Search

Background: The long-term survival of liver transplant (LT) recipients is essential for optimizing organ allocation and estimating mortality outcomes. While models like the Model-for-End-Stage-Liver-Disease (MELD) predict 90-day mortality on the waiting list, they do not predict post-LT survival accurately. There is a need for predictive models that can forecast post-LT survival beyond the immediate period after transplantation., Method: This study introduces new temporal variation features for predicting post-LT survival during the waiting list period. Cox Proportional-Hazards regression (CoxPH), Random Survival Forest (RSF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) models are utilized, along with patient demographics and waiting list duration. Data from 716 LT patients from the University of Minnesota CTSI (2011-2021) are used to develop, evaluate, and compare post-LT survival prediction models., Results: The temporal variation features, particularly when combined with the RSF model, proved most effective in predicting post-LT survival, with a C-index of 0.71 and an IBS of 0.151. This outperformed the predictive capability of the most recent MELD score, which had a C-index of <0.51 in the same cohort., Conclusions: Incorporating temporal variation features with the RSF model enhances long-term post-LT survival predictions. These insights can assist clinicians and patients in making more informed decisions about organ allocation and understanding the utility of LT, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the impact of social vulnerability and social determinants of health on outcomes in pediatric medullary thyroid cancer., Methods: A SEER database review looking at cases of pediatric medullary thyroid cancer from 1975 to 2016 was conducted and analyzed including data from the American Community Survey., Results: A total of 174 patients were included in analysis. Five-year overall survival was 97.7 % and the disease specific survival (DSS) was 98.3 %. On univariate analysis, male sex was associated with worsened overall survival (HR = 4.2, CI 1.1-15.5, p < 0.05) but did not reach statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Asian or Pacific Islander race was associated with worsened overall survival on both univariate and multivariate analysis (HR = 5.5, CI 1.4-22.2, p < 0.05). Presenting with localized disease without nodal or distant metastasis was found to be a protective factor (HR = 0.2, CI 0.05-0.53, p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Asian American/Pacific Islander patients and male patients may have poorer survival in pediatric medullary thyroid cancer. More research should be completed to better understand underlying factors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To define the essential elements of the intake questionnaire that will be a part of a larger multicenter registry for aerodigestive patients., Methods: A modified Delphi method was utilized to obtain consensus on the data elements that should warrant inclusion in the final research database. Patient questionnaires from the eight participating institutions were reviewed and individual elements were aggregated into 14 categories., Results: A total of 198 initial elements were voted on for inclusion. The categories included demographics, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, ear nose and throat symptoms, feeding, birth history, medical history, surgical history, family history, social history, medications prior to evaluation, devices used prior to evaluation, prior diagnostic evaluations, and prior evaluation by aerodigestive team members. 83 of the 198 elements met consensus for inclusion in the final registry for an inclusion rate of 41.9 %. Three separate rounds of ranking were required to obtain consensus., Conclusion: The aerodigestive registry is an important initiative that will help foster research and help guide future management. The intake questionnaire of the registry is a critical component of this project, and the consensus obtained during this study should help create a streamlined and efficient registry that will help all aerodigestive patients on a national level., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no financial conflicts of interest from the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Comorbidities such as chronic lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), prematurity, and numerous other conditions may impact the success of LTR. Single-center studies are limited in terms of patient numbers and may be underpowered., Objectives: To analyze the impact of specific comorbidities on the operation-specific and overall surgical success of LTR in a large multicenter cohort and validate a predictive model for surgical success., Methods: A large retrospective multicenter 10-year review was undertaken to validate the data of a previous single-center study (Wertz et al. Laryngoscope 2020) which identified specific predictive comorbidities which impacted LTR outcomes. A Monte Carlo simulation based on the previous data set suggested that 300-400 cases would be needed to optimize the statistical power of a Bayesian model developed from the single-center data to predict surgical success. An IRB-approved data-sharing agreement was executed for 4 large U.S., Centers: A virtual REDCap® data entry form inquired about patient characteristics that best predicted surgical success in the single-center model. These included demographics, surgical