Assessment of Molecular Markers in Pediatric Ovarian Tumors: Romanian Single-Center Experience.

Pediatric ovarian tumors exhibit unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study evaluates the expression of SALL4 and OCT3/4 biomarkers in pediatric ovarian tumors and their associations with tumor subtype, stage, and clinical outcome. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients under 18 years old, examining demographic data, tumor characteristics, immunohistochemical staining, and clinical outcomes. Our results show that SALL4 was significantly expressed in adenocarcinoma, dysgerminoma (DSG), mixed germ cell tumors (GCTs), and immature teratoma, while OCT3/4 was highly expressed in DSG and mixed GCTs. Both markers are associated with a higher tumor grade and stage, indicating a more aggressive disease. The SALL4 positivity expression was correlated with high alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, while OCT3/4 positivity significantly predicted the risk of subsequent metastasis. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was notably shorter in patients with positive markers. These findings underscore the diagnostic and prognostic value of SALL4 and OCT3/4 in pediatric ovarian tumors, aligning with previous research and supporting their use in clinical practice for better disease management and patient outcomes.

Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients with Continent Urinary Diversion-A Single Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: The advancement of surgical strategies in various types of urological conditions has resulted in improved functional outcomes, but the issues of patient perception and life quality remain difficult to assess, particularly in pediatric populations. We aimed to critically analyze the outcomes of urinary continent diversion in pediatric patients treated in our institution for various bladder conditions. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, reviewing the records of patients treated for bladder evacuation problems between 2003 and 2014, and analyzing the data of those with continent urinary diversion. We used two types of questionnaires to assess the impact on life quality: the Qualiveen-30 and the SF-36 Health Survey. Results: The study included one hundred thirty-four patients with bladder conditions, and eight underwent urinary diversion, at a median age of 6.5 years. Seven of them, aged 10-23 years, completed questionnaires, with all seven scoring high on physical functioning scale but low on the social functioning scale. Conclusions: Continent urinary diversion remains the treatment of choice in well selected patients, but the results must be considered both in terms of functional outcomes and the impact on these patients' emotional and mental health.

Prenatally Diagnosed Infantile Myofibroma of Sartorius Muscle-A Differential for Soft Tissue Masses in Early Infancy.

BACKGROUND: Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is a soft tissue disease with solitary or multiple benign tumors, and an etiology still unknown. IM is a mesenchymal disorder of early infancy and is more frequent in males. IM may present as a solitary lesion of the skin, bone, muscle, subcutaneous tissue, located at the head, neck, and trunk, with good prognosis; or, as a multicentric form, with or without visceral involvement (heart, lung, gastrointestinal tract, kidney), with a poor prognosis. The definitive diagnosis of IM is confirmed by pathology. Treatment may be conservative, surgical, or chemotherapeutical. CASE PRESENTATION: A two months old female patient, prenatally diagnosed at 30 weeks, presenting with a tumor on the antero-internal aspect of the left thigh. She was admitted due to rapid postnatal evolution, and the patient required surgery for tumor resection. Previously, clinically, biological and imaging investigations were performed, but the final diagnosis was histological and by immunostaining. The patient had a favorable postoperative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its low frequency, IM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses at an early age. The clinical form (solitary or multicentric), location, and visceral involvement will dictate the treatment and prognosis.

Fertility of Cryptorchid Testis-An Unsolved Mistery.

Cryptorchidism (undescended testis) is one of the most common diagnoses in the pediatric urologist office. Even in the modern era, there still are a lot of debates regarding the optimal time for surgery related to the expected results in relation with the testicular function, including fertility. The review below intends to clarify issues regarding the impact of cryptorchidism on testicular histology and function, semen analysis, the relation between hormonal and surgical treatment, future fertility, and paternity rate.