Care for Chiari malformation type I: the role of socioeconomic disadvantage and race.

OBJECTIVE: There is little research on the effect of social determinants of health on Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). The authors analyzed data on all children evaluated for CM-I at a single institution to assess how socioeconomic factors and race affect the surgical treatment of this population. METHODS: Medical records of patients treated for CM-I at the authors' institution between 1992 and 2017 were reviewed. Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes for each patient were used to measure neighborhood disadvantage. Non-Hispanic White patients were compared to non-White patients and Hispanic patients of any race (grouped together as non-White in this study) in terms of insurance status, ADI, and RUCA. Patients with initially benign CM-I, defined as not having undergone surgery within 9 months of their initial visit, were then stratified by having delayed symptom presentation or not, and compared on these same measures. RESULTS: The sample included 665 patients with CM-I: 82% non-Hispanic White and 18% non-White. The non-White patients were more likely to reside in disadvantaged (OR 3.4, p < 0.001) and urban (OR 4.66, p < 0.001) neighborhoods and to have public health insurance (OR 3.11, p < 0.001). More than one-quarter (29%) of patients underwent surgery. The non-White and non-Hispanic White patients had similar surgery rates (29.5% vs 28.9%, p = 0.895) at similar ages (8.8 vs 9.7 years, p = 0.406). There were no differences by race/ethnicity for symptoms at presentation. Surgical and nonsurgical patients had similar ADI scores (3.9 vs 4.2, p = 0.194), RUCA scores (2.1 vs 2.3, p = 0.252), and private health insurance rates (73.6% vs 74.2%, p = 0.878). A total of 153 patients underwent surgery within 9 months of their initial visit. The remaining 512 were deemed to have benign CM-I. Of these, 40 (7.8%) underwent decompression surgery for delayed symptom presentation. Patients with delayed symptom presentation were from less disadvantaged (ADI 3.2 vs 4.2; p = 0.025) and less rural (RUCA 1.8 vs 2.3; p = 0.023) areas than those who never underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although non-White patients were more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, race and socioeconomic disadvantage were not associated with undergoing surgical treatment. However, among patients with benign CM-I, those undergoing decompression for delayed symptom presentation resided in more affluent and urban areas.

Imaging characteristics associated with surgery in Chiari malformation type I.

OBJECTIVE: In Chiari malformation type I (CM-I), a variety of imaging findings have been purported to be important; however, results have been inconclusive, inconsistent, or not replicated in independent studies. The purpose of this study was to report imaging characteristics for a large cohort of patients with CM-I and identify the imaging findings associated with surgical decompression. METHODS: Patients were identified using ICD-9 codes for CM-I for the period from 1996 to 2017. After review of the medical records, patients were excluded if they 1) did not have a diagnosis of CM-I, 2) were not evaluated by a neurosurgeon, or 3) did not have available preoperative MRI. Retrospective chart review was performed to collect demographic and clinical data. Imaging parameters were measured according to the Chiari I Malformation Common Data Elements. RESULTS: A total of 731 patients were included for analysis, having a mean follow-up duration of 25.5 months. The mean age at presentation was 8.5 years. The mean tonsil position was 11.4 mm below the foramen magnum, and 62.8% of patients had a pegged tonsil shape. Two hundred patients (27.4%) underwent surgery for life-dominating tussive headache, lower cranial nerve dysfunction, syrinx, and/or brainstem dysfunction. Surgical treatment was associated with a syrinx (OR 20.4, 95% CI 12.3-33.3, p < 0.0001), CM-1.5 (OR 1.797, 95% CI 1.08-2.98, p = 0.023), lower tonsil position (OR 1.130, 95% CI 1.08-1.18, p < 0.0001), and congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae (OR 5.473, 95% CI 1.08-27.8, p = 0.040). Among patients with benign CM-I, tonsil position was statistically significantly associated with future surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive imaging characteristics for a large cohort of patients with CM-I are reported. Analysis showed that a lower tonsillar position, a syrinx, and CM-1.5 were associated with undergoing posterior fossa decompression. This study demonstrates the importance of considering imaging findings in the context of patient symptomatology.

Risk factors for wound-related complications after microvascular decompression.

