The MOG antibody non-P42 epitope is predictive of a relapsing course in MOG antibody-associated disease.

BACKGROUND: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG seropositivity is a prerequisite for MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) diagnosis. While a significant proportion of patients experience a relapsing disease, there is currently no biomarker predictive of disease course. We aim to determine whether MOG-IgG epitopes can predict a relapsing course in MOGAD patients. METHODS: MOG-IgG-seropositive confirmed adult MOGAD patients were included (n=202). Serum MOG-IgG and epitope binding were determined by validated flow cytometry live cell-based assays. Associations between epitopes, disease course, clinical phenotype, Expanded Disability Status Scale and Visual Functional System Score at onset and last review were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 202 MOGAD patients, 150 (74%) patients had MOG-IgG that recognised the immunodominant proline42 (P42) epitope and 115 (57%) recognised histidine103/serine104 (H103/S104). Fifty-two (26%) patients had non-P42 MOG-IgG and showed an increased risk of a relapsing course (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.60, p=0.009). Relapse-freedom was shorter in patients with non-P42 MOG-IgG (p=0.0079). Non-P42 MOG-IgG epitope status remained unchanged from onset throughout the disease course and was a strong predictor of a relapsing course in patients with unilateral optic neuritis (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.98, p=0.038), with high specificity (95%, 95% CI 77% to 100%) and positive predictive value (85%, 95% CI 45% to 98%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-P42 MOG-IgG predicts a relapsing course in a significant subgroup of MOGAD patients. Patients with unilateral optic neuritis, the most frequent MOGAD phenotype, can reliably be tested at onset, regardless of age and sex. Early detection and specialised management in these patients could minimise disability and improve long-term outcomes.

Posttreatment complications in pediatric cervical neuroblastoma: A retrospective case series at a tertiary cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastomas rarely occur as primary tumors in the cervical region. Therefore, very little has been reported regarding treatment strategies, complications, and outcomes of these cervical neuroblastomas. The goal of this study is to review the presentation, management, and outcomes of all primary cervical pediatric neuroblastoma cases at a single tertiary care center. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review of all neuroblastoma patients treated at a single center were performed. All patients with primary cervical neuroblastoma were reviewed for demographic information, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty (1.8%) patients were found to have undergone treatment for cervical neuroblastoma tumors diagnosed on average at 2.1 years old. Most presented with a swollen neck/palpable mass ± Horner's syndrome. Based on features including tumor staging, N-myc proto-oncogene protein (MYCN) amplification status, histology, most were deemed intermediate or high risk. Treatment strategies centered around chemotherapeutic regimens with surgery when possible as well as various adjuvant treatments including radiation therapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and a neuroblastoma vaccine. Ten (33.3%) of patients experienced treatment-related complications and four (13.3%) died as a result of their disease progression. All four patients were high-risk patients, two of which had MYCN amplification. CONCLUSION: Cervical neuroblastomas generally have favorable outcomes. These tumors can be treated effectively with chemotherapy and surgical intervention with various adjuvant therapies. MYCN amplification and higher stage disease presentation contribute to worse outcomes.

Lower Third Soft Tissue Changes After Orthognathic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Triple jaw surgery, inclusive of a LeFort osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, and genioplasty, is used to maximize functional and esthetic outcomes for patients. This is achieved through the procedure's measurable effects on the craniofacial skeleton but is also influenced by the soft tissue changes that occur as a result of the procedure. This study aims to characterize the three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue changes of triple jaw surgery. METHODS: Patient demographics were collected along with pre and postoperative 3D images (3D VECTRA photosystem, Canfield, Fairfield, NJ). Orolabial anthropometric measurements were performed using Mirror (Canfield Scientific Inc., Fairfield, NJ). RESULTS: Forty-eight 3D data sets were included. The male/female ratio was 0.6, with a mean age of 23.4 years. Significant postoperative decreases (P<0.001) were seen in the mean absolute distance from the lower lip to S-line and distance from lower lip to H-line. In female patients, upper vermilion fullness, lower lip height, lower vermilion fullness, distance from lower lip to S-line, and absolute distance from lower lip to H-line were found to fall within ideal norms postoperatively. In male patients, lower lip height, lower vermilion fullness, distance from lower lip to S-line, and absolute distance from lower lip to H-line were found to fall within ideal norms postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Triple jaw surgery has a significant soft tissue impact and can transform some orolabial measurements to conform to ideal norms.

Infection and Vaccine Induced Spike Antibody Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in COVID-19-Naïve Children and Adults.

