Recommendations for Low-Grade Carotid Stenosis Follow-up Based on a Single-Institution Database.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidences and rates of progression of varying degrees of carotid stenosis that do not require intervention according to the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study, the European Carotid Surgery Trial, and the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial, and from this information, to provide evidence-based recommendations for follow-up imaging. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all carotid ultrasound examinations performed at a single institution from January 1995 through April 2015. Examinations following endarterectomy or stenting were excluded. Stenoses were classified by a modification of the criteria of Bluth et al (Radiographics 1988; 8:487-506). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed for stenosis progression and to provide information for follow-up recommendations. RESULTS: Most of the carotid arteries (91.6%) reviewed for this study showed 1% to 39% stenosis. However, only 6.8% of carotid arteries with 1% to 39% stenosis progressed compared to 38.9% of carotid arteries with 40% to 59% stenosis. A table of evidence-based follow-up recommendations is provided for patients with varying levels of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence-based follow-up recommendations for patients who have low degrees of carotid stenosis. Different degrees of carotid stenosis progress at different rates and therefore should be followed at different intervals. Additionally, the most patients in our database showed 1% to 39% stenosis and did not have any follow-up imaging, suggesting that carotid ultrasound may not be overused for low degrees of stenosis.

Computed-tomography-based anatomical study to assess feasibility of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and lower thoracic pediatric spine.

PURPOSE: The anatomy of the pedicle is complex and three-dimensional; however, there are basic dimensions important for possible screw placement. There are relatively few studies examining the pedicle anatomy in children. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of pedicle screw placement in children aged 5-16, based on key anatomic dimensions. A case illustration is also provided. METHODS: The CT scans of 102 consecutive children were studied. Patients with abnormal anatomy were excluded. The parameters of the pedicle isthmus width (W), estimation of screw length (L), and axial angle (A) were recorded for 1,632 pedicles from T10 through L5. Patients were divided into four age groups. Statistical analysis was performed evaluating the difference between males and females and of the particular anatomy at the thoracolumbar junction. RESULTS: The pedicles increase in both L and W from T10-T12 and from L1-L5. L1 has a consistently smaller W compared to T12 in both genders over all age ranges. Estimating a W of 4.5 mm necessary for safe screw placement, we calculate that virtually all pedicles of T12 and L3-L5 are large enough for screw placement in both genders after age 8. L4 and L5 are large enough for screw placement in both genders in the youngest age range. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the pedicles of the lower lumbar spine and T12 are large enough to house the smallest commercially available screw. Understanding of the anatomy at the thoracolumbar junction is important, as the W of L1 is consistently smaller than T12.

Comorbidities Related to Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy: Review of Literature and Experience at a Single Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Background: Recent clinical trials have shown mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to have clinical benefit for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify comorbid conditions that correlate with functional nonindependence in patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent MT at a single comprehensive stroke center. Methods: Patients who had multiphase computed tomography angiography (MCTA) and subsequently underwent MT were included in this study. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at baseline (prestroke) and at 90 days were established by reviewing patients' histories and medical record documentation. Comorbid conditions were obtained from electronic medical records. Multivariate analysis was performed for body mass index, chronic hypertension, diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, peripheral artery disease, and hyperlipidemia to determine the impact of comorbidities on functional outcome. Age was analyzed using linear regression. Functional independence was defined as an mRS score of 0-2, and functional nonindependence was defined as an mRS score >2. Results: During the study period, 721 patients underwent MCTA, and 134 patients were included for MT. Patients with chronic hypertension and peripheral artery disease showed a statistically significant association with functional nonindependence at 90 days (P=0.005 and P=0.0125, respectively). Younger age at presentation was correlated with functional nonindependence using linear regression (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and younger age at presentation are correlated with poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing MT.

Carotid Web Stenting.

