Routine multi detector computed tomography evaluation of tracheal impairment compared to laryngo-tracheal endoscopy in children with vascular ring

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare free-breathing routine multi detector computed tomography (MDCT) and laryngo-tracheal (LT) flexible endoscopy in the evaluation of tracheal impairment in children with vascular ring (VR).

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective and monocentric study of all patients with VR from 1997 to 2014. Clinical data included: initial symptoms, type of surgery and clinical outcome. MDCT were blindly reviewed by two radiologists in consensus, independently of LT endoscopy results. Radiologic and endoscopic results were reviewed according to four criteria: percentage of tracheal narrowing, distance of the compression from carina, presence of bronchial compression and signs of tracheomalacia (TM). Concordance was evaluated for each criterion with a Spearman coefficient.

Results

From 1997 to 2016, 21 patients with a vascular ring were operated on, among which 57% by thoracoscopy: double aortic arch (n?=?14), Neuhauser anomaly (n?=?4) and Right aorta?+?aberrant right subclavian artery (n?=?3). 90% of them presented with respiratory symptoms among which 43% of stridor. Chest X-ray was suggestive of VR in 87% of the cases. MDCT images and LT endoscopy results were available and analyzed for nine patients. Concordance (Spearman correlation coefficient) was excellent for percentage and level of tracheal narrowing (1) and good for TM (0.79).

Conclusion

Free breathing routine MDCT is a reliable exam compared to LT endoscopy in the evaluation of tracheal impairment in children with VR. In case of respiratory symptoms (except stridor) and suggestive chest X-ray of VR, endoscopy could be avoided and routine MDCT alone performed.

     

Hypospadias repair and outcome in Abuja,Nigeria: A 5-year single-centre experience

Background:

To determine the outcome of hypospadias repair in children.

Patients and Methods:

This was a retrospective study of all patients with hypospadias managed at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria from January 2009 to December 2013.

Results:

Twenty-four cases of hypospadias had corrective surgery during the 5-year period under review. Seventy-five percent of the patients (n = 18) were seen after the 1^st year of life. There were two peaks of ages at corrective repair; 45.8% between age 1 and 3 years and 29.1% between age 5 and 10 years. The average age at time of surgery was 44.9 months. Distal hypospadias were more common (58.4%), followed by glanular (20.8%) and proximal (20.8%) hypospadias. Associated anomalies included chordee, maldescended testicles and inguinal hernia in 20.8%, 4.1% and 8.3% cases, respectively. Operative techniques were single-stage procedures in 79.1% of patients consisting of simple circumcision in two cases (10.5%), Mathieu''s peri-meatal based flap in four cases (21%), meatal advancement and glanuloplasty incorporated in three cases (16%) and Snodgrass tubularised incised urethral plate tubularised incised plate in 10 cases (52.5%). The remaining 20.9% (n = 5) had multi-staged procedures. The most common post-operative complications were urethrocutenous fistula in nine patients (33.3%) and metal stenosis in 3 patients (12.5%).

Conclusions:

Our results show that hypospadia repair is froth with attendant high complications in our setting.     

Single-port laparoscopic surgery in children: A new alternative in developing countries

Background:

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a technique in laparoscopic surgery, which is based on the idea that all the laparoscopic trocars are inserted through a single umbilical incision. This paper documents a single-centre experience, which performed the single-port surgery in children using an improvised trans-umbilical glove-port with conventional rigid instruments.

Materials and Methods:

We prospectively studied the outcomes of SILS procedures between January 2013 and June 2014. Materials required making our homemade trans-umbilical port consisted on: A flexible ring, a rigid larger ring, one powder-free surgical glove, a wire-to-skin and standard standards laparoscopic trocars.

