Mortality risk factors among critically ill children with MIS-C in PICUs: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated of clinical characteristics, outcomes, and mortality risk factors of a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children admitted to a the pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between March 2020 and April 2021 at 41 PICUs in Turkey. The study population comprised 322 children diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. RESULTS: The organ systems most commonly involved were the cardiovascular and hematological systems. Intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 294 (91.3%) patients and corticosteroids in 266 (82.6%). Seventy-five (23.3%) children received therapeutic plasma exchange treatment. Patients with a longer duration of the PICU stay had more frequent respiratory, hematological, or renal involvement, and also had higher D-dimer, CK-MB, and procalcitonin levels. A total of 16 patients died, with mortality higher in patients with renal, respiratory, or neurological involvement, with severe cardiac impairment or shock. The non-surviving group also had higher leukocyte counts, lactate and ferritin levels, and a need for mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of MIS-C, high levels of D-dimer and CK-MB are associated with a longer duration of PICU stay. Non-survival correlates with elevated leukocyte counts and lactate and ferritin levels. We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality. IMPACT: MIS-C is a life-threatening condition. Patients need to be followed up in the intensive care unit. Early detection of factors associated with mortality can improve outcomes. Determining the factors associated with mortality and length of stay will help clinicians in patient management. High D-dimer and CK-MB levels were associated with longer PICU stay, and higher leukocyte counts, ferritin and lactate levels, and mechanical ventilation were associated with mortality in MIS-C patients. We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality.

Evaluation of 601 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (Turk MISC study).

PURPOSE: Due to its link with the 2019 coronavirus, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC) has garnered considerable international interest. The aim of this study, in which MISC patients were evaluated multicenter, and the data of the third period of the Turk-MISC study group, to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of MISC patients who did and did not require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out between June 11, 2021, and January 01, 2022. The demographics, complaints, laboratory results, system involvements, and outcomes of the patients were documented. RESULTS: A total of 601 patients were enrolled; 157 patients (26.1%) required hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Median age was 8 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4.5-11.3 years. The proportion of Kawasaki disease-like features in the ICU group was significantly higher than in the non-ICU group (56.1% vs. 43.2% p = 0.006). The ICU group had considerably lower counts of both lymphocytes and platelets (lymphocyte count 900 vs. 1280 cells × µL, platelet count 153 vs. 212 cells × 103/ µL, all for p< 0.001). C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the ICU group (CRP 164 vs. 129 mg/L, procalcitonin 9.2 vs. 2.2 µg/L, ferritin 644 vs. 334 µg/L, all for p< 0.001). Being between ages 5-12 and older than 12 increased the likelihood of hospitalization in the ICU by four [95% confidence intervals (CI)1.971-8.627] and six times (95% CI 2.575-14.654), respectively, compared to being between the ages 0-5. A one-unit increase in log D-dimer (µg/L) and log troponin (ng/L) was also demonstrated to increase the need for intensive care by 1.8 (95% CI 1.079-3.233) and 1.4 times (95% CI 1.133-1.789), respectively.     Conclusion: By comparing this study to our other studies, we found that the median age of MISC patients has been rising. Patients requiring an ICU stay had considerably higher levels of procalcitonin, CRP, and ferritin but significantly lower levels of lymphocyte and thrombocyte. In particular, high levels of procalcitonin in the serum might serve as a valuable laboratory marker for anticipating the need for intensive care. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were an independent predictor factors in patients with MISC who needed to stay in intensive care unit. • The possibility of the need to stay in the intensive care unit in patients with MISC who had Kawasaki disease-like findings was controversial compared with those who did not. WHAT IS NEW: • A one-unit increase log D dimer and log troponin was demonstrated to require for intensive care unit by 1.8 and 1.4 times, respectively. • Serum procalcitonin levels had the best performance to predict stay in the intensive care unit stay.

