Background: Sarcopenia describes a generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, or function. Determined by measuring the total psoas muscle area (tPMA) on cross-sectional imaging, sarcopenia is an independent marker for poor post-surgical outcomes in adults and children. Children with cancer are at high risk for sarcopenia due to immobility, chemotherapy, and cachexia. We hypothesize that sarcopenic children with neuroblastoma are at higher risk for poor post-operative outcomes.Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of children with neuroblastoma ages 1–15 years who were treated at our hospital from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through March 2021. Psoas muscle area (PMA) was measured from cross-sectional images, using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at lumbar disc levels L3-4 and L4-5. tPMA is the sum of the left and right PMA. Z-scores were calculated using age- and gender-specific reference values. Sarcopenia was defined as a tPMA z-score below −2. A correlation of tPMA z-scores and sarcopenia with clinical variables and outcome was performed.Results: One hundred and sixty-four children with workup for neuroblastoma were identified, and 101 children fulfilled inclusion criteria for further analysis, with a mean age of 3.92 years (SD 2.71 years). Mean tPMA z-score at L4-5 was −2.37 (SD 1.02). Correlation of tPMA z-score at L4-5 with weight-for-age z-score was moderate (r = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38, 0.66). No association between sarcopenia and short-term outcome was observed. Sarcopenia had a sensitivity of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.62–0.93) and a specificity of 0.48 (95% CI 0.36–0.61) in predicting 5-year survival. In a multiple regression analysis, pre-operative sarcopenia, pre-operative chemotherapy in the NB2004 high-risk group, unfavorable tumor histology, and age at diagnosis were associated with 5-year survival after surgery, with hazard ratios of 4.18 (95% CI 1.01–17.26), 2.46 (95% CI 1.02–5.92), 2.39 (95% CI 1.03–5.54), and 1.01 (95% CI 1.00–1.03), respectively.Conclusion: In this study, the majority of children had low tPMA z-scores and sarcopenia was a risk factor for decreased 5-year survival in children with neuroblastoma. Therefore, we suggest measuring the tPMA from pre-surgical cross-sectional imaging as a biomarker for additional risk stratification in children with neuroblastoma.

Introduction Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in infancy. It is responsible for around 15% of all oncological deaths during childhood. Due to its retroperitoneal location, neuroblastoma is invasively growing directly in and around the lymphatic duct. Consecutively, lymphatic leakage (LL) after surgery for neuroblastoma is a known complication. The purpose of this study is the investigation of frequency and impact of this complication. Material and Methods Between February 2003 and December 2016, 204 patients with neuroblastoma received surgical treatment in our department. A retrospective analysis for macroscopical extent of resection, duration of drainage postsurgery, maximum amount of fluid drained in 24 hours, MYCN amplification status, therapeutic options for LL, follow-up status, and overall survival was performed. Results A total of 40% of patients (82/204) showed LL to some extent. In patients with MYCN amplification, LL was seen significantly more often than in patients without MYCN amplification status (p = 0.019). LL was also significantly correlated with extent of surgery (p = 0.005). Follow-up status and overall survival were significantly inversely associated with LL (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0001). LL was self-limiting in all cases. There was a trend toward shorter duration of LL if either no special therapy was chosen or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administered (p = 0.0603). Conclusion We show that LL in neuroblastoma is a common complication of tumor resection and occurring more often than anticipated. Since, in our study cohort, all cases of LL were self-limiting, we question the indication for invasive therapy besides supporting measures.

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Introduction Pelvic neuroblastoma (NB) is a rare entity and occurs in 2 to 5% of all NBs. Surgery in the pelvic area is—even for the experienced oncological surgeon—technically challenging, as injuries of bladder and/or rectal innervation may carry lifelong consequences for the patient. Several studies have proven the impact of image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) for outcome, complications and extent of resection in NB; however, the specific role of IDRF in pelvic NB has not been investigated yet. Materials and Methods Patient charts were retrospectively evaluated for International Staging System stage, IDRF status, MYCN amplification, and outcome parameters. Results Between 2003 and 2019, 277 NBs were surgically resected in the department of pediatric surgery of Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital. Out of these, 11 patients (3.9%) had pelvic NB. Evaluation of the preoperative imaging showed two patients without IDRF (stage L1) and eight patients in stage L2. One patient had stage M according to distant metastasis. Patients without IDRF underwent complete macroscopical resections, whereas complete tumor removal was not possible without mutilation in patients with IDRF. At time point of diagnosis, only patients with IDRF had functional neurological problems. Three patients developed perioperative complications; all of them had at least one IDRF. Three patients developed local recurrence during the course of the disease, all of them had at least one IDRF. Conclusion Our results indicate on a preliminary level the importance of IDRF as a prognostic tool for surgical removal of pelvic NB.