Automatic assessment of scoliosis surgery outcome on trunk shape using left-right trunk asymmetry.

PURPOSE: To present a novel set of Left-Right Trunk Asymmetry (LRTA) indices and use them to assess the postoperative appearance of the trunk in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients. METHODS: We hypothesize that LRTA measurements provide complementary information to existing trunk asymmetry indices when documenting the outcome of scoliosis surgery. Forty-nine AIS patients with thoracic curves who underwent posterior spinal fusion were included. All had surface topography scans taken preoperatively and at least 6 months postoperatively. We documented spinal curvature using Radiographic Cobb angles, scoliometer readings and coronal balance. To evaluate Global Trunk Asymmetry (GTA), we used the standard measures of Back Surface Rotation (BSR) and Trunk Lateral Shift (TLS). To measure LRTA, we identified asymmetry areas as regions of significant deviation between the left and right sides of the 3D back surface. New parameters called Deformation Rate (DR) and Maximum Asymmetry (MA) were measured in different regions based on the asymmetry areas. We compared the GTA and LRTA changes with those in spinal curvature before and after surgery. RESULTS: The GTA indices, mainly TLS, showed improvement for more than 75% of patients. There was significant improvement of LRTA in the shoulder blades and waist regions (95% and 80% of patients respectively). CONCLUSION: We report positive outcomes for LRTA in the majority of patients, specifically in the shoulder blades and waist, even when no reduction of BSR is observed. The proposed indices can evaluate local trunk asymmetries and the degree to which they are improved or worsened after scoliosis surgery.

Impact of diabetes on weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery: Experience from 5-year follow-up of Michigan Bariatric Surgery Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: For patients with obesity and diabetes, bariatric surgery can lead to the remission of both diseases. However, the possible impact of diabetes on the magnitude of weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery has not been precisely quantified. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from Michigan Bariatric Surgery Cohort (MI-BASiC) was extracted to examine the effect of baseline diabetes on weight loss outcomes. Consecutive patients older than 18 years of age undergoing gastric bypass (GB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for obesity at University of Michigan between January 2008 and November 2013 were included. Repeated measures analysis was used to determine if diabetes was a predictor of weight loss outcomes over 5 years postsurgery. RESULTS: Out of the 714 included patients, 380 patients underwent GB [mean BMI 47.3 ± 0.4 kg/m2 , diabetes 149 (39.2%)] and 334 SG [mean BMI 49.9 ± 0.5 kg/m2 , diabetes 108 (32.3%)]. Multivariable repeated measures analysis showed, after adjusting for covariates, that individuals with diabetes had a significantly lower percentage of total (p = .0023) and excess weight loss (p = .0212) compared to individuals without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that patients with diabetes undergoing bariatric surgery would experience less weight loss than patients without diabetes.

A longitudinal cohort study of mediators of health-related quality of life after pediatric epilepsy surgery or medical treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study was to examine the variables that influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after epilepsy surgery in children. We examined whether treatment type (surgical vs medical therapy) and seizure control are related to other variables that have been shown to influence HRQOL, namely depressive symptoms in children with epilepsy or their parents, and the availability of family resources. METHODS: In total, 265 children with drug-resistant epilepsy were recruited from eight epilepsy centers across Canada at the time of their evaluation for candidacy for epilepsy surgery and were assessed at baseline, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up. Parents completed the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) and measures of family resources and depression; children completed depression inventories. Causal mediation analyses using natural effect models were used to evaluate the extent to which the relationship between treatment and HRQOL was explained by seizure control, child and parent depressive symptoms, and family resources. RESULTS: Overall, 111 children underwent surgery and 154 were treated with medical therapy only. The HRQOL scores of surgical patients were 3.4 points higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.2, 7.0) relative to medical patients at the 2-year follow-up after adjusting for baseline covariates, with 66% of the effect of surgery attributed to seizure control. Child or parent depressive symptoms and family resources had negligible mediation effects between treatment and HRQOL. The effect of seizure control on HRQOL was not mediated by child or parent depressive symptoms, or by family resources. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings demonstrate that seizure control is on the causal pathway between epilepsy surgery and improved HRQOL in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, child and parent depressive symptoms and family resources were not significant mediators. The results highlight the importance of achieving seizure control to improve HRQOL.

