Frailty is a Predictor of Increased Readmissions and Increased Postoperative Complications After Elective Treatment of Unruptured Aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a state of decreased physiologic reserve associated with adverse treatment outcomes across surgical specialties. We sought to determine whether frailty affected patient outcomes after elective treatment (open microsurgical clipping or endovascular therapy [EVT]) of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs). METHODS: The National Readmissions Database was queried from 2010 to 2014 to identify patients who had a known UCA and underwent elective clipping or EVT. Frailty was assessed using the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty indicator tool. Multivariable exact logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between frailty and the primary outcome variables of 30- and 90-day readmissions, complications, length of stay (LOS), and patient disposition. RESULTS: Of 18,483 patients who underwent elective treatment for UCAs, 358 (1.9%) met the criteria for frailty. After adjusting for patient- and hospital-based factors, frailty (30-day: odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-2.17; P = 0.01; 90-day: OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.06; P = 0.02) and clipping versus EVT (30-day: OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.85-2.43; P < 0.000; 90-day: OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.59-2.03; P < 0.0001) were associated with increased readmission rates. Furthermore, frailty was associated with an increased rate of complications (surgical: OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.27-3.72; P < 0.0001; neurological: OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.43-3.81; P < 0.0001; major: OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.96-3.84; P < 0.0001), increased LOSs (incidence rate ratio, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.59-3.66; P < 0.0001), and an increased rate of nonroutine disposition (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 2.91-5.34; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty was associated with an increased likelihood of 30- and 90-day readmissions after elective treatment of UCAs. Frailty was notably associated with several postoperative complications, longer LOSs, and nonroutine disposition in the treatment of UCAs.

Association of carotid endarterectomy at low-volume centers with higher likelihood of major complications and nonroutine discharge.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is associated with an annual stroke risk of 2%-5%, and revascularization with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can reduce this risk. While studies have demonstrated that hospital CEA volume is associated with mortality and myocardial infarction, CEA volume cutoffs in studies are relatively arbitrary, and no specific analyses on broad complications and discharge disposition have been performed. In this study, the authors systematically set out to identify a cutoff at which CEA procedural volume was significantly associated with major complications and nonroutine discharge. METHODS: Asymptomatic and symptomatic CAS patients undergoing CEA were retrospectively identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010-2018). The association of CEA volume with outcomes was explored as a continuous variable using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing. The identified volume cutoff was used to generate dichotomous volume cohorts, and multivariate analyses of patient and hospital characteristics were conducted to evaluate the association of CEA volume with major complications and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2018, 308,933 asymptomatic and 32,877 symptomatic patients underwent CEA. Analysis of CEA volume with outcomes as a continuous variable demonstrated that an increase in volume was associated with a lower risk until a volume of approximately 7 cases per year (20th percentile). A total of 6702 (2.2%) asymptomatic and 1040 (3.2%) symptomatic patients were treated at the bottom 20% of hospital procedure volume. Increased rates of complications were seen at low-volume centers among asymptomatic (3.66% vs 2.77%) and symptomatic (7.4% vs 6.87%) patients. Asymptomatic patients treated at low-volume centers had an increased likelihood of major complications (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.49; p = 0.007) and nonroutine discharge (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.24-1.50; p < 0.0001). Symptomatic patients treated at low-volume centers were also more likely to experience major complications (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.07-2.02; p = 0.02) and nonroutine discharge (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.47; p = 0.005). Mortality rates were similar between low- and high-volume hospitals among asymptomatic (0.36% and 0.32%, respectively) and symptomatic (1.06% and 1.49%, respectively) patients, while volume was not significantly associated with mortality among asymptomatic (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.67-1.65; p = 0.81) and symptomatic (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.43-1.54; p = 0.52) patients in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CEA patients, asymptomatic or symptomatic, are at a higher risk of major complications and nonroutine discharge at low-volume centers. Analysis of CEA as a continuous variable demonstrated a cutoff at 7 cases per year, and further study may identify factors associated with improved outcome at the lowest-volume centers.

