Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease presenting as sudden respiratory arrest in a three-year-old child

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.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder of the pediatric airway: Presentation and management

OBJECTIVE

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare complication of immunosuppression with little consensus on its evaluation and management. The purpose of this contemporary review is to describe a pediatric patient with PTLD of the airway and review the literature to provide multidisciplinary recommendations regarding management.

DATA SOURCES

Retrospective chart and literature review.

REVIEW METHODS

A pediatric patient with PTLD of the airway is described. An extensive literature search to review the existing data on pediatric PTLD of the upper airway was also performed.

RESULTS

A pediatric patient with mixed fetal/embryonal hepatoblastoma developed laryngo-tracheal PTLD following liver transplantation. Diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) scan demonstrated multiple sites of abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake within the larynx, distal esophagus, cervical lymph nodes, and abdomen concerning for PTLD. Laryngeal biopsy demonstrated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive cells confirming the diagnosis. Rituximab therapy and reduction of immunosuppression resulted in resolution of his laryngeal disease in 3 months. An extensive literature search to review the existing data on pediatric PTLD of the larynx and trachea revealed 14 reported cases.

CONCLUSIONS

PTLD of the pediatric airway is an EBV-associated disease that requires a high index of suspicion as patients can often present with non-specific signs and symptoms but progress to have significant airway compromise. Evaluation consists of peripheral blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, biopsy, and PET/CT imaging. Management options include reduction of immunosuppression and/or systemic therapies.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder involving the Larynx

Aim:

Our goal is to present an unusual case of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) involving the larynx. We aim to expand the literature regarding head and neck manifestations involving PTLD and for otolaryngologists to include PTLD in their differential diagnosis of laryngeal lesions in patients who have a history of solid organ transplantation.

Background

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder occurs in immunocompromised patients following solid organ transplantation. Head and neck manifestations most commonly involve Waldeyer's ring with the larynx and trachea being relatively uncommon sites of disease. However, lesions of the larynx can cause acute airway obstruction and rare fatalities have been reported in the literature.

Case report

We present the case of a 51-year-old female with a history of renal transplantation, who presented to the office after an incidental supraglottic lesion was discovered during intubation for cochlear implant placement. A mucosalized lesion arising from the right aryepiglottic fold with dynamic obstruction of the airway was noted on office endoscopic examination. Imaging revealed extension of the mass into the right posterolateral hypopharynx. The patient was taken to the operating room for microdirect laryngoscopy and CO2 laser excision of the mass. The lesion was excised with negative gross margins. Final pathology revealed plasmacytoma-like PTLD and the patient was referred back to her transplant team for modulation of her immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusion

We present the case of an incidental supraglottic lesion in a posttransplant patient. Special emphasis should be given to the tissues of Waldeyer's ring and larynx.

Clinical significance

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, while rare, should be kept in the differential diagnosis of pharyngeal and airway lesions in patients with a history of solid organ transplantation. Expansile lesions can cause acute airway obstruction. Urgent evaluation and treatment of theses lesions is necessary in these circumstances.

How to cite this article

Kohli N, Wasserman JM. Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder involving the Larynx. Int J Head Neck Surg 2016;7(1):53-56.

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.

Successful laser ablation of diffuse laryngeal swelling in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder: the Japanese first case

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-known complication of pediatric organ transplantation. The first symptoms are often in the ear, nose, or throat (ENT) area. We report the first Japanese case of an airway obstruction in PTLD. A 7-year-old boy who had a liver transplant at the age of 2 years presented with progressive stridor. Fiberoptic examination revealed enlarged epiglottis and swelling arytenoids. Highly suspicious of early-PTLD, he was treated with reduction of immunosuppression, but no improvement on his larynx was observed. Laser ablation of swelling arytenoids worked. Surgical debulking is effective to ease an airway obstruction in cases of PTLD.

Acute tonsillitis as the first manifestation of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication that may follow orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in children. The first symptoms are often in the ear, nose, or throat (ENT) area. This abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells is related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in immunocompromised children. The incidence of PTLD, EBV status before OLT and at the diagnosis of PTLD, delay between OLT and PTLD, localization, pathological investigations, and the treatment and evolution of PTLD were prospectively evaluated in 77 pediatric liver transplant recipients. Eight patients (10%) developed PTLD, all with an ENT presentation. Seven had acute nonbacterial tonsillitis (with a negative throat swab), and 1 had a pharyngolaryngeal localization at the time of the diagnosis. Four patients had associated involvement outside the ENT area. All patients were EBV-seronegative at the time of OLT; 6 underwent seroconversion at the time of diagnosis, and 2 within 9 and 20 months of diagnosis. All patients presented with low-grade PTLD. All patients with acute tonsillitis associated with EBV seroconversion underwent immediate tonsillectomy, and immunosuppression was decreased as much as tolerated. This therapeutic protocol led to complete recovery in all patients. After OLT in children, nonbacterial tonsillar inflammation or hypertrophy associated with an EBV infection is often the first manifestation of PTLD. Tonsillectomy combined with tapering of immunosuppression offers the best chance for a complete recovery.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in tonsils of children with liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence and characteristics of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in tonsils of the liver transplanted children.

METHODS

All patients under 14 years of age recipients of a liver transplant at the institution and operated on for tonsillectomy under suspicion of malignancy were included in this study.

RESULTS

Seven patients underwent surgery on their tonsils under suspicion of PTLD. One case of B-cell lymphoma, and three cases of polymorphic diffuse B-cell hyperplasia were found. This represents an incidence of 1.4% of PTLD in the tonsils of the 283 pediatric liver transplants performed at the hospital.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of PTLD in tonsils after liver transplantation is very low at the institution. However, it is very important to follow-up allograft recipients for early diagnosis of this entity.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder presenting in the head and neck

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of focal head and neck posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in children, its clinical presentation, associated risk factors, and outcome following treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHODS

The authors conducted a 5-year retrospective study of 61 children with liver transplants at the University of California, San Francisco. Suspected head and neck lesions were evaluated and biopsies were performed by an otolaryngologist. Diagnosis was made via histologic and immunohistochemical features and in situ Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) localization.

RESULTS

Eight patients (13.1%) developed PTLD, five (8.2%) in the head and neck. Four patients had large tonsils, and one presented with airway obstruction from a supraglottic mass. Negative pretransplant EBV serology was a risk factor for PTLD. Treatment consisted of antiviral therapy and decreased immunosuppression. All patients with head and neck PTLD are disease free with excellent liver function.

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of PTLD was found, with 63% presenting in the head and neck. While Waldeyer's ring is most commonly involved, PTLD may also present in the supraglottis. Adjunctive antiviral therapy and decreased immunosuppression are effective forms of treatment. Given the increasing number of pediatric liver transplants being performed, otolaryngologists should be familiar with PTLD and have a high index of suspicion in this at-risk population.

Pediatric solid organ transplantation

Solid organ transplantation offers hope for long-term survival and more normal lifestyles for children. Many of the procedures used are scaled-down versions of those used in adults and are associated with distinct challenges in children. Recent studies have provided insights into how transplantation can best serve these patients.