Palatal Supernumerary Tooth in a Pediatric Patient

This report describes the case of a child with a congenital palatal lesion that grew rapidly in the first year of life and was found to be a supernumerary tooth. A 14-month-old male presented with a congenital midline palatal lesion visible behind his newly erupted maxillary central incisors. The lesion had been present since birth and was round, raised, firm, and covered with normal-appearing mucosa. The results from CT imaging indicated the lesion was a rudimentary tooth crown. It was excised and confirmed to be a supernumerary tooth. The patient healed without complications. Congenital palatal lesions with this appearance are most commonly hamartomas, cysts, epulides, and teratomas. Congenital midline palatal lesions are uncommon, and supernumerary teeth are not typically in the differential diagnosis. Imaging is helpful for the management of congenital palatal lesions.

Foreign Body Aspiration Complicated by Pneumothorax in Children: HCUP-KID Perspective

OBJECTIVE

Children with airway foreign bodies (AFB) occasionally have pneumothorax complicating their course. We aimed to compare the clinical course of these children to those without this complication.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database of Healthcare Cost Utilization Project. ICD-10 code of T17XXXX was used to locate records. They were grouped based on the presence of preoperative pneumothorax, postoperative pneumothorax, or none. Variables included demographics, AFB type, AFB location, length of stay (LOS), pneumothorax treatment modality, mortality, hospital setting, primary payor, and total charges.

RESULTS

A total of 4165 children with AFB were identified, 57.8% male and 42.2% female. Of these 75 (1.8%) patients presented with preoperative pneumothorax, 29 (0.7%) with postoperative pneumothorax, and 4061 (97.5%) with no pneumothorax. The preoperative pneumothorax patients were older than the postoperative pneumothorax and unaffected AFB patients (mean age = 9.5 [95% CI 7.7-11.3] vs 8.2 [95% CI 5.4-11.1] vs 5.5 [95% CI 5.3-5.7]; P < .001). Preoperative pneumothorax patients incurred higher total charges than the other groups (mean US = $939K [95% Cl 673K-1,204K] vs $599K [95% Cl 377K-821K] vs $228K [95% Cl 211K-244K]; P < .001), had a longer LOS in days (mean = 37.7 [95% Cl 28.7-46.7] vs 31.6 [95% Cl 16.9-46.2] vs 15.8 [95% CI 15.0-16.7]; P < .001), and had a higher mortality rate (16% vs 0% vs 3.7%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Pneumothorax can significantly impact a child's hospital course, and preoperative pneumothorax should alert clinicians to the potential for increased mortality risk.

Syringomatous Tumor of the Nipple

Syringomatous tumor of the nipple (SyT), previously known as syringomatous adenoma of the nipple (SAN) was originally described in 1983 as a rare benign tumor of the sweat duct. It is a rare benign tumor arising from the skin adnexal eccrine glands that can be misdiagnosed as invasive carcinoma due to its infiltrative nature, resulting in overtreatment. We report clinical, histopathologic, and surgical findings of a case of infiltrating syringomatous adenoma in a 40-year-old female as well as a literature review of previous cases. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of SyT and prevent overtreatment.

Laryngeal surgery for congenital laryngomalacia: NSQIP-P analysis of complications

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate predictors of complications in children with congenital laryngomalacia who underwent laryngeal surgery.

METHODS

Multi-institutional retrospective analysis using the American College of Surgeons-NSQIP-P database (2014-2019). CPT code 31541 and ICD-10 code Q35.1 (congenital laryngomalacia) were used to select patients <18 years. Variable predictors included demographics and medical co-morbidities. Main outcomes assessed included total length of hospital stay (LOS), reintubation, reoperation and readmission.

RESULTS

1092 children were identified, 450 (41.1%) females and 642 (58.6%) males, with a mean age of 1.1 years (95% CI 1.0-1.2). Mean LOS was 3.9 days (95% CI 3.3-4.6). Sixteen (1.5%) were reintubated, 30 (2.7%) were readmitted, and 18 (1.6%) were reoperated within 30 days. Thirty-one (2.8%) were still in hospital at 30 days. Regression analysis revealed an increase in LOS for several groups; the largest effect was seen for patients with preoperative ventilator dependence, admission within the first 28 days of life, and those who were discharged to other healthcare facilities (p < .001). Preoperative co-morbidities significantly associated with a higher frequency of reintubation included ventilator dependence (p = .003), history of prematurity (p = .016) and chronic lung disease (p = .041). Children undergoing surgery in the first 28 days of life were 10.16 times as likely to return to the OR for a related reason within 30 days than older children (p = .038).

