A case report of an atypical severe case of skin picking disorder managed by a multidisciplinary team.

BACKGROUND: While skin picking disorder remains relatively common, it often does not present to psychiatry until significant morbidity or comorbidities are reached. It is described as recurrent picking of skin leading to skin lesions, with repeated attempts to decrease or stop skin picking. It is also often associated with significant distress or functional impairment. There has been limited research in this specific disorder and treatment efficacy has often been poor in severe cases. For various reasons, only a small amount of patients with this disorder present to care, and often to a multidisciplinary team prior to psychiatry. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case presentation of a 44 year old male with a complex past psychiatric history, ultimately untreated for an underlying skin picking disorder. He presented for urgent medical care following a self-inflicted wound through the central frontal bone and dura over the course of 2 years. He was treated with current psychiatric evidence based medicine, including an SSRI, antipsychotic augmentation and NAC, along with habit reversal techniques during the admission. He was concurrently managed with the neurosurgery team, initially with a poor prognosis due to the severity of his presentation. He required debriding of the devitalized bone within the adjacent brain to cover the dural defect, IV antibiotics for 6 weeks, and an initial skin graft on his initial admission. CONCLUSIONS: This case in particular highlighted the importance of urgent treatment via a multidisciplinary approach to avoid mortality. It highlights the importance of increasing awareness about the disorder and that treatment with SSRI's, along with antipsychotic and NAC adjuncts remains the mainstay of acute treatment.

Validation of 3D fluoroscopy for image-guidance registration in depth electrode implantation for medically refractory epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Frame registration is a critical step to ensure accurate electrode placement in stereotactic procedures such as stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) and is routinely done by merging a computed tomography (CT) scan with the preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) examination. Three-dimensional fluoroscopy (XT) has emerged as a method for intraoperative electrode verification following electrode implantation and more recently has been proposed as a registration method with several advantages. METHODS: We compared the accuracy of SEEG electrode placement by frame registration with CT and XT imaging by analyzing the Euclidean distance between planned and post-implantation trajectories of the SEEG electrodes to calculate the error in both the entry (EP) and target (TP) points. Other variables included radiation dose, efficiency, and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (13 CT and 14 XT) underwent placement of SEEG electrodes (319 in total). The mean EP and TP errors for the CT group were 2.3 mm and 3.3 mm, respectively, and 1.9 mm and 2.9 mm for the XT group, with no statistical difference (p = 0.75 and p = 0.246). The time to first electrode placement was similar (XT, 82 ± 10 min; CT, 84 ± 22 min; p = 0.858) and the average radiation exposure with XT (234 ± 55 mGy*cm) was significantly lower than CT (1245 ± 123 mGy*cm) (p < 0.0001). Four complications were documented with equal incidence in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of XT as a method for registration resulted in similar implantation accuracy compared with CT. Advantages of XT are the substantial reduction in radiation dose and the elimination of the need to transfer the patient out of the room which may have an impact on patient safety and OR efficiency.

The accuracy of 3D fluoroscopy (XT) vs computed tomography (CT) registration in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic registration is the most critical step ensuring accuracy in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. 3D fluoroscopy (XT) is emerging as an alternative to CT. XT has been shown to be safe and effective for intraoperative confirmation of lead position following implantation. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating the suitability of XT to be used for the more crucial step of registration and its capability of being merged to a preoperative MRI. This is the first study comparing accuracy, efficiency, and radiation exposure of XT- vs CT-based stereotactic registration and XT/MRI merging in deep brain stimulation. METHODS: Mean absolute differences and Euclidean distance between planned (adjusted for intraoperative testing) and actual lead trajectories were calculated for accuracy of implantation. The radiation dose from each scan was recorded as the dose length product (DLP). Efficiency was measured as the time between the patient entering the operating room and the initial skin incision. A one-way ANOVA compared these parameters between patients that had either CT- or XT-based registration. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent DBS surgery-25 in the CT group and 16 in the XT group. The mean absolute difference between CT and XT was not statistically significant in the x (p = 0.331), y (p = 0.951), or z (p = 0.807) directions. The Euclidean distance between patient groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.874). The average radiation exposure with XT (220.0 ± 0.1 mGy*cm) was significantly lower than CT (1269.3 ± 112.9 mGy*cm) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in registration time between CT (107.8 ± 23.1 min) and XT (106.0 ± 18.2 min) (p = 0.518). CONCLUSION: XT-based frame registration was shown to result in similar implantation accuracy and significantly less radiation exposure compared with CT. Our results surprisingly showed no significant difference in registration time, but this may be due to a learning curve effect.

