A Rare Presentation of Bifid Tibialis Anterior Tendon in a Case of Idiopathic Congenital Talipes Equinovarus.

Introduction: Idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is one of the most extensively researched topics for decades. It has been associated with various musculoskeletal anomalies which maybe bony, vascular or involving the ligaments and muscles which may have a direct or indirect impact on its pathoanatomy. This report describes an unusual presentation of a bifid tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) in a case of CTEV. This is the first report of this kind in the literature to the best of our knowledge. Case Report: A 4-year-old female presented with bilateral relapsed CTEV with dynamic supination previously treated with standard Ponseti protocol. The patient was treated with TAT transfer on the left side with a rare presentation of a bifid TAT where both the slips of the tendon were transferred to dorsum of the foot onto the lateral cuneiform. Conclusion: When treating a patient of CTEV surgically, it is important to consider the possibility of a bifid TAT which is a rare musculoskeletal association. It is recommended to carefully dissect TAT to prevent under correction of the deformity in case either one of the tendon slips remains attached to its original site.

Cost-effectiveness of repeat delayed imaging for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: In patients with intracranial aneurysm presenting with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 15% of them could be missed by the initial diagnostic imaging. Repeat delayed imaging can help to identify previously undetected aneurysms, however, the cost-effectiveness of this strategy remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of repeat delayed imaging in patients with SAH who had a negative result during their initial imaging. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to estimate the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) for patients who received or not received repeat delayed imaging. The analyses were conducted from a healthcare perspective, with costs reported in UK pounds and expressed in 2020 values. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of repeat delayed imaging is £9,314 per QALY compared to no-repeat delayed imaging. This ICER is below the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) £20,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. At the NICE willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY, the probability that repeat delayed imaging is most cost-effective is 0.81. The results are sensitive to age, the utility of survived patients with a favorable outcome, the sensitivity of repeat delayed imaging, and the prevalence of aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that, in the UK, it is cost-effective to provide repeat delayed imaging using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for patients with SAH who had a negative result in their initial imaging.

Imaging timing after glioblastoma surgery (INTERVAL-GB): protocol for a UK and Ireland, multicentre retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumour with a median overall survival of 12-15 months (range 6-17 months), even with maximal treatment involving debulking neurosurgery and adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy. The use of postoperative imaging to detect progression is of high importance to clinicians and patients, but currently, the optimal follow-up schedule is yet to be defined. It is also unclear how adhering to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines-which are based on general consensus rather than evidence-affects patient outcomes such as progression-free and overall survival. The primary aim of this study is to assess MRI monitoring practice after surgery for glioblastoma, and to evaluate its association with patient outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ImagiNg Timing aftER surgery for glioblastoma: an eVALuation of practice in Great Britain and Ireland is a retrospective multicentre study that will include 450 patients with an operated glioblastoma, treated with any adjuvant therapy regimen in the UK and Ireland. Adult patients ≥18 years diagnosed with glioblastoma and undergoing surgery between 1 August 2018 and 1 February 2019 will be included. Clinical and radiological scanning data will be collected until the date of death or date of last known follow-up. Anonymised data will be uploaded to an online Castor database. Adherence to NICE guidelines and the effect of being concordant with NICE guidelines will be identified using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Each participating centre is required to gain local institutional approval for data collection and sharing. Formal ethical approval is not required since this is a service evaluation. Results of the study will be reported through peer-reviewed presentations and articles, and will be disseminated to participating centres, patients and the public.

ABO blood group in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage-a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution and impact of ABO blood group on the baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Retrospective, single-centre study of patients admitted to a neurosurgical department in the UK, with a diagnosis of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage between May 2014 and January 2020. Patients were categorised by ABO blood type and by Rhesus status. Clinical outcomes such as initial bleeding, rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischaemia (DIND) and venous thromboembolism were analysed in relation to the size of their association with ABO blood type. Hospital mortality rate, Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) - at discharge and 3 months post-ictus, requirement for ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion, discharge destination and inpatient length of stay were also considered. RESULTS: Four-hundred twelve adult patients admitted with aSAH were included in our analysis. The distribution of ABO group or Rhesus status in our cohort did not differ significantly from the general population in the UK. Blood group A patients had a significantly increased risk of developing DIND, compared with non-blood group A patients (OR, 1.88 [95% CI: 1.10-3.21]). CONCLUSIONS: ABO blood type appears to influence aSAH sequelae. Blood group A patients are at highest risk of DIND following aSAH.

