Safety of Concomitant Cortical and Thalamic Stereoencephalography Explorations in Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intracranial electrophysiology of thalamic nuclei has demonstrated involvement of thalamic areas in the propagation of seizures in focal drug-resistant epilepsy. Recent studies have argued that thalamus stereoencephalography (sEEG) may aid in understanding the epileptogenic zone and treatment options. However, the study of thalamic sEEG-associated hemorrhage incidence has not been investigated in a cohort study design. In this article, we present the largest retrospective cohort study of sEEG patients and compare hemorrhage rates between those with and without thalamic sEEG monitoring. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of clinical and epilepsy history, electrode implantation, rationale, and outcomes was performed for 76 patients (age 20-69 years) with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent sEEG monitoring at our institution (2019-2022). A subset of 38% of patients (n = 30) underwent thalamic monitoring of the anterior thalamic nucleus (n = 14), pulvinar nucleus (n = 25), or both (n = 10). Planned perisylvian orthogonal sEEG trajectories were extended to 2- to 3-cm intraparenchymally access thalamic area(s).The decision to incorporate thalamic monitoring was made by the multidisciplinary epilepsy team. Statistical comparison of hemorrhage rate, type, and severity between patients with and without thalamic sEEG monitoring was made. RESULTS: Our approach for thalamic monitoring was not associated with local intraparenchymal hemorrhage of thalamic areas or found along extended cortical trajectories, and symptomatic hemorrhage rates were greater for patients with thalamic coverage (10% vs 0%, P = .056), although this was not found to be significant. Importantly, patients with perisylvian electrode trajectories, with or without thalamic coverage, did not experience a higher incidence of hemorrhage (P = .34). CONCLUSION: sEEG of the thalamus is a safe and valuable tool that can be used to interrogate the efficacy of thalamic neuromodulation for drug-resistant epilepsy. While patients with thalamic sEEG did have higher incidence of hemorrhage at any monitoring site, this finding was apparently not related to the method of perisylvian implantation and did not involve any trajectories targeting the thalamus.

Outcomes and Treatment Algorithm in Glioblastoma Patients 80 Years and Older.

OBJECTIVE: The current standard of care for patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is maximal safe resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy with concurrent temozolomide chemotherapy. Previous studies that identified this treatment regimen focused on younger patients with GBM. The proportion of patients with GBM over the age of 80 years is increasing. We investigate whether elderly patients benefit from the current standard of care with additional maximal safe resection. METHODS: Clinical, operative, radiographic, demographic, genetic, and outcomes data were retrospectively collected for patients treated for histologically confirmed World Health Organization grade 4 GBM at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2009 to 2020. Only patients 80 years and older were included (n = 123). Statistically significant values were set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis of GBM patients aged >80 years identified the use of temozolomide, radiation, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) > 70, and methylguanine DNA methyltransferase methylation with increased overall survival (OS). Further multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that the variables identified in the univariate analysis passed multicollinearity testing, and that use of temozolomide, KPS >70, and gross total resection were shown to significantly impact survival. Survival analysis showed that patients with biopsy alone had a shorter median OS compared with patients who received resection, temozolomide, and radiation (P < 0.0001, median OS 1.6 vs. 7.5 months). Additionally, patients who underwent biopsy and then received temozolomide and radiation had a shorter median OS when compared with patients who received resection, temozolomide, and radiation (P = 0.0047, median OS 3.6 vs. 7.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: For elderly patients with KPS >70, GTR followed by radiation and temozolomide is associated with maximum OS.

Stereotactic radiosurgery and resection for treatment of multiple brain metastases: a systematic review and analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to resection for treating multiple brain metastases. Given the lack of consensus regarding the application of SRS versus resection for multiple brain metastases, the authors aimed to conduct a systematic literature review of all published work on the topic. METHODS: The PubMed, OVID, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were used to identify studies that examined clinical outcomes after resection or SRS was performed in patients with multiple brain metastases. Radiological studies, case series with fewer than 3 patients, pediatric studies, or national database studies were excluded. Data extracted included patient demographics and mean overall survival (OS). Weighted t-tests and ANOVA were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1300 abstracts were screened, 450 articles underwent full-text review, and 129 studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 20,177 patients (18,852 treated with SRS and 1325 who underwent resection). The OS for the SRS group was 10.2 ± 6 months, and for the resection group it was 6.5 ± 3.8 months. A weighted ANOVA test comparing OS with covariates of age, sex, and publication year revealed that the treatment group (p = 0.045), age (p = 0.034), and publication year (0.0078) were all independently associated with OS (with SRS, younger age, and later publication year being associated with longer survival), whereas sex (p = 0.95) was not. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with multiple brain metastases, SRS and resection are effective treatments to prolong OS, with published data suggesting that SRS may have a trend toward lengthened survival outcomes. The authors encourage additional work examining outcomes of treatments for multiple brain metastases.

