Holly L. Neville

Malignant pancreatic tumors: incidence and outcome in 58 pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to examine current incidence trends and outcomes for children with pancreatic malignancies. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (1973-2004) was examined for pediatric patients with pancreatic malignancies (up to 19 years of age). RESULTS Malignant pancreatic neoplasms were identified in 58 patients. Females outnumbered males 1.9 to 1 (38 vs 20) for an age population-adjusted incidence of 0.021 and 0.015 per 100,000. Overall, 70% (n = 41) of patients were white. Asians had the highest incidence. Tumors were classified as exocrine (n = 31, 53.4%), endocrine (n = 19, 32.8%), or sarcomas (n = 5, 8.6%). Exocrine tumors included pancreatoblastoma (n = 10), solid-cystic tumor (SCT) (n = 10), ductal adenocarcinoma (DA) (n = 7), and acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) (n = 4). All SCTs and 80% of pancreatoblastomas were seen in females, whereas males had a higher incidence of DA 71% (P = .036). Ductal adenocarcinoma, SCT, acinar cell carcinoma, sarcomas, and endocrine tumors were more common in children older than 10 years, whereas pancreatoblastoma was more common in younger children (P = .045). Almost half of patients (n = 25) presented with distant metastasis; of these, 44% were endocrine tumors. Survival was significantly greater for female patients (P = .004) and for those who had surgery (P = .001) by both univariate and multivariate analysis. There was a significant difference in tumor type 15-year survival with DA having the worst (23%) and SCT the best (100%). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric pancreatic neoplasms are uncommon and carry a variable prognosis. Both female sex and surgery were independent predictors of improved survival.

Laparoscopic vs open pyloromyotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to determine whether laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) or open pyloromyotomy (OP) is the most effective intervention in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. METHODS A systematic review of the published literature was undertaken in February 2009. Prospective studies comparing LP and OP were selected. Age, weight, complications, duration of operation, time to full feedings, postoperative vomiting, and postoperative length of stay (LOS) data were extracted. RESULTS Six prospective studies (5 level I, 1 level II) with 625 (303 LP, 322 OP) participants met selection criteria. Combined estimates indicated that LP had a lower total complication rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.58 [0.35, 0.97]; P = .04), mostly due to a lower wound complication rate (OR, 0.42 for LP [0.20, 0.91]; P = .03). Patients who underwent LP also had shorter time to full feedings (mean difference [MD], -11.52 hours [-12.77, -10.27]; P < .00001) and shorter postoperative LOS (MD, -5.71 hours [-8.90, -2.52]; P = .0005). No statistically significant differences were noted in the rates of mucosal perforation, wound infection, postoperative emesis, or operating time. Incomplete pyloromyotomy occurred in 6 patients who underwent LP (OR, 7.74 [0.94, 63.38]; P = .06). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis favors the laparoscopic approach with significantly reduced rate of total complications, which is mostly due to a lower wound complication rate.

Pediatric FAST and Elevated Liver Transaminases: An Effective Screening Tool in Blunt Abdominal Trauma

BACKGROUND The current standard for the evaluation of children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) consists of physical examination, screening lab values, and computed tomography (CT) scan. We sought to determine if the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) combined with elevated liver transaminases (AST/ALT) could be used as a screening tool for intra-abdominal injury (IAI) in pediatric patients with BAT. METHODS Registry data at a level 1 trauma center was retrospectively reviewed from 1991-2007. Data collected on BAT patients under the age of 16 y included demographics, injury mechanism, ISS, GCS, imaging studies, serum ALT and AST levels, and disposition. AST and ALT were considered positive if either one was >100 IU/L. RESULTS Overall, 3171 cases were identified. A total of 1008 (31.8%) patients received CT scan, 1148 (36.2%) had FAST, and 497 (15.7%) patients received both. Of the 497 patients, 400 (87.1%) also had AST and ALT measured. FAST was 50% sensitive, 91% specific, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 68%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 83%, and accuracy of 80%. Combining FAST with elevated AST or ALT resulted in a statistically significant increase in all measures (sensitivity 88%, specificity 98%, PPV 94%, NPV 96%, accuracy 96%). CONCLUSIONS FAST combined with AST or ALT > 100 IU/L is an effective screening tool for IAI in children following BAT. Pediatric patients with a negative FAST and liver transaminases < 100 IU/L should be observed rather than subjected to the radiation risk of CT.

Incidence and Outcomes of Malignant Pediatric Lung Neoplasms

BACKGROUND We sought to define current incidence trends and outcomes for children with lung and bronchus tumors. METHODS The SEER registry was queried from 1973 to 2004 for all patients with pulmonary tumors less than 20 y of age. RESULTS Overall, 160 patients were identified. The age-adjusted incidence has remained stable at 0.049 per 100,000 persons. The median age at diagnosis was 16 y. Whites had the highest age-adjusted population incidence at 0.056 per 100,000. Most tumors arose in the lower lobe (37%), followed by the upper lobe (31.2%). The most common histology was endocrine tumor (51.6%), followed by sarcoma (11%), and mucoepidermoid tumor (9%). Overall survival was greater than 381 mo with a 15-y survival of 65%. Males had better survival (>381 versus 288 months). Endocrine and mucoepidermoid tumors had the best survival. Small cell carcinoma had the worst median survival at less than 5 mo. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma both had a 14-mo median survival. Median survival for nonsurgically treated patients was 14 mo with a 10-y survival rate of 32%. Surgery improved the 10-y survival to 75% (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated nonsurgical treatment and nonendocrine tumor histology to be independent prognostic factors of death. CONCLUSION The incidence of pediatric lung cancer remains stable. Several factors, including nonsurgical treatment and nonendocrine tumors confer a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and surgical therapy provide the best chance for survival.

