Sleep problems in children and adolescents in an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder service.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep problems are common amongst children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study was to investigate sleep problems in children and adolescents attending a specialist ADHD service. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional online survey combined with a retrospective chart review, conducted in the ADHD Assessment, Diagnosis, Management, initiation, Research and Education (ADMiRE) service, the first public specialist ADHD service for young people in Ireland. Participants were caregivers of children and adolescents with ADHD attending ADMiRE. Sleep was assessed using The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and ADHD symptoms were assessed using an abbreviated version of the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (SNAP-IV). Details regarding patient demographics, co-morbidities and medication were collected from patient records. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of young people scored above the clinical cut-off for a sleep disorder. The most frequently reported sleep problems were related to sleep onset and sleep duration, and 64% of respondents met the criteria for two or more sleep problems. ADHD severity was associated with greater sleep problems. Co-morbid physical, neurodevelopmental, and mental health disorders as well as stimulant use were not associated with greater sleep problems. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems are very common amongst children and adolescents with ADHD. This study has demonstrated an association between more sleep problems and ADHD severity. These findings highlight the need for both effective ADHD treatment to ensure optional sleep in young people as well as effective interventions for sleep problems to prevent worsening of ADHD symptoms.

Ocular motor nerve palsy in patients with diabetes: High-resolution MR imaging of nerve enhancement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent of signal abnormality in impaired ocular motor nerves using high signal and spatial resolution MRI sequences and to discuss the involvement of inflammatory or microvascular impairment in patients with diabetic ophthalmoplegia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 10 patients referred for acute ocular motor nerve palsy in the context of diabetes mellitus from September 15th, 2021 to April 24th, 2022. 3T MRI evaluation included diffusion, 3D TOF, FLAIR, coronal STIR and post-injection 3D T1 SPACE DANTE sequences. RESULTS: Ten patients were included: 9 males and 1 female aged from 46 to 79 years. Five patients presented with cranial nerve (CN) III palsy, and 5 presented with CN VI palsy. Third nerve palsy was pupil-sparing in 4 patients and pupil-involved in 1 patient. Pain was associated in all patients with CN III deficiencies and in 2 patients CN VI deficiencies. In all patients, MRI sequences ruled out mass effect and vascular pathology, such as acute stroke or aneurysm. Eight patients presented with STIR hypersignals, some with enlargement of the involved nerve. The diagnosis was confirmed through a post-injection 3D T1 SPACE DANTE sequence, which showed extended enhancement along the abnormal portion of the nerve. CONCLUSION: High-resolution MRI evaluation of diplopia in diabetic patients is used to rule out a diagnosis of acute stroke and contributes to the positive diagnosis of ocular motor nerve impairment, possibly combining the influences of inflammatory and microvascular phenomena. Dedicated MR imaging should be included in the initial diagnosis and longitudinal follow-up of patients with diabetic ophthalmoplegia.

Changes in Anesthesia Can Reduce Periprocedural Urinary Retention After EVAR.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs provide a streamlined approach for expedient postoperative care of high-volume procedures. Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become standard treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms and implementation of an early recovery program is warranted. Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) remains a problem lending to longer hospital stays and patient discomfort. We aim to demonstrate the utility of monitored anesthetic care (MAC) plus local anesthesia as a modality to minimize urinary retention following EVAR. METHODS: Single-center retrospective review from January 2017 to March 2020 of all patients undergoing standard elective EVAR under general anesthesia or MAC anesthesia. Local anesthetic at vessel access sites was used in all patients under MAC. Ruptured pathology and female sex were excluded from analysis. Patient characteristics, operative details, prostate measurements, and outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Urinary retention was defined as any requirement of straight catheterization, urinary catheter replacement, or discharge with urinary catheter. Chi square tests and logistic regression were used to determine predictors associated with POUR and increased hospital length of stay. RESULTS: Among 138 patients who underwent EVAR, eight (5.8%) were excluded due to ruptured pathology. Of the cohort, 113 (86.9%) were male with mean age of 73 years. Excluding female patients, 63 (55.8%) male patients underwent general anesthesia and 50 (44.3%) underwent MAC. Male patients under general anesthesia were more likely to have intra-operative urinary catheter placement when compared to MAC (82.5% vs. 36%, respectively; P < 0.001). POUR was identified in 17 patients (13.1%) of the entire study population with 15 events (88.2%) occurring in males. Excluding patients who were admitted to the ICU, twenty-two (19.5%) male patients stayed past postoperative day (POD) one, of which those who developed POUR were more likely to experience compared to those without POUR (45.6% vs. 9.7%, respectively; P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, male patients who received MAC had a lower risk of developing POUR (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.50). POUR was not associated with elective urinary catheter placement nor with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, urinary retention, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), or use of BPH medications. Additionally, neither prostate size nor volume was associated with developing POUR among male patients. CONCLUSION: MAC plus local anesthesia is associated with decreased rates of POUR after elective EVAR in male patients. ERAS pathways during elective EVAR interventions should implement MAC plus local anesthesia as an acceptable anesthetic option, where appropriate, in order to reduce urinary retention rates and subsequently decrease hospital length of stay in this patient cohort.

