Lindsey B. Armstrong

Contrast enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of blunt pediatric abdominal trauma

INTRODUCTION Blunt abdominal trauma is a common problem in children. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for imaging in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma, however up to 50% of CTs are normal and CT carries a risk of radiation-induced cancer. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may allow accurate detection of abdominal organ injuries while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation. METHODS Children aged 7-18years with a CT-diagnosed abdominal solid organ injury underwent grayscale/power Doppler ultrasound (conventional US) and CEUS within 48h of injury. Two blinded radiologists underwent a brief training in CEUS and then interpreted the CEUS images without patient interaction. Conventional US and CEUS images were compared to CT for the presence of injury and, if present, the injury grade. Patients were monitored for contrast-related adverse reactions. RESULTS Twenty one injured organs were identified by CT in eighteen children. Conventional US identified the injuries with a sensitivity of 45.2%, which increased to 85.7% using CEUS. The specificity of conventional US was 96.4% and increased to 98.6% using CEUS. The positive predictive value increased from 79.2% to 94.7% and the negative predictive value from 85.3% to 95.8%. Two patients had injuries that were missed by both radiologists on CEUS. In a 100kg, 17year old female, a grade III liver injury was not seen by either radiologist on CEUS. Her accompanying grade I kidney injury was not seen by one of the radiologist on CEUS. The second patient, a 16year old female, had a grade III splenic injury that was missed by both radiologists on CEUS. She also had an adjacent grade II kidney injury that was seen by both. Injuries, when noted, were graded within 1 grade of CT 33/35 times with CEUS. There were no adverse reactions to the contrast. CONCLUSION CEUS is a promising imaging modality that can detect most abdominal solid organ injuries in children while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation. A multicenter trial is warranted before widespread use can be recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II; Diagnostic Prospective Study.

Can we safely decrease intensive care unit admissions for children with high grade isolated solid organ injuries? Using the shock index, pediatric age-adjusted and hematocrit to modify APSA admission guidelines

BACKGROUND In 2000, the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) disseminated consensus practice guidelines for the management of blunt liver and splenic injury which included intensive care unit (ICU) admission for children with grade IV injuries. We sought to determine if we could better predict which children with isolated solid organ injuries (SOI) underwent an ICU-level intervention, thus necessitating ICU admission. METHODS Children with isolated liver, spleen, or kidney injuries admitted to the ICU from November 2003 to August 2015 were identified in our trauma registry, and data were extracted from the medical record. ICU-level interventions were defined as transfusion, vasopressor use, intubation, and operative/procedural intervention. Shock index and pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) was calculated for all patients. The sensitivity and negative predictive values (NPV) were determined. RESULTS 133 children met inclusion criteria. 19 (14.3%) required ICU-level intervention, and 114 (85.1%) did not. 95% (n=18) of the intervention group had either an elevated SIPA or a hematocrit <30% on admission compared to 22% (n=25) of patients in the no intervention group. Sensitivity was 95%, and NPV was 99%. CONCLUSIONS Limiting ICU admission in children with isolated SOI to those with an elevated SIPA or hematocrit <30% would reduce the ICU admission rate by two-thirds while maintaining patient safety. TYPE OF STUDY Diagnostic study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.

Hernia recurrence following inguinal hernia repair in children

PURPOSE We aimed to describe the incidence, timing, and predictors of recurrence following inguinal hernia repair (IHR) in children. METHODS We used the TRICARE claims database, a national cohort of >3 million child dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We abstracted data on children <12y who underwent IHR (2005-2014). Our primary outcome was recurrence (ICD9-CM diagnosis codes). We calculated incidence rates for the population and stratified by age, time from repair to recurrence, and multivariable logistic regression to determine predictors. RESULTS Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-three children met inclusion criteria. Age at time of IHR was ≤1y in 37%, 2-3y in 23%, 4-5y in 16%, and 5-12y in 24%. Median follow-up time was 3.5y (IQR:1.6-6.1). 137 patients recurred (1.4%), with an incidence of 3.46 per 1000 person-years. Over half occurred in children 0-1y at repair (60%). The majority occurred within a year following repair (median 209 days [IQR:79-486]). Children 0-1y had 2.53 times greater odds of recurrence (compared to >5y). Children with multiple comorbidities had 5.45 times greater odds compared to those with no comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of recurrence following IHR is 3.46 per 1000 person-years. The majority occurred within a year of repair. Children ≤1y and those with multiple comorbidities were at increased risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognosis Study, Level II.

