Assessment of mediastinal shift angles in congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a new fetal magnetic resonance imaging indicator of congenital lung disease

BACKGROUND

The mediastinal shift angle is a new fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) index that is reportedly correlated with postnatal survival in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. However, its correlation in patients with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to establish a normal range for the right/left mediastinal shift angles, to evaluate the mediastinal shift angle in fetuses with CPAM, to compare the mediastinal shift angle with the CPAM volume ratio, and to evaluate the predictive value of the mediastinal shift angle measurements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To establish the normal range, we measured the mediastinal shift angle bilaterally in 124 fetuses without any lung abnormality (the control group). Subsequently, the mediastinal shift angle was measured in 32 fetuses pathologically diagnosed with CPAM. Moreover, the mediastinal shift angle and CPAM volume ratio were compared using fetal MRI.

RESULTS

The mean values for the right/left mediastinal shift angles were 18.6°/26.3° and 39.2°/35.9° for control fetuses and fetuses with CPAM, respectively. The mediastinal shift angle and the CPAM volume ratio showed a positive statistical correlation. The area under the curve demonstrated high discriminatory accuracy for the mediastinal shift angle (0.76).

CONCLUSION

The mediastinal shift angle has potential to replace the CPAM volume ratio for evaluating the severity of CPAM in fetal MRI.

Outcomes of nonrejection in weakly fluorescent intestine detected by indocyanine green fluorescence angiography: a case series of infants

BACKGROUND

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, a validated noninvasive imaging technique, is used to assess tissue vascularization. Here, we report three infant patients who underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography and suffered from postoperative complications caused by the lack of weak fluorescent intestinal resection and assessed residual intestinal perfusion.

CASE PRESENTATION

We observed the clinical characteristics and operative findings of patients treated from January 2022 to December 2022. Indocyanine green (0.5 mg/kg) was intravenously injected. The first patient was a 29-day-old girl with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis who underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography at the first- and second-look operations. The proximal jejunum was difficult to diagnose to detect blood flow during the second-look operation. The second patient was a 32-day-old boy with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis. A part of the antimesenteric mucosa of the patient that exhibited weak fluorescence was preserved; however, it formed postoperative hematomas. The third patient was a 30-day-old boy with midgut volvulus. Weak fluorescence in the intestinal wall was observed 5 cm of the small intestine from the ileocecal valve was preserved, but it formed a stricture, and the patient underwent ileocecal resection after 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Weak fluorescence in the intestine in infants by performing indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is associated with a high risk of non-recovering ischemic lesions and postoperative complications.

Comparison of Postoperative Respiratory Function Between Patients After Thoracoscopic and Open Lobectomy

Purpose: This study aimed to compare respiratory functions of patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy (TS) with those after thoracotomy (TR). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in two centers, one of which adapted TS as a standard procedure in 2009 and the other performs it via TR. Data on patients who underwent lobectomy for congenital lung disease between 2009 and 2021 and underwent pulmonary function test (spirometry) were collected. Results: Ten patients underwent TS and 36 underwent TR. Distribution based on sex, prenatal diagnosis, pathological diagnosis, and resected lobe were similar between the two groups. The median [interquartile range] age at procedure in the TR group was significantly smaller than that in the TS group (13 [11-18] months versus 38 [13-79] months, P = .03). The procedure duration in the TR group was significantly shorter than that in the TS group (230 [171-264] minutes versus 264 [226-420] minutes, P = .02). Pulmonary function test was conducted at the age of eight in both groups, but the interval between the procedure, and the test was significantly shorter in the TS group (TR: 7 [5-8] years versus TS: 5 [2-7] years, P = .03). The ratio of forced vital capacity compared to predicted one (TR: 86.6 [76.6-95.3] versus TS: 88.7 [86.8-89.1], P = .58) and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second against that predicted (TR: 84.0 [80.5-88.7] versus TS: 88.7 [86.8-89.1], P = .08) were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Although TR was performed earlier than TS, respiratory function was similar between the two groups.

Intake levels and main sources of nutrients for Japanese children with motor or intellectual disabilities

Proper nutritional management is important for the growth and development of children with motor or intellectual disabilities; however, few studies have investigated the nutrient intake of children with disabilities. This study aimed to investigate the nutrient intake and food groups that are the main sources of nutrients for children with disabilities. This cross-sectional observational study included twenty-five children (mean age, 11⋅8 years) from five hospitals in Japan. Using a 3-d weighed dietary record, we estimated the daily nutrient intake and food and beverage sources that contributed to nutrient intake. The mean values of calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin C intake were below the recommended dietary allowance, and those of dietary fiber and potassium were below the levels recommended by the Tentative Dietary Goal for Preventing Lifestyle-related Diseases (DG). In contrast, the mean intake values of fat, saturated fatty acids, and sodium were above the DG levels. Dairy products, meat, vegetables, and cereals were found to be the major contributors of nutrients. Increased intake of vegetables may help alleviate insufficient micronutrient intake in children with disabilities.

Development of a set of quality indicators in paediatric and perinatal care in Japan with a modified Delphi method

BACKGROUNDS

Few paediatric and perinatal quality indicators (QIs) have been developed in the Japanese setting, and the quality of care is not assured or validated. The aim of this study was to develop QIs in paediatric and perinatal care in Japan using an administrative database and confirm the feasibility and applicability of the indicators using a single-site practice test.