Ipsilateral carotid bypass outcomes in hostile neck anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in outcomes among patients undergoing ipsilateral carotid bypass with hostile or normal neck anatomy. METHODS: Single-center retrospective review of all ipsilateral extracranial carotid bypasses performed between 1998 and 2018. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent ipsilateral carotid bypass from the common carotid artery to either the internal carotid artery or carotid bifurcation during the study period. Seven patients were excluded owing to either a lack of follow-up or missing data. The indications for intervention included infected patches, aneurysmal degeneration, symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis or restenosis, carotid body tumors, neck malignancy, and trauma. In 25 procedures (61%), there was a hostile neck anatomy defined as a prior history of external beam neck irradiation or neck surgery. Among this group, 12 pectoralis muscle flaps were performed for reconstructive coverage. Conduits included polytetrafluorethylene (n = 21), great saphenous vein (n = 9), superficial femoral artery (n = 7) and arterial homograft (n = 4). All superficial femoral artery conduits were used in the hostile neck group (P = .03). The overall mean time of follow-up was 22 months, with all bypasses remaining patent with no significant clinical stenosis. The 30-day ipsilateral stroke and myocardial infarction rates were 4.88% each, all within the hostile neck group, with no 30-day mortalities for the entire cohort. One-third of the muscle flaps were performed in the setting of infected patches (P = .02) with no significant differences in perioperative outcomes with use. The overall median hospital length of stay was significantly increased in patients receiving muscle flap coverage (3.0 vs 7.0 days; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a complex carotid pathology, ipsilateral carotid bypass is an effective solution for carotid reconstruction. Different conduits should be used depending on the indication. Muscle flap coverage should be considered in hostile settings when primary wound closure is not feasible.

Contemporary management of carotid body tumors in a Midwestern academic center.

BACKGROUND: Carotid body tumors are rare, neurogenic tumors arising from the periadventitial chemoreceptive tissue of the carotid body. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the presentation and preoperative risk factors associated with surgical resection. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of 25 carotid body tumor resections from 2002 to 2019. Demographics, periprocedural details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed using Stata (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). RESULTS: Among 25 patients, 64% were women, 84% were asymptomatic, and the mean age was 49 years (range 21-79). Forty-four percent of tumors were Shamblin III. Nine patients underwent preoperative embolization but did not correlate with decreased blood loss (299 cm3 vs 205 cm3, P = .35). The 30-day death, stroke, and cranial nerve injury rates were 0%, 8%, and 32%, respectively. Cranial nerve injuries included 20% vagus, 4% hypoglossal, 4% facial, and 4% glossopharyngeal, with permanent deficits in 4% (n = 1). Mean length of stay was 3.0 days (range 1-9 days). At a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 1-63 months), there has been no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although carotid body tumors are uncommon in the Midwest, complete surgical resection is curative of these typically hormonally inactive tumors. Preoperative embolization did not affect blood loss, and the incidence of death, stroke, and permanent cranial nerve injury rates remained very low.