CONCLUSION

Complications were rare after laryngeal surgery with a postop diagnosis of laryngomalacia. Recognizing pertinent clinical factors can help with risk assessment and management.

Systematic Review of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated With COVID-19 Infection

Our objective is to identify novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with a diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) with an aim to describe possible mechanisms. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed^. Our search terms included: "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "COVID-19" or "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "SARS-CoV-2" or "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "Coronavirus". Studies that adhered to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the review. Of the 20 articles identified in the initial search, five met the inclusion criteria. The included articles consisted of four case studies and one letter to the editor, with seven total patients analyzed. All patients were COVID-19 positive and exhibited SSNHL, either unilateral or bilateral. Four patients reported tinnitus and two patients experienced vertigo. One patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine and one patient was treated with a variety of medications. Four patients were treated with intravenous and/or oral steroids intended to treat the SSNHL. The current literature describing SSNHL in COVID-19 patients is insufficient to characterize the pattern of hearing loss or advise about the treatment or outcomes. Future studies require a larger database or population study.

Mitigation of Particle Spread During Mastoidectomy: A Systematic Review

Our objective is to analyze the risk of particle spread through mastoidectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic with an aim to assess the tools used to mitigate the spread. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Our search terms included: MASTOIDECTOMY + COVID-19 or MASTOIDECTOMY + SAR- CoV-2 or MASTOIDECTOMY + CORONAVIRUS. Studies consistent with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the review. Of the 20 articles identified in the initial search, six met the inclusion criteria. The included articles were all experimental studies, with five studies using cadaver subjects and one study using live human subjects. Three studies measured droplet spread and three studies measured aerosolized particle spread. The maximum distance of particle spread ranged from 30 cm to 208 cm. Four studies assessed the use of a barrier system, with two using the OtoTent and two using a barrier drape. Two studies defined the microscope alone as a possible mitigatory tool. One study compared burr type and size to determine the effects on particle spread. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, evaluation of tools to mitigate particle spread is imperative for the safety of the surgical team and the healthcare system at large. Barrier drapes, OtoTents and microscopes all have proven to mitigate particle spread; however, further research needs to be performed to compare their efficacy and develop a standard of safety.

Pediatric thyroglossal duct cyst excision: A NSQIP-P analysis of 30-day complications

OBJECTIVE

Identify and compare clinical risk factors, perioperative sequelae, and surgical complications of infants age 2 or younger to children above age 2 undergoing thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) excision.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement-Pediatric Database (2014-2018). Study population includes pediatric patients (≤18 years) who underwent excision of TGDC. Infants aged 2 years or younger were compared to children older than 2 years.

RESULTS

A total of 3052 cases were identified. There were 375 infants with an age of 2 years or younger and 2977 children who were older than 2 years. Mean age at time of surgery was 6.3 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1.1. Following hospital discharge, there were 70 related readmissions and 3 related reoperations. There was no statistically significant gender (p = .270) or ethnic (p = .122) differences between groups. Additionally, a history of prematurity (p = .759) and postoperative admission status (ie, inpatient versus outpatient, p = .697) were not statistically significantly different between groups. Lastly, general complication rates between age groups including Clostridium difficile colitis, occurrences of bleeding and blood transfusion, surgical site infections, related readmission, and reoperation were not statistically significantly different.

CONCLUSION

TGDC excision was not shown to be associated with increased risk when performed in infants age 2 or younger compared to children older than age 2.

Readmission and reoperation after laryngeal dilation in children: NSQIP-P analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify specific comorbidities and their relationship to complications in children who underwent laryngeal dilation, specifically comparing children with tracheostomy versus no tracheostomy as well as differences in outcomes between age groups.

METHODS

Retrospective study analyzing data collected in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Improvement - Pediatric Database (2015-2018). Patients were selected using Current Procedural Terminology code 31528. Variables analyzed include demographics, comorbidities, readmission, reoperation, reintubation and total length of stay.

