Andrew L. de Jong

Intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis

OBJECTIVE Oral antibiotic use may have changed the incidence and microbiology of otitic intracranial complications. We reviewed cases of acute mastoiditis to document: (1) incidence of intracranial complications; (2) risk factors; and (3) identify pathologic organisms. METHODS A retrospective study of children at a tertiary care childrens hospital with acute mastoiditis from July, 1986 through June, 1998. RESULTS 118 children with acute mastoiditis were identified. Eight patients (6.8%), ages 20 months to 14 years, had intracranial complications related to acute mastoiditis. Three children had a sigmoid sinus thrombosis, two children had an epidural abscess, and two children had both complications of sigmoid sinus thrombosis and epidural abscess, and a sigmoid sinus thrombosis and meningitis was present in one child. Pre-admission oral antibiotics were administered for an average of 10 days in seven of the eight patients. Persistent otorrhea and/or otalgia were present in all patients. Intraoperative cultures were negative in four cases (50%). Organisms isolated included: Streptococcus pneumoniae (2); Proteus mirabilis (1); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1); and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (1). Multi-drug resistant organisms were documented in only one case. All patients underwent a contrast enhanced CT of the temporal bones and brain. Surgical management included complete mastoidectomy in all patients and a pressure equalization tube in seven of the eight cases. CONCLUSIONS Our review did not document an increase in the incidence of otitic intracranial complications. Persistent otalgia or otorrhea while on oral antibiotics with associated neurologic symptoms are ominous signs suggestive of a complication. Multi-drug resistant organisms are uncommon whereas negative intraoperative cultures are common.

Management and complications of congenital dacryocele with concurrent intranasal mucocele

INTRODUCTION The association of dacryocele and intranasal mucocele has been previously reported. Its incidence and optimal treatment are unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 22 patients with 30 dacryoceles was performed to determine the mean age at presentation, sex distribution, and prevalence of associated intranasal mucocele, associated dacryocystitis, and respiratory distress. The components of the examination, ancillary tests, treatment modalities, and treatment outcomes were then summarized. RESULTS Unilateral dacryoceles were seen in 16 (73%) of the infants, and bilateral dacryoceles were seen in 6 (27%) of the infants. Four (25%) of the 16 patients who initially had unilateral dacryoceles later developed bilateral dacryoceles. Dacryocystitis, preseptal cellulitis, or both were present on presentation or developed in 18 (60%) of 30 dacryoceles. Nasal endoscopy was performed on 13 (59%) of 22 patients. Nasal examination with nasal speculum and headlight was performed on 7 patients (32%). A concurrent intranasal mucocele was diagnosed in 23 (77%) of 30 dacryoceles. Respiratory distress arose in 5 (71%) of 7 patients with bilateral intranasal mucoceles and in 2 (22%) of 9 patients with a unilateral intranasal mucocele. Thirty-four procedures were performed. Seven dacryoceles (21%) were treated with nasolacrimal duct probing under topical anesthesia. Another one (3%) was treated with needle aspiration with later definitive therapy. All other procedures were managed under general anesthesia. These included 2 nasolacrimal duct probings (6%), 2 probings with silicone tube placement (6%), 10 probings with intranasal mucocele marsupialization and silicone tube placement (29%), and 12 probings with marsupialization alone (35%). Two (29%) of the 7 probings performed under topical anesthesia failed, whereas all other procedures were successful. One dacryocele spontaneously resolved. CONCLUSIONS Congenital dacryoceles are commonly associated with intranasal mucoceles, dacryocystitis, and preseptal cellulitis. Respiratory distress is common in bilateral cases. Bilateral nasolacrimal duct probing should be considered in unilateral cases because of the high incidence of occult contralateral involvement.

The management of pediatric cholesteatoma

Pediatric cholesteatoma can be congenital or acquired. The two types appear to be separate and distinct entities based on molecular studies and clinical course. Pediatric cholesteatoma behaves differently from cholesteatomas in the adult. This may have more to do with anatomic and physiologic differences than with the molecular structure of the cholesteatoma. Treatment requires an individualized approach taking into account the experience of the operative surgeon and the high risk of recidivism of this disease.