Although a more efficient adaptive humoral immune response has been proposed to underlie the usually favorable outcome of pediatric COVID-19, the breadth of viral and vaccine cross-reactivity toward the ever-mutating Spike protein among variants of concern (VOCs) has not yet been compared between children and adults. We assessed antibodies to conformational Spike in COVID-19-naïve children and adults vaccinated by BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1, and naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 Early Clade, Delta, and Omicron. Sera were analyzed against Spike including naturally occurring VOCs Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1.1, BA2.75.2, and XBB.1, and variants of interest Epsilon, Kappa, Eta, D.2, and artificial mutant Spikes. There was no notable difference between breadth and longevity of antibody against VOCs in children and adults. Vaccinated individuals displayed similar immunoreactivity profiles across variants compared with naturally infected individuals. Delta-infected patients had an enhanced cross-reactivity toward Delta and earlier VOCs compared to patients infected by Early Clade SARS-CoV-2. Although Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1.1, BA2.75.2, and XBB.1 antibody titers were generated after Omicron infection, cross-reactive binding against Omicron subvariants was reduced across all infection, immunization, and age groups. Some mutations, such as 498R and 501Y, epistatically combined to enhance cross-reactive binding, but could not fully compensate for antibody-evasive mutations within the Omicron subvariants tested. Our results reveal important molecular features central to the generation of high antibody titers and broad immunoreactivity that should be considered in future vaccine design and global serosurveillance in the context of limited vaccine boosters available to the pediatric population.

Complications of Thyroid Cancer Surgery in Pediatric Patients at a Tertiary Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of complications and risk factors for hypocalcemia after pediatric thyroid cancer surgery has not been clearly defined in the literature because most reports fail to distinguish between benign and malignant disease. The trend away from total thyroidectomy (TT) to thyroid lobectomy in low-risk disease means there is a need to clearly define the complication profile of malignant disease. METHODS: After institutional review board (IRB) approval, a retrospective chart review was undertaken at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for pediatric patients undergoing surgery for well-differentiated thyroid cancer from 1986 to 2021. Clinicopathologic characteristics and complications were evaluated. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with postoperative hypocalcemia. RESULTS: The study identified 307 pediatric patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (median follow-up period, 61 months). Of these patients, 69% underwent TT and 31% received a partial thyroidectomy. Among them, 40% had N0 disease, 28% had N1a disease, and 33% had N1b disease. Postoperatively, no patients experienced a neck hematoma, 1.6% had temporary unilateral vocal cord palsy (VCP), and 0.7% had permanent VCP due to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) invasion. Temporary and permanent hypocalcemia occurred in respectively 32.6 % and 5.2 % of the patients. Multivariable analysis identified central neck dissection (CND) (odds ratio [OR] 3.30; p < 0.001) and N1 disease (OR 2.51; p = 0.036) as independent risk factors for temporary hypocalcemia and N stage (OR 3.64; p = 0.018) as a risk factor for permanent hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: Pediatric thyroid cancer surgery results in low complication rates despite nodal metastases. Vocal cord paralysis is rare unless disease is found to be invading the RLN intraoperatively. Both N stage and CND are independent risk factors for hypocalcemia, helping to identify high-risk patients.

Hospital volume as a predictor of outcomes following pediatric thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric thyroidectomy (PT) is an uncommon procedure with a risk of significant morbidity. This study utilizes a national database to identify factors associated with short-term (30-day) post-thyroidectomy complications in children with thyroid cancer. METHODS: The 2016 and 2012 Kids' Inpatient Databases (KID) were used in this study. All children with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy were included. Complications were categorized into endocrine, nervous, pulmonary, and other. Hospital volume was stratified into high-volume (performing the top 10% of total cases, HVC) or non-high-volume centers (NHVC). Risk factors were analyzed using univariable and multivariable statistical tests. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty-three patients with an average age of 15.93 years met inclusion criteria. Most patients were seen in an NHVC (90.0%) and 37.3% of thyroidectomies were performed with neck dissections. The incidence of any complication was 32.1%. Endocrine complications were the most frequent (32.7%). Independent predictors of any or only endocrine complications were age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.927, p = 0.002, any; OR = 0.926, p = 0.003, endocrine) or concurrent neck dissection (OR = 1.679, p = 0.004, any; OR = 1.683, p = 0.005, endocrine). There was no statistically significant change in odds with hospital volume. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation into the effect of single surgeon versus hospital volume on the risk of complications in pediatric thyroid cancer surgery is warranted.

