Donna A. Caniano

Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in children with blunt abdominal trauma

BACKGROUND Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) has been well reported in adults, but its applicability in children is less well established. We decided to test the hypothesis that FAST and computed tomography (CT) are equivalent imaging studies in the setting of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS One hundred seven hemodynamically stable children undergoing CT for blunt abdominal trauma were prospectively investigated using FAST. The ability of FAST to predict injury by detecting free intraperitoneal fluid was compared with CT as the imaging standard. RESULTS Thirty-two patients had CT documented injuries. There were no late injuries missed by CT. FAST detected free fluid in 12 patients. Ten patients had solid organ injury but no free fluid and, thus, were not detected by FAST. The sensitivity of FAST relative to CT was only 0.55 and the negative predictive value was only 0.50. CONCLUSION FAST has insufficient sensitivity and negative predictive value to be used as a screening imaging test in hemodynamically stable children with blunt abdominal trauma.

Sequelae of antireflux surgery in profoundly disabled children

Between 1976 and 1989 an antireflux operation (193 Nissen; 5 Thal) was performed in 198 children with profound neurological impairment (NI). Etiology of the NI was a syndrome in 24%, congenital in 30%, and acquired in 46%. The most frequent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), vomiting and pneumonia, were significantly reduced (P less than .05) after the antireflux operation. Postoperatively, 141 children (71%) developed return of one or more symptoms that had been preoperatively associated with GER, whereas 57 patients (29%) remained asymptomatic. Of the children with symptoms, 86 (61%) underwent diagnostic testing to exclude recurrent GER and 55 (39%) had no diagnostic evaluation. Recurrent GER was documented in 31 patients and a mechanical problem with the fundoplication in 18 children, an operative failure rate of 25%. The symptom-free interval following the antireflux operation averaged 11 months postoperatively; return of symptoms showed no statistical relationship to the etiology of NI, presence of seizures, or degree of muscle tone. The majority of children required multiple outpatient or emergency department visits for evaluation of these symptoms or assessment of gastrostomy tube problems. Survival of all children was 71% at an average postoperative follow-up of 3.5 years.

Hirschsprung's disease. Identification of risk factors for enterocolitis.

From 1975 to 1985, 80 infants and children were treated at a major pediatric hospital for Hirschsprungs disease, 19 (24%) of whom developed enterocolitis. In 9 neonates (18%) and 4 infants (29%) enterocolitis was present at diagnosis of Hirschsprungs disease, while 4 children acquired enterocolitis following a pull-through procedure. Significant risk factors for development of Hirschsprungs-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) were delay in diagnosis beyond 1 week of age and the presence of trisomy 21. HAEC did not occur more frequently in patients with long-segment aganglionosis, nor did an initial episode of HAEC confer a higher risk of recurrent enterocolitis. HAEC following a pull-through procedure was correlated with an anorectal stricture in three of four cases. Although neonates with HAEC had a low mortality rate (5%), their morbidity rate was 30% and their hospitalization was twice as long as neonates without enterocolitis.

Childhood obesity: a risk factor for injuries observed at a level-1 trauma center

PURPOSE Obesity is an independent risk factor in trauma-related morbidity in adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of obesity in the pediatric trauma population. METHODS All patients (6-20 years) between January 2004 and July 2007 were retrospectively reviewed and defined as non-obese (body mass index [BMI] <95th percentile for age) or obese (BMI > or =95th percentile for age). Groups were compared for differences in demographics, initial vital signs, mechanisms of injury, length of stay, intensive care unit stay, ventilator days, Injury Severity Score, operative procedures, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Of 1314 patients analyzed, there were 1020 (77%) nonobese patients (mean BMI = 18.8 kg/m(2)) and 294 (23%) obese patients (mean BMI = 29.7 kg/m(2)). There was no significant difference in sex, heart rate, length of stay, intensive care unit days, ventilator days, Injury Severity Score, and mortality between the groups. The obese children were significantly younger than the nonobese children (10.9 +/- 3.3 vs 11.5 +/- 3.5 years; P = .008) and had a higher systolic blood pressure during initial evaluation (128 +/- 17 vs 124 +/- 16 mm Hg, P < .001). In addition, the obese group had a higher incidence of extremity fractures (55% vs 40%; P < .001) and orthopedic surgical intervention (42% vs 30%; P < .001) but a lower incidence of closed head injury (12% vs 18%; P = .013) and intraabdominal injuries (6% vs 11%; P = .023). Evaluation of complications showed a higher incidence of decubitus ulcers (P = .043) and deep vein thrombosis (P = .008) in the obese group. CONCLUSION In pediatric trauma patients, obesity may be a risk factor for sustaining an extremity fracture requiring operative intervention and having a higher risk for certain complications (ie, deep venous thrombosis [DVT] and decubitus ulcers) despite having a lower incidence of intracranial and intraabdominal injuries. Results are similar to reports examining the effect(s) of obesity on the adult population.

