Clinical Factors Associated With the Outcomes of Long-Term Middle Ear Ventilation Tube Insertion in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Ventilation tube (VT) insertion is the most common treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME). However, OME recurrence and persistent tympanic membrane (TM) perforation after VT removal are encountered in a certain percentage of such children. METHODS: This study was performed to determine the outcomes of children who underwent long-term VT insertion. A total of 326 ears from 192 patients were analyzed. The associations among the patient age, sex, history of OME, history of repeated acute otitis media, placement duration, whether the VT had been removed intentionally or spontaneously, and the outcome (persistent TM perforation or OME recurrence) were analyzed. The outcomes of multiple VT tube insertions were also reviewed. We also analyzed whether or not local or general anesthesia was associated with the early spontaneous extrusion of the VT. RESULT: The OME recurrence and TM perforation rates were 29% (96/326 sides) and 17% (57/326 sides), respectively, for first insertions. In addition, 96 (29%) sides underwent ≥2 insertions. The shorter the duration for which the VT was retained in the middle ear, the more significant the rate of increase in OME recurrence. The OME recurrence was observed more often when VT was spontaneously removed than when intentionally removed. The rate of persistent TM perforation was significantly associated with male sex. Persistent TM perforation was not observed in patients who underwent 4 or 5 insertions. The anesthesia method did not significantly influence the timing of spontaneous extrusion of VT. CONCLUSION: The retention period of VT should be at least 2 years, and VT removal at the age of 7 might be a viable strategy. Multiple VT insertions are recommended for patients with recurrent OME. Ventilation tube under local anesthesia is an effective option for tolerable children.

Clinical evaluation of cell-direct polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay for rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in clinically suspected sepsis: A multi-center study in Japan.

Blood culture, a method for identifying causative agents of bacterial sepsis, requires several days. The combination of cell-direct polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (cdPCR-NALFIA) is a simple and sensitive detection method for identifying pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, this assay, when applied directly to blood samples yields results within 4.5 h, without requiring culture. This study was performed at five hospitals in Japan between 2013 and 2016. Blood samples from 73 patients with clinically suspected sepsis yielded 18 positive blood cultures, and the isolated bacterial species were detectable using cdPCR-NALFIA in nine samples. Thirteen samples were positive on cdPCR-NALFIA. In total, 17 samples confirmed to have bacterial species were detectable using cdPCR-NALFIA and/or blood culture with a true positive rate of 76.5% and 64.7%, respectively. The combination of blood culture and cdPCR-NALFIA could improve the rate of detection of bacterial sepsis.

Endoscopic Modified Medial Maxillectomy for Fungal Ball of the Hypoplastic Maxillary Sinus With Bony Hypertrophy.

Sinus fungal ball is defined as noninvasive chronic rhino-sinusitis with a clump of mold in the paranasal sinuses, typically affecting the maxillary sinus. Fairly good outcomes of endoscopic surgery have been reported where the ball is removed through the antrostomy. However, the affected sinus tends to have a smaller cavity and thicker bony walls. As such, it is often challenging to maintain a window size that is sufficient to control possible recurrence. The endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy procedure was applied to a 61-year old and a 70-year old female patient with maxillary sinus fungal ball. Using this method, we created a much larger inferior meatal antrostomy without difficulty. The window provided us with an endoscopic view of the whole sinus and complete eradication of the lesion. Endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy is useful as a surgical procedure for maxillary sinus fungal ball and should be considered for better outcomes.

Infantile hemangiopericytoma of the tongue-Efficacy of ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure and combined-modality therapy.

Here we present an extremely rare case of giant infantile hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the tongue diagnosed prenatally by fetal ultrasonography and MR imaging. Due to airway stenosis, the patient was delivered by the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Initial diagnosis was infantile hemangioma based on physical examination, diagnostic imaging and the high incidence of hemangioma. The tumor was resistant to conservative treatments. Due to severe tumor hemorrhage, the nutrient vessel was embolized by endovascular treatment on the 73th day after birth. Two days after embolization, a hemiglossectomy was performed. Histological analysis after surgery diagnosed infantile HPC with microscopically positive stumps. After receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient has had no recurrence after 53 months with normal speech and swallowing function resulting in normal growth. Our findings support that infantile HPC is one of the differential diagnosis of infantile hemangioma. The EXIT procedure could be effective for infants with upper respiratory stenosis by head and neck tumor diagnosed prenatally. Though complete resection is required for infantile HPC, our report suggests that a conservative surgical approach followed by adjuvant chemotherapy should be used for giant head and neck infantile HPC.