Upright MRI after decompression of spinal stenosis and concurrent spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVEThe treatment of patients with spinal stenosis and concurrent degenerative spondylolisthesis is controversial. Two large randomized controlled clinical trials reported contradictory results. The authors hypothesized that a substantial number of patients will show evidence of micro-instability after a sole decompression procedure.METHODSThis study was a retrospective analysis of all cases of lumbar spinal stenosis treated at the Frankfurt University Clinic (Universitätsklinik Frankfurt) from 2010 through 2013. Patients who had associated spondylolisthesis underwent upright MRI studies in flexion and extension for identification of subtle signs of micro-instability. Clinical outcome was assessed by means of SF-36 bodily pain (BP) and physical functioning (PF) scales.RESULTSA total of 21 patients were recruited to undergo upright MRI studies. The mean duration of follow-up was 65 months (SD 16 months). Of these 21 patients, 10 (47%) showed signs of micro-instability as defined by movement of > 4 mm on flexion/extension MRI. Comparison of mean SF-36 BP and PF scores in the group of patients who showed micro-instability versus those who did not showed no statistically significant difference on either scale.CONCLUSIONSThere seems to be a substantial subset of patients who develop morphological micro-instability after sole decompression procedures but do not experience any clinically significant effect of the instability.

Infective endocarditis in patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis: implications for diagnosis and therapy.

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of patients with pyogenic spinal infection is increasing. In addition to treatment of the spinal infection, early diagnosis of and therapy for coexisting infections, especially infective endocarditis (IE), is an important issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of coexisting IE and the value of routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the management of these patients.METHODSThe medical history, laboratory data, radiographic findings, treatment modalities, and results of TEE of patients admitted between 2007 and 2017 were analyzed.RESULTSDuring the abovementioned period, 110 of 255 total patients underwent TEE for detection of IE. The detection rate of IE between those patients undergoing and not undergoing TEE was 33% and 3%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Thirty-six percent of patients with IE needed cardiac surgical intervention because of severe valve destruction. Chronic renal failure, heart failure, septic condition at admission, and preexisting heart condition were significantly associated with coexisting IE. The mortality rate in patients with IE was significantly higher than in patients without IE (22% vs 3%, p = 0.002).CONCLUSIONSTEE should be performed routinely in all patients with spondylodiscitis.

Stereotactic biopsy of cerebellar lesions: straight versus oblique frame positioning.

OBJECTIVE: Biospies of brain lesions with unknown entity are an everyday procedure among many neurosurgical departments. Biopsies can be performed frame-guided or frameless. However, cerebellar lesions are a special entity with a more complex approach. All biopsies in this study were performed stereotactically frame guided. Therefore, only biopsies of cerebellar lesions were included in this study. We compared whether the frame was attached straight versus oblique and we focused on diagnostic yield and complication rate. METHODS: We evaluated 20 patients who underwent the procedure between 2009 and 2017. Median age was 56.5 years. 12 (60%) Patients showed a left sided lesion, 6 (30%) showed a lesion in the right cerebellum and 2 (10%) patients showed a midline lesion. RESULTS: The stereotactic frame was mounted oblique in 12 (60%) patients and straight in 8 (40%) patients. Postoperative CT scan showed small, clinically silent blood collection in two (10%) of the patients, one (5%) patient showed haemorrhage, which caused a hydrocephalus. He received an external ventricular drain. In both patients with small haemorrhage the frame was positioned straight, while in the patient who showed a larger haemorrhage the frame was mounted oblique. In all patients a final histopathological diagnosis was established. CONCLUSION: Cerebellar lesions of unknown entity can be accessed transcerebellar either with the stereotactic frame mounted straight or oblique. Also for cerebellar lesions the procedure shows a high diagnostic yield with a low rate of severe complications, which need further treatment.

