Management of Pediatric Persistent Asymptomatic Cervical Lymphadenopathy

OBJECTIVE

Persistent asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy (PACL) is a common outpatient referral diagnosis for pediatric otolaryngologists. Historically, excisional biopsy under general anesthesia has been the gold standard for diagnosis but is associated with some risks. Current literature provides little guidance on less invasive monitoring. Our hypothesis is that the majority of children who present with PACL can be safely monitored with ultrasound and avoid the risks of excisional biopsy.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review was performed of patients <18 years of age, referred to a tertiary care children's hospital for PACL who also underwent at least 1 neck ultrasound from 2007 to 2021. Patients with acute neck infections, congenital masses, or known rheumatologic, immunologic, or malignant conditions were excluded. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine patient and nodal factors associated with the decision for operative management.

SETTING

University of California, San Francisco Pediatric Otolaryngology Department.

RESULTS

Among the 197 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 30 (15.2%) underwent surgical biopsy. Overall, 26% underwent repeat ultrasound with a mean interval of 6.6 months, and a mean decrease in nodal size of 0.34 cm. Of the 30 surgical cases, 27 (90%) patients had benign pathology. Multivariate regression analysis revealed pain (p = .04), firmness (p < .001), and lack of a normal fatty hilum on ultrasound (p = .04) as statistically significantly correlated with decisions for surgical management.

CONCLUSION

The majority of pediatric PACL is benign and does not require an excisional biopsy to rule out lymphoma. Serial clinical follow-up with neck ultrasound can be used to safely monitor patients.

Dynamic CD8+ T cell responses to cancer immunotherapy in human regional lymph nodes are disrupted in metastatic lymph nodes

CD8+ T cell responses are critical for anti-tumor immunity. While extensively profiled in the tumor microenvironment, recent studies in mice identified responses in lymph nodes (LNs) as essential; however, the role of LNs in human cancer patients remains unknown. We examined CD8+ T cells in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, regional LNs, and blood using mass cytometry, single-cell genomics, and multiplexed ion beam imaging. We identified progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tpex) that were abundant in uninvolved LN and clonally related to terminally exhausted cells in the tumor. After anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, Tpex in uninvolved LNs reduced in frequency but localized near dendritic cells and proliferating intermediate-exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tex-int), consistent with activation and differentiation. LN responses coincided with increased circulating Tex-int. In metastatic LNs, these response hallmarks were impaired, with immunosuppressive cellular niches. Our results identify important roles for LNs in anti-tumor immune responses in humans.

Feasibility of accelerated image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy with inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA-HDRBT) for post-operative treatment of pathologically node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue

PURPOSE

Inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) produces highly conformal dose distributions and quick optimizations for high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRBT). We report our dosimetry and overall outcomes using this approach for the accelerated post-operative treatment of pathologically node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue (OTSCC) with high risk of local recurrence.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed pN0 OTSCC treated with partial glossectomy, neck dissection, and post-operative HDRBT alone from 2007 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received 30 Gy in 5 fractions over 2.5 days. Target volume and mandible dosimetry are reported. Actuarial rates of local control, regional control, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was categorized using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.

RESULTS

19 consecutive patients were reviewed. Median follow-up was 3.2 years (IQR 1.4-8.2 years) with a 3-year estimated local control rate of 81%. Target volumes were generally small, as the median volume was 12.66 cc. Median V150% and V200% were 52% and 24%, respectively. D1cc and D2cc to the mandible were 17.31 Gy and 14.42 Gy, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IPSA-HDRBT is feasible and highly efficient for post-operative treatment of the primary tumor bed in patients with pathologically node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue. Further technical optimization and prospective clinical evaluation in a larger patient cohort are planned.

Urinalysis in acute care of adults: pitfalls in testing and interpreting results

Background.

 Rapid urine tests for infection (urinalysis, dipstick) have low up-front costs. However, many false positives occur, with important downstream consequences, including unnecessary antibiotics. We studied indications, collection technique, and results of urinalyses in acute care.

Methods.

 This research was a prospective observational study of a convenience sample of emergency department (ED) patients who had urinalysis performed between June 1, 2012 and February 15, 2013 at an urban teaching hospital. Analyses were conducted via t tests, χ² tests, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results.

 Of 195 cases included in the study, the median age was 56 and 70% of participants were female. There were specific symptoms or signs of urinary tract infection (UTI) in 74 cases (38%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31%–45%), nonspecific symptoms or signs in 83 cases (43%; 95% CI, 36%–50%), and no symptoms or signs of UTI in 38 cases (19%; 95% CI, 14%–25%). The median age was 51 (specific symptoms), 58 (nonspecific symptoms), and 61 (no symptoms), respectively (P = .005). Of 137 patients who produced the specimen without assistance, 78 (57%; 95% CI, 48%–65%) received no instructions on urine collection. Correct midstream clean-catch technique was used in 8 of 137 cases (6%). Presence of symptoms or signs was not associated with a new antibiotic prescription, but positive urinalysis (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.7–14) and positive urine culture (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1–12) were. Of 36 patients receiving antibiotics, 10 (28%; 95% CI, 13%–43%) had no symptoms or nonspecific symptoms.

Conclusion.

 In this sample at an urban teaching hospital ED, urine testing was not driven by symptoms. Improving practice may lower costs, improve efficiency of care, decrease unnecessary data that can distract providers and impair patient safety, decrease misdiagnosis, and decrease unnecessary antibiotics.