approaches, cardiac, airway, genetic, endocrine, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary comorbidities; details of the surgical procedures, and results of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), esophageal pH/impedance and flexible bronchoscopy with bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) were included. Surgical success defined as successful decannulation or resolution of airway symptoms was recorded as single surgery success and overall success following open surgical revision surgery. Multivariate Bayesian analysis, logistical regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed., Results: 542 patients were identified, including 165 from the single-center study and an additional 377 patients from the multicenter group. The median age was 36 months at the time of the most recent surgery. 70.9% of the LTRs were double-staged procedures. The overall success rate was 86.4% and operation-specific success rate was 69.2%. The specific comorbidities and aerodigestive test results that impacted success based on univariate analysis included staging, bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, GERD, ASD, PDA, grade of stenosis, advanced levels of stenosis, Trisomy 21, MRSA, prior open surgery at another hospital, and gross appearance on EGD. Bayesian model averaging with backward selection was used to validate and refine a predictive model for surgical success with favorable receiver operating curve characteristics - AUC values of 0.827 for single surgery success and 0.797 for overall success., Discussion: With over 500 patients reviewed, this was the largest multicenter study of LTR to date, which elucidated the impact of comorbidities on success with LTR and was able to improve upon the predictive modeling based on single-center data. Patient factors are most critical in the outcome of LTR. Stage and levels of stenosis, as well as pulmonary and GI conditions most strongly impact the likelihood of success. Future prospective case-control studies will be performed to further optimize the current model for outcome prediction and patient management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All The authors have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is commonly performed for unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). However, the safety and efficacy in patients <1 year of age are not widely recognized. This study analyzes the safety and swallow outcomes in a cohort of patients <1 year who underwent IL., Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated patients at a tertiary children's institution between 2015 and 2022. Patients were eligible if they underwent IL for UVFI and were <1 year at time of injection. Baseline characteristics, perioperative data, oral diet tolerance, and preoperative and postoperative swallow data were collected., Results: 49 patients were included, 12 (24%) of whom were premature. The average age at injection was 3.9 months (SD 3.8), time from UVFI onset to injection 1.3 months (2.0), and weight at injection 4.8 kg (2.1). The baseline American Association of Anesthesiologists physical status classification scores were 2 (14%), 3 (61%), and 4 (24%). 89% of patients had improvements in objective swallow function postoperatively. Of the 35 patients who were preoperatively enterally-dependent and did not have medical circumstances precluding advancement to oral feeds, 32 (n = 91%) tolerated an oral diet postoperatively. There were no long-term sequelae. Two patients had intraoperative laryngospasm, one intraoperative bronchospasm, and one with subglottic and posterior glottic stenosis was intubated for <12 h for increased work of breathing., Conclusions: IL is a safe and effective intervention that can reduce aspiration and improve diet in patients <1 year old. This procedure can be considered at institutions with the appropriate personnel, resources, and infrastructure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection commonly manifests as subacute or chronic cervicofacial lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. The optimal management of this pathology remains controversial., Objectives: This international consensus guideline aims to understand the practice patterns for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis and to address the primary diagnostic and management challenges., Methods: A modified three-iterative Delphi method was used to establish expert recommendations on the diagnostic considerations, expectant or medical management, and operative considerations. The recommendations herein are derived from current expert consensus and critical review of the literature., Setting: Multinational, multi-institutional, tertiary pediatric hospitals., Results: Consensus recommendations include diagnostic work-up, goals of treatment and management options including surgery, prolonged antibiotic therapy and observation., Conclusion: The recommendations formulated in this International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of patients with NTM lymphadenitis are aimed at improving patient care and promoting future hypothesis generation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To outline an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with congenital tracheal stenosis., Methods: Expert opinions were sought from members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) via completion of an 18-item survey utilizing an iterative Delphi method and review of the literature., Results: Forty-three members completed the survey providing recommendations regarding the initial history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, temporizing measures, definitive repair, and post-repair care of children with congenital tracheal stenosis., Conclusion: These recommendations are intended to be used to support clinical decision-making regarding the evaluation and management of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. Responses highlight the diverse management strategies and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care of these patients., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To 1) describe health outcomes and outpatient healthcare use after pediatric tracheostomy, and 2) identify populations with higher morbidity that may benefit from improved post-operative monitoring., Methods: Optum's commercial insurance database was queried from 2003 to 2019. Children aged 0-18 who received tracheostomy identified. Mortality, decannulation, tracheostomy complications, and home ventilator dependence were determined, as well as physician office visits and specialty type. The effect that patient characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity, prematurity, and presence versus absence of chronic lung disease [CLD], congenital heart disease [CHD], neurologic impairment [NI], and upper airway obstruction [UAO]) had on outcomes were compared., Results: 1231 children were identified. Infants accounted for 33% of patients and 40% of the cohort was premature. The most common comorbid conditions were NI (76%), UAO (69%), CLD (48%), and CHD (35%). Within 5 years postoperatively, 25% died, 45% had home ventilator dependence, 53% had a complication, and 10% were decannulated. CHD was associated with higher risk of death (HR,1.98; 95% CI 1.22, 3.21), while UAO was associated with lower risk of death (HR,0.51; 95% CI 0.32, 0.83) and higher probability of decannulation (HR,3.56, 95% CI 1.08, 11.74). The median number of physician office visits was 6 per year (IQR 3,10). The most common specialty types were pediatrics (32%), pulmonary medicine (10%), and otolaryngology (8%). NI was associated with greater number of office visits (mean difference/year, 4.10; 95% CI 2.00, 6.19) while Hispanic ethnicity was associated with fewer visits (mean difference/year, -2.94; 95%CI -5.42, -0.45)., Conclusions: UAO was associated with lower risk of mortality and higher probability of decannulation, while NI was associated with greater outpatient healthcare utilization. Social disparities in outpatient tracheostomy care were observed., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic laryngeal cleft repair, immediate postoperative dysphagia is not well-characterized. This study examined whether worsened dysphagia is present in the immediate postoperative period as detected by clinical swallow evaluation, and evaluated how this relates to postoperative change in presenting symptoms and findings on swallow studies., Methods: A retrospective cohort was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center, evaluating all pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic laryngeal cleft repair by a single surgeon from October 2014 through December 2018. All patients underwent instrumental swallow evaluation preoperatively and clinical swallow evaluation within 24 h following surgery., Results: Thirty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Based on clinical swallow evaluation performed within 24 h after surgery, 4 patients (10%) were recommended to thicken their diet from preoperative baseline; all others were unchanged. All patients were admitted to the PICU for observation; 34 (87%) discharged on postoperative day 1. Thirty-seven patients attended 6-week follow-up, with 2 (5%) requiring thicker diet since discharge; all others were stable or improved. Prevalence of recurrent respiratory infections, subjective dysphagia, chronic cough, and wheezing significantly decreased after surgery. No statistically significant change occurred in prevalence of aspiration or penetration on instrumental swallow studies postoperatively., Conclusion: Endoscopic laryngeal cleft repair is well-tolerated in pediatric patients, and most do not have obviously worsened dysphagia at immediate postoperative evaluation. Improvement in symptoms postoperatively may be a more useful indicator of surgical outcomes beyond instrumental swallow studies alone. The relative stability of these patients provides further evidence that they can likely be managed on the floor or as outpatients rather than in the ICU postoperatively., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, and allied clinicians for tracheostomy decannulation in pediatric patients., Methods: An iterative questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group., Results: Twenty-six members completed the survey. Recommendations address patient criteria for decannulation readiness, airway evaluation prior to decannulation, decannulation protocol, and follow-up after both successful and failed decannulation., Conclusion: Tracheostomy decannulation recommendations are aimed at improving patient-centered care, quality and safety in children with tracheostomies., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To provide guidance for home care tracheostomy management in the pediatric population. The mission of the IPOG is to develop expertise-based recommendations for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders with the goal of improving patient care., Methods: Survey of expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG)., Results: Survey results provide guidance for caregiver teaching, the reuse of tracheostomies and suction catheters while inpatient and following discharge, acceptable sterilization practices for tracheostomies, tracheitis workup and management, and outpatient follow-up practices., Conclusion: This presentation of common home tracheostomy care practices are aimed at improving patient-centered care in the pediatric population., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