Health-related quality of life outcomes following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus one anastomosis gastric bypass.

PURPOSE: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) are effective standard bariatric surgeries with comparable weight loss and remission of obesity-related comorbidities. As procedure-specific health-related quality of life (HrQoL) outcomes have not been directly compared thus far, we conducted this questionnaire-based study. METHODS: Two hundred forty patients after undergoing either RYGB or OAGB between 2011 and 2016 were contacted and asked to fill out SF36 and BAROS questionnaires. All statistical analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism. Primary objectives were procedure-dependent differences in HrQoL. Secondary objectives were weight loss and remission of comorbidities. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen of 240 contacted patients (49.6%) replied, 58 after RYGB (48.7%) and 61 after OAGB (51.3%). Follow-up period was < 24 months in 52 and > 24 months in 64 evaluable patients. The mean age was 46 years (range 23 to 71). Regarding the < 24 months groups, both physical and psychological SF36 sum scales were comparably high. Only the subcategory "general health perception" was significantly better after RYGB. Significantly higher excess weight loss (EWL) after RYGB (88.81%) compared to OAGB (66.25%) caused significantly better global < 24 months BAROS outcomes, whereas remission of comorbidities and HrQoL was similar. Both > 24 months groups showed high SF36-HrQoL sum scales. Global mean BAROS results after > 24 months were "very good" in both procedures. EWL in RYGB (80.81%) and in OAGB (81.36%) were comparably excellent. CONCLUSION: Concerning SF36 and BAROS evaluated HrQoL in early and late postoperative phases, both procedures demonstrated comparable and relevant improvements. Further (preferably randomized) studies should include evaluation of preoperative HrQoL.

Long-term outcome of redo discectomy for recurrent lumbar disc herniations.

PURPOSE: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is an important cause of morbidity and healthcare costs. The goal of this investigation is to assess surgical outcomes and their predictors in patients who underwent revision discectomy for RLDH, with a minimum follow-up of ten years, to shed light on the best treatment to offer to these patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent revision discectomy to treat RLDH between 2004 and 2011 in our Department were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. The need of third intervention for RLDH was the primary outcome. Patient's satisfaction, Core Outcome Measures Index, Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQoL-5D scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: This study includes 55 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 144 months [112-199]. In this period, a third intervention was needed in 30.9% (n = 17) of patients. Most recurrences took place in the first 2 years after the second surgery (58.8%, n = 10) and the risk of needing a third surgery decreased over time. After 5 years, the probability of not having surgery for recurrence was 71% [CI 95%: 60-84%], with a tendency to stabilize after that. An interval between the first discectomy and the surgery for recurrence shorter than 7.6 months was identified as a predictor for a second recurrence. CONCLUSION: The risk of needing a third surgery seems to stabilize after five years. Patients with an early recurrence after the first discectomy seem to have a higher risk of a new recurrence, so an arthrodesis might be worth considering.