Retrosigmoid craniotomy for microvascular decompression (MVD) has been traditionally performed via craniectomy. Various closure techniques have been described, yet factors associated with wound-related complications remain undetermined. Accordingly, herein, we sought to identify risk factors associated with wound-related complications after such procedures. An institutional retrospective case-control study was performed; outcomes of interest were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, wound dehiscence, wound infection, and pseudomeningocele. Univariate analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum test for non-parametric continuous outcomes and chi-square test for categorical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was performed on binomial outcome variables. The study population included 197 patients who underwent MVD for trigeminal neuralgia (83.2%), hemifacial spasm (12.2%), vestibular nerve section (3.0%), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (1.5%). The overall wound-related complication rate was 14.2% (n = 28), including twelve patients (6.1%) with CSF leak, ten patients (5.1%) with wound infection, ten patients (5.1%) with pseudomeningocele, and nine (4.6%) patients with wound dehiscence. Using multivariate logistic regression, preoperative anemia and current tobacco use were associated with significantly higher rates of complications (OR 6.01 and 4.58, respectively; p < 0.05), including CSF leak (OR 12.83 and 12.40, respectively, p < 0.05). Of note, use of synthetic bone substitute for cranioplasty was associated with a significantly lower rate of complications (OR 0.13, p < 0.01). Preoperative anemia and current tobacco use significantly increased, while synthetic bone substitute cranioplasty significantly decreased, odds of wound-related complications, the need for treatment, and CSF leaks. Additionally, higher BMI, longer operative duration, and prior radiosurgery may increase risk for wound-related complications.

Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Caregivers and Children with Hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrocephalus is a disorder of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, traditionally treated by placement of a ventricular shunt. Shunts are effective but imperfect as they fail in an unpredictable pattern, and the patient's well-being is dependent on adequate shunt function. The omnipresent threat of shunt failure along with the potential need for invasive investigations can be stressful for patients and caregivers. Our objective was to measure post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children with hydrocephalus and their caregivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of children with hydrocephalus and their caregivers was conducted. Caregivers completed a measure of their own PTSS (the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V) and resilience (the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale). Pediatric patients rated their own PTSS and resilience using the Acute Stress Checklist for Kids and Connor Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS: Ninety-one caregivers completed the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V. Mean score was 17.0 (standard deviation 15.7; median 13.0). Fourteen percent scored above 33, the threshold suggestive of a preliminary diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. There was a statistically significant association between caregiver post-traumatic stress and marital status, child's race, and caregiver education. More than half (52%) of caregivers reported their child's hydrocephalus as the most significant source of their PTSS. Children did not have markedly elevated levels of PTSS. Forty-one percent of caregivers and 60% of children scored in the lowest resilience quartile compared with the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that post-traumatic stress affects caregivers with hydrocephalus, yet levels of resilience for caregivers and pediatric patients are low.

Hydrocephalus-related quality of life as assessed by children and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrocephalus is a chronic medical condition that has a significant impact on children and their caregivers. The objective of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) of children with hydrocephalus, as assessed by both caregivers and patients. METHODS: Pediatric patients with hydrocephalus and their caregivers were enrolled during routine neurosurgery clinic visits. The Hydrocephalus Outcomes Questionnaire (HOQ), a report of hydrocephalus-related QOL, was administered to both children with hydrocephalus (self-report) and their caregivers (proxy report about the child). Patients with hydrocephalus also completed measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, traumatic stress, and headache. Caregivers completed a proxy report of child traumatic stress and a measure of caregiver burden. Demographic information was collected from administration of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (version 2.0) and from the medical record. Child and caregiver HOQ scores were analyzed and correlated with clinical, demographic, and psychological variables. RESULTS: The mean overall HOQ score (parent assessment of child QOL) was 0.68. HOQ Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, and Cognitive Health subscore averages were 0.69, 0.73, and 0.54, respectively. The mean overall child self-assessment (cHOQ) score was 0.77, with cHOQ Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, and Cognitive Health subscore means of 0.84, 0.79, and 0.66, respectively. Thirty-nine dyads were analyzed, in which both a child with hydrocephalus and his or her caregiver completed the cHOQ and HOQ. There was a positive correlation between parent and child scores (p < 0.004 for all subscores). Child scores were consistently higher than parent scores. Variables that showed association with caregiver-assessed QOL in at least one domain included child age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and history of endoscopic third ventriculostomy. There was a significant negative relationship (rho -0.48 to -0.60) between child-reported cHOQ score and child-reported measures of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. There was a similar significant relationship between caregiver report of child's QOL (HOQ) and caregiver assessment of the child's posttraumatic stress symptoms as well as their assessment of burden of care (rho = -0.59 and rho = -0.51, respectively). No relationship between parent-reported HOQ and child-reported psychosocial factors was significant. No clinical or demographic variables were associated with child self-assessed cHOQ. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with hydrocephalus consistently rate their own QOL higher than their caregivers do. Psychological factors such as anxiety and posttraumatic stress may be associated with lower QOL. These findings warrant further exploration.

