Deep vein thrombosis in an adolescent

We report an unusual case of deep vein thrombosis following minor trauma in an adolescent who presented with a swollen, tender, lower extremity. Work-up consisted of a venogram which demonstrated occlusion of the deep venous system in the proximal leg. The patient was hospitalized for intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagulation therapy. The problem of deep venous thrombosis in adolescents and the approach to diagnosis are discussed.     

Shallow versus deep endotracheal suctioning in young rabbits: pathologic effects on the tracheobronchial wall

The traditional technique for endotracheal suctioning of intubated neonates consists of inserting a catheter until resistance is met, withdrawing slightly, and applying suction. The extent of tissue damage caused by the traditional (deep) technique v that caused by an alternative shallow technique was studied with an animal model. Six 3-week-old rabbits were anesthetized, intubated, and suctioned every 15 minutes for six hours by neonatal intensive care unit nurses who were unaware of the study purpose. Three rabbits were suctioned by means of the deep technique, whereas the other three received shallow suctioning achieved by inserting the catheter no further than a premeasured distance. Light microscopy showed significantly increased necrosis and inflammation following deep suctioning. Electron microscopy revealed greater loss of cilia and increased mucus with the deep technique. To confirm our initial assumption that the deep technique is still used extensively by neonatal intensive care units throughout the country, a mail survey was conducted. Of the 405 (43%) neonatal intensive care unit physicians who responded, 82% reported frequent or exclusive use of the deep technique for routine suctioning. In this study, the fact that deep suctioning results in significantly more tracheobronchial pathology than does a shallow, premeasured technique is shown. It is recommended that nurseries change their current practice and adopt the shallow technique for routine suctioning of intubated neonates.     

Efficacy and safety of deep sedation by non-anesthesiologists for cardiac MRI in children

Background

Cardiac MRI has become widespread to characterize cardiac lesions in children. No study has examined the role of deep sedation performed by non-anesthesiologists for this investigation.

Objective

We hypothesized that deep sedation provided by non-anesthesiologists can be provided with a similar safety and efficacy profile to general anesthesia provided by anesthesiologists.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective chart review of children who underwent cardiac MRI over a 5-year period. The following data were collected from the medical records: demographic data, cardiac lesion, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, sedation type, provider, medications, sedation duration and adverse events or interventions. Image and sedation adequacy were recorded.

Results

Of 1,465 studies identified, 1,197 met inclusion criteria; 43 studies (3.6%) used general anesthesia, 506 (42.3%) had deep sedation and eight (0.7%) required anxiolysis only. The remaining 640 studies (53.5%) were performed without sedation. There were two complications in the general anesthesia group (4.7%) versus 17 in the deep sedation group (3.4%). Sedation was considered inadequate in 22 of the 506 deep sedation patients (4.3%). Adequate images were obtained in 95.3% of general anesthesia patients versus 86.6% of deep sedation patients.

Conclusion

There was no difference in the incidence of adverse events or cardiac MRI image adequacy for children receiving general anesthesia by anesthesiologists versus deep sedation by non-anesthesiologists. In summary, this study demonstrates that an appropriately trained sedation provider can provide deep sedation for cardiac MRI without the need for general anesthesia in selected cases.     

Tympanic membrane temperature of term and preterm neonates

Deep body temperatures of 70 term and 24 preterm newborn infants were measured at two sites: deep rectum (5 cm beyond the anus) and tympanic membrane. A significant correlation was found between deep rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures in both term and preterm infants. Mean deep rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures in term infants were 37.01°C and 36.83°C, respectively. Mean deep rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures in preterm infants were both 36.69°C.     

Initiating a hospital-wide pediatric sedation service provided by emergency physicians

Advanced diagnostic procedures, imaging studies, and therapeutic procedures have combined to substantially increase the need for pediatric sedation. The objective of this study is to describe the initiation of a hospital-wide (nonemergency department) pediatric deep sedation service provided by pediatric emergency physicians. This article describes a consecutive cohort of pediatric patients undergoing deep sedation provided by a new hospital sedation service (excluding the emergency department). The results of 133 pediatric deep sedations are described. Propofol was used for most sedations. Mean infusion times were 55 minutes for MRI scans and 13 minutes for heme-oncology procedures. The risk of adverse events was low. This case series of pediatric deep sedation patients describes the initiation of a hospital-wide pediatric sedation service utilizing pediatric emergency physicians, which has resulted in improved patient care, and improved financial performance of several hospital units. The risk of adverse events is low if proper precautions are taken.     

