Hypertension in pregnancy: classification, diagnosis and treatment

Hypertension in Pregnancy (HTNP) is defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic blood pres­sure ≥ 90mmHg in at least two different measurements during pregnancy. According to guidelines, HTNP is classified into four or more individual categories. These categories include chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, pre-existing hypertension plus superimposed gestational hypertension with proteinuria, antenatally unclassified hypertension and preec­lampsia. Although the exact causes and pathogenetic mechanisms of HTNP are not fully elucidated, the severity of the pos­sible complications, including eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, require the maximum alertness. Physicians should consider HTNP as a crucial maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality factor. Early detection and treatment are of major importance and should be provided in every case. In the present review the potential pathogenetic mechanisms, categories and therapeutic interventions for HTNP are discussed, according to up-to-date data

Sigmoid Volvulus In A 10-year-old Male: A Case Report And Review of The Literature

Sigmoid volvulus in children is a potentially disastrous situation, still remaining rare in terms of occurrence. We hereby present a case report of a 10-year-old male, having admitted in our department complaining about abdominal pain, who finally proved to suffer from sigmoid volvulus

Traumatic Perineal Injury in a 13-Year-Old Female: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Traumatic perineal injury in children is a rather underestimated condition, in terms of occurrence. The rapid stretching of the soft perineal environment, combined with the surrounding osseous tissue of the pelvis, can cause severe injuries. The key to successful management of these injuries includes timely resuscitation, thorough physical examination and quick and safe repair of damages

Incarcerated Umbilical Hernia in a 14-Month-Old Female: A Rare Case of Bowel Strangulation

An umbilical hernia, although considered a benign condition of childhood, may rarely manifest with serious complications such as incarceration and viscous organ strangulation. One such case is presented in this report in an attempt to enrich the current literature, due to the relative lack of data in regard to complicated umbilical hernias in children and definite guidelines regarding the monitoring and management of uncomplicated cases. In addition, we discuss some of the latest advancements concerning the matter at issue

Endoscopic treatment of obstructive ureterohydronephrosis in children

Obstructive ureterohydronephrosis in childhood population is a matter of debate between paediatric surgeons and paediatricians, as far as the therapeutic protocol that should be applied. Close observation, chemoprophylaxis, endoscopic and surgical approaches are the universally used techniques that provide quality of life in the paediatric patients. Undoubtedly, "the less is more" even when we have to encounter obstructive ureterohydronephrosis in children. Herein, we present a short case series where the endoscopic management of obstructive uropathies proved to be therapeutic without any need of surgical intervention

Partial epididymal rupture and spermatic cord haematoma with an associated secondary testicular torsion due to blunt scrotal injury, in a 12-year-old boy

Scrotal injuries are not very common in children and are mostly due to blunt trauma from direct injury, sports injuries or motor vehicle accidents. Traumatic testicular torsion in children has been also infrequently reported in the literature. To ensure testicular salvage, an urgent and specialised diagnosis and management are necessary. We present a case of a partial epididymal rupture and spermatic cord haematoma with an associated secondary testicular torsion due to blunt scrotal injury, in a 12-year-old boy

Testis-Sparing Surgery for Non-Palpable Leydig Cell Tumors in Prepubertal Children

Leydig cell tumor (LCT) is an infrequent stromal neoplasm of the testis with an incidence of less than 3% of all gonadal tumors in the general male population. Only 25% is found in prepubertal children, where Leydig cell tumors are always reported benign. The hospital records of two prepubertal male children, who underwent organ sparing surgery for testicular LCT the last five years, were retrospectively reviewed. In both of them, the lesion was incidentally found during a scrotal ultrasonography for testicular pain. The diagnosis of a benign LCT was based on the pre-operative physical examination and imaging (Ultrasound-US, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI) as well as the negative tumor markers. A testicle-sparing procedure was decided and the pathologic examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. No tumor recurrence was noted on follow-up. Testis-sparing surgery provides the possibility of complete excision of such lesions and should be considered as the treatment of choice