Gene microarray has been used to identify prognostic markers and genes of interest for therapeutic targets; a less common use is to show possible histogenetic relationships between rare tumor types and more common neoplasms. Intracranial malignant ectomesenchymoma (MEM) is a pediatric tumor postulated to arise from neural crest cells that contain divergent neuroectodermal and mesenchymal tissues, principally mature ganglion cells and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). We investigated a case of MEM by molecular, cytogenetic, and gene array analyses and compared results with our previously unpublished series of 51 pediatric tumors including conventional RMS, Ewing sarcoma (EWS), medulloblastoma (MED), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST); the latter is a sarcoma also with potential for divergent differentiation. Standard cytogenetic analyses and RT-PCR testing for the classic gene rearrangements seen in RMS [t(2;13)-PAX3/FKHR] and EWS ([t(11;22) & t(21;22)-EWS/FLI-1 & EWS/ERG), were used for characterization of the MEM, with gene expression microarray analyses on all tumor types. Gene rearrangement studies were negative in MEM. Gene expression microarray analyses showed tight clustering of the MEM with the MPNST (n = 2), but divergence from other pediatric tumors. MEM and MPNST both showed complex karyotypes, but without diagnostic translocations. Despite the presence of malignant skeletal muscle differentiation in the MEM, gene array testing showed no overlap with RMS, MED, or ATRT, but rather with MPNST. This suggests a common stem cell origin or embryonic gene recapitulation for these tumors and provides novel insights into their underlying biology.
BACKGROUND Pediatric cervical spine injuries (CSI) are rare but potentially devastating sequelae of blunt trauma. Existing protocols to evaluate children at risk for CSI frequently incorporate computed topography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, the clinical value of performing both remains unclear. METHODS Single-center retrospective review of pediatric trauma patients who underwent both CT and MRI of the cervical spine between 2001 and 2015. Based on radiographic findings, CT and MRI results were grouped into one of three categories: no injury, stable injury, or unstable injury. Radiographic instability was defined by disruption of two or more contiguous spinal columns while radiographic stability was defined by any other acute cervical spine abnormality on imaging. Clinical instability was defined by the need for surgical intervention (halo or spinal fusion), with the remaining patients, including children discharged in a cervical collar, considered clinically stable. RESULTS In total, 221 children met inclusion criteria, with a median age of 9 (interquartile range, 3–14). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of the cohort was 9 (interquartile range, 4–15). Thirty-three (14.9%) children had clinically unstable injuries, requiring surgical intervention. Among the 160 (72.4%) children with no injury on CT, MRI identified no injury in 84 (52.5%) cases, a stable injury in 76 (47.5%) cases, and an unstable injury in none. Among the 21 children with stable injuries on CT, MRI findings were concordant in 17 (81.0%) cases. In four (19.0%) cases, a spinal column injury was identified on CT and appeared to be stable, but later deemed unstable on MRI. Forty (18.1%) patients had an unstable injury on CT with 100% MRI concordance. CONCLUSION In pediatric trauma patients suspected of having a CSI, a normal cervical spine CT is sufficient to rule out a clinically significant CSI as no child with a normal cervical CT was found to be radiographically or clinically unstable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic Test, level III.
Objective To assess whether acute findings of cerebral arteriopathy, large infarct, and acutely elevated plasma D-dimer levels are independently prognostic of poor long-term neurologic outcome as measured at ≥1 year in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). Study design Sixty-one patients with childhood-onset (i.e., >28 days of life) AIS were enrolled in a single-institution cohort study at Children’s Hospital Colorado between February 2006 and June 2011. Data on demographic and diagnostic characteristics, antithrombotic treatments, and outcomes were systematically collected. Results Cerebral arteriopathy and D-dimer levels >500 ng/mL (a measure of coagulation activation) were identified acutely in 41% and 31% of the cohort, respectively. Anticoagulation was administered in the acute, sub-acute, and chronic periods post-event in 40%, 43%, and 28% of children. When not receiving anticoagulation, patients were routinely treated with aspirin 2–5 mg/kg once-daily for a minimum of one year. Death, major bleeding (including intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]), and recurrent AIS were infrequent. Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure at one year demonstrated poor outcome in 54%. Acute cerebral arteriopathy and elevated D-dimer were identified as putative prognostic factors for poor outcome; after adjustment for D-dimer, arteriopathy was an independent prognostic indicator (OR=19.0, 95%CI=1.6–229.8; P=0.02). Conclusions Arteriopathy and coagulation activation are highly prevalent acutely in childhood AIS. Although recurrent AIS and ICH were infrequent in our cohort, one-half of children experienced a poor neurologic outcome at one year, the risk for which was increased by acute arteriopathy. Substantiation of these findings in multi-institutional cohort studies is warranted, toward prognostic stratification in childhood-onset AIS.
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