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Providing Care for the Youngest of Patients
There is no greater fear for a parent than to
know that a child is sick but not know what
is causing her illness. For Alona Corpuz, that
fear became a reality in summer 2007. That's when
her then 8-month-old daughter Kaitlyn developed
a fever above 102 degrees — and a swollen lump
on her neck.
Alona knew a trip to Kaitlyn's pediatrician,
Kim Glazier, M.D., was warranted. Blood work
revealed Kaitlyn had an elevated white blood
count — an indicator of infection.
"At that point, I determined Kaitlyn needed
closer observation, additional testing, and consultation
with a specialist," Dr. Glazier says. So, she
had Kaitlyn admitted to K. Hovnanian Children's
Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
By the next morning, the lump was the size
of a golf ball. CT scan results revealed there was
an abscess, or accumulation of pus, that would
require drainage.
"This type of abscess is caused by common
childhood illnesses such as a cold, tonsillitis,
dental issues, or a sinus infection," explains
Mary Mitskavich, M.D., otolaryngologist, who
performed surgery on Kaitlyn that evening.
"Though the probability is low, an infection
that stems from these illnesses can move into
the lymph nodes and cause them to be infected
and abscessed," Dr. Mitskavich continues. "Once
this occurs, the abscess needs to be drained so it
does not spread or press on any of the vital structures
in the area."
During the half-hour surgery, Dr. Mitskavich
made a deep incision in Kaitlyn's neck so the
abscess could be popped, drained, and cleaned.
Then it was filled with gauze. After the surgery, some
gauze was removed daily to allow the abscess to
heal from within — not just on the surface.
Today, Kaitlyn is back to her healthy, happy
self. And Alona is thankful Dr. Mitskavich was
there to help. "Beyond the surgery itself, it was Dr.
Mitskavich's concern for Kaitlyn and the exceptional
level of round-the-clock care she received at the hospital
that meant so much to my family," she says.
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