Stephen D. Heinrich

Comparative severity of pediatric osteomyelitis attributable to methicillin-resistant versus methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common etiology of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children. Recently emerged virulent strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains now predominate. It remains uncertain whether these pathogens cause a measurably more severe illness than methicillin-sensitive strains. Methods: We reviewed records of 97 pediatric patients with hematogenous osteomyelitis of varying etiologies to determine whether there were significant differences among the groups in terms of predetermined measures of disease severity. These measures included degree and duration of elevated temperature, acute-phase reactants, length of hospitalization, the number of surgical procedures required, and long-term sequelae. Results: Differences in the clinical course of illness were observed. Patients with MRSA had a significant increase in degree and duration of elevated temperature (P = 0.0001 for both), acute-phase reactant measures (white blood cell count, P = 0.0001; C-reactive protein, P = 0.0058; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, P = 0.0046), initial length of hospital stay (P = 0.0001), and surgical interventions (all procedures, P = 0.0001; therapeutic procedures, only P = 0.0002) as compared with patients with osteomyelitis caused by other bacterial pathogens and culture-negative osteomyelitis. A similar general pattern was observed when the analysis was restricted to culture-positive staphylococcal cases only. Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that MRSA produces more severe bone infection and is likely to require more aggressive surgical and medical management. Level of Evidence: Level II (retrospective study investigating the effect of a patient characteristic on the outcome of disease).

Trisomy 8 in alveolar soft part sarcoma

Cytogenetic studies were performed on an alveolar soft part sarcoma of a 6-year-old boy. An extra chromosome 8 was present in 26 of 28 metaphases analyzed.

Fracture of the superior pelvic quadrant in a child

Summary We present a case report (with review of the literature) of a 3-year-old child who was struck by an automobile, sustaining a superior quadrant pelvic fracture that involved the sacroiliac joint, the adjacent ilium, and the acetabulum. This was successfully treated by open reduction and fixation with cannulated screws.

GIANT CELL TUMOR OF TENDON SHEATH ARISING IN THE TOE

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (nodular synovitis) is a benign soft tissue tumor, usually affecting older women, that most often occurs in the interphalangeal joints of the fingers. Occurrence is rare in children. We present a 12-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl with giant cell tumors of tendon sheaths occurring in the toes. The tumor from the 12-year-old demonstrated the cytogenetic finding of t(1;2)(p13;q37), which previously has been associated with giant cell tumor of tendon sheath in adults. Giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath occurring in children have similar histological and cytogenetic features as adults, however, there may be a predilection for lower extremity involvement.

Bone Invasion by a Recurrent Digital Fibroma of Infancy in a Child with Beckwith—Wiedemann Syndrome

We describe a child with features of the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with congenital recurrent digital fibroma of infancy that extended into and replaced the marrow of the terminal phalynx of the little finger. Digital fibromas of infancy have not previously been associated with either Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or invasion into underlying bone.

Infantile fibrosarcoma successfully treated with chemotherapy, with occurrence of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma and pleomorphic/spindled celled lipoma at the site 12 years later.

The treatment of infantile fibrosarcoma has traditionally been wide resection. Chemotherapy has been investigated as an adjuvant and primary treatment in cases in which surgery would cause unacceptable morbidity. Recurrences normally occur within a year of completion of the chemotherapy and display the same histology. We present a child with an infantile fibrosarcoma of the elbow, successfully treated with chemotherapy alone, who developed a calcifying aponeurotic fibroma and a spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma at the tumor site 12 years later.

CONGENITAL SUBCUTANEOUS DENDRITIC CELL RICH LYMPHOEPITHELIAL HAMARTOMA

We present the clinical, radiologic, histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of a congenital pretibial subcutaneous lesion composed of a mixture of T and B cells, epithelial cells, and dendritic cells, probably representing a hamartoma. After total removal, there has been no recurrence. The prominent dendritic component of this lesion, demonstrated immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally, separates the lesion from cutaneous lymphadenoma and other adnexal tumors.

Fusion Techniques for Pediatric Disorders

This group of lesions includes occipitalization of the atlas and basilar impression. Also discussed in this section are the Klippel-Feil deformity, which has a common association with craniovertebral junction anomalies, and atlanto-occipital hypermobility, which is being reported with increasing frequency.