Outcomes of Sarcoma Resections Requiring Vascular Surgical Assistance: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To describe the types of intervention and determine patency and survival after arterial and venous reconstruction after surgical excision of sarcomas. Methods: Between November 2001 and July 2015, 42 patients with sarcomas and vascular involvement underwent surgical oncologic resection followed by arterial or venous reconstruction or preservation of the native vascular bundle. Univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed on abstracted data, which included demographics, risk factors, oncologic and vascular treatment modalities, postoperative complications, graft patency, and survival outcomes. Results: A total of 42 sarcomas required vascular assistance for oncologic removal. The majority of sarcomas were malignant fibrous histiocytoma (23.8%), and the most common anatomic location was the retroperitoneum (48%). A total of 12 revascularizations procedures were performed, including 5 arterial, 3 venous, and 2 concomitant arterial and venous. In 32 cases, a vascular surgeon was needed for vessel ligation, repair, or mobilization. The overall 2- and 5-year survival was 77.7% and 26.2%, respectively, with no significant survival difference between patients who underwent revascularization compared to those without revascularization. There was a 100% patency rate in all cases at last follow-up, regardless of the type of vascular reconstruction (median 18 months, range 1-29 months). On multivariate analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; P = .002) and positive surgical margins (P = .003) were associated with decreased survival. Most cases were performed in the last 5 years of the study (n = 27, 64.3%). Conclusions: Vascular reconstruction is feasible after surgical oncologic resection of sarcomas with good mid-term patency and limb preservation. Factors independently associated with mortality included COPD and positive surgical margins.

[Acute ischemic optic nerve disease: Pathophysiology, clinical features and management (French translation of the article)]. / Pathologies ischémiques aiguës du nerf optique : physiopathologie, atteintes cliniques et prise en charge.

Ischemic optic neuropathies are among the leading causes of severe visual acuity loss in people over 50 years of age. They constitute a set of various entities that are clinically, etiologically and therapeutically different. Anatomically, it is necessary to distinguish anterior and posterior forms. From an etiological point of view, the diagnosis of the arteritic form due to giant cell arteritis requires emergent management to prevent blindness and even death in the absence of prompt corticosteroid treatment. When this diagnosis has been ruled out with certainty, non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathies represent a vast etiological context that in the majority of cases involves a local predisposing factor (small optic nerves, disc drusen) with a precipitating factor (severe hypotension, general anesthesia or dialysis) in a context of vascular disease (sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, etc.). In the absence of specific available treatment, it is the responsibility of the clinician to identify the risk factors involved, in order to reduce the risk of contralateral recurrence that may occur even several years later. Due to their complexity, these pathologies are the subject of debates regarding both the pathophysiological and therapeutic perspectives; this review aims to provide a synthesis of validated knowledge while discussing controversial data.

Acute ischemic optic nerve disease: Pathophysiology, clinical features and management.

Ischemic optic neuropathies are among the leading causes of severe visual acuity loss in people over 50 years of age. They constitute a set of various entities that are clinically, etiologically and therapeutically different. Anatomically, it is necessary to distinguish anterior and posterior forms. From an etiological point of view, the diagnosis of the arteritic form due to giant cell arteritis requires emergent management to prevent blindness and even death in the absence of prompt corticosteroid treatment. When this diagnosis has been ruled out with certainty, non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathies represent a vast etiological context that in the majority of cases involves a local predisposing factor (small optic nerves, disc drusen) with a precipitating factor (severe hypotension, general anesthesia or dialysis) in a context of vascular disease (sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, etc.). In the absence of specific available treatment, it is the responsibility of the clinician to identify the risk factors involved, in order to reduce the risk of contralateral recurrence that may occur even several years later. Due to their complexity, these pathologies are the subject of debates regarding both the pathophysiological and therapeutic perspectives; this review aims to provide a synthesis of validated knowledge while discussing controversial data.

Clinical, imaging and follow-up study of optic neuritis associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody: a multicentre study of 62 adult patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few clinico-radiological data on optic neuritis (ON) with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG). The objective was to characterize the clinico-radiological phenotype and outcome of patients with MOG-IgG-related ON. METHODS: The records of all adult patients admitted in three medical centres with MOG-IgG-associated ON who underwent orbital and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the acute phase were reviewed. Spinal cord MRI within 1 month from the ON and all of the follow-up MRI were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 62 patients, 41.9% had bilateral ON and 66.2% optic disc swelling. On initial MRI, lesions were anterior (92%), extensive (63%) and associated with optic perineuritis (46.6%). Silent brain lesions were found in 51.8% of patients but were mainly non-specific (81%). Of 39 individuals with spinal MRI at onset, nine had abnormal findings (four were asymptomatic). Two symptomatic patients had longitudinally extensive myelitis with concurrent H-sign. At last follow-up, 5% of patients had visual acuity ≤0.1. Brain MRI remained unchanged in 41 patients (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports a mostly benign ophthalmological course of MOG-IgG-associated ON, despite initially longitudinally extensive lesions and development of optic nerve atrophy on orbital MRI. Spinal MRI could be of interest in detecting silent suggestive lesions.

