National 22-year epilepsy surgery landscape shows increasing open and minimally invasive pediatric epilepsy surgery.

OBJECTIVES: A surgical "treatment gap" in pediatric epilepsy persists despite the demonstrated safety and effectiveness of surgery. For this reason, the national surgical landscape should be investigated such that an updated assessment may more appropriately guide health care efforts. METHODS: In our retrospective cross-sectional observational study, the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for individuals 0 to <18 years of age who had an International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). This cohort was then split into a medical group and a surgical group. The former was defined by ICD codes for -DRE without an accompanying surgical code, and the latter was defined by DRE and one of the following epilepsy surgeries: any open surgery; laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT); vagus nerve stimulation; or responsive neurostimulation (RNS) from 1998 to 2020. Demographic variables of age, gender, race, insurance type, hospital charge, and hospital characteristics were analyzed between surgical options. Continuous variables were analyzed with weight-adjusted quantile regression analysis, and categorical variables were analyzed by weight-adjusted counts with percentages and compared with weight-adjusted chi-square test results. RESULTS: These data indicate an increase in epilepsy surgeries over a 22-year period, primarily due to a statistically significant increase in open surgery and a non-significant increase in minimally invasive techniques, such as LITT and RNS. There are significant differences in age, race, gender, insurance type, median household income, Elixhauser index, hospital setting, and size between the medical and surgical groups, as well as the procedure performed. SIGNIFICANCE: An increase in open surgery and minimally invasive surgeries (LITT and RNS) account for the overall rise in pediatric epilepsy surgery over the last 22 years. A positive inflection point in open surgery is seen in 2005. Socioeconomic disparities exist between medical and surgical groups. Patient and hospital sociodemographics show significant differences between the procedure performed. Further efforts are required to close the surgical "treatment gap."

Evidence for Thalamic Responsive Neurostimulation in Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Epilepsy.

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) has well-established efficacy in patients with identifiable seizure foci. Emerging evidence suggests the feasibility of expanding this treatment to patients with nonfocal or multifocal epileptic profiles with thalamic targeting. Our institution performed two successful implantations of thalamic RNS (tRNS) targeting the centromedian nucleus of the thalamus (CMT), and 1-year postoperative outcomes are provided. Additionally, a literature review of all reported tRNS was conducted. Publications were excluded if they did not include demographic data and/or epilepsy outcomes at follow-up. In the literature, 19 adult and 3 pediatric cases were identified. These cases were analyzed for outcome, indications, previous operations, and surgical practice variations. Both of our patients had failed multiple previous pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions for epilepsy. Case #1 underwent tRNS with bilateral CMT stimulation. Case #2 underwent tRNS with simultaneous right CMT and right insular stimulation, although an additional lead was placed in the left CMT and left capped for potential future use. Each has achieved ≥90% reduction in seizure burden and approach seizure freedom. 71% of patients in the literature review had multifocal, bilateral, or cryptogenic seizure onset. Three patients were implanted for Lennox Gastaut (2 of 3 are pediatric). 16 patients underwent an average of 1.6 failed procedures prior to successful tRNS implantation. Taken together, the 21 adult patients reviewed have experienced an average seizure reduction of 77% at the latest follow-up. 95% of the adult patients reported in the literature experienced >50% reduction in seizure activity following tRNS and 52% experienced ≥90% reduction in seizure burden following tRNS. Pediatric patients have experienced 70-100% improvement.

Sociodemographics Impact Competitiveness in the Neurosurgical Match: Survey Results.

BACKGROUND: The neurosurgical match involves selecting future neurosurgeons who will comprise the future national workforce, based on a competitive ranking process of applicants. We aimed to identify which sociodemographic and academic factors influence competitiveness and rank position in the match. METHODS: A Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) survey was distributed to current U.S. neurosurgical residents. The primary outcome measure was self-reported rank position of matched program. Variables included sociodemographic and academic metrics. Fisher exact, logistic regression, and t tests were performed. RESULTS: Among the 72 respondents, median United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score was 248, 34.7% were Alpha Omega Alpha inductees, 77.8% completed 1-3 sub-internship rotations, median number of publications was 5, and 13.9% had a Ph.D. Sociodemographic analysis demonstrated that 69.4% were male and 30.6% were female. Applicants with a home neurosurgery program or of female gender had statistically significantly higher odds of matching into a top 3 program on their rank list (odds ratio = 9 and odds ratio = 6, respectively). Female applicants exhibited similar mean, but less variance, compared with male respondents for United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores and number of publications. Respondents with a top 3 program match were more likely to agree that the home program supported their pursuance of neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Two sociodemographic factors were independently associated with high match rank: presence of home neurosurgery program and female gender. Female respondents reported consistently strong academic metrics (similar mean, but less variance, compared with male respondents).

