Citations

Background: Levetiracetam administration via intravenous push (IVP) may improve outcomes in status epilepticus (SE) by decreasing time to administration. However, there is a paucity of literature describing the safety of IVP administration of higher loading doses used for early management of SE. Objective: The purpose of this evaluation was to investigate the safety of high-dose IVP levetiracetam. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-arm cohort study conducted at an academic medical center. Patients were included if they received IVP levetiracetam ≥3000 mg. The primary outcome was a composite of clinically significant adverse events (AEs) within 1-hour post-administration of levetiracetam: hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, and/or injection site reaction. Results: A total of 140 patients met inclusion criteria, receiving a median levetiracetam dose of 4000 mg (interquartile range [IQR] = 3000, 4500). Seventeen (12.1%) patients experienced a clinically significant AE. The most common clinically significant AE was hypotension (9.2% [10/109]), followed by tachycardia (3.6% [4/112]), arrhythmia (1.8% [2/112]), hypertension (0.9% [1/109]), and injection site reaction (0.7% [1/140]). Eighty percent [8/10] of patients who experienced clinically significant hypotension were on at least 1 medication with potential confounding hemodynamic effects. Conclusion and Relevance: In this retrospective, single-arm analysis, high-dose (≥3000 mg) IVP levetiracetam was relatively well-tolerated but associated with a higher rate of clinically significant hypotension than has been reported in the previous literature, although several confounding factors may have contributed to this outcome. Our findings support the continued use of high-dose IVP levetiracetam with appropriate hemodynamic monitoring; hemodynamic effects should be further explored in future studies.

ABSTRACT Background The Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) has undergone tremendous growth with > 45 sites contributing data focusing on improving outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation (LT). We report and compare outcomes from the SPLIT Registry. Methods Patients < 18 years with first‐time LT only enrolled into the SPLIT Registry between 2011 and 2023 were included. Data was stratified into eras from the last published registry update (era 1: 2011–2018, era 2: 2018–2023). Results Three thousand five hundred four participants from 47 centers were included (era 1: n = 2159; era 2: n = 1345). Age distribution differed with more children < 1 year. of age at LT in era 2 (era 1: 29% vs. era 2: 33%, p = 0.01). Indications for LT were similar, with biliary atresia (38.8%) and metabolic disease (16.0%) being most common. Exception point use was higher in era 2 (era 1: 45% vs. era 2: 56%, p < 0.001). No difference in graft type (deceased: 81% era 1 vs. 78% era 2, p = 0.78), patient survival at 90 days (era 1: 98.7% vs. era 2: 98.3%), 1 year (era 1: 97.2 vs. era 2: 96.8%), or 3 years (era 1: 95.3% vs. era 2: 95.2%) was noted. Rate of hepatic artery thrombosis was lower in era 2 (era 1: 7% vs. era 2: 5%, p = 0.02). Conclusions Trends in pediatric LT within SPLIT note similar LT indications and graft type, higher utilization of exception points, and lower HAT rates despite transplanting more children < 10 kg. This data underscores the evolution of pediatric LT toward higher survivability and overall patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare, locally aggressive vascular tumor that primarily affect adolescent males. This work illustrates a step-by-step surgical approach of an advanced-stage JNA resection in a prepubescent 5-year-old child, utilizing a hybrid endoscopic endonasal and transmaxillary approach that provides highly effective results without employing traditional open techniques. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 5-year-old male presented with one-year history of nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, and recurrent otitis media. The patient was found to have a large, space-occupying hypervascular tumor obstructing the nasopharynx. Preoperative radiographic imaging revealed an extensive heterogeneous, avidly enhancing mass that occupied the nasopharynx, right pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, masticator space, and middle cranial fossa. Following superselective endovascular embolization, a hybrid endoscopic endonasal approach was planned for JNA resection, incorporating an anterior maxillotomy to allow for direct access to lateral compartments not classically amenable to conventional transnasal corridors. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the technical feasibility of a combined endoscopic endonasal and transmaxillary approach for single-stage JNA resection with intracranial extension in pediatric patients. Key principles include tumor embolization, dynamic endoscopic visualization, avoidance of brain retraction, direct access to critical neurovascular structures, and minimizing craniofacial morbidity.