Imperative: reducing the environmental impact of clinical laboratories.

Clinical laboratories are significant contributors to the environmental burden of the planet. They have been slow to address the issues with a few exceptions, but it is highly encouraging to see the current impetus and ambition in this direction. This paper describes some of these initiatives and provides the rationale as to why clinical laboratories should become sustainable. It also describes the economic and intangible benefits that labs will accrue in achieving sustainability.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on the 2022 Plastic Surgery Match.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, the plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) match faced unprecedented system-wide transitions that have redefined conventional measures of applicant success. This challenges the equitable assessment of student competitiveness and diversity in the field. METHODS: A survey of demography, application content, and 2022 match outcomes was distributed to applicants to a single PRS residency program. Comparative statistics and regression models were performed to assess the predictive value of factors in match success and quality. RESULTS: A total of 151 respondents (response rate 49.7%) were analyzed. Although step 1 and step 2 CK scores were significantly higher among matched applicants, neither examination predicted match success. Most respondents (52.3%) were women, although gender was also not significantly associated with match success. Underrepresented in medicine applicants made up 19.2% of responses and 16.7% of matches, and the plurality of respondents (22.5%) were raised with a household income ≥$300,000. Both Black race and household income ≤$100,000 were associated with lower odds of scoring above a 240 on either step 1 or step 2 CK (Black: OR, 0.03 and 0.06; P < 0.05 and P < 0.001; income: OR, 0.07-0.47 and 0.1 to 0.8, among income subgroups), receiving interview offers (OR, -9.4; P < 0.05; OR, -11.0 to -5.4), and matching into PRS (OR, 0.2; P < 0.05; OR, 0.2 to 0.5), compared with White and high-income applicants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inequities in the match process disadvantage underrepresented in medicine candidates and those from lower household incomes. As the residency match continues to evolve, programs must understand and mitigate the impacts of bias in various application components.

Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Management of Pediatric Mandible Fractures? A 30-Year Outcome Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular fractures are the most common of pediatric facial fractures. The effect of race on management/outcomes in these injuries has not been previously studied. Given the significant association between race and healthcare outcomes in many other pediatric conditions, an in-depth study of race as related to mandibular fractures in the pediatric patient population is warranted. METHODS: This was a 30-year retrospective, longitudinal study of pediatric patients who presented to a single institution with mandibular fractures. Patient data were compared between patients of different races and ethnicities. Demographic variables, injury characteristics, and treatment variables were analyzed to find predictors of surgical treatment and posttreatment complications. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 49.5% were White, 43.9% were Black, 0.0% were Asian, and 6.6% were classified as "other." Black and "other" patients were more likely than their White counterparts to be injured as pedestrians (P = 0.0005). Black patients were also more likely than White patients or "other" patients to be injured by assault than by sports-related injuries or animal-related accidents (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0018, respectively). Race or ethnicity were not found to be a predictor of receiving surgical treatment (ORIF) or of posttreatment complications. The posttreatment rates for all the complications observed were comparable among all race and ethnic groups. Higher mandible injury severity score (odds ratio [OR], 1.25), condyle fracture (OR, 2.58), and symphysis fracture (OR, 3.20) were positively correlated with receiving ORIF as treatment. Mandible body fracture (OR, 0.36), parasymphyseal fracture (OR, 0.34), bilateral mandible fracture (OR, 0.48), and multiple mandibular fractures (OR, 0.34) were negatively correlated with receiving ORIF as treatment. Only high mandible injury severity score (OR, 1.10) was identified as an independent predictor of posttreatment complications. Lastly, Maryland's transition to an all-payer model in 2014 also had no impact on treatment modality; treatment of fractures among race and ethnicity were not significantly different pre- and post-2014. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in how patients are treated (surgically vs nonsurgically) and no difference in outcomes for patients based on race at our institution. This could be due to institutional ideology, services provided by a tertiary care center, or simply the more diverse patient population at baseline.

Treatment Delays in Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis: A 30-Year Retrospective Case-Control Analysis of the Impact of Socioeconomic and Family Status on Access to Care.

