Publications by authors named "Nuchtern J"

Background: The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classifier utilizes a staging system based on pretreatment imaging criteria in which image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) are used to evaluate the extent of locoregional disease. Children's Oncology Group (COG) study ANBL0531 prospectively examined institutional determination of IDRF status and compared that to a standardized central review.

Methods: Between 9/2009-6/2011, patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma were enrolled on ANBL0531 and had IDRF assessment at treating institutions.

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Background: Image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) were promulgated for predicting the feasibility and safety of complete primary tumor resection in children with neuroblastoma (NB). There is limited understanding of the impact of individual IDRFs on resectability of the primary tumor or patient outcomes. A multicenter database of patients with high-risk NB was interrogated to answer this question.

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Introduction: Pelvic fractures are serious and oftentimes require immediate medical attention. Pelvic binders have become a critical tool in the management of pelvic injuries, especially in the prehospital setting. Proper application of the pelvic binder is essential to achieve the desired result.

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Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid extracranial malignancy of childhood with an incidence of 1 per 100,000 in the United States compromising approximately 10 % of childhood cancer. Unfortunately, patients with high-risk NG continue to have long-term survival less than 50 %. Both Children's Oncology Group and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology have demonstrated the important role of surgery in the treatment of high-risk NB.

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Introduction: Wilms tumor therapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) relies on treatment protocols adapted to resource limitations, but these protocols have rarely been evaluated in real-world settings. Such evaluations are necessary to identify high-impact research priorities for clinical and implementation trials in LMICs. The purpose of this study was to identify highest priority targets for future clinical and implementation trials in sub-Saharan Africa by assessing outcomes of a resource-adapted treatment protocol in Malawi.

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Purpose: Children undergoing open oncologic surgery can have significant post-operative pain. The purpose of this trial was to compare a surgeon-placed subcutaneous analgesic system (SAS) to epidural analgesia.

Methods: Single center randomized controlled trial including children ≤18 years undergoing open tumor resection between October 2018 and April 2021.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cryoablation during the Nuss procedure lowers opioid use and shortens hospital stays but raises total hospital costs compared to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
  • A study from 2016 to 2020 analyzed pain management techniques using data from various cohorts, revealing cryoablation had higher operating room supply costs compared to other methods.
  • Despite the increased costs, cryoablation was linked to fewer complications like urinary retention and did not lead to additional issues like allodynia or the need for reoperations.
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Purpose: Direct visualization is a very effective method in accomplishing adequate articular surface reconstruction in fracture repair. This study investigates distal tibial plafond articular surface visibility using the anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral approaches, the effect of instrumented distraction on visibility, and which zones of the articular surface are visible for each approach.

Methods: The anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral approaches to the distal tibial plafond were performed on 16 cadaveric ankle specimens.

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Thoracic inlet (TI) tumors are rare, and can be particularly challenging to resect due to proximity to mediastinal vessels and nerves. Traditional resection is typically performed through "trapdoor" or sternoclavicular incisions. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of thoracoscopic resection of this group of tumors.

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Introduction:  The Nuss procedure is the most common and preferred operative correction of pectus excavatum. Surgeon preference and patient factors can result in variations in Nuss procedure technique. We hypothesize that certain techniques are associated with increased risk of complications.

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Introduction: Up to a third of children undergoing partial hepatectomy for primary hepatic malignancies experience at least one perioperative complication, with a presumed deleterious effect on both short- and long-term outcomes. We implemented a multidisciplinary treatment protocol in the management of these patients in order to improve complication rates following partial hepatectomy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients < 18 years of age who underwent liver resection at our institution between 2002 and 2019 for primary hepatic cancer.

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Purpose: We aim to assess the healthcare value achieved from a shared savings program for pediatric appendectomy.

Methods: All appendectomy patients covered by our health plan were included. Quality targets were 15% reduction in time to surgery, length of stay, readmission rate, and patient satisfaction.

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Purpose: Treatment planning for children with neuroblastoma requires accurate assessment of prognosis. The most recent Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk classification system used tumor stage as defined by the International Neuroblastoma Staging System. Here, we validate a revised classifier using the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS) and incorporate segmental chromosome aberrations (SCA) as an additional genomic biomarker.

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Purpose: Ganglioneuroma (GN) and ganglioneuroblastoma-intermixed (GNB-I) represent benign variants of neuroblastic tumors in children; however, differentiating from more aggressive histological variants of GNB including the nodular subtype (GNB-N) prior to resection can be challenging, even with biopsy. Currently, no standard treatment guidelines exist. The purpose of this study was to identify pre-operative characteristics of benign neuroblastic tumors and evaluate outcomes for patients who underwent surgical resection or observation.

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Pancreatic angiosarcoma is an exceedingly rare malignancy accounting for <1% of pancreatic neoplasms. A very limited number of pancreatic angiosarcomas have been reported in the literature without any cases described in children. We present the case of a 17-year-old female diagnosed with angiosarcoma of the pancreas following pancreaticoduodenectomy for a pancreatic mass, initially presumed to be a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas.

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Article Synopsis
  • The MYOD1 p.L122R mutation was found in aggressive embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas and other types of rhabdomyosarcomas, highlighting its significance in cancer research.
  • A study at Texas Children's Hospital identified this mutation in six tumors and revealed multiple genomic alterations, with a high rate of targetable mutations in the patients, particularly in the PI3K-AKT pathway.
  • The research also showed that MYOD1-mutant tumors had distinct histopathological features and patients with these tumors had poor outcomes, suggesting a need for targeted therapies and better understanding of the genetic landscape in pediatric sarcomas.
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Background: E-scooter sharing systems were initiated in Hamburg in June 2019. The number of persons injured in Hamburg in e-scooter accidents rose thereafter. The goal of this study was to determine the typical accident mechanisms and injury patterns after e-scooter accidents in Germany, and to compare these with bicycle accidents.

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Surgeons caring for patients with neuroblastoma must be familiar with recent developments in assessing risk. In particular, the Children's Oncology Group, along with major international groups, uses the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System as a risk assessment tool. Accurate risk determination is essential for optimal surgical therapy.

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Problem: The World Health Organization and the World Bank have identified improvement in access to surgical care as an urgent global health challenge and a cost-effective investment in public health. However, trainees in standard U.S.

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Background/purpose: Pediatric oncology patients often undergo open operations for tumor resection, and epidural catheters are commonly utilized for pain control. Our purpose was to evaluate whether a subcutaneous analgesic system (SAS) provides equivalent post-operative pain control.

Methods: An IRB approved, retrospective chart review of children age <18 undergoing open abdominal, pelvic or thoracic surgery for tumor resection between 2017 and 2019 who received either epidural or SAS for post-operative pain control was performed.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the safety and feasibility of administering induction chemotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) without routine use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which is typically used to prevent infections and minimize treatment delays.
  • Twelve patients with newly diagnosed HR-NBL received chemotherapy without G-CSF in the first four cycles, and the incidence of serious infections was monitored.
  • Results showed a higher-than-expected rate of serious bacterial infections, leading to the conclusion that continued use of G-CSF during induction chemotherapy is advisable for better patient safety.
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