Proposed clinical pathway for nonoperative management of high-grade pediatric pancreatic injuries based on a multicenter analysis: A pediatric trauma society collaborative.

BACKGROUND Guidelines for nonoperative management (NOM) of high-grade pancreatic injuries in children have not been established, and wide practice variability exists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate common clinical strategies across multiple pediatric trauma centers to develop a consensus-based standard clinical pathway. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective review was conducted of children with high-grade (American Association of Surgeons for Trauma grade III-V) pancreatic injuries treated with NOM between 2010 and 2015. Data were collected on demographics, clinical management, and outcomes. RESULTS Eighty-six patients were treated at 20 pediatric trauma centers. Median age was 9 years (range, 1–18 years). The majority (73%) of injuries were American Association of Surgeons for Trauma grade III, 24% were grade IV, and 3% were grade V. Median time from injury to presentation was 12 hours and median ISS was 16 (range, 4–66). All patients had computed tomography scan and serum pancreatic enzyme levels at presentation, but serial enzyme level monitoring was variable. Pancreatic enzyme levels did not correlate with injury grade or pseudocyst development. Parenteral nutrition was used in 68% and jejunal feeds in 31%. 3Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram was obtained in 25%. An organized peripancreatic fluid collection present for at least 7 days after injury was identified in 59% (42 of 71). Initial management of these included: observation 64%, percutaneous drain 24%, and endoscopic drainage 10% and needle aspiration 2%. Clear liquids were started at a median of 6 days (IQR, 3–13 days) and regular diet at a median of 8 days (IQR 4–20 days). Median hospitalization length was 13 days (IQR, 7–24 days). Injury grade did not account for prolonged time to initiating oral diet or hospital length; indicating that the variability in these outcomes was largely due to different surgeon preferences. CONCLUSION High-grade pancreatic injuries in children are rare and significant variability exists in NOM strategies, which may affect outcomes and effective resource utilization. A standard clinical pathway is proposed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/care management, level V (case series).BACKGROUND Guidelines for non-operative management (NOM) of high-grade pancreatic injuries in children have not been established, and wide practice variability exists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate common clinical strategies across multiple pediatric trauma centers in order to develop a consensus-based standard clinical pathway. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective review was conducted of children with high-grade (AAST grade III-V) pancreatic injuries treated with NOM between 2010-15. Data was collected on demographics, clinical management, and outcomes. RESULTS Eighty-six patients were treated at 20 pediatric trauma centers. Median age was 9 years (range 1-18). The majority (73%) of injuries were AAST grade III, 24% were grade IV, and 3% were grade V. Median time from injury to presentation was 12 hours and median ISS was 16 (range 4-66). All patients had computed tomography (CT) scan and serum pancreatic enzyme levels at presentation, but serial enzyme level monitoring was variable. Pancreatic enzyme levels did not correlate with injury grade or pseudocyst development. Parenteral nutrition was used in 68% and jejunal feeds in 31%. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) was obtained in 25%. An organized peri-pancreatic fluid collection present for at least 7 days following injury was identified in 59% (42/71). Initial management of these included: observation 64%, percutaneous drain 24%, and endoscopic drainage 10% and needle aspiration 2%. Clear liquids were started at median 6 days (IQR 3-13) and regular diet at median 8 days (IQR 4-20). Median hospitalization length was 13 days (IQR 7-24). Injury grade did not account for prolonged time to initiating oral diet or hospital length; indicating that the variability in these outcomes was largely due to different surgeon preferences. CONCLUSION High-grade pancreatic injuries in children are rare and significant variability exists in NOM strategies, which may affect outcomes and effective resource utilization. A standard clinical pathway is proposed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV (case series). STUDY TYPE Therapeutic/Care Management.

