Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality and Home Discharge in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with discharge disposition and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are not well-characterized. We used a national all-payer database to identify factors associated with home discharge and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients with aSAH within a 4-year range. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were constructed and adjusted for age, sex, race, household income, insurance status, comorbidity burden, National Inpatient Sample SAH Severity Score, disease severity, treatment modality, in-hospital complications, and hospital characteristics (size, teaching status, and region). RESULTS: Our sample included 37,965 patients: 33,605 were discharged alive and 14,350 were discharged home. Black patients had lower odds of in-hospital mortality compared with White patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.86, p = 0.002). Compared with patients with private insurance, those with Medicare were less likely to have a home discharge (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.46-0.74, p < 0.001), whereas those with self-pay (aOR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.29-3.86, p < 0.001) and no charge (aOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.57-6.55, p = 0.001) were more likely to have a home discharge. Household income percentile was not associated with discharge disposition or in-hospital mortality. Paradoxically, increased number of Elixhauser comorbidities was associated with significantly lower odds of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate independent associations with hospital characteristics, patient characteristics, and treatment characteristics as related to discharge disposition and in-hospital mortality following aSAH, adjusted for disease severity.

Projected timeline to achieve gender balance within the United States neurosurgical workforce exceeds 150 years: a National Plan and Provider Enumeration System analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite incremental progress in the representation and proportion of women in the field of neurosurgery, female neurosurgeons still represent an overwhelming minority of the current US physician workforce. Prior research has predicted the timeline by which the proportion of female neurosurgery residents may reach that of males, but none have used the contemporary data involving the entire US neurosurgical workforce. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) registry of all US neurosurgeons to determine changes in the proportions of women in neurosurgery across states, census divisions, and census regions between 2010 and 2020. A univariate linear regression was performed to assess historical growth, and then Holt-Winter forecasting was used to predict in what future year gender parity may be reached in this field. RESULTS: A majority of states, divisions, and regions have increased the proportion of female neurosurgeons from 2010. Given current growth rates, the authors found that female neurosurgeons will not reach the proportion of women in the overall medical workforce until 2177 (95% CI 2169-2186). Furthermore, they found that women in neurosurgery will not match their current proportion of the overall US population until 2267 (95% CI 2256-2279). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas many studies have focused on the overall increase of women in neurosurgery in the last decade, this one is the first to compare this growth in the context of the overall female physician workforce and the female US population. The results suggest a longer timeline for gender parity in neurosurgery than previous studies have suggested and should further catalyze the targeted recruitment of women into the field, an overhaul of current policies in place to support and develop the careers of women in neurosurgery, and increased self-reflection and behavioral change from the entire neurosurgery community.

Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Spine: Incidence of Somatic Gene Alterations and Association of Targeted Therapies With Overall Survival.

BACKGROUND: The increase in use of targeted systemic therapies in cancer treatments has catalyzed the importance of identifying patient- and tumor-specific somatic mutations, especially regarding metastatic disease. Mutations found to be most prevalent in patients with metastatic breast cancer include TP53, PI3K, and CDH1. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of somatic mutations in patients with metastatic breast cancer to the spine (MBCS). To determine if a difference exists in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, and progression of motor symptoms between patients who do or do not undergo targeted systemic therapy after treatment for MBCS. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with MBCS. Review of gene sequencing reports was conducted to calculate the prevalence of various somatic gene mutations within this population. Those patients who then underwent treatment (surgery/radiation) for their diagnosis of MBCS between 2010 and 2020 were subcategorized. The use of targeted systemic therapy in the post-treatment period was identified, and post-treatment OS, progression-free survival, and progression of motor deficits were calculated for this subpopulation. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included in the final analysis with 56% of patients found to have a PI3K mutation. Patients who received targeted systemic therapies were found to have a significantly longer OS compared with those who did not receive targeted systemic therapies. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that there is an increased prevalence of PI3K mutations in patients with MBCS and there are a significant survival benefit and delay in progression of motor symptoms associated with using targeted systemic therapies for adjuvant treatment.