Epidural Effusion as Allergic Reaction Following Polyetheretherketone Cranioplasty: An Illustrative Case and Review of the Literature.

Well-described complications of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cranioplasty in pediatric patients include surgical site infection, post-operative hematoma, cerebral edema, and implant fracture. We present a rare case of hypersensitivity to PEEK presenting as an epidural effusion in a 7-year-old male receiving a PEEK cranioplasty following a decompressive craniectomy. Within three weeks, the patient experienced fever and emesis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was high (>130 mm/Hr) as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) (6.4 mg/dL). A brain MRI with contrast demonstrated both subgaleal and epidural fluid collections with T2 isointense columns projecting from the galeal surface, through the holes in the implant to the dural surface. The patient appeared clinically well. A sterile tap of the pericranial fluid showed no growth, b2-transferrin was negative, but the IgG level was high (>129.2 mg/dL) in the tap fluid. High-dose steroids reduced the epidural collection, but then the collection returned with steroid wean. A second cranioplasty operation replaced the PEEK flap with autologous bone. Postoperative imaging demonstrated markedly reduced fluid collections and a decreased midline shift. The patient remained clinically intact throughout the experience. PEEK allergy following cranioplasty is a rare entity and must be distinguished from infection or hematoma. Medical treatment with steroids can be attempted, but, if refractory, then appropriate treatment may necessitate removal of the offending PEEK implant.

Infectious Complications and Operative Management of Intrathecal Baclofen Pumps in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 20 Years of Pooled Experience.

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a treatment modality used to improve the quality of life of patients with intractable spasticity and dystonia. Although it is an effective solution in patients failing oral interventions, it is associated with potential infectious complications. It is known that pediatric patients with ITB have significantly higher infection rates compared with adult patients. The cause of these higher rates in pediatric patients remains unclear. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis focusing on the incidence of infection, and clarification of potential risk factors for infection in pediatric patients with ITB. METHODS: This meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic database search was performed through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Eligibility criteria and bias assessment were applied before statistical analysis. RESULTS: The 17 studies identified yielded 2238 pediatric patients treated with implanted ITB pumps between 1994 and 2014. Infection comprised 34% of observed complications, second only to catheter malfunction. Pediatric ITB primary infection ranged between 0% and 44% among included studies (interquartile range, 4.85%-18.85%). A linear mixed-effects regression model showed that subfascial implantation had 12% lower primary infection rates compared with subcutaneous implantations across the literature. The relative risk of infection was 56% lower in pediatric patients with subfascially implanted ITB pumps. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons and clinicians should use these data to better assess patient risk-benefit when considering ITB pump implantation.

Combined Responsive Neurostimulation and Focal Resection for Super Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Systematic Review and Illustrative Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is a neurologic emergency with high mortality and morbidity. Although medical algorithms typically are effective, when they do fail, options may be limited, and neurosurgical intervention should be considered. METHODS: We report a case of SRSE treated acutely with responsive neurostimulation (RNS) and focal surgical resection after intracranial monitoring. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature for neurosurgical treatment of SRSE (e.g., neurostimulation). Only published manuscripts were considered. RESULTS: Our patient's seizure semiology consisted of left facial twitching with frequent evolution to bilateral tonic-clonic convulsions. Stereoelectroencephalography and grid monitoring identified multiple seizure foci. The patient underwent right RNS placement with cortical strip leads over the lateral primary motor and premotor cortex as well as simultaneous right superior temporal and frontopolar resection. Status epilepticus resolved 21 days after surgical resection and placement of the RNS. The systematic review revealed 15 case reports describing 17 patients with SRSE who underwent acute neurosurgical intervention. There were 3 patients with SRSE with RNS placement as a single modality, all of whom experienced cessation of SE. Four patients with SRSE received vagus nerve stimulation (3 as a single modality and 1 with combined corpus callosotomy), of whom 1 had SE recurrence at 2weeks. Two patients with SRSE received deep brain stimulation, and the remaining 8 underwent surgical resection; none had recurrence of SE. CONCLUSIONS: RNS System placement with or without resection can be a viable treatment option for select patients with SRSE. Early neurosurgical intervention may improve seizure outcomes and reduce complications.