METHODS

We used a RAND-modified Delphi method that integrates evidence review with expert consensus development. QI candidates were generated from clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) available in English or Japanese and existing QIs in nine selected paediatric or perinatal conditions. Consensus building was based on independent panel ratings. The performance of QIs was retrospectively assessed using data from an administrative database at the National Children's Hospital. Data between April 2018 and March 2019 were used, while data between April 2019 and March 2021 were also used for selected condition, considering the small number of patients. Each QI was calculated as follows: number of times the indicator was met/number of participants×100.

RESULTS

From the literature review conducted between 2010 and 2020, 124 CPGs and 193 existing indicators were identified to generate QI candidates. Through the consensus-building process, 133 QI candidates were assessed and 79 QIs were accepted. The practice test revealed wide variations in the process-level performance of QIs in four categories: patient safety: median 43.9% (IQR 16.7%-85.6%), general paediatrics: median 98.8% (IQR 84.2%-100%), advanced paediatrics: median 94.4% (IQR 46.0%-100%) and advanced obstetrics: median 80.3% (IQR 59.6%-100%).

CONCLUSIONS

We established 79 QIs for paediatric and perinatal care in Japan using an administrative database that can be applied to hospitals nationwide. The practice test confirmed the measurability of the developed QIs. Benchmarking these QIs will be an attractive approach to improving the quality of care.

Historical Cohort Study of Congenital Isolated Hypoganglionosis of the Intestine: Determining the Best Surgical Interventions

No standard diagnostic method or surgical treatment for congenital isolated hypoganglionosis (CIHG) has been established. This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with CIHG and identify the best surgical interventions provided thus far. Data on surgical interventions in 19 patients were collected between 1992 and 2020, including the type of enterostomy, type of revision, and length of the intestines. Ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus were enumerated using Hu C/D staining. The ratio of the length of the small intestine to its height was defined as the intestinal ratio (IR). The outcomes were assessed using the stoma output, growth parameters including the body mass index (BMI), and parenteral nutrition (PN) dependency. All patients required a diverting enterostomy. The IR ranged from 0.51 to 1.75 after multiple non-transplant surgeries. The stoma types were tube-stoma, end-stoma, Santulli-type, and Bishop-Koop (BK)-type. Patients with Santulli- or BK-type stomas had better BMIs and less PN dependency in terms of volume than those with end-stomas or tube-stomas. Two patients with BK-type stomas were off PN, and three who underwent an intestinal transplantation (Itx) achieved enteral autonomy. The management of CIHG involves a precise diagnosis using Hu C/D staining, neonatal enterostomy, and stoma revision using the adjusted IR and Itx if other treatments do not enable enteral autonomy.

Intraoperative Transpyloric Tube Insertion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Analysis of Japanese Study Group Data

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital disease. Some CDH infants suffer from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), even after surgical correction of gastric position. A transpyloric tube (TPT) is inserted into CDH patients under direct observation intraoperatively in some hospitals in Japan to establish early enteral feeding. This strategy avoids gastric expansion to maintain a better respiratory condition. However, it is unclear whether the strategy has a secure effect for patient prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative TPT insertion on enteral feeding and postoperative weight gain.

METHODS

The Japanese CDH Study Group database was used to identify infants with CDH born between 2011 and 2016, who were then divided into two groups: the TPT group and gastric tube (GT) group. In the TPT group, infants underwent intraoperative TPT insertion; postoperative insertion/extraction of TPT was irrelevant to the analysis. Weight growth velocity (WGV) was calculated using the exponential model. Subgroup analysis was performed using Kitano's gastric position classification.

RESULTS

We analyzed 204 infants, of which 99 and 105 were in the TPT and GT groups, respectively. Enteral nutrition (EN) in the TPT and GT groups was 52 ± 39 and 44 ± 41 kcal/kg/day (p = 0.17) at age 14 days (EN14), respectively, and 83 ± 40 and 78 ± 45 kcal/kg/day (p = 0.46) at age 21 days (EN21), respectively. WGV30 (WGV from day 0 to day 30) in the TPT and GT groups was 2.3 ± 3.0 and 2.8 ± 3.8 g/kg/day (p = 0.30), respectively, and WGV60 (WGV from day 0 to day 60) was 5.1 ± 2.3 and 6.0 ± 2.5 g/kg/day (p = 0.03), respectively. In infants with Kitano's Grade 2 + 3, EN14 in the TPT and GT groups was 38 ± 35 and 29 ± 35 kcal/kg/day (p = 0.24), respectively, EN21 was 73 ± 40 and 58 ± 45 kcal/kg/day (p = 0.13), respectively, WGV30 was 2.3 ± 3.2 and 2.0 ± 4.3 g/kg/day (p = 0.76), respectively, and WGV60 was 4.6 ± 2.3 and 5.2 ± 2.3 g/kg/day (p = 0.30), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative TPT insertion did not improve nutritional intake and WGV30. WGV60 in TPT was less than that in GT. In Grade 2 + 3 subgroup analysis, TPT also had no advantage. We could not recommend routine TPT insertion at surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Infantile Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in a female patient complicated with severe obstructed jaundice: a case report