BACKGROUND: Patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) generally undergo corrective surgery before 1 year of age to the mitigate morbidities and risks of delayed repair. The cohort of patients who receive primary corrective surgery after 1 year and factors associated with their gaps to care is poorly characterized in literature. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted for NSC patients who underwent primary corrective surgery at our institution and affiliates between 1992 and 2022. Patients whose surgery occurred after 1 year of age were identified and matched 1:1 by surgical date to standard-care control subjects. Chart review was conducted to gather patient data regarding care timeline and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Odds of surgery after 1 year of age were increased in Black patients (odds ratio, 3.94; P < 0.001) and those insured by Medicaid (2.57, P = 0.018), with single caregivers (4.96, P = 0.002), and from lower-income areas (+1% per $1000 income decrease, P = 0.001). Delays associated with socioeconomic status primarily impacted timely access to a craniofacial provider, whereas caregiver status was associated with subspecialty level delays. These disparities were exacerbated in patients with sagittal and metopic synostosis, respectively. Patients with multisuture synostosis were susceptible to significant delays related to familial strain (foster status, insurer, and English proficiency). CONCLUSIONS: Patients from socioeconomically strained households face systemic barriers to accessing optimal NSC care; disparities may be exacerbated by the diagnostic/treatment complexities of specific types of craniosynostosis. Interventions at primary care and craniofacial specialist levels can decrease health care gaps and optimize outcomes for vulnerable patients.

Changes in Subspecialty Interest of Plastic Surgery Residents With Progression of Training: Impact on Academic Attrition.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgery residency applicants often express interest in academic subspecialties, but only a small percentage of graduating residents pursue academic careers. Identifying reasons for academic attrition may help training programs address this discrepancy. METHODS: A survey was sent to plastic surgery residents through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Council to assess interest in 6 plastic surgery subspecialties during junior and senior years of training. If a resident changed their subspecialty interest, the reasons for change were recorded. The importance of different career incentives over time were analyzed with paired t tests. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-six plastic surgery residents of 593 potential respondents (46.5% response rate) completed the survey. Of 150 senior residents, 60 residents reported changing interests from their junior to senior years. Craniofacial and microsurgery were identified as the specialties with the highest attrition of interest, while interest in esthetic, gender-affirmation, and hand surgery increased. For residents who left craniofacial and microsurgery, the desire for higher compensation, to work in private practice, and the desire for improved job opportunities significantly increased. The desire for improved work/life balance was a prominent reason for subspecialty change among senior residents who changed to esthetic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgery subspecialties associated with academia, such as craniofacial surgery, suffer from resident attrition due to a variety of factors. Increased retention of trainees in craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, and academia could be improved through dedicated mentorship, improved job opportunities, and advocacy for fair reimbursement.

Sociodemographic Disparities in Access to Cleft Rhinoplasty.

Various sociodemographic factors affect patient access to care. This study aims to assess how factors such as government-funded insurance and socioeconomic status impact the ability of adolescents with cleft lip-associated nasal deformities to access secondary rhinoplasty procedures. Patients older than 13 years old with a history of cleft lip/palate were identified in the National Inpatient Sample database from 2010 to 2012. Those who received a secondary rhinoplasty were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) procedural codes. A multivariate logistic regression model with post hoc analyses was performed to analyze if insurance status, socioeconomic status, and hospital-level variables impacted the likelihood of undergoing rhinoplasty. Of the 874 patients with a cleft lip/palate history, 154 (17.6%) underwent a secondary rhinoplasty. After controlling for various patient-level and hospital-level variables, living in a higher income quartile (based on zip code of residence) was an independent predictor of receiving a secondary cleft rhinoplasty (odds ratio=1.946, P =0.024). Patients had lower odds of receiving a cleft rhinoplasty if care occurred in a private, nonprofit hospital compared with a government-owned hospital (odds ratio=0.506, P =0.030). Income status plays a significant role in cleft rhinoplasty access, with patients from lower income households less likely to receive a secondary cleft rhinoplasty. Hospital-specific factors such as geographic region, bed size, urbanization, and teaching status may also create barriers for patients and their families in accessing surgical care for cleft lip nasal deformities.

Dorsal Augmentation With the Dorsal Extension Spreader Graft.

Spreader grafts traditionally are used to improve airflow through opening the internal nasal valve, as well as enhance the cosmetic appearance of the nose. The graft's versatility proves useful in surgical correction of several nasal profiles by enhancing dorsal aesthetic lines and by maintenance of the nasal pyramid at midline. The authors describe a modified spreader graft that adds an additional benefit of dorsal augmentation in patients with underprojected or saddle noses. This technique utilizes harvested septal cartilage and fixation of the graft that extends beyond the septal and upper lateral cartilage dorsal border to improve nasal dorsum height. Patients who received this operative technique by the senior author were identified and their operative courses and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Case examples are provided to illustrate indications and outcomes. This grafting technique allows for improved functionality, defined dorsal aesthetic lines, changes in nasal width, and a more balanced profile in patients with underprojected noses.