Risk factors for delayed oral dietary intake in patients with deep neck infections including descending necrotizing mediastinitis.

Although clinical outcomes of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) and/or deep neck infection (DNI) have been extensively reported, no study has addressed delay in recovering oral ingestion after surgical interventions other than sporadic case reports. We herein compared clinical features of DNM and DNI cases over the same period, and clarified precipitating factors of delay in recovering oral ingestion by logistic regression analysis. We reviewed records of patients with DNI and DNM at our institution from August 2005 to July 2015. We extracted data on patient age, sex, complication with diabetes mellitus, gas gangrene, extension of infections, operative procedure, tracheotomy, bacterial results, and duration of empirical antibiotic therapy. Patients were categorized into three groups according to vertical spread of infection: 60 DNI patients without extension below the hyoid bone (group-A), 48 DNI patients with extension below the hyoid bone without DNM (group-B), and 10 DNM patients (group-C). Age, diabetes mellitus, and gas gangrene were significantly different among the groups. Concerning surgical intervention, tracheotomy was significantly less frequently performed in group-A (25%) than the other groups (74%) (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that extension of infections below the hyoid bone and tracheotomy were significantly associated with delayed oral dietary intake [odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) 2.96 (1.06-8.28) and 10.69 (3.59-31.88), respectively]. Along with DNM patients, patients who undergo tracheotomy for infections that extend below the hyoid bone should receive postoperative care with careful attention to avoid delay in recovering oral ingestion.

Clinical and bacteriological differences of deep neck infection in pediatric and adult patients: Review of 123 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Deep neck infections (DNIs) can lead to life-threatening disease. However, the detailed pathophysiology remains unclear due to its rarity and only a few reports have directly compared DNIs in children and adults. This study aimed to reveal the clinical differences between DNIs in children and adults. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 123 patients who suffered from DNIs at Tohoku University Hospital from August 2005 to July 2015. We extracted data on patient sex, age, antecedent illness, extension of infections, operative procedures, and bacteriology results. The patients were categorized into pediatric (≤18 years) and adult (>18 years) groups. Fisher's exact test was performed to determine significant differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Fifteen children (6 males and 9 females) and 108 adults (71 males and 37 females) were identified. The most common antecedent illness in pediatric patients was lymphadenitis, which was the least common in adult patients (73% vs 7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of DNIs extending below the hyoid bone was significantly lower in pediatric patients than in adult patients (20% vs 53%, p < 0.05). Regarding bacterial culture analysis, Staphylococcus species was the most common pathogen in children (60%), whereas only 9% of adults were positive for Staphylococcus (p < 0.001). Streptococcus species were significantly less common in children than in adults (27% vs 56%, p = 0.05). Anaerobes were also significantly less common in children than in adults (13% vs 45%, p < 0.01). Concerning surgical intervention, 53% of pediatric patients underwent external incision compared with 70% of adults. Specifically, tracheostomy was significantly less frequently performed in children than in adults (7% vs 54%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DNIs in children feature different characteristics from those in adults regarding severity, antecedent illness, bacteriology, and clinical management.

Predicting postoperative fever and bacterial colonization on packing material following endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Postoperative fever following endoscopic endonasal surgery is a rare occurrence of concern to surgeons. To elucidate preoperative and operative predictors of postoperative fever, we analyzed the characteristics of patients and their perioperative background in association with postoperative fever. A retrospective review of 371 patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal surgery was conducted. Predictors, including intake of antibiotics, steroids, history of asthma, preoperative nasal bacterial culture, duration of operation, duration of packing and intraoperative intravenous antibiotics on the occurrence of postoperative fever, and bacterial colonization on the packing material, were analyzed retrospectively. Fever (≥38 °C) occurred in 63 (17 %) patients. Most incidences of fever occurred on postoperative day one. In majority of these cases, the fever subsided after removal of the packing material without further antibiotic administration. However, one patient who experienced persistent fever after the removal of packing material developed meningitis. History of asthma, prolonged operation time (≥108 min), and intravenous cefazolin administration instead of cefmetazole were associated with postoperative fever. Odds ratios (ORs) for each were 2.3, 4.6, and 2.0, respectively. Positive preoperative bacterial colonization was associated with postoperative bacterial colonization on the packing material (OR 2.3). Postoperative fever subsided in most patients after removal of the packing material. When this postoperative fever persists, its underlying cause should be examined.