Pallidal stimulation for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration dystonia

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration is associated with generalised dystonia and cognitive deterioration. Limited evidence suggests that pallidal deep brain stimulation improves physical functioning. This is a report of the assessment and treatment of a severely affected patient in whom pallidal deep brain stimulation improved both physical and psychosocial functioning. Implications for treatment are briefly discussed.     

Mature Presacral Sacrococcygeal Teratoma Associated with a Sacral “Epignathus”

We report an example of sacrococcygeal teratoma presenting as a “supernumerary limb” in the left gluteal area with a rudimentary hemipelvis, femur, tibia, fibula, and tarsal bones. This monocephalus tripus dibrachius-appearing complex with associated with a deep seated but separate pararectal mature teratoma. This combination of a well-developed external limb with a deep but separate teratoma has been described.     

Frequency and risk factors for deep focus of infection in children with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in children may be associated with development of deep-seated foci of infection, often prompting extensive diagnostic testing. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency and risk factors for deep foci of infection from SAB in pediatric patients. METHODS: Medical charts of all children admitted with SAB to a tertiary-care center from January 1992 to June 2006 were reviewed. Study outcome was the presence of a deep focus of infection as documented by positive echocardiogram, bone imaging or abdominal imaging. RESULTS: We studied 298 children, of whom 190 (64%) had echocardiograms, 116 (39%) had abdominal imaging, and 103 (35%) had bone imaging. Forty-seven subjects (16%) had symptoms of a deep focus of infection on discovery of SAB, which then was confirmed by 1 of the 3 tests. Eleven (3.7%) additional subjects had a clinically unsuspected deep focus identified before discharge. All children with an unsuspected deep focus of infection had either an underlying medical condition that potentially obscured the diagnosis or a central venous catheter. More than 1 day of positive blood cultures was associated with an unsuspected deep-seated infection (P < 0.01). Endocarditis was uncommon (2.7%), and occurred only in children with known congenital heart disease or with a central catheter. CONCLUSIONS: Deep-seated infections from SAB in children are most often clinically apparent at discovery of bacteremia. Unsuspected deep-seated infection is uncommon and confined to specific hosts. Routine diagnostic imaging is not indicated in all children with SAB.     

Neonatal renal vein thrombosis and prothrombotic risk

A case of extensive deep venous thrombosis in a four a day old infant was presented. Unusually this patient was shown to be heterozygous for three thrombophilia genes; Factor V Leiden, prothrombin and antithrombin gene mutations, the latter being novel. Conclusion:  There are no randomized controlled trials to guide management in deep venous thrombosis in the newborn but knowledge of the prothrombotic risk factors may help direct treatment.     

Beyond the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale: deep brain stimulation in childhood secondary dystonia

PurposeDeep brain stimulation is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for children with primary generalized dystonia. More variable results are reported in secondary dystonias and its efficacy in this heterogeneous group has not been fully elucidated. Deep brain stimulation outcomes are typically reported using impairment-focused measures, such as the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale, which provide little information about function and participation outcomes or changes in non-motor areas.The aim is to demonstrate that in some cases of secondary dystonia, the sole use of impairment level measures, such as the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale, may be insufficient to fully evaluate outcome following deep brain stimulation.MethodsSix paediatric cases who underwent deep brain stimulation surgery with a minimum of one year follow up were selected on the basis of apparent non-response to deep brain stimulation, defined as a clinically insignificant change in the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Movement Scale (<20%), but where other evaluation measures demonstrated clinical efficacy across several domains.ResultsDespite no significant change in Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale scores following deep brain stimulation, parallel outcome measures demonstrated significant benefit in a range of child and family-centred goal areas including: pain and comfort, school attendance, seating tolerance, access to assistive technology and in some cases carer burden.ConclusionsSole use of impairment-focused measures, are limited in scope to evaluate outcome following deep brain stimulation, particularly in secondary dystonias. Systematic study of effects across multiple dimensions of disability is needed to determine what deep brain stimulation offers patients in terms of function, participation, care, comfort and quality of life. Deep brain stimulation may offer meaningful change across multiple domains of functioning, disability and health even in the absence of significant change in dystonia rating scales.     

Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Spontaneously Breathing Children Under Deep Sedation: A Feasible and Safe Concept

Interventional cardiac catheterization in children and adolescents is traditionally performed with the patient under general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. However, percutaneous closure of atrial septum defect (ASD) without general anaesthesia is currently being attempted in a growing number of children. The study objective was to evaluate the success and complication rate of percutaneous ASD closure in spontaneously breathing children under deep sedation. Retrospective single centre cohort study of consecutive children undergoing percutaneous ASD closure at a tertiary care pediatric cardiology centre. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and percutaneous ASD closure were performed with the patient under deep sedation with intravenous bolus of midazolam and ketamine for induction and propofol continuous infusion for maintenance of sedation in spontaneously breathing children. One hundred and ninety-seven patients (median age 6.1 years [minimum 0.5; maximum 18.8]) underwent TEE and ASD balloon sizing. Percutaneous ASD closure was attempted in 174 patients (88 %), and device implantation was performed successfully in 92 %. To achieve sufficient deep sedation, patients received a median ketamine dose of 2.7 mg/kg (0.3; 7) followed by a median propofol continuous infusion rate of 5 mg/kg/h (1.1; 10.7). There were no major cardiorespiratory complications associated with deep sedation, and only two patients (1 %) required endotracheal intubation due to bronchial obstruction immediately after induction of sedation. Seventeen patients (8 %) had minor respiratory complications and required frequent oral suctioning or temporary bag-mask ventilation. TEE and percutaneous ASD closure can be performed safely and successfully under deep sedation in spontaneously breathing children of all ages.     

Timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis: a modifiable risk factor for deep surgical site infections after pediatric spinal fusion

BACKGROUND: Deep surgical site infections (SSI) after spinal fusion are healthcare-associated infections that result in increased morbidity, hospital stay, and health care costs. Risk factors for these infections among children are poorly characterized. METHODS: We performed a case-control study nested within a cohort of all children, from birth to 18 years of age, who underwent spinal fusion at Johns Hopkins Hospital between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2006. RESULTS: Thirty-six deep SSI were identified. The incidence of deep SSI was 3.4%. Infection was diagnosed a median of 15 days after surgery (interquartile range, 9-28). Significant risk factors for deep SSI included inappropriate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, previous spine surgery, presence of a complex underlying medical condition, age, >10 vertebrae fused, and an increased estimated blood loss per kilogram body weight. After controlling for previous spine surgery, number of vertebrae fused, and complex underlying medical condition, inappropriate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis administration was a significant independent risk factor for deep SSI (odds ratio: 3.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.7-7.3; P = 0.001). DISCUSSION: Timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is an independent and modifiable risk factor for deep SSI after pediatric spinal fusion. Our findings suggest that all pediatric patients undergoing pediatric spinal fusion should have preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis given within 60 minutes before incision to reduce the risk of SSI and the morbidity and costs associated with hardware removal and repeat spinal fusion.     

机械通气新生儿深部真菌感染18例

目的探讨机械通气新生儿深部真菌感染的临床和病理特点。方法分析1985~2003年我科经尸检证实深部真菌感染的曾行机械通气的18例新生儿的临床和病理资料。结果18例新生儿中,曲霉菌感染8例,白色念珠菌感染6例,毛霉菌4例。肺部真菌感染12例,肝脏真菌感染4例,脑部、胃肠道真菌感染各2例。其中2例同时存在肺部和肝脏真菌感染。结论机械通气新生儿深部真菌感染不容忽视,曲霉菌和白色念珠菌为主要病原菌。主要受累器官为肺。早期诊断是提高存活率的有效途径。     

Management of a Wilms’ tumor with intracardiac extension using extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: Case report and review of the literature

Wilms’ tumor is a relatively common malignancy among childhood cancers. However, intracardiac extension of the lesion is rare and challenging. In this report, the authors present a successful management of intracardiac extension of Wilms’ tumor in a 3-year-old child using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The authors also reviewed the published literature on Wilms’ tumor with cardiac extension, which were managed by cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest to provide an optimum management plan in this challenging condition.     

