COVID-19 is Observed in Older Children During the Omicron Wave in New York City.

BACKGROUND: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has a predilection for the upper airways, causing symptoms such as sore throat, hoarse voice, and stridor. OBJECTIVE: We describe a series of children with COVID-19-associated croup in an urban multicenter hospital system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of children ≤18 years of age presenting to the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were extracted from an institutional data repository comprised of all patients who were tested for SARS-CoV-2. We included patients with a croup diagnosis by International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test within 3 days of presentation. We compared demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes for patients presenting during a pre-Omicron period (March 1, 2020-December 1, 2021) to the Omicron wave (December 2, 2021-February 15, 2022). RESULTS: We identified 67 children with croup, 10 (15%) pre-Omicron and 57 (85%) during the Omicron wave. The prevalence of croup among SARS-CoV-2-positive children increased by a factor of 5.8 (95% confidence interval 3.0-11.4) during the Omicron wave compared to prior. More patients were ≥6 years of age in the Omicron wave than prior (19% vs. 0%). The majority were not hospitalized (77%). More patients ≥6 years of age received epinephrine therapy for croup during the Omicron wave (73% vs. 35%). Most patients ≥6 years of age had no croup history (64%) and only 45% were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: Croup was prevalent during the Omicron wave, atypically affecting patients ≥6 years of age. COVID-19-associated croup should be added to the differential diagnosis of children with stridor, regardless of age. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

Intralesional therapies for vascular malformations of the head and neck.

Vascular malformations of the head and neck represent a spectrum of complex vascular anomalies, requiring a multidisciplinary approach toward diagnosis and treatment. Several intralesional therapeutic agents have been devised and pioneered over the years, some of which are now primary and standard of care for the management of these lesions. In this article, the authors discuss the currently available intralesional therapeutic agents for the management of vascular malformations in the head and neck region.

Incidence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in children undergoing elective otolaryngologic surgery throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are less clinically affected than adults, with most cases presenting as asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. However, true rates of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in children remain unclear. We sought to examine rates of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic children and the role of children in transmission. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients between 6 months and 17 years of age who underwent elective or semi-elective otolaryngologic surgery with physicians affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine between May 15, 2020 and March 31, 2022. Patients were included if they received molecular assay testing for SARS-CoV-2 without SARS-CoV-2 symptoms within 5 days of scheduled surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection status, exposure, clinical symptoms, demographic data, and insurance status were recorded. Results: 1047 patients met inclusion criteria. Thirteen positive cases (1.24%) were identified in the study population. Six cases occurred between December 2021 and February 2022 following the classification of the omicron variant as a variant of concern in November 2021. Five of the 13 cases occurred in children under 2 years of age. Seven patients were male, and five were female. Residences spanned all five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area. Conclusion: Throughout the pandemic, children have had a low rate of asymptomatic disease and likely pose a low risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to the general population. Our results suggest that testing of asymptomatic children is a low-yield practice that is unlikely to influence rates of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population. Level of Evidence: 3.

Tympanostomy tubes in the age of quarantine.

OBJECTIVES: After state-mandated COVID-19 quarantine measures were lifted in 2020, pediatric otolaryngologists noticed that many children who were previously scheduled for tympanostomy tube (TT) placement for indications of acute otitis media (AOM) or chronic middle ear effusions (OME) no longer required surgery. This study aims to describe the effect of home-quarantine on pediatric patients with recurrent AOM and OME to increase our understanding of these conditions. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of pediatric patients that were originally scheduled for TT for recurrent AOM and/or OME, but had their procedure cancelled due to COVID-19. The chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of patients who no longer met indications for surgery stratified by original indication. Data was also collected for TT volume in the months before and after the start of the pandemic. RESULTS: Of 59 patients originally scheduled for TT, 31.0% of the 42 patients who returned for follow-up still met indications for a procedure after a period of home-quarantine. Of these, 76.9% had persistent OME, 61.5% had recurrent AOM, and 69.2% had persistent conductive hearing loss. After elective surgery resumed, there was a substantial decrease in the number of TT procedures performed compared to pre-pandemic data. CONCLUSION: After a period of quarantine, many patients previously scheduled for TT experienced resolution of their AOM or OME. Despite a nationwide recovery in outpatient surgical volume across otolaryngology practices, TT volumes remain low one year after the start of the pandemic, suggesting that continued COVID-19 precautionary measures are contributing to this lingering effect.

A Review of Quantitative Instruments for Understanding Breastfeeding Dynamics.

Breastfeeding, as a unique behavior of the postpartum period and an ideal source of nourishment, is profoundly impacted by the physiology and behavior of both mothers and infants. For more than three-quarters of a century, there has been an ongoing advancement of instruments that permit insight into the complex process of latching during breastfeeding, which includes coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Despite the available methodologies for understanding latching dynamics, there continues to be a large void in the understanding of infant latching and feeding. The causes for many breastfeeding difficulties remain unclear, and until a clearer understanding of the mechanics involved is achieved, the struggle will continue in the attempts to aid infants and mothers who struggle to breastfeed. In this review, the history of development for the most prominent tools employed to analyze breastfeeding dynamics is presented. Additionally, the importance of the most advanced instruments and systems used to understand latching dynamics is highlighted and how medical practitioners utilize them is reported. Finally, a controversial argument amongst pediatric otolaryngolo gists concerning breastfeeding difficulties is reviewed and the urgent need for quantification of latching dynamics in conjunction with milk removal rate through prospective controlled studies is discussed.

Tracheo-innominate fistula in children: A systematic review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: Tracheo-innominate fistula (TIF) is a rare but fatal complication of tracheotomy. To date, there is a paucity of literature regarding pediatric TIFs. The objectives of this study were to conduct a systematic review of literature on pediatric TIF following tracheotomy and describe three demonstrative cases from our institutional experience. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and CINAHL. All studies with pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) who developed TIF following tracheotomy were included. RESULTS: Fifty-four publications met inclusion criteria, reporting on 77 cases. The most common indication for tracheotomy was prolonged intubation and the need for ventilatory support (38.6%), with neurological comorbidities being the most common indication (72.7%). The mean time to TIF was 395.7 days (95% confidence interval, 225.9-565.5). Fifty-four patients (70.1%) presented with massive hemorrhage, whereas 18 patients (23.3%) presented with a sentinel bleeding event. The most common diagnostic interventions were computed tomography scan with or without contrast and bronchoscopy (55.8%). A substantial number of patients did not have any investigations (41.6%). Surgical management occurred in 70.1% of patients. Mortality was 38.6% in reported cases with variable follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: TIF may occur in long-term tracheostomy-dependent children, contrary to the conventionally described 3-week postoperative period. The mortality may not be as high as previously reported with timely intervention. Our results are limited by inherent risks of bias. Further research including well-designed cohort studies are needed to guide an evidence-based approach to TIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:217-224, 2020.

Primary parotid lymphoma presenting as a recurrent cystic mass: A case report.

A 15-year-old boy was diagnosed with a cystic parotid mass, which was initially thought to be a first branchial cleft cyst. The mass was treated with antibiotics and fully resolved on examination and imaging. The mass returned, and a superficial parotidectomy was performed to remove the suspected branchial cleft cyst. Final pathology demonstrated a B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Bilateral bone marrow biopsies and peripheral blood counts were negative for any malignancy. This case demonstrates a rare presentation of primary parotid B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma that began as a fluctuating cystic parotid mass consistent in appearance with a first branchial cleft cyst. Laryngoscope, 128:998-1001, 2018.