The weekend effect in neurosurgery: the Leeds general infirmary experience.

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we have studied what the impact of the 2016 contract has been on the weekend mortality rate in a single UK Neurosurgery centre for emergency admissions. METHODS: All adult neurosurgery admissions and mortality data from Leeds General Infirmary in 2016 and 2018 was included. Weekday was defined as between 00:01 am Monday and 23:59 Friday. Weekend was defined as anything outside this timeframe. In the first part of the analysis, we excluded all public holiday admissions and compared mortality risks between weekday and weekend admissions. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the time to in-hospital death or censorship. From the model, we compared the hazard ratio of weekend-vs.-weekday admissions for 7-day, 30-day and overall mortalities as well as compared the hazard of mortality on each day of the week to Wednesday admission. In the second part of the analysis, we compared mortality risks of weekday admissions versus public holiday admissions. Finally, to further evaluate whether there was any change in service standard from 2016 to 2018, we assessed the odds ratio of mortality between admission in 2018 and 2016 on weekends and weekdays excluding public holidays. RESULTS: At 95% confidence interval, no significant difference in hazard ratio was found between admissions on different days in the week when compared to Wednesday in 2016 and 2018. There is a higher weekday admission 7-day mortality hazard ratio in 2018 compared to 2016 but overall there is no statistically significant difference in mortality hazard ratio between the two years. There is, however, a statistically significant difference in hazard ratio when comparing public holiday mortality in 2018 to weekday mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There was no weekend effect in our unit in 2016 or in 2018, however there is a public holiday effect in 2018.

Neurosurgery activity levels in the United Kingdom and republic of Ireland during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic - a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.

The impact of Covid-19 on surgical patients worldwide has been substantial. In the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), the first wave of the pandemic occurred in March 2020. The aims of this study were to: (1) evaluate the volume of neurosurgical operative activity levels, Covid-19 infection rate and mortality rate in April 2020 with a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study conducted across 16 UK and RoI neurosurgical centres, and (2) compare patient outcomes in a single institution in April-June 2020 with a comparative cohort in 2019. Across the UK and RoI, 818 patients were included. There were 594 emergency and 224 elective operations. The incidence rate of Covid-19 infection was 2.6% (21/818). The overall mortality rate in patients with a Covid-19 infection was 28.6% (6/21). In the single centre cohort analysis, an overall reduction in neurosurgical operative activity by 65% was observed between 2020 (n = 304) and 2019 (n = 868). The current and future impact on UK neurosurgical operative activity has implications for service delivery and neurosurgical training.

Seven Microaneurysms: Description of an Experimental Rodent Model for Neurovascular Training.

AIM: To demonstrate the microsurgical procedures, and to evaluate the feasibility of living models of experimental neurovascular training by developing new complex vascular exercises mimicking the most common intracranial aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The procedures were performed under a Zeiss (OPMI pico f170) microscope using basic microsurgery instruments, 10/0 Nylon and blue Polypropylene micro-sutures. We selected adult albino Wistar rats weighing between 258 and 471g each. Seven different aneurysm types were created using carotid, jugular, cava, aorta and femoral vessels. RESULTS: Seven types of aneurysm were designed and created in the rat with a high-medium successful rate. There are differences in terms of realism and the difficulty of performance, according to the different types: lateral wall, bifurcation, top of the basilar, fusiform, fusiform + involved branch, Anterior Communicating Artery (ACoA) and giant. The steps and technical issues to produce these exercises are described. CONCLUSION: We show the feasibility of creating several types of aneurysm using different vessels in a rodent model. Training on these models help to improve microsurgical skills, allowing safe practice for neurosurgeons in all stages of their career.

