Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Parathyroid Adenoma Localization: A Pre-Operative Imaging Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) affects approximately 0.86% of the population, with surgical resection as the treatment of choice. A 4D computed tomography (CT) is a highly effective tool in localizing parathyroid adenomas; however, there is currently no defined role for 4D CT when stratified against ultrasonography (USG) and nuclear medicine Technetium Sestamibi SPECT/CT (SES) imaging. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Study. SETTING: University Hospital. METHODS: All patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT between 2014 and 2019 at a single institution were reviewed. Patients who had a 4D CT were included. We compared outcomes of 4D CT as a second line imaging modality to those of USG and SES as first line modalities. An imaging algorithm was proposed based on these findings. RESULTS: There were 84 patients identified who had a 4D CT after unsuccessful first line imaging. A 4D CT localized parathyroid adenoma to the correct quadrant in 64% of cases, and to the correct laterality in 75% of cases. Obese patients had significantly lower rates of adenoma localization with USG (33.4%), compared to non-obese patients (67.5%; P = .006). In determining multigland disease the sensitivity of 4D CT was 86%, while the specificity was 87%. CONCLUSIONS: A 4D CT has impressive rates of accurate localization of parathyroid adenomas; however due to the radiation exposure involved, it should remain a second line imaging modality. PHPT patients should first be evaluated with USG, with 4D CT used if this is unsuccessful and patients are greater than 40 years old, have a high BMI, or are having revision surgery.

Morphometric Analysis and Observer Perceptions Following Transvestibular Chondrolaryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To assess novel morphometric measurement strategies and observer perception ratings as potential metrics for evaluating gender-affirming transvestibular chondrolaryngoplasty in reducing contour protrusion of the neck. METHODS: High-resolution preoperative and 3-month postoperative photographs of a pilot series of 10 patients (n = 10) who underwent endoscopic transvestibular chondrolaryngoplasty were collected. Morphometric measurements of "light reflex" and lateral view thyroid protrusion angles of the neck contours were analyzed. Pre- and postoperative photographs were presented in random order in a survey to 17 untrained judges and rated on perceived masculinity/femininity and thyroid notch protrusion on a 7-point scale. A pre- to postoperative change in morphometric angles and subjective ratings was assessed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Mean light reflex angles were reduced after surgery from 78.6° to 40.5° in the anterior neutral view (P = .0003), from 45.2° to 24.4° in the anterior extended view (P = .003), and from 7.03° to 4.32° in the lateral view (P = .006). Median survey ratings of neck photographs were improved after surgery, from 4 to 3 in gender perception toward more feminine perception (P < .0001) and from 4 to 2 in thyroid protrusion toward less protrusive perception (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Morphometric analysis in anterior and lateral views as well as subjective gender perception and contour protrusion measures following feminization chondrolaryngoplasty by endoscopic transvestibular scarless approach demonstrate encouraging possibilities as outcome evaluation measures for chondrolaryngoplasty.

Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury based on clinical symptoms amongst inhabitants of the Southwest Region of Cameroon: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: The majority of studies investigating the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in sub-Saharan Africa are primarily hospital-based, missing fatal, mild, and other cases of TBI that do not present to formal care settings. This study aims to bridge this gap in data by describing the epidemiology of TBI in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional community-based study. Using a three-stage cluster sampling, local research assistants surveyed households with a pre-tested questionnaire to identify individuals with symptoms of TBI in nine health districts in the Southwest Region of Cameroon from 2016 to 2017. RESULTS: Data gathered on 8,065 individuals revealed 78 cases of suspected TBI. Road traffic injury (RTI) comprised 55% of subjects' mechanism of injury. Formal medical care was sought by 82.1% of subjects; three subjects died at the time of injury. Following injury, 59% of subjects reported difficulty affording basic necessities and 87.2% of subjects were unable to perform activities of their primary occupation. CONCLUSIONS: This study postulates an incidence of TBI in Southwest Cameroon of 975.57 per 100,000 individuals, significantly greater than prior findings. A large proportion of TBI is secondary to RTI.