BACKGROUND

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare locally aggressive vascular neoplasm that occurs mainly in the pediatric population. KHE usually originates just underneath the skin and affects deeper tissues through infiltrative growth; however, visceral tissue involvement is quite rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 8-month-old girl with jaundice and acholic stool was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of a hepatoduodenal ligament tumor. A blood examination revealed high bilirubin and liver enzyme levels, but no signs of coagulopathy. The first attempt at a diagnostic surgical procedure did not provide sufficient diagnostic information. However, the histopathological diagnosis of the cystic duct excised in the second surgery indicated KHE. Therefore, in our case, KHE was considered a cause of obstructive jaundice. Sirolimus (rapamycin) was initiated, and the patient was discharged 7 months after admission.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of atypical hypervascular lesions in the abdominal cavity, especially in the pediatric population, it is important to consider the possibility of KHE, and surgical intervention with proper strategies is required for diagnosis, followed sequentially by promising treatments.

Relationships Between Histopathological Findings in the Liver and Prognosis in Patients With Biliary Atresia

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive obstructive hepatic disease that requires early diagnosis and the prompt initiation of treatment. Although portoenterostomy (PES) is usually performed as the initial surgical procedure, the liver damage may subsequently progress, such that liver transplantation (LTx) may be required. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the histopathology of liver samples collected during PES and retrospectively evaluated its relationship with prognosis.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with BA who underwent PES between 2002 and 2021 were included. Their biopsy samples were semi-quantitatively graded according to the severity of liver fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, cholestasis, ductal plate malformation, and inflammatory cell infiltration; and the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD20, human leukocyte antigen II-DR, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The relationships of each with the prevalence of survival with native liver (SNL) were evaluated to identify prognostic markers.

RESULTS

The median postoperative duration of follow-up was 11.8 years (maximum, 18.0 years; minimum, 3.5 years). There were no deaths during this period, but LTx was performed in 31 patients and the final prevalence of SNL was 34.0% (16/47). There were negative correlations of liver fibrosis and α-SMA with SNL, and a positive correlation between CD20 and SNL. Multivariate analysis using a proportional hazards regression model showed that only CD20 expression was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive histopathological analysis of liver biopsy samples obtained at the time of PES showed a positive correlation between CD20 expression and SNL, suggesting that this may represent a useful prognostic marker.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Vaginal yolk sac tumor resected by a novel laparo/endoscope-assisted posterior sagittal approach: a case report

Background

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a germ cell tumor that is generally associated with good prognosis in children. It has been recently reported that vaginal YSTs can be cured using chemotherapy alone. Thus, minimal invasiveness and function preservation are pre-requisites for surgical approaches. Herein, we report a case of vaginal YST that was resected in a function-preserving manner using a unique combination of surgical approaches.

Case presentation

In a 9-month-old Asian female infant, a vaginal tumor was detected while investigating for vaginal bleeding. The patient was referred to our hospital, and the tumor was diagnosed as a YST after incisional biopsy. Six courses of carboplatin-based chemotherapy were administered. Contrary to the findings in previous reports, the tumor was chemo-resistant and surgical resection was required for the residual tumor. During surgery, we utilized laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures to ensure tumor-free surgical margins at the cervix, rectum, and lateral wall of the vagina. Additionally, the posterior sagittal approach was used to easily resect the tumor, and the vagina was reconstructed leaving only inconspicuous scars in the intergluteal cleft. No complications occurred postoperatively. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed tumor-free surgical margins. The patient received four cycles of intensified chemotherapy before and after the surgery. The patient has been disease-free for 6 months now.

Conclusions

Our combination of laparo/endoscopic and posterior sagittal approach ensured a tumor-free macroscopic surgical margin with easier, cosmetically pleasing vaginal reconstruction, while preserving the anorectal and urinary functions. We believe that this approach could be utilized not only for vaginal YST, but also for any vaginal tumor, especially those arising from the posterior or lateral wall.

Quantitative assessment of copy number alterations by liquid biopsy for neuroblastoma

Liquid biopsy, a method of detecting genomic alterations using blood specimens, has recently attracted attention as a non-invasive alternative to surgical tissue biopsy. We attempted quantitative analysis to detect amplification of MYCN (MYCNamp) and loss of heterozygosity at 11q (11qLOH), which are clinical requisites as prognostic factors of neuroblastoma. In this study, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was extracted from plasma samples from 24 neuroblastoma patients at diagnosis. Copy numbers of MYCN and NAGK genes were quantitatively analyzed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). 11qLOH was also assessed by detecting allelic imbalances of heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 11q region. The results obtained were compared to those of specimens from tumor tissues. The correlation coefficient of MYCN copy number of cfDNA and tumor DNA was 0.88 (P < 0.00001). 11qLOH was also accurately detected from cfDNA, except for one case with localized NB. Given the high accuracy of liquid biopsy, to investigate components of cfDNA, the proportion of tumor-derived DNA was estimated by examining the variant allele frequency of tumor-specific mutations in cfDNA. The proportion of tumor-derived DNA in cfDNA was 42.5% (range, 16.9%-55.9%), suggesting sufficient sensitivity of liquid biopsy for neuroblastoma. In conclusion, MYCN copy number and 11qLOH could be quantitatively analyzed in plasma cfDNA by ddPCR assay. These results suggest that plasma cfDNA can be substituted for tumor DNA and can also be applied for comprehensive genomic profiling analysis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Value of parametric indexes to identify tracheal atresia with or without fistula on fetal magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Tracheal atresia causes some secondary changes (dilated trachea, flattened/inverted diaphragm, hyperintense and hyperinflated lungs). They can be reduced if a high airway fistula is present.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated fetal MR images of tracheal atresia and the secondary changes, focusing on the presence of a fistula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed fetal MR images of tracheal atresia without fistula (n=4, median 26 weeks), tracheal atresia with fistula (n=4, median 33 weeks) and controls (n=30, median 32 weeks). We evaluated airway obstruction using true-positive rate in tracheal atresia and false-positive rate in controls indicating they are likely normal variants. Tracheal diameter, craniocaudal-anteroposterior ratio of the right hemidiaphragm, lung-to-liver signal intensity ratio, and cardiothoracic ratio were compared among the three groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by pairwise comparison using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