PedsQL Score Post Encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis Procedure for Moyamoya Disease: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease is a progressive, occlusive arteriopathy of the intracranial vessels causing an increased risk of stroke. It often results in functional impairment and decrease in quality of life, both in the presence and absence of stroke. Revascularization is the accepted treatment for patients with symptomatic moyamoya disease, preventing further stroke. At Leeds Children's Hospital we use the encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis (EDAMS) technique to facilitate revascularization. We aim to assess the quality of life outcomes of patients who have undergone operative intervention at our unit for moyamoya disease. METHODS: Pediatric patients with operated moyamoya disease from Leeds Children Hospital between February 2009 and January 2019 were included. Patients awaiting primary surgery were excluded. Patients were contacted via telephone and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) questionnaire administered via parent proxy. Quality of life outcomes were assessed using the PedsQL questionnaire score, which measures physical, emotional social and school functioning domains. This score was then converted to a health-related quality of life score. Scores in each domain and mean scores were compared with normative data. RESULTS: This study included 11 children (5 boys), median age 6.8 years (range: 22 months to 15.5 years), and 9 children underwent bilateral operations. Mean parent proxy PedsQL score was 66 (range: 12.5-98.4), with a mean score of 61.9 in physical function, 88.9 in emotional function, 70.9 in social function, and 58.7 in school function. This was lower than healthy controls overall and in each individual domain except emotional function, which was similar to normative data. CONCLUSIONS: Children with moyamoya disease have a lower quality of life than healthy controls within this series. This suggests that children with moyamoya should be offered additional psychosocial support within the community.

Surgical Disconnection of a Residual Pediatric Pial Arterio-Venous Fistula Following Partial Embolization: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Pial arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare intracranial vascular lesions consisting of 1 or more feeder arteries connecting directly to a venous system without a nidus, in the subpial space. Because of the high-flow system, they are commonly associated with a large varix. They are thought to represent between 1.6% and 7.3% of all pediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Morbidity and mortality is high in this condition and surgical or endovascular treatment options are usually considered. There have been limited reports on the clinical features, treatment options, and outcomes of pial AVMs due to its rarity. We present a case study of a pediatric patient in our institution and her clinical course, focusing on her presenting clinical features and management. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 1-year-old girl presents with progressively prominent and dilated facial veins and no other features suggestive of pial AVF. She was diagnosed with pial AVF with two feeder arteries and a large varix on imaging. Embolization was undertaken 3 times before successful surgical disconnection was done. Genetic testing for associated syndromes were all negative. CONCLUSIONS: Prominence of facial veins could be 1 of the more uncommon presenting features of pial AVFs. Genetic testing should always be considered in the pediatric population diagnosed with AVFs because of their association to various syndromes. Despite endovascular embolization being considered the less invasive choice, decision on mode of treatment should be a multifactorial decision.

Chiari I malformation and altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics-the highs and the lows.

PURPOSE: This paper reviews the altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics that can be associated with paediatric Chiari I malformation and we present our own institutional experience. METHODS: We conducted a thorough review of the literature and retrospectively analyzed all cases of operatively managed paediatric Chiari 1 malformation at our institution between February 2006 and February 2019. RESULTS: Acquired Chiari malformation (ACM) can radiologically mimic Chiari I and has been associated with both intracranial hypotension (either secondary to lumboperitoneal shunting or spontaneous CSF hypotension) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). At our institution, 61 paediatric cases (range, 2-15 years) underwent foramen magnum decompression (FMD) for Chiari I malformation. Whilst 80% (50/61) of cases underwent FMD with no preceding or post-operative problems of CSF dynamics, 8% (5/61) of cases had hydrocephalus at initial presentation requiring CSF diversion followed by FMD for persistent Chiari, and 10% (6/61) developed hydrocephalus following FMD and required long-term CSF diversion. CONCLUSIONS: In paediatric ACM, the management of intracranial hypotension involves thorough radiological assessment and inclusion/adjustment of a valve in the case of lumboperitoneal shunting or epidural blood patch or interventional techniques in the case of spontaneous CSF leak. Thereby, unwarranted posterior fossa decompression surgery is avoided. In the case of IIH and Chiari I malformation, children who have recurrent symptoms despite adequate posterior fossa decompression surgery (failed Chiari), there is a strong role for intracranial pressure monitoring as raised intracranial pressure may indicate long-term CSF diversion.

