Effect of Antibiotic Administration Before Joint Aspiration on Synovial Fluid White Blood Cell Count in Native Joint Septic Arthritis.

Background: This study was performed to assess the impact of preaspiration antibiotics on synovial fluid analysis and timing of operative treatment in native-joint septic arthritis. Methods: We performed a retrospective record review of adult patients from an urban level 1 trauma center with native joint septic arthritis in 2015-2019, identified by means of codes from the International Classification of Diseases (Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether antibiotics were associated with lower synovial fluid white blood cell counts (WBCs), the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMNs), and rate of culture positivity. Secondary analysis included time elapsed from aspiration to surgery. Results: Of the 126 patients with septic joints included, nearly two-thirds (n = 80 [63.5%]) received antibiotics before joint aspiration. The synovial fluid WBC count, percentage of PMNs, and rate of culture positivity were significantly lower in patients who received preaspiration antibiotics than in those who did not (mean WBC count, 51 379.1/µL [standard deviation, 52 576.3/µL] vs 92 162.7/µL [59 330.6/µL], respectively [P < .001]; PMN percentage, 83.6% [20.5%] vs 91.9% [6.0%; P = .01]; and culture positivity, 32.5% vs 59.1% [P = .008]). Multivariable analyses revealed that these associations remained after controlling for potential confounders (change in PMNs, -42 784.60/µL [95% confidence interval, -65 355/µL to -20 213.90/µL [P < .001]; change in PMNs, -7.8% [-13.7% to -1.8%] [P = .01]; odds ratio, 0.39 [.18-.87; P = .02). Patients with a synovial fluid WBC count ≤50 000/µL experienced significant delay in time from joint aspiration to operative intervention (mean [standard deviation], 10.5 [11.3] vs 17.9 [17.2] hours; P = .02). Conclusions: The administration of antibiotics before joint aspiration for suspected septic arthritis appears to decrease the synovial fluid WBC count, the percentage of PMNs, and the rate of culture positivity. Efforts to limit antibiotic administration before joint aspiration are important to minimize diagnostic dilemmas and circumvent treatment delays.

The "Under, Over" Technique for Repair of a Peripheral Bucket-Handle Meniscus Tear With Circumferential Compression Stitches.

The benefits of preserving the meniscus are well-established. Several arthroscopic meniscal repair techniques have been described, such as the inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside. All-inside self-retrieving suture devices can be used to repair vertical, horizontal, and radial tears. However, this technique becomes difficult with large tears, as the jaw of the device cannot reach the peripheral edge of the meniscal tear. We present an all-inside technique using circumferential compression stitches to address large peripheral meniscus tears.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Extended Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Infection Prevention After Total Joint Arthroplasty in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis may decrease rates of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in patients at high risk for infection. However, the cost-effectiveness of this practice is not clear. In this study, we used a break-even economic model to determine the cost-effectiveness of routine extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis for PJI prevention in high-risk TJA patients. METHODS: Baseline PJI rates in high-risk patients, the cost of revision arthroplasty for PJI, and the costs of extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis regimens were obtained from the literature and institutional purchasing records. These variables were incorporated in a break-even economic model to calculate the absolute risk reduction (ARR) in infection rate necessary for extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis to be cost-effective. ARR was used to determine the number needed to treat (NNT). RESULTS: Extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis with Cefadroxil in patients at high risk for PJI was cost-effective at an ARR in baseline infection rate of 0.187% (NNT = 535) and 0.151% (NNT = 662) for TKA and THA, respectively. Cost-effectiveness was preserved with varying costs of antibiotic regimens, PJI treatment costs, and infection rates. CONCLUSION: The use of extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis may reduce PJI rates in patients at high risk for infection following TJA and appears to be cost-effective. However, the current evidence supporting this practice is limited in quality. The use of extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis should be weighed against the possible development of future antimicrobial resistance, which may change the value proposition.

Specialty-Specific Diagnoses in Pediatric Patients With Postconcussion Syndrome: Experience From a Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the collaborative findings across a broad array of subspecialties in children and adolescents with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) in a pediatric multidisciplinary concussion clinic (MDCC) setting. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Multidisciplinary concussion clinic at a pediatric tertiary-level hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-seven patients seen in MDCC for evaluation and management of PCS between June 2014 and January 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Clinical evaluation by neurology, sports medicine, otolaryngology, optometry, ophthalmology, physical therapy, and psychology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Specialty-specific clinical findings and specific, treatable diagnoses relevant to PCS symptoms. RESULTS: A wide variety of treatable, specialty-specific diagnoses were identified as potential contributing factors to patients' postconcussion symptoms. The most common treatable diagnoses included binocular vision dysfunction (76%), anxiety, (57.7%), depression (44.2%), new or change in refractive error (21.7%), myofascial pain syndrome (19.2%), and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients seen in a MDCC setting receive a high number of treatable diagnoses that are potentially related to patients' PCS symptoms. The MDCC approach may (1) increase access to interventions for PCS-related impairments, such as visual rehabilitation, physical therapy, and psychological counseling; (2) provide patients with coordinated medical care across specialties; and (3) hasten recovery from PCS.

