Head and neck lipoblastoma in children: A case report and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lipoblastoma is a rare and benign tumor arising from embryonal fat cells. It develops primarily in infancy and early childhood. We present a case study of a 10-month-old child treated for an extensive tumor of the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space. The systematic review of 60 reports in 80 children with lipoblastoma of the head and neck is also reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic review of all articles included lipoblastomas of the head and neck area in children published from 1964 to 2022 in the PubMed database was conducted. Clinical presentation of extensive lipoblastoma of the head and neck in a child. RESULTS: On the basis of all inclusion criteria 83 articles were identified concerning pediatric lipoblastoma. There were 36 F (45%) and 39 M (48%), in 6 patients, (7%) gender was not specified. Ages ranged from 0mth (6h) to 15 yo (180mth). The tumor was located in the head in 22 (27%) cases, while the neck area accounted for 53 (65%) cases. General description without precise location was shown in 6 (7%) cases. All patients underwent complete surgical excision. Post surgical recurrence was noted in 6% clinical cases in the analyzed articles. CONCLUSIONS: Lipoblastoma is characterized by a rapidly growing predominantly adipose mass. The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision. In selected cases when the pathology is hard to reach, as a consequence of the extensive penetration of the mass, we recommend performing the procedure with an interdisciplinary team. Endoscopy assistance and microdebrider significantly facilitated the removal of pathology in the described advanced case of lipoblastoma. This is the only case reported in the pediatric literature of a head and neck lipoblastoma, where due to extensive involvement and location of the disease the cranial nerves V2 and inferior alveolar branch of V3 could not be spared. Long-term follow-up even to 10 years is required because there is a reported tendency for these tumors to recur.

Polish national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion in children.

Otitis media with effusion (OME), is a common childhood disease and is characterized by long-term fluid retention in the middle ear spaces without signs of acute infection. Surgical treatment of OME in the form of a tympanostomy is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures by pediatric ENT surgeons worldwide. In February 2022, the Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery published updated guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery for tympanostomy tuba in children between 6 months and 12 years of age. They are aimed at both otolaryngologists and pediatricians, as well as other medical personnel who are directly involved in the care of patients with tympanostomy tuba or are candidates for the procedure. The previous version of the guidelines was developed in 2013. With the cooperation of the Board of Expert chaired by the National Consultant in Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Prof. Wieslaw Konopka, PhD, during the VII International Conference "Otology, 2022" which took place on September 15-17, 2022 in Torun, the previously published recommendations and consensuses from other countries, both European and non-European, were analyzed and the task of developing new national diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for OME was undertaken.

Qualification of unilateral cochlear implant recipients for a second device.

INTRODUCTION: Although it is recommended to perform cochlear implantation in both ears at the same time for management of profound hearing loss in children, many centers prefer to perform sequential implantation. There are many reasons as to why a simultaneous bilateral implantation is not commonly accepted and performed. The major risk is the possibility of bilateral vestibular organ impairment. However, it is beyond doubt that children who received the first implant should be given a chance for binaural hearing and associated benefits. In the literature, there are no homogenous criteria for bilateral implantation, and it is hard to find uniform and convincing algorithms for second cochlear implantation. The aim of this study is an attempt to identify a safe way of qualifying for second cochlear implantation in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty children with one cochlear implant were qualified for the second implantation. During qualification, the following were taken into account: time of the first implantation, audiometry results, use of the hearing aid in the ear without an implant and benefit of the device, speech and hearing development, and vestibular organ function. R esults: Fifteen out of forty children (38%) were qualified for the second implantation. In 35% of children, the decision was delayed with possible second implantation in the future. Eleven children (27%) were disqualified from the second surgery. DISCUSSION: During evaluation according to the protocol presented in our study, 38% of children with a single cochlear implant were qualified for the second implantation with a chance for an optimal development and effective use of the second cochlear implant. We are convinced that sequential implantation with a short interval between surgeries and with an examination of the vestibular organ, hearing and speech development as well as an assessment of potential benefits from the second implant (bimodal stimulation) before the second implantation is the safest and most beneficial solution for children with severe hearing loss.