Antiseizure medication use and medical resource utilization after resective epilepsy surgery in children in the United States: A contemporary nationwide cross-sectional cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Antiseizure drug (ASD) therapy can significantly impact quality of life for pediatric patients whose epilepsy remains refractory to medications and who experience neuropsychological side effects manifested by impaired cognitive and social development. Contemporary patterns of ASD reduction after pediatric epilepsy surgery across practice settings in the United States are sparsely reported outside of small series. We assessed timing and durability of ASD reduction after pediatric epilepsy surgery and associated effects on health care utilization. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 376 pediatric patients who underwent resective epilepsy surgery between 2007 and 2016 in the United States using the Truven MarketScan database. Filled ASD prescriptions during the pre- and postoperative periods were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with achieving a stable discontinuation of or reduction in number of ASDs. Health care utilization and costs were systematically compared. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one patients (45.5%) achieved a >90-day ASD-free period after surgery, and 84 (22.3%) additional patients achieved a stable reduction in number of ASDs. Achieving ASD freedom was more common in patients undergoing total hemispherectomy (n = 21, p = .002), and less common in patients with tuberous sclerosis (p = .003). A higher number of preoperative ASDs was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving ASD reduction postoperatively (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50-2.28), but was not associated with a significant difference in the likelihood of achieving ASD freedom (0.83, 95% CI: 0.49-1.39). Achieving an ASD-free period was associated with fewer hospital readmissions within the first year after surgery. SIGNIFICANCE: Patterns of ASD use and discontinuation after pediatric epilepsy surgery provide an unbiased surgical outcome endpoint extractable from administrative databases, where changes in seizure frequency are not captured. This quantitative measure can augment traditional surgical outcome scales, incorporating a significant clinical parameter associated with improved quality of life.

Analysis of the Performance of Daily Cardiac Surgery Score (CASUS) in Patients with Mixed Racial Profile after Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to look at the Cardiac Surgery Score (CASUS) assessment after cardiac surgery, and compare it with the intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and morbidity, in a racially diverse group of patients, in a single center. DESIGN: Clinical retrospective study analyzing data from 319 patients over a 1-year duration. SETTING: Cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) of a tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: All patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 1 and December 31, 2017. INTERVENTIONS: Review of electronic patient records. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Daily CASUS assessments (calculated on an online application and recorded on patient electronic records) were retrieved. The variables of CASUS used for the study were CASUS value on postoperative day 1 (POD1-CASUS), on death/discharge from CTICU (Dis-CASUS), mean of all CASUS values during CTICU stay (M-CASUS), and differential CASUS (Dif- CASUS) [CASUS POD 1 - CASUS on discharge]. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the diagnostic level of POD 1-CASUS, indicating mortality, was calculated. A value of >6.5 for POD 1 CASUS had 80% sensitivity and 84% specificity, with area under the curve value 0.756 (95% confidence interval: 0.46 to 1). The mean values of POD1-CASUS (8.6 ± 6), M-CASUS (8.2 ± 5.2), and Dis-CASUS (7.8 ± 5.7) were significantly higher in cases of mortality, compared to the others. POD1-CASUS, M-CASUS, and Dis-CASUS were found to be statistically significantly elevated in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and postoperative stroke, and in those who were readmitted to the CTICU after initial discharge. Patients with POD1-CASUS ≥6.5 had a statistically significant association with mortality and postoperative morbidity (p < 0.05). Findings from multivariate logistic regression indicated that body mass index (BMI), ICU readmission, length of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay remained associated significantly with POD1 CASUS ≥6.5. CONCLUSION: This study found that CASUS on POD 1, mean values of CASUS during CTICU stay, and CASUS at death/discharge from CTICU predicted ICU mortality after cardiac surgery in this racially diverse group. The CASUS derivatives can be used to predict unfavorable outcomes after cardiac surgery. A POD1-CASUS value of 6.5 or more could signify mortality and postoperative morbidity.