Endoscopic Repair of Traumatic Perilymphatic Fistula in Children: A Case Series.

Traumatic perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is an uncommon cause of acute vestibular symptoms and hearing loss following head injury in children. We describe the management of 3 pediatric patients with traumatic PLF using an endoscopic ear surgery (EES) approach. Three pediatric patients with traumatic PLF underwent repair via an EES approach between August and October 2018. Patients included a 14-year-old female (oval window), a 13-year-old male (round window), and a 10-month-old male (oval and round window). Ossicular chain injury was identified and repaired in 2 patients. The 10-month-old patient required a second-stage surgery that included lumbar drain placement and a post-auricular, endoscopic-assisted approach due to an especially brisk leak. All patients had complete resolution of vestibular symptoms post-operatively with no recurrence at a mean follow-up of 8.3 months. Traumatic PLF can be safely and effectively diagnosed and managed via an EES approach in children, though an endoscopic-assisted approach may be necessary in select cases due to factors such as patient age and leak severity.

Multifactorial Characteristics of Pediatric Dizziness and Imbalance.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relative prevalence of individual diagnoses in children and adolescents presenting with dizziness and/or imbalance, and to assess the proportion of patients assigned multiple contributing diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our internal database of all patients seen at our pediatric vestibular program between January 2012 and March 2019 to determine the incidence of common diagnoses and groups of diagnoses for patients ages 21 or younger. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-one patients were included with a mean age of 12.5 ± 4.9 years (range: 9 months-21 years). Of this total, 624 patients were female and 397 were male. Common diagnoses included vestibular migraine (VM; 35.0%), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV; 21.6%), primary dysautonomia (15.7%), anxiety disorder (13.5%), and persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD; 11.2%). A high proportion of patients (44.4%) received multiple contributing diagnoses. VM was frequently diagnosed with BPPV or PPPD, and 22 patients were diagnosed with all three concurrently. CONCLUSION: The causes of dizziness and imbalance in the pediatric population are diverse, and many patients have multiple diagnoses that are often interrelated. It is important that providers recognize that the causes of vestibular symptoms in children and adolescents may be multifactorial and may span across multiple specialties. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1308-E1314, 2021.

Severe motion sickness in infants and children.

INTRODUCTION: Susceptibility to severe motion sickness has not been well described in the pediatric population, particularly in very young children. This study aimed to describe and evaluate risk factors and treatment responses in a group of children with severe motion sickness, including infants and toddlers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients less than 18 years of age seen in our pediatric vestibular program for evaluation of motion sickness over a 6-year period. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with motion sickness were identified. Age of onset ranged from 0 to 15 years old, with a mean age of 6.6 ± 4.2 years. Eleven patients (47.8%) were diagnosed with a migraine variant. Vestibular deficits were identified in four out of 17 patients (23.5%) who underwent formal vestibular testing. Other frequent comorbid conditions included recurrent/chronic otitis media (n = 9; 39.1%) and a history of motor delay (n = 7; 30.4%). A high proportion of patients reported symptom improvement when treated with meclizine, ondansetron, cyproheptadine, or vestibular rehabilitation. DISCUSSION: Motion sickness can impact children even in infancy. Common comorbid conditions that may contribute to pediatric motion sickness include migraine disorders, vestibular impairment, otitis media, and motor delay. Treatments such as cyproheptadine and vestibular rehabilitation may be helpful but require further study.

Evolution of Cochlear implant mapping and vestibular function in a pediatric case of Labyrinthitis.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular symptoms such as vertigo and imbalance are known to occur in some cochlear implant patients during the immediate postoperative period; however, acute vertigo in implanted children occurring remotely from the postoperative period has not been previously well-described. CASE PRESENTATION: A three-year-old girl with a history of bilateral sequential cochlear implantation presented with acute labyrinthitis associated with sudden onset of vertigo, balance impairment, and decline in right cochlear implant function 2 years after her most recent implant surgery. We describe her audiological and vestibular testing results during both the acute phase and following medical management and recovery. CONCLUSION: Acute labyrinthitis should be considered when sudden onset vertigo and/or imbalance presents in children with cochlear implants outside of the perioperative period. Such symptoms should prompt early assessment of cochlear implant function, so that the device can be reprogrammed accordingly.

