A Review and Survey of Neurosurgeon-Hospital Relationships: Evolution and Options.

As healthcare delivery shifts from fee-for-service, episodic care to pay for performance and population health, both hospitals and physicians are looking for new forms of integration. A number of regulations and restrictions govern physician relationships with hospitals. In this paper, we review the legal basis for such relationships and the options available. We also survey neurosurgeons and hospital executives to gain their perspective on the current situation and likely future. Two series of structured interviews were conducted with 10 neurosurgeons who work in a range of situations in diverse markets, and with Memorial Hermann Healthcare System senior executive leadership. Their responses form the basis for the subsequent discussion. Neurosurgeons can be independent, join a confederation such as an Independent Physician Association or another type of "clinically integrated" network, or be employed by a hospital, medical school, or physician group. With varying levels of integration comes the strength of size, management expertise, negotiating leverage, economies of scale, and possibly financial advantages, but with impact on autonomy and independence. Constructive alignment can lead to a win-win situation for both the individual physician and the organization, but options vary widely due to heterogeneous local conditions. This paper reviews possible relationships, moving along a spectrum from no financial integration to full integration. Concepts such as physician leasing, professional service agreements, "clinical integration," and employment are presented. This paper offers a practical reference that might be useful to a new graduate, independent neurosurgeon considering integration, or employed physicians considering alternatives.

Correction.

[This corrects the article on p. 8 in vol. 10.].

Angioleiomyoma of the falx.

A 43-year-old man arrived at the emergency department following a syncopal episode. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images demonstrated a small interhemispheric, anterior parafalcine mass that mimicked a meningioma. Surgical excision and subsequent pathologic evaluation revealed an angioleiomyoma and the patient recovered without incident. Angioleiomyomas are classified as benign smooth muscle tumors and are classically seen in adult females arising in the soft tissues of the lower extremities. Although rare, these masses have been described in various intracranial locations, usually extra-axially. A comprehensive review of the literature and discussion are provided, emphasizing histopathologic and imaging features of this uncommon intracranial neoplasm.

A prospective, randomized, controlled cervical fusion study using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with the CORNERSTONE-SR allograft ring and the ATLANTIS anterior cervical plate.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, pilot clinical trial compared recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) with iliac crest autograft bone for the treatment of human cervical disc disease. OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and effectiveness of using INFUSE Bone Graft (rhBMP-2 applied to an absorbable collagen sponge), as compared with an autogenous iliac crest bone graft placed inside the CORNERSTONE-SR fibular allograft, in anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 is an osteoinductive protein that induces a reliable fusion in the lumbar spine, but it has not been studied in patients with degenerative cervical disc disease. METHODS: For this study, 33 patients with degenerative cervical disc disease were randomly assigned to investigational or control groups. The investigational group received a fibular allograft (CORNERSTONE-SR Allograft Ring) with an rhBMP-2-laden collagen carrier inside the graft along with an ATLANTIS anterior cervical plate. The control group received a fibular allograft with cancellous iliac crest autograft placed inside it, along with an ATLANTIS anterior cervical plate. The patients underwent plain radiographs at 6 weeks, then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and CT scans at 3 and 6 months after surgery. They also completed general health profiles and self-evaluation scales. Adverse events were evaluated for severity, duration, association with the implant, and the need for a second surgical procedure. RESULTS: All the patients evaluated had solid fusions 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. There were no device-related adverse events. At 24 months, the investigational group had mean improvement superior to that of the control group in neck disability and arm pain scores (P < 0.03 each). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of using rhBMP-2 safely and effectively in the cervical spine.