Results:

A total of 90 consecutive procedures had been done in our institution: 15 girls and 75 boys (mean age: 7.5 years). We used SILS on 59 appendectomies with an average operative time of 48 minutes. We needed conversion to conventional surgery in three cases (two with perforated appendicitis and one for difficulty to mobilize the appendix). SIL cholecystectomy was performed for four patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis; mean operative time was 60 min. All patients were discharged on postoperative day 2. Eighteen boys with non-palpable testis were explored and treated. Other procedures included: Varicocelectomy (n = 2), intra-abdominal lymph node biopsies (n = 2), ovarian cystectomy (n = 1), ovarian transposition (n = 1), aspiration of renal hydatid cyst (n = 1), explorative laparoscopy in research to Meckel''s diverticulum (n = 1) and intestinal intussusceptions (n = 1). No post-operative complications were seen in all cases.

Conclusions:

SILS in the paediatric population using conventional rigid instruments is feasible, safe and effective. It may be an alternative to the costly commercially available single-port systems especially in a developing country like Tunisia.Key words: Single-incision laparoscopy, children, rigid instruments     

Menace of childhood non-accidental traumatic brain injuries: A single unit report

Background:

Childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) has high rate of mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are dearths of reports from developing countries with large paediatric population on trauma; neurosurgery trauma of nonaccidental origin is not an exemption. This study analysed menace of non-accidental TBI in the paediatric population from our center.

Materials and Methods:

This is a single unit, retrospective study of the epidemiology of non-accidental TBI in children starting from September, 2008 to March, 2014. The management outcomes of the epidemiology of the non-accidental TBI were analysed.

Results:

Total of 109 children age range from 0 (intra-natal) to 16 years with a mean of 5.8 ± 4.6 years (median, 5 years) were enrolled into the study. 34 (31.2%) were domestic violence, 26 (23.9%) street assaults, 16 (14.7%) were due to animal assaults and mishaps, 17 (15.6%) fall from heights. Seven (6.4%) cases of collapsed buildings were also seen during the period. Four (3.7%) industrial accidents and two (1.8%) were self-inflicted injuries. There were also three (2.8%) cases of iatrogenic TBI out of which two infants (1.8%) sustained TBI from cesarean section procedure while one patient (0.9%) under general anaesthesia felt from the operation bed resulting to severe TBI.

Conclusion:

Child abuse, unprotected child labour, parental/care-givers negligence are the main cause of nonaccidental TBI. Human right activists and government agents should be incorporated in curtailing the menace.     

Parental circumcision preferences and early outcome of plastibell circumcision in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background:

Parents are central in decisions and choices concerning circumcision of their male children and plastibell circumcision is a widely practiced technique. This study determined parental preferences for male neonatal and infant circumcisions and evaluate the early outcomes of plastibell circumcisions in a tertiary centre.

Patients and Methods:

This is a prospective study on consecutive male neonates and infants who were brought for circumcisions at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, South-East Nigeria and their respective parents between January 2012 and December 2012. Data on demography, parental choices and early outcome of plastibell circumcision were obtained and analysed.

Results:

A total of 337 requests for circumcisions were made for boys with age range of 2-140 days. Culture and religion were the most common reasons for circumcision requests in 200 (59.3%) and 122 (36.2%), respectively, other reasons were medical, cosmesis, to reduce promiscuity and just to follow the norm. Most parents, 249 (73.9%) preferred the procedure to be performed on the 8^th day and 88.7% would like the doctors to perform the procedure while 84.6% preferred the plastibell method. Among those who had circumcision, 114 complied with follow-up schedules and there were complications in 22 (19.3%) patients. Parents assessed the early outcome as excellent, very good, good and poor in 30.7%, 45.6%, 18.4% and 5.3% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion:

Parents request for male circumcision in our environment is largely for cultural and religious reasons; and prefer the procedure to be performed by a physician. Plastibell method is well known and preferred and its outcome is acceptable by most parents.Key words: Complications, infants, neonates, Nigeria, plastibell circumcisions, preferences     

A Repot of Surgical Complications in a Series of 262 Consecutive Pediatric Cochlear Implantations in Iran

Objective

Cochlear implantations have become a routinely performed and successful surgical intervention in both adults and children. The current article reports the complications encountered in various age groups of consecutive children who underwent implantation in our center.