Direct Pars Repair with Cannulated Screws in Adults: A Case Series and Systematic Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Lumbar spondylolysis occurs in 5%-8% of adults. This study aimed to report clinical and radiographic outcomes of direct pars repair in adults with lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients treated for lumbar spondylolysis via open fracture reduction and direct pars repair with cannulated screws using a lag technique. Demographics, clinical presentation, perioperative and intraoperative imaging, and postoperative data were collected. We subsequently performed a systematic review to describe radiographic and clinical outcomes following direct pars repair. RESULTS: Three patients were identified (mean age 40.3 years; range, 21-72 years; 2 male). All patients had bilateral L5 pars fractures treated via open, direct repair with cannulated screws. There were no intraoperative complications. Length of stay was <24 hours for each patient. All patients reported back/radicular symptom relief and returned to full-time manual labor by latest follow-up. Noncontrast lumbar computed tomography performed 14-20 months postoperatively confirmed that all patients had good bilateral screw placement without fracture. Two patients (21 and 28 years old at surgery) had evidence of fusion across fracture sites, while 1 patient exhibited radiolucency around the screws and no progression of spondylolisthesis. Additionally, we reviewed 8210 articles and included 15 in a systematic review of direct pars repair. Fusion rates were 67%-100%, with improved average Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale back pain scores by latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar spondylolysis treatment with open fracture reduction and direct pars repair with cannulated screws in adults is safe and may result in mechanical back/radicular pain relief, even in the absence of radiographic fusion.

High Mortality After Total Knee Arthroplasty Periprosthetic Joint Infection is Related to Preoperative Morbidity and the Disease Process but Not Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) mortality rate is approximately 20%. The etiology for high mortality remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether mortality was associated with preoperative morbidity (frailty), sequalae of treatment, or the PJI disease process itself. METHODS: A multicenter observational study was completed comparing 184 patients treated with septic revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to a control group of 38 patients treated with aseptic revision TKA. Primary outcomes included time and the cause of death. Secondary outcomes included preoperative comorbidities and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCMI) measured preoperatively and at various postoperative timepoints. RESULTS: The septic revision TKA cohort experienced earlier mortality compared to the aseptic cohort, with a higher mortality rate at 90 days, 1, 2, and 3 years after index revision surgery (P = .01). There was no significant difference for any single cause of death (P > .05 for each). The mean preoperative CCMI was higher (P = .005) in the septic revision TKA cohort. Both septic and aseptic cohorts experienced a significant increase in CCMI from the preoperative to 3 years postoperative (P < .0001 and P = .002) and time of death (P < .0001 both) timepoints. The septic revision TKA cohort had a higher CCMI 3 years postoperatively (P = .001) and at time of death (P = .046), but not one year postoperatively (P = .119). CONCLUSION: Compared to mortality from aseptic revision surgery, septic revision TKA is associated with earlier mortality, but there is no single specific etiology. As quantified by changes in CCMI, PJI mortality was associated with both frailty and the PJI disease process, but not treatment.

Comparison of Screw Quantity and Placement of Metacarpal Fracture Fixation: A Biomechanical Study.

BACKGROUND: It is recommended to have 6 bicortical screws for plate fixation of long bone fractures; however, many metacarpal fractures do not allow 6 screws due to size limitations and proximity of crucial anatomical structures. The purpose of this biomechanical study was to determine whether the mechanical properties of a 4-screw nonlocking construct are noninferior to those of a 6-screw nonlocking construct. METHODS: Metacarpal sawbones were used to simulate a midshaft, transverse fracture. Nonlocking bicortical screws were placed in the 6-hole plate, and the metacarpals were randomly assigned to 2 equal study groups: (1) 4 screws, 2 on either side of the fracture (4S); and (2) 6 screws, 3 on either side of the fracture (6S). The metacarpals were tested in a cyclic loading mode and load to failure in a cantilever bending mode. RESULTS: Maximum deflection was significantly higher for 4S compared with 6S. Cyclic root mean square (RMS) was also significantly greater for 4S at 70 and 100 N. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the 2 constructs for maximum bending load, bending stiffness, and cyclic RMS at 40 N. The maximum bending load in 4S and 6S was 245.6 ± 37.9 N and 230.8 ± 41.9 N, respectively; 4S was noninferior and not superior to 6S. Noninferiority testing was inconclusive for bending stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: A 4-screw bicortical nonlocking construct is noninferior to a 6-screw bicortical nonlocking construct for fixation of metacarpal fractures, which may be advantageous to minimize disruption of soft tissues while maintaining sufficient construct stability.

Isolated traumatic occipital condyle fractures: Is external cervical orthosis even necessary?

BACKGROUND: Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) have been reported in up to 4-16% of individuals suffering cervical spine trauma. The current management of OCF fractures relies on a rigid cervical collar for 6 weeks or longer. Here, we calculated the rate of acute and delayed surgical intervention (occipitocervical fusion) for patients with isolated OCF who were managed with a cervical collar over a 10-year period at a single institution. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis performed on all patients admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center between 2008 and 2018 who suffered traumatic isolated OCF managed with an external rigid cervical orthosis. Radiographic imaging was reviewed by several board-certified neuroradiologists. Demographic and clinical data were collected including need for occipitocervical fusion within 12 months after trauma. RESULTS: The incidence of isolated OCF was 4% (60/1536) for those patients admitted with cervical spine fractures. They averaged 49 years of age, and 58% were male falls accounted for the mechanism of injury in 47% of patients. Classification of OCF was most commonly classified in 47% as type I Anderson and Montesano fractures. Of the 60 patients who suffered isolated OCF that was managed with external cervical orthosis, 0% required occipitocervical fusion within 12 months posttrauma. About 90% were discharged, while the remaining 10% sustained traumatic brain/orthopedic injury that limited an accurate neurological assessment. CONCLUSION: Here, we documented a 4% incidence of isolated OCF in our cervical trauma population, a rate which is comparable to that found in the literature year. Most notably, we documented a 0% incidence for requiring delayed occipital-cervical fusions.