scholarly journals Esophageal Perforation and EVAC in Pediatric Patients: A Case Series of Four Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Antonia Ritz ◽  
Mohammad Samer Hajji ◽  
Tobias Schwerd ◽  
Sibylle Koletzko ◽  
Dietrich von Schweinitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Perforation ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Suction Catheter ◽  
Vacuum Assisted Closure ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Recurrent Fistula

Introduction: In pediatric patients, esophageal perforation (EP) is rare but associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates of up to 20–30%. In addition to standard treatment options, endoscopic esophageal vacuum-assisted closure (EVAC) therapy has shown promising results, especially in adult patients. Thus far, the only data on technical success and effectiveness of EVAC in pediatric patients were published in 2018 by Manfredi et al. at Boston Children's Hospital. The sparse data on EVAC in children indicates that this promising technique has been barely utilized in pediatric patients. More data are needed to evaluate efficacy and outcomes of this technique in pediatric patients.Method: We reviewed five cases of therapy using EVAC, ArgyleTM Replogle Suction Catheter (RSC), or both on pediatric patients with EP in our institution between October 2018 and April 2020.Results: Five patients with EP (median 3.4 years; 2 males) were treated with EVAC, RSC, or a combination. Complete closure of EP was not achieved after EVAC alone, though patients' health stabilized and inflammation and size of EP decreased after EVAC. Four patients then were treated with RSC until the EP healed. One patient needed surgery as the recurrent fistula did not heal sufficiently after 3 weeks of EVAC therapy. Two patients developed stenosis and were successfully treated with dilatations. One patient treated with RSC alone showed persistent EP after 5 weeks.Conclusion: EVAC in pediatric patients is technically feasible and a promising method to treat EP, regardless of the underlying cause. EVAC therapy can be terminated as soon as local inflammation and C-reactive protein levels decrease, even if the mucosa is not healed completely at that time. A promising subsequent treatment is RSC. An earlier switch to RSC can substantially reduce the need of anesthesia during subsequent treatments. Our findings indicate that EVAC is more effective than RSC alone. In some cases, EVAC can be used to improve the tissues condition in preparation for a re-do surgery. At 1 year after therapy, all but one patient demonstrated sufficient weight gain. Further prospective studies with a larger cohort are required to confirm our observations from this small case series.

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Natural History of Chronic Inducible Urticaria in a Pediatric Cohort

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Laura May Miles ◽  
Sofianne Gabrielli ◽  
Michelle Le ◽  
Elena Netchiporouk ◽  
Sharon Baum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Protocol Population ◽  
Chronic Inducible Urticaria ◽  
Inducible Urticaria ◽  
History Of

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Some forms of chronic urticaria (CU) can be specifically attributed to a response to a definite trigger, referred to as chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU). We aimed to assess the demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, natural history, and management of pediatric patients with CIndU. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Over a 6-year period, children presenting to the allergy clinic at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) with CIndU were prospectively recruited. CU was defined as the presence of wheals and/or angioedema, occurring for at least 6 weeks. A standardized diagnostic test was used to establish the presence of a specific form of urticaria. Resolution was defined as the absence of hives for 1 year without treatment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Sixty-four patients presented with CIndU, of which 51.6% were male, with a median age of 12.5 (interquartile range 7.3, 15.9) years. Cold CU and cholinergic CU were the most common subtypes (60.3 and 41.3%, respectively). Basophil counts were undetectable in 48.4% of the cases, and C-reactive protein levels were elevated in 7.8% of patients. Of all cases, 71.4% were controlled with second-generation antihistamines. The resolution rate was of 45.3% (95% confidence interval 33.1–57.5%), based on per-protocol population within the 6-year course of the study. Resolution was more likely in patients who presented with well-controlled urticaria control test scores and elevated CD63 counts and in those suffering from thyroid comorbidity. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The natural history of CIndU resolution in pediatric patients was relatively low and was associated with elevated CD63 levels, as well as thyroid comorbidity.

scholarly journals Use of CytoSorb therapy to treat critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a case series

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yatin Mehta ◽  
Chitra Mehta ◽  
Saurabh Nanda ◽  
Gaurav Kochar ◽  
Joby V. George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Average Duration ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Asian Ethnicity ◽  
Duration Of Stay ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Interleukin 6 Receptor ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome is an important clinical presentation of respiratory complications caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a novel coronavirus responsible for the ongoing pandemic. The disease is poorly understood, and immunopathogenesis is constantly evolving. Cytokine release syndrome remains central to pathology of coronavirus disease 2019. Antivirals, anticytokine treatment, and other pharmacological approaches have failed to treat it. CytoSorb, an extracorporeal cytokine adsorber that reduces the cytokine storm and other inflammatory mediators in the blood, seems promising in treating severely ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Case presentation This article presents three cases of Asian ethnicity of severely ill adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to intensive care unit who were treated with CytoSorb therapy. All patients used single CytoSorb device. During their clinical course, all patients were prescribed tocilizumab (an interleukin-6 receptor blocker), antivirals, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and other antibiotics and general antipyretic drugs. No vasopressor treatment was required. The patients’ average duration of stay in intensive care unit was 30 days; the average duration of stay in hospital was 31 days. All three patients showed significant improvement in biochemical parameters and clinical outcomes post CytoSorb therapy. C-reactive protein levels decreased by 91.5%, 97.4%, and 55.75 %, and mean arterial pressure improved by 18%, 23%, and 17 % in patient 1, 2, and 3, respectively, on day 7 post-therapy. Conclusions All three patients improved clinically and survived.