Assessment of molecular markers demonstrates concordance between samples acquired via stereotactic biopsy and open craniotomy in both anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

The classification, treatment and prognosis of high-grade gliomas has been shown to correlate with the expression of molecular markers (e.g. MGMT promotor methylation and IDH1 mutations). Acquisition of tumor samples may be obtained via stereotactic biopsy or open craniotomy. Between the years 2009 and 2013, 22 patients initially diagnosed with HGGs via stereotactic biopsy, that ultimately underwent open craniotomy for resection of their tumor were prospectively included in an institutional glioma database. MGMT promotor analysis was performed using methylation-specific (MS)-PCR and IDH1R132H mutation analysis was performed using immunohistochemistry. Three patients (13.7%) exhibited IDH1R132H mutations in samples obtained via stereotactic biopsy. Tissue derived from stereotaxic biopsy was demonstrated to have MGMT promotor methylation in ten patients (45.5%), while a non-methylated MGMT promotor was demonstrated in ten patients (45.5%); inconclusive results were obtained for the remaining two patients (9%) within our cohort. The initial histologic grading, IDH1R132H mutation and MGMT promotor methylation results were confirmed using samples obtained during open craniotomy in all but one patient; here inconclusive MGMT promotor analysis was obtained in contrast to that which was obtained via stereotactic biopsy. Tumor samples acquired via stereotactic biopsy provide accurate information with regard to clinically relevant molecular markers that have been shown to impact patient care decisions. The profile of markers analyzed in our cohort was nearly concordant between those samples obtained via stereotactic biopsy or open craniotomy thereby suggesting that clinical decisions may be based on the molecular profile of the tumor samples obtained via stereotactic biopsy.

Stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions: 21 years experiences of a single center.

Stereotactic biopsies are procedures performed to obtain tumor tissue for diagnostic examinations. Cerebral lesions of unknown entities can safely be accessed and tissue can be examined, resulting in correct diagnosis and according treatment. Stereotactic procedures of lesions in highly eloquent regions such as the brainstem have been performed for more than two decades in our department. In this retrospective study we focus on results, approaches, modalities of anesthesia, and complications. We performed a retrospective analysis of our prospective database, including 26 patients who underwent stereotactic biopsy of the brainstem between April 1994 and June 2015. All of the patients underwent preoperative MRI. Riechert-Mundinger-frame was used before 2000, thereafter the Leksell stereotactic frame was used. After 2000 entry and target points were calculated by using BrainLab stereotactic system. We evaluated histopathological results as well as further treatment; additionally we compared complications of local versus general anesthesia and complications of a frontal versus a trans-cerebellar approach. Median age of all patients was 33 years, and median number of tissue samples taken was 12. In all patients a final histopathological diagnosis could be established. 5 patients underwent the procedure under local anesthesia, 21 patients in general anesthesia. In 19 patients a frontal approach was performed, while in 7 patients a trans-cerebellar approach was used. Complications occurred in five patients. Thereby no significant difference was found with regard to approach (frontal versus trans-cerebellar) or anesthesia (local versus general). Stereotactic biopsies even of lesions in the brainstem are a save way to obtain tumor tissue for final diagnosis, resulting in adequate treatment. Approach can be trans-cerebellar or frontal and procedure can be performed either under local or general anesthesia without significant differences concerning complication rate.