title: Unusual cause of acute abdomen in a child--torsion of greater omentum: report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Torsion of the omentum is twisting along its long axis and a rare cause of acute abdomen. Depending on associated conditions, it is classified as primary and secondary. It may mimic different pathologies presenting as acute abdomen, most common of them being acute appendicitis. Current choice for management of omental torsion is laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present two cases of omental torsion of two boys who presented with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and underwent emergency laparoscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omental torsion is very rare, and its diagnosis is usually made only after surgery. At laparoscopy, omental torsion is suspected when the appendix is normal and the symptoms and findings of torsion are present. Laparoscopy is a safe and effective approach for the diagnosis and management of omental torsion, with the advantages of reduced postoperative pain and hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Split University Hospital Centre and Split University School of Medicine, Croatia zenon@vip.hr.
authors.forename: Zenon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pogorelić
authors.affiliation: Student, School of Medicine, University of Split, Croatia.
authors.forename: Josip
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katić
authors.affiliation: Student, School of Medicine, University of Split, Croatia.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gudelj
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Department of Pathology, Split University Hospital Centre and Split University School of Medicine, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mrklić
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Department of Pathology, Split University Hospital Centre and Split University School of Medicine, Croatia.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vilović
authors.affiliation: Chief Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Split University Hospital Centre and Split University School of Medicine, Croatia.
authors.forename: Zdravko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Perko
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001062:Appendectomy; D001065:Appendix / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D017523:Croatia; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D009852:Omentum / Q000473:pathology*; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014102:Torsion Abnormality / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Omental torsion; acute abdomen; acute appendicitis; children; greater omentum; laparoscopy