To illustrate a previously unreported method of tracheal stent removal that appears to cause less mucosal injury we present a case of a 9-year-old Down syndrome patient with a history of tracheoesophageal fistula, brought to our attention after recurrent bouts of exacerbating cough and tracheo-bronchitis. Endoscopic examination under general anesthesia noted the presence of severe tracheomalacia with inspiratory collapse, and a 10-mm balloon expandable metallic stent (BEMS) was deployed and symptomatic improvement was noted. The initial stent was then removed to consider a definitive procedure using the typical grasping fashion with an alligator forceps and expected mucosal excoriation was noted. Due to symptom recurrence, the patient underwent placement of a second BEMS stent. Initial improvement was noted followed by recurrent episodes of respiratory distress due to granulation tissue formation and stent compression and a decision to remove the stent was made. A new method of stent removal deemed ABC (airway balloon collapse) method was utilized where an expandable airway balloon is placed outside the stent between the stent and tracheal wall and then inflated to collapse the stent, facilitating easy removal., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Suprastomal Collapse (SuStCo) is a common complication of prolonged tracheostomy in children. There is a paucity of literature on this subject, especially regarding how to manage significant suprastomal collapse that prevents safe decannulation., Objective: Provide a definition, classification system, and recommend management options for significant suprastomal collapse in children with tracheostomy., Methods: Members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) who are experts in pediatric airway conditions were surveyed and results were refined using a modified Delphi method., Results: Consensus was defined as > 70% agreement on a subject. The experts achieved consensus: CONCLUSION: This consensus statement provides recommendations for medical specialists who manage infants and children with tracheostomies with significant Suprastomal Collapse. It provides a classification system to facilitate diagnosis and treatment options for this condition., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To make recommendations on the identification, routine evaluation, and management of fetuses at risk for airway compromise at delivery., Methods: Recommendations are based on expert opinion by members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was distributed to all members of the IPOG and responses recorded. The respondents were given the opportunity to comment on the content and format of the survey, which was modified for the second round. "Consensus" was defined by >80% respondent affirmative responses, "agreement" by 51-80% affirmative responses, and "no agreement" by 50% or less affirmative responses., Results: Recommendations are provided regarding etiologies of perinatal airway obstruction, imaging evaluation, adjunct evaluation, multidisciplinary team and decision factors, micrognathia management, congenital high airway obstruction syndrome management, head and neck mass management, attended delivery procedure, and delivery on placental support procedure., Conclusions: Thorough evaluation and thoughtful decision making are required to optimally balance fetal and maternal risks/benefits., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To develop an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea., Methods: A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was used to formulate expert recommendations by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG)., Results: Twenty-six members completed the survey. Consensus recommendations (>90% agreement) are formulated for 15 different items related to the clinical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative management and follow-up of children with OSA., Conclusion: The recommendations formulated in this IPOG consensus statement may be used along with existing clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of care and to reduce variation in care for children with OSA., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Despite recent guidelines and the frequency of pediatric tracheostomy, surgical techniques and perioperative management are variable. We aim to describe the post-operative practice patterns following tracheostomy in children., Methods: An electronic cross-sectional survey was distributed to American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists (ASPO) members in academic and private practice settings. Responses were collected anonymously and analyzed by percentages of respondents who employ specific management strategies. Statistical analysis of response distributions performed using the Z test of proportions for binary questions and the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test