Direct Transverse Sinus Puncture for Transvenous Coil Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformations: Innovating Existing Techniques.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Vein of Galen malformations (VOGMs) are complex arteriovenous malformations in neonates and young children. Recent advances in endovascular interventions have drastically improved treatment and clinical outcomes in what was previously high-morbidity, high-mortality disease. The high-flow shunt pathophysiology in VOGMs can lead to dynamic changes in the malformation angioarchitecture, and over time patients can develop jugular bulb stenosis. In the setting of inaccessible transvenous access to the malformation for endovascular embolization in cases where transarterial embolization is inadequate, a combined surgical and endovascular technique must be used. We present the first successful modern-day application of direct puncture through transverse sinus for transvenous embolization of a VOGM. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present 2 unique cases of complex VOGM malformations in patients who had previously undergone staged endovascular embolization for reduction of flow within the malformation. On follow-up, in both cases, there was development of severe sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb stenosis, increasing intracranial venous congestion and causing marked clinical deterioration. The stenosis prevented traditional transvenous access and treatment. We describe a direct puncture transverse sinus access using a burr hole approach for endovascular transvenous embolization in both cases with successful clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Direct access using burr hole craniotomy to the transverse sinus for transvenous endovascular embolization is a safe approach in the setting of severe jugular bulb stenosis for treatment of VOGMs. This technique can be done efficiently to achieve complete flow elimination in the malformation, in cases where that is called for, without significant risks or complications related to the approach.

Focal drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy associated with an ipsilateral anterior choroidal artery aneurysm: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of both an intracranial aneurysm and epilepsy, especially drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), is rare. Although the overall incidence of aneurysms associated with DRE is unclear, it is thought to be particularly infrequent in the pediatric population. Surgical ligation of the offending aneurysm has been reported in conjunction with resolving seizure activity, although few cases have cited a combined approach of aneurysm ligation and resection of an epileptogenic focus. OBSERVATIONS: We present the case of a 14-year-old female patient with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and an ipsilateral supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm. Seizure semiology, electroencephalography monitoring, and magnetic resonance imaging all indicated a left temporal epileptogenic focus, in addition to an incidental aneurysm. The authors recommended a combined surgery involving resection of the temporal lesion and surgical clip ligation of the aneurysm. Near-total resection and successful ligation were achieved, and the patient has remained seizure free since surgery at 1 year postoperatively. LESSONS: In patients with focal DRE and an adjacent intracranial aneurysm, a combined surgical approach involving both resection and surgical ligation can be used. Several surgical timing and neuroanesthetic considerations should be made to ensure the overall safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Understanding development of jugular bulb stenosis in vein of galen malformations: identifying metrics of complex flow dynamics in the cerebral venous vasculature of infants.

Introduction: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) assess biological systems based on specific boundary conditions. We propose modeling more advanced hemodynamic metrics, such as core line length (CL) and critical points which characterize complexity of flow in the context of cerebral vasculature, and specifically cerebral veins during the physiologically evolving early neonatal state of vein of Galen malformations (VOGM). CFD has not been applied to the study of arteriovenous shunting in Vein of Galen Malformations but could help illustrate the pathophysiology of this malformation. Methods: Three neonatal patients with VOGM at Boston Children's Hospital met inclusion criteria for this study. Structural MRI data was segmented to generate a mesh of the VOGM and venous outflow. Boundary condition flow velocity was derived from PC-MR sequences with arterial and venous dual velocity encoding. The mesh and boundary conditions were applied to model the cerebral venous flow. We computed flow variables including mean wall shear stress (WSSmean), mean OSI, CL, and the mean number of critical points (nCrPointsmean) for each patient specific model. A critical point is defined as the location where the shear stress vector field is zero (stationary point) and can be used to describe complexity of flow. Results: The division of flow into the left and right venous outflow was comparable between PC-MR and CFD modeling. A high complexity recirculating flow pattern observed on PC-MR was also identified on CFD modeling. Regions of similar WSSmean and OSImean (<1.3 fold) in the left and right venous outflow channels of a single patient have several-fold magnitude difference in higher order hemodynamic metrics (> 3.3 fold CL, > 1.7 fold nCrPointsmean). Specifically, the side which developed JBS in each model had greater nCrPointsmean compared to the jugular bulb with no stenosis (VOGM1: 4.49 vs. 2.53, VOGM2: 1.94 vs. 0, VOGM3: 1 vs. 0). Biologically, these regions had subsequently divergent development, with increased complexity of flow associating with venous stenosis. Discussion: Advanced metrics of flow complexity identified in computational models may reflect observed flow phenomena not fully characterized by primary or secondary hemodynamic parameters. These advanced metrics may indicate physiological states that impact development of jugular bulb stenosis in VOGM.

Carotid artery stenting for asymptomatic stenosis is associated with decreased 30-day readmission at very high volume centers.