Thoracic benign cystic mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Benign cystic mesotheliomas (BCMs), also known as multilocular mesothelial inclusion cysts, inflammatory inclusion cysts or multicystic mesothelial proliferation, are frequently observed in females and are localised localised in the pelvic peritoneum. They are rarely present in the thoracic and mediastinal areas; however, these locations have been reported in a few cases in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a woman with an intrathoracic BCM. A 28-year-old female patient presented with a cystic mass of 8 × 6 × 6 cm in the left hemithorax shown by computed tomography of the thorax. The patient underwent cystic mass excision with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), which was completed without complications. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically after the surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Due to BCMs' non-specific clinical symptoms and radiological imaging, preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and they are often confused with pericardial cysts. There is no standard treatment protocol; however, VATS and en bloc resection are the most frequently used treatment options for mediastinal localization. Since these lesions slow proliferation rates have the potential for local recurrence and low malignant transformation, close follow-up is recommended. In this case report, we aimed to present a rare BCM case with intrathoracic paracardiac localization was completely excised through VATS. No recurrence has been detected in three years of follow-up.

COVID-19 Disease in Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Multicenter Study of 8886 Cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data of children with SARS-CoV-2 positivity by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) together with treatment strategies and clinical outcomes and to evaluate cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in this population. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study performed in the pediatric emergency departments of 19 tertiary hospitals. From March 11, 2020, to May 31, 2021, children who were diagnosed with confirmed nasopharyngeal/tracheal specimen SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity or positivity for serum-specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were included. Demographics, presence of chronic illness, symptoms, history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive individuals, laboratory and radiologic investigations, clinical severity, hospital admissions, and prognosis were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 8886 cases were included. While 8799 (99.0%) cases resulted in a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 with PCR positivity, 87 (1.0%) patients were diagnosed with MIS-C. Among SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients, 51.0% were male and 8.5% had chronic illnesses. The median age was 11.6 years (IQR: 5.0-15.4) and 737 (8.4%) patients were aged <1 year. Of the patients, 15.5% were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were fever (48.5%) and cough (30.7%) for all age groups. There was a decrease in the rate of fever as age increased (p < 0.001); the most common age group for this symptom was <1 year with the rate of 69.6%. There was known contact with a SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive individual in 67.3% of the cases, with household contacts in 71.3% of those cases. In terms of clinical severity, 83 (0.9%) patients were in the severe-critical group. There was hospital admission in 1269 (14.4%) cases, with 106 (1.2%) of those patients being admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Among patients with MIS-C, 60.9% were male and the median age was 6.4 years (IQR: 3.9-10.4). Twelve (13.7%) patients presented with shock. There was hospital admission in 89.7% of these cases, with 29.9% of the patients with MIS-C being admitted to the PICU. CONCLUSION: Most SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients presented with a mild clinical course. Although rare, MIS-C emerges as a serious consequence with frequent PICU admission. Further understanding of the characteristics of COVID-19 disease could provide insights and guide the development of therapeutic strategies for target groups.

Distal spread and tumor regression patterns following preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients

Background/aim/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the regression pattern with the distal intramural spread (DIS) of rectum cancer after preoperative chemoradiation. Materials and methods: Specimens from 56 patients who underwent radical resection after preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer were examined. The regression pattern (total, fragmented) of the tumor was recorded. DIS status was evaluated by creating sections 0.2 to 0.3 cm thick. Results: A single macroscopic residual area was detected in all specimens. In 10 patients (17.8 %), pathologically complete responses were identified, and DIS was detected in 33 patients (58.9%). The average DIS distance was 0.56± 0.3 cm (range 0.2 ­ 1.8 cm); the spread was < 1 cm in 87.9% of the patients (29/33). The overall survival rates for 5 and 7 years were 76.8% and 73.2%, respectively. The survival rates between patients with and without DIS were not statistically different (94.6± 5.5 vs. 75.1 ± 10.2 months, respectively). In all of the patients, tumor regression pattern was total shrinkage of the tumor. Conclusion: A sufficient distal resection margin for rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiation is 1 cm in the vast majority of cases. However, DIS may exceed 1 cm in a small proportion of patients.