Adverse Events in Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Implantation: 5-Year Analysis of the FDA MAUDE Database.

OBJECTIVE: Use of hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation has dramatically improved the surgical treatment of multilevel airway collapse during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Understanding causes of adverse events and their impact on patients undergoing stimulator implantation will help improve patient preparation and surgical practices to avoid future complications. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, a publicly available voluntary reporting system. SETTING: National patient event database. METHODS: The MAUDE database was searched for reports associated with the terms "hypoglossal nerve stimulator" and "Inspire," being the only currently FDA-approved system for upper airway stimulation for OSA. All records were searched with the events limited in dates between May 2014 and September 2019. RESULTS: A total of 132 patient reports were identified over the 5-year inclusion period, containing 134 adverse events. The reported adverse events resulted in 32 device revision procedures as well as 17 explantations. Device migration and infection were 2 of the most commonly reported adverse events. Complications not witnessed in previous large-scale clinical trials included pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and lead migration into the pleural space. CONCLUSION: Previous data have demonstrated hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation results in reliable OSA improvement. However, a number of technical difficulties and complications still exist during the perioperative period, which should be communicated to patients during the surgical consent process.

National Analysis of 30-Day Readmission Following Inpatient Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the incidence, causes, risk factors, and costs of 30-day readmission after inpatient functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to characterize readmission after inpatient sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis from 2015 to 2017. International Classification of Disease codes were used to identify the patient population, which included 5,644 patients. Incidence, causes, costs, and predictors of readmission were analyzed and determined. RESULTS: Among 6,386 patients who underwent inpatient FESS, 742 (11.6%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. On univariate analysis, patients who were readmitted were more commonly older than 70 years (23.3% vs. 16.2%); had a higher burden of comorbidities including chronic kidney disease (15.0% vs. 7.8%), diabetes (25.6% vs. 20.4%), and hypertension (13.5% vs. 8.5%); had a greater rate of postoperative complications (20.7% vs. 12.2%); and had a longer length of stay (12.4 vs. 6.9 days) compared to patients who were not readmitted. Readmissions cost an additional $27,141 per patient. On multivariable analysis, age greater than 70 years, Medicaid insurance, several comorbidities, prolonged length of stay, postoperative neurologic complications, and lower hospital volume were independent predictors of 30-day readmission. The most common cause for readmission was infection (36.3%). CONCLUSION: Readmission following inpatient FESS is not uncommon. Identification and management of preoperative comorbidities, optimized patient selection for inpatient surgery, and thorough postoperative discharge care may improve patient outcomes and decrease healthcare expenditures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1422-E1428, 2021.

Epilepsy surgery for Rasmussen encephalitis: the UCLA experience.

OBJECTIVE: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare inflammatory neurological disorder typically involving one hemisphere and resulting in drug-resistant epilepsy and progressive neurological decline. Here, the authors present seizure outcomes in children who underwent epilepsy surgery for RE at a single institution. METHODS: The records of consecutive patients who had undergone epilepsy surgery for RE at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital between 1982 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Basic demographic information, seizure history, procedural notes, and postoperative seizure and functional outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS: The cohort included 44 patients, 41 of whom had sufficient data for analysis. Seizure freedom was achieved in 68%, 48%, and 22% of the patients at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The median time to the first seizure for those who experienced seizure recurrence after surgery was 39 weeks (IQR 11-355 weeks). Anatomical hemispherectomy, as compared to functional hemispherectomy, was independently associated with a longer time to postoperative seizure recurrence (HR 0.078, p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative seizure recurrence between patients with complete hemispherectomy and those who had less-than-hemispheric surgery. Following surgery, 68% of the patients could ambulate and 84% could speak regardless of operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of RE patients will have seizure relapse after surgery, though patients with anatomical hemispherectomies may have a longer time to postoperative seizure recurrence. Overall, the long-term data in this study suggest that hemispheric surgery can be seen as palliative treatment for seizures rather than a cure for RE.

Impact of Malnutrition on Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (from a National Cohort).

