SimSpine: A Cost-Effective Spinal Endoscopy Training Prototype for Neurosurgical Residents Skills Training.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the SimSpine (indigenously developed, low-cost model) and EasyGO! (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) systems for simulation of endoscopic discectomy. METHODS: Twelve neurosurgery residents, 6 in postgraduate years 1-4 or equivalent (junior) and 6 in postgraduate years 5-6 or equivalent (senior), were randomly allocated (1:1) to either EasyGO! or SimSpine endoscopic visualization systems for endoscopic lumbar discectomy simulation on the same physical simulator. After the first exercise, the participants switched over to the other system, and the exercise was repeated. Time taken to dock the system, time to reach annulus, time required for task completion, dural violation, and volume of disc material removed were used for calculating objective efficiency score. Subjective scoring (Neurosurgery Education and Training School [NETS] criteria) was performed by 4 blinded mentors based on recorded video on 2 separate occasions 2 weeks apart. Cumulative score was calculated based on efficiency and Neurosurgery Education and Training School scores. RESULTS: Performance metrics were similar across the 2 platforms, regardless of participant seniority (P > 0.05). Time to reach disc space and discectomy time improved for both EasyGO! (P = 0.07 and P = 0.03, respectively) and SimSpine (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively) between first and second exercises. Efficiency and cumulative scores were better (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 respectively) when EasyGO! was used as the first device compared with SimSpine. CONCLUSIONS: SimSpine is a cost-effective viable alternative to EasyGO for endoscopic lumbar discectomy simulation-based training.

Correlation of Surgical Outcomes of Petroclival Meningiomas with Clinicoradiologic Parameters and Molecular and Chromosomal Alterations.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical, radiologic, intraoperative, histopathologic, and molecular factors that might affect the surgical outcome of petroclival meningiomas. METHODS: Medical records of 53 cases of petroclival meningiomas operated from 2003 to 2021 were reviewed for clinicoradiologic and molecular factors that were correlated with extent of resection. RESULTS: Modified Dolenc-Kawase anterior transpetrous rhomboid (44, 83.0%) was the most commonly used approach, followed by retrosigmoid (2, 3.8%) and combined (7, 13.2%) approaches. Hypointense tumors on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio [OR] 5.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70-20.41) and presence of brainstem edema (OR 4.53; 95% CI 1.36-15.12) were found to be significant factors increasing the likelihood of subtotal resection (STR; P = 0.004 and P = 0.011, respectively). In the presence of both tumor T2 hypointensity and brainstem edema, there was a significant increase in the likelihood of STR (P = 0.001; OR 25; 95% CI 3.52-177.48). Of the 16 cases for which molecular analysis was performed, no specimen was found to have pTERT, AKT-1 E17K, and SMO L412F and W535L mutations. All (100%) the patients harboring H3K27me3 loss and/or hemizygous CDKN2A deletion had cavernous sinus extension compared with 62.5% of patients without H3K27me3 loss and 72.7% with hemizygous CDKN2A retention. Similarly, hemizygous CDKN2A deletion and H3K27me3 loss were associated with an increase in the rate of brainstem edema from 27.3% to 60% and 25% to 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: T2 hypointense tumor and brainstem edema on preoperative imaging are significant predictors of STR. H3K27me3 loss and hemizygous CDKN2A deletion may be associated with cavernous sinus extension, suggesting their role in tumor spread.

DNA methylation profiling of meningiomas highlights clinically distinct molecular subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of the classification of brain tumours based on DNA methylation profile has significantly changed the diagnostic approach. Due to the paucity of data on the molecular profiling of meningiomas and their clinical implications, no effective therapies and new treatments have been implemented. METHODS: DNA methylation profiling, copy number analysis, targeted sequencing and H3K27me3 expression was performed on 35 meningiomas and 5 controls. RESULTS: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering (UHC) analysis revealed four distinct molecular subgroups: Malignant; Intermediate; Benign A, and Benign B. Molecular heterogeneity was observed within the same grade as the Intermediate, Benign A, and Benign B subgroups were composed of WHO grade 1 as well as grade 2 cases. There was association of mutations with distinct methylation subgroups (NF2, AKT1, SMO, TRAF7 and pTERT). Loss of chromosome 22q was observed across all subgroups. 1p/14q co-deletion was seen in 50% of malignant and intermediate while CDKN2A loss was predominantly observed in malignant subgroup (50%). Majority of malignant (75%) and a small proportion of other subgroups (Intermediate: 25%, Benign A: 38.5%, and Benign B: 20%) harboured H3K27me3 loss. 38,734 genes were dysregulated amongst the four subgroups. DKFZ classified 71% cases with acceptable score. On survival analysis, methylation profiling had significant impact on progression-free-survival in WHO grade1 and 2 meningiomas (p = 0.0051). CONCLUSION: Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling highlights clinically distinct molecular subgroups and heterogeneity within the same grade of meningiomas. Molecular profiling can usher in a paradigm shift in meningioma classification, prognostic prediction, and treatment strategy.

