Bryan A. Lieber

Preoperative Predictors of Spinal Infection within the National Surgical Quality Inpatient Database.

BACKGROUND Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, increasing the length and cost of hospitalization. In patients undergoing spine surgery, there are limited large-scale data on patient-specific risk factors for SSIs. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was reviewed for all spinal operations between 2006 and 2012. The rates of 30-day SSIs were calculated, and univariate analysis of selected preoperative risk factors was performed. Multivariate analysis was then used to identify independent predictors of SSIs. RESULTS A total of 1110 of the 60,179 patients (1.84%) had a postoperative wound infection. There were 527 (0.87%) deep and 590 (0.98%) superficial infections. Patients with infections had greater rates of sepsis, longer lengths of stay, and more return visits to the operating room. Independent predictors of infection were female sex, inpatient status, insulin-dependent diabetes, preoperative steroid use greater than 10 days, hematocrit less than 35, body mass index greater than 30, wound class, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and operative duration. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of a large national patient database revealed many independent risk factors for SSIs after spinal surgery. Some of these risk factors can be modified preoperatively to reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

Preoperative chemotherapy and corticosteroids: independent predictors of cranial surgical-site infections.

OBJECT Preoperative corticosteroids and chemotherapy are frequently prescribed for patients undergoing cranial neurosurgery but may pose a risk of postoperative infection. Postoperative surgical-site infections (SSIs) have significant morbidity and mortality, dramatically increase the length and cost of hospitalization, and are a major cause of 30-day readmission. In patients undergoing cranial neurosurgery, there is a lack of data on the role of patient-specific risk factors in the development of SSIs. The authors of this study sought to determine whether chemotherapy and prolonged steroid use before surgery increase the risk of an SSI at postoperative Day 30. METHODS Using the national prospectively collected American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database for 2006-2012, the authors calculated the rates of superficial, deep-incisional, and organ-space SSIs at postoperative Day 30 for neurosurgery patients who had undergone chemotherapy or had significant steroid use within 30 days before undergoing cranial surgery. Trauma patients, patients younger than 18 years, and patients with a preoperative infection were excluded. Univariate analysis was performed for 25 variables considered risk factors for superficial and organ-space SSIs. To identify independent predictors of SSIs, the authors then conducted a multivariate analysis in which they controlled for duration of operation, wound class, white blood cell count, and other potential confounders that were significant on the univariate analysis. RESULTS A total of 8215 patients who had undergone cranial surgery were identified. There were 158 SSIs at 30 days (frequency 1.92%), of which 52 were superficial, 27 were deep-incisional, and 79 were organ-space infections. Preoperative chemotherapy was an independent predictor of organ-space SSIs in the multivariate model (OR 5.20, 95% CI 2.33-11.62, p < 0.0001), as was corticosteroid use (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.03-3.37, p = 0.04), but neither was a predictor of superficial or deep-incisional SSIs. Other independent predictors of organ-space SSIs were longer duration of operation (OR 1.16), wound class of ≥ 2 (clean-contaminated and further contaminated) (OR 3.17), and morbid obesity (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m(2)) (OR 3.05). Among superficial SSIs, wound class of 3 (contaminated) (OR 6.89), operative duration (OR 1.13), and infratentorial surgical approach (OR 2.20) were predictors. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative chemotherapy and corticosteroid use are independent predictors of organ-space SSIs, even when data are controlled for leukopenia. This indicates that the disease process in organ-space SSIs may differ from that in superficial SSIs. In effect, this study provides one of the largest analyses of risk factors for SSIs after cranial surgery. The results suggest that, in certain circumstances, modulation of preoperative chemotherapy or steroid regimens may reduce the risk of organ-space SSIs and should be considered in the preoperative care of this population. Future studies are needed to determine optimal timing and dosing of these medications.

Motion Sensors to Assess and Monitor Medical and Surgical Management of Parkinson Disease

Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) often suffer from a resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and gait difficulty. Determining a patients candidacy for deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and tracking their clinical response postoperatively requires that the frequency, duration, and severity of these symptoms be characterized in detail. Conventional means of assessing these symptoms, however, rely heavily on patient self-reporting, which often fails to provide the necessary level of detail. Wearable accelerometers are a novel tool that can detect and objectively characterize these movement abnormalities in both the clinical setting and the patients home environment. In this article, we review the role of accelerometers in surgical candidate selection, recording and predicting falls, recording and predicting freezing of gait, evaluating surgical outcomes, and evaluating postoperative recovery and in altering DBS settings. Although accelerometry has yet to make it into the mainstream clinic, there is great promise for this technology in monitoring Parkinson patients.

