Quality of in-hospital care in traumatic spinal column and cord injuries (TSC/SCI) in I.R Iran.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to implement the Quality of Care (QoC) Assessment Tool from the National Spinal Cord/Column Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR) to map the current state of in-hospital QoC of individuals with Traumatic Spinal Column and Cord Injuries (TSCCI). METHODS: The QoC Assessment Tool, developed from a scoping review of the literature, was implemented in NSCIR-IR. We collected the required data from two primary sources. Questions regarding health system structures and care processes were completed by the registrar nurse reviewing the hospital records. Questions regarding patient outcomes were gathered through patient interviews. RESULTS: We registered 2812 patients with TSCCI over six years from eight referral hospitals in NSCIR-IR. The median length of stay in the general hospital and intensive care unit was four and five days, respectively. During hospitalization 4.2% of patients developed pressure ulcers, 83.5% of patients reported satisfactory pain control and none had symptomatic urinary tract infections. 100%, 80%, and 90% of SCI registration centers had 24/7 access to CT scans, MRI scans, and operating rooms, respectively. Only 18.8% of patients who needed surgery underwent a surgical operation in the first 24 h after admission. In-hospital mortality rate for patients with SCI was 19.3%. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the current in-hospital care of our patients with TSCCI is acceptable in terms of pain control, structure and length of stay and poor regarding in-hospital mortality rate and timeliness. We must continue to work on lowering rates of pressure sores, as well as delays in decompression surgery and fatalities.

Post-discharge follow-up of patients with spine trauma in the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and lessons learned.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR) is to create an infrastructure to assess the quality of care for spine trauma and in this study, we aim to investigate whether the NSCIR-IR successfully provides necessary post-discharge follow-up data for these patients. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted from April 11, 2021 to April 22, 2022 in 8 centers enrolled in NSCIR-IR, respectively Arak, Rasht, Urmia, Shahroud, Yazd, Kashan, Tabriz, and Tehran. Patients were classified into three groups based on their need for care resources, respectively: (1) non-spinal cord injury (SCI) patients without surgery (group 1), (2) non-SCI patients with surgery (group 2), and (3) SCI patients (group 3). The assessment tool was a self-designed questionnaire to evaluate the care quality in 3 phases: pre-hospital, in-hospital, and post-hospital. The data from the first 2 phases were collected through the registry. The post-hospital data were collected by conducting follow-up assessments. Telephone follow-ups were conducted for groups 1 and 2 (non-SCI patients), while group 3 (SCI patients) had a face-to-face visit. This study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on age and time interval from injury to follow-up were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and response rate and follow-up loss as a percentage. RESULTS: Altogether 1538 telephone follow-up records related to 1292 patients were registered in the NSCIR-IR. Of the total calls, 918 (71.05%) were related to successful follow-ups, but 38 cases died and thus were excluded from data analysis. In the end, post-hospital data from 880 patients alive were gathered. The success rate of follow-ups by telephone for groups 1 and 2 was 73.38% and 67.05% respectively, compared to 66.67% by face-to-face visits for group 3, which was very hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data completion rate after discharge ranged from 48% to 100%, 22%-100% and 29%-100% for groups 1 - 3. CONCLUSIONS: To improve patient accessibility, NSCIR-IR should take measures during data gathering to increase the accuracy of registered contact information. Regarding the loss to follow-ups of SCI patients, NSCIR-IR should find strategies for remote assessment or motivate them to participate in follow-ups through, for example, providing transportation facilities or financial support.