Challenges and prospects of neurosurgical teleconsultations in a developing country: a reality check.

OBJECTIVE: The adoption of telemedicine became a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic because patients found commuting to be difficult owing to travel restrictions. Initially, audio-based teleconsultations were provided. Later, on the basis of the feedback of patients and caregivers, the authors started to provide video-based teleconsultations via WhatsApp. The authors subsequently surveyed the patients and caregivers to determine their satisfaction levels with telemedicine services. METHODS: An anonymized telephone survey of patients who had participated in teleconsultation was conducted with a structured questionnaire. The responses were analyzed and their correlations with the perceived benefits and limitations of audio and video teleconsultation were determined. RESULTS: Three hundred respondents were included in the first round of surveys, of whom 250 (83.3%) consented to video teleconsultation. Among the respondents who participated in both audio and video teleconsultations (n = 250), paired analysis showed that video teleconsultation was perceived as better in terms of providing easier access to healthcare services (p < 0.001), saving time (p < 0.001), and satisfaction with the way patient needs were conveyed to healthcare providers (p = 0.023), as well as in terms of adequacy of addressing healthcare needs (p < 0.001) and consequently providing a higher rate of overall satisfaction (p < 0.001). For both audio and video teleconsultation, overall patient satisfaction was significantly related to only previous exposure to WhatsApp. However, for video consultation, longer call duration (p = 0.023) was an important independent factor. Video teleconsultation was preferable to face-to-face consultation irrespective of educational status, but higher education was associated with preference for video teleconsultation. CONCLUSIONS: Both audio and video teleconsultation are viable cost-effective surrogates for in-person physical neurosurgical consultation. Although audio teleconsultation is more user-friendly and is not restricted by educational status, video teleconsultation trumps the former owing to a more efficient and satisfactory doctor-to-patient interface.

Interval assessment using task- and procedure-based simulations: an attempt to supplement neurosurgical residency curriculum.

OBJECTIVE: The longer learning curve and smaller margin of error make nontraditional, or "out of operating room" simulation training, essential in neurosurgery. In this study, the authors propose an evaluation system for residents combining both task-based and procedure-based exercises and also present the perception of residents regarding its utility. METHODS: Residents were evaluated using a combination of task-based and virtual reality (VR)-based exercises. The results were analyzed in terms of the seniority of the residents as well as their laboratory credits. Questionnaire-based feedback was sought from the residents regarding the utility of this evaluation system incorporating the VR-based exercises. RESULTS: A total of 35 residents were included in this study and were divided into 3 groups according to seniority. There were 11 residents in groups 1 and 3 and 13 residents in group 2. On the overall assessment of microsuturing skills including both 4-0 and 10-0 microsuturing, the suturing skills of groups 2 and 3 were observed to be better than those of group 1 (p = 0.0014). Additionally, it was found that microsuturing scores improved significantly with the increasing laboratory credits (R2 = 0.72, p < 0.001), and this was found to be the most significant for group 1 residents (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.001). Group 3 residents performed significantly better than the other two groups in both straight (p = 0.02) and diagonal (p = 0.042) ring transfer tasks, but there was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 residents (p = 0.35). Endoscopic evaluation points were also found to be positively correlated with previous laboratory training (p = 0.002); however, for the individual seniority groups, the correlation failed to reach statistical significance. The 3 seniority groups performed similarly in the cranial and spinal VR modules. Group 3 residents showed significant disagreement with the utility of the VR platform for improving surgical dexterity (p = 0.027) and improving the understanding of surgical procedures (p = 0.034). Similarly, there was greater disagreement for VR-based evaluation to identify target areas of improvement among the senior residents (groups 2 and 3), but it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.194). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of task- and procedure-based assessment of trainees using physical and VR simulation models can supplement the existing neurosurgery curriculum. The currently available VR-based simulations are useful in the early years of training, but they need significant improvement to offer beneficial learning opportunities to senior trainees.

