Demographic Disparities in the Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcome of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate age-specific, sex-specific, and race-specific incidence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the State Inpatient Database of Florida (2016-2019), Maryland (2016-2019), and New York (2016-2018). All new cases of PRES in adults (18 years or older) were combined with Census data to compute incidence. We evaluated the generalizability of incident estimates to the entire country using the 2016-2019 National Readmissions Database (NRD). RESULTS: Across the study period, there were 3,716 incident hospitalizations for PRES in the selected states. The age-standardized and sex-standardized incidence of PRES was 2.7 (95% CI 2.5-2.8) cases/100,000/y. Incidence in female patients was >2 times that of male patients (3.7 vs 1.6 cases/100,000/y, p < 0.001). Incidence increased with age in both sexes (p-trend <0.001). Similar demographic distribution of first hospitalization for PRES was also noted in the entire country using the NRD. Age-standardized and sex-standardized PRES incidence in Black patients (4.2/100,000/y) was significantly greater than in Non-Hispanic White (2.7/100,000/y) and Hispanic patients (1.2/100,000/y) (p < 0.001 for pairwise comparisons). DISCUSSION: The incidence of PRES in the United States is approximately 3/100,000/y, but incidence in female patients is >2 times that of male patients. PRES incidence is higher in Black compared with non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients.

Comparison of Retroauricular and Reverse Question Mark Incisions for Decompressive Hemicraniectomy.

BACKGROUND: The retroauricular (RA) incision has several theoretical benefits compared with the reverse question mark (RQM) incision for decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC), but limited data comparing the 2 exist. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent DHC between 2016 and 2022 and survived ≥30 days at a single institution were included. The primary outcome was wound complication within 30 days (30dWC) requiring reoperation. Secondary outcomes included 90-day wound complication (90dWC), craniectomy size in anterior-posterior (AP) and superior-inferior dimensions, distance from the inferior craniectomy margin to the middle cranial fossa (MCF), estimated blood loss (EBL), and operative duration. Multivariate analyses were performed for each outcome. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (RA group: 27, RQM group: 83) were included. The incidence of 30dWC was 1.2% and 0 in the RQM and RA groups, respectively. The incidence of 90dWC was 2.4% and 3.7% in the RQM and RA groups, respectively. There was no difference in mean AP size (RQM: 15 cm, RA: 14.4 cm; P = 0.18), superior-inferior size (RQM: 11.8 cm, RA: 11.9 cm; P = 0.92), and distance from MCF (RQM: 15.4 mm, RA: 18 mm; P = 0.18). Mean EBL (RQM: 418 mL, RA: 314 mL; P = 0.36) and operative duration (RQM: 103 min, RA: 89 min; P = 0.14) were similar. There was no difference in cranioplasty wound complications, EBL, or operative duration. CONCLUSIONS: Wound complications are comparable between the RQM and RA incisions. The RA incision does not compromise craniectomy size or temporal bone removal.

Insidious onset of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a case-based review.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) can result from various etiologies with a variable degree of neurological deficits. Here, we describe a rare case of SEH secondary to immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in a child and review the literature of SSEH caused by ITP. CASE REPORT: A 9-year-old female who presented with rapid neurological decline, including bowel and bladder incontinence and paraparesis. A SSEH was observed extending from C2 to T6, causing a mass effect on the spinal cord. Her platelet count was only 7000/µL. Multidisciplinary care was established with neurosurgery, pediatric hematology, and pediatric surgery. The patient was managed emergently with splenectomy and surgical evacuation, with multilevel laminectomy and laminoplasty for evacuation of the hematoma. After a short course of rehabilitation, the patient regained all neurological function. CONCLUSION: We report the first case of cervicothoracic SSEH secondary to ITP in a child managed with emergent splenectomy and surgical evacuation with multilevel lamoplasty. We also described the methods of timely diagnosis, urgent management, and overall prognosis of patients with this condition.

