Robert F. Yellon

Head and Neck Space Infections in Infants and Children

A retrospective study was performed in 117 children with head and neck space infections treated at the Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh from January 1986 through June 1992. Peritonsillar space infections were the most common (49%), followed by retropharyngeal (22%), submandibular (14%), buccal (11%), parapharyngeal (2%), and canine (2%) space infections. The most common pathogens isolated (N = 78) were the aerobes beta-hemolytic streptococcus (18%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18%), the anaerobes Bacteroides melaninogenicus (17%) and Veillonella (14%), and the gram-negative organism Haemophilus parainfluenzae (14%). beta-Lactamase production by aerobic pathogens was detected in 22% of cultures. Computed tomography scans (N = 16) were reviewed in blinded fashion and compared with operative findings. The sensitivity of computed tomography scan in detecting the presence of an abscess vs. cellulitis was high (91%), whereas the specificity was rather low (60%). Treatment of head and neck space infections in children should consist of accurate physical diagnosis aided by imaging studies, empiric antibiotic therapy that covers gram-negative and beta-lactamase--producing organisms as well as gram-positive organisms and anaerobes, and timely surgical intervention, when indicated.

Characterization of cytokines present in middle ear effusions

Retention of inflammatory mediators and cells in the middle ear cleft during chronic otitis media with effusion (COME), results in ongoing inflammation with the potential for pathologic changes and hearing loss. Cytokines are glycoproteins produced by macrophages and other cells. Activities of cytokines include fever production, osteoclast, fibroblast, phagocyte and cytotoxic cell activation, regulation of antibody formation, and inhibition of cartilage, bone and endothelial cell growth. Using enzyme-linked immunospecific assays we measured levels of six cytokines in middle ear effusions (MEE) from children with COME. Significant levels of four cytokines: interleukin-1-beta (greater than 50 pg/ml), interleukin-2 (greater than 300 pg/ml), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (greater than 40 pg/ml), and gamma-interferon (greater than 6.25 pg/ml) were found in 51%, 54%, 63%, and 19% of MEE, respectively. In contrast, levels of a fifth cytokine, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and a sixth cytokine, interleukin-4, were undetectable. Age was observed to have a significant effect on the levels of specific cytokines. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) correlated inversely (P less than .02) with age such that the younger the child, the higher the level of IL-1 in MEE. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) correlated directly (P less than .005) with age such that the older the child, the higher the level of TNF in MEE. Children undergoing tympanostomy on multiple occasions had average MEE TNF levels (234.2 +/- 109.1 pg/mg total protein) that were nearly 14 times higher (P less than .005) than those from children undergoing their first tympanostomy (16.9 +/- 3.0 pg/mg total protein). Thus IL-1 correlated with the early stages of COME, while TNF correlated with persistence of disease. The presence of these cytokines in MEE may be responsible for the mucosal damage, bone erosion, fibrosis, and resulting hearing loss seen in some cases of COME.

Update on gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric airway disorders.

In this article, the literature regarding the effects of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on otolaryngologic disorders in infants and children is reviewed. We specifically focus on studies that suggest how GERD may be associated with sinusitis, cough, laryngitis, airway obstruction, apnea, recurrent croup, laryngomalacia, stridor, and subglottic stenosis in children.

Correction of upper airway obstruction in the newborn with internal mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

Tracheostomy for management of neonatal airway obstruction may be life saving but is associated with complications and developmental problems. As an alternative, the effectiveness of internal mandibular distraction osteogenesis was investigated in select neonatal patients with micrognathia and upper airway obstruction. Preoperative tests (sleep study, direct laryngobronchoscopy, and “milk scan” for GI reflux) were used to select appropriate candidates for the procedure. Excluded were patients with 1) central apnea, 2) severe reflux, 3) other airway lesions, and 4) mild to moderate obstruction controlled by positioning. Of 44 newborns (aged <3 weeks) with upper airway obstruction and micrognathia seen in the neonatal intensive care unit, 19 underwent tracheostomy, 10 were discharged with home monitoring and positional instructions, and 15 underwent bilateral mandibular lengthening with microdistractors. Of those who underwent mandibular distraction, a tracheostomy was avoided in 14 of 15 patients. Relative improvement in the posterior airway space was seen on 3D CT scans, cephalograms, and laryngobronchoscopies obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up evaluation. One of these 15 patients required a tracheostomy for postoperative central apnea. In an average of just 4.5 days following completion of distraction, patients were discharged home with improved oral feeding and no feeding tube. This study suggests that for selected newborns, the use of internal microdistractors allows for avoidance of a tracheostomy and improved oral feeding.