True-positive rate was 100% in tracheal atresia, while false-positive rate was 20% in controls. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences among groups in craniocaudal-anteroposterior ratio and cardiothoracic ratio (P<0.001) but not in tracheal diameter (P=0.256) or lung-to-liver signal intensity ratio (P=0.082). The pairwise comparison in craniocaudal-anteroposterior ratio and cardiothoracic ratio showed differences between controls and tracheal atresia without fistula (P<0.01) and with fistula (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Fetal MRI is useful for the diagnosis of tracheal atresia, and detection of airway obstruction is essential. Lower craniocaudal-anteroposterior ratio and cardiothoracic ratio might be reliable measures even if a fistula is present.

Successful endoscopic surgical treatment of pleuroperitoneal communication in two infant cases

Background

Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is an uncommon, but potentially life-threatening complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). If a fistula does not close with conservative treatment, surgical repair is required. However, approximately half of these patients are forced to shift from PD to hemodialysis. Although it is important to confirm the site of the fistula to achieve a successful surgical treatment, this identification is more difficult in pediatric patients than in adults.

Case presentation

We report two infantile cases of severe PPC associated with PD. In both cases, the age at onset was less than 2 years, and right-sided pleural effusion with dyspnea was observed. PPC was diagnosed by the change in color of the pleural fluid after the injection of a dye into the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography (SPECT/CT) were performed, and these were effective in locating the fistula site. Endoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and laparoscopic surgery) was performed. Indocyanine green (ICG), which was injected into the abdominal cavity, showed the exact site of the fistula. The fistula was successfully closed by attaching an absorbable sheet to it from the thoracic side and an autograft (the falciform ligament) to it from the abdominal side in one patient. In the other patient, the fistula site was resected and sutured, and reinforced with an absorbable sheet. In both cases, PD was resumed without any complication.

Conclusion

We successfully treated two infants of PPC by endoscopic surgery. To identify the fistula site, the ICG navigation method was useful. Even in small infants, PPC can be treated successfully by endoscopic surgical repair if the site of the fistula is identified.

Efficacy and safety of sclerotherapy with polidocanol in children with internal hemorrhoids

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhoids are an extremely rare condition in children, and data on its incidence and treatment in the pediatric population remains scarce. We retrospectively reviewed children who underwent sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids, and analyzed patients' characteristics and outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 14 pediatric patients who underwent sclerotherapy were included. Patients' ages and the required amount of polidocanol, depending on the grade of hemorrhoids, and the correlation between age and volume of sclerosant, were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients had a male predominance with a ratio of 2.5:1 (grade 2:6 patients, grade 3:8 patients). Four children had underlying conditions including portal hypertension and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Of the 14 patients, 43% had constipation requiring medication or enema. Only one minor complication, a perianal ulceration, was found to be associated with sclerotherapy. Patients with grade 3 hemorrhoids required a significantly larger amount of polidocanol than those with grade 2 hemorrhoids. Two patients with grade 3 hemorrhoids required a second session of treatment for recurrence. The success rate of sclerotherapy with polidocanol was 86%.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerotherapy with polidocanol is a safe, effective, and less invasive treatment option for internal hemorrhoids in children. Further studies are needed to investigate this treatment approach.

Prognosis of conventional vs. high-frequency ventilation for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the appropriate initial ventilatory mode for neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) by comparing patient prognosis following conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) versus high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFO).

STUDY DESIGN

This multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed at 15 participating hospitals in Japan between 2011 and 2016. The 328 eligible CDH infants were classified into CMV (n = 78) and HFO groups (n = 250) to compare mortality and incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Propensity score matching was applied to reduce confounding by indication.

RESULT

While crude mortality was significantly higher in the HFO than the CMV group, adjusted odds ratio (OR) did not show significant difference in mortality between groups (OR of HFO group: 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-1.67). Adjusted OR of BPD incidence showed no significant difference between groups (OR of HFO group: 1.66, 95%CI: 0.50-5.49).

CONCLUSION

Initial ventilatory mode in CDH patients, whether CMV or HFO, does not affect prognosis.

Feasibility and outcomes of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A Japanese experience

AIM

To present the feasibility, safety and outcomes of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) for the treatment of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

METHODS

This was a single-arm clinical trial of FETO for isolated left-sided CDH with liver herniation and Kitano Grade 3 stomach position (>50% stomach herniation into the right chest). FETO was performed at 27-29 weeks of gestation for cases with observed/expected lung to head ratio (o/e LHR) <25% and at 30-31 weeks for cases with o/e LHR ≥25%.