In-hospital mortality rate in subaxial cervical spinal cord injury patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine existing trends concerning in-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic subaxial cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) over the last four decades. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE to assess the role of the following factors on in-hospital mortality over the last four decades: neurological deficit, age, surgical decompression, use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), use of methylprednisolone in the acute post-injury period, and study location (developing versus developed countries). RESULTS: Among 3333 papers after deduplication, 21 studies met the eligibility criteria. The mortality rate was 17.88% [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.9-22.87%]. No significant trend in mortality rate was observed over the 42-year period (meta-regression coefficient = 0.317; p = 0.372). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant association between acute subaxial cervical SCI-related mortality when stratified by use of surgery, administration of methylprednisolone, use of MRI and CT imaging, study design (prospective versus retrospective study), and study location. The mortality rate was significantly higher in complete SCI (20.66%, p = 0.002) and American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) A (20.57%) and B (9.28%) (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: A very low level of evidence showed that in-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic subaxial cervical SCI did not decrease over the last four decades despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. The overall acute mortality rate following subaxial cervical SCI is 17.88%. We recommend reporting a stratified mortality rate according to key factors such as treatment paradigms, age, and severity of injury in future studies.

MGMT Gene rs1625649 Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Brain Glioblastoma: A Case Control Study.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor with poor prognosis and high potential of dispersion to other brain tissues in adult. Effective and modern choices of treatment including chemotherapy with alkylating agents marginally extend survival of GBM. However, alkylating agents can lead to highly harmful mismatch during DNA replication causing apoptosis and cell death. Accordingly, O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) removes alkyl adducts, thereby causing resistance to alkylating drugs. Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in MGMT promoter region may play a role in the regulation of MGMT expression and prediction of glioma development risk. In order to evaluate the clinical significance of rs1625649 SNP in the MGMT promoter region of glioblastoma, genomic DNA from a series of 54 patients with GBM and 50 healthy individuals in Iranian population were collected for tetra ARMS PCR amplification. None of the "A" or "C" alleles were associated with tumor occurrence, the "AA" genotype was more frequent in healthy subjects, and the "AC" genotype was 4.6 times more common in patients with GBM. The longest survival time was observed in the "CC" genotype; however, this difference was not statistically significant. On the other hand, homozygous rs1625649 (AA genotype) was significantly associated with a better survival than the cases with heterozygous rs1625649 (CA genotype) or wild type rs1625649 (CC genotype), predicting better response to temozolomide-based chemotherapy.

VEGF gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with intracranial glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors in adults with poor prognosis. Neovascularization is one of the characteristics of these tumors, which is associated with overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Accordingly, single nucleotide polymorphisms of this gene could play an important role in structural and functional alterations leading to overexpression of this gene in GBM. METHODS: A total number of 49 patients with GBM and 50 healthy controls were included in the current study. The Genomic DNA was extracted from brain tumor/tissue samples, and after purification assessment, the alleles, and genotypes of rs3025039 and rs2010963 polymorphisms of the VEGF gene were investigated using T-ARMS-PCR. RESULTS: The "T" allele of rs3025039 was 2.79 times more frequent in GBM patients compared to controls (P=0.01). Moreover, the "CT" genotype was 2.83 times more common among patients (P=0.015), while the "CC" was more frequent in controls (P=0.009). The mean overall survival was significantly different between three genotypes of rs3025039, with the longest survival time in "CT" genotype (15.10±5.21, P=0.041). Besides, rs2010963, was significantly associated with GBM occurrence, with the "G" allele being 1.96 times more frequent in patients (P=0.01), as well as the "GG" genotype, which was 7.87 times more common in patients (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms of VEGF could potentially play a role in pathogenesis of GBM, as the allele and genotype distributions of rs3025039 and rs2010963 SNPs were significantly associated with GBM occurrence.