Endovascular carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a common treatment for carotid artery stenosis and stroke prevention. Previous studies have shown that high procedural volume centers are associated with improved patient outcomes. Unplanned 30-day readmissions, which are associated with significant expenses, are increasingly used as a metric of patient outcome. Despite prior studies evaluating associations between procedural volume and multiple outcomes, the association between very high CAS volume and short-term (30-day) readmission has not yet been evaluated in a large multicenter study. The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was analyzed retrospectively from 2010 to 2015 to evaluate the association between hospital procedural volume and patient outcomes in asymptomatic and symptomatic CAS patients. Very high volume centers (VHVC) were defined as the top 10% hospitals in terms of procedural volume, performing >= 79 procedures a year. Univariate and multivariate analyses of patient and hospital characteristics evaluated associations with short-term (30-day) readmissions (SR), long-term (90-day) readmissions (LR), index mortality, discharge disposition, major complications, and neurological complications. A total of 36,128 asymptomatic patients and 8,390 symptomatic patients who underwent CAS were identified. Asymptomatic CAS patients treated at VHVCs were associated with decreased likelihood of SR (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.95, p = 0.003) and LR (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, p = 0.037) compared to asymptomatic patients at non-VHVCs. There was no significant difference in SR or LR between symptomatic CAS patients treated at a VHVC vs. non-VHVC. Our findings provide additional evidence to support the role of experience in improved CAS treatment outcomes.

Pediatric patients with malignant brain tumor treated at children's hospitals: association with fewer unplanned readmissions.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric primary brain tumors are the leading cause of death among childhood cancers. Guidelines recommend specialized care with a multidisciplinary team and focused treatment protocols to optimize outcomes in this patient population. Furthermore, readmission is a key metric of patient outcomes and has been used to inform reimbursement. However, no prior study has analyzed national database-level records to evaluate the role of care in a designated children's hospital following pediatric tumor resection and its impact on readmission rates. The goal of this study was to investigate whether treatment at a children's hospital rather than a nonchildren's hospital has a significant effect on outcome. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database records from 2010 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the effect of hospital designation on patient outcomes after craniotomy for brain tumor resection, and results are reported as national estimates. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of patient and hospital characteristics were conducted to evaluate if craniotomy for tumor resection at a designated children's hospital was independently associated with 30-day readmissions, mortality rate, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 4003 patients who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection were identified using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, with 1258 of these cases (31.4%) treated at children's hospitals. Patients treated at children's hospitals were associated with decreased likelihood of 30-day hospital readmission (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.97, p = 0.036) compared to patients treated at nonchildren's hospitals. There was no significant difference in index mortality between patients treated at children's hospitals and those treated at nonchildren's hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection at children's hospitals were associated with decreased rates of 30-day readmission, with no significant difference in index mortality. Future prospective studies may be warranted to confirm this association and identify components contributing to improved outcomes in care at children's hospitals.

Myelomeningocele repair at pediatric hospitals: association with routine discharge and shorter hospital stay.

OBJECTIVE: Postnatal repair for myelomeningocele (MMC) is a time-sensitive and technically challenging procedure. More experienced hospitals may provide improved outcomes for the complexity of care associated with these patients. No prior study has investigated the impact of MMC treatment at pediatric hospitals. The authors sought to examine the effect of pediatric hospital designation on patients undergoing postnatal MMC repair to identify factors associated with maximizing improved patient outcomes. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database records from 2010 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively to determine the effect of hospital designation on patient outcomes after postnatal MMC repair. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of patient and hospital characteristics were conducted to evaluate if MMC repair at a designated pediatric hospital was independently associated with patient outcomes of perinatal infection rates, discharge disposition, and length of stay. RESULTS: Of the total of 6353 pediatric patients who underwent postnatal MMC repair between 2010 and 2018, 2224 (35.0%) received care at a pediatric hospital. Those with an extreme level of disease burden as defined by the all patient refined diagnosis-related group severity of illness index were more likely to be treated at a pediatric hospital (p = 0.03). Patients undergoing repair at a pediatric hospital were also associated with a decreased likelihood of perinatal infection (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.35-0.83, p = 0.005); greater likelihood of routine disposition (OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.34-10.06, p < 0.0001); and shorter length of stay (incidence rate ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.77-0.995, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients requiring intervention for postnatal repair of MMC may benefit from the multidisciplinary subspeciality care offered at pediatric hospitals. The authors found that postnatal repair of MMC at pediatric hospitals was associated with a greater likelihood of improved patient outcomes.

