Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Janna M Journeycake

Publications and source records attributed to Janna M Journeycake.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Catheter-related deep venous thrombosis and other catheter complications in children with cancer.

PURPOSE: Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a complication of central venous catheter (CVC) use in children with cancer, but its clinical significance is not well defined. Children with CVCs commonly experience two other CVC-related complications: occlusion and infection. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these two complications and their association with DVT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with cancer. Data collected included number and type of catheter insertions, duration of use, reason for removal, associated catheter complications, and demographic information. RESULTS: Catheters were placed in 287 patients for a total of 128,403 days (mean, 290 +/- 269 days/catheter). Of 21 patients (7%) diagnosed with CVC-related DVT, only five had specific signs or symptoms. Nineteen (90%) of these 21 children had prior history of catheter occlusion, and 10 of the 19 also experienced infection. Ten children (48%) were not identified as having DVT until they had had multiple catheters with recurrent complications. Odds of having DVT were higher in patients who had a single catheter complicated by repeated occlusions (odds ratio [OR], 3.7; P = .001) or infection (OR, 2.2; P = .016). Patients experiencing both infection and occlusion were at 6.4 times (P < .0001) higher risk of developing DVT. CONCLUSION: Children with CVC-related DVT frequently have recurrent catheter complications. Unrecognized thrombosis may therefore be clinically important. Prospective studies are needed to determine if identification and treatment of occult DVT will prevent additional CVC-related complications and prolong the duration of catheter use.

Catheterization↗

Post-thrombotic syndrome is uncommon in childhood cancer survivors.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs in up to 50% of children with tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs). CVC-related deep vein thrombosis involving the upper extremity is usually asymptomatic but can result in post-thrombotic syndrome (swelling, pain, skin changes, and functional impairment). In a cohort of childhood cancer survivors evaluated clinically a mean of 7.5 +/- 2.8 years after completion of therapy who previously had CVCs in place for a median 15.5 months, none of 50 patients (95% CI = 0% to 6%) had these features diagnostic of post-thrombotic syndrome. Five patients had arm circumference 3% to 5% greater ipsilateral to the prior CVC.

Adolescent↗

Venous thrombosis and thromboembolism in children with osteomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical features of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complicating osteomyelitis during childhood. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with osteomyelitis admitted to Children's Medical Center Dallas between July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004. Analysis was performed on patients with proximal upper or lower extremity, pelvic or vertebral osteomyelitis (a subgroup considered to be at highest risk for infection-related thrombosis). RESULTS: Thirty-five patients had confirmed osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus, proximal tibia/fibula, femur, pelvis, or vertebrae. Ten of these 35 children (29%) developed DVT during the acute infection based on imaging studies performed. Eight thrombi occurred adjacent to the infection and two occurred in relation to central venous catheters. Six of the 10 children with DVT also had evidence of infection disseminated to lung, brain, or heart, compared with only 1 of 25 patients without DVT (P = .001). Hospitalization was longer in those with DVT than without (33.5 v. 14.2 days, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Thromboembolic complications can occur in the setting of osteomyelitis, and affected patients may be at higher risk of disseminated infection.

Acute Disease↗

Phase I study of oral cyclophosphamide and oral topotecan for children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: To determine the maximum-tolerated duration and dose-limiting toxicity of a daily schedule of orally administered cyclophosphamide and topotecan in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory malignant solid tumors. METHODS: Patients received oral cyclophosphamide (50 mg/m2/dose) in the morning followed by topotecan (0.8 mg/m2/dose) 8-12 hr later for an escalating number of consecutive days (10, 14, and 17 days). RESULTS: Seventeen pediatric patients were treated with oral cyclophosphamide and topotecan for durations of 10-17 days for a total of 58 treatment courses. Reversible hematologic toxicity (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) was the dose-limiting toxicity. Nonhematologic toxicities of greater than grade 3 were not observed. A partial response (neuroblastoma following myeloablative chemotherapy and stem cell rescue) and prolonged stable disease (medulloblastoma) were each observed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended duration of therapy with a daily schedule of both oral cyclophosphamide (50 mg/m2/day) and topotecan (0.8 mg/m2/day) for previously treated pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors is 14 consecutive days. The observed dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was reversible neutropenia. This regimen was well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients and demonstrated activity against recurrent pediatric solid tumors.

