Margret S. Magid

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in infants and children : clinical and pathologic characteristics

ObjectiveTo examine the clinical and pathologic features of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children. DesignRetrospective review of medical records and pathologic material during a 44-month period. SettingMultidisciplinary pediatric ICU. Patients and MethodsWith the assistance of a computerized database, the medical records of 2,254 pediatric ICU admissions were evaluated to identify children with respiratory failure. Children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who met the following definition were selected for inclusion: a) Pao2 <75 tor (<10.0 kPa) with an Fio2 of >0.5; b) diffuse bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph; and c) exclusion of cardiogenic pulmonary edema clinically or by pulmonary artery catheterization. Patients were excluded if they did not receive tracheal intubation and assisted ventilation. The medical records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and physiologic information. Pathologic findings from autopsy or lung biopsy were also reviewed. Patients were placed in one of six groups based on their underlying disorder. In addition, the presence of neutropenia, septic shock, or a history of bone marrow transplantation was noted as a coexisting condition. Main ResultsA total of 100 acute hypoxemic respiratory failure patients were identified (4.4% of all 2,254 pediatric ICU admissions; 50 male, 50 female). Mean age was 6.0 ± 5.4 (SD) yrs (range 1 month to 18 yrs). The overall mortality rate was 72%. The mortality rate was not affected by the underlying disorder, but it was higher in the presence of septic shock (80% vs. 58%; odds ratio 2.8), neutropenia (88% vs. 64%; odds ratio 4.0), and bone marrow transplantation (95% vs. 66%; odds ratio 10.4). When multivariate regression analysis was performed using all coexisting conditions, human immunodeficiency virus status, and patient gender, only a history of bone marrow transplantation and gender appeared to affect outcome. Oxygenation ratio (Pao2/FIO2), alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference, duration of exposure to high levels of oxygen, and airway pressure measurements indicated more severe derangement of pulmonary function in those patients who died. Cardiac function was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors. Respiratory failure occurred in 32 children with severe neutropenia (mean absolute neutrophil count 55 ± 101 cells/mm3), including 16 children with an absolute neutrophil count of 0. Pulmonary tissue from 37 children was studied. Diffuse alveolar damage was observed in 24%; morphologic evidence of infectious pneumonitis was encountered in an additional 41%. ConclusionsChildren with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure represent a heterogeneous subset of patients. In our group of patients, infectious pneumonitis was more commonly encountered than diffuse alveolar damage. The mortality rate of children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has not unproved since 1980.

Electron Microscopic Identification of Parvovirus Virions in Erythroid-Line Cells in Fatal Hydrops Fetalis

Intrauterine infection with parvovirus B19 may lead to fatal hydrops fetalis. Intranuclear particles, consistent with parvovirus virions, within erythroid cells were readily identified on transmission electron microscopy of formalin-preserved material obtained at necropsy from a neonate and two fetuses in whom clinical and light microscopic criteria for parvovirus B19 infection were met. No such particles were seen in similar material from a neonate and two fetuses with erythroblastosis fetalis due to alpha-thalassemia, maternofetal Rh incompatibility, and an erythrocyte membrane protein defect. When other means of investigation are impracticable transmission electron microscopy is widely available and easily performed and may be of value in establishing a diagnosis of parvovirus B19 infection.

Juvenile-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Involving the Lung: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

1Department of Pathology, The New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021 2Department of Pediatrics, Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021 3Department of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, and Department of Pediatrics, Box 537, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Infantile Myofibromatosis with Hemangiopericytoma-Like Features of the Tongue: A Case Study Including Ultrastructure

We report a case of an infantile myofibromatosis with hemangiopericytoma-like features arising in the tongue of a 5-month-old female infant. Many authors now classify neoplasms as infantile myofibromatosis that were previously called infantile hemangiopericytoma. The ultrastructural features of our tumor illustrate its biphasic nature and provide a possible explanation for its histogenesis. Infantile myofibromatosis, including those diagnosed as infantile hemangiopericytomas, rarely arise in any intraoral location. Despite the generally good prognosis associated with these neoplasms, complete surgical excision is recommended to avoid recurrences.