Methods

We performed a prospective analysis of all profoundly deaf children who underwent cochlear implantation from March 2006 to July 2009 at Baqhiyatallah Cochlear Implantation Center. All patients were younger than 5 years old at the time of implantation.

Findings

The minor complications occurred in 49 (18.7%) cases, The most common postoperative complications were temporary facial weakness detected in 15 cases (5.7%) all of which were reversible. Magnet wound was observed in 14 (5.3%) patients, keloid formation in 10 (3.8%), wound infection in 2 (0.8%), otitis media in 5 (2%), and electrode movement, meningitis, vertigo, Laryngospasm each in 1 (0.4%) case was detected among our patients.

Conclusion

Cochlear implantation in children continues to be reliable and safe in experienced hands, with a low percentage of severe complications as long as the patient is monitored closely.     

Treating and Reducing Anxiety and Pain in the Paediatric Emergency Department: The TRAPPED survey

BACKGROUND:

Management of children’s pain and anxiety in the emergency department is likely suboptimal.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the availability of currently used strategies in Canadian paediatric emergency departments.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey involving all centres of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada group was performed. The primary outcome was the availability of specific procedures for pain and anxiety management for children in the emergency department. One person per centre was identified to complete the survey. Data were collected from October 2013 to January 2014 using an electronic survey tool.

RESULTS:

All 15 Pediatric Emergency Research Canada centres agreed to participate. The verbal numerical scale was widely used (80%) to assess pain. One-half of respondents (53%) had access to a child life specialist. The following techniques were available for minor procedures: television as a distraction tool (87% of respondents), topical anesthetic before intravenous needle insertion (73%) and positioning of the child on parent’s lap (60%); most remaining centres reported that these could be easily implemented. Intravenous morphine was available at every centre. Intranasal fentanyl was available (60%) or considered to be easy to implement (33%). Few centres reported availability of clinical guidelines regarding pain for doctors (27%) and nurses (40%); all respondents considered them to be easy to implement.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was wide variation in paediatric pain and anxiety management strategies among tertiary care Canadian emergency departments. Several pain-reduction procedures (distraction, positioning on parent’s lap, topical anesthetic, intranasal administration) were identified that could be easily implemented to address the gap.     

Paediatric sleep resources in Canada: The scope of the problem

BACKGROUND:

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children and is associated with significant comorbidity.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe paediatric sleep physician and diagnostic testing resources for SDB in Canadian children.

METHODS:

A 38-item, Internet-based survey was sent to the 32 members of the Canadian Pediatric Sleep Network (CPSN). A shorter telephone survey was administered to all 182 non-CPSN sleep laboratories across Canada.

RESULTS:

Responses were obtained from 29 of 31 (91%) CPSN members and 121 of 182 (66%) non-CPSN sleep facilities. Sixty-seven of 121 (55%) of the responding non-CPSN facilities reported that they see children <18 years of age. Thirty-six of 121 (30%) and 23 of 121 (19%), respectively, see children ≤12 years of age or ≤8 years of age. Marked disparities across provinces/territories were observed, with no practitioners or polysomnography in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta has the smallest ratio of children to practitioners (approximately 167,000 to 1) and Ontario has the smallest ratio of children to polysomnograms performed per year (approximately 487,000 to 1). Reported wait times for polysomnography ranged from <1 month, to 1.5 to 2 years. In paediatric tertiary care centres, the number of polysomnograms performed per year ranged from 55 to 700 (median 480) and in other laboratories the range was 400 to 4000 (median 1100).

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study demonstrates a significant lack of resources and services for paediatric SDB care across Canada, with pronounced geographical disparities. Even if only affected children were tested with polysomnography, the authors estimate there are 7.5 times more children with SDB than current testing capacity.     

Traumatic chest injury in children: A single thoracic surgeon's experience in two Nigerian tertiary hospitals

Background:

This study was to determine the extent and outcome of childhood chest injury in Nigeria, and to compare results with that of other literatures.