Trends in the Incidence of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhages in the United States, 2007-2017.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that age-specific, sex-specific, and race-specific and ethnicity-specific incidence of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) increased in the United States over the last decade. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, validated International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify all new cases of SAH (n = 39,475) in the State Inpatients Databases of New York and Florida (2007-2017). SAH counts were combined with Census data to calculate incidence. Joinpoint regression was used to compute the annual percentage change (APC) in incidence and to compare trends over time between demographic subgroups. RESULTS: Across the study period, the average annual age-standardized/sex-standardized incidence of SAH in cases per 100,000 population was 11.4, but incidence was significantly higher in women (13.1) compared with that in men (9.6), p < 0.001. Incidence also increased with age in both sexes (men aged 20-44 years: 3.6; men aged 65 years or older: 22.0). Age-standardized and sex-standardized incidence was greater in Black patients (15.4) compared with that in non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients (9.9) and other races and ethnicities, p < 0.001. On joinpoint regression, incidence increased over time (APC 0.7%, p < 0.001), but most of this increase occurred in men aged 45-64 years (APC 1.1%, p = 0.006), men aged 65 years or older (APC 2.3%, p < 0.001), and women aged 65 years or older (APC 0.7%, p = 0.009). Incidence in women aged 20-44 years declined (APC -0.7%, p = 0.017), while those in other age/sex groups remained unchanged over time. Incidence increased in Black patients (APC 1.8%, p = 0.014), whereas that in Asian, Hispanic, and NHW patients did not change significantly over time. DISCUSSION: Nontraumatic SAH incidence in the United States increased over the last decade predominantly in middle-aged men and elderly men and women. Incidence is disproportionately higher and increasing in Black patients, whereas that in other races and ethnicities did not change significantly over time.

A rare occurrence of an epithelioid glioblastoma in a pediatric patient: case report and review of the literature.

Epithelioid glioblastoma is a rare tumor in the pediatric population. We present a case report of a 5-year-old boy found to have a large right frontotemporal epithelioid glioblastoma. The patient was treated with maximal safe resection followed by craniospinal radiation. He has now reached 5-year survival and does not have tumor progression. Given the rarity of epithelioid glioblastoma in the pediatric population, the literature surrounding the diagnosis and treatment options for these tumors is reviewed.

Outcomes associated with brain tissue oxygen monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury undergoing intracranial pressure monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Brain tissue oxygen monitoring combined with intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) may confer better outcomes than ICP monitoring alone. The authors sought to investigate this using a national database. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2017 was queried to identify patients with sTBI who had an external ventricular drain or intraparenchymal ICP monitor placed. Patients were stratified according to the placement of an intraparenchymal brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2) monitor, and a 2:1 propensity score matching pair was used to compare outcomes in patients with and those without PbtO2 monitoring. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the entire cohort, and each model was adjusted for age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale score, Injury Severity Score, presence of hypotension, insurance, race, and hospital teaching status. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes included ICU length of stay (LOS) and overall LOS. RESULTS: A total of 3421 patients with sTBI who underwent ICP monitoring were identified. Of these, 155 (4.5%) patients had a PbtO2 monitor placed. Among the propensity score-matched patients, mortality occurred in 35.4% of patients without oxygen monitoring and 23.4% of patients with oxygen monitoring (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.85; p = 0.007). The unfavorable discharge rates were 56.3% and 47.4%, respectively, in patients with and those without oxygen monitoring (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.87-2.30; p = 0.168). There was no difference in overall LOS, but patients with PbtO2 monitoring had a significantly longer ICU LOS and duration of mechanical ventilation. In the sensitivity analysis, PbtO2 monitoring was associated with decreased odds of mortality (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.84) but higher odds of unfavorable discharge (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.06-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: When combined with ICP monitoring, PbtO2 monitoring was associated with lower inpatient mortality for patients with sTBI. This supports the findings of the recent Brain Oxygen Optimization in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury phase 2 (BOOST 2) trial and highlights the importance of the ongoing BOOST3 trial.

Bullet retrieval from the cauda equina after penetrating spinal injury: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: When gunshot injuries occur to the spine, bullet fragments may be retained within the spinal canal. Indications for bullet removal include incomplete spinal cord injury, progressive loss of neurologic function including injury to the cauda equina, and dural leaks with impending risk of meningitis. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we present a 34-year-old male with a missile penetrating spinal injury to the cauda equina. In addition to the computed tomography scan demonstrating retention of a bullet in the left L1/2 disc space, the scan suggested likely dural injury. The patient underwent a decompression/instrumented fusion with retrieval of the retained bullet fragment. A laminectomy was performed from T12 to L3, and at L1 and L2, a large traumatic durotomy was identified and repaired. The patient, unfortunately, continued to have bilateral lower extremity plegia with neurogenic bladder/bowel dysfunction at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: We discuss the operative management and provide an intraoperative video showing the bullet extraction and dural closure.

Scoping Review and Commentary on Prognostication for Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Advances in Surgical Techniques.