for questions with more than two options. For questions with ordered categorical responses, Cuzick's nonparametric test of trend was used., Results: One-hundred twenty-four responses were received (22.3%). Most respondents were fellowship trained and practiced in academic medical centers. A greater number of tracheostomies were performed by respondents practicing in the Midwest region (p = 0.042). There was no variability in the number of tracheostomies performed based on practitioner age, hospital setting, or fellowship training. The majority perform stoma maturation and/or stay suture techniques intraoperatively and send patients to the intensive care unit postoperatively. The routine use of postoperative paralysis was reported by a minority of respondents and 50% reported the use of sedation. There was a roughly-even distribution of respondents who reported postoperative immobilization, mobilization to a chair, and ambulation respectively. Routine; postoperative airway evaluations were reported by 35% of respondents. Clinic follow-up was; variable., Conclusion: These results demonstrate ongoing variability in the postoperative management strategies following tracheostomy in children and highlight areas for further study., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To provide recommendations for the comprehensive management of airway obstruction in patients with Robin Sequence., Methods: Expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG)., Results: The consensus statement provides recommendations for medical specialists who manage infants with Robin Sequence including: evaluation and treatment considerations for commonly debated issues in post-natal airway obstruction, assessment of antenatal obstruction and perinatal airway management., Conclusion: Consensus recommendations are aimed at improving management of airway obstruction in patients with Robin Sequence., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr Balakrishnan declares Royalties from Springer, Inc; Research funding from Rosivo, Inc. Other authors don't have any conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Morquio syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease with manifestations ranging from mild to severe phenotype. Mechanical spinal cord injury and airway insufficiency are major causes of mortality. A 17-year-old male patient with severe Morquio syndrome presented with cervical and upper thoracic spinal stenosis with spinal cord myelopathy, and progressive severe tracheal stenosis. Coordinated care among otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, cardiovascular surgery, radiology, and pulmonology teams facilitated the successful planning and execution of two major surgical interventions in rapid succession. This is the first description of a successful coordinated spine and airway repair in the literature., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To develop consensus recommendations for the evaluation and management of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) in pediatric patients., Methods: Expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). The mission of the IPOG is to develop expertise-based consensus recommendations for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders with the goal of improving patient care. The consensus recommendations herein represent the first publication by the group., Results: Consensus recommendations including diagnostic considerations, surgical management, systemic adjuvant therapies, postoperative management, surveillance, and voice evaluation. These recommendations are based on the collective opinion of the IPOG members and are targeted for otolaryngologists, primary care providers, pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, and any other health care providers that manage patients with JORRP., Conclusions: Pediatric JORRP consensus recommendations are aimed at improving care and outcomes in this patient population., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists and allied physicians for the comprehensive management of young infants who present with signs or symptoms of choanal atresia., Methods: A two-iterative delphi method questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Otolaryngology Group (IPOG), on the diagnostic, intra-operative, post-operative and revision surgery considerations., Results: Twenty-eight members completed the survey, in 22 tertiary-care center departments representing 8 countries. The main consensual recommendations were: nasal endoscopy or fiberscopy and CT imaging are recommended for diagnosis; unilateral choanal atresia repair should be delayed after at least age 6 months whenever possible; transnasal endoscopic repair is the preferred technique; long term follow-up is recommended (minimum one year) using nasal nasofiberscopy or rigid endoscopy, without systematic imaging., Conclusion: Choanal atresia care consensus recommendations are aimed at improving patient-centered care in neonates, infants and children with choanal atresia., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the impact of an interdisciplinary care model for pediatric aerodigestive patients in terms of efficiency, risk exposure, and cost., Methods: Patients meeting a standard clinical inclusion definition were studied before and after implementation of the aerodigestive program., Results: Aerodigestive patients seen in the interdisciplinary clinic structure achieved a reduction in time to diagnosis (6 vs 150 