Sarcopenia predicts mortality and adverse outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair and can be used to risk stratify patients.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is currently the most common treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Potential predictors of long-term survival after EVAR include physiologic, functional, and cognitive status, but assessments of these conditions have been difficult to standardize. Objective radiographic findings, such as skeletal muscle atrophy, or sarcopenia, may provide an additional means for selection of patients. This study investigates sarcopenia as a method to predict 1-year survival in patients undergoing EVAR. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent elective EVAR from September 2002 to June 2014. Patients with an available periprocedural computed tomography (CT) scan and clinical data were included in the analysis. Normalized total psoas cross-sectional area (nTPA) was measured on axial CT images using the area of the bilateral psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebral level normalized to the square of patient height. A threshold for optimal estimate of sarcopenia based on nTPA was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Sarcopenia was evaluated as an independent risk predictor using univariate, multivariate, and survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 272 EVAR-treated patients were evaluated, including 237 men and 35 women with a median age of 72 years and mean body mass index of 28.6 kg/m2. There was a significant increase in overall mortality in patients in the lowest quartile of nTPA (Q1, 23.53%; Q2, 13.24%; Q3, 7.35%; Q4, 5.88%; P = .01). The estimated nTPA threshold for increased mortality after EVAR was 500 mm2/m2. Using this threshold, sarcopenia accounted for 57% of the risk effect in our 1-year survival model. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia can assist in identifying EVAR candidates who are less likely to benefit from surgery. It can be readily evaluated from preoperative CT scans and may be a useful tool in evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients with applications in risk evaluation and telemedicine.

Polytetrafluoroethylene Is a Safe and Effective Interposition Conduit for Caval Reconstruction After Resection of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Inferior Vena Cava.

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. Techniques for caval reconstruction after tumor resection vary widely. Our single-center experience serves as one of the largest reviews of caval reconstruction using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition grafts published in the past 10 years. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all patients who had undergone surgical resection of IVC leiomyosarcomas since January 1, 2007. Information regarding the procedure and patient-specific data was obtained from the institution's electronic medical record. RESULTS: We identified 4 patients (3 women and 1 man) who had undergone surgical resection for IVC leiomyosarcoma with PTFE graft reconstruction. Adjunct procedures (i.e., arteriovenous fistulas) were not used to maintain graft patency. There was no perioperative mortality within our patient population. One patient returned within 30 days with an acute kidney injury associated with a partially occlusive thrombus in the proximal part of the PTFE conduit. Another patient was found to have infolding of the PTFE graft due to inappropriate graft oversizing at the time of the index operation. Two patients developed distant metastases within a year of surgery, despite having tumor-free margins at the time of the initial operation. All the PTFE interposition grafts remained patent throughout the follow-up without the need for an additional intervention. CONCLUSIONS: PTFE interposition graft may be a safe and effective conduit for caval reconstruction after resection of a primary leiomyosarcoma of the IVC, but further research is necessary to establish appropriate management guidelines.

Peripheral artery reconstructions using cryopreserved arterial allografts in infected fields.