Prevalence of Pediatric Dizziness and Imbalance in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Understand the prevalence of vestibular symptoms in US children. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: 2016 National Health Interview Survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Responses from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey for children ages 3 to 17 years were examined to determine the prevalence of vestibular symptoms and provider-assigned diagnoses. RESULTS: Dizziness or imbalance was reported in 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 3.1-3.9) million patients (5.6%) with a mean age of 11.5 years. Dizziness was reported in 1.2 million patients (2.0%) with a mean age of 12.7 years and balance impairment in 2.3 million patients (3.7%) with a mean age of 10.6 years. Prevalence of dizziness and imbalance did not vary by sex (P = .6, P = .2). Evaluation by a health professional was reported for 42% of patients with dizziness and 43% of patients with imbalance, with diagnoses reported in 45% and 48% of patients with dizziness and imbalance, respectively. The most common diagnoses reported for dizziness were depression or child psychiatric disorder (12%), side effects from medications (11%), head/neck injury or concussion (8.4%), and developmental motor coordination disorder (8.3%). The most common diagnoses reported for imbalance were blurred vision with head motion, "bouncing" or rapid eye movements (9.1%), depression or child psychiatric disorder (6.2%), head/neck injury or concussion (6.1%), and side effects from medications (5.9%). CONCLUSION: The national prevalence of childhood vestibular symptoms is more common than previously thought. Reported diagnoses varied greatly from the literature, suggesting a need for increased awareness of causes of vestibular symptoms in children.

Clinical significance of spontaneous nystagmus in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze spontaneous nystagmus recorded in pediatric patients and determine its diagnostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 86 patients (mean age = 13.9 ±â€¯4.7 years) with definitive spontaneous nystagmus recorded by videonystagmography (VNG). Spontaneous nystagmus was categorized and analyzed based on its characteristics. Correlations between spontaneous nystagmus and established clinical diagnoses were explored. RESULTS: Among the patients seen in a period of three years at our pediatric vestibular clinic, 15.4% (86 out of 560) were found to have spontaneous nystagmus and half of them had horizontal nystagmus with a fixed-direction. The majority of cases with spontaneous nystagmus (77%, 66/86) were present without fixation only, while the presence of spontaneous nystagmus with and without fixation was found in 16 patients (19%). Most patients with spontaneous nystagmus without fixation only (68%) were diagnosed with a peripheral vestibular disorder (e.g., vestibular neuritis) or vestibular migraine. In contrast, vertical nystagmus was found in 15 patients, most of whom had central vestibular disorders. Other rare forms of nystagmus or abnormal eye movements, such as pendular nystagmus, ocular oscillation or flutter were recorded in only four patients. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous nystagmus in children and young adults with possible vestibular impairments may vary in clinical presentation. Identification of its characteristics may help to make an accurate clinical diagnosis. While spontaneous nystagmus associated with peripheral vestibular disorders can be readily recognized, spontaneous nystagmus in pediatric patients with vestibular migraine appears to be more complex and variable in form.

Benign paroxysmal migraine variants of infancy and childhood: Transitions and clinical features.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine variant disorders of childhood include benign paroxysmal torticollis of infancy (BPTI) and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC). This study aimed to review our experience with BPTI and BPVC and determine the incidence of children transitioning between each of these disorders and to vestibular migraine (VM). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients seen at the Balance and Vestibular Program at Boston Children's Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016 who were diagnosed with BPTI, BPVC, and/or VM. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were diagnosed with BPTI, 39 with BPVC, and 100 with VM. Abnormal rotary chair testing was associated with progression from BPTI to BPVC (n = 8, p = 0.045). Eight (57.1%) patients with BPTI and 11 (28.2%) with BPVC had motor delay. Eleven (78.6%) patients with BPTI and 21 (53.8%) with BPVC had balance impairment. Six BPTI patients developed BPVC (42.9%), six BPVC patients developed VM (15.4%), and two patients progressed through all three disorders (2%). One BPTI patient progressed directly to VM. DISCUSSION: Most patients with BPTI will experience complete resolution in early childhood, but some will progress to BPVC, and similarly many patients with BPVC will progress to VM. Parents of children with these disorders should be made aware of this phenomenon, which we refer to as "the vestibular march." Children with BPTI and BPVC should also be screened for hearing loss, otitis media, and motor delay.