A Systematic Review of Idiopathic Secondary Stenosis Following Index Surgery for Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Primary craniosynostosis is a congenital craniofacial disorder in which cranial sutures prematurely close. Iatrogenic secondary stenosis is abnormal cranial suture closure caused by surgical manipulation of the suture. In contrast, idiopathic secondary stenosis develops in a suture that did not undergo surgical manipulation. The objective of this systematic review was to consolidate and characterize the incidence, classification, and management of idiopathic secondary stenosis in the literature. METHODS: Literature from PubMed, Web Of Science, and EMBASE from 1970 to March 2022 was reviewed. The following information was extracted for individual patients: incidence of idiopathic secondary stenosis, index primary craniosynostosis, primary surgical correction, presenting signs of secondary stenosis, management, and further complications. RESULTS: Seventeen articles detailing 1181 patients were included. Ninety-one developed idiopathic secondary stenosis (7.7%). Only 3 of these patients were syndromic. The most common index craniosynostosis was sagittal synostosis (83.5%). The most common suture undergoing idiopathic secondary stenosis was the coronal suture (91.2%). Patients presented at a median age of 24 months. The most common presenting sign was a radiologic finding (85.7%), although some patients presented with headache or head deformity. Only 2 patients, both syndromic, had complications following surgical correction of secondary stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic secondary stenosis is a rare, long-term complication following index surgical repair of craniosynostosis. It can occur following any surgical technique. It most commonly affects the coronal suture but can affect any of the sutures, including pansynostosis. Surgical correction is curative in nonsyndromic patients.

Determining Morbidity of Adding Genioplasty to Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with dentofacial anomalies may undergo orthognathic surgery to address functional and aesthetic concerns. Past works have evaluated determinants affecting length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing upper and/or lower jaw surgery alone. No studies have assessed the addition of genioplasty to double-jaw (Lefort I, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO))) surgery and its effect on LOS and other outcomes. This study investigates whether the addition of genioplasty incurs additional morbidity to patients undergoing complex orthognathic surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Clinical and demographic information were compared across the "double"- and "triple"-jaw cohorts with t tests and Chi-squared analyses. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were utilized to assess the impact of genioplasty when controlling for baseline patient differences. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients received Lefort I and BSSO (double-jaw), and 224 received Lefort I, BSSO, and genioplasty (triple-jaw). Six (22.2%) double-jaw patients were segmental and fifty-eight (25.9%) triple-jaw patients were segmental (p > 0.05), during the study period. Triple-jaw surgery was associated with increased operative time (+ 41.1 min, p < 0.01). There was no increase in LOS, postoperative nausea and vomiting, opioid use, hematoma, or infection (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study attempted to determine if triple-jaw surgery could influence patients' LOS and other surgical outcomes compared to double-jaw surgery. Only the operative time was significantly affected. This indicates that incorporation of a genioplasty can provide aesthetic benefit without incurring significant additional morbidity to the patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Disparities in Access to Cranial Remodeling Orthosis for Deformational Plagiocephaly.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate to severe cases of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) may be treated with cranial remolding orthoses (CRO). This study investigated the socioeconomic disparities in access to care for CRO for DP correction. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of medical records from a single CRO company in Connecticut from 2014 to 2020. METHODS: Demographic variables were collected from all patients. Univariable logistic regressions were used to identify differences for presenting age at consultation, whether CRO was pursued, and length of CRO treatment by insurance payor and household income quartile. RESULTS: Of the 5620 patients identified, 4100 (73.0%) received CRO, with 674 (12.0%) receiving a second helmet. Of those receiving CRO, 1536 (37.5%) had Medicaid insurance while 2558 (62.4%) were commercially insured. Patients on Medicaid were 1.30 times more likely to have delayed presentation (P = .017), while patients from the lowest income quartile were 1.26 1.50 (P < .001) and 1.58 (P < .001) times more likely to have a delayed presentation relative to those in the highest and second-highest income quartiles, respectively. Patients in the highest and second-highest income quartiles were also 1.55 (P < .001) and 1.45 (P < .001) more likely, respectively, to receive CRO after consultation than those from the lowest income quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Lower income and Medicaid-insured patients had delayed presentation for CRO consultation. Those from the lowest income quartile were more likely to never receive CRO than those from wealthier backgrounds. Low socioeconomic status and Medicaid insurance, which can have more restrictive coverage policies for CRO, may result in the delayed treatment of DP.