OBJECTIVE: Cryopreserved human arterial allografts are a recognized acceptable alternative for vascular reconstruction when other traditional conduits are either unavailable or contraindicated. We reviewed our experience using cryopreserved arterial allografts for peripheral artery reconstructions in contaminated and infected surgical fields. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review was conducted of 57 patients who underwent a peripheral vascular reconstruction using a cryopreserved arterial allograft from January 2002 through July 2017. Indications for repair included removal of infected prosthetic bypass (n = 29), revascularizations in contaminated fields (n = 11), primary arterial repair in the setting of infection (n = 10), and infected vascular closure devices (n = 7). Aorta-based repairs were excluded. Demographics, index procedural details, postoperative complications, and conduit patency were analyzed. Primary end points included conduit-related mortality and graft failure as measured by reinfection, hemorrhage, or aneurysmal degeneration. Mean follow-up for the study is 27.8 months (range, 2-125 months). RESULTS: A total of 57 peripheral vascular reconstructions using cryopreserved arterial allografts were performed during the 15-year period. Among the 22 women and 35 men treated, the mean age was 61 years. The vascular beds involved included iliofemoral (n = 39), femoropopliteal or femoral-distal (n = 10), axillosubclavian or brachial (n = 2), mesenteric (n = 3), and carotid (n = 3) arteries. Adjunctive muscle flap coverage of the allograft conduit was performed in the majority of cases (61%; n = 35). The 30-day mortality was 9%; one death was directly related to conduit insertion. The 30-day conduit-related complication rate was 14% and included hemorrhage from the graft requiring return to the operating room (n = 4) and graft infection (n = 4). The late conduit-related complication rate was 15.8% and included graft infection (n = 1), graft thrombosis (n = 3), major amputation resulting from conduit failure (n = 1), pseudoaneurysm degeneration requiring repair (n = 2), graft hemorrhage (n = 1), and symptomatic graft stenosis (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: A cryopreserved arterial allograft is a useful alternative conduit for peripheral vascular reconstruction in infected or contaminated surgical fields when other autologous or prosthetic conduits are either unavailable or contraindicated. In the immediate postoperative period, these repairs demonstrate acceptable resistance to graft failure and reinfection, particularly in conjunction with adjunctive rotational muscle flap coverage. Late conduit-related complications appear to be infrequent.

There Is Limited Value in the One Month Post Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Surveillance Computed Tomography Scan.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the preferred first-line treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Current postprocedure surveillance recommendations by manufacturers are a 1-month computed tomography angiography (CTA) followed by a 12-month CTA in most circumstances. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of the 1-month CTA following elective EVAR and determine if initial surveillance at 6-month CTA is appropriate. METHODS: A single-center retrospective chart review of all elective EVARs at a tertiary medical center over a 12-year period was conducted. Patients were excluded if postoperative surveillance imaging was not available. Data analysis encompassed demographics, chart review, and imaging including angiogram and cross-sectional imaging to asses for endoleaks and other findings. RESULTS: There were 363 patients who underwent elective EVAR and had available postoperative imaging during the study period. Within the 1-month follow-up, a CTA group of 316 patients was detected with 98 (31%) endoleaks. Of these, 5 (1.5%) required intervention: 1 for infolding of an iliac limb and 4 for type I endoleak which was present on completion angiogram-3 in patients treated outside of instructions for use and 1 with a type Ib endoleak on intraoperative completion imaging. In the 158 patients with 1 and 3-month CTAs, there were 47 persistent endoleaks, 9 previously undetected endoleaks not seen in 1-month CTA, and 13 resolved endoleaks. Three patients (1.2%) underwent intervention for type II endoleak and aneurysm expansion. In 47 patients with only a 6-month CTA, there were 16 endoleaks not seen on completion angiography and 2 of which were treated with reintervention-1 for a type I endoleak and 1 for a type II endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited utility to 1-month surveillance CTA in patients undergoing elective EVAR within the device instructions for use that has no evidence of type I endoleak on completion angiography. It is safe to start routine EVAR surveillance at 6 months in this patient population. This has implications when considering bundled and value-based payments in the longitudinal care of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

Detecting iliac vein thrombosis with current protocols of lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis isolated to the iliac veins is uncommon. Venous duplex ultrasound (DU) is widely accepted as the screening modality of choice for lower extremity deep venous thromboses. This investigation evaluated the accuracy and efficacy of DU in diagnosis of iliac vein thrombosis. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of patients who were diagnosed with iliac vein thrombosis between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Patients included in our analysis needed to have both DU and cross-sectional imaging performed within a month of each other. The efficacy of DU in diagnosis of iliac vein thrombosis was determined using cross-sectional imaging as a standard for diagnosis. RESULTS: In total, our query yielded 80 patients with a diagnosis of iliac vein thrombosis in the medical chart; 48 patients had both cross-sectional imaging and DU performed within 1 month of each other. There were 36 patients who had cross-sectional imaging positive for iliac vein thrombosis; only 10 (27.8%) of these patients were found to have iliac vein thrombosis by DU. Thus, 26 patients (72.2%) were not diagnosed accurately by DU. On the basis of our data, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of DU compared with cross-sectional imaging in diagnosis of iliac vein thrombosis were 27.8% and 76.9%, respectively. We did not identify any patient-specific factors that influenced the discrepancy between DU and cross-sectional imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Our current protocol of lower extremity venous DU is not an effective tool in diagnosis of iliac vein thrombosis. All patients with clinically suspected iliac vein thrombosis should be evaluated with specific pelvic ultrasound protocols or cross-sectional imaging.

