A genetic factor associated with low final bone mineral density in children after a long-term glucocorticoids treatment.

Treatment with glucocorticoids is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD). We performed a genome-wide association study to analyze interactive effects between genotypes and cumulative dose of prednisone (PD) over 4.3 years of follow-up period on the final BMD Z-scores in 461 white children from the Childhood Asthma Management Program. No variants met the conventional criteria for genome-wide significance, and thus we looked for evidence of replication. The top 100-ranked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were then carried forward replication in 59 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) exposed to large fixed doses of PD as part of their chemotherapeutic regimen. Among them, rs6461639 (interaction P=1.88 × 10-5 in the CAMP population) showed a significant association with the final BMD Z-scores in the ALL population (P=0.016). The association of the ALL population was only present after correction for the anti-metabolite treatment arm (high vs low dose). We have identified a novel SNP, rs6461639, showing a significant effect on the final BMD Z-scores in two independent pediatric populations after long-term high-dose PD treatment.

Bone mineral density among long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and the degree of recovery or decline, are not well elucidated. PROCEDURE: Study subjects (age ≥ 18 years and ≥10 years post-diagnosis) participated in an institutional follow-up protocol and risk-based clinical evaluation based on Children's Oncology Group guidelines. Trabecular volumetric BMD was ascertained using quantitative computed tomography, reported as age- and sex-specific Z-scores. RESULTS: At median age 31 years, 5.7% of 845 subjects had a BMD Z-score of ≤-2 and 23.8% had a Z-score of -1 to -2. Cranial radiation dose of ≥24 Gy, but not cumulative methotrexate or prednisone equivalence doses, was associated with a twofold elevated risk of a BMD Z-score of ≤-1. The cranial radiation effect was stronger in females than in males. In a subset of 400 subjects, 67% of those who previously had a BMD Z-score of ≤-2 improved by one or more categories a median of 8.5 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Very low BMD was relatively uncommon in this sample of adult survivors of childhood ALL, and BMD Z-scores tended to improve from adolescence to young adulthood. High-dose cranial or craniospinal radiation exposure was the primary predictor of suboptimal BMD in our study. Given that cranial radiation treatment for childhood ALL is used far more sparingly now than in earlier treatment eras, concerns about persistently low BMD among most current childhood ALL patients may be unwarranted.

Calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation provides no added benefit to nutritional counseling to improve bone mineral density in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

BACKGROUND: We sought to improve lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD) in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation. PROCEDURE: This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized 275 participants (median age, 17 [9-36.1] years) with age- and gender-specific LS-BMD Z-scores <0 to receive nutritional counseling with supplementation of 1,000 mg/day calcium and 800 International Unit cholecalciferol or placebo for 2 years. The primary outcome was change in LS-BMD assessed by quantitative computerized tomography (QCT) at 24 months. Linear regression models were employed to identify the baseline risk factors for low LS-BMD and to compare LS-BMD outcomes. RESULTS: Pre-randomization LS-BMD below the mean was associated with male gender (P = 0.0024), White race (P = 0.0003), lower body mass index (P < 0.0001), and cumulative glucocorticoid doses of ≥ 5,000 mg (P = 0.0012). One hundred eighty-eight (68%) participants completed the study; 77% adhered to the intervention. Mean LS-BMD change did not differ between survivors randomized to supplements (0.33 ± 0.57) or placebo (0.28 ± 0.56). Participants aged 9-13 years and those 22-35 years had the greatest mean increases in LS-BMD (0.50 ± 0.66 and 0.37 ± 0.23, respectively). Vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25[OH]D <30 ng/ml) found in 296 (75%), was not associated with LS-BMD outcomes (P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: Cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation provides no added benefit to nutritional counseling for improving LS-BMD among adolescent and young adult survivors of ALL (93% of whom had LS-BMD Z-scores above the mean at study entry).

Efficacy of high-dose methotrexate, ifosfamide, etoposide and dexamethasone salvage therapy for recurrent or refractory childhood malignant lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Children with recurrent or refractory malignant lymphoma generally have a poor prognosis. There is a need for new active drug combinations for this high-risk group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study evaluated the activity and toxicity of the methotrexate, ifosfamide, etoposide and dexamethasone (MIED) regimen for childhood refractory/recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). From 1991 through 2006, 62 children with refractory/recurrent NHL (n = 24) or HL (n = 38) received one to six cycles of MIED. Based on MIED response, intensification with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was considered. RESULTS: There were 10 complete (CR) and 5 partial responses (PR) among the 24 children with NHL [combined response rate, 63%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 38% to 73%]. There were 13 CR and 18 PR among the 37 assessable children with HL (combined response rate, 84%; 95% CI, 68% to 94%). Although 59% courses were associated with grade IV neutropenia, treatment was well tolerated and without toxic deaths. CONCLUSIONS: MIED is an effective regimen for refractory/recurrent childhood malignant lymphoma, permitting a bridge to intensification therapy with HSCT.