days) with fewer required specialist consultations (5 vs 11) as compared to those seen in the same institution prior. Post-implementation patients also experienced a significant reduction in risk, with fewer radiation exposures (2 vs 4) and fewer anesthetic episodes (1 vs 2). Total cost associated with the diagnostic evaluation was significantly reduced from a median of $10,374 to $6055., Conclusion: This is the first study to utilize a pre-post cohort to evaluate the reduction in diagnostic time, risk exposure, and cost attributable to the reorganization of existing resources into an interdisciplinary care model. This suggests that such a model yields improvements in care quality and value for aerodigestive patients, and likely for other pediatric patients with chronic complex conditions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative cost and safety of ear foreign body (FB) removal via conscious sedation in the emergency department., Methods: A retrospective review of patients presenting from 2000 to 2015 to the emergency department at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota was performed. 63 patients requiring sedation for ear foreign body removal were identified. Descriptive data, safety data, and costs were obtained for the study., Results: There were no appreciable differences in patient safety outcomes and otologic outcomes in patients who received sedation in the emergency department or anesthesia in the operating room for FB removal. Cost analysis demonstrated increased cost associated with operating room utilization verses conscious sedation in the emergency department, with the greatest cost increase being in patients evaluated first in the emergency department and then sent to the operating room., Conclusions: Ear foreign body removal in the emergency department is shows a similar safety profile to removal in the operating room, but at a markedly lower cost. Emergency department conscious sedation should be considered a viable option in appropriately selected patients with this common problem given these results., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Prolonged tracheostomy dependence in pediatric patients can be associated with significant complications, including damage to the tracheal wall requiring reconstruction. We present a case of an 8 year-old female with full-thickness tracheal erosion secondary to the presence of a tracheostomy tube combined with a narrow thoracic inlet. A direct tracheal reconstruction was considered but eliminated due to the poor tissue quality of the trachea. Instead, a multi-disciplinary surgical team conceived of a novel indirect approach to manage the patient's tracheal defect. To our knowledge the use of indirect repair of a full-thickness tracheal defect has not been reported in the literature., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A 13-year-old male presents for evaluation of a right-sided posterolateral neck mass, first noted four years prior to presentation; incisional biopsy two years ago suggested a benign lymph node. Recent growth and increased pain prompted referral to our tertiary care center. MR imaging revealed a densely calcified mass in the right posterior paraspinous muscles with intense enhancement with gadolinium contrast, approximately 5 cm × 2.8 cm x 4.6 cm. Incisional biopsy showed leiomyoma with extensive dystrophic calcifications. This case describes a rare finding of extraesophageal leiomyoma of the neck; this is only the second such case reported in a pediatric patient., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The diagnosis and management of type I laryngeal clefts can be controversial and varies across centers and surgeons. Using existing peer-reviewed literature to develop an expert-based consensus will help guide physicians in the treatment of these patients as well as develop research hypotheses to further study this condition., Objective: To provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of type I laryngeal clefts., Methods: Determination of current expert- and literature-based recommendations, via a survey of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group, using a modified Delphi method., Setting: Multinational, multi-institutional, tertiary pediatric hospitals., Results: Consensus recommendations include diagnostic workup, medical management, pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative considerations for type I laryngeal clefts., Conclusions: This guide on the diagnosis and management of patients with type I laryngeal clefts is aimed at improving patient care and promoting future hypothesis generation and research to validate the recommendations made here., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This series of three patients is the first description of the presentation, clinical course, and endoscopic findings of nasogastric tube-related airway distress, or nasogastric tube syndrome, in infants. We identify key differences in disease features from those described in adults, based on our literature review. Specifically, infant nasogastric tube syndrome presented as significant respiratory distress and postcricoid inflammation without vocal fold immobility. Symptoms resolved more quickly (mean±SD, 2±1 days) than reported in adults. We suggest that nasogastric tube syndrome should be considered in infants with otherwise unexplained respiratory distress, even in the absence of impaired vocal fold mobility., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)