First report of severe acute otitis media caused by Campylobacter rectus and review of the literature.

Campylobacter rectus is a member of the human oral flora and is associated with periodontal disease. We report the first case of severe acute otitis media (AOM) due to C. rectus in a previous healthy 15-year-old boy, which was confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. C. rectus is a possible causative pathogen of AOM.

Molecular Epidemiology of Ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae Causing Acute Otitis Media in Japanese Infants and Young Children.

BACKGROUND: Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae is a particularly important cause of acute otitis media (AOM). There is a high prevalence of ß-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) strains in Japanese children, which is associated with recurrent AOM and prolonged treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, mechanisms of ampicillin resistance and molecular epidemiology of ampicillin resistance in H. influenzae strains causing AOM in Japanese children. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven strains of H. influenzae isolated from the middle ear fluid of pediatric patients (aged 0-3 years) with AOM from various areas of Japan were studied. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile, genes encoding ß-lactamase and alterations of penicillin-binding protein 3 were investigated. Genetic relatedness among ampicillin-resistant isolates was examined by multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Of 157 isolates, 108 (68.8%) demonstrated reduced susceptibility to ampicillin, including 95 (60.5%) of ß-lactamase-nonproducing isolates and 13 (8.3%) of ß-lactamase-producing isolates. All BLNAR (minimum inhibitory concentration of ampicillin ≥ 4 mg/L) isolates had amino acid substitutions related to ampicillin resistance. Multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated genetic diversity although there were 2 clusters of highly resistant isolates with identical STs (sequence types; ST161 and 549). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations of penicillin-binding protein 3 represented the most prevalent mechanism of ampicillin resistance among H. influenzae isolates causing AOM in Japanese children. BLNAR isolates from children with AOM demonstrated genetic diversity. This study identified for the first time ST clones associated with BLNAR H. influenzae causing AOM in Japanese children.

Minimally Invasive Treatment for Hard Palate-Invading Maxillary Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor.

Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is one of the benign developmental odontogenic cystic lesions arising from impacted teeth. In comparison to other odontogenic cysts, such as radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts, KCOT is known to be more aggressive and is associated with a relatively high recurrence rate. Traditionally, KCOT has been treated with total resection through sublabial incision. Marsupialization is advocated to reduce surgical invasion. However in all the cases, marsupialization was performed in the oral cavity. With the recent development of appropriate instruments and the endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy (EMMM) technique, which allows preservation of the inferior turbinate and nasolacrimal duct, an exclusive endoscopic approach to KCOT becomes possible. However, when the KCOT invades the hard palate, total resection of the tumor requires subtotal maxillectomy including hard palate. Consequently, as the maxillary sinus connects to the oral cavity, life-long use of a prosthesis becomes mandatory. Here we report a case of a seventeen-year-old female with a hard palate-invading KCOT who was successfully treated with the EMMM approach. The KCOT was fenestrated to the nasal cavity, leading to preservation of the hard palate. The lesion invading the hard palate was found to remain unchanged over one year upon follow-up. The trans-nasal approach with EMMM is a direct, minimally invasive method providing a direct field of view for the treatment of maxillary odontogenic cysts. Marsupialization of the KCOT with the EMMM technique might be a viable treatment option if the maxillary KCOT invades surrounding structures.

Microbiological and molecular epidemiological analyses of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a tertiary care hospital in Japan.

Molecular characterization of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is generally conducted referred to staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV or V. CA-MRSA is now a cause of concern since such strains have been isolated not only from individuals in a community but also from patients in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to analyze microbiological and molecular epidemiological features of CA-MRSA strains at a Japanese tertiary care hospital using PCR based-open reading frame typing (POT). This technique allows for molecular classification into CA-MRSA (POT-CA) and hospital-associated (HA-) MRSA (POT-HA) with clonal discrimination. Clinical MRSA isolates obtained from consecutive patients between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 at the hospital were analyzed in combination with the clinical definition for CA-MRSA by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and POT. Of 219 isolates (76 clonal groups), 64 (29.3%) were clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates (22 clonal groups). Some clones of them accumulated in this hospital and might be involved in nosocomial transmission. Virulent factors of the isolates were analyzed, and only one (1.6%) Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene positive isolate but no arginine catabolic mobile element genes positive isolate were found in clinical-HA/POT-CA. Additionally, clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates showed higher antimicrobial susceptibility than clinical-HA/POT-HA, especially to minocycline, doxycycline, and amikacin. The most frequent genotype of molecular CA-MRSA was multi-locus sequence type 5-SCCmecIV, previously not detected in Japan. Although CA-MRSA at this hospital showed low virulence and higher antimicrobial susceptibility, the risk of nosocomial infection from them should be recognized, requiring stricter infection control measures.

