Jeffrey Sorenson

The treatment of advanced sinonasal malignancies with pre-operative intra-arterial cisplatin and concurrent radiation

Introduction: Malignancies of the nasal and paranasal sinuses are uncommon tumors, accounting for only 3% of all aerodigestive tract neoplasms. Despite advances in surgical techniques and continued evolution of adjuvant therapies, the 5-year mortality remains unusually high at greater than 50%. In 1996, we begin utilizing a novel strategy in the treatment of advanced sinonasal carcinomas. This consisted of neoadjuvant selective intra-arterial cisplatin with concurrent radiation therapy (acronym RADPLAT) followed by a conservative craniofacial resection. We now report our results for 11 patients treated with this regimen.Methods: Between July 1996 and April 2003, 11 patients with advanced sinonasal malignancies underwent treatment utilizing the RADPLAT protocol followed by a planned surgical resection via a craniofacial approach. Patient charts, operative notes, follow-up clinic notes, and pre- and post-operative imaging studies were reviewed in detail for each subject.Results: Histopathological analysis of the tumors revealed seven squamous cell carcinomas (64%), two adenocarcinomas (18%), one adenoid cystic carcinoma (9%), and one sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (9%). T4N0M0 disease was present in nine patients (81%), and two patients had T3N0M0 disease (19%). Survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method with an overall survival of 81% at 5 years and a progression-free survival at 5 years of 67%. Mean follow-up is 57.2 months ranging from 12 to 95 months.Conclusions: The treatment of advanced sinonasal malignancies with pre-operative intra-arterial cisplatin and concurrent radiation results in a significant improvement in survival. This can be done safely with high response rates and excellent loco-regional control in T3 and T4 disease. Although are results are encouraging, there is a need for a cooperative, multi-institutional, prospective study.

A far-lateral approach for removal of a C1-2 extradural neurofibroma.

A young man with type 1 neurofibromatosis presented with progressive myelopathy. Imaging revealed an anterolateral mass within the spinal canal at C1-2, with severe compression of the spinal cord. A far-lateral approach was used to remove the mass, which proved to be an extradural neurofibroma. This narrated stereoscopic video details the important steps of the operation. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/td4MjLtiMbk .

Resection of an anterior spinal cord AVM through a far-lateral approach.

A small arteriovenous malformation near the craniocervical junction with contributions from the anterior spinal artery was discovered in a young developmentally-delayed woman after she presented with altered mental status and evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The malformation could not be completely treated with endovascular therapy, so it was resected through a far-lateral approach. This stereoscopic video demonstrates how to gain the exposure needed to address a lesion in this area. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/ByjPGm_eXLc .

Predictors of extended length of stay, discharge to inpatient rehab, and hospital readmission following elective lumbar spine surgery: introduction of the Carolina-Semmes Grading Scale

OBJECTIVE Extended hospital length of stay (LOS), unplanned hospital readmission, and need for inpatient rehabilitation after elective spine surgery contribute significantly to the variation in surgical health care costs. As novel payment models shift the risk of cost overruns from payers to providers, understanding patient-level risk of LOS, readmission, and inpatient rehabilitation is critical. The authors set out to develop a grading scale that effectively stratifies risk of these costly events after elective surgery for degenerative lumbar pathologies. METHODS The Quality and Outcomes Database (QOD) registry prospectively enrolls patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease. This registry was queried for patients who had undergone elective 1- to 3-level lumbar surgery for degenerative spine pathology. The association between preoperative patient variables and extended postoperative hospital LOS (LOS ≥ 7 days), discharge status (inpatient facility vs home), and 90-day hospital readmission was assessed using stepwise multivariate logistic regression. The Carolina-Semmes grading scale was constructed using the independent predictors for LOS (0-12 points), discharge to inpatient facility (0-18 points), and 90-day readmission (0-6 points), and its performance was assessed using the QOD data set. The performance of the grading scale was then confirmed separately after using it in 2 separate neurosurgery practice sites (Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates [CNSA] and Semmes Murphey Clinic). RESULTS A total of 6921 patients were analyzed. Overall, 290 (4.2%) patients required extended LOS, 654 (9.4%) required inpatient facility care/rehabilitation on hospital discharge, and 474 (6.8%) were readmitted to the hospital within 90 days postdischarge. Variables that remained as independently associated with these unplanned events in multivariate analysis included age ≥ 70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Classification System class > III, Oswestry Disability Index score ≥ 70, diabetes, Medicare/Medicaid, nonindependent ambulation, and fusion. Increasing point totals in the Carolina-Semmes scale effectively stratified the incidence of extended LOS, discharge to facility, and readmission in a stepwise fashion in both the aggregate QOD data set and when subsequently applied to the CNSA/Semmes Murphey practice groups. CONCLUSIONS The authors introduce the Carolina-Semmes grading scale that effectively stratifies the risk of prolonged hospital stay, need for postdischarge inpatient facility care, and 90-day hospital readmission for patients undergoing first-time elective 1- to 3-level degenerative lumbar spine surgery. This grading scale may be helpful in identifying patients who may require additional resource utilization within a global period after surgery.

The Rhoton Collection.

The Rhoton Collection is an archive of Dr. Al Rhoton Jr.s anatomical images and video lectures, as well as an anatomical reference. In an effort to maximize the educational impact of these teaching materials, web-based technologies are used to dynamically format this material for a variety of devices ranging from cellular phones to projectors. Surgical cases are cross-referenced to further enhance the usefulness of this collection, which is available at http://rhoton.ineurodb.org. The features of the Rhoton Collection website are described in this article.

Chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in neurosurgical patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication. The risk of serious hemorrhagic complications when starting chemical prophylaxis for VTE prevention is a substantial concern for neurosurgeons. The objective of this study was to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if the rates of VTE and bleeding complications are different in patients undergoing chemoprophylaxis compared with placebo or mechanical prophylaxis alone following cranial or spinal procedures. METHODS In February 2016 a systematic literature review was performed identifying 3944 articles from 4 different databases. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed after identifying the articles that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS Nine articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. The quality of the studies was good, with all of them being classified as Level 2 evidence, with moderate Jadad scores. A meta-analysis comparing chemoprophylaxis with placebo in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis showed a significant benefit to chemical prophylaxis (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71; p < 0.0001). No significant increase in major intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.60), major extracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.98), or minor bleeding complications (p = 0.60) was found. CONCLUSIONS Based on moderate-to-good quality of evidence, chemoprophylaxis is beneficial in preventing VTE, with no significant increase in either major or minor bleeding complications in patients undergoing cranial and spinal procedures. Further research is needed to determine whether this conclusion holds true for more specific subpopulations.

Results of delayed follow-up imaging in traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE There is a paucity of scientific evidence available about the benefits of outpatient follow-up imaging for traumatic brain injury patients. In this study, 1 year of consecutive patients at a Level 1 trauma center were analyzed to determine if there is any benefit to routinely obtaining CT of the head at the outpatient follow-up visit. METHODS This single-institution retrospective review was performed on all patients with a traumatic brain injury seen at a Level 1 trauma center in 2013. Demographic data, types of injuries, surgical interventions, radiographic imaging in inpatient and outpatient settings, and outcomes were assessed through a review of the institutions trauma registry, patient charts, and imaging. RESULTS Five hundred twenty-five patients were seen for traumatic brain injury in 2013 at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee. One hundred eighty-five patients (35%) presented for outpatient follow-up, all with CT scans of the head. Seven of these patients (4%) showed worsening of their intracranial injuries on outpatient imaging studies; however, surgical intervention was recommended for only 3 of these patients (2%). All patients requiring an intervention had neurological deterioration prior to their follow-up appointment. CONCLUSIONS These experiences suggest that outpatient follow-up imaging for traumatic brain injury should be done selectively, as it was not helpful for patients who did not exhibit worsening of neurological signs or symptoms. Furthermore, routine outpatient imaging results in unnecessary resource utilization and radiation exposure.

The visual dimensions of future neurosurgical education.

In the book by the acclaimed writer and neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, entitled The Mind’s Eye, he has written a chapter devoted to the henomenon of stereopsis and notes that perhaps 5% to 10% of he population has little or no stereoscopic vision (5). Dr. Sacks iscusses the case of Susan Barry, a woman who was born with trabismus and lacked binocular vision. Because she had very poor epth perception, her visual world was two-dimensional, as if she ere looking at a photograph. In her 50s, she trained herself to evelop stereopsis by forcing her eyes to align through repeated xercises. Barry described her experience of acquiring binocular ision like it was an epiphany:

Extended Retrosigmoid Approach for the Resection of a Pontomedullary Junction Cavernous Malformation

Objectives  To describe an extended retrosigmoid approach for the resection of a cavernoma involving the ponto-medullary junction, with emphasis on the microsurgical anatomy and technique. Design  A retrosigmoid craniotomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position and the sigmoid sinus exposed. After opening the dura, sutures are placed medial to the sinus to allow its gentle mobilization. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is drained from the cisterna magna, and cerebellopontine cistern, and dynamic retraction is used over the cerebellum. Subarachnoid dissection of the cerebellopontine angle gives access to cranial nerves IX/X, VII/VIII, and VI. Inspection of the pontomedullary junction medial to the facial nerve reveals hemosiderin staining in that region. A small pial opening is made, exposing the hemorrhagic cavity. The cavernous malformation is then identified, dissected circumferentially, and resected. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhotons laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants  The senior author performed the surgery. The video was edited by Drs. J.B. and V.N. Outcome Measures  Outcome was assessed with extent of resection and postoperative neurological function. Results  A gross total resection of the lesion was achieved. The patient did not develop any postoperative deficits. Conclusion  Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the cerebellopontine angle and meticulous microneurosurgical technique are necessary to achieve a complete resection of a brainstem cavernoma. The extended retrosigmoid approach provides an adequate corridor to the pontomedullary junction. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/FIKixWJT75w .

Orbitopterional Approach with Extradural Clinoidectomy for the Resection of a Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma: Adapting the Strategy to the Microsurgical and Pathological Anatomy

Objectives To describe the orbitopterional approach with extradural clinoidectomy for the resection of a tuberculum sellae meningioma, with an emphasis on the microsurgical and pathological anatomy of such lesions. Design After completing the orbitopterional craniotomy in one piece, the optic nerve is identified extradurally, unroofed, and the clinoid process resected. The falciform ligament is divided and the optic nerve is decompressed extradurally. Opening the frontotemporal dura exposes the tumor in the subfrontal region. The tumor is followed along the ipsilateral and contralateral optic nerves, and its dural tail is cut and coagulated at the level of the tuberculum. Care is taken to preserve the optic nerve perforators during the dissection. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhotons laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The surgery was performed by the senior author assisted by Dr. Jaafar Basma, neurosurgery fourth‐year resident. The video was edited by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, neurosurgery third‐year resident. Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed with the extent of resection and visual symptoms. Results A near‐total resection of the tumor was achieved. A small part of tumor significantly adherent to the optic nerve was intentionally left behind. The patient had a stable vision examination postoperatively. Conclusions Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the suprasellar region and the pathological anatomy of the tuberculum sellae meningioma is necessary to achieve a good resection of these tumors while preserving functionality of the optic apparatus. The orbitopterional approach with anterior clinoidectomy provides the appropriate access for such endeavor. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/WtAP8uqSW0M.