RESULTS

Eleven cases were enrolled between March 2014 and March 2016, and balloon insertion was successful in all cases. The median o/e LHR at entry was 27% (range, 20-33%). The median gestational age at FETO was 30.9 (range, 27.1-31.7) weeks. There were no severe maternal adverse events. One fetus died unexpectedly at 33 weeks of gestation due to cord strangulation by the detached amniotic membrane. There were 3 cases (27%) of preterm premature rupture of membranes. In all 10 cases, balloon removal at 34-35 weeks of gestation was successful. The median gestational age at delivery was 36.5 (range, 34.2-38.3) weeks. The median duration of occlusion and the median interval between balloon insertion and delivery were 26 days (range: 17-49 days) and 43 days (range, 21-66 days), respectively. Both the survival rate at 90 days of age and the rate of survival to discharge were 45% (5/11).

CONCLUSION

The FETO is feasible without maternal morbidity in Japan and could be offered to women whose fetuses show severe isolated left-sided CDH to accelerate fetal lung growth.

Definitive Tumor Resection after Myeloablative High Dose Chemotherapy Is a Feasible and Effective Option in the Multimodal Treatment of High-Risk Neuroblastoma: A Single Institution Experience

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The delayed local treatment approach (DL) in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) refers to the process in which tumor resection is performed after the completion of all the courses of chemotherapy, including myeloablative high-dose chemotherapy (HDC). Alternatively, in the conventional local treatment approach (CL), tumor resection is performed during induction chemotherapy. In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes in HR-NB patients treated by CL and DL.

METHOD

Forty-seven patients with abdominal HR-NB underwent primary tumor resection from 2002 to 2018. The timing of surgery was generally determined by following the trials and guidelines available at the time. The outcomes and surgical complications between the two strategies were compared.

RESULT

Operation time, blood loss, and postoperative WBC counts were lower in the DL group (n = 25) when compared to the CL group (n = 22), statistical significance notwithstanding. Major vascular structures were less frequently encased in the DL group tumors, while immediate surgical complications were significantly more frequent in the CL group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the 3-year EFSs were 50.0% and 53.9% in the DL and CL groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DL appears to be a feasible and effective treatment option for HR-NB. Nonetheless, further verifications using larger cohorts are warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Treatment study, Level III.

Integrated multiomics analysis of hepatoblastoma unravels its heterogeneity and provides novel druggable targets

Although hepatoblastoma is the most common pediatric liver cancer, its genetic heterogeneity and therapeutic targets are not well elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a multiomics analysis, including mutatome, DNA methylome, and transcriptome analyses, of 59 hepatoblastoma samples. Based on DNA methylation patterns, hepatoblastoma was classified into three clusters exhibiting remarkable correlation with clinical, histological, and genetic features. Cluster F was largely composed of cases with fetal histology and good outcomes, whereas clusters E1 and E2 corresponded primarily to embryonal/combined histology and poor outcomes. E1 and E2, albeit distinguishable by different patient age distributions, were genetically characterized by hypermethylation of the HNF4A/CEBPA-binding regions, fetal liver-like expression patterns, upregulation of the cell cycle pathway, and overexpression of NQO1 and ODC1. Inhibition of NQO1 and ODC1 in hepatoblastoma cells induced chemosensitization and growth suppression, respectively. Our results provide a comprehensive description of the molecular basis of hepatoblastoma and rational therapeutic strategies for high-risk cases.

Nationwide survey of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in Japan (2017-2018): Congenital hyperinsulinism, insulinoma, non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome and insulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata's disease)

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the nationwide incidence, treatment details and outcomes of patients with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (EHH), including those with transient/persistent congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), insulinoma, non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome and insulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata's disease) in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nationwide, questionnaire-based survey was carried out to determine the number of patients with EHH who were treated for hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia-related complications in 2017-2018. The questionnaires were sent to all hospitals in Japan with >300 beds, and with pediatric and/or adult clinics likely managing EHH patients. The secondary questionnaires were sent to obtain the patients' date of birth, sex, age at onset, treatment details and post-treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 447 patients with CHI (197 transient CHI, 225 persistent CHI and 25, unknown histology), 205 with insulinoma (118 benign, 18 malignant and 69 unknown subtype), 111 with non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (33 post-gastric surgery HH, 57 postprandial HH, 10 nesidioblastosis and 11 unknown subtype) and 22 with insulin autoimmune syndrome were identified. Novel findings included: (i) marked improvement in the prognosis of persistent CHI over the past 10 years; (ii) male dominance in the incidence of transient CHI; (iii) non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome emerging as the second most common form of EHH in adults; (iv) frequent association of diabetes mellitus with insulin autoimmune syndrome; and (v) frequent post-treatment residual hypoglycemia and impaired quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The first nationwide, all age group survey of EHH showed the current status of each type of EHH disorder and the unmet needs of the patients.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome complicated with foregut malformation and high airway fistula to the alimentary tract – a case series with four distinct types

Background

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare disease and recently has been noticed to show typical prenatal images, such as hyperinflated lungs and flattened or inverted diaphragms. However, in some cases correct diagnosis may be difficult and in such cases the mortality rate increases.

