A Rare Case of a Fenestrated Retromandibular Vein Lying Lateral to the Facial Nerve Bifurcation.

Facial nerve integrity is the cornerstone of parotid surgery. Although a variety of anatomical landmarks have been employed, facial nerve injury still happens causing devastating functional and cosmetic sequelae. The retromandibular vein is considered one of the most consistent structures lying just deep into the facial nerve. In our cadaveric study, we found a fenestrated retromandibular vein lying superficial to the bifurcation of the facial nerve. This rare anatomical variation would have been a challenge for a hypothetic parotidectomy. Surgeons should be aware of both anterograde and retrograde dissection of the facial nerve and choose the most proper approach to preserve the integrity of the facial nerve.

Infantile Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor of the Spine Presenting with Acute Hydrocephalus.

INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are aggressive lesions usually presenting during the first 3 years of life. These tumors have a dismal prognosis with most patients dying within 1 year from presentation. Primary spinal location in infants is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 4-month-old boy who presented with a history of hypotonia, poor head control, and gradually reduced level of consciousness, over the past week. Computed tomography (CT) showed acute hydrocephalus with no underlying intracranial pathology. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted acutely. Postoperatively, ventilator weaning was unsuccessful. MRI of the brain and whole spine revealed an intraspinal extradural contrast-enhancing heterogenous mass in the subaxial cervical spine extending to the thoracic cavity. A biopsy was taken through a transthoracic approach, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of ATRT. Several cycles of radiation therapy and chemotherapy were given but the tumor progressed both locally and intracranially. Eventually, pupils became dilated and fixed. Brain CT scan showed widespread ischemic lesions and an extensive intracranial tumor extension with massive bleeding. The child eventually died 110 days after admission. CONCLUSIONS: In infants presenting with acute hydrocephalus where an obvious intracranial cause is not detected, the whole neuraxis should be screened. However, despite aggressive measures and advances in multimodality treatment, prognosis of ATRT remains dismal.

Evaluation of continuous flash glucose monitoring in a pediatric ICU setting.

Glucose monitoring is of great importance among patients in intensive care units (ICU). The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of a new flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system in a pediatric ICU setting. Sixteen consecutive patients admitted in pediatric ICU aged > 4 years, expected length stay > 2 days and with no medication or existing diagnosis affecting glucose metabolism were enrolled. FreeStyle Libre sensor was applied to the upper arm of the patients (8 boys). FGM measurements were compared to 3 "references": arterial blood gas analysis, capillary blood analysis and biochemical serum analysis. Mean age of patients was 8.03 ± 2.91 years. Sensors remained in situ for a median of 9.71 ± 5.35 days. Removal of the sensor was mainly attributed to the completion of the predefine life-span of the sensor or discharge of the patient from the ICU. We compared 711 pairs of measurements between the sensor and other glucose measurement methods. Glucose values from the sensor were consistently lower with mean absolute relative difference (MARD) being 28.34%, 25.11% and 18.99% compared to the blood gas analyzer, capillary blood glucose meter, and biochemical serum analysis, respectively, but a wide interindividual variability. Significant linear correlations between age and MARD values were observed. Surveillance error grid (SEG) analysis showed 92.04%, 94.67% and 95.52% of the readings in the none or slight risk zone respectively. FreeStyle Libre is well tolerated although not adequately accurate with a tendency to underestimate glucose levels in critically ill pediatric patients.

Evaluation of the New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ventilator-Associated Event Module and Criteria in Critically Ill Children in Greece.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the new adult Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ventilator-associated event (VAE) module in critically ill children and compare with the traditionally used CDC definition for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN Retrospective observational study of mechanically ventilated children in a pediatric intensive care unit in Greece January 1-December 31, 2011. METHODS Assessment of new adult CDC VAE module including 3 definition tiers: ventilator-associated condition (VAC), infection-related VAC, and possible/probable ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAE-VAP); comparison with traditional CDC criteria for clinically defined pneumonia in mechanically ventilated children (PNEU-VAP). We recorded Pediatric Risk of Mortality score at admission (PRISM III), number of ventilator-days, and outcome. RESULTS Among 119 patients with mechanical ventilation (median [range] number of ventilator-days, 7 [1-183]), 19 patients experienced VAC. Criteria for VAE-VAP were fulfilled in 12 of 19 patients with VAC (63%). Children with either VAC or VAE-VAP were on ventilation more days than patients without these conditions (16.5 vs 5 d, P=.0006 and 18 vs 5 d, P<.001, respectively), whereas PRISM-III score was similar between them. Mortality was significant higher in patients with new VAE-VAP definition (50%), but not in patients with VAC (31.6%), than the patients without new VAE-VAP (14%, P=.007) or VAC (15%, P=.1), respectively. No significant association was found between PNEU-VAP and death. Incidences of PNEU-VAP and VAE-VAP were similar, but the agreement was poor. CONCLUSIONS VAE-VAP and PNEU-VAP found similar prevalence in critically ill children but with poor agreement. However, excess of death was significantly associated only with VAE-VAP. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016:1-5.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit: epidemiology, molecular analysis and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) may cause outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We describe a biphasic VRE outbreak and identify risk factors for VRE acquisition. METHODS: After the occurrence of 2 cases of VRE infections in a 44-bed NICU, a bundle of interventions was implemented that included active surveillance cultures for VRE, enhanced infection control measures, and audits on antimicrobial use, from June to December 2008. Analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction and pulse-field gel electrophoresis techniques. A case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Among 253 neonates screened, 101 (39.9%) were found to be colonized with VRE. During the first 9 weeks of the study period, 59 new cases were detected. Molecular analysis showed 1 predominant clone. During weeks 10-12, no new cases of VRE colonization were detected; however, at week 13, just when the outbreak appeared to be over, a second wave occurred, with 42 new cases and multiple clones detected. Multivariate analysis identified administration of antimicrobial therapy for late-onset neonatal sepsis and hospitalization during the first month of this outbreak as significant risk factors for VRE colonization. CONCLUSION: Both a high prevalence of VRE colonization and antimicrobial use promoted the transmission of VRE during this biphasic outbreak. Adherence to infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship policies are of utmost importance.