The Safety and Efficacy of Spreader Grafts and Autospreaders in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the evidence of surgical outcomes and complications of spreader grafts and autospreader flaps in the context of middle vault reconstruction after dorsal hump removal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) framework. Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cinahl, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for Clinical and observational studies published in peer-reviewed academic journals with abstracts available that reported rhinoplasty employing either spreader graft or autospreader flap techniques and were published prior to March, 2021. RESULTS: Fifty-two of 1129 relevant studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Thirty-four studies (65.4%) were related to spreader graft (SG), 10 (21.1%) studies of autospreader flap (AF) alone and 8 (13.5%) studies involving both grafts. Meta-analysis was performed on 17 studies reporting change in NOSE scores, with pooled effect of - 23.9 (95% CI, - 26.7 to - 21.1) points. High heterogeneity with I2 = 99%. Summary data showed no differences between groups, AF group versus no graft (p = 0.7578), AF versus SF group (p = 0.9948), and SG group versus no graft (p = 0.6608). CONCLUSION: Based on available data, change in NOSE scores after rhinoplasty was similar in procedures that used spreader graft only or autospreader flap only. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Improving the prediction of epilepsy surgery outcomes using basic scalp EEG findings.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the role of scalp electroencephalography (EEG; ictal and interictal patterns) in predicting resective epilepsy surgery outcomes. We use the data to further develop a nomogram to predict seizure freedom. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the scalp EEG findings and clinical data of patients who underwent surgical resection at three epilepsy centers. Using both EEG and clinical variables categorized into 13 isolated candidate predictors and 6 interaction terms, we built a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to predict seizure freedom 2 years after surgery. Harrell's step-down procedure was used to sequentially eliminate the least-informative variables from the model until the change in the concordance index (c-index) with variable removal was less than 0.01. We created a separate model using only clinical variables. Discrimination of the two models was compared to evaluate the role of scalp EEG in seizure-freedom prediction. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy patient records were analyzed. Following internal validation, the full Clinical + EEG model achieved an optimism-corrected c-index of 0.65, whereas the c-index of the model without EEG data was 0.59. The presence of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS), high preoperative seizure frequency, absence of hippocampal sclerosis, and presence of nonlocalizable seizures predicted worse outcome. The presence of FBTCS had the largest impact for predicting outcome. The analysis of the models' interactions showed that in patients with unilateral interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), temporal lobe surgery cases had a better outcome. In cases with bilateral IEDs, abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) predicted worse outcomes, and in cases without IEDs, patients with extratemporal epilepsy and abnormal MRI had better outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the value of scalp EEG, particularly the significance of IEDs, in predicting surgical outcome. The nomogram delivers an individualized prediction of postoperative outcome, and provides a unique assessment of the relationship between the outcome and preoperative findings.

Outcome of epilepsy surgery in lesional epilepsy: Experiences from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to report the postoperative seizure outcome and associated factors in patients with lesional epilepsy, in a low-income setting. METHODS: This longitudinal prospective study included patients who underwent epilepsy surgery at Kashani Comprehensive Epilepsy Center between 2014 and 2019. Post-surgical outcomes were reported according to the Engel score, and patients were classified into two groups of seizure free (SF) and not-seizure free (NSF). RESULTS: A total of 148 adult patients, with a mean age of 30.45 ±â€¯9.23 years were included. The SF outcome was reported in 86.5% of patients and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were reduced or discontinued in 45.9%. The mean follow-up duration was 26.7 ±â€¯14.9 months. Temporal lobe lesions (76.3%) and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) (56.7%) were the most frequent etiologies. Temporal lesion (Incidence relative risk (IRR): 1.76, 95% CI [1.08-2.87], p = 0.023), prior history of CNS infection (IRR:1.18, 95% CI [1.03-1.35], p = 0.019), use of intra-operative ECoG (IRR:1.73, 95% CI [1.06-2.81], p = 0.028), and absence of IEDs in postoperative EEG (IRR: 1.41, 95% CI [1.18-1.70], p < 0.001) were positive predictors for a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Many patients with drug-resistant lesional epilepsy showed a favorable response to surgery. We believe that resective epilepsy surgery in low-income settings is a major treatment option. The high frequency of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in developing countries is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Hence, strategies to increase access to epilepsy surgery in these settings are urgently needed.