Case presentation

We report four cases of CHAOS complicated with a high airway fistula to the alimentary tract and foregut malformation. The patients did not show the typical features of CHAOS in the fetus. This may be attributed to the high airway fistula acting as a decompression route for the accumulated lung fluids to the alimentary tract.

Conclusion

The combination of CHAOS, foregut malformation and a high airway fistula is very rare and classified into four distinct types: (1) CHAOS with a high airway fistula but not with a foregut malformation; (2) CHAOS with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula; (3) CHAOS with a high airway fistula and duodenal atresia; and (4) CHAOS with esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula and duodenal atresia. It may be useful for treating physicians to be aware of these four distinct types and the typical characteristics of each type.

P44 Impact of the distal radial artery approach in nursing service

Background

The distal transradial approach (dTRA) is a newly developed technique expected to reduce bleeding and other complications, such as occlusions, arising from the nature of the puncture site during transradial access. However, there is a paucity of data with regard to the nursing workload during or after achieving hemostasis. The present study aimed to evaluate the workload of the nursing service associated with dTRA in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG).

Methods

 Two-hundred patients who underwent CAG using a 4-Fr sheath system in our hospital between October 2017 and September 2018 were enrolled in the study. Of the total, 100 patients underwent dTRA for CAG (dTRA group), and the other 100 patients underwent the conventional transradial approach (TRA) for CAG (TRA group). After CAG, continuous compression was performed for 3 hours in the TRA group using a TR Band™, which is a hemostasis device for TRA, to remove 2 ccs and 3 ccs of air at 30 and 120 minutes, respectively. If bleeding occurred, 1 to 2 ccs were replaced using the band, followed by a wait time of 15 minutes. Similarly, continuous compression was performed in the dTRA group usingSTEPTY™, a compression tape with a 6-mm-thick pad at the central portion, and the patient’s arm was wrapped in an elastic bandage for 2 hours after CAG. We compared the dTRA and TRA groups in terms of nursing workload associated with the achievement of hemostasis and the complications related to the puncture site.

Results

The nursing-service workload associated with the management of hemostasis, including the nursing hours, the time taken to measure vitals, and the recording times were found to be significantly shorter for the dTRA group compared to that of the TRA group (2.1 ± 0.5 vs 4.1 ± 0.7 times, p &lt; 0.001; 2.1 ± 0.4 vs 4.1 ± 0.7 times, p &lt; 0.001; 2.1 ± 0.4 vs 4.1 ± 0.6 times, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Further, the number of cases requiring treatment for bleeding was fewer in the dTRA group than in the TRA group (3 vs 12 cases, p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions

The workload of the nursing service associated with achieving hemostasis in the dTRA group was significantly lower compared to that in the TRA group. The introduction of dTRA for routine coronary catheterization possibly help in reducing the complications and the nursing workload in daily nursing practices.

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Hepatoblastoma with Indocyanine Green

Fluorescence-guided surgery with indocyanine green (ICG) for malignant hepatic tumors has been gaining more attention with technical advancements. Since hepatoblastomas (HBs) possess similar features to hepatocellular carcinoma, fluorescence-guided surgery can be used for HBs, as aggressive surgical resection, even for distant metastases of HBs, often contributes positively to R0 (complete) resection and subsequent patient survival. Despite a few caveats, fluorescence-guided surgery allows for the more sensitive identification of lesions that may go undetected by conventional imaging or be invisible macroscopically. This leads to precise resection of distant metastatic tumors as well as primary liver tumors.

An investigation on clinical differences between congenital pulmonary airway malformation and bronchial atresia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Differences in clinical features between congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) and bronchial atresia (BA) have not yet been clearly described.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 112 patients with a pathological diagnosis of CPAM or BA. The clinical parameters were statistically analyzed between these diseases.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients received prenatal diagnosis and 41 received postnatal diagnosis. The percentage of prenatal diagnosis was significantly higher in CPAM patients (84% vs 50%, p < 0.001). Among patients with prenatal diagnosis, the backgrounds were not different between the two diseases except for the number of Caesarean sections (81% vs 9%, p < 0.0001). The numbers of patients that underwent fetal interventions and emergent neonatal surgery were higher in CPAM (51% vs 15%, p < 0.01 and 76% vs 12%, p < 0.0001), although there was no statistical difference in survival rate (86% vs 97%, p = 0.2). In patients receiving postnatal diagnosis, pneumonia was the primary symptom in most BA patients, whereas respiratory distress was the major symptom in patients with CPAM. Age at presentation of the primary symptom was significantly older in BA patients (4.2 years vs 1.2 years, p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

CPAM and BA have distinct clinical features in terms of therapeutic and natural history. Careful imaging evaluation and pathological analysis can lead to an accurate diagnosis of BA.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prognostic study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II. This study is categorized as a "Prognostic Study" with LEVEL III of Evidence.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for allied disorders of Hirschsprung's disease, 2017

BACKGROUND

Despite the presence of ganglion cells in the rectum, some patients have symptoms similar to those of Hirschsprung's disease. A consensus has yet to be established regarding the terminology for these diseases. We defined this group of diseases as "allied disorders of Hirschsprung's disease" and compiled these guidelines to facilitate accurate clinician diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment strategies for each disease.

