Comparative effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) vs 3D printed models of congenital heart disease in resident and nurse practitioner educational experience.

BACKGROUND: Medical trainees frequently note that cardiac anatomy is difficult to conceive within a two dimensional framework. The specific anatomic defects and the subsequent pathophysiology in flow dynamics may become more apparent when framed in three dimensional models. Given the evidence of improved comprehension using such modeling, this study aimed to contribute further to that understanding by comparing Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D printed models (3DP) in medical education. OBJECTIVES: We sought to systematically compare the perceived subjective effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D printed models (3DP) in the educational experience of residents and nurse practitioners. METHODS: Trainees and practitioners underwent individual 15-minute teaching sessions in which features of a developmentally typical heart as well as a congenitally diseased heart were demonstrated using both Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D printed models (3DP). Participants then briefly explored each modality before filling out a short survey in which they identified which model (3DP or VR) they felt was more effective in enhancing their understanding of cardiac anatomy and associated pathophysiology. The survey included a binary summative assessment and a series of Likert scale questions addressing usefulness of each model type and degree of comfort with each modality. RESULTS: Twenty-seven pediatric residents and 3 nurse practitioners explored models of a developmentally typical heart and tetralogy of Fallot pathology. Most participants had minimal prior exposure to VR (1.1 ± 0.4) or 3D printed models (2.1 ± 1.5). Participants endorsed a greater degree of understanding with VR models (8.5 ± 1) compared with 3D Printed models (6.3 ± 1.8) or traditional models of instruction (5.5 ± 1.5) p < 0.001. Most participants felt comfortable with modern technology (7.6 ± 2.1). 87% of participants preferred VR over 3DP. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that, overall, VR was preferred over 3DP models by pediatric residents and nurse practitioners for understanding cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology.

3D models improve understanding of congenital heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding congenital heart disease (CHD) is vital for medical personnel and parents of affected children. While traditional 2D schematics serve as the typical approach used, several studies have shown these models to be limiting in understanding complex structures. Recent world-emphasis has shifted to 3D printed models as a complement to 2D imaging to bridge knowledge and create new opportunities for experiential learning. We sought to systematically compare 3D digital and physical models for medical personnel and parent education compared to traditional methods. METHODS: 3D printed and digital models were made out of MRI and CT data for 20 common CHD. Fellows and nurse practitioners used these models to explore intra-cardiac pathologies following traditional teaching. The models were also used for parent education in outpatient settings after traditional education. The participants were then asked to fill out a Likert scale questionnaire to assess their understanding and satisfaction with different teaching techniques. These ratings were compared using paired t-tests and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Twenty-five medical personnel (18 fellows; 2 nurses; 4 nurse practitioners and one attending) and twenty parents participated in the study. The diagnosis varied from simple mitral valve pathology to complex single ventricle palliation. Parent and medical personnel perceived understanding with digital models was significantly higher than traditional (p = 0.01). Subjects also felt that physical models were overall more useful than digital ones (p = 0.001). Physicians using models for parent education also perceived the models to be useful, not significantly impacting their clinical workflow. CONCLUSIONS: 3D models, both digital and printed, enhance medical personnel and parental perceived understanding of CHD.

Monocusp Valves Do Not Improve Early Operative Mortality in Tetralogy of Fallot: A Meta-Analysis.

Monocusp valves are thought to reduce early operative mortality and morbidity associated with pediatric tetralogy of Fallot repair. As there are no published randomized clinical trials comparing outcomes with and without a monocusp valve, we performed a meta-analysis of observational studies in accordance with established protocols. After systematically searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, 12 studies were included. The operative mortality was compared in 695 patients, and we found no difference between patients with and patients without a monocusp valve. Monocusp valves may not improve operative mortality of tetralogy of Fallot repair in pediatric patients.

Penetrating Head Injury by a Nail Gun: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Management Considerations.

Our objective is to discuss penetrating head injuries (PHIs) which, although rare, lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. One of the most significant culprits of PHI is the nail gun, which was introduced in 1959 and has gained substantial popularity. We describe our successful strategy for removing an 8-cm nail that penetrated through the orbit and middle cranial fossa, with the tip lodged within the posterior fossa. Vascular imaging and balloon test occlusion are imperative in circumstances where vessel sacrifice is necessary. In addition, positioning of balloons within large vessels that are in close proximity to the penetrating object is necessary to control bleeding that may occur during removal of the object. It is of paramount importance to have a multidisciplinary team participating in the management and eventual removal of foreign objects within the intracranial compartment. Included is a review of the literature and a discussion on management approaches to such injuries.

Implications of patient-borne costs associated with pediatric neurosurgical care in eastern Africa.

OBJECTIVE Pediatric neurosurgery can be highly cost-effective even in the developing world, but delivery of these services is hampered by resource limitations at the levels of both health care infrastructure and individual patients. Few studies have evaluated costs borne by neurosurgical patients in the developing world and their potential implications for efficient and effective delivery of care in this population. METHODS The families of 40 pediatric neurosurgery patients were surveyed in February 2015 at the AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya. Costs associated with obtaining inpatient care were assessed. RESULTS Patient families were charged an average of US $539.44 for neurosurgical services, representing 132% of their annual income. Indirect expenses (transport, food and lodging, lost wages) constituted US $79.37, representing 14.7% of the overall cost and 19.5% of their annual income. CONCLUSIONS Expansion of pediatric neurosurgical services throughout the developing world necessitates increased attention to seemingly insignificant expenses that are absorbed by patients and their families. Even when all direct costs are covered at the institutional or national level, without additional assistance, some patients may be too poor to obtain even "free" neurosurgical care.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following hemodynamic treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an uncommon but significant complication of hemodynamic therapy after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH)-induced vasospasm. We performed a PubMed literature search for the period January 1999 to January 2015 using the search terms "posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome", "subarachnoid hemorrhage", "vasospasm", and "hypertensive encephalopathy", and identified nine cases of PRES after aSAH-induced vasospasm in the literature. We also present a 63-year-old man with aSAH complicated by vasospasm treated with hemodynamic augmentation who subsequently developed PRES. Imaging following development of PRES symptoms shows vasogenic edema in the white matter of the parietal and occipital lobes. Age, sex, history of hypertension, and baseline blood pressure were variable among patients in the literature review. In all cases, patients improved both from a radiological and clinical perspective following blood pressure reduction. To summarize, PRES is a rare complication of hemodynamic therapy for vasospasm following aSAH. The literature at the time of writing demonstrates no common pattern with regard to patient demographics, medical history, or mode of treatment for symptomatic vasospasm. Given its sporadic and unpredictable nature, considering PRES in the differential diagnosis is important when addressing neurological decline following hemodynamic treatment of vasospasm related to aSAH.

Malignant cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt 'pseudocyst': a case report.

Abdominal pseudocysts are an uncommon complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. We present the case of a 4-year-old boy with a history of complicated hydrocephalus managed with a VP shunt due to sequelae of prematurity. The patient presented with abdominal distention, and a pseudocyst was diagnosed. Despite shunt externalization and aspiration, the pseudocyst continued to produce up to 1 liter of serosanguineous fluid per day. After MRI revealed malignant features within the pseudocyst, laparotomy was performed and the pseudocyst was partially excised. Pathology reports suggested sarcoma. The cystic mass grew back aggressively, accompanied by distant metastasis. The patient's condition deteriorated and he died from his disease. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of an abdominal malignancy mimicking a pseudocyst and causing VP shunt failure.