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Biomedical subjects

T J McGill

Publications and source records attributed to T J McGill.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Preservation of vision following cell-based therapies in a model of retinal degenerative disease.

This study examines whether subretinal transplantation of a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE19) or human Schwann cells early in the course of degeneration can limit the loss of visual acuity that normally occurs in dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats as they age. The acuity of both transplanted groups was significantly better than controls at all ages tested, though the rescue profile of each cell type was unique. These data indicate that the transplantation of cells with very different phenotypes can be used to limit the deterioration of spatial vision in an animal model of retinal degenerative disease.

Animals↗

Craniofacial, temporal bone, and audiologic abnormalities in the spectrum of hemifacial microsomia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical, audiologic, and temporal bone computed tomograpic findings in patients with hemifacial microsomia and to use the OMENS (each letter of the acronym indicates 1 of the following 5 dysmorphic manifestations: O, orbital asymmetry; M, mandibular hypoplasia; E, auricular deformity; N, nerve involvement; and S, soft tissue deficiency) grading system to assess possible correlations between the severity of dysmorphic features with the type of abnormalities in the temporal bone and with degree of hearing deficit. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENT: Forty patients with hemifacial microsomia. RESULT: Mandibular hypoplasia and auricular abnormalities were the most common clinical manifestations, present in 39 patients (97%) and 38 patients (95%), respectively. Conductive hearing loss was noted in 35 patients (86%) and sensorineural hearing loss in 4 patients (10%). Facial nerve weakness was present in 20 patients (50%). Twenty patients had unilateral aural atresia, 12 patients had unilateral aural stenosis, and 7 patients had bilateral anomalies. Moderate hypoplasia or atresia of the middle ear was noted in 36 patients (90%) and ossicles were malformed in 30 patients (75%). Hypoplasia of the oval window was the most common inner ear abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of craniofacial features (total OMENS score) significantly correlated with the degree of temporal bone abnormality, but no correlation was noted with the degree or type of hearing loss. We recommend the following: (1) use of the OMENS classification system for documentation and analysis of dysmorphic finding in hemifacial microsomia; (2) complete audiologic evaluation in all patients with hemifacial microsomia regardless of the type of craniofacial abnormalities; and (3) temporal bone computed tomography for further evaluation of hearing deficit.

Adolescent↗

Management of orbital subperiosteal abscess in children.

OBJECTIVES: To present guidelines for the management of an orbital subperiosteal abscess (SPA) in children and to assess the efficacy and safety of transnasal endoscopic drainage of an orbital SPA. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Nineteen patients treated for an SPA between July 1997 and December 1999. The age of the patients ranged from 17 months to 14 years (mean, 6 years). The male-female ratio was 10:9. Treatment modalities included transnasal endoscopic drainage (n = 11), external drainage (n = 3), and intravenous antibiotics alone (n = 5). RESULTS: Bilateral pansinusitis was the most common cause. All patients received an initial trial of intravenous antibiotics. Based on the Fisher exact test, no statistically significant differences were detected for age, sex, presence of gaze restriction, and radiographic findings. Based on multiple logistic regression, degree of proptosis was the only significant multivariate predictor of surgery (P =.003). The estimated probability of surgery was 6% when there was no proptosis, and 92% for 2 mm of proptosis. The location of the SPA determined the route of surgical drainage. Eleven patients with a medially based SPA underwent drainage via the transnasal endoscopic approach, and 3 with a superior SPA underwent drainage externally. The external approach was associated with a longer hospital stay (median, 7 days) than either the endoscopic or the intravenous antibiotic approach (median, 5 days).