Nutrition Delivery During Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy

BACKGROUND Macronutrient delivery during pediatric ECMO therapy can be challenging. We examined predictors of nutrient delivery in the first 2 weeks of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS Details of macronutrient delivery were recorded in children (newborn-18 years of age) who survived 24 hours after cannulation to ECMO over a 3-year period (2012-2015). RESULTS We analyzed data from 54 consecutive eligible patients, 43% female, with median (interquartile range) ECMO duration of 8.5 (6-24) days, age 0.1 (0, 16) months, ICU length of stay 32 (21, 60) days, and 28-day mortality 13%. Median weight for age z score declined from -0.1 at admission to -1.2 at 30 days (P = 0.013). At least 80% goal energy and protein was delivered in 35 (65%) and 33 (61%) patients, respectively, by day 7; 10% of energy and 11% protein goal was delivered enterally. Parenteral nutrition (PN) was utilized in 47 (87%) patients, initiated by day 1 (1, 3). Enteral nutrition (EN) was successfully delivered in 49 (94%) patients (35% postpyloric), initiated by day 6 (2, 16). Younger age (P = 0.01) and venoarterial mode of ECMO (P = 0.0014) were associated with lower EN delivery. Use of umbilical artery catheters or vasoactive infusions did not impede EN delivery. Late PN delivery was associated with cumulative protein deficits (P = 0.019) and failure to achieve nutrient delivery goals by day 7. CONCLUSIONS Optimal nutrient delivery was achieved in most patients by day 7, predominantly via PN. Early EN is feasible in low volumes, but PN may be essential to prevent cumulative energy and protein deficits during the first week of ECMO.

Incidence and risk factors for sepsis after childhood splenectomy

BACKGROUND Children who have undergone splenectomy may develop impaired immunologic function and heightened risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection. We sought to define the long-term rate of and risk factors for postsplenectomy sepsis. METHODS We leveraged the Military Health System Data Repository, a nationally representative claims database including >3 million children registered as dependents of members of the United States Armed Services (2005-2014). Inclusion criterion was splenectomy at age 18 years or prior. The primary outcome was hospitalization for sepsis. RESULTS Among 195 children who underwent splenectomy, 7% (n = 13) were hospitalized with sepsis, with an incidence of 1.8 (95% CI = 1.0-3.1) events per 100 person-years. The median time to sepsis was 224 days (IQR = 109-606) and 38% (5/13) of events occurred within the first postsplenectomy year. The postsplenectomy mortality rate was 1% (n = 3). After adjusting for underlying diagnosis, older age at splenectomy (HR = 0.90 per year, 95% CI = 0.81-0.99) was associated with decreased hazard of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS In a contemporary national cohort, the prevalence of postsplenectomy sepsis was 7% (1.8 events per 100 person-years). Although most presented during the first year after splenectomy, many (62%) sepsis events occurred later, suggesting that postsplenectomy immunologic dysfunction persists beyond one year. The immunologic consequences of asplenia must continue to be acknowledged, as postsplenectomy sepsis remains a serious concern. TYPE OF STUDY Prognosis study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.

Pneumatoceles in pediatric blunt trauma: Common and benign

INTRODUCTION Traumatic pneumatoceles are reported to be rare in children and to have an uncertain clinical significance. We report a single institution series of traumatic pneumatoceles to better define their frequency and clinical significance. METHODS After obtaining approval from the IRB, data were extracted from the trauma registry of a level 1 pediatric trauma center on children diagnosed with a pulmonary contusion (International Classification of Diseases-9th edition diagnosis codes: 861.21 to 861.31) who presented between June, 2006 and September, 2016. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity score, diagnosis and procedure codes, length of hospital stay, outcome, imaging techniques and findings with attention to the identification of a pneumatocele, were examined. RESULTS Of the 10,229 trauma admission, 204 children were identified as having a pulmonary contusion, 25 of whom (12.3%) were diagnosed with a pneumatocele. Their mean age was 13years (3-17). Seventy-six percent (19) were male. The most common mechanism of injury was a motor vehicle collision (10), followed by falls (6), and sports (5). Sixteen children (64%) suffered a long bone fracture, 12 (48%) an abdominal solid organ injury and 3 (12%) a traumatic brain injury. The mean Injury Severity Score was 17 (9-34). Twenty-three patients presented as transfers. There were no fatalities. The pneumatocele was identified on chest computerized tomography (CT) alone in 15 (60%), on chest CT and chest radiograph (CXR) in 3 (12%), the upper portions of an abdominal CT in 6 (24%) and on CXR alone in 1 (4%). Seven patients were found to have a solitary pneumatocele and 18 patients had 2 or more. The largest pneumatocele was 3.7cm in diameter. Ten children (40%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 3 of whom required intubation. One patient (4%) had a respiratory complication: pneumonia. Three patients underwent chest tube placement for: pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemopneumothorax. No child underwent intervention specific to the pneumatocele. Seventeen (68%) patients were seen in follow-up in Trauma Clinic and the remainder by another practitioner ranging from 1week to 6months after injury. One child (4%) underwent a follow-up chest CT to rule out a congenital pulmonary malformation 6months after injury and this demonstrated complete resolution of the pneumatocele. CONCLUSION The incidence of traumatic pneumatoceles among children with a pulmonary contusion was 12.3% in this series, but is probably higher given that only 24% were visible on radiographs and a small minority of children with pulmonary contusions underwent chest CT. Pneumatoceles are common in children with pulmonary contusions, but are usually small. The majority do not appear to be clinically significant nor require follow-up imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.

