Je Il Ryu

Prognostic role of copeptin after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Copeptin, the C-terminal part of provasopressin, has emerged as a novel prognostic marker after hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the prognostic significance of plasma copeptin level on functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute stroke using a meta-analysis of the available evidence. Thirteen relevant studies from 2,746 patients were finally included in our study. An elevated plasma copeptin level was associated with an increased risk of unfavorable outcome and mortality after stroke (OR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.44–2.19 and OR 3.90; 95% CI 3.07–4.95, respectively). The result of the pooled measure on standardized mean difference (SMD) was that plasma copeptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients who died compared to survivors (SMD 1.70; 95% CI, 1.36–2.03). A stratified analysis by study region showed significant differences in SMD of copeptin, and the heterogeneity among studies was significantly decreased. However, the positive association of copeptin with poor prognosis after stroke was consistent in each stratified analysis. The present meta-analysis suggests that early measurement of plasma copeptin could provide better prognostic information about functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute stroke.

Predictive factors for recurrence and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic subdural hematoma

OBJECTIVE Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common type of intracranial hemorrhage in elderly patients. Many studies have suggested various factors that may be associated with the recurrence of CSDH. However, the results are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations among patient factors, recurrence, and clinical outcomes of CSDH after bur hole surgery performed during an 11-year period at twin hospitals. METHODS Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for CSDH recurrence. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% CIs for CSDH recurrence based on many variables. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the differences in the mean modified Rankin Scale score between categories for each risk factor during each admission and at the last follow-up. RESULTS This study was a retrospective analysis of 756 consecutive patients with CSDH who underwent bur hole surgery at the Hanyang University Medical Center (Seoul and Guri) between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014. During the 6-month follow-up, 104 patients (13.8%) with recurrence after surgery for CSDH were identified. Independent risk factors for recurrence were as follows: age > 75 years (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03-2.88; p = 0.039), obesity (body mass index ≥ 25.0 kg/m2), and a bilateral operation. CONCLUSIONS This study determined the risk factors for recurrence of CSDH and their effects on outcomes. Further studies are needed to account for these observations and to determine their underlying mechanisms.

Factors that predict risk of cervical instability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Study Design. Retrospective data analysis. Objective. To identify factors affecting the atlantodental interval, the Ranawat value, and subaxial translation after rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis. In addition, factors predictive for cervical spine instability (CSI) development after RA diagnosis were examined. Summary of Background Data. Development of CSI affects the prognosis and mortality of RA patients. Previous studies described that obesity is associated with reduced radiographic joint damage in RA patients. We hypothesized that body mass index (BMI) is also associated with radiographic cervical damage in RA patients. Methods. Cervical radiographs were taken at full flexion, neutral position, and full extension to measure the geometric length of the anterior atlantodental interval, the Ranawat value, and subaxial translation. These values were entered into multivariable linear regression analysis based on potential associated factors. Hazard ratios were calculated to identify independent factors predictive of CSI. Results. Of the patients diagnosed with RA between January 2005 and August 2015, 1611 who underwent at least one cervical radiograph were included. After adjusting for sex, age, BMI category, CSI, rheumatoid factor, and RA medication, multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of atlantoaxial subluxation in the underweight and normal BMI groups was about 1.6-fold (hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.10–2.43; P = 0.015) and 1.7-fold higher, respectively, than that in the obese group, and that the risk of vertical subluxation was about 2.5-fold (hazard ratio, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.32–4.83; P = 0.005) higher in the underweight group than in the obese group. We also found that the rheumatoid factor positivity was a predictive risk factor for CSI development. Conclusion. We identified risk factors predictive for CSI occurrence after RA diagnosis through cervical radiograph assessment. We found that BMI was an independent predictor for development of CSI. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to confirm these findings. Level of Evidence: 3

Bone Flap Resorption Following Cranioplasty after Decompressive Craniectomy: Preliminary Report

Objective Resorption of autologous bone flap grafts is a known long-term complication of cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy (DC). We analyzed our data to identify risk factors for bone flap resorption (BFR) following cranioplasty. Methods A total of 162 patients who underwent cranioplasty following DC due to life-threatening elevated intracranial pressure between October 2003 and December 2012, were included in our investigation. Follow-up exceeded one year. Results BFR occurred as a long-term complication in 9 of the 162 patients (5.6%). The affected patients consisted of individuals who had undergone DC for traumatic brain injury (TBI; n=4), for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; n=3), for cerebral infarction (n=1), and intracerebral hemorrhage (n=1). Logistic regression analysis identified no significant risk factors for BFR. Conclusion TBI and SAH as initial diagnoses are more often associated with BFR than other diagnoses. This finding may influence future surgical decision making, especially in patients with possible risk factors for BFR. A prospective study with a large number of patients is needed to identify potential predictors of BFR such as bone flap sterilization and preservation.