Clinical manifestations of appendiceal pinworms in children: an institutional experience and a review of the literature

The association of Enterobius vermicularis infestation with acute appendicitis varies from 0.2–41.8% worldwide. Our purpose was to determine the significance of Enterobius-associated appendicitis by retrospective review of appendectomies performed during a 5-year period at a major children’s hospital. The Surgical Pathology database at Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, was reviewed for appendiceal specimens found to have Enterobius infestation. Corresponding patient charts were evaluated for age, gender, presenting symptoms, laboratory data, operative findings, and clinical course. Of the 1,549 appendectomies performed from January 1998 through January 2003, 21 specimens (1.4%) were found to contain Enterobius vermicularis. Fifteen of the appendectomies were performed for symptoms of acute appendicitis; the remaining six were incidental appendectomies in conjunction with other operations. The mean age was 8.9 years. Ten patients were male; 11 were female. Of the 15 symptomatic children, nine presented with fever >99.0ºF, and 11 had a WBC count >10,000. Intra-operative appearance of the appendix ranged from normal to perforation. Pathologic evaluation showed neutrophil or eosinophil infiltration in 15 of the 21 specimens. Enterobius infestation is an uncommon cause of acute appendicitis in children in the United States. It may be associated with acute appendicitis, “chronic appendicitis,” ruptured appendicitis, or with no significant clinical symptoms.

The pathophysiology of Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis: importance of histologic correlates

To more clearly define the pathophysiology of Hirschsprungs-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), this study comprehensively evaluates the gastrointestinal tissue of a group of infants with clinical HAEC. A pathologic grading system that demonstrates a progressive sequence of histologic changes specific for HAEC is established. The grading system correlates closely with clinical enterocolitis and may prove to be a useful method for early detection of infants at risk for the development of clinical HAEC. A significant alteration of intestinal mucins with an increase in neutral mucins and a decrease in acidic-sulfomucins was identified in HAEC tissue specimens. Enterocyte-adherent organisms were present in 39% of HAEC tissue specimens. The pathogenesis of HAEC may result from an alteration in intestinal mucins that may allow for the subsequent adherence of enteropathogenic organisms to enterocytes. The enterocyte-adherent organisms have the potential to induce an enterocolitic process and may contribute to both the intestinal and systemic manifestations of HAEC.

Management of Hirschsprung's disease in children with trisomy 21.

Thirteen infants and children with trisomy 21 have been treated for Hirschsprungs disease since 1975. Clinical presentation of Hirschsprungs disease included constipation (five); neonatal intestinal obstruction (four); enterocolitis (three); and meconium plug syndrome (one). Additional associated congenital anomalies occurred in 10 patients, of which complex cardiac disease accounted for 25% of the defects. Seven children underwent definitive operation: Duhamel pull-through (four); Soave pull-through (two); and anal myectomy (one). Satisfactory continence occurred in all but one child. Enterocolitis developed in seven patients (54%): two at diagnosis of Hirschsprungs disease; three after colostomy; and two after pull-through. Five children died (38%): one from enterocolitis, two from cardiorespiratory failure after recovery from enterocolitis, and two from end-stage cardiac disease. Children with trisomy 21 can safely undergo definitive operation for Hirschsprungs disease but are at high risk for developing enterocolitis and complications of associated cardiac disease.

An individualized approach to the management of gastroschisis

A 93% survival rate was achieved in 80 neonates treated for gastroschisis between 1979 and 1986. Uncomplicated gastroschisis occurred in 70 infants (88%); 51% underwent staged silo reduction and 49% had primary fascial closure. Gastroschisis associated with intestinal atresia or volvulus was present in 10 neonates (12%), half of whom had a residual jejunoileum between 10 and 55 cm. Major postoperative complications included gastrointestinal problems (infarction, obstruction, and prolonged dysfunction), wound infection, and catheter-associated difficulties (sepsis, infiltration, and malposition). Three of the six deaths were related to associated conditions (extreme prematurity, trisomy 13, and multiple anomalies) and three were caused by intraoperative hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and extensive short-bowel syndrome. No statistical difference in morbidity, mortality, and length of hospitalization was demonstrated between infants treated by silo reduction and primary closure. Safe management of gastroschisis should include an individualized assessment of visceroabdominal disproportion and degree of intraabdominal tension. Vigilant expectation of potentially life-threatening complications is required to decrease postoperative morbidity, irrespective of the technique of abdominal wall closure.

Total intestinal aganglionosis

Total Intestinal Aganglionosis is a rare, uniformly fatal condition with absence of ganglia from the duodenum to the rectum. A neonate with this extreme form of Hirschsprungs disease is presented with a review of 12 previously reported cases. Smooth muscle strips from this infants gastrointestinal tract demonstrated viable cholinergic receptors, absence of intrinsic neuronal innervation, and colonic contractile activity to the purported peptidergic neurotransmitter cholecystokinin. Four aspects of total intestinal aganglionosis are noteworthy: (1) one-third of patients presented between four and eight days of age after passing meconium on the first day of life; (2) at laparotomy, no intestinal distention, obstruction, or transition zone was evident; (3) hypertrophic nerve fibers seen in classic Hirschsprungs disease were absent in one-quarter of patients; and (4) a high incidence of affected siblings occurred in the previously reported cases. This form of Hirschsprungs disease may represent a distinct entity with autosomal recessive inheritance and significant risk for recurrence.

Rare but serious complications of central line insertion.

Discussions on the complications of central venous catheterization in children typically focus on infectious and the more common mechanical complications of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or thrombosis. Rare complications are often more life-threatening, and inexperience may compound the problem. Central venous catheter complications can be broken down into early or late, depending on when they occur. The more serious complications are typically mechanical and occur early, but delayed presentations of pericardial effusions, cardiac tamponade, and pleural effusions may be of equal severity, and delay in diagnosis can be catastrophic. Careful insertion techniques, as well as continued vigilance in the correct position and function of central venous catheters, are imperative to help prevent serious complications.