International pediatric otolaryngology group (IPOG) consensus on approach to aspiration.

OBJECTIVE: To provide recommendations for a comprehensive management approach for infants and children presenting with symptoms or signs of aspiration. METHODS: Three rounds of surveys were sent to authors from 23 institutions worldwide. The threshold for the critical level of agreement among respondents was set at 80 %. To develop the definition of "intractable aspiration," each author was first asked to define the condition. Second, each author was asked to complete a 5-point Likert scale to specify the level of agreement with the definition derived in the first step. RESULTS: Recommendations by the authors regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and medical and surgical management options for aspiration in children. CONCLUSION: Approach to pediatric aspiration is best achieved by implementing a multidisciplinary approach with a comprehensive investigation strategy and different treatment options.

Physician experiences of workplace racial and gender microaggressions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate racial and gender-specific microaggressions that are experienced by pediatric otolaryngologists at work. METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey consisting of 18 questions was sent to American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) members via an email link. The survey included questions from the Workplace and School Microaggressions component of the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions (REM) Scale. RESULTS: 125 out of 610 ASPO members completed the survey for a response rate of 20.5%. 28% of respondents reported experiencing a racial/ethnic microaggression in the last six months. Respondents who identified as Asian American Pacific Islander had significantly higher REM scores when compared with Caucasian respondents (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in scores when comparing the other Race categories. Female respondents reported significantly higher gendered-microaggression scores compared to those identifying as male (p < 0.001). 66% of female respondents experienced some form of gender-based microaggression in the last six months. CONCLUSION: By providing evidence that pediatric otolaryngologists continue to report experiences of discrimination in the form of microaggressions, this study aims to increase awareness and inspire a more inclusive work environment.

Effusion Prevalence at Tympanostomy During COVID-19: Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: We previously reported pandemic year (2020) intraoperative middle ear effusion (MEE) rate at time of bilateral myringotomy tube (BMT) placement was 18% lower compared to pre-pandemic year (2019). After mandatory stay at home orders (MSHO) and pandemic social distancing precautions were relaxed, we aimed to assess the impact of a persistent pandemic with new COVID-19 variants on MEE presence during BMT. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart summary exempted by Nemours institutional review board at a single tertiary children's hospital. Children < 18 years who underwent BMT during March 1, 2019-June 31, 2019 (pre-COVID), March 1, 2020-June 31, 2020 (PY1), and March 1, 2021-June 31, 2021 (PY2) were included. Statistical analysis included chi-squared and KruskalWallis. RESULTS: A total of 1069 BMTs were reviewed: 551 (52%) during pre-COVID, 227 (21%) during PY1, and 291 (27%) during PY2. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or BMI across comparison groups. Intraoperative MEE was significantly higher pre-COVID (83%) compared to PY1 (65%) and PY2 (69%) (P < .001) despite a small rebound in PY2. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative MEE remains lower in subsequent pandemic years despite relaxed public health measures and may be impacted by persistent public health measures like masking, lower return to daycare, variable social distancing, and/or change to access to health care.

Use of computed tomography in the emergency department for the diagnosis of pediatric peritonsillar abscess.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review our pediatric emergency department's (ED's) utilization of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and treatment outcomes. METHODS: This study used case series with chart review. RESULTS: From January 2007 to January 2009, 148 patients were seen in our ED for possible PTA. Mean age at presentation was 11.8 years (range, 10 months to 18 years); 81 (54.7%) of 148 were females. Computed tomography was ordered in 96 (64.9%) of 148 patients, of which 73 (49.3%) 148 were confirmed to have PTA. Mean age of patients who underwent CT was younger when compared with those who did not have CT performed (mean, 11 vs 13 years; P = 0.02). Unilateral PTA was found in 65 (43.9%) of 148, bilateral in 8 (5.4%) of 148, and intratonsillar in 25 patients (16.9%). Concomitant CT findings of parapharyngeal space involvement were found in 19 (12.8%), and retropharyngeal space involvement in 11 (7.4%). Admission was necessary for 104 (71.2%) of 148 patients, whereas 42 were discharged from the ED. Transoral needle aspiration and/or incision and drainage were performed in the ED in 41 patients, with purulence identified in 33 (80.5%) of 41. Rapid strep testing was positive in 40 (32%) of 124 patients tested. Operative treatment was necessary in 44 patients (29.7%), 34 underwent incision and drainage, and 10 underwent quinsy tonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography is commonly utilized in the ED for the evaluation of PTA and is ordered more often in younger children.