Frailty and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio as Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections or Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit: Insights from a Retrospective Study in a Developing Country.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the role of frailty and inflammatory markers in predicting the short-term outcomes after catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). METHODS: Data regarding the patients' characteristics, isolates on CAUTI and CLABSI, antibiotic susceptibility, frailty (11-point Modified Frailty Index), and inflammatory markers were retrospectively collected. Their impact on the short-term outcomes was assessed using regression modeling response. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients with CAUTI (n = 71) and CLABSI (n = 30) between January 2018 and December 2019 were included in this study. The pooled incidence rates for CAUTI were 5.50 and for CLABSI 3.58 episodes/1000 catheter-days. We observed 74.7% drug resistance in our CAUTI isolates and 93.3% in CLABSI. In the multivariate analysis, frailty (P = 0.006), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P = 0.007) and the presence of sepsis (P = 0.029) were found to be significant predictors of in-hospital mortality in CAUTI. In patients with CLABSI, frailty (P = 0.029) and NLR (P = 0.029) were found significant and along with sepsis (P = 0.069) resulted in a regression model with good accuracy in predicting mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that 11-point Modified Frailty Index and NLR as well as the regression model significantly predicted mortality with an area under the curve of 86.1%, 81.4%, and 95.4%, respectively, in CAUTI, and 70.9%, 77.8%, and 95.2%, respectively, in CLABSI.

Telementoring Feasibility Using a Novel Low-cost Lazy Glass Microsurgical Simulator: A "Proof of Concept" Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: In order to mitigate the challenges in microsurgical skill acquisition and training, especially in the COVID-19 era, we devised a novel microsurgical telementoring protocol for imparting microsurgical skill training in a socially distanced setting. We objectively analyzed its feasibility among neurosurgical trainees. METHODS: In a controlled experimental design, 8 residents at different stages of their tenure participated in a lazy glass microsurgical simulator-based telementoring exercise. Microsuturing with 4-0 silk, 10-0 nylon on silastic sheets, and eggshell peeling tasks were performed by the residents prior to and after a telementoring session by a panel of 4 neurosurgical experts. Impact of telementoring was assessed in terms of surgical accuracy, efficiency, and dexterity by providing objective (Performance score [PS]), subjective (Neurosurgery Education and Training School [NETS] score), and cumulative scores (CS). Subgroup analysis was performed to assess the impact at different stages of residency. RESULTS: PS, NETS score, and CS were significantly improved by telementoring sessions for 10-0 nylon micro-suturing (P < 0.001), and egg-hell peeling tasks (P < 0.01). PS and CS improved significantly (P = 0.01) after telementoring sessions for 4-0 silk microsuturing. Both pre- and post-training CS were similar across the 2 subgroups PGY 1-4 and PGY 5-6 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Telementoring is a viable alternative for neurosurgical resident training in the COVID-19 era, where reduction in elective surgeries and social distancing norms preclude conventional teaching. Lazy glass microsurgical simulator-based structured telementoring protocol is a cost-effective tool to augment surgical proficiency and finesse, irrespective of stage of residency.

Superficial Temporal Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass for Moyamoya Disease: Surgical Nuances.