scholarly journals Effects and Safety of Convalescent Plasma Administration in a Group of Polish Pediatric Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Paweł Małecki ◽  
Kamil Faltin ◽  
Anna Mania ◽  
Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska ◽  
Agnieszka Cwalińska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Virus Elimination ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Promising Treatment ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
The Mean

Despite the enormous advances in knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 infection, the optimal treatment for COVID-19 is still not well defined. The use of convalescent plasma seems to be a promising method of treatment but requires further evaluation. Although it is usually mild, in children with underlying chronic diseases, the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be very severe. We described a series of 13 pediatric patients (mean age 10.4 years, median 12) treated with convalescent plasma as a method of COVID-19 therapy. Medical history, with particular emphasis on comorbidities, clinical course, laboratory parameters, supportive treatment and virus elimination time, were analyzed. The mean hospitalization time was 22.6 days (median 20). The most common abnormalities included increased levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and lymphopenia. Median time from symptom onset to convalescent plasma transfusion was 10.6 days (median 7 days). Six patients (46.2%) had a viral clearance on RT-PCR method from a nasopharyngeal swab within 3 days of transfusion, while in the remaining patients the mean elimination time was 12.1 days (median 6 days). Clinical improvement was achieved in all patients; no adverse effects were found in any of the cases. Convalescent plasma may be a promising treatment for COVID-19 in children.

Surgery for Lung Cancer and the Consequences for the Swallow

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Pippa Hales ◽  
Corinne Mossey-Gaston
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Vocal Cord Palsy ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Physiological Reserve ◽  
Palliative Phase ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Swallow Function

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers across Northern America and Europe. Treatment options offered are dependent on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the staging, and the overall health of the person. When surgery for lung cancer is offered, difficulty swallowing is a potential complication that can have several influencing factors. Surgical interaction with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to unilateral vocal cord palsy, altering swallow function and safety. Understanding whether the RLN has been preserved, damaged, or sacrificed is integral to understanding the effect on the swallow and the subsequent treatment options available. There is also the risk of post-surgical reduction of physiological reserve, which can reduce the strength and function of the swallow in addition to any surgery specific complications. As lung cancer has a limited prognosis, the clinician must also factor in the palliative phase, as this can further increase the burden of an already compromised swallow. By understanding the surgery and the implications this may have for the swallow, there is the potential to reduce the impact of post-surgical complications and so improve quality of life (QOL) for people with lung cancer.

Positive correlation between neovascularization degree of carotid atherosclerosis determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and level of serum C-reactive protein

VASA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 0187-0194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoni Chang ◽  
Jun Feng ◽  
Litao Ruan ◽  
Jing Shang ◽  
Yanqiu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contrast Enhancement ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Artery Stenosis ◽  
Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Axis View

Background: Neovascularization is one of the most important risk factors for unstable plaque. This study was designed to correlate plaque thickness, artery stenosis and levels of serum C-reactive protein with the degree of intraplaque enhancement determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Patients and methods: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed on 72 carotid atherosclerotic plaques in 48 patients. Contrast enhancement within the plaque was categorized as grade 1, 2 or 3. Maximum plaque thickness was measured in short-axis view. Carotid artery stenosis was categorized as mild, moderate or severe. Results: Plaque contrast enhancement was not associated with the degree of artery stenosis or with plaque thickness. Serum C-reactive protein levels were positively correlated with the number of new vessels in the plaque. C-reactive protein levels increased in the three groups(Grade 1: 3.72±1.79mg/L; Grade 2: 7.88±4.24 mg/L; Grade 3: 11.02±3.52 mg/L), with significant differences among them (F=10.14, P<0.01), and significant differences between each two groups (P<0.05). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed that serum C-reactive protein levels were positively correlated with the degree of carotid plaque enhancement (Rs =0.69, P<0.01). Conclusions: The combination of C-reactive protein levels and intraplaque neovascularization detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound may allow more accurate evaluation of plaque stability.

In-block lateralization as a new technique for mobilization of the inferior alveolar nerve: a technique case series

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Augusto Tomazi ◽  
Alexandre da Silveira Gerzson ◽  
Angelo Menuci Neto ◽  
André Luciano Pasinato da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Inferior Alveolar Nerve ◽  
Case Series ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Autogenous Bone ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Short Implants ◽  
Bone Atrophy ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Number Of Treatment

The edentulous atrophic posterior mandible is often a great challenge for implant rehabilitation. Although a number of treatment options have been proposed, including the use of short implants and surgical grafting techniques, in cases of severe bone atrophy, techniques for mobilization of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) have been shown to be efficient, with good results. Four female patients underwent IAN lateralization for prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior mandible from 2013 to 2019, with 1 year to 5 years and 4 months of follow-up. This case series describes a new technique for mobilization of the IAN, named in-block lateralization, to facilitate access to the IAN and to reduce nerve manipulation. The implant is immediately installed (allowing nerve lateralization in unitary spaces) and the original mandibular anatomy is restored with autogenous bone from the original bed during the same surgical procedure. When well indicated and well performed, this new approach provides better and easier visualization of the IAN as well as safer manipulation aiming to achieve good results for implant stability and minimal risk of neurosensory disturbances, allowing rehabilitation even in unitary spaces.

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