Lumboperitoneal shunt insertion without fluoroscopy guidance: Accuracy of placement in a series of 107 procedures.

Background: Lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts were the mainstay of cerebrospinal fluid diversion therapy for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The traditionally cited advantage of LP shunts over ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts is the ease of insertion in IIH. This needs to be placed at the level of L3/4 to be below the level of the spinal cord. The objective of this study was to analyse the position of LP shunts inserted without portable fluoroscopy guidance.  Methods: A retrospective analysis of radiology was performed for patients who underwent lumboperitoneal shunts between 2006 and 2016 at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Patients who had insertion of a LP shunt without fluoroscopy guidance were selected.  Patients without post-procedural imaging were excluded. A retrospective analysis of the clinical notes was also performed.  Results: Between 2006 and 2016, 163 lumboperitoneal shunts were inserted in 105 patients. A total of 56 cases were excluded due to lack of post-procedural imaging; therefore, 107 post-procedural x-rays were reviewed. In 17 (15.8%) cases the proximal end of the LP shunt was placed at L1/L2 level or above.  Conclusions: Insertion of LP shunts without portable fluoroscopy guidance gives a 15.8% risk of incorrect positioning of the proximal end of the catheter. We suggest that x-ray is recommended to avoid incorrect level placement. Further investigation could be carried out with a control group with fluoroscopy against patients without.

D-dimer for the exclusion of acute venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive literature, the diagnostic role of d-dimer for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unclear, reflecting multiple d-dimer assays and concerns about differing sensitivities and variability. PURPOSE: To systematically review trials that assessed sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and variability among d-dimer assays. DATA SOURCES: Studies in all languages were identified by searching PubMed from 1983 to January 2003 and EMBASE from 1988 to January 2003. STUDY SELECTION: The researchers selected prospective studies that compared d-dimer with a reference standard. Studies of high methodologic quality were included in the primary analyses; sensitivity analysis included additional weaker studies. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors collected data on study-level factors: d-dimer assay used, cutoff value, and whether patients had suspected DVT or PE. DATA SYNTHESIS: For DVT, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative rapid ELISA dominate the rank order for these values: sensitivity, 0.96 (95% confidence limit [CL], 0.91 to 1.00), and negative likelihood ratio, 0.12 (CL, 0.04 to 0.33); and sensitivity, 0.96 (CL, 0.90 to 1.00), and negative likelihood ratio, 0.09 (CL, 0.02 to 0.41), respectively. For PE, the ELISA and quantitative rapid ELISA also dominate the rank order for these values: sensitivity, 0.95 (CL, 0.85 to 1.00), and negative likelihood ratio, 0.13 (CL, 0.03 to 0.58); and sensitivity, 0.95 (CL, 0.83 to 1.00), and negative likelihood ratio, 0.13 (CL, 0.02 to 0.84), respectively. The ELISA and quantitative rapid ELISA have negative likelihood ratios that yield a high certainty for excluding DVT or PE. The positive likelihood values, which are in the general range of 1.5 to 2.5, do not greatly increase the certainty of diagnosis. Sensitivity analyses do not affect these findings. LIMITATIONS: Although many studies evaluated multiple d-dimer assays, findings are based largely on indirect comparisons of test performance characteristics across studies. CONCLUSION: The ELISAs in general dominate the comparative ranking among the d-dimer assays for sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio. For excluding PE or DVT, a negative result on quantitative rapid ELISA is as diagnostically useful as a normal lung scan or negative duplex ultrasonography finding.