Neurosurgical outcomes of pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following acute mastoiditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgical outcomes are not well defined in the management of pediatric patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following acute mastoiditis. Specific notable sequelae are otogenic (otitic) hydrocephalus and CVST management. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to integrate the currently published metadata to summarize these outcomes. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using the Ovid Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to November 2022 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cohort-level data were then abstracted for analysis for appropriate pediatric patients. Outcomes were pooled by random-effects meta-analyses of proportions where possible. RESULTS: Twenty-three study cohorts describing 312 pediatric patients with otogenic CVST were included. At a cohort level, the median patient age was 6 years among 181 boys (58%) and 131 girls (42%). Modeling indicated papilledema at presentation in 46% of cases (95% CI 30%-62%). Regarding management, antibiotics were applied universally in all cases, mastoidectomy or other otologic surgery was performed in 91% (95% CI 82%-98%), and prophylactic anticoagulation was administered in 86% (95% CI 75%-95%). There was only 1 case (0.3%) of postprocedural intracranial hemorrhage, and there were no deaths reported among all studies. Although diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed in 14% (95% CI 3%-28%) at presentation, clinical otogenic hydrocephalus was ultimately suspected in 31% (95% CI 14%-49%), and acetazolamide was given in 65% (95% CI 35%-91%) overall. There were 10 cases (3%) that proceeded to permanent CSF diversion in the form of ventricular shunting. At a median follow-up of 8 months among all studies, the venous sinus was completely recanalized in 67% (95% CI 53%-79%). CONCLUSIONS: Most CVSTs following acute mastoiditis will recanalize with the standard use of antibiotics, otologic surgery, and anticoagulation, with minimal symptomatic hemorrhage risk. However, an appreciable proportion of these patients will develop symptomatic otogenic hydrocephalus, and it is imperative that the appropriate surveillance and workup is performed to fully optimize patient outcomes long-term. The possible need for permanent CSF diversion should be recognized.

External validation of the R2eD AVM scoring system to assess rupture risk in pediatric AVM patients.

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of hemorrhagic risk is of central importance in the management of pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). A recently published scoring system, the R2eD AVM (race, exclusive deep location or not, AVM size < 3 or ≥ 3, venous drainage exclusively deep or not, and monoarterial feeding or >1 arterial feeders) considers patient race and AVM location, size, venous drainage, and arterial supply and was successfully externally validated for use in adults to predict the risk of AVM hemorrhagic presentation. In this study the authors sought to externally validate the R2eD AVM score for prediction of hemorrhagic risk in the pediatric AVM population. METHODS: A pediatric database at Boston Children's Hospital was retrospectively reviewed for all patients with a diagnosis of intracranial AVM. Exclusion criteria included age > 21 years, multiple AVMs, and incomplete clinical/radiographic data. Demographic data and R2eD AVM score calculations were collected for all patients. Univariate binary logistic regression and multivariate stepwise backward elimination models were used to determine factors associated with hemorrhagic presentation. RESULTS: A total of 212 AVMs were identified in 212 patients with vascular anomalies from 1995 to 2021, and 144 patients met the inclusion criteria (74 [51.4%] male, 111 [77.1%] White), of whom 87 (60.4%) patients presented with rupture and 122 (84.7%) underwent resection. The mean age at surgery was 12 years (range 3 months to 20 years). The R2eD AVM scoring system was applied to each patient. The score components of size < 3 cm and exclusive deep venous drainage were significantly associated with rupture risk (p < 0.05). The complete model for the R2eD AVM score had an area under the curve of 0.671 (95% CI 0.586-0.757). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated poor external validity of the R2eD AVM score in predicting pediatric AVM rupture risk. The results suggest that future studies are warranted to determine a better scoring method to capture pediatric rupture risk, given the significant differences in clinical presentation in pediatric compared with adult AVM patients.

Overcoming roadblocks in clinical innovation via high fidelity simulation: use of a phantom simulator to achieve FDA and IRB approval of a clinical trial of fetal embolization of vein of Galen malformations.