How does osteonecrosis about the knee progress in young patients with leukemia?: a 2- to 7-year study.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis is a major treatment complication of pediatric leukemias owing to its potential to cause joint deterioration. Because of potential long-term effects of osteonecrosis on joints, information regarding its progression and collapse in different patients can be used to identify high-risk groups, advise the patients and parents of this complication, and potentially consider the risk for development of osteonecrosis in planning primary treatment. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore determined: (1) the incidence of joint collapse and/or pain in young patients with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with ON of the knee; (2) risk factors associated with collapse; and (3) the relationship between size and location of osteonecrotic knee lesions and the likelihood of joint collapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients with hematologic malignancies and MRI-confirmed knee osteonecrosis. The median age was 11.5 years (range, 2.3-18.8 years) at primary diagnosis of hematologic malignancy and a median age of 13.4 years (range, 2.7-23.3 years) at diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the knee. For analyses, we used the first and last MR images. Minimum clinical followup was 2.3 years after diagnosis of knee osteonecrosis (median, 6 years; range, 2.3-7.17 years). RESULTS: Joint collapse occurred in 22% (24 of 109). Older age, pain at osteonecrosis presentation, and lesions extending to the articular surface of distal femoral epiphyses were associated with joint collapse. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients and those without extensive femoral epiphyseal involvement have a better prognosis for osteonecrosis of the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Ultrasonic characterization of cancellous bone using apparent integrated backscatter.

Apparent integrated backscatter (AIB) is a measure of the frequency-averaged (integrated) backscattered power contained in some portion of a backscattered ultrasonic signal. AIB has been used extensively to study soft tissues, but its usefulness as a tissue characterization technique for cancellous bone has not been demonstrated. To address this, we performed measurements on 17 specimens of cancellous bone over two different frequency ranges using a 1 MHz and 5 MHz broadband ultrasonic transducer. Specimens were obtained from bovine tibiae and prepared in the shape of cubes (15 mm side length) with faces oriented along transverse (anterior, posterior, medial and lateral) and longitudinal (superior and inferior) principal anatomic directions. A mechanical scanning system was used to acquire multiple backscatter signals from each direction for each cube. AIB demonstrated highly significant linear correlations with bone mineral density (BMD) for both the transverse (R2 = 0.817) and longitudinal (R2 = 0.488) directions using the 5 MHz transducer. In contrast, the correlations with density were much weaker for the 1 MHz transducer (R2 = 0.007 transverse, R2 = 0.228 longitudinal). In all cases where a significant correlation was observed, AIB was found to decrease with increasing BMD.

Orbital development in long-term survivors of retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of enucleation, irradiation, and age at diagnosis on bony orbital growth in long-term survivors of retinoblastoma using measurements based on computed tomographic (CT) imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used CT obtained at a median age of 13 years to measure orbital volume and configuration in 54 patients who had been treated for retinoblastoma a minimum of 5 years previously. RESULTS: Enucleation and high-dose orbital irradiation (> 35 Gy) both independently adversely affected orbital development (P = .014 and P = .022, respectively). Orbital volume differences for children treated when < or = 1 year old were no greater than those for children treated when older than 1 year of age. In children treated for bilateral retinoblastoma, the impact of enucleation on orbital development was not statistically different from that of irradiation (P = .13). Small implants (12 to 14 mm in diameter) were more commonly associated with smaller orbital volumes. Migration of orbital implants was associated with the smaller orbital sphere size in children < or = 1 year of age (P < .035). CONCLUSION: Treatment for retinoblastoma compromises orbital development. Resulting orbital asymmetry seems to be at least partially related to the size of the implant. Detailed imaging-based measurements of orbital volume and configuration may aid the planning for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in those who develop orbital asymmetry.

Use of chest computed tomography in the staging of pediatric Wilms' tumor: interobserver variability and prognostic significance.