Moyamoya disease is a progressive pathology that generally presents with ischemic complications in the pediatric age group.1 Direct and indirect revascularization procedures have been shown to augment the cerebral blood flow and prevent disease progression. Some studies have reported better angiographic outcomes with direct revascularization, though its translation into clinical benefit is yet to be proven in prospective studies.1-4 In addition, direct revascularization is surgically challenging among the pediatric age group due to smaller vessel caliber. We present a case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with symptoms suggestive of transient cerebral ischemia (Video 1). We use a fine bipolar forceps for dissection of superficial fascia over superficial temporal artery (STA) and needle monopolar for elevating the temporalis muscle. The recipient vessel of the appropriate caliber, matching the donor vessel, is selected. An arteriotomy is made in the recipient vessel, following which end-to-side anastomosis of STA to M4 middle cerebral artery is done using 10-0 monofilament nylon suture at a magnification of 15×. First, the heel and toe stitches are taken, followed by an initial central stitch in the front wall, which decreases the likelihood of a through stitch while taking interrupted sutures in the back wall. Anastomosis is then completed with interrupted stitches in the front wall. The patency of bypass is confirmed using indocyanine green angiography. In this article, we attempt to highlight our surgical technique of low-flow STA to M4-middle cerebral artery bypass with special emphasis on tips and tricks for young neurosurgeons to efficiently perform microvascular anastomosis.

Comparison of Programmable and Non-Programmable Shunts for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt (P-VPS) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) has increased over the last two decades, however, there is no definitive evidence to favor them over non-programmable VPS (NP-VPS). Thus, there is a growing need for studies comparing these two procedures for their efficacy and safety profile in iNPH. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we attempt to quantitatively summarize the findings of all the prospective and retrospective studies that have directly compared the P-VPS and NP-VPS in terms of efficacy, complications, or overall healthcare expenditure. METHODS: A systematic search was performed of PubMed, the Cochrane Library databases, and Google Scholar for studies till June 2021 comparing the outcomes of P-VPS with NP-VPS. Four studies were finally included in the quantitative analysis. A trial sequential analysis was done to evaluate the need for further studies. RESULTS: The total rates of subdural collection (odds ratio (OR) 1.03; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.73-1.46; P = 0.85; I2 = 12%) as well as surgically evacuated subdural collection (OR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.14-1.55; P = 0.21; I2 = 75%) were not significantly different for P-VPS compared to NP-VPS with pooled data. Similarly, the rate of postoperative infection was found to be similar between the two types of VPS (OR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.39-2.5; P = 0.97; I2 = 0%). The trial sequential analysis (TSA) for the need of surgical evacuation of subdural collection and shunt revision revealed that the meta-analysis of the currently accrued information is not conclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Though, associated with higher initial costs, P-VPS does not seem to result in increased healthcare costs in the long run while enabling the surgeon to titrate the opening pressure and avoiding additional surgical procedures like shunt revision or evacuation of subdural collection at least theoretically. However, further trials with a greater sample size are needed to confirm these findings as the current accrued information size is insufficient to reach an unequivocal verdict.

Mediastinal lipoma as a cause of dyspnea.

Mediastinal lipoma is a rare intrathoracic tumor which can present as shortness of breath. We describe a morbidly obese patient with progressive dyspnea who got diagnosed endoscopically and is scheduled for surgical resection for a large benign mediastinal lipoma.

Thirty-day readmissions in multiple sclerosis: An age and gender-based US national retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmission rate is an important indicator of the quality of care, healthcare economic burden, and post-discharge care. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially progressive neurological disease predominantly affecting young women. The natural history of the disease involves intermittent relapses and/or accrued baseline disability overtime especially in older patients contributing to frequent hospitalizations. The readmission metrics for patients with MS have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To estimate nationwide 30-day readmission (30-DR) rate among patients hospitalized with MS and to study the predictors of readmission based on age and gender. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study of patients hospitalized with primary discharge diagnosis of MS using 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD). The cases were identified by ICD 9-CM code (340) linked to MS diagnosis. We used patient unique identifiers 'NRD visit link' to identify MS index hospitalizations and readmissions. Age (<40 vs. >40 years) and gender-based analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression adjusting co-variables to identify the patient/system-specific factors associated with 30-DR. RESULTS: The overall 30-day readmission rate (30-DRR) was 10.2%. No gender difference was seen in the readmission rates (men 10.7% vs. women 10.1%, p = 0.56); higher readmission rates were observed in older patients (11.2% vs. 8.8%; p = 0.0055). However, readmission cost was higher in younger age group (≈ $ 12,586 vs. ≈$ 11,827; p = 0.62) and among women (≈$ 12,217 vs. ≈$ 11,746; p = 0.75). The common causes of 30-DR were MS exacerbation (42.5%), sepsis (13.7%) and respiratory complications (7.3%). The predictors of higher 30-DRR in younger patients were diabetes (OR 1.87, p = 0.02), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use (OR 3.64, p = 0.016), and discharge to a nursing facility (OR 1.66, p = 0.03), whereas in older age group, higher Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR 1.15, p = 0.0057), and plasma exchange (PLEX) (OR 2.38, p = 0.03) were predictive of higher readmission rate. The longer length of stay (LOS) during index admission (OR 1.81, p = 0.03) in men and higher CCI (OR 1.15, p = 0.007) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use (OR 2.27, p = 0.04) in women increased the odds of readmission. CONCLUSION: The overall 30-day readmission rate among patients following hospitalization for MS was 10.2%. The readmission rate was higher in older (>40 years) patients. The common causes of readmission were MS exacerbation, respiratory complications, and sepsis. A higher systemic disease burden, longer length of stay, and treatment with IVIG and PLEX were associated with higher risk of readmission. The readmissions were associated with higher cost of care and longer LOS compared to index admissions highlighting the economic impact of readmissions. Future strategies to lower the risk of readmissions in patients with MS should focus on optimal management of medical co-morbidities and infections.