BACKGROUND: Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a rare, life-threatening vascular malformation in neonates and is treated with embolization. However, even at the most experienced centers, patients face high mortality and morbidity. In utero treatment options have been limited by lack of animal models or simulations. OBJECTIVE: To create a novel ultrasound phantom simulator for a preclinical feasibility study of in utero fetal intervention for VOGM. METHODS: Novel phantoms were designed and built in two configurations of spherical and windsock shape from cryogel material to mimic the salient vasculature of the fetal VOGM, based on real-patient fetal MR imaging dimensions. Critical anatomy was realistically mimicked within this model and transtorcular ultrasound-guided coil deployment was simulated. Each phantom model was assessed before and after treatment to evaluate coil mass deposition within the target. RESULTS: The two phantoms underwent pretreatment T2-weighted MR imaging assessment, ultrasound-guided embolization, post-treatment MR and fluoroscopic imaging, and visual inspection of the sliced phantoms for target embolization verification. Postoperative MR scans confirmed realistic compact deposition of the coil masses within the central cavity. Phantom embolization results were submitted as part of the institutional review board and US Food and Drug Administration investigative device exemption approval for a first-in-humans clinical trial of fetal intervention for VOGM. CONCLUSIONS: A phantom simulator for fetal intervention of VOGM produces lifelike results during trial interventions, removing obstacles to feasibility and safety evaluations, typically precluded by non-availability of appropriate animal models. The study provides a proof of concept for potentially wider applications of medical simulation to enable novel procedural advancements in neurointerventions.

Making a case for endovascular approaches for neural recording and stimulation.

There are many electrode types for recording and stimulating neural tissue, most of which necessitate direct contact with the target tissue. These electrodes range from large, scalp electrodes which are used to non-invasively record averaged, low frequency electrical signals from large areas/volumes of the brain, to penetrating microelectrodes which are implanted directly into neural tissue and interface with one or a few neurons. With the exception of scalp electrodes (which provide very low-resolution recordings), each of these electrodes requires a highly invasive, open brain surgical procedure for implantation, which is accompanied by significant risk to the patient. To mitigate this risk, a minimally invasive endovascular approach can be used. Several types of endovascular electrodes have been developed to be delivered into the blood vessels in the brain via a standard catheterization procedure. In this review, the existing body of research on the development and application of endovascular electrodes is presented. The capabilities of each of these endovascular electrodes is compared to commonly used direct-contact electrodes to demonstrate the relative efficacy of the devices. Potential clinical applications of endovascular recording and stimulation and the advantages of endovascular versus direct-contact approaches are presented.

The composition of landmark vein of Galen malformation research: the emergence of endovascular treatments.

BACKGROUND: Since the advent of endovascular treatment, the long-term prognosis of vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) has markedly improved; however, the nature of research leading to this point is unclear. The objective of this study was to define the composition of VOGM research to date, by means of a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most cited VOGM articles. METHODS: An electronic search of Elsevier's Scopus database was performed to identify the 100 most cited articles on VOGM screened against predetermined criteria. Data were then compared. RESULTS: The 100 most cited VOGM articles were published between 1974 and 2017 in 38 unique journals and originated from 16 unique countries. Mean citation count and rate were 59.4 citations and 2.9 citations/year, respectively. The USA (n = 42); Hôpital de Bicêtre, France (n = 15); and Dr. Pierre Lasjaunias (n = 16) were the largest individual country, institutional, and author contributors. Compared to the older articles (published < 2000), key differences for newer articles were statistically higher citation rates (P < 0.01), more authors (P < 0.01), higher proportion of endovascular treatment descriptions (P = 0.01), and more originating from Asia Pacific (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: From the 100 most cited VOGM articles to date, there has been a noticeable shift from diagnosing VOGM based on the foundational work by Dr. Lasjaunias to understanding how we can model clinical outcomes now that endovascular treatment has become the standard of care. Significant shifts in prognosis are pending, and the current bibliometric data implicate we are on the precipice of more recent works making an impact in the near future.

Interhospital transfer of pediatric patients with malignant brain tumor not associated with increased mortality, but safe routine discharge.

