Pediatric Cystic Deep Neck Mass Presenting With Stridor and Dysphagia.

A 6-month-old girl presented to the emergency department for evaluation of fever and was noted to have mild inspiratory stridor, which began acutely at 4 months of age without any inciting illness or event. What is your diagnosis?

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Management of suprastomal collapse in the pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Suprastomal Collapse (SuStCo) is a common complication of prolonged tracheostomy in children. There is a paucity of literature on this subject, especially regarding how to manage significant suprastomal collapse that prevents safe decannulation. OBJECTIVE: Provide a definition, classification system, and recommend management options for significant suprastomal collapse in children with tracheostomy. METHODS: Members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) who are experts in pediatric airway conditions were surveyed and results were refined using a modified Delphi method. RESULTS: Consensus was defined as > 70% agreement on a subject. The experts achieved consensus: CONCLUSION: This consensus statement provides recommendations for medical specialists who manage infants and children with tracheostomies with significant Suprastomal Collapse. It provides a classification system to facilitate diagnosis and treatment options for this condition.

The Genetic and Molecular Determinants of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare vascular tumor of unknown etiology. Studies investigating the molecular and genetic determinants of JNA are limited by small sample size and inconsistent approaches. The purpose of this study is to examine all eligible JNA studies in aggregate, applying qualitative analysis to highlight areas of particular relevance, including potential targets for therapeutic intervention. METHODS: The PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases were screened with inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to all citations. Manuscripts investigating the genetic determinants, histopathogenesis, and heritability of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were included. Non-English studies, case reports, and articles focusing on clinical management without original data were excluded. Full text articles were obtained. A qualitative synthesis of data was performed. RESULTS: A total of 59 articles met criteria for inclusion. These were divided into 6 categories based on the primary topic or target discussed, (1) steroid hormone receptors, (2) chromosomal abnormalities, (3) growth factors, (4) genetic targets, (5) molecular targets, (6) Wnt cell signaling, and (7) studies that overlapped multiple of the aforementioned categories. Although relatively low n values prevent definitive conclusions to be drawn, a predominance of certain molecular targets such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway intermediaries is apparent. CONCLUSIONS: Although the etiology of JNA remains elusive, contemporary molecular genetic investigation holds promise for risk stratification and could form the basis of a modernized staging system. A multicenter clinical registry and linked tissue bank would further promote the search for JNA specific biomarkers.

Nasal foreign bodies in the paediatric emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Nasal foreign body(-ies) (FB) cause local irritation, inflammation, and mucosal erosion and carry a potential risk of aspiration. The aim is to describe the management of nasal FBs in our Emergency Department (ED). METHOD: A retrospective study of 100 sequential suspected nasal FB presentations to a tertiary paediatric ED. Patient age, gender, FB typology, doctor/nurse seniority, sedation/analgesia usage, removal method, ENT referral rate, extraction time and disposition were collected. Data was inputted to Microsoft Excel®. RESULTS: One hundred cases were encountered over 16 months: 51 males and 49 females. Median age was 3.4 years (range 0.8-10). Of the 73 FB visualised in the ED, 78% (57/73) were successfully removed by ED staff. Sixteen visualised in ED required ENT removal. Of those 16 FBs, 7 were removed at OPD while 9 were removed by ENT in ED. DISCUSSION: The ED physician/advanced nurse practitioner successfully managed most children with a nasal FB in the ED. The goal of the management should be to minimise complications/repeated attempts. Formation of a national guideline to assist in ED removal and timely care will hopefully improve patient's experience. It will include guidance on topical anaesthetic use, performing radiographs for radiopaque objects not initially visualised and limiting ED staff extraction attempts.

Prophylactic total thyroidectomy using the minimally invasive video-assisted approach in children with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports of prophylactic thyroidectomy using the minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) approach in children with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent MIVAT for total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Six children underwent MIVAT; RET codon mutations identified were 634, 620, 611, and 918. Mean operative time was 93 minutes (range, 68-105 minutes). Five patients were discharged on the first postoperative day; however, 1 patient had a postoperative hematoma and was discharged 2 days postoperatively. There were no cases of laryngeal nerve palsy or postoperative hypoparathyroidism. High levels of satisfaction with postoperative cosmesis were reported. Calcitonin levels have been undetectable at follow-up thus far (mean follow-up, 42.8 months). CONCLUSION: Although our outcomes are similar to those reported using the traditional approach, it is important to note that MIVAT is essentially the same operation, just performed through a smaller incision, with resulting benefits in terms of pain, cosmesis and, perhaps, morbidity.

Clavicular osteomyelitis: a rare complication of head and neck cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: We report the 10th case in the English-language literature describing clavicular osteomyelitis that presented after radical treatment for laryngeal carcinoma and discuss the pertinent diagnostic and therapeutic measures. It presented a diagnostic dilemma. The differential diagnosis included tumor recurrence, metastatic bone disease, and postradiotherapy complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 45-year-old man who was a heavy smoker and known drug abuser presented with acute airway compromise and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma involving the glottis and subglottis. Total laryngectomy, total thyroidectomy, and bilateral neck dissection were performed, and the patient underwent chemoradiotherapy. On follow-up 1 year later, the patient was seen with left stomal dehiscence and a large area of cellulitis extending across the left clavicle and down to the axilla. At surgery, a large anterior chest wall abscess was found. Biopsy showed no evidence of tumor. After aggressive treatment, the patient remains disease free. CONCLUSIONS: This condition is rarely encountered after major head and neck surgery. Aggressive surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy remains the mainstay of treatment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are mandatory due to the potential life-threatening complications associated with the condition. Bony resection will aid in adequate flap placement.