Surgical treatment of childhood hepatoblastoma in the Netherlands (1990–2013)

Background: Achievement of complete surgical resection plays a key role in the successful treatment of children with hepatoblastoma. The aim of this study is to assess the surgical outcomes after partial liver resections for hepatoblastoma, focusing on postoperative complications, resection margins, 30-day mortality, and long-term survival. Method: Chart reviews were carried out on all patients treated for hepatoblastoma in the Netherlands between 1990 and 2013. Results: A total of 103 patients were included, of whom 94 underwent surgery. Partial hepatectomy was performed in 76 patients and 18 patients received a liver transplant as a primary procedure. In 42 of 73 (58 %) patients, one or more complications were reported. In 3 patients, information regarding complications was not available. Hemorrhage necessitating blood transfusion occurred in 33 (45 %) patients and 9 (12 %) patients developed biliary complications, of whom 8 needed one or more additional surgical interventions. Overall, 5-year disease-specific survival was 82, 92 % in the group of patients who underwent partial hepatectomy, and 77 % in the group of patients who underwent liver transplantation. Conclusions: Partial hepatectomy after chemotherapy in children with hepatoblastoma offers good chances of survival. This type of major surgery is associated with a high rate of surgical complications (58 %), which is not detrimental to survival

Impaired Visual Integration in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: An Observational Study

Background Axonal injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may cause impaired sensory integration. We aim to determine the effects of childhood TBI on visual integration in relation to general neurocognitive functioning. Methods We compared children aged 6-13 diagnosed with TBI (n = 103; M = 1.7 years post-injury) to children with traumatic control (TC) injury (n = 44). Three TBI severity groups were distinguished: mild TBI without risk factors for complicated TBI (mildRF- TBI, n = 22), mild TBI with ≥ 1 risk factor (mildRF+ TBI, n = 46) or moderate/severe TBI (n = 35). An experimental paradigm measured speed and accuracy of goal-directed behavior depending on: (1) visual identification; (2) visual localization; or (3) both, measuring visual integration. Group-differences on reaction time (RT) or accuracy were tracked down to task strategy, visual processing efficiency and extra-decisional processes (e.g. response execution) using diffusion model analysis. General neurocognitive functioning was measured by a Wechsler Intelligence Scale short form. Results The TBI group had poorer accuracy of visual identification and visual integration than the TC group (Ps ≤ .03; ds ≤ -0.40). Analyses differentiating TBI severity revealed that visual identification accuracy was impaired in the moderate/severe TBI group (P = .05, d = -0.50) and that visual integration accuracy was impaired in the mildRF+ TBI gro