Indications and Outcomes of Fetal Cystoscopy for Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction: A Comprehensive Review.

Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) encompasses a spectrum of rare congenital anomalies affecting the fetal urinary system, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. This condition, arising from various anatomical anomalies such as posterior urethral valves (PUV), urethral atresia, and cloacal malformations, disrupts normal urine flow, resulting in secondary complications such as pulmonary hypoplasia and renal impairment. Current management strategies, including fetal vesicoamniotic shunting (VAS) and fetal cystoscopy, aim to alleviate obstruction and mitigate associated risks.

Efficacy of core biopsies for diagnosing inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in pediatric patients: case series from a single tertiary referral center.

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare, often non-metastasizing neoplasms characterized by fibro/myofibroblastic spindle cells with varying infiltrates of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and/or eosinophils. Despite their generally indolent nature, IMTs can exhibit locally aggressive behavior and a significant tendency for local recurrence, making complete surgical resection the standard treatment approach. Accurate diagnosis can be challenging due to the overlap in imaging features with more aggressive tumors, necessitating preoperative biopsies to enable differential diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.

A retrospective analysis of alimentary tract duplications in pediatric patients: a 14-year single-center experience.

Purpose: Alimentary tract duplications (ATDs) are rare congenital lesions often associated with anomalies such as spinal, urinary and GI tract malformations. The purpose of this study was to report the experience of a single center with ATDs in children, focusing on the natural history, associated malformations, and their impact on patient management.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis over 14 years, collecting prenatal, clinical, surgical, and follow-up data.

The impact of hormones on lung development and function: an overlooked aspect to consider from early childhood.

The impact of hormones on the respiratory system constitutes a multifaceted and intricate facet of human biology. We propose a comprehensive review of recent advancements in understanding the interactions between hormones and pulmonary development and function, focusing on pediatric populations. We explore how hormones can influence ventilation, perfusion, and pulmonary function, from regulating airway muscle tone to modulating the inflammatory response.