Drebrin expression patterns in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Drebrins are crucial for synaptic function and dendritic spine development, remodeling, and maintenance. In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients, a significant hippocampal synaptic reorganization occurs, and synaptic reorganization has been associated with hippocampal hyperexcitability. This study aimed to evaluate, in TLE patients, the hippocampal expression of drebrin using immunohistochemistry with DAS2 or M2F6 antibodies that recognize adult (drebrin A) or adult and embryonic (pan-drebrin) isoforms, respectively. METHODS: Hippocampal sections from drug-resistant TLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS; TLE, n = 33), of whom 31 presented with type 1 HS and two with type 2 HS, and autopsy control cases (n = 20) were assayed by immunohistochemistry and evaluated for neuron density, and drebrin A and pan-drebrin expression. Double-labeling immunofluorescences were performed to localize drebrin A-positive spines in dendrites (MAP2), and to evaluate whether drebrin colocalizes with inhibitory (GAD65) and excitatory (VGlut1) presynaptic markers. RESULTS: Compared to controls, TLE patients had increased pan-drebrin in all hippocampal subfields and increased drebrin A-immunopositive area in all hippocampal subfields but CA1. Drebrin-positive spine density followed the same pattern as total drebrin quantification. Confocal microscopy indicated juxtaposition of drebrin-positive spines with VGlut1-positive puncta, but not with GAD65-positive puncta. Drebrin expression in the dentate gyrus of TLE cases was associated negatively with seizure frequency and positively with verbal memory. TLE patients with lower drebrin-immunopositive area in inner molecular layer (IML) than in outer molecular layer (OML) had a lower seizure frequency than those with higher or comparable drebrin-immunopositive area in IML compared with OML. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that changes in drebrin-positive spines and drebrin expression in the dentate gyrus of TLE patients are associated with lower seizure frequency, more preserved verbal memory, and a better postsurgical outcome.

Decentralized surgery of abdominal wall defects in Germany.

PURPOSE: Neonatal surgery for abdominal wall defects is not performed in a centralized manner in Germany. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment for abdominal wall defects in Germany is equally effective compared to international results despite the decentralized care. METHODS: All newborn patients who were clients of the major statutory health insurance company in Germany between 2009 and 2013 and who had a diagnosis of gastroschisis or omphalocele were included. Mortality during the first year of life was analysed. RESULTS: The 316 patients with gastroschisis were classified as simple (82%) or complex (18%) cases. The main associated anomalies in the 197 patients with omphalocele were trisomy 18/21 (8%), cardiac anomalies (32%) and anomalies of the urinary tract (10%). Overall mortality was 4% for gastroschisis and 16% for omphalocele. Significant factors for non-survival were birth weight below 1500 g for both groups, complex gastroschisis, volvulus and anomalies of the blood supply to the intestine in gastroschisis, and female gender, trisomy 18/21 and lung hypoplasia in omphalocele. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that paediatric surgical care is organized in a decentralized manner in Germany, the mortality rates for gastroschisis and omphalocele are equal to those reported in international data.

Are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures risk factors for a worse outcome in patients with refractory mesial temporal epilepsy submitted to surgery? Results of a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify if the presence of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) could be a risk factor precluding corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH) in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) (TLE-MTS). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical data of patients with refractory TLE-MTS accompanied in a Brazilian epilepsy surgery center. Presurgical psychiatric evaluations were performed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Engel's I classification two years after surgery was considered as a favorable outcome. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients initially included (65 females; 56.5%), 49 (60.5%) had TLE-MTS without PNES, 24 (29.7%) with TLE-MTS and PNES, and eight (9.8%) with PNES only, who were excluded from further statistical comparisons. Nine patients with PNES (37.5%) underwent CAH versus 35 (71.4%) without PNES (p = 0.005). Five patients (55.5%) with PNES versus 26 (74.3%) without PNES presented Engel I (p = 0.54). The relative risk (RR) was of 1.90 for patients without PNES to undergo CAH and of 1.33 to be at Engel I. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, PNES were associated with less CAH. There were no differences, however, regarding favorable postsurgical outcomes. These results highlight that the sole presence of PNES should not preclude CAH in patients with TLE-MTS, despite the necessity of careful presurgical psychiatric evaluation.

Why are antiepileptic drugs continued after successful epilepsy surgery in adults?