PURPOSE: To determine the specificity and prognostic significance of computed tomography (CT) of the chest in pediatric Wilms' tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated for newly diagnosed Wilms' tumor at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between December 1978 and July 1995 were included in the study if an initial chest radiograph and CT were available and if pulmonary involvement (determined by chest radiographs) was absent. For the 202 patients studied, radiographs and CT scans were reviewed blindly and independently by three experienced radiologists for the presence of pulmonary nodules. Outcome variables consisted of intraobserver variability (in a subsample of 40 cases) and concordance between ratings on radiographs and CT scans (both by McNemar's test), interrater variability (by logistic regression), and the cumulative incidence of pulmonary relapse for patients with and without positive CT scans, by reviewer. RESULTS: As expected, ratings of pulmonary involvement on radiographs were discordant with CT ratings. There was marked variability among reviewers in CT ratings (P = .0001). Of 202 CT scans, 78 were read as positive by at least one reviewer, 41 were rated positive by only one reviewer, 18 by two reviewers, and 19 by all three. Intrarater variability on repeat reviews was not significant. Patients with nodules identified on CT had a significantly higher pulmonary relapse rate when analyzed separately by reviewer. However, for the 14 patients who had pulmonary relapse, CT scans were rated positive by all three reviewers in only five cases and as negative by all three in another five cases. CONCLUSION: The variability in interpretation of chest CT scans in patients with Wilms' tumor limits the predictive utility of these studies. Optimal, standardized techniques and central review are essential if chest CT is to be used for staging in cooperative studies.

Dental abnormalities in children preparing for pediatric bone marrow transplantation.

The purpose of our study was to describe the types and frequencies of altered dental development in pediatric patients preparing for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Retrospective review of the medical records and panoramic radiographs of all patients who underwent BMT at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1990 and 2000 for whom pre-BMT dental examination and panoramic radiography records were available. All patients were treated on institutional protocols. We recorded patient demographics and radiographic evidence of microdontia, hypodontia, taurodontia, root stunting, caries, enamel pearls, and pulpal calcifications. The 259 patients identified (150 male and 109 female) had a median age of 12.82 years (range, 3.18-25.93 years) at the time of BMT. In total, 203 were Caucasian, 38 were African-American, and 18 were of other races. In all, 150 (57.9%) had abnormal dentition. The most common dental abnormalities were caries (n=84), pulpal calcifications (n = 34), and dental extractions (n = 33). Developmental abnormalities occurred less frequently: taurodontia (n = 8), hypodontia (n = 10), microdontia (n = 11), and root stunting (n = 11). Dental abnormalities are prevalent in children undergoing BMT. Pre-transplant oral hygiene and dental examination should be standard care in order to minimize potential sites of infection.

Dental abnormalities after pediatric bone marrow transplantation.

Our purpose was to describe the types and frequencies of altered dental development in pediatric patients following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A retrospective review of the medical records and panoramic radiographs of all patients who underwent BMT at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1990 and 2000, for whom pre-BMT and post-BMT dental examination and panoramic radiography records were available, is presented. All patients were treated on institutional protocols. We recorded patient demographics and radiographic evidence of microdontia, hypodontia, taurodontia, root stunting, caries, enamel pearls, dental restorations/extractions and pulpal calcification. The 99 patients identified (52 males, 47 females) had a median age of 13.5 years (range, 3.4-25.9 years) at the time of BMT. In all, 73 were Caucasian, 15 were African-American, and 11 were of other races. The frequency of radiographically evident root stunting in permanent teeth was significantly increased after BMT (P<0.001), but there was no significant change in the frequency of other dental abnormalities after BMT. Dental abnormalities are prevalent in survivors of childhood BMT, but only root stunting appeared to progress with BMT.

Dental abnormalities in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The purpose of this study was to define the therapy-associated dental abnormalities in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We reviewed the clinical records and panoramic radiographs of 423 survivors of ALL who were treated on one of four consecutive protocols (1975-1991). Dental abnormalities included root stunting, microdontia, hypodontia, taurodontia (enlarged pulp chambers), and over-retention of primary teeth. The frequency of these factors was determined in relation to age at initiation of treatment (< or = 8 years vs > 8 years), addition of cranial irradiation, and chemotherapeutic protocol. A total of 423 patients met the study criteria. The abnormalities comprised root stunting in 24.4% (n = 103), microdontia in 18.9% (n = 80), hypodontia in 8.5% (n = 36), taurodontia in 5.9% (n = 25), and over-retention of primary dentition in 4.0% (n = 17). Patients who were < or = 8 years old at diagnosis or who received cranial irradiation therapy developed more dental abnormalities than did those > 8 years and those who did not receive cranial irradiation (42 vs 32%). Survivors of childhood ALL often have dental abnormalities that may affect their quality of life. Dental evaluation at diagnosis and frequent follow-up may help to ensure appropriate preventive measures and minimize dental and periodontal disease.

