Head and neck infections in pediatric cardiac transplant patients.

A retrospective chart review was undertaken at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center to assess the incidence, etiology and management of head and neck infections in pediatric cardiac transplant patients on immunosuppression. From June 1984 to February 1992, 59 cardiac transplants were performed on 57 pediatric patients. Standard immunosuppressive therapy was used. Thirteen of these patients died within three months of transplant and were not included. Of the 44 patient charts reviewed, 82 head and neck infections were documented in 27 patients (61%). There were 26 episodes of sinusitis, 27 episodes of otitis media and 20 episodes of tonsillitis/pharyngitis. Unusual middle-ear pathogens seen included Morganella morgagni and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These preliminary data suggest that children on immunosuppression for cardiac transplant may be at risk for head and neck infections from unusual or unsuspected organisms, and tympanocentesis plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment. A prospective study is planned to gain further data.