Therapeutic approach to pediatric acute mastoiditis - an update / Abordagem terapêutica da mastoidite aguda pediátrica - uma atualização

Abstract Introduction: Acute mastoiditis remains the most common complication of acute otitis media. It may rarely appear also in cochlear implant patients. However, the treatment recommendations for this disease are not precisely defined or employed, and in the current literature the differences regarding both the diagnosis and management are relatively substantial. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine a standard and safe procedure to be applied in case of pediatric acute mastoiditis. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 73 patients with 83 episodes of acute mastoiditis hospitalized at our tertiary-care center between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. Bacteriology, methods of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. Based on our experience and literature data, a protocol was established in order to standardize management of pediatric acute mastoiditis. Results: All the patients treated for acute mastoiditis were submitted to an intravenous antibiotic regimen. In the analyzed group pharmacological treatment only was applied in 11% of children, in 12% myringotomy/tympanostomy was added, and in the vast majority of patients (77%) mastoidectomy was performed. In our study recurrent mastoiditis was noted in 8% of the patients. We also experienced acute mastoiditis in a cochlear implant child, and in this case, a minimal surgical procedure, in order to protect the device, was recommended. Conclusions: The main points of the management protocol are: initiate a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment; mastoidectomy should be performed if the infection fails to be controlled after 48 h of administering intravenous antibiotic therapy. We believe that early mastoidectomy prevents serious complications, and our initial observation is that by performing broad mastoidectomy with posterior attic and facial recess exposure, recurrence of acute mastoiditis can be prevented.

Resumo Introdução: A mastoidite aguda continua a ser a complicação mais comum da otite média aguda. Pode ocorrer também, embora raramente, em pacientes com implante coclear. Entretanto, as recomendações de tratamento para essa doença não são bem definidas ou usadas e, na literatura corrente, as diferenças em relação ao diagnóstico e ao manejo são relativamente significativas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar um procedimento padrão e seguro a ser aplicado em caso de mastoidite aguda pediátrica. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de 73 pacientes com 83 episó-dios de mastoidite aguda hospitalizados em nosso centro terciário entre os anos de 2001 a 2016. Foram analisados a bacteriologia, métodos de tratamento, evolução hospitalar, complicações e histórico otológico. Com base em nossa experiência e dados da literatura, foi estabelecido um protocolo para padronizar o tratamento da mastoidite aguda pediátrica. Resultados: Todos os pacientes tratados para mastoidite aguda foram submetidos a antibioticoterapia endovenosa. No grupo analisado, o tratamento farmacológico só foi aplicado em 11% das crianças, em 12% a miringotomia/timpanostomia foi adicionada e na maior parte dos pacientes (77%) foi feita a mastoidectomia. Em nosso estudo, mastoidite recorrente foi observada em 8% dos pacientes. Também observamos mastoidite aguda em criança usuária de implante coclear e, nesse caso, foi recomendada a minimização de procedimentos cirúrgicos, a fim de proteger o dispositivo. Conclusões: Os principais pontos do protocolo de conduta são: iniciar um tratamento antibiótico endovenoso de amplo espectro; a mastoidectomia deve ser feita caso a infecção não seja controlada após 48 horas da administração de antibioticoterapia intravenosa. Acreditamos que a mastoidectomia precoce previne complicações graves e nossa observação inicial é que, com uma mastoidectomia ampla com exposição do ático posterior e do recesso facial, a recorrência de mastoidite aguda pode ser evitada.

The significance of selected prognostic factors in pediatric tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the importance of selected prognostic factors on outcomes of tympanoplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 241 children classified into three age groups (3-7, 8-12 and 13-18), had undergone tympanoplasty between 2001 and 2007 and were subsequently observed for at least 2 years. Prognostic factors were assessed with regard to their impact on the functional and anatomical outcome of the tympanoplasty defined, respectively, as postoperative air-bone gap and state of the middle ear. RESULTS: In 85% of children, a tympanic membrane reconstruction was performed. An unchanged TM was achieved in 85% of the patients in early results and in 76% in later results. Air-bone gap closure was observed in 66% of cases. The earlier preventive retraction pocket tympanoplasty was performed, the better anatomical results were obtained-ranging from 91% in the 3-7 age group versus 75-70% in 8-12 and 13-18 age groups. The results of total or subtotal perforation reconstructions were worse than for small perforation with closure rates of 76.5% vs 94.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age is not a factor determining the success rate in pediatric tympanoplasty. A better surgical outcome can be achieved in children with a dry ear, and better middle ear condition, because of previously performed surgeries. Preventive tympanoplasty is also advantageous. The hearing results in type 2 and 3 tympanoplasty are similar, but type 1 tympanoplasty has superior efficacy to the former two types.