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that a substantial number of patients continue treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for many years after epilepsy surgery despite seizure freedom. In this study, we aimed to investigate why AED treatment is maintained in patients three and seven years after successful epilepsy surgery. To our knowledge, an analysis of this specific subgroup of completely seizure-free patients has not been done before. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Danish patients with medically refractory epilepsy and histopathologically proven hippocampal sclerosis operated between 1995 and 2014 who were reported seizure-free at one-year postsurgery were contacted by telephone in 2017 and retrospectively asked about the reasons to continue or taper AED at three and seven years after the operation. RESULTS: Fifty patients were completely seizure-free three years after the operation. Of those, 31 (62%) were still taking AEDs at three years, thereof 10 (20%) in the same dose and number and half of those on their own wish. At seven years, nine patients were still taking AEDs, two in unchanged number and dose, both on their own wish. Fear of relapse was the most common reason not to withdraw medication. Presurgery seizure frequency for patients taking AEDs at three and seven years was not higher than for those who had discontinued taking AEDs. CONCLUSIONS: A large portion of completely seizure-free patients still take AEDs even seven years after epilepsy surgery. This seems to be largely due to the patients' own wishes and fear of relapse, and unrelated to presurgery seizure frequency. Our results could aid in counseling patients on the decision to withdraw AEDs after successful epilepsy surgery.

Surgery in elderly patients with intracranial meningioma: neuropsychological functioning during a long term follow-up.

Surgical treatment of elderly patients with meningioma is has proved to be safe, especially when patients are selected using dedicated surgical scores. These scores take into account tumor size, edema, location and patient's co-morbidities. Neuropsychological functioning (NPF) of this kind of patients has been poorly studied in literature and it is not taken into account by these scores. Aim of our study was to describe the long-term outcome in terms of NPF of elderly patients undergoing surgery. Patients older than 70 years of age affected by intracranial meningioma and selected with the Clinical-Radiological Grading Score were included in our study. Neuropsychological testing was performed using a dedicated battery of tests before surgery, 3 and 12 months after surgery. Clinical, neurological and radiological outcomes were studied as well. Forty-one patients with a median age of 74 years were included in this study. Preoperatively only 1/41 patients showed a normal NPF with all tests scoring normally. Four out of 39 patients showed a complete neuropsychological recovery after 3 months; while 10/37 patients had a complete recovery after 12 months. NPF showed a trend of progressive improvement after surgery. Our study is the first experience reported in literature describing a long term follow-up in elderly patients after surgery for intracranial meningioma. In our series, surgery determined an improvement of NPF over time; especially with a low complication rate related to the selection of patients obtained through the CRGS. Further studies need to be performed in order to understand how brain edema, tumor size, volume and tumor location affect NPF in both short and long term.

Criteria for failure and worsening after surgery for lumbar disc herniation: a multicenter observational study based on data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery.

PURPOSE: In clinical decision-making, it is crucial to discuss the probability of adverse outcomes with the patient. A large proportion of the outcomes are difficult to classify as either failure or success. Consequently, cutoff values in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for "failure" and "worsening" are likely to be different from those of "non-success". The aim of this study was to identify dichotomous cutoffs for failure and worsening, 12 months after surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation, in a large registry cohort. METHODS: A total of 6840 patients with lumbar disc herniation were operated and followed for 12 months, according to the standard protocol of the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery (NORspine). Patients reporting to be unchanged or worse on the Global Perceived Effectiveness (GPE) scale at 12-month follow-up were classified as "failure", and those considering themselves "worse" or "worse than ever" after surgery were classified as "worsening". These two dichotomous outcomes were used as anchors in analyses of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to define cutoffs for failure and worsening on commonly used PROMs, namely, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the EuroQuol 5D (EQ-5D), and Numerical Rating Scales (NRS) for back pain and leg pain. RESULTS: "Failure" after 12 months for each PROM, as an insufficient improvement from baseline, was (sensitivity and specificity): ODI change <13 (0.82, 0.82), ODI% change <33% (0.86, 0.86), ODI final raw score >25 (0.89, 0.81), NRS back-pain change <1.5 (0.74, 0.86), NRS back-pain % change <24 (0.85, 0.81), NRS back-pain final raw score >5.5 (0.81, 0.87), NRS leg-pain change <1.5 (0.81, 0.76), NRS leg-pain % change <39 (0.86, 0.81), NRS leg-pain final raw score >4.5 (0.91, 0.85), EQ-5D change <0.10 (0.76, 0.83), and EQ-5D final raw score >0.63 (0.81, 0.85). Both a final raw score >48 for the ODI and an NRS >7.5 were indicators for "worsening" after 12 months, with acceptable accuracy. CONCLUSION: The criteria with the highest accuracy for defining failure and worsening after surgery for lumbar disc herniation were an ODI percentage change score <33% for failure and a 12-month ODI raw score >48. These cutoffs can facilitate shared decision-making among doctors and patients, and improve quality assessment and comparison of clinical outcomes across surgical units. In addition to clinically relevant improvements, we propose that rates of failure and worsening should be included in reporting from clinical trials.

