Oral sirolimus for the treatment of juvenile xanthogranuloma: Report of two pediatric cases

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) with extensive cutaneous or visceral organ involvement is often associated with high morbidity and treatment commonly involves surgical excision, radiotherapy, systemic steroids, or chemotherapy. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, is an oral antitumor and immunosuppressive therapy used to treat various neoplastic disorders, including histiocytic disorders. We report two pediatric cases of JXG successfully treated with oral sirolimus monotherapy, and postulate that sirolimus may induce rapid disease resolution and long-term remission for patients with both skin-limited and multisystemic JXG. Our findings warrant further investigation of the relationship between the mTOR pathway and JXG.

Primary thromboprophylaxis to prevent thrombotic events in pediatric oncology patients with a malignant mediastinal mass

Children with malignant mediastinal masses have increased thrombotic events (TE). Eligible subjects with malignant mediastinal masses between January 2000 and December 2017 were evaluated for TE, with 19 among 76 subjects receiving enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis. There were 13 TEs among 76 subjects for an incidence of 17.1%. Mediastinal compression directly led to TE in 9.2% of subjects who also had statistically significant superior vena cava compression at diagnosis. Primary thromboprophylaxis did not significantly affect TE occurrence; however, larger studies are warranted to consider strategic thromboprophylaxis guided by radiological monitoring of dynamic vascular compression to improve TE outcomes.

Structured Neonatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Program

OBJECTIVE

Point-of-care ultrasound (POC US) has been increasingly used by intensive care physicians. Growing use of POC US necessitates defining distinct clinical indications for its application, as well as structured POC US training programs. Homogeneous approach to POC US education combined with rigorous quality assurance should further enable POC US to become standard-of-care clinical tool. This study aimed to present the first, innovative, and structured POC US program in neonatal-perinatal medicine field. In addition, we reviewed the availability of the POC US training programs across different medical specialties.

STUDY DESIGN

Available English-language publications on POC US training programs in general and neonatal-perinatal medicine were reviewed in this study.

DISCUSSION

Mounting body of evidence suggests improved procedural completion rates, as well as clinical decision making with the use of POC US. However, limited research supported the existence of structured, comprehensive POC US programs. It was recognized that medical institutions need to develop syllabuses, teach, and credential increasing number of health care professionals in the use of POC US. We defined intuitive educational strategy that encompasses POC US clinical indications, educational curriculum, scanning protocols, competence evaluation, and finally credentialing process. In addition, we offered description of the imaging quality assurance, as well as POC US coding, and reimbursement.

CONCLUSION

Future efforts need to be dedicated to the ongoing development of neonatal POC US as a clinical instrument. It should allow for eventual paradigm change and improved effectiveness in management of critically ill neonates.

Impact of Music in Reducing Patient Anxiety During Pediatric Ultrasound

The use of noninvasive ultrasound examinations can potentially result in significant anxiety in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of music during pediatric ultrasound examinations to reduce anxiety measured by heart rate. A total of 44 patients were recruited; 21 controls and 23 experimental. Each participant was randomized to either music or no music (control) after parental consent was obtained. Pulse oximeters were used to monitor heart rate at 15 second intervals for a total of 1 minute, with mean values calculated prior to entering the procedure room, during the middle of the procedure, and after the procedure was completed. The total scan time was determined from the initial image acquisition until the last image recorded by the ultrasound technologist. At the completion of each procedure, the ultrasound technologist scored the ease of performance for the scan on a subjective scale of 1-10 based on prior experience. When utilizing music during pediatric ultrasounds examinations, our study demonstrated significantly decreased heart rate variability from pre-procedural to post-procedural periods. There was no statistical significant difference in total scan time or ultrasound technologist scoring between the two groups. This study demonstrates that music is an inexpensive and effective means of reducing anxiety during pediatric ultrasound as indicated by heart rate.

Clinical utility of corpus callosum measurements in head sonograms of preterm infants: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical usefulness of measurement of corpus callosum (CC) size in head ultrasound (HUS) to predict short-term neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes in preterm infants. We hypothesised that including CC measurements in routine HUS will be an additional tool for early identification of infants at risk of adverse short-term ND outcome, over and above the predictive power of perinatal morbidities.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and outpatient NICU follow-up clinic of an academic medical centre in New York City.