Tenuous Airway in Children With Trisomy 21

Multiple congenital anomalies are closely linked to Down syndrome(trisomy 21). Cardiac malformations are found in 40% of patients, a large number of whom will require a major surgical procedure. The importance of postextubation stridor in these children is frequently underestimated. A retrospective review of 99 trisomy 21 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery revealed postextubation stridor in 24 (24.2%). Significant factors for the development of stridor included younger age (P=0.04), lower growth percentile for weight (P=0.03), and increased frequency of reintubation(P=0.04). Subglottic stenosis was found in 6 (6.1%). In 4 of these patients, an endotracheal tube of larger diameter than predicted for age was used. All 6 patients were less than the 10th percentile for weight. We conclude that Down syndrome patients deserve special considerations and modifications of standard intubation techniques for successful airway management.

VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Vocal cord paralysis is the second most common cause of neonatal stridor. Recognition of laryngeal paralysis warrants further evaluation for an underlying etiology as it is frequently a manifestation of a multisystem anomaly. Initial intervention must concentrate on airway stabilization and treatment of any underlying conditions. Management strategies should be individualized and focus on maintenance of a safe and stable airway, acquisition of intelligible speech, and deglutition without aspiration.

Pediatric bilateral vocal fold immobility: the role of carbon dioxide laser posterior transverse partial cordectomy.

Vocal fold paralysis in children has been estimated to be the second most common congenital abnormality of the pediatric airway. Most commonly, children present with the vocal folds in the midline or adducted position. Pediatric patients usually have a good voice or cry and a poor airway. In these cases, the surgical goal will be improving the airway, usually by lateralizing a vocal fold, while maintaining a normal voice and intact swallowing. The focus of this article is a modification of a technique for use in adults that was introduced by Dennis and Kashima in 1989. The procedure is intended to separate the vocal ligament and vocalis muscle from the arytenoid cartilage with removal of significant tissue mass with the CO2 laser. The demographics and results of 5 pediatric patients who underwent this procedure are discussed. The preoperative goals of airway enlargement, voice preservation, and normal deglutition were achieved in all 5 patients.

Lipomas of the head and neck in children.

Head and neck lipomas in the pediatric population are rarely described in the literature. Two patients who presented to the Hospital for Sick Children with rapidly enlarging head and neck lipomas are presented. Radiographic imaging, including CT and MRI, as well as fine needle aspiration implicated a lipoma as the probable diagnosis. Both patients were treated by surgical excision. The clinical behavior, diagnostic work-up and treatment of these rare lesions are the focus of this study.

The role of postoperative chest radiography in pediatric tracheotomy.

A postoperative chest radiograph has traditionally been obtained after tracheotomies to evaluate for the presence of a pneumothorax and to assess tube position. Several recent studies in adults have questioned the usefulness of routine postoperative chest radiography in uncomplicated cases, but the role of post-operative chest radiography in pediatric patients has not been previously reviewed. We performed this study to examine the clinical utility of post-tracheotomy chest radiography in pediatric patients and determine if this routine practice impacts patient management enough to merit continued usage. A retrospective review was performed of 200 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent tracheotomies by the otolaryngology service in a tertiary care pediatric hospital from January 1994 to June 1999. All patients received postoperative chest radiographs. Five of 200 patients had a new postoperative radiographic finding, with three requiring interventions. Two patients required chest tube placement for pneumothorax, and one patient required tracheostomy tube change for repositioning. Fifty-one patients, including both pneumothoraces, exhibited clinical signs of pneumothorax (decreased breath sounds or oxygen saturation) in the immediate postoperative period. Chest X-ray ruled out a pneumothorax in the remaining 49 patients. The majority of these 51 patients were less than 2 years old (94%, P=0.002) or weighed less than 17 kg (89%, P=0.004). Postoperative chest X-rays yielded clinically relevant information in 168 patients that fell into one or more of four high risk categories: age less than 2, weight less than 17 kg, emergent procedures, or concomitant central line placement. Avoiding chest X-rays in the remaining 32 patients would have resulted in potential savings of

Prognostic Factors in the Treatment of Lymphatic Malformations

5000, which does not reflect the actuarial cost of a missed complication. Since the majority of our patients (84%) fell into a high-risk category, we feel it would be prudent to continue obtaining postoperative chest radiographs following all pediatric tracheotomies.