Purpose The acute scrotum (AS) in the pediatric population is a medical emergency. The most common causes of AS include testicular torsion (TT) and torsion of the appendix testis (TAT). Their distinction may be clinically challenging. The purpose of our study was to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of the pediatric cases of TT and TAT and thus provide clinical evidence for distinguishing these two conditions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all children ≤ 16 years who underwent surgical exploration for AS. The patients were divided into Group 1 or TT and Group 2 or TAT groups. Results Ninety patients were included in the study (24 with TT and 66 with TAT). Patients with TT were significantly older than those with TAT (p < 0.001). The peak incidence of TT was in the age of 12–16 years (p < 0.001), whereas the peak of TAT was in the age group of 7–11 years (p < 0.001). Scrotal pain was more prevalent in patients with TAT (p = 0.02), whereas systemic signs (nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain) affected more frequently the TT patients (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean duration of symptoms was significantly longer in the TAT group than in the TT group (p < 0.001). Color-Doppler Ultrasound (CDUS) findings of absent or decreased testicular blood flow in the affected testis strongly favored the diagnosis of TT (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our data indicate that the older age, shorter duration of symptoms, systemic signs (nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain), and characteristics CDUS findings can help distinguish between the two most common acute scrotum causes.

A congenital hernia into the umbilical cord (CHUM) is often misinterpreted as a mild form of omphalocele. Herniated content in CHUM can be either the solitary intestinal loop or persistent omphalomesenteric duct (POMD) with the potential for traumatic injury in a case of inadequate examination of the umbilical cord and its clamping in the delivery room. Herein, we report a case of a male newborn with a functional bowel obstruction due to peritonitis caused by necrosis of iatrogenically clamped POMD in the CHUM. A 2-day-old full-term male infant was referred to the emergency department with a 1 day history of bilious vomiting, a gradual increase in abdominal distension, and absence of passage of meconium. The infant was born at 38 weeks’ gestation with a birthweight of 2,885 g. The baby was born following an uncomplicated pregnancy and a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. The Apgar scores were eight at both 1 and 5 min. On physical examination, his abdomen was slightly distended by an umbilical ligation clip placed approximately 2.5 cm from the enlarged base of the umbilical cord (Fig. 1a). The stump of the umbilical cord was thickened and red. The baby was pale and dehydrated. An abdominal radiograph showed dilated small bowel loops due to small bowel obstruction (Fig. 1b). After resuscitation, a surgical exploration via a circumumbilical incision revealed a clamped POMD in the umbilical cord. The top of the POMD was crushed by the umbilical cord clamp (Fig. 1c). The POMD was resected at its base on the ileal loop. The ileal loop was closed transversely using 5-0 Vicryl by single-layer extra mucosal-interrupted sutures. The postoperative recovery was uneventful at a follow up of 8 years. Evaluation of the umbilical cord is a routine part of every newborn examination in the delivery room. Any suspected abnormal thickening of the base of the umbilical cord or any other malformations found should be further evaluated by a neonatologist or pediatric surgeon. Congenital hernia into the umbilical cord is a type of ventral abdominal wall defect in which the bowel usually herniates into the base of normally inserted umbilical cord through a patent umbilical ring. The condition results from a failure of return of intestine loops following the physiological gut herniation around 10–12 weeks of gestation. Due to similar morphologic features, characterized by coverage of eviscerated abdominal contents with a sac comprising outer amnion and inner peritoneal lining, CHUM may be easily misdiagnosed as a small omphalocele. Unlike an omphalocele, CHUM has an intact abdominal wall with adequate muscle development and a complete umbilical ring covered by a small cuff of skin about ~2.5 cm. Congenital hernia into the umbilical cord is usually not linked to chromosomal abnormalities but cases of trisomy 13 associated with CHUM have been reported in the literature. However, if missed, this condition can lead to intestinal damage by a low-placed umbilical cord clamp as it is shown in our illustrative case. Although very rare, similar complications have been reported in the literature. The prevention of inadvertent bowel injury during cord clamping at delivery is possible with increased awareness and knowledge regarding CHUM. Primary prevention includes the prenatal sonographic CHUM detection characterized by intestinal protrusion only into the base of the hernia. The most important preventive measure if the umbilical cord is broad based is the umbilical cord clamping at a safe distance from the basis (at least 5 cm from the abdominal wall). In conclusion, a careful inspection of the umbilical cord of all newborns in the delivery room is essential to identify any clinically relevant umbilical abnormality (e.g., a persistence of CHUM with POMD). This would prevent any iatrogenic gut injury during umbilical cord clamping. Although these complications are rare, they should be kept in mind when performing umbilical cord clamping.

Clinic of Pediatric surgery, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Patriotske lige 81, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Clinic of Radiology, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Clinic for Gastroenterology, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Clinic of Pediatrics, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Patriotske lige 81, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Clinic for Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Center University in Sarajevo, Patriotske lige 81, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

INTRODUCTION Gastric acidity plays an important role in the protection of infants against various pathogens from the environment. The histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2-blockers) are off-labeled drugs that are frequently prescribed in preterm neonates to prevent stress ulcers. The impact of the H2-blockers on the development of the necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants is still controversial, particularly in the developing world. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty-two preterm infants were enrolled in the study. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify potential postnatal risk factors associated with NEC. RESULTS Preterm infants (n = 51) with total NEC, medical NEC, and surgical NEC had the highest rate of receiving ranitidine compared with controls (n = 71) (39.2%, 19.6%, and 47.6%, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that ranitidine use and nosocomial infections were significantly associated with NEC development (odds ratios 1.55 and 3.3). CONCLUSIONS We confirm that ranitidine administration was associated with an increased risk of NEC in preterm infants. H2-blockers use should be only administered in very strictly selected cases after careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio.