Neurectomy for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome in children

INTRODUCTION Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is an underrecognized etiology of chronic abdominal pain that causes great morbidity to those affected. We sought to determine the outcome of neurectomy for ACNES in children. METHODS Demographic and clinical data on children who underwent neurectomy for ACNES by a single surgeon from 10/2011 to 01/2017 were reviewed. RESULTS Twenty-six patients underwent neurectomy for ACNES. Five were male and average age was 15years (10-21). Median (IQR) preoperative pain duration was 15 (8-29) months and 19 reported their pain was 10/10 (6-10). Thirteen patients were taking antidepressants, 12 Gabapentin, and 4 narcotics. Most had been hospitalized at least once secondary to the pain. All 26 had undergone diagnostic studies including: nuclear medicine scan, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, endoscopy and surgery. Once the diagnosis was suspected, all underwent at least one ultrasound-directed nerve block, which provided relief lasting from 6h to 14days. Patients then underwent outpatient surgery with division of the involved nerve(s). There were no perioperative complications. Most patients reported incisional discomfort for 3-14days afterward, and immediate resolution of the nerve pain without cutaneous numbness. Postoperatively, 15 patients (58%) were pain free long-term; pain recurred to a lesser severity in 8 (31%) and recurred to the same extent in 3 (11%), with average time to recurrence of 6.7months. Of those whose pain recurred to a lesser extent, all achieved long term relief, 4 improved with time, 1 through repeat neurectomy, 2 through medical treatment for underlying psychiatric disorders and 1 through treatment for newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease. Of those children with pain recurring to the same extent, all underwent repeat neurectomy, none of whom achieved pain relief. CONCLUSION ACNES should be considered in children with chronic abdominal pain. Neurectomy is safe and relieves pain in around 88% of selected children. Further investigation is necessary to optimize patient selection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.

1537: OUTCOME OF NEONATES IN AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT UNDERGOING EARLY STOMA CLOSURE

Crit Care Med 2016 • Volume 44 • Number 12 (Suppl.) AHT compared to non-AHT. Inclusion criteria were age < 18 y, GCS ≤ 8 and placement of an ICP monitor. Mortality, demographics, injury characteristics, prehospital and resuscitation events were collected and analyzed. Children were stratified based on their likelihood of AHT as assessed by the clinical site personnel based on a prior definitions. Results: A total of 189 patients were included in the final analysis (n = 34 AHT) with 11 children excluded because the likelihood of AHT was indeterminate. AHT children were younger (1.78 y ±1.85 vs. 9.27 y ± 4.85, p < 0.001) and more were female (55.9% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.0225). AHT children were more likely to be transported to the study hospital from home (61.8% vs. 32.9%, p < 0.0001), have apnea (35.3% vs. 12.3%, p = 0.0036) and seizures (32.4% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.0001) during pre-hospital care. They also had a higher incidence of seizures during the resuscitation period before ICP monitor placement (29.4% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.0048). There was no difference in mortality between groups (26.5% vs. 18.8% respectively, p = 0.8870 after correcting for co-variates). Conclusions: In this relatively large, multicenter series, children with AHT had differences in early secondary injuries and, unlike accidental TBI, female predominance was observed. Our findings suggest that children with AHT may have similar outcomes to those with accidental injuries when ICP monitoring is instituted. Confirmation within the larger cohort and understanding more substantive outcomes is necessary.