ObjectivesTo compare the success rates and ease of use of three intraosseous (IO) access devices used in term neonates.DesignA three-arm randomised controlled simulation study was conducted.SettingA simulation laboratory.ParticipantsSeventy-two paediatric residents completing their emergency department rotation as part of their residency training, and 20 paediatric specialists.InterventionUsing an animal bone model, the one-attempt success rate of the EZ-IO drill, the NIO-I needle and the Jamshidi needle was compared. Uncooked Cornish Hen bones were used because of their similarity in length and diameter to the bones of neonates. Participants were asked to record the perceived ease of use of their assigned device using a 5-point Likert Scale.Main outcome measureThe main outcome was the visualisation of flow emerging from the distal end of the bone, and perceived ease of use of the three IO devices.ResultsThe EZ-IO, NIO-I and Jamshidi groups included 30, 31 and 31 participants, respectively, with median (IQR) years of experience of 3 (2–5), 3 (2–6) and 4 (3–5) years. Participants had significantly lower one-attempt success rates with the EZ-IO drill than with the NIO-I and the Jamshidi needles (14 of 30 (46.7%) vs 24 of 31 (77.4%); p=0.016, and 14 of 30 (46.7%) vs 25 of 31 (80.7%); p=0.007, respectively). The median (IQR) ease-of-use score of the EZ-IO drill was higher than that of the NIO-I and Jamshidi needles (5 (4–5) vs 4 (4–5); p=0.008, and 5 (4–5) vs 4 (3–4); p=0.0004, respectively).ConclusionsAlthough easier to use, the EZ-IO drill demonstrated lower success rates than the IO needles in establishing IO access on a neonatal bone model.

12047 Background: Treatment decisions in older adults with cancer are confounded by limited evidence due to their under-representation in clinical trials and as associations between geriatric assessment findings, body composition measures, treatment-related toxicity, and treatment effectiveness have yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated the relationship between geriatric assessment results, skeletal muscle measures, and treatment-related toxicity in older adults with cancer. Methods: This prospective single-center cohort study included patients with cancer > 65 years of age with advanced lung, breast, or genitourinary (GU) cancer who received systemic treatment (chemotherapy, biologic therapy, immunotherapy, or combination), and had available CT scans. Patients completed the Comprehensive Geriatric assessment (CGA) and 36-item Carolina Frailty Index (CFI) was calculated to classify them as robust ( < 0.2), pre-frail (0.2-0.35), or frail ( > 0.35). For each patient, skeletal muscle area (SMA) and density (SMD) were analyzed from CT scan L3 lumbar segments using Slice-O-Matic software. SMA and height (m2) were used to calculate skeletal muscle index (SMI). Skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) was created by multiplying SMI x SMD. Sarcopenia was defined as having SMI < 41 cm2/m2 for males and < 38 cm2/m2 for females. The associations between study variables and the occurrence of at least one adverse event (AE) grade ≥2 were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-squared test. The study was approved by the IRB of Rambam Health Care Campus. All patients signed an informed consent. Results: Overall, 51 patients (recruited between 5/2015 and 1/2020) were included in the final analysis. Median (interquartile [IQR]) age was 72 (68-76) years; 59% were male; 51%, 28%, and 22% had lung, breast, and GU cancer respectively. The most common treatment received was doublet chemotherapy (49%). All patients except 3 (6%) completed the CGA and CFI was calculated; 29%, 26%, and 39% were classified as robust, pre-frail, and frail, respectively. Median (IQR) SMG was 1251 (1104-1497) AU; median (IQR) SMI was 42 (39-48) cm2/m2; 31% were defined as sarcopenic. Overall, 45% of patients experienced at least one AE grade ≥2; 24% experienced at least one AE grade≥3. No statistically significant association was found between treatment-related toxicity and sex, age, tumor type, treatment, or CFI category. Yet, having low SMG (categorically, by tertile) was significantly associated with having at least one AE grade≥2 (p = 0.03) as was being sarcopenic (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Low SMG and sarcopenia are associated with treatment-related toxicity in older patients with cancer. Further research and better understanding of this association could help optimize treatment decisions (e.g., choice of regimen, dosing) and interventions in this population.

We report the case of a patient with a previous history of obstructive renal calculus disease who initially presented with a symptomatic calculus in her right mid-ureter, requiring ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy and ureteral stent placement. Shortly after the removal of the stent, the patient was found to have a periureteral abscess, necessitating percutaneous drainage by interventional radiology, and placement of an additional ureteral stent. Adverse reactions to these procedures are rare and, to our knowledge, this is the only documented case of peri-ureteral abscess as a complication of ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy or of ureteral stenting. In addition to developing a peri-ureteral abscess, this patient also experienced deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsegmental pulmonary embolism (PE), which also have not been found to be a common complication of laser lithotripsy or ureteral stent placement in any of the studies that we reviewed for this article. The complications that were previously rare are unfortunately on the rise, possibly in the setting of both increased access to invasive therapies as well as the increased rates of diabetes and obesity. Survivability hinges on prompt recognition and treatment of these complications. In the event that a peri-ureteral abscess is discovered, prompt treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is recommended in addition to interventional radiology and urology consultation. Antibiotics should cover conventional intraabdominal and urologic abscess regimens.

PEM-Database.org is an unaffiliated, not-for-profit website, dedicated to the field’s advancement of pediatric emergency medicine. PEM-Database published the first early access pediatric-related SARS-CoV-2 articles on March 13th, two days following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic. Over the following 2 weeks, the number of PEM-Database entries increased dramatically. This surge expresses interest by pediatric emergency medicine physicians in data on pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection.