Single-session versus two-session placement of chest port and gastrostomy tube in patients with head and neck cancer: Is there any difference in the device-related early infection rates?

Background It is unknown whether placement of a chest port (port) and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) in a single session increases the risk of the early device infections in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing chemoradiation. Purpose To compare the incidence of early (≤30 days) port and G-tube infections placed in a single session compared to two separate sessions in patients with HNC. Material and Methods Between January 2012 and December 2019, 169 patients with HNC undergoing chemoradiation had a port and a G-tube placed in a single session (single-session group), while 25 had both devices placed in two separate sessions (two-session group) within 30 days of each other. The incidence of early device infections was compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine if the number of sessions was a variable affecting device infections. Results A total of 6 (3%) early port infections and 13 (6.7%) early G-tube infections were identified. The two groups did not significantly differ in the incidence of early port infections (3.0%, 5/169 and 4.0%, 1/25, p = 0.59) nor early G-tube infections (7.1%, 12/169 and 4.0%, 1/25, p = 1.0). The number of sessions for device placement was not a variable affecting overall device infections in logistic regression analyses (odds ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 0.20–7.82, p = 0.82) after controlling for potential confounding variables. Conclusions The risk of early device infections in single-session placement appeared to be the same as two-session placement in patients with HNC undergoing chemoradiation.

Tailored approach to the choice of long-term vascular access in breast cancer patients

This study compared the possible options for vascular access in breast cancer patients by analyzing the complications of each method. We retrospectively evaluated the vascular access procedures for intravenous chemotherapy in breast cancer patients from 2016 to 2018. A total of 300 consecutive patients were included, 100 each who received peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), arm ports, and chest ports. When selecting a catheter, a PICC was considered when four cycles of chemotherapy were expected. Otherwise, patient preference was considered. All but one patient with an arm port were women, with mean age of 51.7 ± 9.1 years. The total mean complication-free catheter indwelling time was 1357.6 days for chest ports, 997.8 days for arm ports, and 366.8 days for PICCs (p = 0.004). There were 11 catheter-related complications (3.7%), one in a chest port patient, five in arm port patients, and eight in PICC patients. There was no patient with catheter related blood stream infection or deep vein thrombosis. All three types of catheters could be used in breast cancer patients without causing serious complications. The selection of catheter considering the clinical situation was effective for providing a safe and secure chemotherapy delivery route.

Satisfaction of Search: Recurrent Wilms Tumor Mimicking Chest Port Granuloma on Chest Film

Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) is the most common renal malignancy of childhood and typically presents as a painless abdominal mass. The high success rates of surgery and chemotherapy make recurrence of Wilms tumor uncommon. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl who underwent radical nephrectomy and chemotherapy for a Wilms tumor, but suffered a relapse of the tumor to the lung. The metastasis was initially detected as a density on chest radiograph that was, coincidentally, in the same location as a recently explanted chest port. The diagnosis of recurrent malignancy was thus obscured by the patient’s history as well as a correlating physical examination finding of a palpable mass at the site of the previously placed chest port. Moreover, the mass was not seen on lateral view, all of which suggested an alternative diagnosis of granulation tissue versus seroma rather than recurrent Wilms tumor. A high degree of clinical suspicion was necessary on the part of the clinician and radiologist to diagnose the relapse.

Comparison between Arm Port and Chest Port for Optimal Vascular Access Port in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives. This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the complication rates between arm and chest ports in patients with breast cancer. Design and Data Sources. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang database were used to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of publications published from the inception of the database to 11, October 2019. Our search generated a total of 22 articles published from 2011 to 2019, including 6 comparative studies and 16 single-arm articles, involving 4131 cases and 5272 controls. Single-arm studies combined with comparative studies were also pooled and analyzed. Finally, subgroup analysis was performed to compare the rates of infection and thrombosis between these two ports. Eligibility Criteria. Included articles were research studies comparing complication rates of arm ports with chest ports in patients with breast cancer. Any review or meta-analysis article would be removed. Data Extraction and Synthesis. Demographic data and information for the following analysis were extracted. DerSimonian and Laird random effect meta-analysis was conducted to analyze comparative studies while Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used for assessment of publication bias. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explain the sources of heterogeneity. Results. There was no difference in the risk of overall complications between arm and chest ports for comparative studies (P=0.083). While results of pooled comparative and single-arm studies indicated that arm port would increase the overall complication risks with RR of 2.64, results of the subgroup analysis showed that there was no difference in the risk of catheter-related infection between these two ports. However, arm port might be associated with the higher thrombosis rates compared with chest port according to the results of the analysis for only comparative studies (RR = 2.23, P=0.041) as well as pooled comparative and single-arm studies (RR = 1.21, P=0.029). Conclusions. This study indicated that the arm port might increase the risk of overall complication risks as well as the risk of catheter-related thrombosis compared with the chest port. However, these reported findings still need to be verified by large randomized clinical trials.

189. A Case Series of Elizabethkingia meningosepticum Bacteremia in the Cancer Population

Background Elizabethkingia meningosepticum (E. meningosepticum) is a ubiquitous microorganism previously known as Chryseobacterium meningosepticum. It is emerging as a pathogen responsible for bacteremia in immunocompromised patients such as cancer patients especially those with a history of prolonged hospital stay and frequent instrumentations. Methods A retrospective chart review of all cases over 10 years in Moffitt Cancer Center showed a total of three patients with E. meningosepticum infection. Results First patient (history of multiple myeloma) underwent endoscopy complicated by aspiration pneumonia and blood culture positive for E. meningosepticum infection. He was treated with ciprofloxacin, cefoxitin, minocycline and metronidazole and was discharged in stable conditions after 10 days. The second patient (current acute myelogenous leukemia) had neutropenic fever in the setting of recent chest port infection. Blood culture from chest port showed E. meningosepticum and was treated with ciprofloxacin, meropenem and minocycline successfully. The third patient (history of esophageal adenocarcinoma and acute myelogenous leukemia) had history of recent pneumonia and cellulitis who came in with recurrent neutropenic fever. Blood culture was positive for E. meningosepticum and was treated with ciprofloxacin and minocycline. However, the infection was complicated by multiorgan failure and required tracheostomy. As these three cases illustrate, E. meningosepticum bacteremia has high 28- day mortality rate (41%). Conclusion Early identification of the pathogen along with empiric treatment with a fluoroquinolone and/or minocycline is indicated to reduce morbidity and mortality. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.