Range of Peak Head Velocity in Video Head Impulse Testing for Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine peak head velocity in video head impulse testing of pediatric patients and its effect on vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients ages 3 to 18 years old who underwent video head impulse testing during clinical evaluation of dizziness and/or imbalance. INTERVENTION(S): Conducted video head impulse test (vHIT) in horizontal, left anterior-right posterior (LARP), and right anterior-left posterior (RALP) planes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Peak head velocity and mean VOR gain for individual semicircular canals in different age groups. RESULTS: For the horizontal plane, vHIT peak head velocity greater than 150 degrees/s was achieved in 43 to 63% of 219 patients. In contrast, vHIT peak head velocity greater than 150 degrees/s was achieved in only 3 to 14% for the LARP and RALP planes. Analyses of differences in mean VOR gains among three ranges of peak head velocity (100-125 degrees/s, 126-150 degrees/s, and >150 degrees/s) by paired-t tests were not significant (p > 0.05) within individual patients. Mean VOR gains of three vertical canals in younger patients were significantly lower with higher peak head velocities compared with older children (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Peak head velocities of greater than 150 degrees/s may not be feasible in a large proportion of children and adolescents, especially in LARP and RALP planes. However, such high velocities may not be necessary in the pediatric population since VOR gain values obtained at lower peak head velocities of 100 to 150 degrees/s were found to be comparable to those observed at higher velocities.

Peripheral Vestibular Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Concussion.

Objective To review peripheral vestibular disorders in pediatric patients with dizziness following concussion. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Pediatric vestibular clinic and pediatric multidisciplinary concussion clinic at a tertiary level pediatric hospital. Subjects and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients seen for dizziness following a concussion between September 2012 and July 2015. Patients were ≤20 years of age at the time of concussion. Incidences of specific peripheral vestibular disorders were assessed along with timing of diagnosis relative to the date of injury, diagnostic test findings, and treatment interventions associated with those diagnoses. Results Twenty-eight patients (25.7%) were diagnosed with peripheral vestibular disorders. None of these disorders were diagnosed prior to evaluation in our pediatric vestibular clinic or our multidisciplinary concussion clinic, which occurred a mean of 133 days (95% confidence interval, 89.2-177.3) after injury. Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo was diagnosed in 19 patients, all of whom underwent successful canalith repositioning maneuvers. Other diagnoses included temporal bone fracture (n = 3), labyrinthine concussion (n = 2), perilymphatic fistula (n = 2), and superior semicircular canal dehiscence (n = 2). Both patients with perilymphatic fistula and 1 patient with superior semicircular canal dehiscence underwent successful surgical management, while 1 patient with superior semicircular canal dehiscence was managed nonsurgically. Conclusion Peripheral vestibular disorders may occur in pediatric patients with dizziness following concussion, but these disorders may not be recognized until symptoms have persisted for several weeks. An algorithm is proposed to guide the diagnosis and management of peripheral vestibular disorders in pediatric patients with concussion.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Features and Response to Therapy in 110 Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in the pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: One hundred ten patients, aged 5 to 19 years old, diagnosed with BPPV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, comorbidities, canal involvement, response to treatment, and incidence of recurrence. RESULTS: BPPV was diagnosed in 19.8% of patients seen for dizziness during the study period. Patient age ranged 5 to 19 years old (mean =13.4 ±â€Š3.4 yr). Female:male ratio was 3:2. The most prevalent comorbidities were concussion (n = 42, 38.2%) and migraine disorders (n = 33, 30.0%). Average time to diagnosis from symptom onset was 178.2 ±â€Š190.8 days. The posterior canal was most frequently affected (n = 80, 72.7%), followed by the lateral canal (n = 37, 33.6%) and superior canal (n = 21, 19.1%), and 36.4% (n = 40) of patients had multiple canals affected. Treatment requiring more than or equal to five maneuvers to achieve resolution was observed in 11.8% of cases (n = 13). Recurrence was observed in 18.2% of cases. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients with vestibular migraine or benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood had five times higher odds of recurrence of BPPV, p = 0.003, 95% [1.735, 15.342], than those who did not have either. CONCLUSIONS: BPPV is a relatively common cause of dizziness in the pediatric population. Children and adolescents with BPPV can be successfully treated with repositioning maneuvers but may be at risk for treatment resistance and recurrence. Increased awareness of BPPV in pediatric patients may reduce delays in identification and treatment.