The Addition of Atrial Fibrillation to the Los Angeles Motor Scale May Improve Prediction of Large Vessel Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is evidence suggesting that Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) ≥ 4 predicts large vessel occlusion (LVO). We aim to determine whether atrial fibrillation (AF) can improve the ability of LAMS in predicting LVO. METHODS: We included consecutive patients with a discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke admitted within 24 hours from last known normal time who underwent emergent vascular imaging using a computerized tomography angiography (CTA) of the head and neck. LVO was defined as intracranial internal carotid artery, proximal middle cerebral artery (M1 or proximal M2 segment), or basilar occlusion. LAMS was determined in the emergency department upon arrival. Univariate and multivariable models were performed to identify predictors of LVO and to determine whether AF improves the ability of LAMS to predict LVO. RESULTS: Among 1,234 patients admitted with ischemic stroke, 862 underwent emergent vascular imaging (69.8%) out of which 374 (43.4%) had evidence of LVO and 207 (24%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy. In multivariable models, predictors of LVO were LAMS (OR 1.42 per one point increase 95% CI 1.29-1.57) and AF (OR 1.95 95% CI 1.26-3.02, P < .001). We developed the LAMS-AF that includes the LAMS score and adds two points if AF is present. In this analysis, LAMS-AF (AUC .78) had improved prediction over LAMS (AUC .76) in predicting LVO and lead to reclassification of 8/68 patients (11.8%) with LAMS = 3 group into the high-risk LVO group. CONCLUSION: In patients with LAMS = 3, using the LAMS-AF score may improve the ability of LAMS in predicting LVO. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Pulmonary synovial sarcoma.

Primary Synovial sarcoma of the lung is an extremely rare entity. Our patient was healthy prior to presentation and came in with a short course of dyspnea and was found to have a large synovial sarcoma on the lung.

Troponin Improves the Yield of Transthoracic Echocardiography in Ischemic Stroke Patients of Determined Stroke Subtype.

Background and Purpose- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is widely used in the ischemic stroke setting. In this study, we aim to investigate the yield of TTE in patients with ischemic stroke and known subtype and whether the admission troponin level improves the yield of TTE. Methods- Data were abstracted from a single-center prospective ischemic stroke database for 18 months and included all patients with ischemic stroke whose etiologic subtype could be obtained without the need of TTE. Unadjusted and adjusted regression models were built to determine whether positive cardiac troponin levels (≥0.1 ng/mL) improve the yield of TTE, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. Results- We identified 578 patients who met the inclusion criteria. TTE changed clinical management in 64 patients (11.1%), but intracardiac thrombus was detected in only 4 patients (0.7%). In multivariable models, there was an association between TTE changing management and positive serum troponin level (adjusted odds ratio, 4.26; 95% CI, 2.17-8.34; P<0.001). Conclusions- In patients with ischemic stroke, TTE might lead to a change in clinical management in ≈1 of 10 patients with known stroke subtype before TTE but changed acute treatment decisions in <1 percent of patients. Serum troponin levels improved the yield of TTE in these patients.

Papillary lung adenocarcinoma with psammomatous calcifications.