PARTICIPANTS

929 HUS of 502 infants with gestational age of 23-36 weeks in African-American infants were initially studied. Exclusion criteria included those who died, had gross abnormalities in HUS, infants with race other than African-American, infants with suboptimal quality of HUS, late preterm infants and infants who did not participate in ND follow-up. A total of 173 infants completed the study.

INTERVENTIONS

CC size (length and thickness) was measured in a subset of 87 infants who had routine HUS between 23 and 29 weeks (0-6 postnatal weeks). Relevant clinical variables were collected from chart reviews. ND assessments were completed in outpatient follow-up clinics. A statistical model was developed to assess the clinical utility and possible predictive value of CC measurements for adverse short-term ND outcome, while adjusting for perinatal morbidities.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

CC size and ND status.

RESULTS

Measurements of CC size did not add substantial predictive power to predict short-term ND outcome beyond the information provided by the presence of morbidities related to prematurity.

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between morbidities related to prematurity and short-term ND outcome and CC size in preterm infants. CC measurements in HUS early in life did not have an additional value in predicting short-term ND outcome, therefore did not seem to provide further clinical utility.

An unusual fibrohistiocytic lesion of the pelvis presenting as vaginal bleeding in a prepubertal female: a clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical study

We report a case of a 5-year-old female who presented with vaginal bleeding of unexplained etiology. There was no evidence of precocious puberty by history and physical examination. Endocrine laboratory studies were in the normal range for a prepubertal female. On vaginoscopy, a friable, granulomatous mass that bled easily was discovered within the vaginal vault. Pelvic sonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis was significant for a left adnexal mass. Surgical exploration and histological analysis revealed an unusual fibrohistiocytic proliferation. This unusual case broadens the differential diagnosis for vaginal bleeding in the prepubertal child (Table1).

Pediatric Burkitt lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis: MRI characteristics

Acute pancreatitis is a rare initial presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with few reported cases described in older adults and even fewer in children. MRI features of Burkitt lymphoma of the pancreas are sparse in the radiologic literature. We present a 6-year-old boy who presented with pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice, which was the result of Burkitt lymphoma of the pancreas. The imaging findings of pancreatic involvement of Burkitt lymphoma on MRI are discussed and the contributory role of the radiologist in guiding the appropriate clinical work-up of this disease is highlighted.

Diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium on voided urine cytology: a case report with radiologic correlation

BACKGROUND

Infection with schistosomal species is becoming a more frequent finding in hospitals throughout the United States. Some causes that can be attributed to the rise include increased immigration from and travel to endemic areas.

CASE

We report a case of urinary schistosomiasis diagnosed on urine cytology in a 7-year-old Nigerian boy. Infection was suspected after review of the clinical history and correlation with radiologic images.

CONCLUSION

The rise in incidence has made it necessary for cytopathologists to be increasingly aware of these infections, in particular, Schistosoma haematobium, because it is the most frequent agent to be encountered on a cytology specimen, particularly urine. Similar cases have been published, one with specimen concentration and one without. However, no cases of cytology diagnosis with radiologic correlation are seen in the English literature.

The relationship between alpha angle and resistive index of the femoral epiphysis in the normal and abnormal infant hip

BACKGROUND

The arterial vascularity of the hip has been investigated in normal infants using duplex Doppler sonography. This study addressed the differences in hip vascularity in infants with respect to gender and acetabular morphology.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is a relationship between the resistive index of the vessels of the femoral chondroepiphysis and the alpha angle in normal infant hips and in those with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 76 hips (38 patients) with gray-scale and power Doppler US. The patients were referred because of a possible abnormal clinical hip examination or had risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The infants ranged in age from 1 day to 6 weeks. There were 13 boys and 25 girls. Gray-scale images were initially performed in the coronal and transverse planes to evaluate acetabular morphology, alpha angle and position of the femoral chondroepiphysis relative to the acetabulum. The hips were then examined with power Doppler US, in both sagittal and transverse planes, to identify arterial vessels within the femoral epiphysis. Resistive indices were then recorded from the spectral analysis in each vessel identified. Each examination was performed by one of five pediatric radiologists. Mixed model regression was used to assess the relationship between resistive index and alpha angle, age and gender.