Clinical factors indicating short nasal bone overlap.

CONCLUSION: It is important to take adequate precautions when performing septoplasty for elderly patients. OBJECTIVE: Septoplasty is the treatment of choice for deviation of the nasal septum. Saddle nose is a rare complication caused by damage to the keystone area. In this area, the nasal bone overlaps the upper lateral cartilages, so careful attention is needed when performing septoplasty to patients with short nasal bone overlap. Therefore, the factors associated with short nasal bone overlap were investigated to allow adequate precautions to be taken during surgery. METHOD: Computed tomography (CT) including the paranasal sinus region was performed in 177 patients. Data including sex, age, and the primary disease were obtained from their medical records. The degree of septal deviation and the bone overlap distance in the midline were measured using CT. RESULT: It was found that advancing age was significantly associated with shorter bone overlap distance in the midline. There was no significant association between the degree of septal deviation and nasal bone overlap distance in the midline. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the overlap distance between nasal sinus diseases and other diseases, and between sexes.

Impact of the Seven-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Acute Otitis Media in Japanese Children: Emergence of Serotype 15A Multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Middle Ear Fluid Isolates.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacteria causing acute otitis media (AOM). In Japan, a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced for voluntary vaccination of children in 2010, and it became a recommended vaccination in April 2013. We surveyed the serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from the middle ear fluid of Japanese children with AOM. METHODS: Between April and September 2013, a total of 176 S. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from the middle ear fluid of children aged 0-3 years with AOM. Isolates were collected from various regions of Japan. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were measured by the broth microdilution method. Serotyping was performed by observing the Quellung reaction. RESULTS: Although 45.5% of the strains were susceptible to penicillin G, 42.6% were penicillin-intermediate strains and 11.9% were penicillin-resistant strains. Serotype 19A (27.3%), serotype 15A (14.2%) and serotype 3 (11.9%) showed a high frequency. Although PCV7 types only accounted for 4.5% of all strains, 44.9% were PCV13 types and 55.1% were non-PCV types. Serotype 15A strains were 100% nonsusceptible to penicillin G and all of these strains showed multidrug resistance. Serotype 15A was frequent in children up to 1 year old. CONCLUSION: After this research was completed, PCV7 was switched to a PCV13 that also contained serotype 3 and serotype 19A. We need to consider the possibility that serotype 15A, which is not included in PCV13, may increase and cause intractable AOM in the future.

Outcomes of frontal mucoceles treated with conventional endoscopic sinus surgery.

CONCLUSION: Conventional endoscopic sinus surgery (CESS) is useful for frontal mucoceles. A patient with short anterior-posterior distance and bone thickening may need an axillary flap, Draf type IIb, or Draf type III procedure. OBJECTIVE: To present outcomes of frontal mucoceles treated with CESS and predict risk factors for poor outcomes to help define surgical indications. METHODS: A consecutive clinical series was reviewed retrospectively. The authors performed CESS without agger nasi resection (Draf type IIa) for 13 frontal sinus mucoceles in 12 patients between October 2011 and July 2013. Patient age, sex, blood eosinophil count, history of operation and co-existence of acute infection were compared. For the condition of the frontal sinus, anterior-posterior distance and width of frontal recess, bone thickening of the frontal recess, bone absorption due to continuous pressure by mucocele and anatomy of the frontal recess was noted. RESULTS: All operations were done without a navigation system. The post-operative course was uneventful in all 12 patients, and all symptoms gradually receded. Among 13 mucoceles, one frontal sinus (7.7%) closed during follow-up.

Clinical and bacteriological influence of diabetes mellitus on deep neck infection: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus has been recognized as the most common systemic disease associated with deep neck infection. We report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of diabetes on clinical and bacteriological characteristics of deep neck infection. METHODS: Articles were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society database. A critical review of 227 studies identified 20 studies eligible for quantitative synthesis. RESULTS: Diabetes was associated with higher prevalences of multispace spread of infection, complications, and failure to identify pathogenesis, with risk ratios (RRs) of 1.96, 2.42, and 1.29, respectively. Bacteriologically, patients with diabetes showed a higher prevalence of culture identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae (RR, 3.28), and lower prevalences of Streptococcus spp. (RR, 0.57) and anaerobes (RR, 0.54). CONCLUSION: Deep neck infection with diabetes differs from that without in several clinical aspects. Again, bacteriological differences imply that diabetic infections might be populated by different bacterial flora.