Complete Versus Incomplete Surgical Resection in Intramedullary Astrocytoma: Systematic Review with Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic reviewBackground: Considering the infiltrative nature of intramedullary astrocytoma, the goal of surgery is to have a better patient related outcome. OBJECTIVE: To compare the overall survival (OS) and neurologic outcomes of complete vs incomplete surgical resection for patients with intramedullary astrocytoma. METHODS: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL and EMBASE was conducted by two independent reviewers. Individual patient data (IPD) analysis and multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard Model was developed to measure the effect of surgical strategies on OS, post-operative neurological improvement (PNI), and neurological improvement in the last follow up (FNI). RESULTS: We included 1079 patients from 35 studies. Individual patient data of 228 patients (13 articles) was incorporated into the integrative IPD analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed complete resection (CR) significantly improved OS in comparison with the incomplete resection (IR) (log-rank test, P = .004). In the multivariate IPD analysis, three prognostic factors had significant effect on the OS: (1) Extent of Resection, (2) pathology grade, and (3) adjuvant therapy. We observed an upward trend in the popularity of chemotherapy, but CR, IR, and radiotherapy had relatively stable trends during three decades. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that CR can improve OS when compared to IR. Patients with spinal cord astrocytoma undergoing CR had similar PNI and FNI compared to IR. Therefore, CR should be the primary goal of surgery, but intraoperative decisions on the extent of resection should be relied on to prevent neurologic adverse events. Due to significant effect of adjuvant therapy on OS, PNI and FNI, it could be considered as the routine treatment strategy for spinal cord astrocytoma.

Introducing a Novel Combined Acetabuloplasty and Chondroplasty Technique for the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is to maintain a concentric reduction. We describe a novel approach to treat DDH that involves improvement of cartilaginous acetabular coverage, involves the preservation of the secondary ossification center of the acetabulum, and is adjunctive to early open reduction. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-nine children (40 hips) aged six to 18 months were included in the study. Open reduction with chondroplasty was performed during the same surgery. Patients were followed up for 15 years with both clinical and radiological assessments. At the final follow-up, all patients were graded as good or excellent according to Severin's classification. RESULTS: The mean age at reduction was 11.9 months (range: 8-16). The mean preoperative acetabular index (AI) was 43.43 (range: 40-48). After the operation, mean AI decreased to 16.97 (P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 16.24-17.70). AI improved significantly during growth (mean AI changes 13.50, P < 0.0001, 95% CI = 12.65-14.34). The mean lateral center-edge (CE) angle at skeletal maturity was 32.94° (SD = 4.16°). Mild avascular necrosis (AVN) was observed in two hips with involvement of the epiphysis and was of Kalamchi grade 1. CONCLUSION: Chondroplasty in conjunction with open reduction can yield a concentric reduction with improved acetabular coverage that facilitates acetabular remodeling that is sustained until skeletal maturity. Prompt correction through this procedure may help to improve the development of the hip and lead to near normal function as demonstrated by improved mean AI and Severin scores at the last follow-up. With low complication and reoperation rates, this procedure could be considered as a surgical treatment option for DDH in patients between the age of six and 18 months.

Complete Versus Incomplete Surgical Resection in Intramedullary Ependymomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of complete versus incomplete resection in primary intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase databases was conducted by 2 independent investigators. Random-effect meta-analysis and meta-regression with seven covariates were performed to evaluate the reason for the heterogeneity among studies. We also used individual patient data in the integrative analysis to compare complete and incomplete resection based on 4 outcomes: progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), postoperative neurological improvement (PNI), and follow-up neurological improvement (FNI). RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were identified, including 407 cases. Significant heterogeneity among included studies was observed in risk estimates (I2 for PFS, FNI, and PNI were 49.5%, 78.3%, and 87.2%, respectively). The mean follow-up time across cases was 48.6 ± 2.35 months. Cox proportional multivariable analysis revealed that the complete resection can prolong PFS (model, hazard ratio = 0.18, CI 0.05-0.54, P = .004,) and improve the FNI (binary logistic regression, adjusted odds ratio = 16.5, CI 1.6-171, P = .019). However, PNI and OS were similar in patients with incomplete resected spinal cord ependymoma compared with complete resection (binary logistic regression respectively and Cox multivariable analysis, P > .5). CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study showed that OS was not significantly affected by the degree of surgery. However, complete resection of intramedullary ependymomas provides the optimal outcomes with longer PFS and better long-term neurological outcomes than incomplete resection.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Early versus Late Surgical Decompression for Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord Injury in 73 Patients.