PET hypermetabolism in medically resistant childhood epilepsy: Incidence, associations, and surgical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We observed several children with medically resistant epilepsy demonstrating focal positron emission tomography (PET) hypermetabolism, a finding rarely reported and of questionable significance. We therefore retrospectively reviewed the incidence of hypermetabolic PET, and its relationship to electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and to the outcome of epilepsy surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 498 PET brain studies in patients with medically resistant childhood epilepsy for evidence of hypermetabolism. In patients with PET hypermetabolism, we correlated metabolic abnormality with the scalp EEG and MRI findings. In a subset of patients who underwent surgical resection, we further correlated the PET findings with histopathologic and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Focal PET hypermetabolism was identified in 33 (6.6%) of 498 studies. The region of hypermetabolism correlated with a spike count of ≥10 per minute in 26 of 32 concomitant scalp EEG studies and 18 of 21 lesions evident on MRI. In 17 patients who underwent surgical resection, PET hypermetabolism further correlated with regions revealing almost continuous epileptiform discharges on the intracranial EEG and with histopathologically malformative tissue. At a minimum follow-up of 1 year postsurgery (median 33 months), 7 (50%) of 14 patients had Engel's class I outcome, 4 patients had class II, and 2 had class III outcome, whereas one patient was unchanged. At last follow-up, seizure freedom was noted in five of seven patients with focal PET hypermetabolism alone versus three of eight patients with PET hypometabolism. SIGNIFICANCE: Focal PET hypermetabolism is associated with high spike frequency on scalp EEG and can occur in the absence of ictal events during the peri-injection period. Correlation with intracranial EEG usually corroborates the highly epileptogenic pathophysiologic state. Cortical malformations constitute the most common pathologic substrate, and resection of the hypermetabolic PET region may facilitate favorable outcomes. These observations indicate that focal PET hypermetabolism is an important marker of the epileptogenic zone and may represent its epicenter.

Long-term results of cataract surgery in type 2 diabetics, a 20-year prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the 20-year outcome, in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and subjective visual function (VF-questionnaire, VF-14) after cataract surgery in type 2 diabetics, compared with non-diabetics. METHODS: 109 type 2 diabetics and 698 non-diabetics, who had cataract surgery during 1 year at one institution, were included in this prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study. BCVA and VF-14 responses were recorded pre- and postoperatively, and every 5 years up to 20 years after surgery. Retinopathy was graded before surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between diabetics and non-diabetics, in change in BCVA from 10 years or more after surgery, p = 0.45, p = 0.44 and p = 0.83, at 10, 15 and 20 years, respectively, as well as in self-perceived visual function (VF-14) at any time after surgery, p = 0.72, p = 0.20 and p = 0.78, 10-20 years, respectively. At any follow-up, there was no significant difference in BCVA in relation to retinopathy level before surgery, p = 0.1 at 20 years. There was a trend from 10 years after surgery and onward that patients with no retinopathy at baseline lost fewer letters during the 20 years than diabetics with retinopathy. Patients with known type 2 diabetes at surgery had a significantly lower survival compared with the non-diabetics at each follow-up, p = 0.003. CONCLUSION: In surviving diabetics, BCVA and subjective visual function were retained in most cases up to 20 years after cataract surgery. Cataract extraction is effective in causing a sustainable improvement in visual function also in type 2 diabetics. Knowledge of these long-term outcomes is essential when counselling diabetics for cataract surgery.