INTRODUCTION: The intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score provides an estimate of 30-day mortality for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in order to guide research protocols and clinical decision making. Several variations of such scoring systems have attempted to optimize its prognostic value. More recently, minimally invasive surgical techniques are increasingly being used with promising results. As more patients become candidates for surgical intervention, there is a need to re-discuss the best methods for predicting outcomes with or without surgical intervention. METHODS: We systematically performed a scoping review with a comprehensive literature search by two independent reviewers using the PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles pertaining to the "intracerebral hemorrhage score." Relevant articles were selected for analysis and discussion of potential modifications to account for increasing surgical indications. RESULTS: A total of 64 articles were reviewed in depth and identified 37 clinical grading scales for prognostication of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The original ICH score remains the most widely used and validated. Various authors proposed modifications for improved prognostic accuracy, though no single scale showed consistent superiority. Most recently, scales to account for advances in surgical techniques have been developed but lack external validation. CONCLUSION: We provide the most comprehensive review to date of prognostic grading scales for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Current prognostic tools for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage remain limited and may overestimate risk of a poor outcome. As minimally invasive surgical techniques are developed, prognostic scales should account for surgical candidacy and outcomes.

Comparison of Cortical Bone Trajectory Screw Placement Using the Midline Lumbar Fusion Technique to Traditional Pedicle Screws: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws are an alternative to traditional pedicle screws (PS) for lumbar fixation. The proposed benefits of CBT screws include decreased approach-related morbidity and greater cortical bone contact to prevent screw pullout. Relatively little data is published on this technique. Here, we compare the midline lumbar fusion (MIDLF) approach for CBT screw placement to transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for traditional PS placement. METHODS: A prospectively maintained institutional database was retrospectively reviewed for all patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion using CBT screws over the past 5 years. Controls were identified from the same database as patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion with traditional PS placement and matched based on age, sex, and number of levels fused. Exclusion criteria included prior lumbar instrumentation. The electronic health record was retrospectively reviewed for demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients who underwent CBT screw placement and 35 controls who received traditional PS were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 52.5 months. The CBT screw group had significantly less mean estimated blood loss than the PS group (186 mL versus 414 mL respectively; P = .008). Both groups experienced significant improvements in preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in regard to operative time and amount of improvement in VAS pain score or ODI. The CBT group was associated with a significantly shorter mean length of stay (LOS). There were 2 instances of screw pullout in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The MIDLF approach with CBT screw placement is associated with less intraoperative blood loss and shorter LOS than traditional PS placement. There is no difference between the 2 techniques in regard to improvement in pain or disability.

First-line management of chronic subdural hematoma with the subdural evacuating port system: Institutional experience and predictors of outcomes.

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common condition that disproportionately affects older patients. Given the greater risks of general anesthesia in this population, interest has turned towards less invasive surgical approaches such as the subdural evacuating port system (SEPS; Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). There is a relative dearth of information about the outcomes following this procedure. Here, we present our institution's experience with SEPS and analyze factors associated with the outcomes. Using a prospectively maintained institutional database, we retrospectively identified all patients who presented with cSDH and received first line therapy with SEPS. Pre- and post-operative clinical and radiographic data was obtained from the electronic health record. Outcomes included success or failure, Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. A total of 126 patients met the inclusion criteria (36 females and 90 males; mean age of 71.6 years). None of the pre-procedural clinical or radiographic variables were associated with the likelihood of a successful outcome. Increasing age was associated with non-routine hospital discharge (p = 0.003), and lower presenting GCS was associated with longer hospital stay (p = 0.005). Greater thickness of the cSDH was associated with a lower likelihood of having a favorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3; p = 0.003). SEPS is an effective first-line therapy for cSDH. Variables previously reported to limit the effectiveness of the technique (presence of septations, mixed density collections) were not associated with treatment failure.

Xanthomatous hypophysitis.

We present a 69-year-old woman who presented with chronic headaches and was found to have a pituitary mass on MRI, which was biopsied and said to be lymphocytic hypophysitis. The woman was placed on prednisone and followed with routine eye examinations. Two years later, the lesion gradually increased in size and the woman developed a decrease in peripheral vision in the right eye. An MRI showed abutment of the right optic nerve by the mass. A repeat endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy/resection of the pituitary lesion was performed. Histopathological analysis of the specimen was consistent with diagnosis of xanthomatous hypophysitis (XH). XH is an inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland characterized by an infiltration of lipid-laden histiocytes, also known as xanthoma cells. The mass was biopsied and a diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis was made. The woman reported improved visual acuity and peripheral vision postoperatively. One year after the second resection, her visual symptoms worsened. Repeat MRI revealed expansion of the residual pituitary tissue. She was referred to the radiation oncology department for external beam radiation therapy and was placed on a maintenance dose of steroids. Since undergoing radiation therapy, her vision has improved slightly and her 3month MRI revealed stable lesion size. This woman illustrates a rare pituitary pathology presented with a literature review of published patients describing xanthomatous hypophysitis. A discussion of the clinical presentation, epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, histology and treatment is provided.