Background: Carotid webs are luminal, shelf-like protrusions at the carotid bulb. Considered to be a variant of fibromuscular dysplasia, carotid webs have been observed principally in African American females. The association between carotid webs and recurrent ischemic strokes continues to be established as patients without traditional stroke risk factors are found to have carotid webs as the only possible cause of symptomatic deficits. The majority of patients undergo endarterectomy; few stent placements are reported. We present the case of an African American female who underwent stent placement for treatment and secondary prevention of stroke attributed to a carotid web. Case Report: A 33-year-old African American female presented with acute onset left hemiparesis and left facial droop. Alteplase was administered; multiphase head and neck computed tomography angiography revealed an occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery with a web at the carotid bulb. Aspiration catheter thrombectomy achieved a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of 3. She was placed on 2 antiplatelet agents, and 3 weeks later she underwent stent placement. Follow-up digital subtraction angiography at 3 months showed obliteration of the right carotid artery web and satisfactory integration of the stent into the vessel wall. She was reassessed at 1 year and reported no neurologic symptoms. Conclusion: Although carotid webs are most commonly treated with endarterectomy, they may be amenable to stent therapy with favorable clinical outcomes as shown with this patient.

The long-term effects of alar base reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To statistically analyze the long-term results of alar base reduction after rhinoplasty. METHODS: Among a consecutive series of 100 rhinoplasty cases, 19 patients required alar base reduction. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 11 (9) months (range, 2 months to 3 years). Using preoperative and postoperative photographs, comparisons were made of the change in the base width (width of base between left and right alar-facial junctions), flare width (width on base view between points of widest alar flare), base height (distance from base to nasal tip on base view), nostril height (distance from base to anterior edge of nostril), and vertical flare (vertical distance from base to the widest alar flare). Notching at the nasal sill was recorded as none, minimal, mild, moderate, and severe. RESULTS: Changes in vertical flare (P<.05) and nostril height (P<.05) were the only significant differences seen in the patients who required alar reduction. No significant change was seen in base width (P=.92), flare width (P=.41), or base height (P=.22). No notching was noted. CONCLUSIONS: It would have been preferable to study patients undergoing alar reduction without concomitant rhinoplasty procedures, but this approach is not practical. To our knowledge, the present study represents the most extensive attempt in the literature to characterize and quantify the postoperative effects of alar base reduction.

Lymphatic malformation of the sphenoid sinus in a pediatric patient.

UNLABELLED: Lymphatic malformation is a benign vascular lesion resulting from lymphatic tissue being isolated from the remainder of the lymphatic system. They are present at birth and up to 90% are diagnosed by 2 years of age. More aggressive lesions are usually diagnosed earlier, with low-grade lesions presenting later with fewer complications. These lesions are hamartomas and not true neoplasms. The term hamartoma is used to describe an abnormally large mass of histologically normal tissue in a normal location. The lymphatic malformation is composed of lymph-filled channels lined with a single layer of flat endothelial cells on a basement membrane. They present with either generalized edema and poorly defined borders (microcystic) or a localized area of multilocular cysts (macrocystic). The term lymphatic malformation has replaced many other outdated terms, such as lymphangioma, cystic hygroma, lymphangioma circumscriptum, and lymphangiomatosis. In this study, we present a case report of a pediatric lymphatic malformation of the sphenoid sinus. To our knowledge, this lesion has not been described in the pediatric population and has been described only once in an adult in the German literature. EBM RATING: C.

Preoperative sedation in pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVE: Based on a few reports that describe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients as having an increased risk of acute upper airway obstruction (UAO) after pharmacological sedation, this population is less likely to receive sedation prior to surgery. Our objective was to evaluate pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing who received preoperative sedation to determine if there was an increase in preoperative airway obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review from 1995 to 2000. SETTING: Two tertiary care academic medical centers. PATIENTS: Sixty-five children (mean age=4.7+/-2.3 years; 49 boys, 16 girls) diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing by sleep study or clinical evaluation that received preoperative midazolam hydrochloride. OUTCOME MEASURE: The occurrence of preoperative adverse events defined as UAO, hypoventilation, desaturation, bradycardia, or sustained lethargy that required active intervention after the administration of midazolam hydrochloride within 24 h of surgery. RESULTS: None of the 65 children evaluated in this study experienced respiratory compromise requiring intervention after the administration of preoperative sedation. Potential risk factors such as patients' age, sex, weight, comorbidities, midazolam hydrochloride dose, and severity of sleep apnea did not appear to affect outcome. CONCLUSION: The preliminary data suggested that preoperative sedation might be safely administered to children with mild or moderate sleep-disordered breathing, and possibly to children with severe OSA, if children are closely observed prior to surgery. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.