Complement Activation Is a Prominent Feature of MOGAD.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody (Ab)-associated diseases (MOGADs) account for a substantial proportion of pediatric and adult patients who present with acquired demyelinating disorders. Its pathogenesis and optimal therapy are incompletely understood. We profiled systemic complement activation in adult and pediatric patients with MOGAD compared with patients with relapse-onset multiple sclerosis, patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and pediatric control and adult healthy donors. Proteins indicative of systemic classical and alternative complement activation were substantially increased in patients with MOGAD compared to control groups. Elevated levels were detected in both adult and pediatric cases and across all clinical syndromes. Complement inhibition should be explored for its therapeutic merit in patients with MOGAD. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:976-982.

Outpatient Botulinum Injections for Early Obstructive Symptoms in Patients with Hirschsprung Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin (BT) injections may play a role in preventing Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC) episodes related to internal anal sphincter (IAS dysfunction). Our aim was to determine the association of outpatient BT injections for early obstructive symptoms on the development of HAEC. METHODS: A retrospective review of children who underwent definitive surgery for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) from July 2010 - July 2020 was performed. The timing from pull-through to first HAEC episode and to first BT injection was recorded. Primary analysis focused on the rate of HAEC episodes and timing between episodes in patients who did and did not receive BT injections. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included. Sixty patients (75%) were male, 15 (19%) were diagnosed with trisomy 21, and 58 (72.5%) had short-segment disease. The median time to pull-through was 150 days (IQR 16, 132). Eight patients (10%) had neither an episode of HAEC or BT injections and were not included in further analysis. Forty-six patients (64%) experienced at least one episode of HAEC, while 64 patients (89%) had at least one outpatient BT injection. Compared to patients who never received BT injections (n = 9) and those who developed HAEC prior to BT injections (n = 35), significantly fewer patients who received BT injections first (n = 28) developed enterocolitis (P < 0.001), with no patient developing more than one HAEC episode. CONCLUSION: Outpatient BT is associated with decreased episodes of HAEC and increased interval between HAEC episodes requiring inpatient treatment. Scheduling outpatient BT injections to manage obstructive symptoms may be beneficial after pull-through for HSCR.

Surgical management of pediatric salivary malignant tumors-A single-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report incidence, clinicopathologic behavior, management, and outcome of pediatric patients treated surgically for salivary gland (SG) malignancies. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for SG malignancies from 1985 to 2015 were identified. Clinical, pathological, treatment and outcomes data were collected. Disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Twenty-eight pediatric patients were included. The most common histopathological types were mucoepidermoid (n = 18, 64.3%), acinic cell (n = 7, 25.0%), adenoid cystic (n = 2, 7.1%), and adenocarcinoma (n = 1, 3.6%). Surgical approach varied and ranged from superficial parotidectomy (n = 11, 39.3%) to partial maxillectomy (n = 6, 21.4%). Nine patients (32%) required postoperative radiotherapy. DSS, OS, and RFS probability at 5 years were 96.4%, 96.4%, and 89.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pediatric SG malignancies are rare and have favorable outcome at 5 years. Larger, multi-institutional studies are required to better understand the natural history of these rare tumors.

Business of Medicine in the Academic Plastic Surgery Community: A Survey of American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons Members.

PURPOSE: Business fundamentals, such as leadership, negotiations, and personal finance, remain as an overlooked component of residency education. It remains unclear how faculty members in academic plastic surgery particularly view the integration of a business curriculum within plastic surgery residency curriculum and how one's personal exposure to business concepts may impact their perception on the importance of learning such concepts in surgical training. METHODS: A 15-question survey was distributed through the American College of Academic Plastic Surgeons members in order to assess how academic plastic surgeons perceived the importance of a business curriculum and, if applicable, how the formalized study of these concepts were incorporated within plastic surgery residency programs. Surgeons were also queried about barriers toward organizing and executing such a curriculum and about the importance of certain topics for education. RESULTS: Fifty-five academic plastic surgeons, representing 25 institutions, completed the survey. More than 60% of academic plastic surgeons either strongly agreed or agreed to a formalized business curriculum being a necessary component of residency curriculum, and more than 70% either strongly agreed or agreed to wishing for more instruction in such concepts. CONCLUSION: This study elucidates how academic plastic surgeons perceive the education of business fundamentals during plastic surgery training. Although the majority of respondents found such teachings as valuable, our findings suggest limited resources allocated to these important concepts. Future efforts should incentivize plastic surgery programs to provide formal instruction within the business of medicine and, in doing so, position trainees for success in their careers.