Abscess↗

Otologic management in children with the CHARGE association.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize otologic management of two patient groups, those with the CHARGE association and those not strictly labeled as CHARGE but with several features of the disorder (CHARGE-like), in order to determine: (1) the clinical validity and utility of managing CHARGE-like children in a similar manner to patients with the strictly defined CHARGE association, (2) the progression and prognosis of hearing loss and (3) the identification of factors that may predict the degree of hearing loss. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care urban children's hospital. PATIENTS: 37 children, 22 in the CHARGE group and 15 in the CHARGE-like group. INTERVENTIONS: Otorhinolaryngologic and audiologic management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Otorhinolaryngologic and audiologic evaluation. RESULTS: All patients required otologic and/or audiologic care. Bilateral hearing loss was found in 32 patients (86%) and unilateral hearing loss in five patients (14%) when hearing was assessed in the absence of otitis media. Among the 32 patients with bilateral hearing loss, 31 (97%) were able to be fit with useful hearing aids. External ear anomalies were present in 25/37 (68%) patients, and middle ear and ossicular anomalies were identified in four cases (4/37, 11%), 36/37 (97%) patients required surgical management of otitis media. Three patients (3/37, 8%) exhibited radiographic evidence of inner ear deformity. Facial nerve dysfunction was noted in the records of 14/37 (38%) patients. No statistically significant difference was found when CHARGE and CHARGE-like patients were compared for degree of hearing loss (P = 0.5964), type of hearing loss (P = 0.2657), worsening of hearing level (P = 0.7908), or anomalies of the external ear (P = 0.6921), ossicles (P = 0.7908), inner ear (P = 0.7908) or facial nerve (P = 0.6409). Patients with external ear anomalies did not exhibit statistically different degrees (P = 0.3125) or types (P = 0.1515) of hearing loss from patients without auricular anomalies. The presence of facial nerve anomaly correlated significantly (P = 0.0021) with profound hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Children who are CHARGE-like may be may be considered equivalent in terms of otologic and audiologic management to children strictly defined as CHARGE patients. These children all require otologic care due to the high prevalence of middle ear disease and the underlying permanent hearing loss that is both stable and aidable. The degree of hearing loss cannot be predicted by external ear morphology, but may be predicted by facial nerve palsy.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

A double-blind evaluation of ketorolac tromethamine versus acetaminophen in pediatric tonsillectomy: analgesia and bleeding.

The study was designed to compare intravenous ketorolac to rectal acetaminophen for analgesia and bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. We studied 50 patients, aged 2-15 yr undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. In a randomized, prospective double-blind fashion, patients were assigned to receive either ketorolac (1 mg/kg) or rectal acetaminophen (35 mg/kg). Bleeding was evaluated by measuring intraoperative blood loss and noting extra measures required to obtain hemostasis. Bleeding times were also measured before and during surgery. Pain was evaluated using a standard objective pain score for the first 3 h. Persistent pain was treated with morphine, acetaminophen, and codeine and recorded for 24 h. Blood for determination of acetaminophen levels was drawn at 20 and 40 min after the administration of study drugs. Pain scores were not significantly different between the ketorolac and acetaminophen groups. The majority of patients in both groups required additional opioid in the postoperative period. Acetaminophen levels were all less than the therapeutic range. Intraoperative bleeding times were normal in all patients, but blood loss was significantly higher in the ketorolac group (2.67 mL/kg) compared to the acetaminophen group (1.44 mL/kg), P = 0.025. Significantly more measures to achieve hemostasis were required in the ketorolac group (P = 0.012). We conclude that ketorolac is no more effective than high-dose rectal acetaminophen for analgesia in the patient undergoing tonsillectomy. Hemostasis during tonsillectomy was significantly more difficult to achieve in patients receiving ketorolac.

Acetaminophen↗

Intravenous versus epidural administration of hydromorphone. Effects on analgesia and recovery after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether epidural administration of hydromorphone results in spinal analgesia or clinical benefit when compared with intravenous administration. Therefore, we undertook this study to determine whether epidural administration of hydromorphone resulted in decreased opioid requirement, improved analgesia, reduced side effects, more rapid return of gastrointestinal function, or shorter duration of hospital stay than intravenous administration. METHODS: Sixteen patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive either intravenous or epidural hydromorphone via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for postoperative analgesia. All patients underwent a standardized combined epidural and general anesthetic and all received ketorolac for 72 h postoperatively. To decrease variability, patients were cared for according to a standardized protocol and were deemed ready for discharge according to prospectively defined criteria. RESULTS: Patients in the intravenous PCA group required approximately twice as much opioid than the epidural PCA group (P < 0.008), but there were no differences between groups in pain scores or patient satisfaction. Epidural administration resulted in a greater incidence of pruritus (P = 0.02). Gastrointestinal function recovered quickly in all patients with little variation, and there were no differences between groups. All patients were deemed ready for discharge by the third postoperative day, and removal of surgical drains was the last discharge criterion reached in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that epidural administration of hydromorphone results in spinally mediated analgesia. However, epidural administration did not provide significant benefits in terms of postoperative analgesia, recovery of gastrointestinal function, or duration of hospitalization. Furthermore, we suggest that radical retropubic prostatectomy no longer be used as a model to assess the effects of analgesic technique on postoperative recovery, because control of discharge criteria revealed that hospital discharge was primarily dependent on removal of surgical drains.