Utilization of Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty in the Management of Compression Fractures: National Trends and Predictors of Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the utilization of kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty procedures in the management of compression fractures. With the growing elderly population and the associated increase in rates of osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures have become a daily encounter for spine surgeons. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the optimal management of this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 91 million longitudinally followed patients from 2016 to 2019 was performed using the PearlDiver Patient Claims Database. Patients with compression fractures were identified using International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision codes, and a subset of patients who received kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty were identified using Common Procedural Terminology codes. Baseline demographic and clinical data between groups were acquired. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty. RESULTS: A total of 348,457 patients with compression fractures were identified with 9.2% of patients receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty as their initial treatment. Of these patients, 43.5% underwent additional kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty 30 days after initial intervention. Patients receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty were significantly older (72.2 vs. 67.9, p < 0.05), female, obese, had active smoking status and had higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that female sex, smoking status, and obesity were the 3 strongest predictors of receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty (odds ratio, 1.27, 1.24, and 1.14, respectively). The annual rate of kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty did not change significantly (range, 8%-11%). CONCLUSION: The majority of vertebral compression fractures are managed nonoperatively. However, certain patient factors such as smoking status, obesity, female sex, older age, osteoporosis, and greater comorbidities are predictors of undergoing kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty.

Functional Outcomes and Postoperative Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis after Translabyrinthine Approach for Vestibular Schwannoma Resection: A Radiographic Demonstration of Anatomic Predictors.

Introduction While regarded as an effective surgical approach to vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection, the translabyrinthine (TL) approach is not without complications. It has been postulated that postoperative cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (pCVST) may occur as a result of injury and manipulation during surgery. Our objective was to identify radiologic, surgical, and patient-specific risk factors that may be associated with pCVST. Methods The Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained and the medical records of adult patients with VS who underwent TL craniectomy at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center between 2009 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, radiographic measurements, and tumor characteristics were collected. Outcomes assessed included pCVST and the modified Rankin score (mRS). Results Sixty-one patients ultimately met inclusion criteria for the study. Ten patients demonstrated radiographic evidence of thrombus. Patients who developed pCVST demonstrated shorter internal auditory canal (IAC) to sinus distance (mean: 22.5 vs. 25.0 mm, p = 0.044) and significantly smaller petrous angles (mean: 26.3 vs. 32.7 degrees, p = 0.0045). Patients with good mRS scores (<3) appeared also to have higher mean petrous angles (32.5 vs. 26.8, p = 0.016). Koos' grading and tumor size, in our study, were not associated with thrombosis. Conclusion More acute petrous angle and shorter IAC to sinus distance are objective anatomic variables associated with pCVST in TL surgical approaches.

Back to the future: surgical rehearsal platform technology as a means to improve surgeon-patient alliance, patient satisfaction, and resident experience.

OBJECTIVE: Informed consent, when performed appropriately, serves many roles beyond simply obtaining the prerequisite medicolegal paperwork to perform a surgery. Prior studies have suggested that patient understanding is poor when verbal communication is the sole means of education. Virtual reality platforms have proven effective in enhancing medical education. No studies exist that have demonstrated the utility of virtual reality-facilitated informed consent (VR-IC) in improving the physician-patient alliance. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of VR-IC among patients providing consent for surgery and the impact of this educational and information technology-based strategy on enhancing the physician-patient alliance, patient satisfaction, and resident-physician perception of the consent process. METHODS: Prospective, single-site, pre- and postconsent surveys were administered to assess patient and resident perception of informed consent performed with the aid of VR-IC at a large tertiary academic medical center in the US. Participants were adult patients (n = 50) undergoing elective surgery for tumor resection and neurosurgical residents (n = 19) who obtained patient informed consent for these surgical procedures. Outcome measures included scores on the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), the modified Satisfaction with Simulation Experience Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Patient pre- and postconsent data were recorded in real time using a secure online research data platform (REDCap). RESULTS: A total of 48 patients and 2 family members provided consent using VR-IC and completed the surveys pre- and postconsent; 47.9% of patients were women. The mean patient age was 57.5 years. There was a statistically significant improvement from pre- to post-VR-IC consent in patient satisfaction scores. Measures of patient-physician alliance, trust, and understanding of their illness all increased. Among the 19 trainees, perceived comfort and preparedness with the informed consent process significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: VR-IC led to improved patient satisfaction, patient-physician alliance, and patient understanding of their illness as measured by the PDRQ-9. Using VR-IC contributed to residents' increased comfort in the consent-gathering process and handling patient questions. In an era in which satisfaction scores are directly linked with hospital and service-line outcomes and reimbursement, positive results from VR-IC may augment physician and hospital satisfaction scores in addition to increasing measures of trust between physicians and patients.

