Xanthoma in the external acoustic meatus

Objectivesa unique case of a xanthoma in the external ear canal of a pediatric patient is presented in this case report. We describe and resume the current literature on xanthomas in the head and neck area.Methodsclinical and intraoperative findings are reported and the presumed mechanisms for the emergence of xanthomas are discussed. We furthermore described the pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics.Resultsxanthomas are mostly seen in patients with lipid metabolism disorders or hyperlipidemia. However, they can be present in normolipemic patients and are also associated with hematologic disease. Literature on the existence of xanthomata in the head and neck area is rare and there are no case reports in the pediatric population to the best of our knowledge. Besides the clinical presentation, characteristic histopathological features can confirm the diagnosis. When features are overlapping, immunohistochemistry can be necessary.Conclusionsince different subtypes of xanthoma have specific clinical and histopathological features and are assoc

Indications and clinical outcome in pediatric tracheostomy

Objective: Indications for tracheostomy have changed over the last decades and clinical outcome varies depending on the indication for tracheostomy. By gaining more insight in the characteristics and outcome of the tracheostomized pediatric population, clinical care can be improved and a better individual prognosis can be given. Therefore, we studied the outcome of our pediatric tracheostomy population in relation to the primary indication over the last 16 years. Methods: We retrospectively included children younger than 18 years of age with a tracheostomy tube in the Erasmus Medical Center, Sophia children's hospital. The primary indication for tracheostomy, gender, age at tracheostomy, age at decannulation, comorbidity, mortality, closure of a persisting tracheocutaneous fistula after decannulation, surgery prior to decannulation and the use of polysomnography were recorded and analyzed. Results: Our research