Decreasing morbidity following laryngotracheal reconstruction in children

Our objectives are to report (1) methods for decreasing infectious complications and excessive weakness associated with the period of sedation and neuromuscular blockade (NMB) following single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction (SSLTR); (2) an association between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and subglottic stenosis (SGS); (3) results of 21 SSLTRs and 15 two-stage LTRs (TSLTRs). A retrospective chart review was performed for the period January, 1990-August, 1995, including 36 patients who had 38 LTRs for SGS and/or posterior glottic stenosis at a tertiary care center. Our most recent post-SSLTR protocol included: (1) prophylactic antimicrobials (clindamycin plus antipseudomonal agents = C + A); (2) GER treatment; (3) titrated infusion NMB with daily recovery of neuromuscular function; (4) avoidance of prolonged simultaneous administration of NMB and corticosteroids. Patients who had prophylactic antimicrobials (C + A) during intubation following SSLTR had fewer (1/13, 8%) postoperative infectious complications than patients who received other/no antibiotics (4/8, 50%) (P < 0.05). Avoidance of prolonged simultaneous administration of NMB and corticosteroids and use of titrated infusion of NMB with daily recovery of neuromuscular function was associated with less weakness following extubation (0/11, 0% vs. 4/6, 66%) (P < 0.002). Of 26 patients tested for GER, 21 (81%) had at least one positive test, suggesting a significant association between GER and SGS (P < 0.05). The overall success rate for LTR was 33/36 or 92%. SSLTR had a 95% success rate while two-stage LTR had an 87% success rate, although two revisions were required. Prophylactic antimicrobials, improved postoperative management and GER treatment allowed successful LTRs with decreased infectious complications and less weakness.

Alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery in the management of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to oral antimicrobial therapy

We determined the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a treatment regimen consisting of maxillary sinus aspiration and irrigation with or without adenoidectomy, followed by culture-directed intravenous antibiotics and oral prophylaxis, for children with chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to oral antimicrobial therapy. Twenty-seven children (age 1–12 years, mean 6.7 years) with symptomatic (mean duration 16 months) and computed tomography-proven sinus disease, which persisted despite at least 1 month of oral antibiotics, were treated. Twenty-four patients (89%) had complete resolution of their presenting symptoms after intravenous therapy; in 3 (11%), intravenous therapy failed and endoscopic sinus surgery was required. Follow-up data were available for 26 of the children (96%); 23 of them had initial complete resolution. At last follow-up (mean 282 days, range 26–1095 days), 10 of these 23 patients (44%) remained asymptomatic, and 13 (57%) had had at least one other episode of sinusitis (mean 1.0, range 1–3) treated with oral antibiotics, with resolution. Treatment-related complications included superficial thrombophlebitis (7%), diarrhea (7%), intravenous catheter guide-wire kink requiring venotomy (4%), and serum sickness–like syndrome (4%). These preliminary results suggest that this treatment plan is relatively safe and feasible and that it may be a reasonable alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery in children with chronic rhinosinusitis unresponsive to orally administered antimicrobial therapy.

The Spectrum of Reflux-Associated Otolaryngologic Problems in Infants and Children

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children has been considered to be the etiology of many types of pathology in infants and children. The otolaryngologic complaints may be chronic and unresponsive to usual therapies such as antimicrobial treatments. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of otolaryngologic manifestations of GER in these patients, a high index of suspicion for GER, and for the concept of ‘‘silent’’ GER (GER without overt symptoms) is necessary. In this discussion, the literature concerning the spectrum of reflux-associated otolaryngologic problems in infants and children will be reviewed. A discussion of the medical and surgical treatment of GER will not be included, since this material has been addressed elsewhere. The results of a porcine model of the effects of gastric juice and the role of peptide growth factors in subglottic mucosa will also be presented.