Patients and Methods:

A Prospective study of all children under 18 years of age with chest trauma in two tertiary hospitals in Southern Nigeria from January 2012 to December 2014 was reviewed. The aetiology, type, associated injury, mechanism, treatment and outcome were evaluated. The patients were followed up in the clinic. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 with a significant P < 0.05.

Results:

Thirty-one patients (12.1%) under 18 years of age of 256 chest trauma patients were managed in the thoracic units. The mean age was 9.78 ± 6.77 years and 27 (87.1%) were male. The aetiology in 13 was from falls, 10 from automobile crashes, 3 from gunshots, 4 from stabbing and 1 from abuse. The highest peak of chest injury was on Saturday of the week and April of the year. The pleural collections are as follows: 15 (71.4%) was haemothorax, 4 (19.1%) pneumothorax, 2 (9.5%) haemopneumothorax and 18 patients had lung contusion in combination or alone with the pleural collections. Seven patients who presented >12-h versus 2 who presented <12-h and 6 of children between 0 and 9 years versus 3 at 10-18 years of age had empyema thoracis (P value not significant). One death was recorded.

Conclusion:

Chest trauma in children is still not common, and blunt chest injury from falls and automobile accidents are more common than penetrating chest injury. Treatment with tube thoracostomy is the major management modality with empyema thoracis as the most common complication.Key words: Thoracic trauma, chest injury, children, thoracic surgeon, Nigeria     

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Study of Prevalence and Etiology in a Group of Iranian Children

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its relationship with systemic conditions in a group of Iranian children.

Methods

The study population comprised of 433 7-9 year olds, from four schools in Zahedan, Iran. Subjects were evaluated clinically by one examiner, and at a separate session, their mothers completed a coded medical history questionnaire. Hypo-mineralized molars and incisors were recorded based on DDE (developmental defects of enamel) index and DMFT (number of decayed, filled and missing teeth) was determined. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square and independent sample t-tests.

Findings

Fifty-five (12.7%) children showed MIH. The overall mean number of affected teeth was 0.2. The mean value of DMFT in MIH children was greater than in normal children. Demarcated opacities were the most frequent (76%) enamel defect. Mother''s and child''s medical problems during prenatal, perinatal and post natal period were significantly remarkable in MIH children.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MIH in a group of Iranian children was 12.7%. Prenatal, perinatal and post natal medical conditions were more prevalent in children affected by MIH.     

Interventional Electrophysiology in Children: A Single-Center Experience

Objective

Ablation techniques of cardiac arrhythmia in children have significantly progressed in the past decade; however, the number of pediatric ablations is still significantly lower than that in adults. Accordingly, there is less information regarding the success rate and complications in this age group.

Methods

All pediatric ablations conducted between March 2005 and February 2011 at Rajaie Heart Center were studied. Abolishing the arrhythmia source by the end of procedure was considered as success. Recurrences before hospital discharge and those thereafter were named early recurrence and late recurrence, respectively.

Findings

A total of 125 catheter ablations were performed for 112 patients. Of them 118 (94.4%) procedures were successful. The success rate was significantly higher in the patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). Of 105 patients who continued follow-up program, 7 (6.7%) cases experienced recurrence; the recurrence rate was inversely dependent on the patients’ body size (P-value <0.05). There was no mortality. Five cases were complicated during or early after the procedure, all the complications were cured completely.

Conclusion

Therapeutic electrophysiology in children is an effective and relatively low-risk method. The recurrence and complication rates are similar to those reported in adults. Considering our results and the previous reports, pediatric patients with serious arrhythmia should not be deprived from ablation and should not be exposed to long-term toxic drugs.     

Childhood exposure to ionizing radiation from computed tomography imaging in Nova Scotia

BACKGROUND:

Examining radiation dose in the paediatric population is particularly important due to the vulnerability of paediatric patients (increased radiosensitive tissues and postexposure life-years) and risk for future radiogenic malignancy.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate trends in paediatric computed tomography (CT) use and ionizing radiation exposure using population-based data from Nova Scotia.