METHODS

These guidelines were developed using the methodologies in the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS). Of seven allied disorders, isolated hypoganglionosis; megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome; and chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction were selected as targets of clinical questions (CQ). In a comprehensive search of the Japanese- and English-language articles in PubMed and Ichu-Shi Web, 836 pieces of evidence related to the CQ were extracted from 288 articles; these pieces of evidence were summarized in an evidence table.

RESULTS

We herein outline the newly established Japanese clinical practice guidelines for allied disorders of Hirschsprung's disease. Given that the target diseases are rare and intractable, most evidence was drawn from case reports and case series. In the CQ, the diagnosis, medication, nutritional support, surgical therapy, and prognosis for each disease are given. We emphasize the importance of full-thickness intestinal biopsy specimens for the histopathological evaluation of enteric ganglia. Considering the practicality of the guidelines, the recommendations for each CQ were created with protracted discussions among specialists.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practice recommendations for allied disorders of Hirschprung's disease are given for each CQ, along with an assessment of the current evidence. We hope that the information will be helpful in daily practice and future studies.

Study of Mechanical Properties of Engineered Cartilage in an in Vivo Culture for Design of a Biodegradable Scaffold

Introduction

An engineered trachea with an absorbable scaffold should be used to augment the repair of a stenotic tracheal section in infants and children because this type of engineered airway structure can grow as the child grows. Our strategy for relief of tracheal stenosis is tracheoplasty by engineered cartilage implantation in accordance with the concept of costal cartilage grafting to enlarge the lumen. This study investigated the mechanical properties of regenerative cartilage with a biodegradable scaffold, Neoveil®, to aid in design of a composite scaffold that maintained semi-rigid properties until cartilage could be generated.

Materials and methods

New Zealand White rabbit (n=3) chondrocytes were isolated from auricular cartilage with collagenase type 2 digestion. Then 10×106/cm3 chondrocytes in atelocollagen solution were seeded onto polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh. A total of 36 constructs, 12 from each rabbit, were implanted into athymic mice (3 constructs/mouse). Constructs were retrieved after 8 weeks and evaluated by measurements of mechanical and biochemical properties as well as histological examination. Thirty-six PGA mesh sheets of the same size but without cells were implanted in control mice.

Results

After 6 weeks of implantation, staining of sections with Safranin O revealed cartilage accumulation. Glycosaminoglycan was gradually produced from chondrocytes in the engineered constructs, correlating with the duration of implantation. Mechanical parameters had the same values as those for rabbit tracheal cartilage 8 weeks after implantation.

Conclusions

Biodegradable Neoveil® had good biocompatibility and was able to support extracellular matrix formation in engineered cartilage in an animal model.

Clinical practice guidelines for congenital hyperinsulinism

Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare condition, and following recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, it was considered necessary to formulate evidence-based clinical practice guidelines reflecting the most recent progress, to guide the practice of neonatologists, pediatric endocrinologists, general pediatricians, and pediatric surgeons. These guidelines cover a range of aspects, including general features of congenital hyperinsulinism, diagnostic criteria and tools for diagnosis, first- and second-line medical treatment, criteria for and details of surgical treatment, and future perspectives. These guidelines were generated as a collaborative effort between The Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and The Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons, and followed the official procedures of guideline generation to identify important clinical questions, perform a systematic literature review (April 2016), assess the evidence level of each paper, formulate the guidelines, and obtain public comments.

Resolution of liver disease in transient abnormal myelopoiesis with fish oil emulsion

Neonates with Down syndrome are at risk of developing transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), which is characterized by transient clonal myeloproliferation of the blast cells. TAM can resolve spontaneously, but some patients die at an early age due to organ failure. Liver fibrosis in TAM is a life-threatening condition, but treatment options have not yet been established. Here, we report on the case of an infant with TAM complicated by liver disease, whose hyperbilirubinemia was successfully ameliorated with omega-3 fatty acid (ω3FA) lipid emulsion. Timely ω3FA lipid emulsion may be a feasible treatment for liver disease in TAM before serious liver damage develops.

Mosapride for gastroesophageal reflux disease in neurologically impaired patients

BACKGROUND

The prokinetic agent cisapride is effective for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children, but is no longer used for this purpose because of safety concerns. Therefore, other pharmacological agents need to be investigated for efficacy in GERD treatment. In this study, we examined the effectiveness and safety of mosapride for the treatment of neurologically impaired children and adolescents with GERD.

METHODS

Mosapride (0.3 mg/kg/day) was administered to 11 neurologically impaired patients with GERD (five male; median age, 12.3 years). Esophageal acid exposure was measured using esophageal pH monitoring before and at >5 days after the start of mosapride treatment. The pressure and length of the lower esophageal sphincter were compared before and after mosapride treatment.

RESULTS

In the 11 patients, median reflux index (percentage of the total monitoring period during which recorded pH was <4.0) was 17.5% (range, 4.4-59%) before and 8.2% (range, 2.8-20.7%) after mosapride treatment (P = 0.02). Median esophageal clearance was 1.0 min/reflux (range, 0.5-2.1 min/reflux) before and 0.7 min/reflux (range, 0.4-1.2 min/reflux) after treatment with mosapride (P = 0.02). The median number of reflux episodes before (219) and after (122) drug treatment did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

The decreased reflux index in neurologically impaired patients with GERD is due to mosapride, therefore mosapride may be a candidate for GERD treatment.

