Current Medicare reimbursement for complex endovascular aortic repair is inadequate based on results from a multi-institutional cost analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Complex endovascular juxta-, para- and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (comEVAR) is frequently accomplished with commercially available fenestrated (FEVAR) devices or off-label use of aortoiliac devices with parallel branch stents (chEVAR). We sought to evaluate the implantable vascular device costs incurred with these procedures as compared with standard Medicare reimbursement to determine the financial viability of comEVAR in the modern era. METHODS: Five geographically distinct institutions with high-volume, complex aortic centers were included. Implantable aortoiliac and branch stent device cost data from 25 consecutive, recent, comEVAR in the treatment of juxta-, para-, and suprarenal aortic aneurysms at each center were analyzed. Cases of rupture, thoracic aneurysms, reinterventions, and physician-modified EVAR were excluded, as were ancillary costs from nonimplantable equipment. Data from all institutions were combined and stratified into an overall cost group and two, individual cost groups: FEVAR or chEVAR. These groups were compared, and each respective group was then compared with weighted Medicare reimbursement for Diagnosis-Related Group codes 268/269. Median device costs were obtained from an independent purchasing consortium of >3000 medical centers, yielding true median cost-to-institution data rather than speculative, administrative projections or estimates. RESULTS: A total of 125 cases were analyzed: 70 FEVAR and 53 chEVAR. Two cases of combined FEVAR/chEVAR were included in total cost analysis, but excluded from direct FEVAR vs chEVAR comparison. Median Medicare reimbursement was calculated as $35,755 per case. Combined average implantable device cost for all analyzed cases was $28,470 per case, or 80% of the median reimbursement ($28,470/$35,755). Average FEVAR device cost per case ($26,499) was significantly lower than average chEVAR cost per case ($32,122; P < .002). Device cost was 74% ($26,499/$35,755) of total reimbursement for FEVAR and 90% ($32,122/$35,755) for chEVAR. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this multi-institutional analysis show that implantable device cost alone represents the vast majority of weighted total Medicare reimbursement per case with comEVAR, and that chEVAR is significantly more costly than FEVAR. Inadequate Medicare reimbursement for these cases puts high-volume, high-complexity aortic centers at a distinct financial disadvantage. In the interest of optimizing patient care, these data suggest a reconsideration of previously established, outdated, Diagnosis-Related Group coding and Medicare reimbursement for comEVAR.

Selective Facial Muscle Activation with Acute and Chronic Multichannel Cuff Electrode Implantation in a Feline Model.

OBJECTIVES: Facial paralysis is a debilitating condition with substantial functional and psychological consequences. This feline-model study evaluates whether facial muscles can be selectively activated in acute and chronic implantation of 16-channel multichannel cuff electrodes (MCE). METHODS: Two cats underwent acute terminal MCE implantation experiments, 2 underwent chronic MCE implantation in uninjured facial nerves (FN) and tested for 6 months, and 2 underwent chronic MCE implantation experiments after FN transection injury and tested for 3 months. The MCE were wrapped around the main trunk of the skeletonized FN, and data collection consisted of EMG thresholds, amplitudes, and selectivity of muscle activation. RESULTS: In acute experimentation, activation of specific channels (ie, channels 1-3 and 6-8) resulted in selective activation of orbicularis oculi, whereas activation of other channels (ie, channels 4, 5, or 8) led to selective activation of levator auris longus with higher EMG amplitudes. MCE implantation yielded stable and selective facial muscle activation EMG thresholds and amplitudes up to a 5-month period. Modest selective muscle activation was furthermore obtained after a complete transection-reapproximating nerve injury after a 3-month recovery period and implantation reoperation. Chronic implantation of MCE did not lead to fibrosis on histology. Field steering was achieved to activate distinct facial muscles by sending simultaneous subthreshold currents to multiple channels, thus theoretically protecting against nerve damage from chronic electrical stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our proof-of-concept results show the ability of an MCE, supplemented with field steering, to provide a degree of selective facial muscle stimulation in a feline model, even following nerve regeneration after FN injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Spontaneous Involution of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas: Report of a Case.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a locally aggressive tumor that predominantly affects adolescent males. Surgical resection is generally considered the standard treatment for both primary and recurrent tumors, regardless of staging. The natural history of these tumors, particularly when untreated or in the setting of residual tumor, is not well characterized. In this article, we report a case of true spontaneous JNA involution. Although the involution of residual tumor after surgical resection has previously been reported, to our knowledge, this is the first documented case of spontaneous JNA involution following a period of tumor growth post-treatment. Laryngoscope, 131:1455-1457, 2021.