Durability of Stroke Prevention with Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Stenting.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting remains an effective alternative to carotid endarterectomy for stroke prevention; however, the long-term durability of carotid artery stenting remains poorly defined. We performed a 10-year "real-world" comparative analysis of carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting to help evaluate the success of these procedures in preventing late ischemic stroke events. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective review of 996 patients (symptomatic and asymptomatic) treated with carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting from January 2001 through December 2011 at a tertiary academic medical center. All-cause death, stroke, and myocardial infarction event rates were analyzed using log-rank analysis. RESULTS: Among the 996 patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (n = 787) or carotid artery stenting (n = 209), the 30-day, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates for carotid endarterectomy patients were 99.1%, 95.3%, 77.9%, and 54.8%; carotid artery stenting rates were 99.5%, 96.2%, 67.8%, and 40.2%, respectively (P = .005, at 10 years). There was no significant difference in early stroke rates or myocardial infarction rates between the groups. Subgroup analysis comparing symptomatic status demonstrated no statistically significant differences in overall survival, stroke, or myocardial infarction rates at 10 years. In addition to reduced long-term overall survival, carotid artery stenting patients had a higher long-term restenosis rate as compared to carotid endarterectomy (6.3% vs 2.8%, P < .0001) and reduced restenosis-free survival (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Early death, stroke, and myocardial infarction rates are comparable after carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting. Carotid artery stenting is an effective means of preventing stroke among patients with carotid artery stenosis. Symptomatic status does not seem to affect rates of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death. Carotid endarterectomy continues to be the preferred long-term solution for extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease as it is associated with better long-term survival and lower restenosis rates.

[Scleritis and systemic diseases: What should know the internist?] / Sclérites et maladies systémiques : que doit savoir l'interniste ?

Scleritis is an inflammatory disease of the sclera; outer tunic of the eye on which the oculomotor muscles are inserted. It can be associated with a systemic disease up to one time out of 3. These associated diseases are mainly rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis in the first line and spondyloarthropathies. Before mentioning such an etiology, it is necessary to eliminate an infectious cause, mainly herpetic, which is regularly underestimated. The classification of scleritis is clinical. We distinguish between anterior scleritis and posterior scleritis. Anterior scleritis is diffuse or nodular, usually of good prognosis. Anterior necrotizing scleritis with inflammation is often associated with an autoimmune disease, necrotizing scleritis without inflammation usually reflects advanced rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment of these conditions requires close collaboration between internists and ophthalmologists to decide on the use of corticosteroid therapy with or without immunosuppressors or biotherapies.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcomes after Mesenteric Revascularization for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Historically, patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) are underweight with a low body mass index (BMI). However, with the recent obesity epidemic many of these patients now are overweight with a high BMI. We evaluated the impact of BMI on outcomes after mesenteric revascularization for CMI. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing open or endovascular mesenteric revascularization for CMI between January 2000 and June 2015 was performed. Demographics, comorbidities, BMI, Society for Vascular Surgery-combined comorbidity score, treatment modality, postoperative complications, reintervention, and all-cause mortality were analyzed. The primary end point for the study was all-cause mortality at 5 years. Patients were stratified using the World Health Organization BMI criteria. Univariate, Kaplan-Meier survival, and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study period, 104 unique patients underwent mesenteric revascularization for CMI, for 77 of whom BMI information was available. Of these 77, 30 patients were treated by endovascular revascularization, and 47 patients were treated by open revascularization. Overall, 27 (35.1%) were overweight or obese with a BMI ≥25. Median follow-up time was 41 months. High BMI patients were less likely to have weight loss at the time of surgery (P = 0.004). Stratified by BMI <25 versus BMI ≥25, 5-year survival for patients treated by open revascularization was 90% versus 50% (P = 0.02); survival for patients treated by endovascular revascularization was 27% vs. 53% (P = 0.37). Multivariate survival analysis identified active smoking, hypertensive chronic kidney disease, open repair with the use of venous conduit instead of prosthetic conduit (P < 0.001), and history of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (P = 0.002), as independent predictors of increased all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BMI needs to be considered in assessing and counseling patients on outcomes of mesenteric revascularization for CMI, as a BMI over 25 is associated with poorer long-term survival after open revascularization. Smoking, hypertensive chronic kidney disease, PAD, and open repair with the use of venous conduit are independent predictors of long-term mortality after mesenteric revascularization independent of BMI.