RESULTS

982 cases were identified. Comorbidities significantly higher (p < .001) in age group 1 (Age ≤ 1 year, N = 245) versus age groups 2 (Age >1 but ≤ 3 years, N = 151) and 3 (Age > 3 years, N = 270) include premature birth, ventilator dependent, oxygen support, cardiac risk factors, steroid use, nutritional support, and hematologic disorders. Comorbidities significantly higher (p < .001) in children without a tracheostomy include premature birth, history of asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease, oxygen support, structural pulmonary/airway abnormality, esophageal/gastric/intestinal disease, history of previous cardiac surgery, developmental delay/impaired cognitive status, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorder, steroid use, and nutritional support. Younger children were significantly more likely (p < .001) to require reintubation and remain in the hospital longer. Children without a tracheostomy were significantly more likely (p < .001) to return to the operating room and remain in the hospital longer.

CONCLUSION

Younger children and those without a tracheostomy are more likely to have adverse outcomes after laryngeal dilation. Awareness of these associations and outcomes is helpful in establishing benchmarks for outcomes in this group.

Unilateral Vocal Cord Paresis During Sleep Endoscopy

Abnormalities of vocal cord motion in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who undergo drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) are not frequently described. A 17-year-old female with a history of asthma, reflux, and bipolar disorder had a history of poor sleep. Polysomnography (PSG) showed apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 13.9/hr, obstructive AHI 10.3/hr, and oxygen saturation nadir 87%. Physical exam showed BMI 34 and 3+ tonsils. She underwent DISE with propofol infusion, which showed partial obstruction at the palatine and lingual tonsil levels, a posteriorly displaced epiglottis along with immobility of the left vocal cord. Tonsillectomy was performed as planned. At her post-op visit, laryngoscopy showed normal vocal cord motion bilaterally. Post-operative PSG was improved.

Sinonasal Renal Cell-Like Adenocarcinoma

Sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma (SNRCLA) is a newly defined, rare malignant tumor of the nasal cavity. The clinical course and response to treatment remain uncertain. The purpose of this study is to report a new case of SNRCLA and review the literature to determine clinical characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes. A 26-year-old male presented with headache, epistaxis, and nasal obstruction. Physical examination revealed a tumor involving bilateral ethmoid sinuses and MRI revealed extension through the cribriform plate. Surgical excision with endonasal and a bifrontal craniotomy was performed followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). After RT, the patient had persistent disease requiring salvage surgery.

There are few previously reported cases of SNRCLA. A literature review yielded 14 previously reported cases with convincing diagnostic evidence of SNRCLA. Common presenting symptoms were epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Surgical excision was the primary treatment in fourteen cases, nine received RT, and none received chemotherapy. However, three cases had persistent or recurrent disease. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment for SNRCLA and adjuvant RT has been used in some patients with varying outcomes. The tumor is low grade with no reported cases of metastases or death. The best practice for treatment is yet to be determined.

Flipping the Classroom in Otolaryngology Residencies

Objective To understand the use of the flipped classroom (FC) - learning core content prior to an academic session, with class time devoted to applying this content - in otolaryngology residency education. Methods An electronic survey of 107 otolaryngology program directors (PDs), including demographic details, the flipped classroom perception instrument (FCPI), and the otolaryngology programs' current use of FC. Results Forty-four (41%) PDs completed the FCPI. Seventy-one point one (71.1%) of respondents were male, 60% were 30-49 years, and the remainder were older. Sixty-two percent (62%) had fellowships associated with their program, 21.7% of programs used the FC model Very Often, 17.4% Somewhat Often, 28.3% Sometimes, 17.4% Somewhat Rarely, 8.7% Very Rarely, and 6.5% Never. Attitudes toward FC principles were positive with modes "strongly agree" for all, except for "online modules enhance learning" where the mode was "slightly agree" with significantly higher scores for PDs over age 50 than for those younger (4.17 vs. 3.63, p=0.033). There were no other significant differences comparing male vs. female PDs, younger vs. older PDs, smaller vs. larger programs, programs with or without fellowships, programs with 100% vs. <100% board exam pass rates, or programs in different geographical regions. The pre-class activity mean score was 4.34 (95% CI 4.12-4.56) and the in-class mean score was 4.18 (95% CI 3.99-4.37). There was no significant correlation between the likelihood of using a flipped classroom and attitude scores. Conclusion PDs value both the pre-class and interactive in-class principles of FCs but only 37.8% of programs use FC often, suggesting that practical approaches to implementation in this group could improve education in this population.