The Relationship Between Vestibular Migraine and Motion Sickness Susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between vestibular migraine (VM) and motion sickness (MoS) susceptibility and their comorbidity in a large student population, and to assess whether experiencing MoS is associated with higher susceptibility for VM. METHODS: Surveys including Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ) and questions assessing migraine-related symptoms as well as family history of motion sickness and migraine headache were distributed to the university undergraduate students through Facebook and email. Diagnosis of definite VM (dVM) was based on the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. RESULTS: Of 277 survey responders, 148 (53%) were found to be susceptible to MoS in which 74 (50%) met the criteria for dVM. Only childhood MSSQ score was significantly higher in participants with dVM compared with those without dVM (25.78 ±â€Š15.89 versus 20.77 ±â€Š14.28, p = 0.04); however, its significance faded out by regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression showed having 1st degree relative with migraine headache (p = 0.02), neck stiffness (p = 0.001), and sinus pain, facial pressure, or headache with wind exposure (p = 0.02) to be independently associated with presence of dVM in MoS subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Though participants with MoS and dVM had significantly greater rates of migraine-related symptoms and family history of migraine headache compared with those with MoS only, childhood and adulthood MSSQ scores were similar. This and the high prevalence of dVM in our MoS cohort may suggest an existing association between MoS susceptibility and VM.

A Case Series of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Primarily Diagnosed by Otological Manifestations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case series of previously undiagnosed granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients who presented primarily with otological manifestations. METHOD: We report a series of patients visited at a neurotology clinic who were eventually diagnosed with GPA based on their otologic complaints and had no prior knowledge of having this condition. RESULTS: In this series, 10 (91%) patients presented with hearing loss (HL), more than half of which were bilateral (60%). Upon audiometric examination, all but 1 patient had mixed, conductive, or sensorineural HL. All patients presented with eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), otitis media with effusion (OME), or both. Nasal endoscopy showed intranasal pathology in 3 (27%) patients. Otologic symptoms were improved in all patients after treatment with an average of 4 in-office follow-up appointments. CONCLUSION: GPA should be included in the differential diagnosis of adults with unexplained mixed hearing loss, new onset serous effusion, or acute otitis media in the absence of a previous history of ETD. Laboratory tests (ie, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein) along with a urinalysis can aid in screening these patients. In cases in which the index of suspicion is high, repeated testing could reduce the risk of false negative findings.

Characteristics of Mid-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss Progression.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the progression of mid-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (MFSNHL) over time. METHODS: A retrospective chart review spanning 2012 to 2017 was performed at a tertiary care audiology and neurotology center. Our cohort included 37 patients met the criteria for MFSNHL also known as "cookie bite hearing loss." It was defined as having a 1, 2, and 4 kHz average pure tone audiometry greater than 10 dB in intensity compared with the average threshold at 500 Hz and 8 kHz. RESULTS: Average age at initial presentation was 11.8 years (range, 8 mo to 70 yr). Across all individuals, the average mid-frequency threshold was 47 dB, compared with 27 dB at 500 Hz and 8 kHz. Twenty-three patients (62%) had multiple audiograms with 4-year median follow up time. Average values across all frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) in the initial audiogram was 37 dB, compared with an average of 39 dB demonstrated on final audiogram. Of those with serial audiograms, only five patients demonstrated threshold changes of 10 dB or more. Of these five patients, only one was found to have clinical worsening of MFSNHL. CONCLUSIONS: MFSNHL is an uncommon audiometric finding with unspecified long-term outcomes. We demonstrated that most patients (96%) with MFSNHL do not experience clinical worsening of their hearing threshold over almost 4 years of follow up. Future prospective studies aimed at collecting longer-term data are warranted to further elucidate the long-term trajectory of MFSNHL patients.

Medical Malpractice of Vestibular Schwannoma: A 40-Year Review of the United States Legal Databases.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze medical malpractice lawsuit trends pertaining to cases of vestibular schwannomas (VS). METHODS: Two major computerized legal databases (LexisNexis and WestLaw) were queried and reviewed for evaluation of all the US state and federal court records from civil trials alleging malpractice between 1976 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 32 VS cases were identified. Allegations were divided into four categories: misdiagnosis/delayed diagnosis (47%), postoperative complications (44%), failure of informed consent or information sharing (16%), and other (3%). Postoperative complications included facial nerve paralysis, myocardial infarction, meningitis, and intracranial hemorrhage. Judgment amounts ranged from $300,000 to $2,000,000. The specialist type was specified for 24 of the 32 cases (75%): neurosurgeons (n = 9; 37%), neurotologists (n = 6; 25%), general otolaryngologists (n = 5; 21%), primary care physicians (n = 4; 17%), neurologists (n = 3; 12%), radiologists (n = 3; 12%), anesthesiologists (n = 2; 8%), radiation oncologists (n = 1; 4%), and general surgeon (n = 1; 4%). Of these 24 cases, (n = 9; 37%) two or more physicians were named as defendants in the lawsuit. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced physician-patient communication, ensuring proper and adequate patient consent procedures, and proper documentation are good practices that may decrease the likelihood of lawsuits.