RESULTS

Of the 76 hips, 34 had an alpha angle of 60 degrees or greater and were classified as normal, 26 had an alpha angle between 50 degrees and 59 degrees and were classified as immature, and 13 had an alpha angle of less than 50 degrees and were either subluxed or dislocated at the time of examination. At least two vessels were documented in each femoral epiphysis except in three hips, in which no vessels could be documented because of technical factors. There was a statistically significant linear relationship between the alpha angle and resistive index, such that the resistive index tended to rise with increasing alpha angle (P=0.0022). In addition, female infants had a significantly higher average resistive index than the average resistive index in male infants with the same alpha angle (P=0.0005).

CONCLUSION

There is a direct linear relationship between alpha angle and resistive index in the infant hip. Female infants have a higher average resistive index than male infants. We believe that these results might serve as a model for predicting an infant hip at risk of ischemia. In addition, the fact that lower resistive indices of the femoral epiphysis are associated with acetabular dysplasia might help explain the documented low incidence of avascular necrosis in untreated hip dysplasia.

Spontaneous development of bilateral subdural hematomas in an infant with benign infantile hydrocephalus: color Doppler assessment of vessels traversing extra-axial spaces

We present an infant with macrocrania, who initially demonstrated prominent extra-axial fluid collections on sonography of the brain, compatible with benign infantile hydrocephalus (BIH). Because of increasing macrocrania, a follow-up sonogram of the brain was performed; it revealed progressive enlargement of the extra-axial spaces, which now had echogenic debris. Color Doppler US showed bridging veins traversing these extra-axial spaces, so it was initially thought that these spaces were subarachnoid in nature (positive cortical vein sign). However, an arachnoid membrane was identified superior to the cortex, and there was compression of true cortical vessels beneath this dural membrane. An MRI of the brain showed the extra-axial spaces to represent bilateral subdural hematomas. The pathogenesis of spontaneous development of the subdural hematomas, in the setting of BIH, is discussed. We also emphasize that visualizing traversing bridging veins through extra-axial spaces does not necessarily imply that these spaces are subarachnoid in origin.

Giant cell tumor of soft tissue with pulmonary metastases: pathologic and cytogenetic study

Giant cell tumor of soft tissue (GCTST) has gained general acceptance as an uncommon but distinct primary soft tissue tumor since it was first described in 1972. GCTST is predominantly seen in adults and typically shows uniformly dispersed osteoclast-like giant cells admixed with oval to polygonal mononuclear cells. It usually follows a benign clinical course, although the malignant variant has been described in cases in which the mononuclear cells demonstrate obvious dysplastic features. It is still not clear whether the two variants belong to the spectrum of the same tumor. No cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in the literature of GCTST. Interestingly, the osseous counterpart of giant cell tumor, which shares similar histologic features, quite often displays a telomeric association at the cytogenetic level, a finding that has never been reported in GCTST. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with GCTST of the right leg that metastasized to the lung. Cytogenetic studies from the primary tumor showed the phenomenon of telomeric association involving multiple chromosomes.

Tuberculous splenic abscess in a neonate with thrombocytopenia

We present a case of a premature neonate who presented with anemia and persistent thrombocytopenia. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis. Initial sonographic evaluation of the abdomen revealed a heterogeneous but predominantly hypoechoic spleen; there was subsequent evolution of a splenic abscess. The patient was treated medically with anti-tubercular drugs. Follow-up post-treatment sonograms of the spleen showed diminution of the abscess and the evolution of multiple calcifications compatible with calcified granulomas. This case is an unusual presentation of tuberculosis in an infant with splenic abscess associated with thrombocytopenia and anemia.