Bone mineral decrements in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: frequency of occurrence and risk factors for their development.

We assessed the clinical and treatment factors that predispose survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to low bone mineral density (BMD). Using quantitative computed tomography, we determined the frequency of low BMD (defined as >1.645 standard deviations (SD) below the mean) in leukemia survivors treated with multiagent chemotherapy including prednisone and antimetabolite. All participants had completed therapy at least 4 years earlier, remained in continuous complete remission, and had no second malignancies. We statistically correlated BMD results with patient characteristics and treatment histories. Among 141 survivors (median age, 15.9 years; median time after diagnosis, 11.5 years), median BMD z score was -0.78 SD (range, -3.23 to 3.61 SDs). Thirty participants (21%; 95% confidence interval, 15% to 29%) had abnormally low BMD, a proportion significantly (P < 0.0001) greater than the expected 5% in normal populations. Risk factors for BMD decrements included male sex (P = 0.038), Caucasian race (P < 0.0001), and cranial irradiation (P= 0.0087). BMD inversely correlated with cranial irradiation dose. BMD z scores of patients who received higher doses of antimetabolites were lower than those of other patients. Childhood ALL survivors are at risk to have low BMD, especially males, Caucasians, and those who received cranial irradiation.

Magnetic resonance imaging detection of avascular necrosis of the bone in children receiving intensive prednisone therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which magnetic resonance (MR) imaging detects avascular necrosis of the bone (AVNB) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who receive prednisone during remission induction, reinduction, and maintenance chemotherapy; to assess the clinical significance of these findings; and to identify factors predictive of AVNB. We prospectively obtained MR imaging of the hips and knees of 116 children who had completed at least 1 year of treatment for ALL or advanced-stage NHL on identical prednisone-containing regimens between December 1991 and October 1994. MR imaging findings of AVNB were compared with clinical outcomes, and the effect of therapeutic and patient factors on the frequency of AVNB was analyzed. The MR imaging findings of 17 of the 116 participating patients were consistent with AVNB. The most common clinical manifestation was joint pain (11 patients). Only one patient had progressive joint deterioration that necessitated surgical replacement. Only age 10 years or more at the time of the primary diagnosis was significantly associated with the development of AVNB (P = 0.004). MR imaging showed changes consistent with AVNB in approximately 15% of this patient population. However, most patients in this study who had MR imaging signs of AVNB did not experience progressive joint destruction, even with continued prednisone therapy. Therefore, the clinical usefulness of MR imaging as a screening tool for AVNB in this set of patients remains uncertain.

Bone mineral density and osteonecrosis in survivors of childhood allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Our purpose was to evaluate frequency and severity of bone mineral decrements and frequency of osteonecrosis in survivors of pediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT). We retrospectively reviewed demographic information, treatment, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies (hips and knees), and bone mineral density (BMD) studies of 48 patients as measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). In all, 24 patients were male; 37 were Caucasian. Median age at alloBMT was 10.3 years (1.6-20.4 years). Of the 48 patients, 43 underwent QCT. Median time between alloBMT and imaging was 5.1 years (1.0-10.2 years). Median BMD Z-score was -0.89 (-4.06 to 3.05). BMD Z-score tended to be associated with female sex (P=0.0559) but not with age at BMT, race, primary diagnosis, time from alloBMT, T-cell depletion of graft, total-body irradiation, or acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). MR showed osteonecrosis in 19 of 43 (44%). We found no associations between osteonecrosis and sex, race, diagnosis, age at BMT, history of GVHD, time from BMT, or T-cell depletion. Seven patients (15%) had MR changes of osteonecrosis and BMD Z-scores of less than -1 s.d. We conclude that pediatric alloBMT survivors have decreased BMD and are at risk of osteonecrosis. They should be monitored to assure early intervention that may ameliorate adverse outcomes.

Reversal of optic canal stenosis in osteopetrosis after bone marrow transplant.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with infantile osteopetrosis and optic atrophy secondary to optic canal stenosis who demonstrated optic canal enlargement after bone marrow transplant. METHODS: Case report. A 3-month-old infant with infantile "malignant" osteopetrosis underwent ophthalmic examination, including visual evoked potentials, electroretinogram, and computed tomography (CT). Bone marrow transplant was performed at 8 months of age. RESULTS: Examination revealed visual loss and optic atrophy, left eye greater than right eye, secondary to optic canal stenosis. Flash visual evoked potentials revealed a normal waveform in both eyes with increased latency in the left eye. Electroretinogram was normal in both eyes. CT after bone marrow transplant showed enlargement of the optic canals. Vision remains stable 43 months after bone marrow transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow transplant in infantile osteopetrosis may be followed by reversal of optic canal stenosis and preservation of vision.

