Treatment of oral manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis with low‐level laser therapy in a pediatric patient

Drug‐induced reactions are complications associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are examples of these conditions, which are characterized by skin and mucous lesions. Here, we report a case of a 9‐year‐old girl who presented with blisters associated with an extensive vesicular rash and multiple ulcerations on the lips and oral cavity. A drug‐induced hypersensitivity reaction to antibiotics was suspected, and a diagnosis of TEN was made. The patient was managed with withdrawal of the suspected causative agent, and the oral lesions were treated with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) and oral hygiene. This case highlights that TEN requires interdisciplinary intervention with dental assistance and follow‐up to improve symptoms, nutrition, systemic condition, and quality of life.     

Effects of a summer school-readiness programme on measures of literacy and behaviour growth: a pilot study

Young children enter kindergarten with varying levels of readiness and abilities to learn. One factor that contributes to lower levels of school readiness is poverty. One timely, cost-effective, and feasible strategy to boost school readiness, regardless of exposure to high-quality preschool is to leverage the summer months prior to kindergarten entry and provide comprehensive, evidence-based programming immediately before the school year begins. The current study implemented a community-based summer programme targeted at improving school readiness for 25 four- and five-year-old children in a low-income community. Across the 9-week study, children participated in two types of early literacy activities and the Incredible Years social/emotional learning curriculum. Results indicate that participants demonstrated significant growth across three early literacy skills and were rated as overall stable regarding their behaviour across the summer. These results are discussed along with implications and future directions in this line of research.     

Perioperative management of diabetes

Diabetes is a complex, chronic metabolic disorder affecting approximately 9.3% of the adult population with the estimated number of adults with diabetes worldwide having more than tripled since 2000. This increase has largely been attributed to global urbanization and lifestyle changes. Diabetes affects 10–15% of the surgical population. These patients are frequently elderly, have complex medical co-morbidities and present for both high-risk elective and emergency surgery. This multisystem disease poses a significant challenge to both anaesthesia and surgery with patients with diabetes demonstrating higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to their non-diabetic counterparts. It is crucial that good glycaemic control is maintained throughout the perioperative period as this has been shown to correlate with positive patient outcomes. It is well-recognized that a co-ordinated, multidisciplinary approach aimed at optimizing every point in the patient pathway from GP referral to post-discharge care is required to obtain the best outcomes for the surgical patient with diabetes. The anaesthetist has a key role in the perioperative diabetes multidisciplinary team. Patients themselves are well experienced in manging their own diabetes and should be involved in doing so whenever possible.     

Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.     

The prognostic role of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A meta‐analysis

It has been suggested that tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the prognostic value of TILs is inconclusive due to the heterogeneity of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment. In this meta‐analysis, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of TILs in OSCC. The PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched up to April 20, 2019, and 33 studies were ultimately included in this meta‐analysis. Our pooled meta‐analysis showed that high infiltration of CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs and CD57⁺ TILs favoured better overall survival (OS). However, high infiltration of CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages was associated with poor prognosis in OSCC. These findings suggest that CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs, CD57⁺ TILs, CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages might serve as novel prognostic factors and therapeutic targets in OSCC.     

Tranexamic acid through intravenous,intramuscular and oral routes: an individual participant data meta‐analysis of pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug that reduces surgical blood loss and death due to bleeding after trauma and post‐partum haemorrhage. One key issue for treatment success is early administration. While usually given intravenously, oral and intramuscular use would be useful in specific circumstances. Therefore, an understanding of TXA pharmacokinetics when given via different routes is valuable. The aim of this study was to perform an individual participant data meta‐analysis of pharmacokinetic studies with TXA given to healthy volunteers via different routes. We searched the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Elsevier Science Direct and J‐STAGE. Individual subject data were extracted when available, otherwise arithmetic means were used. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed effect modelling. Seven studies were included in the analysis with data from 10 patients for the IV route, six patients for the IM route and 114 patients for the oral route. The pharmacokinetics was ascribed to a two‐compartment model, and the main covariate was allometrically scaled bodyweight. Oral and IM bioavailabilities were 46 and 105%, respectively. For a 70 kg bodyweight, the population estimates were 7.6 L/h for clearance, 17.9 L for the volume of the central compartment, 2.5 L/h for the diffusional clearance and 16.6 L for the peripheral volume of distribution. Larger well‐designed studies are needed to describe the pharmacokinetics of TXA when given IM or as an oral solution before these can be recommended as alternatives to IV.     

A 4‐year follow‐up case of extrusive luxation in a patient with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Communication can be a challenge when treating patients with CP. Some patients can communicate verbally, while others use augmentative alternative communication tools or have individualized means of communication. Therefore, professional dental treatment in individuals with CP is challenging, especially if the patient is affected by dental trauma and requires emergency treatment. This report shows how individualized communication skills assessment allowed us to successfully manage a 9‐year‐old patient with CP, who suffered extrusive luxation of the permanent lower incisor. In the present case, the teeth were repositioned briefly after the trauma had occurred and then stabilized with a flexible splint according to international guidelines. The teeth remained vital and periodontal repair was observed during the 4‐year follow‐up.