A novel urethra compression technique using Turkish continence device for male urinary incontinence

Background/aim: The male sling operation and artificial urinary sphincter implantation are common methods for treating urinary incontinence. However, there are some drawbacks to these methods such as infection, urethral erosion, pain, inefficiency, and the technical difficulty of the operations. Here we describe a new device we have named the Turkish Continence Device (TCD) which has advantages over these other methods. The aim of this study was perform experiments with the TCD prototype in vivo and ex vivo to determine efficiency, convenience of implantation, and negative effects. Materials and methods: We implanted the prototype device in male goats and sheep, compressing the posterior urethra, and then fixed it by sutures on the lateral sides of the cavernosal bodies, bilaterally. Then we recorded urodynamic findings and performed urinary imaging. Additionally we measured urethral closure pressure ex vivo. Results: The balloon volume for efficient urethral closure pressure using the new device was under 1 mL. It compressed the urethra towards the corpus cavernosum perfectly, because the wings of the prototype device are fixed near the tunica of the cavernosal bodies on each side. Conclusion: A smaller device with smaller arms/wings would be efficient for obtaining enough pressure on the urethra. Additionally, the technique for implanting the device is very simple and would likely be learned quickly.

Early initiated feeding versus early reached target enteral nutrition in critically ill children: An observational study in paediatric intensive care units in Turkey.

AIM: Although early enteral nutrition (EN) is strongly associated with lower mortality in critically ill children, there is no consensus on the definition of early EN. The aim of this study was to evaluate our current practice supplying EN and to identify factors that affect both the initiation of feeding within 24 h after paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and the adequate supply of EN in the first 48 h after PICU admission in critically ill children. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicentre, observational study in nine PICUs in Turkey. Any kind of tube feeding commenced within 24 h of PICU admission was considered early initiated feeding (EIF). Patients who received more than 25% of the estimated energy requirement via enteral feeding within 48 h of PICU admission were considered to have early reached target EN (ERTEN). RESULTS: Feeding was initiated in 47.4% of patients within 24 h after PICU admission. In many patients, initiation of feeding seems to have been delayed without an evidence-based reason. ERTEN was achieved in 43 (45.3%) of 95 patients. Patients with EIF were significantly more likely to reach ERTEN. ERTEN was an independent significant predictor of mortality (P < 0.001), along with reached target enteral caloric intake on day 2 associated with decreased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial variability among clinicians' perceptions regarding indications for delay to initiate enteral feeding in critically ill children, especially after the first 6 h of PICU admission. ERTEN, but not EIF, is associated with a significantly lower mortality rate in critically ill children.

Histopathological evaluation of aortic coarctation after conventional balloon angioplasty in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management strategy for native aortic coarctation in neonates and young infants is still a matter of debate. The surgical procedure, histopathologic research, and clinical outcome in 15 neonates who underwent surgery after successful balloon angioplasty is the basis of this study. METHOD: Between 01 October, 2014 and 01 August, 2017, we enrolled 15 patients with native aortic coarctation for this study. These patients had complications regarding recoarctation, following balloon angioplasty intervention at our institute and other centres. Surgically extracted parts were examined histopathologically and patient's data were collected retrospectively.ResultThe reasons for recurrence of recoarctation after balloon angioplasty are as follows: patients with higher preoperative echocardiographic gradients had recoarctation earlier, neointimal proliferation, aortic intimal fibrosis at the region of ductal insertion, and ductal residual tissue debris after balloon angioplasty. No repeat intervention was required in the 15 patients who underwent surgery followed by balloon angioplasty. Early mortality was seen in one patient after surgery. Postoperative complication in the surgical group occurred in the form of chylothorax in one patient. CONCLUSION: In centres in which the neonatal ICU is inexperienced, balloon angioplasty is particularly recommended. In developing neonatal clinics, balloon angioplasty, when performed on patients at their earliest possible age, delays actual corrective operation to a later date, which in turn provides less risky surgical outcomes in infants who are gaining weight, growing, and do not have any haemodynamic complaints.