Twelve-year survey (2001-2012) of the antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from otorhinolaryngology clinics in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacteria causing otorhinolaryngological infections, such as acute otitis media and upper respiratory tract infection. Our group surveyed the drug susceptibility profile of S. pneumoniae isolates from otorhinolaryngology patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 41,069 S. pneumoniae isolates were detected at Miyagi Medical Association Health Center between May 2001 and December 2012. Specimens were obtained from patients at 40 otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8 antimicrobial agents were measured using the broth microdilution method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULTS: In children aged 0-2 years old, the MIC50 values of penicillins decreased after 2010 (PCG: 1 µg/ml (2010) to 0.06 µg/ml (2012); ABPC: 1 µg/ml (2010) to 0.25 µg/ml (2012)). The prevalence of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) decreased from 35.2% (2010) to 14.6% (2012) in rhinorrhea specimens and from 43.4% (2010) to 14.3% (2012) in otorrhea specimens. Susceptibility to cephems (ceftriaxone and cefditoren) and carbapenems (panipenem) also showed improvement after 2010. For macrolides (clarithromycin) and lincosamides (clindamycin), MIC50 values increased in all age groups during the study period, and a high level of resistance was seen until 2012. There were no marked changes of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (LVFX) during the study period. CONCLUSION: Improvement of susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to ß-lactams occurred after 2010 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Endoscopic drainage of orbital subperiosteal hematoma secondary to acute rhinosinusitis in a child.

Acute rhinosinusitis is frequently associated with secondary orbital infection, most commonly subperiosteal abscess. Although orbital subperiosteal abscess is a deadly disease that might lead to blind and cavernous sinus thrombosis, recent review of literature showed that immediate surgical intervention might not always be necessary for subperiosteal abscess. Orbital inflammation secondary to sinusitis is common in children, whereas orbital subperiosteal hematoma secondary to sinusitis is extremely rare, with only 11 reported cases, including one case in children. All the cases were treated with surgical intervention. Here we present a 12-year-old girl with rhinosinusitis and proptosis. Emergent endoscopic sinus surgery with partial removal of the lamina papyracea revealed dark brown fluid in the subperiosteal space. The patient was symptom-free 2 weeks after surgery. The present case was treated exclusively via an endonasal approach, whereas all 11 previous cases of subperiosteal hematoma were treated with external incision. The endonasal approach is favorable, especially for young female patients. Our review of literature shows that sudden onset, afebrile, and few signs of inflammation on blood test in patients with subperiosteal lesion may indicate subperiosteal hematoma. Surgery rather than antibiotic administration should be considered for the treatment of suspected subperiosteal hematoma. Treatment through only the endonasal approach is possible even if the hematoma is located in the roof of the orbit.

Severe acute otitis media caused by mucoid Streptococcus pyogenes in a previously healthy adult.

Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes is well recognized as the most common pathogen causing pharyngotonsillitis in school-age children. In Japan, mucoid Streptococcus pneumoniae is well known as a causative agent of severe acute otitis media (AOM); however, mucoid S. pyogenes has rarely been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an AOM patient caused by mucoid S. pyogenes in Japan. A 36-year-old previously healthy female was referred to our hospital with suspicion of cerebrospinal otorrhea due to increasing otalgia accompanied by headache following myringotomy. Bacterial cultures of middle ear secretions were performed, and mucoid-form colonies surrounded by zones of complete ß-hemolysis were produced on sheep's blood agar. Antigen-agglutination test results were positive for S. pyogenes, and thus the patient received treatment with panipenem-betamipron 2.0 g/day for 10 days, which resolved nearly all symptoms. The bacteriological features of this strain were then investigated. The M-protein genotype encoded by the emm gene, the major virulence factor of S. pyogenes, was determined to be emm75. Generally, S. pyogenes forms colonies having non-mucoid matt appearances based on ß-hemolysis of sheep's blood agar. The mucoid phenotype results from abundant production of hyaluronic acid capsular polysaccharide, a key virulence determinant. emm75 is common in noninvasive, but less common in invasive disease. In conclusion, mucoid S. pyogenes can cause severe infection even in previously healthy persons. Emergence of mucoid S. pyogenes and drug resistance trends should be monitored in the future.