients lost their balance while riding a bicycle for leisure and had fallen on the handlebar tip. The patients were initially misdiagnosed at different-level health centers despite various radiologic investigations performed. DIAGNOSIS: The patients' intestinal perforations were diagnosed via plain upright abdominal X-ray radiography (UAXR) in our institution. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The children underwent exploratory laparotomy due to intestinal perforations. All the perforations were repaired either with primary closure or bowel resection and anastomosis with successful outcomes. LESSONS: Pneumoperitoneum due to intestinal perforation can be diagnosed via UAXR with appropriate patient positioning and timing. This case series shows that to accurately diagnose intestinal perforations, upright plain X-ray should be routinely performed, carefully evaluated, and repeated in patients with enduring abdominal complaints.

How can the risk of ovarian retorsion be reduced?

BACKGROUND: In the current treatment of idiopathic ovarian torsion, the use of oophorectomy has declined in favor of preserving the ovary. This approach brings with it the question of how to reduce the possibility of retorsion of the detorsioned ovary. The aim of this study was to analyze how retorsion can be prevented. METHODS: Five patients (a 30-day-old Caucasian girl, a 55-day-old Caucasian girl, an 8-year-old Caucasian girl, a 10-year-old Caucasian girl, and a 16-year-old Caucasian girl) who underwent surgery due to non-neoplastic ovarian torsion were retrospectively analyzed for diagnosis and treatment in terms of reducing the possibility of retorsion. RESULTS: In all patients, a precise diagnosis of idiopathic unilateral ovarian torsion was made during laparotomy, and the patients underwent different procedures. The ovary was found to be autoamputated in one patient, and two patients underwent salpingo-oophorectomies due to adnexal necrosis. The ovaries were detorsioned in the remaining two patients. During the operations, patients were evaluated regarding the prevention of retorsion of the ipsilateral and/or contralateral ovary; cyst drainage, cystectomy, ligament fixation, and/or oophoropexy were performed. The median follow-up period of the patients was 2 years (range 1.5-6 years), and they continue to be followed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: To date, there is no standard approach to protect the ovary from retorsion in patients who undergo surgery due to torsion. The surgical procedure should be tailored on a case-by-case basis.

A Retrospective 10-Year Analysis of Water Absorbent Bead Ingestion in Children.

AIM: This retrospective case series was designed to evaluate the clinical experience of pediatric patients who had ingested water absorbent beads (WABs) and review the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of 21 children who were admitted to the emergency service or outpatient clinic with complaints of swallowing WABs during a 10-year period was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: 6 patients who were hospitalized and 15 patients who were observed as outpatients for groups 1 and 2, respectively. All data were screened with respect to presentation, age, gender, clinical and radiological findings, modalities of treatment, and follow-up. RESULTS: All patients were asymptomatic with uneventful outcomes. Laboratory studies, X-ray, and ultrasound examinations revealed normal results. None of the patients underwent surgery or other medical procedures. Gastrointestinal system obstruction or any other pathological findings were not detected after WAB ingestion. No complications were identified during follow-up. DISCUSSION: This first clinical study showed that asymptomatic patients do not require inpatient observation and laboratory investigations, X-ray, and ultrasound. However, results of the present study cannot be generalized to children of all ages due to the few cases of bowel obstruction reported to date in small children.

Rectal Atresia and Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Association or Coincidence?

Rectal atresia is a rare anorectal malformation, and its association with other anomalies is even more rare. This study presents a unique case of co-twin in which the surviving newborn male underwent surgery due to rectal atresia. Newborn screening tests identified congenital hypothyroidism. The surgical treatment consisted of three stages and thyroid hormones were replaced.