The Physician as Leader: Navigating the Breadth of Opportunity and Finding Your Best Fit.

Leadership is important in all aspects of a physician's professional life. Leadership skills can be developed with experience, training, coaching, and mentorship. Physicians have an obligation to learn as much as possible about effective leadership so that when an opportunity to lead comes, they will make optimal use of it and feel empowered to contribute to solutions and improvements at all levels of health care.

Balance Versus Integration: Work-Life Considerations.

The term work-life balance may cause physicians to feel inadequate in pursuing a reality in which work and life each have equal importance. Furthermore, the term implies competition between these 2 realms. Instead, work-life integration is a more constructive and realistic term. Achieving harmonious integration requires self-reflection on the current state, goals, and resources and strategies needed to achieve and maintain such a state. Prioritizing aspects of both, and aligning them with individual requirements, while incorporating consistent and intentional investment of time and efforts in both professional and personal arenas is crucial to cultivate and sustain longitudinal well-being.

Middle ear effusion prevalence at time of tympanostomy before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Management of pediatric otitis media with effusion (OME) and recurrent otitis media typically includes observation up to 3 months. Bilateral myringotomy and tube (BMT) placement is performed due to persistent effusion with associated symptoms such as decreased hearing. With the COVID-19 pandemic and mandatory stay at home orders (MSHO), children were quarantined at home and many remained home after MSHO. We reviewed the prevalence of middle ear effusion (MEE) at the time of BMT during similar time periods in the year before, during and after MSHO in this pandemic year. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective summary of BMT cases at a single tertiary children's hospital. METHODS: All children <18 years who underwent BMT between March 1, 2020 and July 1, 2020 and between March 1, 2019 and July 1, 2019 were included. Statistical analysis included chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: A total of 778 cases were reviewed; 551 (71%) were performed pre-pandemic and 227 (29%) during onset of pandemic (N = 778). There were no significant differences in gender, age, and BMI between groups, but significantly fewer Caucasians (58% vs. 45%, p < 0.05) and more Hispanics (20% vs. 33%, p < 0.05) during-COVID. The prevalence of intraoperative effusion during-COVID was significantly lower compared to pre-COVID (65% vs. 83%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pandemic and COVID-19 MSHO were associated with significantly lower intraoperative OME prevalence. Further research may elucidate the impact of face covering, social distancing, and virtual schooling on the incidence of pediatric ROM, OME, and ENT symptoms.

Prevalence of prescription medication use in preschool-age children seen in pediatric otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of daily medication use and prescribing patterns in preschool aged children presenting to otolaryngology clinics. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective summary of prescription-related data from PEDSnet database of two tertiary care children's hospitals within single health system. METHODS: All new patients between birth and 5 years of age seen in otolaryngology clinics from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 were included. Existing diagnoses, active prescriptions at time of visit, prescription dates, and demographics were abstracted. Summary analysis was performed on medication prevalence, quantity and duration of use, comparing all variables between age, gender, and geographical regions. RESULTS: Of 7532 patient encounters, 20% presented with active daily medication use. Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media were the most common diagnoses regardless of daily medication usage. Corticosteroids, specifically hydrocortisone (Delaware) and Flovent (Florida), were the most common medication prescribed. The number of medications strongly correlated with the number of encounter diagnoses. Overall, patients in Delaware were 4.5 times more likely to have at least one prescription prior to encounter (p < 0.05, 95% CI 3.2-4.8). This pattern was preserved across age and gender. Patients with medication in Delaware and Florida had a median of 2 (IQR 3.0-1.0) and 1 prescriptions (IQR 2.0-1.0), respectively (p < 0.001). There were no differences based on insurance type and no correlations between medication count and age or gender. CONCLUSION: Children in Delaware presented to otolaryngology clinics with significantly more prescribed medications than in Florida. Regional differences were consistent across age and gender. Most children were on these medications for a significant duration.