A review of 218 pediatric cases of hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE This study evaluates the incidence trends and clinical outcomes of children with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assesses factors predictive of patient survival. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was queried from 1973 to 2009 for all patients between ages 0 and 19 with primary HCC. Demographics, tumor histology, surgical intervention, and patient survival were collected. RESULTS Overall, 218 patients were identified. The annual age-adjusted incidence was 0.05 cases per 100,000 in 2009. Fibrolamellar subtype tumors were exclusive to children >5years old and exhibited greater survival compared to non-fibrolamellar subtype (57% vs. 28%, respectively, p=0.002). Tumor extirpation for patients with resectable disease significantly improved overall survival at 5years compared to no surgery (60% vs. 0%, respectively, p<0.0001). Overall 5-, 10- and 20-year survival for the entire cohort was 24%, 23%, and 8%, respectively. Independent prognostic factors of lower mortality according to multivariate analysis were surgical resection (hazard ratio (HR)=0.18), non-Hispanic ethnicity (HR=0.52), and local disease at presentation (HR=0.46). CONCLUSION Over the past four decades, the incidence of HCC has remained relatively stable. Children of Hispanic ethnicity have high mortality rates. However, HCC resection for curative intent significantly improves outcomes.

Value of computed tomographic angiography in neck and extremity pediatric vascular trauma

PURPOSE We sought to define the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in pediatric vascular injuries. METHODS All neck and extremity CTAs performed in pediatric patients at a level 1 trauma center were reviewed from 2001 to 2007. RESULTS Overall, 78 patients were identified with an average age of 15.0 +/- 4.0 (0-18 years). Males outnumbered females 3.6:1. CTA was performed for 41 penetrating and 37 blunt traumas. Most penetrating injuries were due to missile wounds (71%) or stab wounds (17%). Eleven major vascular injuries resulted from penetrating trauma. For penetrating trauma, CTA was 100% sensitive and 93% specific. CTA for penetrating trauma had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. Most blunt injuries were due to motor vehicle accidents (57%), followed by pedestrian hit by car (27%). Eight major vascular injuries resulted from blunt trauma. For blunt trauma, CTA was 88% sensitive and 100% specific. CTA for blunt trauma had a PPV of 100% and an NPV of 97%. The accuracy for penetrating and blunt trauma was 95% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CTA is highly sensitive, specific, and accurate for pediatric neck and extremity vascular trauma.

Predictors of survival and incidence of hepatoblastoma in the paediatric population

OBJECTIVES This study evaluates current trends in incidence, clinical outcomes and factors predictive of survival in children with hepatoblastoma (HB). METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried for the period 1973-2009 for all patients aged <20 years with HB. RESULTS A total of 606 patients were identified. The age-adjusted incidence was 0.13 patients per 100 000 in 2009. An annual percentage change of 2.18% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-3.27; P < 0.05) was seen over the study period. Overall survival rates at 5, 10 and 20 years were 63%, 61% and 59%, respectively. Ten-year survival rates significantly improved in patients with resectable disease who underwent operative treatment in comparison with those with non-resectable HB (86% versus 39%; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed surgical treatment (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23, 95% CI 0.17-0.31; P < 0.0001), Hispanic ethnicity (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.89; P = 0.01), local disease at presentation (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.29-0.63; P < 0.0001) and age < 5 years (HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.41-0.95; P < 0.03) to be independent prognostic factors of survival. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of paediatric HB has increased over time. Hepatoblastoma is almost exclusively seen in children aged < 5 years. When HB presents after the age of 5 years, the prognosis is most unfavourable. Tumour extirpation markedly improves survival in paediatric patients with local disease.

Submucosal fibrin glue injection for closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula

We describe a new endoscopic technique for closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in which fibrin glue is injected into the submucosa of the lateral walls of the fistula until the lumen is occluded. This technique eliminates the possibility of the fibrin glue plug becoming dislodged and aspirated. In addition, our technique is simpler and safer in that it does not require diathermy or laser coagulation to deepithelialize the tract, and thereby eliminates the potential for injury to the esophagus and trachea.

Pediatric penetrating cardiac injury from abuse: a case report.

While cardiac foreign bodies after trauma have been described in the literature, we report the first case of intentional injury in an infant with an intracardiac needle. We review the literature and stress the need for a high degree of vigilance in evaluating children for potential child abuse.

Twenty years of pediatric gunshot wounds: an urban trauma center’s experience

BACKGROUND Pediatric gunshot wounds remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Recent experience in the urban pediatric population has not been extensively documented. METHODS A retrospective review of the trauma registry identified all pediatric (age 0-16 y) gunshot wound injuries between October 1991 and August 2011. We evaluated demographic, injury location, disposition, and outcome data. We applied descriptive statistics and χ(2) with significance level set to P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS We treated 740 patients at our trauma center. Patients tended to be male (82%) and African American (72%), and most frequently were shot in the abdomen, back, or pelvic regions (26%). Patients with head or neck injuries experienced the highest mortality rate (35%), whereas the mortality rate overall was 12.7%. A total of 23% of patients were discharged directly, but 32% required an operation. We grouped data into five equal time periods, demonstrating that after decreasing through the 1990s, pediatric gunshot wounds presenting to our hospital are steadily increasing. CONCLUSIONS We identified certain demographic and temporal trends regarding pediatric gunshot wounds, and the overall number of injuries appears to be increasing.