Convincing clinical evidence exists to support early surgical decompression in the setting of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). However, clinical evidence on the effect of early surgery in patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar (from T1 to L1 [T1-L1]) SCI is lacking and a critical knowledge gap remains. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early (<24 h) compared with late (24-72 h) decompressive surgery after T1-L1 SCI. From 2010 to 2018, patients (≥16 years of age) with acute T1-L1 SCI presenting to a single trauma center were randomized to receive either early (<24 h) or late (24-72 h) surgical decompression. The primary outcome was an ordinal change in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included complications and change in ASIA motor score (AMS) at 12 months. Outcome assessors were blinded to treatment assignment. Of 73 individuals whose treatment followed the study protocol, 37 received early surgery and 36 underwent late surgery. The mean age was 29.74 ± 11.4 years. In the early group 45.9% of patients and in the late group 33.3% of patients had a ≥1-grade improvement in AIS (odds ratio [OR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-4.39, p = 0.271); significantly more patients in the early (24.3%) than late (5.6%) surgery group had a ≥2-grade improvement in AIS (OR 5.46, 95% CI: 1.09-27.38, p = 0.025). There was no statistically significant difference in the secondary outcome measures. Surgical decompression within 24 h of acute traumatic T1-L1 SCI is safe and is associated with improved neurological outcome, defined as at least a 2-grade improvement in AIS at 12 months.

Hemi-pelvic slope is correlated with the acetabular depth in adults-a radiological study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an anatomic relationship between pelvic geometry and acetabular depth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-one anteroposterior pelvic radiographs (157 hip joints) were selected and analyzed in a retrospective fashion. Six parameters, including iliac offset, ischial offset, acetabular offset, pelvic height, center-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg, and acetabular index (AI) angle of Tönnis were measured for each of the hip joints. Based on the defined variables, three formulas (formulas 1, 2, and 3) were calculated to represent the hemi-pelvis slope. RESULTS: There was a strong relationship between the hemi-pelvis slope and probability of acetabular dysplasia. Wider upper pelvis was associated with deeper acetabulum and wider lower pelvis was associated with dysplastic acetabulum. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic anatomic dimensions and the relationship between them are strongly correlated with hip dysplasia indices. Dysplastic hips tend to be found in pelvises with lower slope (low width of the upper pelvis at the level of iliac crest and high width of the lower part at the level of ischium).

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty for Metastatic Spinal Lesions: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The spine is the most common site of bone metastases. Vertebroplasty (VP) and kyphoplasty (KP) have been proposed as potential minimally invasive therapeutic options for metastatic spinal lesion (MSL) pain. However, the efficacy of VP and KP on MSL pain is currently unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of VP and KP compared with each other, usual care, or other treatments on pain, disability, and quality of life following MSL. METHODS: We included randomized controlled trials and prospective nonrandomized controlled clinical trials assessing VP or KP for the treatment of pain following MSL without cord compression. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and CENTRAL. RESULTS: The literature search revealed 387 citations. Of these, 9 trials met all eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. In total, there were 622 patients enrolled in the trials and of them 432 were in the surgical treatment group (92 received KP, 97 received VP, 134 received VP and chemotherapy, 68 received VP and radiotherapy, and 41 received Kiva implant) and 190 were in the nonsurgical treatment group (83 received chemotherapy, 46 received radiotherapy, and 61 received other treatment). Using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation approach, pain (low-quality evidence) and functional scores (very low-quality evidence) improved more with VP plus chemotherapy than with chemotherapy alone (pain: mean difference, -3.01; 95% confidence interval, -3.21 to -2.80; functional score: mean difference, 15.46; 95% confidence interval, 13.58-17.34). KP seemed to lead to significantly greater improvement in pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with nonsurgical management. VP plus Iodine-125 seemed to lead to significantly greater improvement in pain and disability in comparison with VP alone. VP plus radiochemotherapy resulted in better pain relief and HRQoL postoperatively in comparison with routine radiochemotherapy. There was low-quality evidence to prove that surgical treatment significantly decreases pain, and improves functional score and HRQoL following MSL in comparison with nonsurgical management. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the analysis of currently published trial data, it is unclear whether VP for MSL provides benefits over KP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.