Advanced practice providers and children's hospital-based pediatric otolarynology practices.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced practice providers (APPs), including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, have been deployed in children's hospital-based academic pediatric otolaryngology practices for many years. However, this relationship in terms of prevalence, roles, financial consequences and satisfaction has not been examined. The objective of this study is to explore how APPs impact healthcare delivery in this setting. METHODS: Pediatric otolaryngology chiefs of all academic children's hospitals in the US were electronically surveyed about the ways APPs intersected clinically and financially in their respective practice. RESULTS: A total of 29 of 36 children's hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practices completed the survey, of which 26 practices (90%) utilized APP. There were large variances within the APP practice cohort in faculty size (mean/median/range = 9.4/8.5/3-29); annual patient visits (mean/median = 18,373/17,600); number of practice site (mean/median/range = 4.3/4/2-9) and number of outpatient APP (mean/median/range = 6.3/5/1-30). No factors (faculty size, annual visits and number of practice sites) differentiated between the APP and non-APP practices. Among APP practices, significant correlation (p<.00001) was observed between size of APP cohort to faculty size and annual visits. 69% of the practices did not differentiate job functions of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. 85% of the practices utilized APPs in all practice sites and 19% utilized APPs in the operating room. 77% of APPs billed independently and 46% had on-site supervision. The most prevalent APP salary bracket based on 0-5, 6-10 and > 11 years of tenure were $76-100K (65%), $100-150K (77%) and $100-150K (86%), respectively. In 46% of the practices, APPs were able to generate enough revenue to cover more than 75% of their salary and 23% of practices generated a profit. 81% of the chiefs ranked the effectiveness of APPs as high (4 and 5) on a 5-point Likert scale. DISCUSSION: The majority of academic pediatric otolaryngology practices employed APPs. Despite the diversity seen in practice complexity, APP functionality and financial impact, most found the APP model to be beneficial in improving patient care, patient access and faculty productivity.

Pediatric head and neck fibrosarcomas: A demographical, treatment, and survival analysis and review of a rare case.

OBJECTIVE: To examine pediatric head and neck fibrosarcoma cases and review the demographics, management, and survival for these patients. METHODS: Pediatric patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included from 1973 to 2014 based on a diagnosis of a head and neck fibrosarcoma using ICD-O-3 head and neck primary sites and histology codes. Patients were included from birth-18 years of age. Additionally, a pediatric case of a head and neck infantile fibrosarcoma treated at the Nemours Children's hospital in Orlando, Florida is presented. RESULTS: One hundred-thirteen pediatric head and neck fibrosarcomas were identified within the SEER database over the study period. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.8 years (SD: 6.2, range: 0.0-18.0). The mean age at diagnosis for infantile fibrosarcomas was 1.7 years (SD: 3.2, range: 0.0-12.0). Fifty-one (45.1%) patients were female. A majority (N = 67, 59.3%) of patients had dermatofibrosarcoma followed by 18 (15.9%) who had infantile fibrosarcomas. Nearly all patients (N = 107, 94.7%) received surgical intervention. 27.8% of patients with an infantile fibrosarcoma received chemotherapy as a part of their care compared to 1.5% of patients with a dermatofibrosaroma (p = .004). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with head and neck fibrosarcomas are most likely to present in Caucasian males or females during late childhood or early adolescence. Infantile fibrosarcomas present in pediatric patients at a much earlier age. Surgical management is common for pediatric head and neck fibrosarcomas. Additionally, chemotherapy may be used for infantile fibrosarcomas of the head and neck. Survival rates for pediatric patients with a head and neck fibrosarcoma are excellent.