Acetaminophen plus ibuprofen versus opioids for treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain in children.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen plus ibuprofen in treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain compared to acetaminophen plus opioids in children. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING Tertiary-care childrens hospital between September 2012 and March 2013. SUBJECTS AND METHODS All children undergoing total tonsillectomy (n=1065). Analysis included descriptive analysis, chi-square testing, and logistic regression controlling for age, diagnosis, trainee involvement, concurrent surgical procedures, and Coblator use for differences of outcomes: (1) post-operative bleeding, (2) emergency department (ED) visits for pain, dehydration, or bleeding, and (3) nurse phone calls from families. RESULTS All patients received acetaminophen. Seventy-four percent received ibuprofen (n=783) and 26.5% did not receive ibuprofen (n=282). In the ibuprofen group, 32.2% received opioids (n=252). Over eight percent of children had post-operative hemorrhage of any amount reported (n=89). Forty-eight percent of these required operative intervention (n=43). Ibuprofen prescription did not impact post-operative bleeding; operative intervention for bleeding, ED visits, or nurse phone calls either on chi-squared or logistic regression testing. Increasing age was found to increase bleeding risk as well as the likelihood of visiting the ED or calling the clinic nurses. All patients with multiple bleeding episodes were in the ibuprofen group. CONCLUSION Prescription of ibuprofen did not increase the risk of bleeding and did not increase the likelihood of a post-operative ED visit or nurse phone call. Ibuprofen prescription may possibly increase the risk of multiple bleeding episodes, but further prospective studies are needed. Increased age increases the risk of bleeding, ED visits, and nurse phone calls.

Congenital cholesteatoma: predictors for residual disease and hearing outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine predictive factors for residual disease and hearing outcomes of surgery for congenital cholesteatoma (CC). DESIGN Retrospective record review of surgery for CC from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2010. The initial extent of CC was staged using the system as defined by Potsic et al. SETTING Tertiary care childrens hospital. PATIENTS Eighty-one children (82 ears) underwent a total of 230 operations for CC. The mean (SD) age was 5.3 (2.9) years, and the mean follow-up was 4.3 years. INTERVENTION Initial and subsequent operations for CC and audiologic evaluations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Statistical analyses were performed to determine factors associated with increased residual disease for CC and poorer hearing outcomes. RESULTS Higher initial stage of disease, erosion of ossicles, and removal of ossicles were significantly associated with increased likelihood of residual CC (46%, 50%, and 51%, respectively; P < .001). More extensive disease at initial surgery was associated with poorer final hearing outcomes (P < .05). Other significant findings included CC medial to the malleus (41.5%) or incus (54.3%), abutting the incus (51.3%) or stapes (63%), or enveloping the stapes (50%); all patients had increased residual disease (all P < .05). Excellent audiometric results (air-bone gap of ≤20 decibel hearing level) were obtained in 63 (77%) of the 82 ears. CONCLUSIONS More extensive initial disease, ossicular erosion, and the need for ossicular removal were associated with residual disease. On the basis of our data, the best chance for completely removing CC at initial surgery involves removing involved ossicles if they are eroded, if the CC is abutting or enveloping the incus or stapes, if the CC is medial to the malleus or incus, or if the matrix of the CC is violated. These results may help guide surgeons to achieve the best results for their patients.

Atresiaplasty versus BAHA for congenital aural atresia

BACKGROUND For congenital aural atresia, surgical hearing rehabilitation may be accomplished with atresiaplasty or Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA, Cochlear Americas, Centennial, CO). The Jahrsdoerfer CT grading system has been used to determine which patients are candidates for atresiaplasty. Patients with a Jahrsdoerfer score of 6 or higher are considered to be candidates for atresiaplasty. The higher the grading score, the better the chance for a favorable hearing outcome for atresiaplasty. Hearing results for atresiaplasty range from excellent to fair. BAHA is an alternative to atresiaplasty. Hearing results for BAHA are generally excellent. However, cosmesis is not very good with the BAHA with a visible titanium abutment and snap-on hearing aid, and frequent wound care is required. A decision for BAHA versus atresiaplasty needs to be individualized for each patient because both have advantages, disadvantages, and potential complications.