The diagnostic value of laboratory tests in detecting solid organ injuries in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography of the abdomen (CT) is used as the gold standard for detecting solid organ injuries (SOI) after blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). However, patient selection for CT is still controversial due to its potential risks. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of laboratory tests in the detection or exclusion of SOI in pediatric patients evaluated in the emergency department due to BAT. METHODS: The study was planned as a prospective, observational study and was conducted in the emergency department of a university hospital between February 2018 and February 2019. Patients under the age of 18 who were evaluated for BAT in the emergency department were included in the study. In the study, the diagnostic value of abnormal laboratory tests in detecting SOI was calculated by accepting CT results as the gold standard. RESULTS: Of the 323 patients included in the study, 118 (36%) were male. There were 283 patients who underwent CT. SOI was detected in 18 (6%) patients. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase and lipase tests were found to be statistically significant in predicting SOI (p < 0.05). However, none of the tests were found to have sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate and base excess values were not found to be statistically significant in predicting SOI (p > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The hematologic laboratory tests are insufficient to rule out solid organ injury in pediatric patient with BAT.

Innovation of Distal Refeeding in Infants.

Background: Temporary diverting enterostomy might be the initial step while treating gastrointestinal disorders in infants. According to the level of the stoma, calorie, fluid, and electrolyte imbalance might occur. Totally parenteral nutrition (TPN), parenteral fluid, and electrolyte balancing are the choice of support. Owing to limitations of both, distal refeeding (DR) has been suggested as an alternative. However, in English literature, there is no recommended technique for how DR should apply. This article is aimed at evaluating our innovative DR approach, which was not reported earlier. Materials and Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, patients on whom DR was performed by a cuffed silicon-based tunneled catheter were obtained. Results: A total of 8 patients aged between 1 day and 7.5 years were included. Dislocation of the catheter and skin erosion were the minor complications that were observed. None of them necessitated TPN and vascular access. Moreover, patients could be discharged and were fully fed orally by their guardian at home, and any problem was observed during survival. Conclusion: Consequently, patients did not necessitate vascular access or TPN. They were all fully fed orally, and DR could be performed without a failure to thrive. Therefore, we believe that tunneled catheter DR is a safe and reliable method in infants. Institutional Review Board at Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Protocol no. 07/01/2020-26).

Congenital hiatus hernia: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: Hiatus hernia is frequent in adults and rare in children; congenital hiatus hernia is even rarer. In this study, we describe a group of infants with congenital hiatus hernia and discuss its management. METHODS: Records of patients (male: 3, female: 4) who were diagnosed with congenital hiatus hernia between 2010 and 2016 were extracted. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, diagnostic investigations, operative details, postoperative follow-up, and early and late postoperative complications were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Four patients were female and three were male. One patient was diagnosed prenatally while the mean age at diagnosis for others was 18.6 months. Four patients had type IV hernia, 2 had type III hernia, and one had type I hernia. The diagnosis was confirmed by chest X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) and/or upper gastrointestinal series. The hiatal repair was done in all patients either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. During the procedure, 2 patients had Nissen fundoplication and 3 patients had Thal fundoplication. Recurrence of hernia occurred in the 2 patients who had Thal fundoplication. CONCLUSION: Recurrence of sliding hernias with Thal fundoplication seem more frequent in the series. If the esophagogastric junction is present in the thorax, mediastinal dissection of the esophagus may be required to achieve a good abdominal esophagus structure, which will prevent a recurrence.

Renal clear cell sarcoma presenting as a spontaneous renal hematoma: A rare presentation.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is an uncommon renal neoplasm of childhood. It represents between 2% and 9% of all pediatric renal tumors, and generally arises before the age of 5 years. It often mimics other pediatric renal tumors. Presently described is the case of a 7-year-old girl who presented with complaints of vomiting and abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a right renal mass, and the patient developed a renal hematoma a few hours after admission. The patient underwent a nephroureterectomy with a provisional diagnosis of Wilms tumor; however, histopathological examination of a specimen revealed CCSK. CCSK is similar to Wilms tumor in terms of the typical age of appearance and clinical and histopathological features, but the treatment method and prognosis are different. Therefore, the differential diagnosis is very important. This case was presented to draw attention to a rare presentation of clear cell sarcoma. CCSK should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a renal mass.

A new apparatus for standardization of experimental burn models.

BACKGROUND: Burns have severe economic burden for families and countries therefore its treatment modalities have utmost importance. Several study both experimental or clinic has been reported accordingly. Although contact burns were frequently used models, most of them were manually designed. The elapsed time was recorded only. However, the real time contact surface temperature (T) and weight force (WF) were fundamental characteristics of a burn model. The aim of this study is to create a standard burn model with recording real time variables on behalf of custom designed apparatus. METHODS: A custom designed apparatus was manufactured in which the variables of real time T, WF and elapsed time could be set and record. A vertical angle was provided to ensure the applied WF. And hence, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Burned at 60±1°C with low WF(G60WFL), (2) Burned at 60±1°C with high WF(G60WFH), (3) Burned at 80±1°C with low WF(G80WFL), (4) Burned at 80±1°C with high WF(G80WFH). The healthy skin thickness and burn depth were measured. The percentage of burn depth to healthy skin was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Constant variables T and WF were achieved. The pressure applied on skin was not significant between low [G60WFL vs G80WFL, (p=0.1704)] and high [G60WFH vs G80WFH (p=0.2369)] WF groups. However the percentage of burn depth was increasing owing to applied WF in 60°C group [G60WFL vs G60WFH, (p=0.0125)] and in 80°C group [G80WFL vs G80WFH (p<0.0001)]. And also the percentage was significantly increasing owing to set T, in low WF group [G60WFL vs G80WFL (p<0.0001)] and high WF group [G60WFH vs G80WFH (p<0.0001)]. Besides neither T nor WF has priority. CONCLUSION: Without recording the real time T and WF, it is infeasible to achieve a standard burn model. For a standard depth of burn, variables should be under control, as if our custom designed apparatus.

Conservative Treatment of Lung Perforation Secondary to Retained Catheter in an Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Premature Infant.

Airway injury may occur during the use of any instrumentation in premature infants. A surgical approach for the treatment of lung perforation in extremely low-birth-weight infants has been recommended in the past. Here, we present a case of lung perforation in an ex-28-week, 730-g premature infant, who sustained lung perforation, secondary to an 8-Fr suction catheter used to administer surfactant, in which the broken catheter was retained in the airway. Following removal of catheter by endoscopy, tension pneumothorax had occurred. Attempts were made to treat the patient with single chest tube, unfortunately as it was not efficacious, the second one was placed on the ipsilateral side of hemithorax and the patient recovered without further surgery.

Laparoscopic Approach to a Rare Cause of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Child: Ureteral Polyp.

Fibroepithelial polyps are a rare underlying reason of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In the past, open surgery was the only option. However, due to development of minimal invasive technics, treatment alternatives have been changed. Resection by laparoscopy or endoscopy, laser fulguration and/or percutaneous resection are recommended in children and adults. Here, we present a 10-year-old boy with severe left hydronephrosis due to fibroepithelial polyp close to the ureteropelvic junction and our laparoscopic approach.