OBJECTIVE: Interhospital transfer (IHT) to obtain a higher level of care for pediatric patients requiring neurosurgical interventions is common. Pediatric patients with malignant brain tumors often require subspecialty care commonly provided at specialized centers. The authors aimed to assess the impact of IHT in pediatric neurosurgical patients with malignant brain tumors to identify areas of improvement in treatment of this patient population. METHODS: Pediatric patients (age < 19 years) with malignant primary brain tumors undergoing craniotomy for resection between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patient and hospital data for each index admission provided by the Nationwide Readmissions Database was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Further analysis evaluated association of IHT on specific patient- or hospital-related characteristics. RESULTS: In a total of 2279 nonelective admissions for malignant brain tumors in pediatric patients, the authors found only 132 patients (5.8%) who underwent IHT for a higher level of care. There is an increased likelihood of transfer when a patient is younger (< 7 years old, p = 0.006) or the disease process is more severe, as characterized by higher pediatric complex chronic conditions (p = 0.0004) and increased all patient refined diagnosis-related group mortality index (p = 0.02). Patients who are transferred (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.04-3.35; p = 0.04) and patients who are treated at pediatric centers (OR 6.89, 95% CI 4.23-11.22; p < 0.0001) are more likely to have a routine discharge home. On multivariate analysis, transfer status was not associated with a longer length of stay (incident rate ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.94-1.16; p = 0.5) or greater overall costs per patient ($20,947.58, 95% CI -$35,078.80 to $76,974.00; p = 0.50). Additionally, IHT is not associated with increased likelihood of death or major complication. CONCLUSIONS: IHT has a significant role in the outcome of pediatric patients with malignant brain tumors. Transfer of this patient population to hospitals providing subspecialized care results in a higher level of care without a significant burden on overall costs, risks, or mortality.

Readmissions after ventricular shunting in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus: a Nationwide Readmissions Database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid diversion via ventricular shunting is a common surgical treatment for hydrocephalus in the pediatric population. No longitudinal follow-up data for a multistate population-based cohort of pediatric patients undergoing ventricular shunting in the United States have been published. In the current review of a nationwide population-based data set, the authors aimed to assess rates of shunt failure and hospital readmission in pediatric patients undergoing new ventricular shunt placement. They also review patient- and hospital-level factors associated with shunt failure and readmission. METHODS: Included in this study was a population-based sample of pediatric patients with hydrocephalus who, in 2010-2014, had undergone new ventricular shunt placement and had sufficient follow-up, as recorded in the Nationwide Readmissions Database. The authors analyzed the rate of revision within 6 months, readmission rates at 30 and 90 days, and potential factors associated with shunt failure including patient- and hospital-level variables and type of hydrocephalus. RESULTS: A total of 3520 pediatric patients had undergone initial ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus at an index admission. Twenty percent of these patients underwent shunt revision within 6 months. The median time to revision was 44.5 days. Eighteen percent of the patients were readmitted within 30 days and 31% were readmitted within 90 days. Different-hospital readmissions were rare, occurring in ≤ 6% of readmissions. Increased hospital volume was not protective against readmission or shunt revision. Patients with grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage were more likely to have shunt malfunctions. Patients who had private insurance and who were treated at a large hospital were less likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSIONS: In a nationwide, population-based database with longitudinal follow-up, shunt failure and readmission were common. Although patient and hospital factors were associated with readmission and shunt failure, system-wide phenomena such as insufficient centralization of care and fragmentation of care were not observed. Efforts to reduce readmissions in pediatric patients undergoing ventricular shunt procedures should focus on coordinating care in patients with complex neurological diseases and on reducing healthcare disparities associated with readmission.

Middle Cerebral Artery Thrombectomy: Clinical Findings and Technical Pearls: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Mechanical thrombectomy as a treatment for large vessel occlusion to achieve rapid revascularization is supported in the literature.1-3 The presenting symptoms will localize to functions of the ischemic area. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) supplies areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, as well as the basal ganglia. Occlusion of the MCA will present with contralateral hemiplegia, sensory loss, and, if the dominant hemisphere is involved, language deficits. We present a right-hand-dominant 79-yr-old female with right MCA syndrome-her last known well time was 1.5 h prior to presentation. Her NIH (National Institutes of Health) Stroke Scale was 16, most notable for left hemiplegia. Although the patient presented early in the clinical time course, as part of our institution protocol, a computed tomography (CT) head, CT perfusion, and CT angiogram (CTA) were performed. CT head did not demonstrate acute hemorrhage, so she received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. CTA demonstrated a right MCA occlusion and CT perfusion suggested a large area of salvageable tissue, so she was taken to the angiography suite for mechanical thrombectomy. Angiography of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) showed MCA occlusion (insular segment). A thrombectomy device was deployed over the area of occlusion and allowed to engage for 5 min. An aspiration catheter was advanced over the stentriever up against the clot. The stentriever device was withdrawn under continuous aspiration and follow-up angiography showed complete reperfusion. The patient demonstrated improvement and was eventually discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation center. Patient provided consent for photography per university protocol. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was not needed for the single-patient data included in this report.