Therapeutic approach to pediatric acute mastoiditis - an update.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mastoiditis remains the most common complication of acute otitis media. It may rarely appear also in cochlear implant patients. However, the treatment recommendations for this disease are not precisely defined or employed, and in the current literature the differences regarding both the diagnosis and management are relatively substantial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine a standard and safe procedure to be applied in case of pediatric acute mastoiditis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 73 patients with 83 episodes of acute mastoiditis hospitalized at our tertiary-care center between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. Bacteriology, methods of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. Based on our experience and literature data, a protocol was established in order to standardize management of pediatric acute mastoiditis. RESULTS: All the patients treated for acute mastoiditis were submitted to an intravenous antibiotic regimen. In the analyzed group pharmacological treatment only was applied in 11% of children, in 12% myringotomy/tympanostomy was added, and in the vast majority of patients (77%) mastoidectomy was performed. In our study recurrent mastoiditis was noted in 8% of the patients. We also experienced acute mastoiditis in a cochlear implant child, and in this case, a minimal surgical procedure, in order to protect the device, was recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The main points of the management protocol are: initiate a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment; mastoidectomy should be performed if the infection fails to be controlled after 48h of administering intravenous antibiotic therapy. We believe that early mastoidectomy prevents serious complications, and our initial observation is that by performing broad mastoidectomy with posterior attic and facial recess exposure, recurrence of acute mastoiditis can be prevented.

Diagnosis and management of pediatric cervical vagal schwannoma.

Schwannomas arising from the vagus nerve are extremely rare in children, with only 15 cases reported in the world literature. We describe a pediatric case of cervical vagal nerve schwannoma successfully treated with cranial nerve-sparing surgery. Our patient presented extensive mass in the right side of the neck with ipsilateral Horner's syndrome. Her first sign, anisocoria, was diagnosed at the age of 1.5 y, making her the youngest vagal schwannoma case ever reported. Using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator and nerve monitoring, a multidisciplinary team successfully removed the mass with no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up.

Pediatric recurrent acute mastoiditis: Risk factors and insights into pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent acute mastoiditis is repeatedly reported in the literature, but data to understand the pathogenesis, update treatment recommendations and inform future trials are sparse due to the infrequency of the disease. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from 2001 to 2016 was conducted including 73 children treated for acute mastoiditis. A follow-up survey was attempted for each patient. Bacteriology, method of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. A chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test compared recurrent acute mastoiditis to single acute mastoiditis cases. Additionally, a comprehensive PubMed search and review of world literature addressing recurrent pediatric acute mastoiditis was performed for comparative purposes. RESULTS: Among 73 children with acute mastoiditis, six (8%) experienced recurrent acute mastoiditis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the only bacteria isolated in this group. History of recurrent acute otitis media (>4 per year) prior to the first episode of acute mastoiditis was identified in 24% with single episode of acute mastoiditis and 83% with recurrent mastoiditis (p < 0.05). Fewer intracranial/intratemporal complications were identified among recurrent mastoiditis patients (p < 0.05). In a group of patients treated with more extensive surgical communication during mastoidectomy for primary acute mastoiditis (wide mastoidectomy with broad attic exposure and posterior tympanotomy) no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: We identify multiple risk factors associated with recurrence and provide early data supporting anatomic predisposition to the development of recurrent acute mastoiditis. More aggressive opening between the mastoid cavity and middle ear may prevent recurrent acute mastoiditis episodes.

Different clinical presentation and management of temporal bone fibrous dysplasia in children.

BACKGROUND: Fibrous dysplasia is a slowly progressive benign fibro-osseous disorder that involves one or multiple bones with a unilateral distribution in most cases. It is a lesion of unknown etiology, uncertain pathogenesis, and diverse histopathology. Temporal bone involvement is the least frequently reported type, especially in children. We reviewed available articles regarding fibrous dysplasia with temporal bone involvement in children and added four patients aged 7 to 17 years who were diagnosed and treated in our institution from 2006 to 2017. The patients' clinical picture comprised head deformity, external canal stenosis, headache, progressive conductive and/or sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and sudden deafness. Two patients had experienced severe episodic vertigo with nausea and vomiting. Two were referred to us with external canal obstruction and secondary cholesteatoma formation with broad middle ear destruction. One was diagnosed with acute mastoiditis and intracranial complications. Optimal management of fibrous dysplasia is unclear and can be challenging, especially in children. In our two patients with disease expansion and involvement of important structures, surgical treatment was abandoned and a "wait-and-scan" policy was applied. The other two were qualified for surgical treatment. One patient underwent two surgeries: modified lateral petrosectomy (canal left open) with pathological tissue removal, cavity obliteration, and subsequent tympanoplasty. Another patient with extensive destruction of the left temporal bone underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy with perisinus abscess drainage and revision 12 months later. Tympanoplasty was unsatisfactory in both patients because of slow progression of the middle ear pathology. None of our patients underwent pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In younger patients, observation and a "wait-and-scan" protocol is relevant until significant function, or cosmetic deficits are obvious. Surgery is not preferred and should be delayed until puberty because fibrous dysplasia has a tendency to stabilize after adolescence. In patients with severe symptoms medical treatment can be implemented, but safety of this treatment in children remain controversial.