Predictive performance of surgical mortality risk scores in infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: This observational study aimed to evaluate Association pour l'Etude et la Prévention de l'Endocardite Infectieuse (AEPEI) surgery score predictive performance in comparison to general (EuroSCORE I, II) and specific (De Feo, PALSUSE) surgical risk scores for infective endocarditis (IE). METHODS: The study included patients who underwent surgery for IE during the acute phase at Bichat University Hospital (Paris, France) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016 and at Nancy University Hospital (Nancy, France) between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019. Patients with IE complicating percutaneous aortic valve implantations or implantable intra-cardiac devices were excluded. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality rates were 18% at Bichat and 16% at Nancy. Discrimination was high for all risk scores at Bichat (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.77 for EuroSCORE I, 0.78 for EuroSCORE II, 0.76 for De Feo score, 0.72 for PALSUSE and 0.73 for AEPEI with 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.67 to 0.83), but lower at Nancy (0.56 for EuroSCORE I, 0.65 for EuroSCORE II, 0.63 for De Feo score, 0.67 for PALSUSE and 0.66 for AEPEI score with 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.47 to 0.75). With Brier score, all scores were adequately calibrated in both populations between 0.129 (De Feo) and 0.135 (PALSUSE) for Bichat and between 0.128 (De Feo) and 0.135 (EuroSCORE I) for Nancy. With the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, the AEPEI score exhibited the best calibration (observed/predicted ratio 1.058 in Bichat, 1.087 in Nancy). CONCLUSIONS: This surgical score external validation in 2 large independent populations demonstrated that the AEPEI surgical score had the best predictive performance compared to other prognosis scores. It could be helpful in clinical practice to assist the endocarditis team in decision-making.

Hypometabolic patterns are related to post-surgical seizure outcomes in focal cortical dysplasia: A semi-quantitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is routinely used for presurgical evaluation in many epilepsy centers. Hypometabolic characteristics have been extensively examined in prior studies, but the metabolic patterns associated with specific pathological types of drug-resistant epilepsy remain to be fully defined. This study was developed to explore the relationship between metabolic patterns or characteristics and surgical outcomes in type I and II focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) patients based on results from a large cohort. METHODS: Data from individuals who underwent epilepsy surgery from 2014 to 2019 with a follow-up duration of over 3 years and a pathological classification of type I or II FCD in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Hypometabolic patterns were quantitatively identified via statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and qualitatively analyzed via visual examination of PET-MRI co-registration images. Univariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between metabolic patterns and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: In total, this study included data from 210 patients. Following SPM calculations, four hypometabolic patterns were defined including unilobar, multi-lobar, and remote patterns as well as cases where no pattern was evident. In type II FCD patients, the unilobar pattern was associated with the best surgical outcomes (p = 0.014). In visual analysis, single gyrus (p = 0.032) and Clear-cut hypometabolism edge (p = 0.040) patterns exhibited better surgery outcomes in the type II FCD group. CONCLUSIONS: PET metabolic patterns are well-correlated with the prognosis of type II FCD patients. However, similar correlations were not observed in type I FCD, potentially owing to the complex distribution of the epileptogenic region. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In this study, we demonstrated that FDG-PET was a crucial examination for patients with FCD, which was a common cause of epilepsy. We compared the surgical prognosis for patients with different hypometabolism distribution patterns and found that clear and focal abnormal region in PET was correlated with good surgical outcome in type II FCD patients.