Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheterrelated complications in pediatric patients with acute leukemia at a tertiary pediatric care center in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted with 88 pediatric patients (54 males, 34 females; mean age: 5.9±4.6 years; range, 0 to 18 years) diagnosed with acute leukemia who had Hickman catheters inserted between January 2019 and July 2024. Data on complication rates, types, and outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 91 Hickman central venous catheters were inserted in 88 children. The cohort included 60 (68%) children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 28 (32%) children with acute myeloid leukemia 14 (AML). The median follow-up was 190 days (95% confidence interval, 160-212), spanning 12,644 catheter days. Complications occurred in 24 (27.3%) patients. Twelve (13.1%) of these were mechanical, seven (7.7%) were infectious, and five (5.5%) were thrombotic; the incidence rates were 0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Notably, AML patients had a higher complication rate (1.59 per 1,000 catheter days) compared to ALL patients (1.22 per 1,000 catheter days). Conclusion: Hickman catheter-related complications in pediatric leukemia patients are relatively common, with AML patients facing a higher risk. Understanding these complications can help improve patient management and outcomes.

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.

Abstract Rationale: Circumcision like any other surgical procedure is not devoid of complications. Serious complications are rare and include iatrogenic hypospadias, glans ischemia/necrosis, and glans amputation, all of which require an emergent treatment. Patient concerns: We report here a case of 6 months-old-boy with a superficial glans ischemia following circumcision. Diagnosis: Physical examination revealed a severely cyanotic glans with the moderate edema of the dorsal penile skin. Plasma levels of D-dimer were 8.57 mg/L. Urine passage was unremarkable while color Doppler ultrasonography revealed a normal blood flow. Interventions: The patient was successfully treated with subcutaneous injection of enoxaparin (low-molecular-weight heparin) and topical 2.5% dihydrotestosterone. Outcomes: The appearance of the glans penis on the 5th day was close to normal while the control levels of D-dimer dropped to the reference range. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 6th day. At 6-month follow-up, the appearance of the glans penis was normal. Lessons: Acute glans penis ischemia following circumcision is a rare complication. Its successful treatment with enoxaparin and topical dihydrotestosterone has not been previously reported in the literature.

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.

Aggressive fibromatosis, also known as desmoid tumor, is a locally invasive soft tissue lesion arising from connective tissues. Reports in children less than 10 years of age is rare. We report a case of a  desmoid tumor located at the middle and lower third of the left rectus abdominis, in a 2-year-old-boy. Partial resection of the muscle segment and simultaneous reconstruction of the abdominal wall by abdominal fascia was done. The patient had an uneventful recovery. At one year of follow-up neither recurrence nor functional or aesthetic complications were seen.