We present the case of a 71 y/o man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who presented with 3 weeks of cough, phlegm, fever, and failed outpatient antibiotic therapy for pneumonia. CT of the chest showed unilateral interstitial changes and bronchoscopic biopsies demonstrated primary lung papillary adenocarcinoma and extensive concentric psammomatous calcifications.

New-onset headaches secondary to spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

We describe the case of a 54-year-old man who presented with new-onset positional headaches and seizures, which were determined to be secondary to spontaneous intracranial hypotension due to a cervicothoracic spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak, and its associated complications.

A Simple Score That Predicts Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation on Outpatient Cardiac Monitoring after Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source.

BACKGROUND: Occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in 16%-30% of patients with embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS). The identification of AF predictors on outpatient cardiac monitoring can help guide clinicians decide on a duration or method of cardiac monitoring after ESUS. METHODS: We included all patients with ESUS who underwent an inpatient diagnostic evaluation and outpatient cardiac monitoring between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on detection of AF or atrial flutter during monitoring. We compared demographic data, clinical risk factors, and cardiac biomarkers between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of AF. RESULTS: We identified 296 consecutive patients during the study period; 38 (12.8%) patients had AF detected on outpatient cardiac monitoring. In a multivariable regression analysis, advanced age (ages 65-74: odds ratio [OR] 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] .85-6.52; ages 75 or older: OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.58-10.52) and moderate-to-severe left atrial enlargement (OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.79-12.12) were predictors of AF on outpatient monitoring. We developed the Brown ESUS-AF score: age (65-74 years: 1 point, 75 years or older: 2 points) and left atrial enlargement (moderate or severe: 2 points) with good prediction of AF (area under the curve .725) and was internally validated using bootstrapping. The percentage of patients with AF detected in each score category were as follows: 0: 4.2%; 1: 14.8%; 2: 20.8%; 3: 22.2%; 4: 55.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The Brown ESUS-AF score predicts AF on prolonged outpatient monitoring after ESUS. More studies are needed to externally validate our findings.

Case of chest pain in a young man.

A young man with a history of smoking presented with acute-onset chest pain after lifting weights. He also noticed a change in his voice, tightness in his neck and difficulty breathing. A chest radiograph showed soft tissue emphysema in the neck. A CT scan of the chest revealed moderate amount of pneumomediastinum tracking into the neck and down to the diaphragm. He was haemodynamically stable and had no hypoxia or dysphagia. He was monitored for 48 hours and discharged home after resolution of his symptoms. A chest radiograph repeated after 6 weeks was normal.

Early Elevated Troponin Levels After Ischemic Stroke Suggests a Cardioembolic Source.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elevated cardiac troponin is a marker of cardiac disease and has been recently shown to be associated with embolic stroke risk. We hypothesize that early elevated troponin levels in the acute stroke setting are more prevalent in patients with embolic stroke subtypes (cardioembolic and embolic stroke of unknown source) as opposed to noncardioembolic subtypes (large-vessel disease, small-vessel disease, and other). METHODS: We abstracted data from our prospective ischemic stroke database and included all patients with ischemic stroke during an 18-month period. Per our laboratory, we defined positive troponin as ≥0.1 ng/mL and intermediate as ≥0.06 ng/mL and <0.1 ng/mL. Unadjusted and adjusted regression models were built to determine the association between stroke subtype (embolic stroke of unknown source and cardioembolic subtypes) and positive and intermediate troponin levels, adjusting for key confounders, including demographics (age and sex), clinical characteristics (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, renal function, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, current smoking, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score), cardiac variables (left atrial diameter, wall-motion abnormalities, ejection fraction, and PR interval on ECG), and insular involvement of infarct. RESULTS: We identified 1234 patients, of whom 1129 had admission troponin levels available; 10.0% (113/1129) of these had a positive troponin. In fully adjusted models, there was an association between troponin positivity and embolic stroke of unknown source subtype (adjusted odds ratio, 4.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-7.97; P=0.003) and cardioembolic stroke subtype (odds ratio, 5.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.83-13.63; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We found that early positive troponin after ischemic stroke may be independently associated with a cardiac embolic source. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings using high-sensitivity troponin assays and to test optimal secondary prevention strategies in patients with embolic stroke of unknown source and positive troponin.