Idiopathic intraparenchymal hematoma of the liver in a neonate

Hepatic hematomas in newborn infants are not frequently detected clinically, but are often found at perinatal autopsies. These hematomas of the liver are usually subcapsular in location. A variety of etiologies for such hematomas has been implicated, such as trauma, sepsis, and coagulopathies. We present a neonate who presented with jaundice and abdominal distention. Initial imaging studies revealed a large intraparenchymal lesion of the liver, which was at first thought to be suspicious for neoplasm; however, MRI showed the lesion to be hemorrhagic and follow-up sonographic studies showed total resolution of this lesion, compatible with hematoma. The intraparenchymal location and the idiopathic nature of this lesion distinguish this case from others previously reported.

The emergence of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension in infants and children with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Initial and follow-up sonographic and radiographic findings

Long-term imaging and clinical findings are reported in six children whose polycystic kidney disease was detected in infancy or early childhood. Over time (2 years to 20 years) all patients developed portal hypertension from hepatic fibrosis, a problem primarily noted in recessive pattern polycystic kidney disease. Mild renal failure (two patients) was accompanied by serious systemic hypertension in the same patients. In one family, one of the babies also showed dilated right hepatic ducts. Imaging studies included urography and CT although recently ultrasonography was the method of choice. The relative renal and hepatic manifestations in these patients so changed with time that it would seem fallacious to attempt to use rigid classifications based on findings at initial diagnosis.

Distal tibial triplane fractures: diagnosis with CT

Distal tibial triplane features, which constitute 6%-10% of epiphyseal injuries, are most accurately delineated and analyzed with computed tomography (CT). This is directly related to the special geometry of these fractures that have important transverse components. CT, with its transaxial orientation, is the only radiographic technique that directly images the otherwise inaccessible, horizontally oriented tibial plafond, the integrity of which largely determines the prognosis. CT is the method of choice for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of these injuries.

Prune belly syndrome: 35 years of experience

Between 1949 and 1984, 50 children with the prune belly syndrome were treated at our institution. The modes of evaluation and treatment, and the long-term results are discussed.

Iatrogenic causes of large pleural fluid collections in the premature infant: ultrasonic and radiographic findings

Ten cases of large pleural collections, all of which were iatrogenically induced in premature infants, are presented. There were five instances of hypopharyngeal tears communicating with the right pleural space, three of chylothorax secondary to superior vena caval obstruction in patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition catheterization (TPN), and two of direct erosion by the inferior vena caval TPN catheter into the pleural space. Ultrasonography was most helpful in detecting these pleural collections. It is important to recognize the presence of pleural fluid in these infants as a marker of iatrogenic injury.

Postnatal resolution of large ovarian cysts detected in utero. Report of two cases

Two cases of spontaneous resolution of large ovarian cysts in newborns are presented. In both cases the cysts were detected prenatally with ultrasound. In one case the cyst disappeared before birth; in the other, the cyst resolved several weeks postnatally. Both infants also displayed labial, uterine and vaginal enlargement, signs of maternal estrogen stimulation. These large ovarian cysts are also most likely under some hormonal stimulation and may undergo spontaneous resolution and therefore obviate the need for surgery.

Microcolon of prematurity: a form of functional obstruction

Six premature infants (birth weights 920-1320 g) developed marked abdominal distension after birth, and contrast enema examination showed a microcolon. Four of the six were born to mothers with toxemia who received magnesium sulfate. Bilious emesis was absent in all six, despite marked distension and failure to pass meconium. None of the patients had aganglionosis or cystic fibrosis; five of six were followed without surgery and recovered spontaneously. The sixth had perforation 8 hr after contrast enema and required bowel diversion; this infant also survived. This appears to be an equivalent form in small premature infants of the "small-left-colon syndrome" seen in term infants. Surgery should be reserved for complications; it is not necessarily indicated by the finding of a microcolon in such patients.

Primary pulmonary tuberculosis in infancy: a resurgent disease in the urban United States

Primary pulmonary tuberculosis in infancy still exists in the urban United States, reflecting new immigrations from less developed areas. The clinical diagnosis may be difficult and routine chest radiographs may be confusing. We found magnification high KV filtered radiography to be very useful in delineating the primary complex and its effect on the tracheobronchial tree. Twelve infants and small children with primary pulmonary tuberculosis were seen in the years 1978-1984.