Asynchronous bilateral retinoblastoma: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

Between May 1962 and July 1993, 172 children presented at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for evaluation and/or treatment of retinoblastoma (RB). Of these, 65 presented with bilateral disease, while 107 had unilateral tumors. Of these 107 patients, nine subsequently developed RB in the unaffected eye. Initial age at diagnosis of these nine patients ranged from 3 weeks to 24 months (median = 2 months); five of the nine had a family history of RB at the time of initial diagnosis and one patient, without a family history of RB, presented with unilateral multiple tumors indicating inheritance of a germinal mutation and increased risk of RB development in the companion eye. Time to development of companion eye RB was 1-61 months postinitial diagnosis. Treatment of the initial eye included enucleation (n = 4), chemotherapy (n = 3), irradiation (n = 7), or a combination of these three modalities. Reese-Ellsworth grouping of the companion eye disease included I A (n = 7), III A (n = 1), and IV A (n = 1). Treatment of the second affected eye included irradiation in seven patients, cryotherapy in four, and chemotherapy in three. No companion eye has required enucleation to date. At last followup, 14/18 eyes remain intact. There have been no cases of metastatic dissemination; however, one patient has developed a second malignant neoplasm outside the field of irradiation. Eight of the nine patients remain alive. This experience reinforces the need for close follow-up of patients diagnosed with unilateral RB, especially those with a family history of RB and those with unilateral multiple tumors.

Multifocal osteosarcoma following retinoblastoma.

Three survivors of retinoblastoma, one with hereditary bilateral and two with nonhereditary (spontaneous) unilateral disease, developed multifocal osteosarcoma. For one patient, unilateral retinoblastoma was followed by primitive neuroepithelioma at age 13 years. Multifocal chondroblastic osteosarcoma represented the patient's third malignant neoplasm. The course of multifocal osteosarcoma in these three patients compares to that of multifocal osteosarcoma which presents de novo in other patients without prior retinoblastoma.

Remote congenital cerebral arteriovenous fistulae associated with aortic coarctation. Case report.

A neonate presented with anatomically discrete cerebral arteriovenous fistulae located in the right sylvian fissure and the cerebellar vermis that were initially detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Following delivery of the baby by caesarean section, both malformations were treated by surgical obliteration. These intracranial vascular lesions were associated with cardiac anomalies and a periductal coarctation of the aorta, which was treated with a left subclavian rotational arterial pedicle repair. Follow-up examination of the infant at age 13 months demonstrated an excellent clinical result with normalization of the circulation. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is discussed and the literature reviewed.

Increased confidence of diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma using T2-weighted MR images.

To assess whether magnetic resonance imaging could assist in diagnosing Ewing sarcoma, we retrospectively analyzed T1- and T2-weighted images of 24 consecutive solitary lytic bone lesions, including 18 cases of histologically proven Ewing sarcoma, and six aggressive-appearing benign lesions including eosinophilic granuloma and osteomyelitis (3 cases each). Images were obtained using a (1.0T) Siemens GBSII system. No signal intensity differences were noted among the various lesions on T1-weighted images. The observed differences in T2-weighted marrow signal intensities were scored on a 5-point scale (5 = water, 3 = fat, and 1 = muscle) and then histologically correlated. Sixteen of 18 Ewing sarcomas showed homogeneous T2-weighted signal isointense with fat and two were heterogeneous. Signals for all 6 benign lesions were homogeneous and more intense than fat on T2-weighted images. All Ewing sarcomas had associated soft tissue masses whereas, only one benign lesion, an eosinophilic granuloma had a small soft tissue component. In our patient population, a homogeneous intramedullary T2-weighted signal isointense with fat, and the presence of an associated soft tissue mass helped differentiate Ewing sarcoma from benign lytic lesions. The reproducibility of these results requires testing in larger series of patients using a variety of MR imaging equipment of differing field strengths.

Successful staged surgical correction of congenital segmental spinal dysgenesis and complete rotary subluxation of the thoracolumbar spine in an infant.

Congenital segmental spinal dysgenesis is a rare lesion that usually is associated with neurological deficits. Affected infants who are neurologically intact may suffer progressive kyphosis and subsequent neurological deterioration. Results of external casting, laminectomy with spinal fixation, or bone grafting of the defect have been disappointing. The authors present a successful staged surgical management scheme consisting of complete resection of the dysraphic vertebral bodies, maintenance of normal vertebral distance with rib strut grafting, and fusion with autogenous bone.