Introduction PTMS—a clustering of hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance/diabetes, and obesity—is increasingly recognized as a contributor to long‐term morbidity after transplant. We sought to describe pediatric liver transplant center protocols and provider practices in screening for and managing these conditions. Methods Cross‐sectional survey of pediatric liver transplant providers from centers that participate in Studies of Liver Transplantation (SPLIT). Results Of 49 survey respondents from 39 centers, 64% were hepatologists or surgeons, 18% nurses/NPs/PAs, 12% coordinators, and 4% other. All providers felt that pediatric liver transplant recipients should be routinely screened for PTMS components. For each condition, at least 70% felt that the liver transplant team should be primarily responsible for routine screening. For each condition, at least 30% of providers reported that their center had no standardized protocol for screening. For diagnostic evaluation and initial management, >60% of providers reported that their center had no standardized protocol for glucose intolerance/diabetes, dyslipidemia, or obesity. Almost 40% had no standardized workup or initial management protocol for hypertension or chronic kidney disease. Of centers that did have screening or workup protocols, most were based on existing center practice, provider consensus, or informal review of published evidence. Screening tools, treatment steps, and thresholds for referral to another specialist varied widely. Conclusions Transplant providers intend to screen for and initiate management of PTMS components in these children, but protocols and practices vary substantially. This highlights opportunities for multi‐center collaboration on protocols or interventions to improve screening and management.
Background: More than 40% of pediatric pheochromocytoma or paragangliomas have associated underlying genetic germline mutation. (1) Clinical Case: We present an 8-year-old male who arrived the emergency department with hypertension to 170/115. MRI of the abdomen revealed bilateral well demarcated adrenal masses with central necrosis. Urine metanephrines showed elevated normetanephrine of 15244 µg/24 hr (reference range, 58 - 670 µg/24 hr) and normal urine metanephrines. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid was mildly elevated 35 mg/gCr and homovanillic acid was normal. MIBG scan revealed increased radiotracer activity correlating to the bilateral adrenal masses without evidence of metastasis. Diagnosis of bilateral pheochromocytomas was made. Genetic testing revealed a novel, heterozygous, pathogenic variant of VHL tumor suppressor gene, consistent with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Perioperative blockade was achieved with prazosin, amlodipine, and metoprolol. Due to low likelihood of metastasis in pheochromocytomas due to VHL, adrenal sparing bilateral adrenalectomy was attempted and resulted in 15% sparing of left adrenal gland vs radial bilateral adrenalectomy. (2) Clinical Lessons: 1. Endocrine etiologies of hypertension, although rare, are important causes of hypertension in the pediatric population. 2. Genetic testing prior to surgical intervention could determine surgical course and preservation of adrenals. 3. A multidisciplinary approach to care and referral to a center with experienced surgery, oncology, nephrology, endocrinology, anesthesiology, critical care and genetics is crucial to maximizing outcomes with pheochromocytoma. Reference: 1. NGS in PPGL (NGSnPPGL) Study Group, Toledo RA, Burnichon N, Cascon A, Benn DE, Bayley JP, Welander J, Tops CM, Firth H, Dwight T, Ercolino T, Mannelli M, Opocher G, Clifton-Bligh R, Gimm O, Maher ER, Robledo M, Gimenez-Roqueplo AP, Dahia PL. Consensus Statement on next-generation-sequencing-based diagnostic testing of hereditary phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017 Apr;13(4):233–247. 2. King KS, Prodanov T, Kantorovich V, Fojo T, Hewitt JK, Zacharin M, Wesley R, Lodish M, Raygada M, Gimenez-Roqueplo AP, McCormack S, Eisenhofer G, Milosevic D, Kebebew E, Stratakis CA, Pacak K. Metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma related to primary tumor development in childhood or adolescence: significant link to SDHB mutations. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Nov 1;29(31):4137–42.
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