Malnutrition is associated with increased mortality in open cardiac surgery, but its impact on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. This study utilized the National Readmissions Database to evaluate the impact of malnutrition on mortality, complications, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, and total charges following TAVI. Adult patients undergoing isolated TAVI for severe aortic stenosis were identified using the 2011 to 2016 National Readmissions Database, which accounts for 56.6% of all US hospitalizations. The malnourished cohort included patients with nutritional neglect, cachexia, protein calorie malnutrition, postsurgical nonabsorption, weight loss, and underweight status. Multivariable models were utilized to evaluate the impact of malnutrition on selected outcomes. Of 105,603 patients, 5,280 (5%) were malnourished. Malnourished patients experienced greater mortality (10.4% vs 2.2%, p <0.001), postoperative complications (49.2% vs 22.6%, p <0.001), 30-day readmission rates (21.4 vs 14.9%, p <0.001), index hospitalization charges ($331,637 vs $208,082, p <0.001), and LOS (16.4 vs 6.2 days, p <0.001) relative to their nourished counterparts. On multivariable analysis, malnutrition remained a significant, independent predictor of increased index mortality (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.68, p <0.001), complications (AOR = 2.09, p <0.001), and 30-day readmission rates (AOR = 1.34, p <0.001). Malnutrition was most significantly associated with infectious complications at index hospitalization (AOR = 3.88, p <0.001) and at 30-day readmission (AOR = 1.43, p <0.027). In conclusion, malnutrition is independently associated with increased mortality, complications, readmission, and resource utilization in patients undergoing TAVI. Preoperative risk stratification and malnutrition modification may improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Cost-Effectiveness of Exploratory Laparotomy in a Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Surgical disease increasingly contributes to global mortality and morbidity. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery found that global cost-effectiveness data are lacking for a wide range of essential surgical procedures. This study helps to address this gap by defining the cost-effectiveness of exploratory laparotomies in a regional referral hospital in Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time-and-motion analysis was utilized to calculate operating theater personnel costs per case. Ward personnel, administrative, medication, and supply costs were recorded and calculated using a microcosting approach. The cost in 2018 US Dollars (USD, $) per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted was calculated based on age-specific life expectancies for otherwise fatal cases. RESULTS: Data for 103 surgical patients requiring exploratory laparotomy at the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital were collected over 8 mo. The most common cause for laparotomy was small bowel obstruction (32% of total cases). The average cost per patient was $75.50. The postoperative mortality was 11.7%, and 7.8% of patients had complications. The average number of DALYs averted per patient was 18.51. The cost in USD per DALY averted was $4.08. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides evidence that exploratory laparotomy is cost-effective compared with other public health interventions. Relative cost-effectiveness includes a comparison with bed nets for malaria prevention ($6.48-22.04/DALY averted), tuberculosis, tetanus, measles, and polio vaccines ($12.96-25.93/DALY averted), and HIV treatment with multidrug antiretroviral therapy ($453.74-648.20/DALY averted). Given that the total burden of surgically treatable conditions in DALYs is more than that of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined, our findings strengthen the argument for greater investment in primary surgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries.

Fulminant Myocarditis: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management.

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a rare, distinct form of myocarditis that has been difficult to classify. Since 1991, the definition of FM has evolved, and it is currently considered an acute illness with hemodynamic derangement and arrhythmias due to a severe inflammatory process requiring support of cardiac pump function and/or urgent management of serious arrhythmias. Diagnosis is aided through use of biomarkers and cardiac imaging, but endocardial biopsy remains the gold standard. Recent evidence has revealed that patients with FM are significantly more likely to die or require heart transplantation than those with the nonfulminant form, refuting previous studies proposing a paradoxically low mortality in patients with FM. Acute hemodynamic derangement is managed by intensive contemporary pharmacologic and interventional approaches, whereas the role of immunosuppressive therapy has not been clarified. Early recognition and aggressive management are essential for favorable outcomes. In conclusion, FM is an inflammatory process requiring intensive support, and it causes a higher morbidity and mortality than acute nonfulminant myocarditis.