Single Gland, Ectopic Location: Adenomas are Common Causes of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in children and adolescents is uncommon. Data-driven guidelines for management in pediatric patients are limited. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all patients (1997-2017) with PHPT ≤ 21 years of age who underwent parathyroidectomy at three institutions. Clinical and demographic variables were analyzed. Primary operative outcome was cure (normocalcemia > 6 months after surgery); secondary outcome was operative success (intraoperative parathyroid hormone decrease of ≥ 50%). RESULTS: We identified 86 patients with a median age of 17 years (IQR: 14, 19); 64% (n = 55) were female. The mean preoperative serum calcium was 11.7 mg/dL, median parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 110 pg/mL, and median urine calcium was 4.1 mg/kg/24 h. Preoperatively, sestamibi scan localized in 41/71 patients (58%); neck ultrasound localized in 19/44 (43%). The most common pathology at surgery was a single ectopic parathyroid adenoma in 71% (n = 61). A high incidence of ectopic adenomas (25%, n = 22) was observed, most commonly intrathymic (n = 13), followed by tracheoesophageal groove (n = 5), carotid sheath (n = 2), and intrathyroidal (n = 2). Of 56 patients with retrievable data > 6 months postoperatively, cure was achieved in 55 of 56 patients (98%). One patient who presented to us with parathyromatosis require subsequent reoperation. CONCLUSION: In this multi-institutional series of PHPT in children and adolescents, the majority were sporadic PHPT and were due to a single adenoma. We observed a high incidence of ectopic parathyroid adenomas, most commonly intrathymic. Given the high risk for ectopic adenoma in pediatric patients, parathyroid surgery in children and adolescents should be performed by experienced surgeons.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children And Conversion to Multiport Appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) in the pediatric population has been well described. Our children's hospital has adopted this modality for nearly all appendectomies. From our center's experience, we hoped to identify factors that portend conversion from SILA to multiport appendectomy. We compared our cohort of conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) for outcomes including operative time, postop length of stay (LOS), complications, and readmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent appendectomy from 2012 to 2017 at our children's hospital was performed. The type of appendectomy performed, if the case required conversion to multiple ports, and perforation status were recorded. Demographic data identified included age, sex, and body mass index. Outcomes analyzed were operative time, LOS, and postoperative complication/readmission rate. RESULTS: Of 1001 appendectomies performed, 959 (95.9%) were initiated with plan for SILA, and 35 (3.5%) were initiated CLA. Of those initiated SILA, 884/959 (92.2%) were completed without additional port placement. Cases which were not able to be completed SILA were statistically significantly more likely to be male patients, have increased body mass index, or perforated appendicitis. When compared to cases initiated CLA, SILA remained statistically similar for readmission and LOS but had significantly faster operative time. CONCLUSIONS: SILA appears to be a safe and efficient modality for the treatment of appendicitis in pediatric populations with no increased morbidity. Parents of children who are obese, males, or present with perforation should be counseled regarding the possibility of additional port placement or considered for initiating conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy.

Prostate specific membrane antigen produces pro-angiogenic laminin peptides downstream of matrix metalloprotease-2.

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a pro-angiogenic cell-surface protease that we previously demonstrated regulates blood vessel formation in a laminin and integrin ß1-dependent manner. Here, we examine the principal mechanism of PSMA activation of integrin ß1. We show that digesting laminin sequentially with recombinant matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and PSMA generates small peptides that enhance endothelial cell adhesion and migration in vitro. We also provide evidence that these laminin peptides activate adhesion via integrin α6ß1 and focal adhesion kinase. Using an in vivo Matrigel implant assay, we show that these MMP/PSMA-derived laminin peptides also increase angiogenesis in vivo. Together, our results reveal a novel mechanism of PSMA activation of angiogenesis by processing laminin downstream of MMP-2.