The Effect of Therapeutic Hypothermia on Prognosis in Patients Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a commonly used therapeutic modality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for the treatment of severe acute kidney injury, as well as for addressing metabolic abnormalities, fluid-electrolyte imbalances, and acid-base disorders. According to reports, therapeutic hypothermia treatment has demonstrated the ability to decrease cellular metabolism, oxygen consumption, formation of free radicals, cell death, and inflammatory signals. The study encompassed all individuals who underwent CRRT at both Manisa City Hospital and Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital throughout the period from February 2021 to November 2022. A total of 14 patients who received CRRT were subjected to a warming procedure utilizing an external blanket and an external heater attached to the CRRT venous return line, resulting in the attainment of a body temperature exceeding 36°C. Therapeutic hypothermia was implemented on 12 patients to maintain their body temperature within the range of 32-35°C. The study population exhibited a median age of 24.5 months, with males comprising 61.5% of the sample. A therapeutic hypothermia treatment was administered to a cohort of 12 patients. The patients who had therapeutic hypothermia exhibited a significantly reduced vasoactive-inotropic score (p = 0.038). Patients who did not receive therapeutic hypothermia exhibited a prolonged need for mechanical ventilation (p = 0.020). The duration of stay in the PICU for patients who underwent therapeutic hypothermia was shown to be considerably shorter compared to those who did not receive therapeutic hypothermia (p = 0.047). The potential efficacy of moderate therapeutic hypothermia appears promising, particularly in the context of patients who are receiving CRRT for severe sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties and hypometabolic effects associated with this intervention. To the best of our current understanding, this study represents the initial investigation showcasing the effectiveness of combining therapeutic hypothermia with CRRT in the pediatric population.

Bullous skin lesions in a jaundiced infant after phototherapy: a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria.

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of porphyrin metabolism in which the genetic defect is the deficiency of uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase (UIIIC). Deficiency of this enzyme results in an accumulation of high amounts of uroporphyrin I in all tissues, leading to hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, erythrodontia, bone fragility, exquisite photosensitivity, and mutilating skin lesions. We discuss a female infantile case who was admitted for jaundice; bullous lesions appeared on her trunk during phototherapy in the neonatal period. The skin biopsy findings were consistent with epidermolysis bullosa. Due to persistent hepatosplenomegaly and cholestasis, metabolic tests and liver biopsy were performed. During the follow-up, hemolytic anemia and red urine were detected. The levels of porphyrin metabolites were determined at high concentrations in plasma, stool and urine analysis, which were suggestive of congenital erythropoietic porphyria.

Evaluation of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus and Nonconvulsive Seizures in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

We aimed to identify nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A prospective cohort study on 35 patients who underwent continuous electroencephalographic monitoring in the PICU was done. The patients were evaluated to collect data of their demographics, clinical diagnoses, clinical seizures by electroencephalography, and neuroimaging findings. One case with NCSE and 4 cases with NCS were diagnosed among the 35 patients. The etiology of the patient with NCSE showed antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal. The etiology of the patients with NCS included electrical injury, head trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and pneumonia. The findings suggest that younger age, epilepsy, acute structural brain abnormalities, abrupt cessation of AED, and clinically overt seizures before NCSE/NCS are associated with significant risk for NCS/NCSE. In addition, the electrical injury may also be considered as a risk factor for electrographic seizure though such a case has not yet been reported.

Antithrombin prevents apoptosis by regulating inflammation in the liver in a model of cold ischemia/warm reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a major problem in liver surgery. To modulate the complex process of inflammation, additional drugs to add to well-defined organ preserving solutions have been sought. The aim of the current study was to investigate the additive potential of antithrombin (AT) in liver preservation. METHODOLOGY: Female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: sham (Group I), experiment model (Group II), and treatment groups with AT (250U/kg) administration systematically (Group III) or locally (Group IV) before hepatectomy. UW solution was used for liver preservation for 24h at 4°C. The livers in group II, III and IV were reperfused 1h and histopathological parameters were evaluated microscopically. Apoptosis was assessed with TUNEL test. RESULTS: Karyorrhexis was lower in the local treatment with AT group. Sinusoidal desquamation and mononuclear cell infiltration was higher in the experimental model group. Sinusoidal enlargement was higher in the systemic AT treatment group and neutrophil infiltration to sinusoids was lowest in the local treatment group. Apoptosis of hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells were significantly suppressed in rats that were treated with AT via portal vein infusion. CONCLUSIONS: AT treatment obviously contributed to liver preservation in our model; the effects on apoptosis and inflammation were prominent. Therefore, AT should be considered as a potent agent although its clinical role has yet to be defined in ex-vivo hepatic preservation.