Tracking the uptake of evidence: two decades of hospital practice trends for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Advances in clinical research methods have led to prospective randomized controlled (level 1) clinical studies evaluating diagnostic modalities resulting in a paradigm shift in the literature for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). To assess whether these advances correlate with clinical practice, we analyzed 21-year trends in diagnostic testing for patients with venous thromboembolism. METHODS: We used discharge data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (1979-1999) to determine DVT and PE cases annually. Procedure fields were screened to determine patients who had DVT or PE or who underwent venography, arteriography of the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary scintigraphy, or DVT ultrasonic scanning. Searching EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the American Thoracic Society guidelines, a literature-based time line of level 1 studies was derived and juxtaposed against trends and procedure use. RESULTS: Improved diagnostic tests resulted in diagnostic changes in patients with suspected venous thromboembolism. These observed changes correlated over time in subsequent years with level 1 studies. Diagnostic DVT approaches showed an initial marked increased use of venography followed by a rapid decline that coincided with increased use of Doppler ultrasonography. Diagnostic approaches to PE were characterized by initial marked increases in lung scanning followed by a rapid decline as use of ultrasonography considerably increased and pulmonary angiography modestly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic approaches to DVT and PE have changed markedly during the past 2 decades, in temporal harmony with the evolving literature. Change in clinical practice occurs over years, and long-term follow-up is required to capture this change.

Deep venous thrombosis in a general hospital.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in a general hospital. BACKGROUND: In spite of the importance of proximal DVT, its prevalence in hospitalized patients has been only sparsely studied. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with DVT between July 1998 and June 2000 were identified by a computer search of discharge diagnoses. The discharge diagnosis was confirmed by a review of the records for positive findings on compression ultrasound or venogram of the lower extremities. In addition, records of all compression ultrasound examinations and venograms during that period were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of proximal DVT in adults > or = 20 years old was 271 of 34,567 patients (0.78%). DVT was associated with pulmonary embolism in 57 of 271 patients (21.0%). The prevalence of DVT in adult men was 117 of 13,722 patients (0.85%), and in adult women was 154 of 20,845 patients (0.74%) [not significant]. The prevalence of DVT among men aged 20 to 49 years was higher than in women the same age: 19 of 3,982 patients (0.48%) vs 22 of 9,442 patients (0.23%), respectively (p < 0.02). The prevalence of DVT, however, was comparable among men and women > or = 50 years old. The prevalence of DVT was also comparable in black adults (30 of 4,344 patients; 0.69%) and in white adults (240 of 28,615 patients; 0.84%) [not significant]. CONCLUSION: Proximal DVT continues to be a frequent illness among hospitalized patients.

Estimated incidence of acute pulmonary embolism in a community/teaching general hospital.

PURPOSE: This study attempts to determine the incidence of established acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in a community/teaching general hospital. BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of objectively diagnosed acute PE among hospitalized adults in a large urban hospital or major university hospital ranges from 0.27 to 0.40%. Whether the incidence of PE in other categories of hospitals fits within this narrow range is unknown. METHODS: Patients with acute PE diagnosed by ventilation/perfusion lung scan, pulmonary angiography, compression ultrasound in a patient with suspected PE, autopsy, or (by coincidence) lung biopsy were identified among patients hospitalized during a 2-year period from 1998 to 2000. The incidence of PE was also determined according to age, sex, and race. RESULTS: Among adult patients (> or = 20 years old), the incidence of established acute PE was 95 of 34,567 patients (0.27%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22 to 0.34%). No PE was diagnosed in patients < 20 years old. The incidence of PE in men was 36 of 13,722 patients (0.26%; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.36%); in women, it was 59 of 20,845 patients (0.2%; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.36%; not significant [NS]). The incidence in African-Americans adults was 10 of 4,344 patients (0.23%; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.42%); in white adults, it was 84 of 28,615 patients (0.29%; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.36%; NS). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PE in a community/teaching general hospital was comparable to the incidence in a large urban-care center and in a major university hospital.