Ten-year review of isolated spontaneous mesenteric arterial dissections.

OBJECTIVE: Isolated spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac artery (CA) remains a rare condition; however, it has been increasingly noted incidentally on diagnostic imaging. The purpose of this study was to examine the natural history and outcomes of patients presenting with isolated spontaneous mesenteric artery dissection (SMAD). We hypothesized that most SMADs can be treated nonoperatively. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective review of patients presenting with the diagnosis of SMAD between 2006 and 2016. Data analysis included demographics, clinical data, radiologic review, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were found to have CA dissection, SMA dissection, or both in the absence of aortic dissection diagnosed on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The average age was 56 years (range, 26-86 years), 80% were male, and 10 patients (13%) had underlying connective tissue disorders. The majority, 64%, presented with symptoms including abdominal pain, back pain, and chest pain; the remaining 36% were asymptomatic. Combined SMA and CA dissection was found in 14 (18%) patients; 33 (43%) presented with isolated CA dissection, and 30 (39%) presented with isolated SMA dissection. Only four patients required intervention. Mesenteric bypass was performed in two patients, and SMA endarterectomy with patch angioplasty was performed in one patient for signs of bowel ischemia. No patient required bowel resection. The two bypasses were anastomosed to a branch of the SMA, and complete lumen restoration was seen on long-term imaging follow-up. One patient underwent stent grafting of the CA and hepatic artery for aneurysmal degeneration 1 month after diagnosis. The remaining 73 patients were managed nonoperatively; 40 (52%) were treated with a short course of anticoagulation, 23 (30%) were treated with antiplatelet therapy, and 10 (13%) were treated with observation alone. No other late interventions or recurrences were noted during a mean follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas isolated SMAD poses a risk of visceral ischemia, most patients presenting with this diagnosis can be treated nonoperatively with a short course of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Only a small number of patients require surgical revascularization for bowel ischemia.

Management of hemothorax after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for ruptured aneurysms.

Background Thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture is often a fatal condition. Emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as a suitable treatment option. Unfortunately, respiratory complications from hemothorax continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality even after successful management of the aortic rupture. We hypothesize that early hemothorax decompression after TEVAR for ruptured aneurysms decreases the rate of postoperative respiratory complications. Methods Single-center, retrospective eight-year review of ruptured thoracic aneurysms treated with TEVAR. Results Seventeen patients presented with ruptured degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms, all of which were successfully treated emergently with TEVAR. The mean age was 74 years among the 12 (70.6%) men and 5 (29.4%) women treated. Inpatient and 30-day mortality rates for the entire cohort were both 17.6% (three patients). The 90-day mortality rate was 47.1% (eight patients). Thirty-day morbidities of the entire cohort included stroke ( n = 1, 5.9%), spinal cord ischemia ( n = 3, 17.6%; only one was temporary), cardiac arrest ( n = 4, 23.5%; 3 were fatal), respiratory failure ( n = 5, 29.4%), and renal failure ( n = 5, 29.4%). A large hemothorax was identified in the majority of patients ( n = 14, 82.4%). While six (42.9% of 14) patients had immediate chest tube decompression on the day of index procedure, three (21.4% of 14) patients had decompression on postoperative day 1, 4, and 7, respectively. Although not statistically significant, there were trends toward higher rates of respiratory failure (50.0% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.198) and 90-day mortality (62.5% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.280) for patients with delayed or no hemothorax decompression when compared to patients with immediate hemothorax decompression. Conclusions The morbidity and mortality of ruptured degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms remains high despite the introduction of TEVAR. In this single-center experience, there was a trend toward decreased respiratory complications and increased survival with early chest decompression of hemothorax after TEVAR.