Tonsillectomy in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in children

A review of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and adenotonsillectomy in children after solid organ transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Paediatric solid organ transplantation is an increasingly successful treatment. Improved survival is paralleled by increased secondary complications of immunosuppression, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). PTLD frequently presents in Waldeyer's lymphatic ring. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is common in children, however in children after transplant, ATH may indicate PTLD. We review the literature on ATH and the role of adenotonsillectomy in children after transplantation.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed on the 26 th September 2017 of Ovid Medline (1996-September 2017), Embase (1996-2017) and EBM reviews (Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2005-September 20 th 2017). Results were limited to English language publications within the last 20 years. Abstracts were screened for relevance to PTLD and ATH in the paediatric solid organ transplantation population. Screening of the bibliographies identified further articles.

RESULTS

85 unique articles were screened to yield 18 relevant publications. 10 were retrospective studies and 8 were prospective studies.

CONCLUSION

In children, we report a PTLD incidence of up to 15%, with up to 63% of cases presenting in the head and neck. Histological examination of adenotonsillectomy specimens found PTLD in a mean 5.7% (range 0-39%). We found a lack of prospective studies into this topic and further high quality research is needed. Clinical assessment of ATH in children after transplantation and when to perform a diagnostic adenotonsillectomy remains challenging. Children with ATH warrant prompt further investigation and support from colleagues in transplantation and oncology is required. .

Airway plaque presenting after alteration of immunosuppression in a pediatric patient remote from heart transplantation

Success after solid organ transplantation is dependent on the proper balance of immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the allograft while limiting the risk of developing infections and malignancy. We present a 9-year-old girl, remote from transplant, who presented with airway plaque after a change in immunosuppression to include the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus. Differential diagnosis included direct medication side effect, infection, and neoplasia.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Otolaryngological Manifestations and Management

Objective

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a unifying term for a spectrum of lymphoid expansion entities brought about by immunosuppression and is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Otolaryngological findings tend to present early in the clinical course; therefore, disease awareness among otolaryngologists is of utmost importance. This review synthesizes the body of literature pertaining to PTLD involving the head and neck, summarizes contemporary management, and highlights areas for future research.

Data Sources

PubMed/Medline.

Review Methods

Primary literature search of the Medline database was performed for all titles published in the past 10 years pertaining to PTLD. The database search included PTLD combined with a collection of otolaryngological MeSH terms. Full manuscripts were reviewed based on relevance of their title and abstract. Selection into this review was according to clinical and scientific relevance.

Conclusion

Adenotonsillar focus is common in children in whom adenotonsillectomy may be diagnostic and prevents potentially morbid airway obstruction. Sinonasal PTLD may mimic fungal infection. Laryngotracheal involvement predominately presents in children with symptoms of airway obstruction. PTLD limited to the esophagus is rare. Oral PTLD is rare and phenotypically varied. Cutaneous presentation of PTLD is infrequent, yet one-third of cases affects the head and neck. PTLD may present as cervical lymphadenopathy.

Implications for Practice

PTLD consideration is vital when evaluating posttransplant patients. Children and EBV-seronegative patients should receive otolaryngological follow-up after transplant. PTLD treatment is multidisciplinary and typically led by lymphoma specialists. Formal partnerships between otolaryngologists and transplant centers may improve patient care and research quality.

Obstructive sleep apnea in a 5 month old with tonsillar hypertrophy secondary to congenital neutropenia: Case report and literature review

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) is the primary surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy (TAH). We present the case of a 5-month old male with congenital neutropenia who developed severe TAH during treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). He had severe OSA, decreased oral intake, and failure to thrive (FTT) which all improved after undergoing a successful intracapsular T&A. We describe a successful procedure to help alleviate symptoms of OSA and FTT in this young infant with congenital neutropenia who developed TAH during treatment with G-CSF. It highlights the need for further research into the pathophysiology of TAH in immunocompromised children and the effects of G-CSF on Waldeyer's Ring.

Epstein-Barr DNA serology and positron-emission tomography imaging of the head and neck in pediatric transplant recipients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a potential precursor of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in the pediatric transplant patient. Positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging is increasingly utilized in this population to monitor for neoplasia and PTLD. We assess the association between EBV serum titers and Waldeyer's ring and cervical lymph node PET positivity in the pediatric transplant recipient.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of EBV serology and PET imaging results in pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recipients.

METHODS

Imaging results and laboratory data were reviewed for all pediatric OLT recipients from January 2005 to July 2011 at a single institution. Charts were evaluated for PET positivity at Waldeyer's ring or cervical lymphatics, and for EBV serology results. Demographic data extracted include patient sex and age at transplantation.

RESULTS

A total of 122 pediatric OLT recipients were reviewed. Twelve patients (10%) underwent PET imaging. Overall, four patients (33%) had evidence of PET positivity at Waldeyer's ring or cervical lymphatics. Five patients (42%) had positive EBV serology. There was a significant association between PET imaging results and EBV DNA serology results (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

PTLD surveillance in the pediatric transplant recipient is an important component of long-term care in this population. Although PET imaging is a new modality in monitoring pediatric transplant recipients for early signs of PTLD, an association between EBV serology and PET imaging results appears to exist. With increased implementation, PET imaging will likely prove valuable in its ability to monitor the transplant recipient at risk for PTLD.

S. Pediatric Otolaryngology

Otolaryngologic procedures are commonly performed on children. In fact, pressure equalizing tube placement (ear tubes) and adenotonsillectomy are among the most frequent surgical interventions in the pediatric population. Therefore, every anesthesiologist who manages children undergoing otolaryngologic procedures must be familiar with the special implications of sharing the pediatric airway with an otolaryngologist working in the head and neck region. In addition, it is imperative to be skilled in the challenges of compassionately yet safely managing anxious young patients and their parents from the time of preoperative assessment until discharge from the post anesthesia care unit.

Severe obstructive sleep apnoea due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy after liver transplantation

Epstein-Barr virus-related adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a precursor to post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder. We report a case of a 4-year-old child with severe obstructive sleep apnoea, who had liver transplantation at the age of 7 months. She had gross lymphoid hypertrophy in the oropharynx and supraglottis. We performed an adenotonsillectomy and aryepiglottoplasty which improved her symptoms. We emphasise the importance to consider the diagnosis of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder in post-transplantation immunosuppressed patients who present with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.