Vascular malformations (VMs) are described as congenital malformations of the vasculature derived from capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels, arteries, or a combination of these vessels. They can cause significant morbidity resulting from soft tissue hypertrophy-related disfiguration, bony abnormalities, and even organ compromise. They are usually treated with various interventional procedures to achieve local control; however, the chance of success decreases as the anatomical distribution of the malformation widens. Unfortunately, medical treatment options have been quite limited in these patients. Sirolimus is an antiangiogenetic and antiproliferative pharmacologic agent that has been used for the management of VM in the last decade. We report 6 pediatric patients (4 with capillary lymphaticovenous malformations, 1 with lymphaticovenous malformation, and 1 with venous malformation) seen at our clinic within the last 2 years with lesions covering wide anatomical areas. After the patients had unsuccessfully undergone various treatments at various centers, they were treated at our facility with peroral sirolimus. The mean duration of treatment was 13 months, but in 3 patients, tapered dosing continues. Five patients achieved partial responses. The response to sirolimus treatment increased as the lymphatic component of the VM increased. All patients tolerated sirolimus well; side effects were acceptable. Sirolimus is a safe and effective medical treatment for widely distributed VMs with significant lymphatic components and no further local treatment option.
As we observed in our patient, in cases with inoperable symptomatic rhabdomyomas associated with TSC, everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, may be the treatment of choice, which should be confirmed with additional studies.
This article presents a novel approach to the treatment of lymphatic malformation of the tongue using sirolimus, which appears to be safe and effective for the management of complex cases.
Testicular microlithiasis (TM), a rare condition characterized by calcification within the seminiferous tubules, is associated with benign and malignant disorders of the testis. We review current practices of following up pediatric patients diagnosed TM incidentally on scrotal ultrasonography (US). We analyzed retrospectively patient characteristics, family history, indications for US, pathological features, US findings, outcome, and follow-up. At our institution, 2875 scrotal US examinations were performed on 2477 children with various scrotal complaints from 2008 to 2015. Testicular microlithiasis was detected in 81 patients (i.e., an incidence of 3.27%). Every 6 months, each patient underwent a clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation as well as serum tumor markers determination to detect a potential malignancy. Seventy-eight patients who had undergone scrotal US at least twice were included in this study. We evaluated the US studies for the type of TM (diffuse and focal) and change in follow-up studies. Testicular microlithiasis was typically diffuse (n = 56, 71.8%) and bilateral (n = 45, 57.7%), and it was detected the most frequently in the 9-11-year age group (27 patients, 34.6%). The most common comorbid conditions included undescended testes (31 patients, 39.7%) and hydrocele (11 patients, 14.1%). We found that serum tumor markers were within normal limits both at diagnosis and upon follow-up. No testicular tumors or new abnormal symptoms developed during the clinical follow-up. There is no convincing evidence that TM alone is premalignant in a pediatric population. In terms of follow-up, we advise regular self-examinations and annual US in the absence of risk factors.
Background. Trichosporon asahii is an opportunistic fungus that causes infections in immunosuppressed patients. Neutropenia developing due to malignancies is an important risk factor for fungal infection. Case Report. We present two pediatric oncology cases successfully treated with voriconazole after T. asahii infection that is known to cause fatal sepsis and invasive fungal infection. Conclusion. There is no conclusive evidence that the antifungal agent voriconazole is effective in the neutropenic patients infected with Trichosporon asahii. Liposomal amphotericin B has also been reported to be inadequate for treatment. We believe that our patients were successfully treated and survived because the antifungal agents were started early and properly, although the infection can be fatal in up to 80% of cases despite treatment.
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