METHODS:

A retrospective, population-based cohort study of CT use in patients <20 years of age, from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2011, was performed in Nova Scotia. CT examination data were retrieved from a provincial imaging repository. Trends in CT use were described, and both annual and cumulative effective dose exposures were calculated.

RESULTS:

In total, 29,452 CT events, involving up to 22,867 individuals were retrieved. Overall annual paediatric CT examination rates remained static (range 17.4 to 18.8 per 1000 per year). However, use in children <10 years of age decreased by >50% (P<0.001); this was counterbalanced by a steady increase among 15- to 19-year-olds (P<0.0001). Overall, 15.4% of scanned patients underwent ≥2 examinations, of which 58 patients (1.6%) exceeded 50 mSv of exposure.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite a static rate in CT imaging among the entire cohort, children <15 years of age and, particularly, those <10 years of age displayed marked reductions in CT use. This may reflect increased awareness of campaigns emphasizing judicious CT use, revised clinical practice guidelines and increased availability of alternative modalities. A small subgroup demonstrated high-dose exposure (>50 mSv), and rates in individuals >15 years of age steadily increased, suggesting further exposure reduction efforts are necessary.     

Uninsured immigrant and refugee children presenting to Canadian paediatric emergency departments: Disparities in help-seeking and service delivery

INTRODUCTION:

Access to health care for medically uninsured immigrant and refugee children is a public health concern due to the consequences of delayed or substandard care for child development and health.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore possible differences in help-seeking and service delivery across migratory statuses, institutions and provinces.

METHODS:

A review was undertaken of 2035 emergency files of immigrant, refugee and undocumented children without provincial health care coverage who sought care at three major paediatric hospitals in Montreal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario) during 2008 and 2009.

RESULTS:

Refugee claimant children with Interim Federal Health Program benefits consulted for less urgent problems than the overall hospital population, except in one hospital that had a multicultural paediatric ambulatory clinic. Undocumented children and new permanent resident immigrant children within the three-month waiting period for provincial health care coverage were over-represented in the very urgent triage category and presented more often for injuries, trauma and mental health problems than did refugee claimant children.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS:

Wide interhospital differences suggest that the predicament of limited access to health care of these groups of vulnerable medically uninsured children needs to be addressed through further research to inform policies and develop training.     

Wilms’ tumour in African children: Can an institutional approach improve outcome?

Background:

The poor outcome for patients with Wilms’ tumour (WT) in developing countries has been predicated on late presentation, poverty and low rate of chemotherapeutic access. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an institutionalised approach to improving outcome for patients managed in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

Oncology records of children diagnosed with WT between 2009 and 2013 were analysed for therapy completion and other prognostic parameters. Ensuing data were then compared with those from other centres in Africa.

Results:

Compared with results from some local and African studies, the therapy completion rate was higher (60%) with a survival rate among this group being between 1 and 4 years. No patient was lost to follow-up because of unavailability or unaffordability of cytotoxic agents.

Conclusion:

This study shows that an institutionalised approach can help to improve access to anti-cancer drugs, reduce the rate of loss to follow-up and thus improve outcome. There is however need to improve on patient-doctor communication, form support groups and establish a WT registry.     

Study on Efficacy of Hepatitis B Immunization in Vaccinated Beta-thalassemia Children in Tehran

Objective

In thalassemic children, HBV infection is common, thus immunization against HBV will reduce and prevent the rate of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HBV immunization and the prevalence of HBV infection in beta-thalassemic children in Tehran.

Methods

To assess the efficacy of immunization and determine the immune response of children with beta-thalassemia, sera of 99 children who had received three doses (10/20 µg) of recombinant HBV vaccine in months 0, 1, 6, were selected and tested for HBsAg, HBsAb and anti-HBc by ELISA method. Also, these sera were tested for HBV DNA using nested-PCR method.

Findings

In 99 beta-thalassemic children, 89 (89.9 %) were anti-HBs positive (responders) and 10 (10.1%) anti-HBs negative (non-responders). 3 (3.03%) were anti-HBc positive and 1(1.01%) was HBsAg positive. HBV DNA was not detected in any of them.

Conclusion

Our results have revealed that hepatitis B vaccine is highly immunogenic for thalassemic children and particularly well tolerated.     

Clinical Findings of Functional and Secondary Constipation in Children

Objective

We aimed to evaluate clinical features and follow-up data of children with functional and secondary constipation.

Methods

Hospital records of 335 constipated children were evaluated. Children were divided into 2 groups as functional and secondary, and were compared with regard to clinical and anthropometric data.

Findings

Of 335 children (M/F 167/168, mean age 4.3±3.5 years) 91% had functional constipation (group 1). Family history of constipation was significantly higher in group 1. Malnutrition was found in 18% of group 1, 56% in group 2 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

If a constipated child has a family history of constipation but does not have failure to thrive and constipation begins at an older age, functional constipation is more probable.     

Neck masses in paediatric population: An experience with children attended the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Baghdad 2008-2009

Background:

Pediatric neck mass is a frequent cause for surgical consultation. Neck masses can be simply classified into congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic. Although most of the cases are due to benign processes, malignant causes must not be overlooked. The aim of this study is to assess the paediatric neck masses in Iraqi patients highlighting the distribution of cases according to their demographic characteristics and etiology.

Patients and Methods:

A cross-sectional observed study is conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, at the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Baghdad from April 2008 to March 2009. Sixty four patients with neck masses aged 14 years and below were examined and managed. The underlying causes of the neck masses were addressed and categorized.

Results:

Among the 64 patients, 42 (65.6%) were male. The inflammatory group represents 57% of the cases, while the malignant neoplasm accounts for approximately 10% of the conditions mainly due to lymphoma 5 (7.8%). Sixteen patients (25%) fall in the congenital group, in which the thyroglossal duct cyst was the commonest type. Wound infection developed in two patients, while one patient with cystic hygroma showed recurrence.

Conclusion:

Pediatrics neck masses are distributed in categories that similar in pattern and distribution in the world except the infectious/inflammatory category that shows variation in distribution in respect to the socioeconomic status. The surgical intervention and procedures are related to the facility as well as to the experience.Key words: Inflammatory, neoplastic, pediatrics neck masses, reactive lymphadenitis     

Acute Poisoning in Children; a Population Study in Isfahan,Iran, 2008-2010

Objective

Acute accidental poisoning in children is still an important public health problem. The epidemiological investigation specific for each country is necessary to determine the extent and characteristics of the problem. The aim of our study was to elucidate the current pattern of acute poisoning among children.

Methods

The present retrospective study describes the epidemiology of acute accidental poisoning in children (less than 10 years old) admitted to the Emergency Department of two teaching hospitals during a period of two years.

Findings

Three hundred and forty four children under 10 years old were admitted to emergency department of two teaching hospitals due to acute accidental poisoning. Drugs were the most common agents causing the poisoning (58.1%), followed by Hydrocarbons (13.1%), and opioids (9.3%). Common signs were neurological (42.6%) with lethargy being the most common (39.1%). 50.6% of cases were discharged from hospital within 6-12 hours, 91.6% of them without any complication.

Conclusion

Accidental poisonings are still a significant cause of morbidity among children in developing countries. Regarding the high prevalence of pharmaceutical drug poisoning and because lethargic was the most frequent neurological sign, comprehensive toxicology screen tests should be included as part of the routine evaluation of children presenting to an ED with an apparent life-threatening event.     

Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure under Transthorasic Echocardiography in Children

Objective

Atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure is routinely done under the guide of transesophageal or intracardiac echocardiography which are expensive techniques and not easily affordable in developing countries.

Methods

Using metallic devices, we attempted 32 ASD device closures under transthoracic echocardiography.

Findings

Of those, 30 procedures were successful (94 %). In two patients with relatively large ASD we encountered difficulty in positioning the device. These patients were referred for surgical closure.

Conclusion

ASD device closure can be carried out successfully in most patients under transthoracic echocardiography in situations where transesophageal or intravenous echocardiographies are not available or affordable.