Retinal microvascular and perfusional disruption in paediatric COVID-19: A case-control optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the short-term effect of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on the retinal capillary network and choroid in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study included 19 recovered COVID-19 pediatric patients and 20 healthy children. Macular thickness, choroidal thickness, vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) values were obtained. Central vessel and perfusion densities were measured at the central 6-mm area, and the values were compared among three subgroups according to location. RESULTS: The mean ages of patients and controls were 12. 42 ± 3.3 years and 13.35 ± 1.2 years, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of inner, outer, and full VD, as well as inner and full PD. No significant differences in center VD and PD were observed between groups. Although it was not evident in analysis of choroidal values, inflammatory sites were thickened. FAZ area significantly differed between groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal microvascularity was impaired in the acute phase of disease in recovered COVID-19 patients aged 10-15 years. However, the microvascularity impairment was subclinical. The choroid was thickened because of inflammation during the acute phase of disease. pediatric COVID-19 patients should undergo follow up via optical coherence tomography angiography to detect subclinical and asymptomatic retinal changes. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to validate these findings.

A tumor-like lesion mimicking mucinous (colloid) carcinoma in heterotopic pancreas of the prepyloric antrum: a formidable challenge for frozen examination.

CONTEXT: Heterotopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue, outside its usual location, which lacks anatomical and vascular continuity with the pancreas proper. Despite the development of modern diagnostic procedures, it is still difficult to differentiate heterotopic pancreas from benign or malignant tumors and other tumor-like lesions. Frozen examination of mucinous lesions arising from heterotopic pancreas may represent a diagnostic problem. A decision may be very difficult and it is sometimes impossible to decide on the basis of the frozen sections whether a lesion is benign or malignant. CASE REPORT: We report a tumor-like lesion mimicking a mucinous (colloid) carcinoma arising in heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the prepyloric antrum of a 56-year-old woman which was found incidentally during an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. The tumor was treated by wedge resection and, in the frozen section examination, there were pancreatic ducts in the proper muscle layer, pancreatic acini with islets of Langerhans under the serosal surface and mucinous lakes close to the heterotopic pancreatic tissue and to a peripheral nerve. CONCLUSION: The significance of this unusual lesion is its potential confusion with mucinous (colloid) carcinoma or other mucous tumors. Such confusion is more likely to occur if the tissue sample is selective or limited, and the presence of pancreatic tissue cannot be verified. Therefore, we believe that a choice of local excision, wedge resection or more extensive eradication be determined only after intraoperative, pathological confirmation of the complete and accurate diagnosis.

How important is the damage to the liver after lower limb ischemia-reperfusion? An experimental study in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of lower extremity ischemia reperfusion on the liver and the effect of ischemiareperfusion on the liver itself in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups including 10 in each group: sham (Group 1), lower limb ischemia-reperfusion (Group 2), and liver ischemia-reperfusion (Group 3). In Group 2, one hour of left lower limb ischemia was performed. In Group 3, one hour of ischemia in the liver was performed, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. After reperfusion, the liver tissues were removed, and the groups were evaluated biochemically and histologically. RESULTS: The liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). In Group 2, the malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher than in Group 3 (p=0.019). The glutathione levels in the liver were significantly lower in Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). However, the glutathione levels were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.005). In the histological evaluation, although the liver damage score was higher in Group 3 than in Group 2 (p=0.015), there was no significant difference between the two groups in TUNEL(+) cell number (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Reperfusion injury in the liver after lower limb ischemiareperfusion is as important as ischemia-reperfusion injury which is specifically induced in the liver. This should be taken into account, particularly in reperfusion surgeries following vascular trauma or in cases of leg tourniquets to stop bleeding after lower limb vascular trauma.

Predictive factors for the outcome of high flow nasal cannula therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit: Is the SpO2/FiO2 ratio useful?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictive factors for the outcome of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively included all patients with acute respiratory distress/failure aged 1month to 18years who were admitted to the PICU between January 2015 and May 2016 and treated with HFNC as a primary support and for postextubation according to our pre-established protocol. HFNC failure was defined as the need for escalation to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). HFNC responders and nonresponders were compared based on clinical data obtained just before HFNC and at 30, 60, and 120min, 12, 24, and 48h, and at the end of therapy. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients (median age: 16.5months) participated in the study. Twenty-six (12.7%) patients required escalation (4 to NIV and 22 to MV). Age >120months, higher PRISM-III and respiratory scores, and a lower SpO2/FiO2 (S/F) ratio at admission were predictors of HFNC failure. Achievement of the S/F>200 goal at 60min significantly predicted successful HFNC. CONCLUSION: Monitoring the S/F ratio might be useful and practical to avoid delaying escalation to another ventilation support. Failure to achieve S/F>200 at 60min should be a warning for the escalation of respiratory support.

