Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Mediastinal Mass-Prospective Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in Karachi, Pakistan

Naila Rafiq; Muhammad Rahil  Khan; Anushe Mohsin  Feroze; Ghulam Qadir  Pathan; Muhammad Rafie  Raza; Muhammad Shamvil  Ashraf

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.13430

Authors

Naila Rafiq Department of Pediatric Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Rahil Khan Department of Pediatric Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Madinah, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia
Anushe Mohsin Feroze Department of Pediatric Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Ghulam Qadir Pathan Department of Pediatric Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Rafie Raza Department of Pediatric Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Shamvil Ashraf Department of Pediatric Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.13430

Keywords:

Leukemia, Lymphoma, Mediastinal mass, Outcome, Pediatric Oncology

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics, diagnostic approaches and management outcomes of pediatric patients presenting with mediastinal mass.

Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Oncology, The Indus Hospital and Health Network from Dec 2021 to Jan 2023.

Methodology: One hundred pediatric patients under 17 years of age, all with radiologically confirmed mediastinal widening (defined as a mediastinum-to-chest ratio greater than 0.25) were enrolled. The clinical presentations, radiologic and laboratory diagnostic findings, sedation practices, steroids or chemotherapy use and short-term outcomes were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The median age of the patients was 9.5 years (IQR 6), with 76% being male. The most prevalent symptoms were fever (78%), lymphadenopathy (52%), and cough and dyspnea (27% each). Among the 97 patients with confirmed diagnoses, 94.8% had malignant tumors, primarily T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (40.5%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (26.8%). A total of the 80% of the patients were discharged, 14% died, and 4% left against medical advice. No significant association was found between short-term outcomes and factors such as age, gender, sedation type or the use of steroids or chemotherapy (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Age, gender, type of sedation and steroid or chemotherapy use did not influence short-term management outcomes. The study helps categorize risk and formulate personalized treatment plans for patients with mediastinal masses Additional

CONCLUSION: The study helps categorize risk and formulate personalized treatment plans for patients with mediastinal masses. Age, gender, sedative type, ...

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