Echocardiographic predictors of poor prognosis in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters in relation to the outcomes of isolated left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted among patients with CDH born between 2006 and 2010. Patients in this study did not have severe cardiac malformations or chromosomal aberrations. Patients with incomplete echocardiographic examinations were excluded. In total, 84 patients with left-sided isolated CDH were included in this study. The prognostic parameters were obtained from postnatal echocardiographic images within 24h after birth.

RESULTS

Eight patients died before 90days of birth. Univariate analysis showed that the presence of continuous right to left shunt at the ductus, left pulmonary artery diameter of <2.7mm, right pulmonary artery diameter of <3.3mm, and left ventricular diastolic diameter of <10.8mm, were the predictors of poor prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that right pulmonary artery diameter of <3.3mm (adjusted OR 10.28, 95% C.I.: 1.15-249.19) and left ventricular diastolic diameter of <10.8mm (adjusted OR 7.86, 95% C.I.: 1.01-82.82) were predictors of poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the predictors of poor prognosis associated with CDH include smaller right pulmonary artery and left ventricular diastolic diameters. Retrospective Study-Level II.

Emission wavelength tuning of fluorescence by fine structural control of optical metamaterials with Fano resonance

We demonstrated fine emission wavelength tuning of quantum dot (QD) fluorescence by fine structural control of optical metamaterials with Fano resonance. An asymmetric-double-bar (ADB), which was composed of only two bars with slightly different bar lengths, was used to obtain Fano resonance in the optical region. By changing the short bar length of ADB structures with high dimensional accuracy in the order of 10 nm, resonant wavelengths of Fano resonance were controlled from 1296 to 1416 nm. Fluorescence of QDs embedded in a polymer layer on ADB metamaterials were modified due to coupling to Fano resonance and fine tuning from 1350 to 1376 nm was observed. Wavelength tuning of modified fluorescence was reproduced by analysis using absorption peaks of Fano resonance. Tuning range of modified fluorescence became narrow, which was interpreted by a simple Gaussian model and resulted from comparable FWHM in QD fluorescence and Fano resonant peaks. The results will help the design and fabrication of metamaterial devices with fluorophores such as light sources and biomarkers.

Anal Canal Carcinoma in a Child With Disorders of Sex Development

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal in children is rare. To date, the etiology and outcome of this condition have been not fully understood. Here, we report an 11-year-old child with anal canal cancer who had concomitant disorders of sex development. Radiotherapy followed by salvage surgery achieved disease-free survival of 3 years. Since overexpression of cell cycle regulatory protein p16 was immunohistochemically evident in tumor tissue, human papillomavirus infection was considered as a causative factor in the carcinogenesis.

Changes in Mothers' Psychosocial Perceptions of Technology-dependent Children and Adolescents at Home in Japan: Acknowledgement of Children's Autonomy

PURPOSE

This research was conducted to reveal Japanese mothers' changing perceptions towards their technology-dependent children in the home care setting.

METHODS

Fourteen Japanese mothers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS

"Degree of preoccupation with the child" emerged as the category representing the mothers' perceptions towards their child. Three categories emerged that represented the progression of maternal perceptions over time: "accepting the child's conditions", "mastering the management of care in various conditions", and "considering social participation for the child".

CONCLUSIONS

First, mothers gradually accepted the conditions of their child after his/her disease and disability were known. Second, others managed technology-required care and concurrently considered the social participation of their child through daily care at home. Third, the level of preoccupation with the child was affected by the mothers' management of care and their attitude towards the social participation of their child in home care. In this study, as is widely alleged in historical recognition of Japan, mothers provided daily care almost without help from other family members. Additionally, they thought it natural and good for their children. Above all, especially in Japan, professional support for mothers are necessary so that they can take breaks from care.

Development and Validation of a Novel Fibrosis Marker in Biliary Atresia during Infancy

OBJECTIVES

Most biliary atresia (BA) patients suffer from liver fibrosis and often require liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel fibrosis marker for BA patients aged <1 year-the infant BA liver fibrosis (iBALF) score-subsequent to the previously reported fibrosis marker for BA patients aged ≥1 year.

METHODS

From three institutions for pediatric surgery, BA patients and their native liver histology examinations performed at the age of <1 year were retrospectively identified and assigned to a development cohort (58 patients and 73 examinations) or validation cohort (92 patients and 117 examinations) according to their institutions. Histological fibrosis stages (F0-F4), blood test results, and clinical information at the time of liver histology examination were reviewed. The iBALF score was determined using multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis and was assessed for its associations with histological fibrosis stages.

RESULTS

The iBALF score equation was composed of natural logarithms, including serum total bilirubin level, blood platelet counts, and days of age. The score revealed a strong correlation with fibrosis stage (r=0.80 and 0.73 in the development and validation cohorts, respectively; P<0.001). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for diagnosing each fibrosis stage were 0.86-0.94 in the development cohort and 0.86-0.90 in the validation cohort (P<0.001), indicating good diagnostic power. In addition, no patient with an iBALF score >6 (equivalent to F4) at the initial surgery survived with their native liver at 1 year of age (n=9).

CONCLUSIONS

The iBALF score that was developed was a good noninvasive marker of native liver fibrosis for BA patients aged <1 year.