Aged↗

Interferon alfa-2a therapy for airway hemangiomas.

Hemangioma is a well-recognized cause of airway obstruction in the infant with stridor. Corticosteroid and laser therapy are effective in stabilizing the airway in most cases. There are, however, some extensive airway lesions that are not adequately managed by these modalities. This report describes the use of recombinant interferon alfa-2a in 15 patients with life-threatening airway hemangiomas. All patients had failed corticosteroid and/or laser therapy. Multiple upper airway sites were involved, including the base of the tongue, supraglottis, subglottis, trachea, and mediastinum. Eleven patients have completed therapy and are doing well. Four patients have resolving lesions on the drug regimen. Life-threatening airway lesions unresponsive to conventional treatment should be considered for a trial of interferon alfa-2a.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Sinus complications in mucopolysaccharidosis IH/S (Hurler-Scheie syndrome).

Hurler-Scheie syndrome is a genetic compound of two mucopolysaccharidoses, the Hurler and Scheie syndromes. The genetic error of metabolism caused by this syndrome produces intermediary systemic effects in the affected individuals. Lacking the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase, glycosaminoglycans are deposited in the tissues, causing multiple systemic effects and creating many problems for the otolaryngologist. Although early bone marrow transplantation is currently being performed to prevent or reverse many of the systemic manifestations of this disorder, there remains a large population of children past the age at which bone marrow transplantation can be effective. Sinus complications have not previously been reported in the mucopolysaccharidoses and may be more frequently recognized as these patients' longevity increases. We present a patient with Hurler-Scheie syndrome who developed severe nasal polyposis requiring sinus endoscopic removal.

Adolescent↗

Penetrating trauma of the oropharynx in children.

Penetrating trauma of the oropharynx is not an uncommon problem in the pediatric population. Innocuous injuries with minor soft-tissue trauma have been associated with severe neurologic sequelae. A review of 77 oral trauma cases that occurred from 1981 to 1990 at Boston Children's Hospital was undertaken to see if constant factors could be identified so that a treatment protocol might be outlined for these patients. Twenty-three (30%) patients sustained injury to the soft palate and peritonsillar area. Fifty percent of these cases required surgical debridement and repair. None of the 23 patients developed neurological sequelae. Physical examination may not correlate with the development of symptoms nor the mechanism of injury. Care should be taken during the examination to identify any neurological problems that may not relate to the degree of injury. Conservative management can be entertained if no abnormal neurologic findings are noted.

Adolescent↗

Pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common malignant soft-tissue tumor in the pediatric population, occurs most often in the head and neck region. Major advancements in the management of these aggressive tumors have been achieved in the last 20 years on three fronts: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Surgery, with the advent of skull-base, craniofacial, and free-tissue-transfer reconstructive techniques, has once again become part of the primary management of these tumors. Prior to 1960, RMS was uniformly fatal; now, with the introduction of multimodality treatment regimens, two thirds of patients can expect long-term survival.

Child↗

Cerebrospinal fistulas in children.

Cerebrospinal fluid leaks can be difficult management problems. Little information has been published about handling these cases in the pediatric population. A review of cases over the past 10 years at Boston Children's Hospital was undertaken to identify any prognostic factors and therapeutic recommendations. Twenty-seven patients were identified. While most patients responded to conservative therapy, those with leaks that persisted longer than 8 days required some type of operative closure. Severity of injury had little correlation with the occurrence of a leak. The findings in this study indicate that most pediatric cases can be managed on a conservative basis.

Adolescent↗

Phylogenetic diversity in the genus Bacillus as seen by 16S rRNA sequencing studies.

Comparative sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal (r)RNAs or DNAs of Bacillus alvei, B. laterosporus, B. macerans, B. macquariensis, B. polymyxa and B. stearothermophilus revealed the phylogenetic diversity of the genus Bacillus. Based on the presently available data set of 16S rRNA sequences from bacilli and relatives at least four major "Bacillus clusters" can be defined: a "Bacillus subtilis cluster" including B. stearothermophilus, a "B. brevis cluster" including B. laterosporus, a "B. alvei cluster" including B. macerans, B. maquariensis and B. polymyxa and a "B. cycloheptanicus branch".