Influence on morbidity and mortality of neoadjuvant radiation and chemotherapy among cranial malignancy patients in the postoperative setting.

We sought to assess the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on 30 day mortality and morbidity using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are both often indicated for treatment of cranial or systemic malignancy but can have significant adverse effects in the postsurgical setting. Data from 2006 to 2012 were obtained from the national ACS-NSQIP database. A total of 1044 patients were identified who obtained surgery for removal of metastatic brain tumors, of whom 127 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 65 neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Our primary outcome was 30 day mortality and secondary outcomes were 30 day surgical and medical morbidities. We selected previously reported preoperative variables to build a univariate and a multivariate model to determine preoperative characteristics most associated with neurosurgical mortality and morbidity. Our study found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in the risk of 30 day mortality compared to the patient cohort who did not receive chemotherapy (p=0.023). Interestingly, there was no statistically significant increase in overall 30 day surgical or medical morbidity for the chemotherapy group. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy was not associated with an increase in 30 day morbidity or mortality. The significant increase in mortality associated with chemotherapy warrants further investigation, particularly to determine how to best personalize neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment options to improve surgical outcomes. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy may be safer in terms of short-term postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Understanding the Influence of Parkinson Disease on Adolf Hitler's Decision-Making during World War II

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies and a reduction in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the basal ganglia. Common symptoms of PD include a reduction in control of voluntary movements, rigidity, and tremors. Such symptoms are marked by a severe deterioration in motor function. The causes of PD in many cases are unknown. PD has been found to be prominent in several notable people, including Adolf Hitler, the Chancellor of Germany and Führer of Nazi Germany during World War II. It is believed that Adolf Hitler suffered from idiopathic PD throughout his life. However, the effect of PD on Adolf Hitlers decision making during World War II is largely unknown. Here we examine the potential role of PD in shaping Hitlers personality and influencing his decision-making. We purport that Germanys defeat in World War II was influenced by Hitlers questionable and risky decision-making and his inhumane and callous personality, both of which were likely affected by his condition. Likewise his paranoid disorder marked by intense anti-Semitic beliefs influenced his treatment of Jews and other non-Germanic peoples. We also suggest that the condition played an important role in his eventual political decline.

Impact of Surgical Specialty on Outcomes Following Carotid Endarterectomy.

Background The impact of surgeon specialty on outcomes following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been widely debated within the literature. Previous studies on this subject are often limited by small sample sizes, single-intuition designs, variability in patients and procedures, and potential confounding factors such as institution type and volume. Objective To identify similarities and differences between surgeon specialties in postoperative stroke and mortality rates for patients undergoing unilateral CEAs by utilizing a large, multicenter prospective database. Methods We utilized a large national prospective database (National Surgical Quality Inpatient database) and investigated all patients with a 1-sided, surgically naïve CEA, performed by either a general, vascular, cardiothoracic, or neurological surgeon. We employed a logistic regression analysis to control for the most salient variables identified via univariate analysis. Our primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and stroke. Results There were 42 369 patients included across all specialties. Patients from each specialty were similar in demographics but varied in medical history. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that among the specialties only general surgeons had significantly greater postoperative stroke rates (2.3%) when compared to vascular surgeons (1.5%; P = .003, odds ratio [OR] 1.574, confidence interval [CI]: 1.168-2.121). In contrast, surgical specialty was not a significant risk factor for 30-d postoperative mortality (0% in cardiothoracic surgeons; 0.8% in vascular surgeons; 1.1% in general surgeons; 1.8% in neurosurgeons; Cardiothoracic surgeons: P = .995, OR: 0 [no incidences of mortality]; neurosurgeon: P = .118, OR: 0.2057, CI: 0.833-2.057; general surgeon P = .210, OR: 1.326, CI: 1.853-2.062). Most secondary outcomes (myocardial infarction, infection, reoperation, pneumonia) were similar between specialties (P = .339-.816). However, length of stay (P < .001), operative duration (P < .001), incidence of venous thromboembolism (P < .001), and the postoperative requirement for a ventilator greater than 48 h (P = .004) were all the greatest among neurosurgeons. Conclusion Multidisciplinary approaches with improved communication among surgical specialties may enhance patient management and improve success after CEA. Though there were differences in postoperative stroke and other secondary outcomes, no differences were observed among specialties in mortality after unilateral CEA in more than 40 000 patients.