The outcomes of children with tracheostomy in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit in Turkey.

AIM: We aimed to describe which clinical characteristics were associated with the outcome of tracheostomy in our tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients who underwent tracheostomy in our Pediatric Intensive Care unit from 2008 to 2014 in Turkey. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included the study. The median age of patients was 11 (range, 1-195) months. Twenty-five (39.7%) patients were female. The tracheostomy rate was 8.5% over a six-year period. Forty-nine (77.7%) patients were able to be discharged and sent home. The decannulation rate was 12.6% (n=8). The indications for tracheostomy were upper airway obstruction (n=9) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (n=54). The median intubation period before tracheostomy was 32 (range, 1-122) days and the median duration of pediatric intensive care unit stay after tracheostomy was 37 days. A total of 21 (52.5%) patients were weaned off mechanical ventilation. The rate of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation was higher in patients with upper airway obstruction than in those in the prolonged mechanical ventilation group (p=0.021). The complication rate was 25.3% in the pediatric intensive care unit and 11.1% at home. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheostomy seems safe and improves pediatric patients' outcomes. The most important factor that affects the prognosis of children who underwent tracheostomy is the indication for tracheostomy. The outcomes are always better if the tracheostomy has been performed because of upper airway obstruction. Performing tracheostomy helps weaning from and off ventilator support and finally the discharge of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation from the pediatric intensive care unit setting.

A Retrospective Evaluation of the Epithelial Changes/Lesions and Neoplasms of the Gallbladder in Turkey and a Review of the Existing Sampling Methods: A Multicentre Study.

OBJECTIVE: As there is continuing disagreement among the observers on the differential diagnosis between the epithelial changes/lesions and neoplasms of the gallbladder, this multicentre study was planned in order to assess the rate of the epithelial gallbladder lesions in Turkey and to propose microscopy and macroscopy protocols. MATERIAL AND METHOD: With the participation of 22 institutions around Turkey that were included in the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Study Group, 89,324 cholecystectomy specimens sampled from 2003 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. The numbers of adenocarcinomas, dysplasias, intracholecystic neoplasms/adenomas, intestinal metaplasias and reactive atypia were identified with the review of pathology reports and the regional and countrywide incidence rates were presented in percentages. RESULTS: Epithelial changes/lesions were reported in 6% of cholecystectomy materials. Of these epithelial lesions, 7% were reported as adenocarcinoma, 0.9% as high-grade dysplasia, 4% as low-grade dysplasia, 7.8% as reactive/regenerative atypia, 1.7% as neoplastic polyp, and 15.6% as intestinal metaplasia. The remaining lesions (63%) primarily included non-neoplastic polypoids/hyperplastic lesions and antral/pyloric metaplasia. There were also differences between pathology laboratories. CONCLUSION: The major causes of the difference in reporting these epithelial changes/lesions and neoplasms include the differences related to the institute's oncological surgery frequency, sampling protocols, geographical dissimilarities, and differences in the diagnoses/interpretations of the pathologists. It seems that the diagnosis may change if new sections are taken from the specimen when any epithelial abnormality is seen during microscopic examination of the cholecystectomy materials.

B-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker predicting disease severity in children with isolated bronchiolitis in the emergency department.

The aim of the study was to determine whether the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma level predicted the severity of bronchiolitis without additional pathology in children admitted to an emergency department (ED). A total of 232 children (mean age: 7.7±1.2 months [range: 1-23 months]) presenting to ED with isolated bronchiolitis and 32 age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in the study. BNP levels differed significantly among the control (8.5±1.1 pg/ml) and mild (27.7±2.6 pg/ml), moderate (51.4±0.5 pg/ml), and severe (106.8±4.8 pg/ml) bronchiolitis groups (p < 0.001). Clinical severity score (p < 0.001; OR: 2.524; 95% CI: 1.826-3.487) and plasma BNP level (p < 0.001; OR: 2.231; 95% CI: 1.583-3.242) were independent risk factors for hospitalization. The length of hospital stay was significantly correlated with BNP level (p < 0.001; r: 0.698). In conclusion, the plasma BNP level may be a potent biomarker predicting disease severity in ED.