Factors Predicting Ventricle Volume Increase After Aneurysmal Clipping in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE Although many studies have evaluated risk factors associated with hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, specific ventricle volume changes after subarachnoid hemorrhage have not been evaluated. We sought to evaluate factors predicting ventricle volume enlargement in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage by measuring ventricle volume with a validated, semiautomated tool. METHODS Uni- and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted with the follow-up ventricle volume as the dependent variable and the duration between subarachnoid hemorrhage occurrence and follow-up imaging as the independent variable, classified by the use of various predictive factors. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratio for the greater ventricle volume group compared with the lower ventricle volume group based on predictive factors. RESULTS We included 173 participants with a mean age of 55.5 years. Overall, an approximate increase in ventricle volume of 1.1 mL was observed daily within 60 days of clipping due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients in the first and second tertile groups for body mass index showed approximately a 5.9- and 4.1-fold increased risk of greater follow-up ventricle volume, respectively, compared with the third tertile group for body mass index within 60 days of subarachnoid hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS We found that greater body mass index independently predicted suppression of ventricle volume growth, owing to maintenance of subarachnoid trabeculae structures after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Radiologic Findings and Patient Factors Associated with 30-Day Mortality after Surgical Evacuation of Subdural Hematoma in Patients Less Than 65 Years Old

Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between 30-day mortality and various radiological and clinical factors in patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (SDH). During the 11-year study period, young patients who underwent surgery for SDH were followed for 30 days. Patients who died due to other medical comorbidities or other organ problems were not included in the study population. Methods From January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014, 318 consecutive surgically-treated traumatic acute SDH patients were registered for the study. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze 30-day survival rates. We also estimated the hazard ratios of various variables in order to identify the independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Results We observed a negative correlation between 30-day mortality and Glasgow coma scale score (per 1-point score increase) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.70; p<0.001). In addition, use of antithrombotics (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.27–4.33; p=0.008), history of diabetes mellitus (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.20–4.32; p=0.015), and accompanying traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (hazard ratio, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.27–3.58; p=0.005) were positively associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion We found significant associations between short-term mortality after surgery for traumatic acute SDH and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores, use of antithrombotics, history of diabetes mellitus, and accompanying traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage at admission. We expect these findings to be helpful for selecting patients for surgical treatment of traumatic acute SDH, and for making accurate prognoses.

Risk Factors for the Development and Progression of Atlantoaxial Subluxation in Surgically Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Considering the Time Interval between Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis and Surgery

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that can affect the cervical spine, especially the atlantoaxial region. The present study evaluated the risk factors for atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) development and progression in patients who have undergone surgical treatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 62 patients with RA and surgically treated AAS between 2002 and 2015. Additionally, we identified 62 patients as controls using propensity score matching of sex and age among 12667 RA patients from a rheumatology registry between 2007 and 2015. We extracted patient data, including sex, age at diagnosis, age at surgery, disease duration, radiographic hand joint changes, and history of methotrexate use, and laboratory data, including presence of rheumatoid factor and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Results The mean patient age at diagnosis was 38.0 years. The mean time interval between RA diagnosis and AAS surgery was 13.6±7.0 years. The risk factors for surgically treated AAS development were the serum CRP level (p=0.005) and radiographic hand joint erosion (p=0.009). The risk factors for AAS progression were a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion (p<0.001) and young age at RA diagnosis (p=0.04). Conclusion The CRP level at RA diagnosis and a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion might be risk factors for surgically treated AAS development in RA patients. Additionally, a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion and young age at RA diagnosis might be risk factors for AAS progression.

Effects of a Temperature-Sensitive, Anti-Adhesive Agent on the Reduction of Adhesion in a Rabbit Laminectomy Model.

Objective A common cause of failure in laminectomy surgery is when epidural, peridural, or perineural adhesion occurs postoperatively. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a temperature-sensitive, anti-adhesive agent (TSAA agent), Guardix-SG®, as a mechanical barrier for the prevention or reduction of peridural scar adhesion in a rabbit laminectomy model. Methods Twenty-six mature rabbits were used for this study. Each rabbit underwent two separate laminectomies at lumbar vertebrae L3 and L6, left empty (the control group) and applied 2 mL of the TSAA agent (the experimental group), respectively. Invasive scar formation or inflammation after laminectomy was quantitatively evaluated by measuring the thickness of the dura, the distance from the surface of dura to the scar tissues, the number of inflammatory cells in the scar tissues at the laminectomy site, and the concentration of collagen in histological sections. Results At 6 weeks postsurgery, the dura was significantly thinner and the distance from the surface of dura to the scar tissues was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (p=0.04 and p=0.01). The number of inflammatory cells was not significantly different in the two groups (p=0.08), although the mean number of inflammatory cells was relatively lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion The current study suggests that the TSAA agent, Guardix-SG®, could be useful as an interpositional physical barrier after laminectomy for the prevention or reduction of adhesion.

Multiple Meningocerebral Metastasis and Extensive Skull Metastasis from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Esophagus: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Esophageal carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the brain. Although some studies have mentioned esophageal cancer with solitary brain metastasis or with meningocerebral metastasis or with skull metastasis, multiple meningocerebral metastasis and extensive skull metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus has not been reported in the literature. We encountered a case of an extensive osteolytic change of the skull and multiple meningocerebral metastases from esophageal carcinoma.

Cervical Epidural Hematoma That Induced Sudden Paraparesis After Cervical Spine Massage: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Most people understand spinal manipulation therapy to be a safe procedure, and in many cases treatment is provided without a diagnosis if there is musculoskeletal pain. Cervical epidural hematoma occurs in extremely rare cases after cervical manipulation therapy. This study reports a case of epidural hematoma that occurred in the anterior spinal cord after cervical massage. CASE DESCRIPTION A 38-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department for sudden weakness in the lower extremity after receiving a cervical spine massage. No fracture was found using cervical radiographs, and there were no particular findings on performing brain computed tomography or diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. However, using cervical magnetic resonance imaging, an acute epidural hematoma was observed in the anterior spinal cord from the C6 and C7 vertebrae to the T1 vertebra, compressing the spinal cord. There were no fractures or ligament injury. No surgical treatment was required as the patient showed spontaneous improvements in muscle strength and was discharged after just 1 week, following observation of the improvement in his symptoms. CONCLUSION Although cervical epidural hematoma after cervical manipulation therapy is extremely rare, if suspected, a thorough examination must be performed in order to reduce the chances of serious neurologic sequelae.