Comparison of absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for microsurgical vasovasostomy in rats

OBJECTIVES At least 12% of initially patent vasovasostomies (VVs) shut down. Currently, only nonabsorbable sutures are used for VV. A synthetic, slowly absorbing, monofilament polyglactin suture has been developed that retains tensile strength for up to 6 months. We performed a prospective controlled randomized study comparing absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for rat VVs. METHODS Bilateral microsurgical VV was performed in three groups of 36 Wistar male rats, with 10-0 nylon, 10-0 polypropylene, and 10-0 polyglactin sutures. Twelve control rats underwent sham operations. Three rats in each group were killed at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The abdominal end of the vas deferens was transected and the intraluminal fluid examined microscopically for presence of sperm. The segment of the vas deferens containing the anastomosis was excised. Fluid from the testicular end was examined for sperm to confirm spermatogenesis. Patency was confirmed by an antegrade indigo carmine vasogram of the anastomotic segment. Segments were randomly sent for histologic or tensile strength evaluation. RESULTS The mean tensile strength of the anastomoses performed with nylon was slightly higher than in polypropylene and polyglactin sutures, although the difference was not statistically significant. Polyglactin consistently maintained tensile strength throughout 6 months without significant fluctuations. The mean patency rate in the polyglactin group was 96%, in nylon 81%, and in polypropylene 61%. Although polyglactin had a consistently higher patency rate compared with nonabsorbable sutures, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.11) but indicated a strong trend. The occurrence of microscopic sperm granuloma, muscle layer injuries, intimal fibrosis, and adventitial fibrosis of the vas deferens was not significantly different between suture types. CONCLUSIONS The three suture materials appear equivalent with respect to overall tensile strength of anastomosis; with histologic evaluation, the trend was toward better patency with polyglactin. Polyglactin 10-0 microsurgical suture is a viable alternative to nonabsorbable sutures in microsurgical VVs, although further studies are indicated to assess long-term results.

Parathyroid gland hemorrhage in perinatally lethal osteogenesis imperfecta

In four neonates with perinatally lethal osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) who survived for more than 9 days after birth, vascular congestion and acute hemorrhage were found in 10 of 11 parathyroid glands; in one neonate, all four parathyroid glands, including the only gland without acute hemorrhage, contained abundant deposits of stainable iron. One neonate had hypocalcemia, and one had both hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. In four neonates with OI who died within 72 minutes of birth, all 10 parathyroid glands demonstrated were free of hemorrhage and hemosiderin deposition. Only minor foci of acute hemorrhage were seen in three of 170 glands in 113 comparison neonates and infants. We conclude that parathyroid gland hemorrhage is common in perinatally lethal OI with survival beyond the immediate period of birth, and is otherwise rare. We speculate that parathyroid hemorrhage may be related to difficulty in maintaining postnatal calcium homeostasis in the absence of adequate calcium reserves in bone. Acute parathyroid gland hemorrhage causes fluctuations in serum calcium levels that have on occasion proved fatal, and parathyroid hemorrhage may be a proximate cause of death in some neonates with OI.

Hepatic heterotopias in the jejunum: A case study over time showing progressive degenerative changes

Multiple foci of heterotopic liver in the jejunum were sequentially discovered in an infant boy at the ages of 1 day, 2 months, and 4 months. This is the second reported case of jejunal heterotopic liver, a rare entity in any site. Progressive histological changes indicative of biliary duct obstruction were observed in the hepatic heterotopias, which demonstrated no connections to the main body of the liver or biliary tree.

Thoracolumbar accessory penis: etiology, diagnosis, and management

Human sacral appendages have rarely been reported. We present a neonate with a thoracolumbar appendage resembling a penis, and discuss the nature of the anomaly and its diagnosis and management.