Pediatric blood & cancer
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Dec 2004
Clinical TrialEffectiveness of fixed 50% nitrous oxide oxygen mixture and EMLA cream for insertion of central venous catheters in children.
Although the equimolecular mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) seems a good choice to relieve procedure-related pain in children, it has not been evaluated for insertion of central venous catheters in children. To assess the safety and the effectiveness of this gas mixture for insertion of central venous catheters, we conducted a prospective observational study. ⋯ This study which shows that EMONO is effective for insertion of central venous catheters in children and represents a simple and safe alternative to general anesthesia.
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Intramedullary spinal cord astrocytomas are uncommon tumors in childhood. There is little information on therapy and outcome of astrocytomas in this location. ⋯ Chemotherapy and radiation did not benefit those with high-grade astrocytomas of the spinal cord. Good outcomes can be achieved by conservative surgery for low-grade astrocytomas of the cord when adjuvant therapy is given. Carboplatin and vincristine appeared to be effective, safe therapy for those with low-grade astrocytomas of the cord.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Oct 2004
The value of postoperative radiotherapy in childhood nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma.
To determine the value of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in the management of nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) of childhood. ⋯ Local control was improved by the addition of postoperative RT in tumors with positive margins of resection.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Sep 2004
Is routine chest radiography necessary for the initial evaluation of fever in neutropenic children with cancer?
The yield of routine chest radiography (CXR) as part of the initial management of febrile neutropenic pediatric oncology patients is questionable. ⋯ In this study, pneumonia is an unusual cause of fever (5%), especially in the absence of respiratory signs or symptoms (1%). Admission CXR should be reserved for the neutropenic pediatric oncology patient presenting with fever and abnormal respiratory findings.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Aug 2004
A survey of clinical productivity and current procedural terminology (CPT) coding patterns of pediatric hematologist/oncologists.
Subspecialty-specific normative values for clinical productivity of practicing pediatric hematologist/oncologists have not been well established. This information could be a useful adjunct in administrative decision-making in areas such as necessary levels of physician staffing and development of compensation plans. ⋯ Assessment and tracking of physician productivity can provide useful information for the administrative management of pediatric hematology/oncology programs. Caution must be exercised, however, when making productivity comparisons with other subspecialties or even between pediatric hematology/oncology programs. Such comparisons should take into account the number of patient encounters, characteristics of E/M coding patterns, the use of physician extenders, as well as overall RVU production.