Administration, Oral↗

Thrombosis during infancy and childhood: what we know and what we do not know.

Despite underlying illnesses, children have a greater chance to survive and are expected to live 6 to 8 decades following an episode of venous or arterial thrombosis. The disproportionate benefits of preventing thrombosis and its sequelae in pediatric patients are evident. Therefore, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies for diagnosis and management of thromboembolic events in children and to understand their acute and long-term effects. There still are many unanswered questions and clinical trials are being designed to help study these important issues.

Child↗

Severe chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura during childhood: definition, management, and prognosis.

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can be categorized as mild, moderately severe, or severe. Severe chronic ITP during childhood is a rare disorder characterized by clinically significant mucocutaneous hemorrhage, usually in the setting of marked thrombocytopenia. It can cause substantial morbidity and rarely mortality. Many patients improve with time or even fully recover, but for those whose quality of life is negatively influenced by hemorrhage or side effects of conventional therapy (corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin G, or anti-D), splenectomy is recommended. If splenectomy is unsuccessful or not feasible, other drug treatments are available, but few efficacy data exist, and the toxicity and cost of these treatments can be appreciable. Their use is best avoided outside of clinical trials conducted in specialty centers or in multi-institutional networks.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Arthroscopic synovectomy in children and adolescents with hemophilia.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the authors' institutional experience with arthroscopic synovectomy in young patients with hemophilia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with moderate or severe hemophilia seen in the authors' center were eligible to undergo synovectomy if they developed subacute or chronic synovitis that did not improve with prophylactic factor replacement. A single orthopedic surgeon performed all procedures. Each patient received aggressive physical rehabilitation and regular factor replacement for 6 weeks following surgery. Outcome data regarding the frequency of bleeding and range of motion were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight arthroscopic synovectomies (11 knees, 12 ankles, 5 elbows) were performed on 26 joints in 20 hemophilia patients between November 1992 and May 2002. There were no intraoperative complications. One patient developed hemarthrosis 1 week postoperatively and another had a soft tissue hematoma at the incision site. Two patients required a second procedure on the same joint because of trauma that occurred 2 months following surgery. Follow-up data were available on 26 joints during the first year after the procedure. The frequency of hemarthrosis diminished significantly in that first year and was maintained for up to 5 years in all but three joints. Seventy-six percent of evaluable patients (19/25) had stable or improved joint function at their most recent comprehensive clinic visit. Patients whose range of motion worsened were older and required more than one procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic synovectomy significantly reduces hemorrhage into the index joint and allows for stabilization of joint range of motion. This procedure should be considered in young hemophilia patients with chronic synovitis.

Adolescent↗

Thrombotic complications of central venous catheters in children.

Use of central venous catheters has become standard in the treatment of many chronic conditions during childhood and for the acute treatment of critically ill infants and children. However, these catheters can be associated with numerous complications, including thrombosis at the tip or in the lumen causing difficulty with its overall function. Even more concerning is the occlusion of large veins into which the catheter is placed, which could predispose patients to pulmonary embolism or postthrombotic syndrome. Recent research has focused on identifying risk factors for catheter-related thrombosis in children and determining methods for diagnosing deep venous thrombosis associated with a catheter in the upper extremities. Evidence now exists that as many as 50% of children with catheters develop deep venous thrombosis; however, most events are clinically silent. Few clinical trials have studied prevention of catheter-related thrombosis in pediatric patients. Data regarding incidence, treatment, and long-term outcome of catheter-related thrombosis in children are limited. Although central venous catheters are extremely important in the supportive care of sick children, concerns remain about their immediate and long-term safety.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