A Survival Analysis of Pediatric Tonsillar Malignancies and Review of a Rare Case.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the survival of pediatric tonsillar cancer patients and review a rare case of pediatric tonsillar cancer. METHODS: Pediatric patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included from 1973 to 2014 based on a diagnosis of tonsillar malignancy using the ICD O-3 tonsil primary site codes of: C09.0, C09.1, C09.8, and C09.9. Patients were included from birth-18 years. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additionally, a case of pediatric natural killer (NK) cell tonsillar lymphoma diagnosed and treated at the Nemours Children's hospital in Orlando, Florida is presented. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one cases of tonsil cancer were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.9 years (SD: 5.1, range: 0.0 (months)-18.0). Ninety five (67.4%) patients were male and 116 (82.3%) had unilateral malignancies. Burkitt lymphoma (32.6%) followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (27.0%) were the two most common histological types of tonsillar cancers. 79.4% of patients received chemotherapy and 81.6% received surgery as a part of their care. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was >90% for patient cohorts diagnosed from 1984 to 1993, 1994-2003, and 2004-2014 as compared to 64% for patients diagnosed from 1973 to 1983 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates for pediatric patients with tonsillar cancer are excellent. Pediatric primary tonsil cancer occurred most commonly in adolescent males and usually presents as a unilateral mass. Lymphoma remains the predominant histological type of cancer. Most patients are likely to receive surgery and chemotherapy.

Treatment outcomes for nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children based on the type of surgical intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To report treatment outcomes of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cervicofacial lymphadenitis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study from 1995 to 2006. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients (mean age, 30.3 months). RESULTS: All but one patient presented with lymphadenopathy. The mean time from symptoms to diagnosis was 42.3 days. Tuberculin skin testing (TST) was performed on 21 of 51 patients and was positive on 14 of 21 patients. Imaging was ordered in 23; 19 had CT scans. Pathology confirmed caseating granuloma in 45 (88%); cultures grew Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex in 46 of 51. Interventions included fine-needle aspiration (5, 10%), incision and drainage +/- curettage (24, 46%), and complete excisional biopsy (20, 38%). Of those who underwent complete excisional biopsy initially, 95 percent were cured compared with 32 of 51 (63%) with nonexcisional surgery. Macrolides and rifampin were more likely to be recommended in referred cases and when nonexcisional surgical treatment was not feasible or had failed. The average total duration of antibiotic therapy was 89.1 days. CONCLUSION: NTM infections require high levels of suspicion for timely diagnosis, and complete excisional biopsy results in least likelihood of persistent/recurrent disease.

Limiting Dietary Sugar Improves Pediatric Sinonasal Symptoms and Reduces Inflammation.

Excessive sugar consumption is associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases in adults. The effects of excessive sugar consumption in children have not been determined. In this study, we hypothesized that sinonasal symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine levels would be related and could be altered through reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. To test this, we conducted a pilot study involving behavior modification and a 2-week follow-up. Seventeen children participants were recruited, and eleven completed the study. The experimental group presented with chronic nasal congestion or rhinorrhea defined by daily symptoms without acute illness for at least 3 months. The control group presented for non-nasal problems. Both groups received counseling to decrease SSB consumption. The Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life (SN-5) Survey was administered, and a blood sample was obtained by venipuncture at baseline and 2 weeks after counseling. Participants kept a 2-week food diary to document sugar intake. Serum lipid profile and inflammatory cytokines were measured. The experimental group reduced daily sugar intake, 46% versus 11% in the control. Baseline SN-5 scores were significantly worse in the experimental group and normalized to controls after intervention. Inflammatory cytokine levels were not different at baseline, but the experimental group significantly reduced in proinflammatory markers and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory markers after intervention. Our pilot data demonstrate higher sugar consumption may be associated with increased inflammatory stress and sinonasal symptoms. Reducing SSB and controlling inflammation in early childhood may have future health benefits.