Imaging patterns of brain injury in term-birth asphyxia

Aim: To develop an extended asphyxia-score based on cerebral ultrasound (US) and MRI in order to gain further insight into the pathophysiology of asphyxia.
Patients and Methods: First week cerebral US and MRI of 80 asphyxiated term infants were scored according to a new scoring system based on separate grading of injury to deep grey matter and to (sub)cortical/white matter. Our findings were compared with published scoring systems.
Results: Six patterns of brain injury were derived: deep grey matter injury with either limited or extensive cortical involvement, damage to deep grey matter with watershed injury, isolated watershed injury, isolated white matter injury (leukomalacia) and isolated cortical necrosis. The mortality rate was considerable in patterns with extensive cortical injury.
Conclusion: Six patterns of brain injury, following term-birth asphyxia were found using a new imaging score.     

Thrombosis of the deep cerebral veins with excessive bilateral infarction in a premature infant with the thrombogenic 4G/4G genotype of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1

We report on a preterm infant with deep cerebral venous thrombosis, a rare condition in this age group. This premature infant had a gestational age of 33 weeks and normal development until day 18, when he presented with tonic seizures and a tense fontanelle. Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed bilateral haemorrhagic infarction of the whole region drained by the deep cerebral veins, including the periventricular white matter, thalamus and choroid plexus. The child was homozygous for the 4G allele of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G promoter polymorphism. Conclusion In patients with bilateral cerebral infarction, thrombosis of the deep cerebral veins should be considered. In addition the role of prothrombotic risk factors, including PAI-1 4G/5G promoter polymorphism, in cerebral vein thrombosis should be clarified in a multicentre study. Received: 25 March 1999 and in revised form: 22 June 1999 / Accepted: 15 September 1999     

Determinants of prognosis of acute transverse myelitis in children

BACKGROUND: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a severe disorder; recovery requires several months and often leaves neurologic residua. To determine what features of patients with acute transverse myelitis significantly influence prognosis, the authors reviewed reports of ATM in Japanese children published in the last 15 years (from 1987 to 2001). METHODS: The authors studied reports of 50 Japanese patients (17 boys, 26 girls, 7 children of unspecified sex; mean age +/- SD, 8.0 +/- 3.8 years). Acute-phase and demographic features including age, increased deep tendon reflexes, Babinski reflex, sex, preceding infection, decreased deep tendon reflexes, time course of peak neurologic impairment, treatment with prednisolone and/or high-dose methylprednisolone, and the day of illness when treatment was started were used as independent variables in a regression analysis. The dependent variable was long-term persistence of neurologic deficits. RESULTS: Younger patients and those without increased deep tendon reflexes or a Babinski reflex were more likely to have residual neurologic deficits such as paraplegia or tetraplegia, sensory loss and sphincter disturbance. No relationship was seen between prognosis and sex, preceding infections, decreased deep tendon reflexes, time course of peak neurologic impairment, treatment with prednisolone or high-dose methylprednisolone, or timing of treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Age at onset and neurologic features were important for outcome prediction in ATM. Steroid therapy did not associate with better outcome.     

The doctor,the father,and the social scientist

Life was sorted. With membership of the college under my belt, and my paediatric training completed, I needed a new challenge. I decided to launch into the deep waters of qualitative research. Stepping out with some trepidation into semistructured interviews and grounded theory, I soon found that the water was neither as deep nor as unknown as I had feared.     

The doctor, the father, and the social scientist.

Life was sorted. With membership of the college under my belt, and my paediatric training completed, I needed a new challenge. I decided to launch into the deep waters of qualitative research. Stepping out with some trepidation into semistructured interviews and grounded theory, I soon found that the water was neither as deep nor as unknown as I had feared.     

Lower-extremity venous ultrasound — past,present and future

Deep vein thrombosis is a frequent clinical concern and imaging request in the pediatric population. There has been increased awareness of deep venous thrombosis in the pediatric population and sonography is now utilized more liberally and frequently to evaluate for thrombosis in the extremities. In this review the author discusses various aspects of deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity including the pathophysiology, background, and morbidity in children. The current ultrasound guidelines and techniques, and the controversy over treatment are discussed as well.