Outcomes and Clinical Characteristics of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical and demographic factors can influence survival of patients with hematologic malignancies who have intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs). Understanding the influence of these factors on patient survival can guide treatment decisions and may inform prognostic discussions. We conducted a systematic literature review to determine survival of patients with intracranial hemorrhages and concomitant hematologic malignancy. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Ovid, SCOPUS, and Embase databases were queried with the following terms: ("intracranial hemorrhages" OR "brain hemorrhage" OR "cerebral hemorrhage" OR "subdural hematoma" OR "epidural hematoma" OR "intraparenchymal hemorrhage") AND ("Hematologic Neoplasms" OR "Myeloproliferative Disorders" OR "Myelofibrosis" OR "Essential thrombocythemia" OR "Leukemia"). Abstracts and articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria that were determined a priori. RESULTS: Literature review yielded 975 abstracts from which a total of 68 full-text articles were reviewed. Twelve articles capturing 634 unique patients were included in the final qualitative analysis. Median overall survival for all patients ranged from 20 days to 1.5 months while median overall survival for the subset of patients having ICH within 10 days of diagnosis of hematologic malignancy was 5 days. Intraparenchymal hemorrhages, multiple foci of hemorrhage, transfusion-resistant low platelet counts, leukocytosis, low Glasgow Coma Scale scores at presentation, and ICH early in treatment course were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Survival for patients with hematologic malignancies and concomitant ICHs remains poor. Early detection, recognition of poor prognostic factors, and correction of hematologic abnormalities essential to prevention and treatment of ICHs in this patient population.

Sex is an important prognostic factor for glioblastoma but not for nonglioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and most malignant glioma. Nonglioblastoma (non-GBM) gliomas (WHO Grades II and III) are invasive and also often fatal. The goal of this study is to determine whether sex differences exist in glioma survival. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for years 2010 to 2014. GBM (WHO Grade IV; N = 2073) and non-GBM (WHO Grades II and III; N = 2963) were defined using the histology grouping of the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States. Non-GBM was divided into oligodendrogliomas/mixed gliomas and astrocytomas. Sex differences in survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for known prognostic variables. RESULTS: There was a female survival advantage in patients with GBM both in the unadjusted (P = .048) and adjusted (P = .003) models. Unadjusted, median survival was 20.1 months (95% CI: 18.7-21.3 months) for women and 17.8 months (95% CI: 16.9-18.7 months) for men. Adjusted, median survival was 20.4 months (95% CI: 18.9-21.6 months) for women and 17.5 months (95% CI: 16.7-18.3 months) for men. When stratifying by age group (18-55 vs 56+ years at diagnosis), this female survival advantage appeared only in the older group, adjusting for covariates (P = .017). Women (44.1%) had a higher proportion of methylated MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) than men (38.4%). No sex differences were found for non-GBM. CONCLUSIONS: Using the NCDB data, there was a statistically significant female survival advantage in GBM, but not in non-GBM.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Associated with Intratumoral Aneurysm Rupture within a Posterior Fossa Hemangioblastoma: The Importance of Continued Surveillance for Cerebral Vasospasm.

Cerebellar hemangioblastomas are rare tumors of the neuraxis. Only seven cases of hemangioblastoma associated with a cerebral aneurysm have been reported. We report a case of a patient who presented with acute onset headache as a result of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and hydrocephalus. Radiographic workup revealed a hemangioblastoma with an intratumoral aneurysm. Preoperative cerebral angiography was performed for both embolization as well as characterization of the aneurysm. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy for tumor resection. The patient's postoperative course was unexpectedly complicated by delayed ischemic neurologic deficit secondary to flow-limiting left internal carotid artery vasospasm. We present a case report, review of the literature, and management considerations for patients who present with tumors and an associated ruptured aneurysm.