Improved behavior and sleep after adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in behavior and sleep in children before and after adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) using the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short Form (CPRS-RS). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery center affiliated with an academic medical center. PATIENTS: A total of 117 consecutive children (61 boys and 56 girls) (mean [SD] age, 6.5 [3.1] years) who were clinically diagnosed as having SDB and who had undergone adenotonsillectomy. Complete follow-up data were available in 71 of 117 patients (61%). INTERVENTIONS: Parents completed the PSQ and CPRS-RS before surgery and 6 months after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in age- and sex-adjusted T scores for all 4 CPRS-RS behavior categories (oppositional behavior, cognitive problems or inattention, hyperactivity, and Conners' attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] index) were determined for each subject before and after surgery. Changes in PSQ scores from a select 22-item sleep-related breathing disorder subscale were also determined. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the mean (SD) T scores on the CPRS-RS for oppositional behavior, cognitive problems or inattention, hyperactivity, and ADHD index were 59.4 (13.7), 59.5 (13.6), 62.0 (14.4), and 59.9 (13.4), respectively. A T score of 60.0 in any category placed a child in the at-risk group. Postoperatively, T scores for each category were 51.0 (9.6), 51.2 (8.8), 52.4 (10.52), and 50.6 (7.8), respectively. All changes were statistically significant (P<.001) and clinically significant by approximating a change of 1 SD from the baseline score. For the PSQ, the preoperative and postoperative mean (SD) scores were 0.6 (0.1) and 0.1 (0.1), respectively, on a scale of 0 to 1, with scores higher than 0.33 suggesting obstructive sleep apnea. Correlations between sleep and behavior scores were statistically significant before surgery (P=.004 for ADHD index and cognitive problems, P=.008 for oppositional behavior) and after surgery (P=.049 for cognitive problems, P=.03 for oppositional behavior). Higher baseline T scores for the CPRS-RS were associated with larger changes in T scores for the CPRS-RS in all 4 domains (oppositional behavior, cognitive problems or inattention, hyperactivity, and ADHD index). CONCLUSIONS: Children diagnosed as having SDB experience improvement in both sleep and behavior after adenotonsillectomy. The PSQ and CPRS-RS may be useful adjuncts for screening and following children who undergo adenotonsillectomy for SDB.

Incidence of and risk factors for airway complications following endotracheal intubation for bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors predisposing to postextubation complications and the incidence of subglottic stenosis following endotracheal intubation for bronchiolitis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A review of 144 consecutive infants and children intubated for bronchiolitis between 2000 and 2005 at a regional children's hospital. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 6.4 months. Follow-up data were available in 93 patients (64.6%), and average length of follow-up was 9.3 months. One hundred and three patients (71.5%) had positive RSV detection. Average duration of intubation was 5.5 days. Twenty-six patients (18.1%) required reintubation during the same admission. Children intubated for less than 3 days and those greater than 12 months of age were more likely to experience postextubation difficulties. Approximately 40% of patients experienced postextubation difficulties. Subglottic pathology was found on endoscopy in 6 patients (4%). There were no cases of long-term subglottic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Immediate postextubation complications are common after bronchiolitis, especially in patients intubated for less than 3 days and greater than 12 months of age. We found no evidence of long-term subglottic stenosis in this population.

Sinonasal Quality of Life in Children After Outfracture of Inferior Turbinates and Submucous Inferior Turbinoplasty for Chronic Nasal Congestion.