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare developmental anomaly in which an abnormal connection between the splenic tissue and gonads or mesonephric derivatives is present. This entity often presents with scrotal mass, inguinal hernia, or cryptorchidism. Less than 200 cases have been reported since it was first described in 1883. It can be of continuous and discontinuous type based on the presence of a band of connecting splenic tissue. Report a rare case of discontinuous type of SGF in an adolescent male presenting as nonpalpable testis. On evaluation, ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen and pelvis, his left scrotal testis was atrophied and right intra-abdominal undescended testis. This is the first reported case of SGF from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Laparoscopy was demonstrated to be the only accurate exploratory procedure for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of SGF with non‐palpable testis.

Objectives To evaluate the clinical outcome and complications in the pediatric population who had splenectomy at our institution, emphasizing the incidence of postplenectomy reactive thrombocytosis (RT) and its clinical significance in children without underlying hematological malignancies. Materials and methods The medical records of pediatric patients undergoing splenectomy were retrospectively reviewed for the period 1999–2018. The following variables were analyzed: Demographic parameters (age, sex), indications for surgery, operative procedures, preoperative and postoperative platelet count (postplenectomy RT), the use of anticoagulant therapy, and postoperative complications. The patients were divided into two groups according to indications for splenectomy: The non-neoplastic hematology group and the non-hematology group (splenectomy for trauma or other spleen non-hematological pathology). Results Fifty-two pediatric (37 male and 15 female) patients who underwent splenectomy at our institution were reviewed. Thirty-four patients (65%) were in the non-hematological group (splenic rupture, cysts, and abscess) and 18 patients (35%) in the non-neoplastic hematological group (hereditary spherocytosis and immune thrombocytopenia). The two groups did not differ significantly in regards to the patients’ age, sex, and preoperative platelet count (P>0.05 for all variables). Forty-nine patients (94.2%) developed postplenectomy RT. The percentages of mild, moderate and extreme thrombocytosis were 48.9%, 30.7%, and 20.4%, respectively. The comparisons of RT patients between the non-neoplastic hematology and the non-hematology group revealed no significant differences in regards to the patients’ age, sex, preoperative and postoperative platelet counts, preoperative and postoperative leukocyte counts, and the average length of hospital stay (P>0.05 for all variables). None of the patients from the cohort was affected by any thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications. Conclusions We confirm that RT is a very common event following splenectomy, but in this study it was not associated with clinically evident thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications in children undergoing splenectomy for trauma, structural lesions or non-neoplastic hematological disorders.

A preterm female infant with a birthweight 1770 g was born via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 34 weeks’ gestation to a 21-yearold mother who received an adequate prenatal care. Routine prenatal ultrasound at 30 weeks revealed a proximal dilatation of the gut and polyhydramnios. At delivery, initial physical exam revealed a soft ‘scaphoid’ abdomen. Apgar score was 7 and 8 at 1st and 5th minute, respectively. A nasogastric tube (NGT) was placed for gastric decompression and bilious drain was observed. Post-natal erect X-ray of the abdomen showed dilated loops in the upper abdomen with the paucity of gas in the pelvis and confirmed proximal bowel obstruction (Fig. 1). After 24 h of stabilisation and care in the neonatal intensive care unit, the patient was taken to the operating room for surgical repair of her presumed jejunal atresia. Surgical exploration revealed a markedly distended atretic jejunum with a ‘type 3B’ intestinal atresia (apple-peel jejunal atresia) and a significant loss of intestinal length. The proximal end of the jejunal atresia was located 15 cm below the ligament of Treitz. On the distal end of ileal atresia, there were two multiple ileal atresias, each 7 cm of length. Approximately, 55 cm of the small bowel distal from the ileal atresias was found to be patent (Fig. 2a). In our case, the total length of small intestine was 70 cm (15 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz and 55 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve). All atretic segments were resected. The remaining segments were preserved (without tapering proximal jejunoplasty) and connected with the end-to-end jejunoileal anastomosis using 5/0 polyglactin sutures in the single extramucosal layer employing the Cheatle technique for size mismatch (Fig. 2b). Appendectomy was also performed. Post-operatively, the patient was placed on mechanical ventilation and extubated on the 6th post-operative day (POD). Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line along with enteral nutrition via NGT were administered and lasted until the 39th POD. After 2 weeks, enteral feeding gradually improved, so the baby started receiving peroral nutrition via bottle. The patient achieved her full enteral intake on POD 38. The baby was discharged from the hospital on POD 46 with highly improved body weight – 2485 g. At the follow-up of 9 months (Fig. 3), the baby was doing well with a body weight of 7500 g.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common life-threatening gastrointestinal emergency associated with prematurity. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are crucial to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the affected infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of bowel dilatation on plane abdominal radiography (AR) in the early diagnosis and NEC severity in preterm infants. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed initial ARs of 50 preterm infants with NEC ≥ stage II admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary-care hospital. The largest bowel loops diameters (AD), the latero-lateral diameters of the peduncle of the first lumbar vertebra (L1), and the distance of the upper edge of the first lumbar vertebra and the lower edge of the second one, including the disc space (L1–L2), were measured. All anteroposterior ARs were done in a supine projection on the day of onset of the initial symptoms of NEC. Results: Preterm infants with surgical NEC showed a statistically significant increase in the AD/L1 ratio (p < 0.001) and AD/L1-L2 ratio (p < 0.001) compared with preterm infants with medical NEC. We found no significant association between the site of the most distended bowel loop and the severity of NEC (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Bowel loop distension on initial AR may serve as an additional diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis and severity of stages II/III NEC. Further prospective clinical studies should validate the results from this study.