TY - JOUR
T1 - Malignant mediastinal mass in children
T2 - A single institutional experience from a developing country
AU - Mushtaq, Naureen
AU - Alam, Muhammad Matloob
AU - Aslam, Scherherzade
AU - Fadoo, Zehra
AU - Anwar-ul-Haq,
PY - 2014/4
Y1 - 2014/4
N2 - Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum and management outcomes of paediatric patients with modiastinal mass in a Karachi hospital. Methods: Medical records of all cases of mediastinal masses in children diagnosed and treated between January 2005 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the mode of presentation, histopathological diagnosis, radiologic findings and management outcomes at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 37 patients of mediastinal masses were identified, and malignancy was found in 32(86%) cases. The median age at diagnosis was 9 years (interquartile range: 4.7 years). Lymphoma 23 (72%) and leukaemia 8 (25%) were the most common causes of mediastinal mass. Nonspecific symptoms such as fever 26 (81%), cough 15 (47%) and dyspnoea 12 (37%) constituted the most commonly presenting complaints. Overall, 22 (68.7%) patients underwent surgical procedures (complete/partial resection of mass); local lymph node biopsy was performed in 5 (15.6%) cases; and computed tomography or ultrasound-guided biopsy was done in 2 (5.4%) patients. Besides, 27 (84.4%) patients were admitted to paediatric intensive care unit for supportive care, and assisted ventilation was required in 20 (62.5%) patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 9.3±6 days. None of the patients died due to complications related to mediastinal mass or diagnostic procedure. Conclusions: Although mortality rate has reduced significantly with refinements in the management protocols, but a high index of suspicion and comprehensive multidisciplinary approach is crucial to improve the morbidity and mortality.
AB - Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum and management outcomes of paediatric patients with modiastinal mass in a Karachi hospital. Methods: Medical records of all cases of mediastinal masses in children diagnosed and treated between January 2005 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the mode of presentation, histopathological diagnosis, radiologic findings and management outcomes at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 37 patients of mediastinal masses were identified, and malignancy was found in 32(86%) cases. The median age at diagnosis was 9 years (interquartile range: 4.7 years). Lymphoma 23 (72%) and leukaemia 8 (25%) were the most common causes of mediastinal mass. Nonspecific symptoms such as fever 26 (81%), cough 15 (47%) and dyspnoea 12 (37%) constituted the most commonly presenting complaints. Overall, 22 (68.7%) patients underwent surgical procedures (complete/partial resection of mass); local lymph node biopsy was performed in 5 (15.6%) cases; and computed tomography or ultrasound-guided biopsy was done in 2 (5.4%) patients. Besides, 27 (84.4%) patients were admitted to paediatric intensive care unit for supportive care, and assisted ventilation was required in 20 (62.5%) patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 9.3±6 days. None of the patients died due to complications related to mediastinal mass or diagnostic procedure. Conclusions: Although mortality rate has reduced significantly with refinements in the management protocols, but a high index of suspicion and comprehensive multidisciplinary approach is crucial to improve the morbidity and mortality.
KW - Children
KW - Leukemia
KW - Lymphoma
KW - Mediastinal mass
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84897129745&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 24864629
AN - SCOPUS:84897129745
SN - 0030-9982
VL - 64
SP - 386
EP - 389
JO - Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
JF - Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
IS - 4
ER -