Intravascular Tumor Extension and Pulmonary Tumor Embolism in Children With Solid Malignancies: Is There a Role for Inferior Vena Cava Filters?

Intravascular tumor extension is an uncommon complication of solid malignancies that, when present in the inferior vena cava (IVC), can result in fatal pulmonary tumor embolism. Currently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery are the mainstays of treatment; however, there are no consensus guidelines for management. We describe three cases of pediatric solid malignancies with associated IVC extension and pulmonary tumor embolism. We hypothesize that there is scope for IVC filter placement in such cases to mitigate the risk of fatal pulmonary tumor embolism.

Viridans Group Streptococci in Pediatric Leukemia and Stem Cell Transplant: Review of a Risk-stratified Guideline for Empiric Vancomycin in Febrile Neutropenia.

Viridans group streptococci (VGS) are an important cause of sepsis in immunosuppressed children. We reviewed the effectiveness of risk-stratified addition of vancomycin to empiric febrile neutropenia therapy among 107 children with leukemia or undergoing an allogeneic transplant. Of 19 VGS bacteremia episodes, 78.9% were susceptible to risk-stratified antibiotics including 100% from high-risk patients. All blood cultures were flagged positive within 24 hours.

An observational study of type 2 diabetes within a large Australian tertiary hospital pediatric diabetes service.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is emerging as a significant clinical problem within the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify patients with T2DM in a large tertiary hospital diabetes service and examine aspects relating to clinical course and management. METHODS: An initial audit of our diabetes service (over 6 yr) was followed by a 2-yr period of prospective case ascertainment to identify patients with T2DM. Comprehensive data collection was then undertaken in these individuals. RESULTS: Within our service (n = 1574), 33 young people with T2DM were identified. Significant levels of co-morbidity were evident - dyslipidaemia (56%), microalbuminuria (45%), hypertension (30%) and abnormal retinal findings (25%). Hypertension was more likely in those with greater initial and follow-up body mass index (BMI) [mean (SD) BMI: 36.3 (5.0) vs. 28.0 (6.3) kg/m(2) , p = 0.001, and 36.8 (5.3) vs. 28.5 (7.8) kg/m(2) , p = 0.007, respectively] and BMI standard deviation score (SDS) [mean (SD) BMI SDS: 2.34 (0.30) vs. 1.72 (0.66), p = 0.001, and 2.26 (0.31) vs. 1.38 (0.87), p < 0.001, respectively], whereas abnormal retinal findings were seen in those with higher HbA1c values at last appointment [geometric mean (range) 10.9 (8.4-13.6) vs. 7.4 (5.6-12.5)%, p = 0.01) and those with greater increases in HbA1c over time (+4.1 (3.1) vs. +0.2 (1.9)%, p = 0.009). Of the 33,9 (27%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: At present, T2DM in youth remains a low burden on our services. Patients with this diagnosis, however, have significant problems that present a major challenge to the development of effective management strategies.