Bacillus↗

Congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear in children: a clinical and histopathological report.

Forty-one children with congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear seen from 1978 through 1989 are reviewed. The most common presentation was that of an asymptomatic white mass behind a normal intact tympanic membrane. Computed tomography (CT) scan was useful in documenting extension beyond the mesotympanum. Surgical removal was performed using an extended tympanotomy for lesions in the middle ear and tympanomastoidectomy for those that had extended into attic and mastoid air cells. Observation over an average 3.1-year period indicated that 80% of children were free of disease after initial surgery. Residual disease that required further surgery was present in 20%. The importance of early diagnosis of congenital cholesteatoma is strongly advocated. The prognosis is better when the cholesteatoma is confined to the anterosuperior quadrant of the middle ear. Seventeen patients in this study had such a lesion, and extended tympanotomy allowed removal of an encapsulated closed cholesteatoma with normal postoperative hearing and no residual cholesteatoma. The average age was 2.3 years. Temporal bone histopathological studies of three cases of congenital cholesteatoma demonstrate two distinct pathological types of congenital cholesteatoma. A "closed" keratotic cyst in the anterior mesotympanum, which is easily removed, and an "open" infiltrative type in which there is no containment of the keratotic debris and the cholesteatoma matrix is in direct continuity with middle ear mucosa. Surgical extirpation of the "open" type is difficult and more likely to be associated with residual disease.

Adolescent↗

Tympanoplasty in children. The Boston Children's Hospital experience.

Considerable controversy surrounds the subject of tympanoplasty in children. Conflicting opinions about the indications, patient selection, timing, and technique of surgery are supported by various published series of cases. The records of 64 consecutive tympanoplasty procedures performed at the Boston (Mass) Children's Hospital over a recent 6-year period were reviewed. The study was limited to cases of repair of uncomplicated perforation of pars tensa that did not require ossiculoplasty or mastoidectomy. Surgery was successful in 73% of cases. A number of factors that are postulated to affect the outcome of surgery have been analyzed to assess their utility in selecting successful surgical candidates. Only patient age at the time of surgery was found to have statistical significance. We conclude that tympanoplasty for repair of perforation is warranted for children 8 years of age and older.

Age Factors↗

Airway complications in CHARGE association.

The association between catastrophic airway events and developmental delay was examined in patients with CHARGE (coloboma, heart disease, atresia choanae, retarded growth and/or development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies and/or deafness) association. A retrospective chart analysis was performed from The Children's Hospital in Boston, Mass. Sixteen patients were identified with CHARGE association. Nine patients had at least one respiratory arrest, and 7 had no airway difficulties. Some degree of developmental delay was seen in 14 patients, but was most severe in those patients who suffered a respiratory arrest. We conclude that children with CHARGE association have a propensity for airway instability and that cerebral hypoxia contributed to the developmental delay in some of our patients. We recommend early tracheotomy rather than early choanal atresia repair in these patients to protect the central nervous system.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Central nervous system complications associated with acute otitis media in children.

The purpose of this article is to review a subset of pediatric patients with otitis media occurring simultaneously with meningitis and other central nervous system diseases. Of the 92 cases reviewed, 61.3% involved patients under 12 months of age. Meningitis associated with otitis media involved 91% of the patients; the remainder had nonmeningitic central involvement. The most striking finding was the high incidence of Haemophilus influenza type-B, a relatively uncommon pathogen of the middle ear. This finding highlights the need to select antibiotic coverage to adequately treat Haemophilus influenza type-B.

Acute Disease↗

Chronic pediatric stridor: etiology and outcome.

Stridor in children is usually acute. This paper represents a chart review and telephone survey of 60 patients with chronic pediatric stridor. The most common etiology was laryngomalacia, which required airway intervention in 22% of the patients. The symptoms persisted beyond 18 months of age in 17% of the patients. Twelve percent of the patients had multiple lesions; 65% of the second lesions were below the vocal cords. It appears that the presence of cyanosis should increase physician suspicion of multiple lesions. There was not a higher risk of recurrent upper respiratory infections with any of the diagnoses.

Child, Preschool↗