Importance: Chronic nasal congestion often persists in children despite empirical treatment using intranasal corticosteroids, systemic antihistamines, and/or leukotriene receptor antagonists. Symptoms are often reported even with negative results of skin or blood allergy testing. Inferior turbinoplasty has been effective in adults and children, but outfracture of inferior turbinates in children is rarely reported, as is use of validated quality-of-life measures to quantify improvements after intervention. Effective use of these 2 procedures for treating chronic nasal congestion may reduce the need for medication and improve sinonasal quality of life. Objective: To quantify changes in sinonasal quality of life for children after outfracture of inferior turbinates and concomitant submucous microdebrider inferior turbinoplasty for chronic nasal congestion. Design, Setting, and Participants: A case series with planned data collection was conducted in an ambulatory pediatric otolaryngology clinic among 43 patients with chronic nasal congestion who underwent surgical intervention between January 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015. Exposures: Microdebrider submucous inferior turbinoplasty (without bony resection) and outfracture of inferior turbinates. Main Outcomes and Measures: Demographics and medication use before and after the procedure were reviewed. Scores on the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) and quality-of-life scores were collected at baseline, 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure, and more than 6 months after the procedure. Results: Among the 43 patients (14 girls and 29 boys; mean age, 11.2 years [range, 4.8-17.6 years]), every domain showed significant improvements in scores on the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey and quality-of-life scores 1 to 2 months after the proecdure: sinus infection (-2.55; 95% CI, 1.85-3.26), nasal obstruction (-3.51; 95% CI, 2.88-4.14), allergy symptoms (-2.14; 95% CI, 1.43-2.86), emotional distress (-2.37; 95% CI, 1.68-3.06), activity limitation (-1.70; 95% CI, 1.14-2.25), and overall quality of life (3.72; 95% CI, 2.95-4.48). At long-term follow-up, improvement was maintained in all categories. Significant improvements in SN-5 and quality-of-life scores correlated with proportional decreased reporting of snoring after the procedure (33 [77%] vs 1 [2%]; absolute reduction, 75%; 95% CI, 62%-88%), as well as nasal congestion (41 [95%] vs 1 [2%]; absolute reduction, 93% ; 95% CI, 85%-100%), and rhinorrhea (44 [41%] vs 1 [2%]; absolute reduction, 42%; 95% CI, 27%-57%). The proportion reporting use of intranasal corticosteroids (25 [58%] vs 2 [5%]; absolute reduction, 50%; 95% CI, 39%-71%), antihistamines (27 [63%] vs 1 [2%]; absolute reduction, 61%; 95% CI, 46%-75%), and leukotriene receptor antagonists (13 [30%] vs 0; absolute reduction, 30%; 95% CI, 16%-44%) also decreased. Conclusions and Relevance: Concomitant outfracture and submucous microdebrider inferior turbinoplasty improves quality of life in children with chronic nasal congestion and can reduce use of daily medication.

Comparing incidence of emergence delirium between sevoflurane and desflurane in children following routine otolaryngology procedures.

BACKGROUND: Emergence delirium (ED) is a state of aggressive agitation that can occur temporarily in the process of emerging from anesthesia in children exposed to volatile or intravenous anesthetics. Emergence delirium is typically assessed using the published and validated Pediatric Emergence Delirium (PAED) Scale. Due to some variation in properties between sevoflurane and desflurane for maintenance of anesthesia after standard sevoflurane induction, we designed a prospective study to examine potential differences in emergence behavior and incidence of ED in children undergoing elective ear-nose-throat surgery. METHODS: Forty-six children aged 12 months-7 years were randomly assigned to receive either sevoflurane (N.=23) or desflurane (N.=23) for maintenance of general anesthesia. All patients were extubated awake in the OR, and upon arrival in the PACU, PAED scores were assessed every 15 minutes until discharged. In addition to PAED scores, time to tracheal extubation, emergence behavior, pain scores, and recovery complications were recorded. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in incidence of ED or peak PAED scores between sevoflurane and desflurane groups (12 [0-18] versus 12 [0-20]; P=0.79). There were no significant differences between desflurane and sevoflurane with respect to incidence of adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, laryngospasm, or excessive secretions. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the use of desflurane for maintenance of anesthesia did not significantly affect the incidence or duration of ED when compared to sevoflurane. However, desflurane did not demonstrate any increase in adverse events, which may support its routine use in this patient population.

Primary head and neck Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience of a tertiary care children's hospital in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes of patients with primary head and neck Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study of patients who presented with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis that primarily affected head and neck sites between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 2004, at Children's Mercy Hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed and treated for LCH at our hospital during this time period. Seventeen (77%) patients had head and neck involvement; 14 (64%) of these patients had primary head and neck LCH. Lesions of the head and neck are complicated and involve multiple structures including the calvarium and skull base. Overall outcomes were good with 10 of 14 patients without disease at time of last follow-up. Recurrence is common and involved 50% of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis commonly affects the head and neck. These lesions are complex and require prudent evaluation and treatment. Due to the complex nature of head and neck lesions, primary chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. SIGNIFICANCE: Because of the frequent head and neck involvement of this disease, otolaryngologists need to be familiar with its presentation, work-up, and treatment. EBM RATING: C-4.