Utility of positron emission tomography in schwannomatosis

Schwannomatosis is characterized by multiple non-intradermal schwannomas with patients often presenting with a painful mass in their extremities. In this syndrome malignant transformation of schwannomas is rare in spite of their large size at presentation. Non-invasive measures of assessing the biological behavior of plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1 such as positron emission tomography (PET), CT scanning and MRI are well characterized but little information has been published on the use of PET imaging in schwannomatosis. We report a unique clinical presentation portraying the use of PET imaging in schwannomatosis. A 27-year-old woman presented with multiple, rapidly growing, large and painful schwannomas confirmed to be related to a constitutional mutation in the SMARCB1 complex. Whole body PET/MRI revealed numerous PET-avid tumors suggestive of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Surgery was performed on multiple tumors and none of them had histologic evidence of malignant transformation. Overall, PET imaging may not be a reliable predictor of malignant transformation in schwannomatosis, tempering enthusiasm for surgical interventions for tumors not producing significant clinical signs or symptoms.

Epidural Blood Patch Performed for Severe Intracranial Hypotension Following Lumbar Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage for Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery. Retrospective Series and Literature Review.

Intracranial hypotension (IH) can occur following lumbar drainage for clipping of an intracranial aneurysm. We observed 3 cases of IH, which were all successfully treated by epidural blood patch (EBP). Herein, the authors report our cases.

Meta-analysis of Telemonitoring to Improve HbA1c Levels: Promises for Stroke Survivors

Background: Diabetes mellitus predisposes to ischemic stroke, a major cause of death in this population, and worsens the post-stroke prognosis. Monitoring glycemic control is useful not only in the primary prevention of stroke in diabetics, but also in the rehabilitation from and secondary prevention of stroke. In an often functionally and neurocognitively impaired population, however, poor compliance to treatment regimens is a major problem. Digital, wireless telemonitoring glucometers offer a solution to the compliance issue—not only do they give patients a dynamic experience of their own glycemic control via digital monitors, but many also have an integrated alert system with healthcare providers and more real-time feedback than traditional self-monitoring methods. Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of telemonitoring technologies in improving long-term glycemic control. Methods: A search on www.clinicaltrials.gov on November 2013, using keywords “telemonitoring” (n=103), “selfcare device” (n=50), and “self management device” (n=210), revealed trials investigating a range of chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes, COPD, asthma, and hypertension. Some of the cardiac-oriented trials utilized varying outcome measurements. Therefore, we only selected published diabetes trials comparing HbA1c levels of a group receiving standard of care to a group receiving a telemonitoring intervention. Using a random effects model of mean difference, a meta-analysis was conducted on five trials that measured differences in HbA1c levels between the two groups at six months follow-up. Results: Five clinical trials were identified. Four of the five studies showed a greater reduction in HbA1c in the intervention group compared to controls at 6 months, although only one was statistically significant. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies (I2= 69.5%, p=0.02). The random effects model estimated the aggregate effect size for mean difference in reduction of HbA1c levels in the treatment group vs. control to be 0.08% [-0.12- 0.28%], which was not statistically significant (p=0.42). Conclusions: The varying results may be due to specific factors in the trials that contributed to their large heterogeneity. Although there is great potential to use telemonitoring in stroke patients, further trials are needed to support its role in improving diabetes management in this population. Nonetheless, in the future telemonitoring may substantially help patients at risk of ischemic stroke and those who require close glucose monitoring.

Migration of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheter into a back incision of a patient with previous spinal fusion

IntroductionThis case examines a unique, longitudinal presentation of an abandoned, migrating VP shunt which presents as multiple complications, including a weeping abscess in the patients back. We believe that the latter complication was potentially caused by the wound from the patient’s previous history of spinal fusion surgery.Case PresentationThe patient presents with an associated type 2 Chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, and a previous history of posterior spinal fusion (T4–L5 anterior fusion and T2–L5 posterior fusion) at age 11. The patient had undergone shunt revisions in early adolescence as well. At 22, the patient is admitted into emergency care due to recurrent infections caused by a migrating VP shunt. Due to complications in corrective surgery at the time, the shunt was forced to be abandoned. This resulted in the most recent presentation of a weeping abscess at the patient’s spinal fusion surgery wound; the culprit was the abandoned, migrating VP shunt..Management/OutcomeAn initial course of broad-spectrum antibiotics was started. However, the abscess continued to recur. Eventually, the catheter was surgically removed, a tailored antibiotic regiment was started, and a 6-month patient follow-up was performed. The patient is no longer symptomatic and off of antibiotics.DiscussionIn abandoned VP shunts, migration into a non-sterile cavity dictates prompt removal, especially after symptoms of infection present. Additionally, careful monitoring for signs of peritonitis or other symptoms for a dedicated period of time is necessary. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first case of an occult shunt migration through the patient’s back that presented with a weeping abscess.