Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Transmesenteric Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Trendelenburg Position for Horseshoe Kidney with Hydronephrosis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Orthopaedic patterns of retroperitoneal tumors in pediatric population
R Brdar1, I Petronic, D Abramovic
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Retroperitoneal tumors can mimic orthopedic diseases in children, presenting with orthopedic symptoms and specific blood markers. Early diagnosis via echsonography is crucial for timely treatment and reduced risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Retroperitoneal tumors are rare in children.
- They can present with non-specific symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases with retroperitoneal tumors initially presented as orthopedic conditions.
- Common clinical findings included elevated red blood cell sedimentation, increased lactate dehydrogenase, and hypochromic anemia.
Findings:
- Echsonography proved effective in diagnosing retroperitoneal tumors.
- Histological verification and appropriate treatment protocols were subsequently initiated.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering retroperitoneal tumors in pediatric orthopedic cases.
- Recommends echsonography as a valuable, non-aggressive diagnostic tool for suspected retroperitoneal masses.
- Emphasizes reducing diagnostic delays and risks for patients and orthopedic surgeons.
Abstract:
The paper presents three children of various ages with tumors of different histology localized in the retroperitoneum. The children underwent investigation as orthopedic cases at the Orthopedic Department of the Belgrade University Childrens' Hospital. All children had orthopedic symptoms and several similar clinical findings: high or increased red blood cell (RBC) sedimentation, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hypochromic anemia. Retroperitoneal tumors were diagnosed by echosonography. Further investigations were targeted towards histological verification and treatment protocol for retroperitoneal tumor. Since the children were presented chronologically to the deparmtent, diagnosis was reached more rapidly. It is our aim to draw attention to the possibility that various retroperitoneal tumors can be presented as orthopedic diseases. If symptomatology of retroperitoneal tumors is suspected and particularly in insufficiently clear cases, one should always perform echsonography of the retroperitoneum as a non-agressive, simple, readily available and reliable diagnostic method. This reduces examination time, direction of patients to further treatment according to pathology and also in reduction of risk both for patient and orthopedic surgeon who normally are presented with such diseases (Fig. 2, Ref. 10). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