Anxiety, depression, fatigue, and headache burden in the pediatric hydrocephalus population.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood hydrocephalus is a common chronic medical condition. However, little is known about the burden of headache and psychological comorbidities in children living with hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of these conditions among the pediatric hydrocephalus population. METHODS: During routine neurosurgery clinic visits from July 2017 to February 2018, the authors administered four surveys to children ages 7 years and older: Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment (PedMIDAS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety, PROMIS Depression, and PROMIS Fatigue. The PedMIDAS is an assessment of headache disability in pediatric and adolescent patients. The PROMIS measures are pediatric self-reported instruments to assess social and emotional health. PROMIS measures utilize T-scores (mean 50, SD 10) to compare anxiety, depression, and fatigue in specific populations to those in the US general population. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the medical record (hydrocephalus etiology, shunt infection, race, etc.) and tested for associations with survey measure scores. RESULTS: Forty children completed the PedMIDAS. Ten percent of them were in the severe headache range, 5% were in the moderate range, and 5% were in the mild range. There was a statistically significant association between undergoing a cluster of shunt operations and headache burden (p = 0.003).Forty children completed all three PROMIS measures. The mean anxiety score was 45.8 (SD 11.7), and 2.5% of children scored in the severe anxiety range, 17.5% in the moderate range, and 20% in the mild range. The mean depression score was 42.7 (SD 10.0), with 2.5% of children scoring in the severe depression range, 5% in the moderate range, and 12.5% in the mild range. The mean fatigue score was 45.1 (SD 16.4), with 15% percent of children scoring in the severe fatigue range, 10% in the moderate range, and 7.5% in the mild range. There were no statistically significant associations between child anxiety, depression, or fatigue and clinical or demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Children with hydrocephalus have an average burden of headache, anxiety, depression, and fatigue as compared to the general population overall. Having a cluster of shunt operations correlates with a higher headache burden, but no clinical or demographic variable is associated with anxiety, depression, or fatigue.

Preoperative radiographic and clinical factors associated with the visualization of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid during endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative visualization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during endoscopic endonasal resection of skull base tumors is the most common factor contributing to the development of postoperative CSF leaks. No previous studies have solely evaluated preoperative factors contributing to intraoperative CSF visualization. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative factors predictive of intraoperative CSF visualization. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas was conducted. Clinical and radiographic variables were compared for those who had CSF visualized to those who did not. Nominal logistic regression models were built to determine predictive variables. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty patients were included in the study. All significant demographic and radiographic variables on univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. Two multivariate models were built, as tumor height and supraclinoid extension were collinear. The first model, which considered tumor height, found that extension into the third ventricle carried a 4.60-fold greater risk of CSF visualization (P = 0.005). Increasing tumor height showed a stepwise, linear increase in risk; tumors >3 cm carried a 19.02-fold greater risk of CSF visualization (P = 0.003). The second model, which considered supraclinoid tumor extension, demonstrated that extension into the third ventricle carried a 4.38-fold increase in risk for CSF visualization (P = 0.010). Supraclinoid extension showed a stepwise, linear increase in intraoperative CSF risk; tumors with >2 cm of extension carried a 9.26-fold increase in risk (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that tumor height, extension into the third ventricle, and extension above the clinoids are predictive of intraoperative CSF visualization.

Functional outcomes at 2 years of age following treatment for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity: what do we know at the time of consult?

OBJECTIVE: Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity remains a significant problem in preterm infants. In the literature, there is a scarcity of data on the early disease process, when neurosurgeons are typically consulted for recommendations on treatment. Here, the authors sought to evaluate functional outcomes in premature infants at 2 years of age following treatment for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Their goal was to determine the relationship between factors identifiable at the time of the initial neurosurgical consult and outcomes of patients when they are 2 years of age. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of premature infants treated for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of prematurity (grade III and IV) between 2003 and 2014. Information from three time points (birth, first neurosurgical consult, and 2 years of age) was collected on each patient. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between variables known at the time of the first neurosurgical consult and each of the outcome variables. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients were selected for analysis. At 2 years of age, 16% of the patients had died, 88% had cerebral palsy/developmental delay (CP), 48% were nonverbal, 55% were nonambulatory, 33% had epilepsy, and 41% had visual impairment. In the logistic regression analysis, IVH grade was an independent predictor of CP (p = 0.004), which had an estimated probability of occurrence of 74% in grade III and 96% in grade IV. Sepsis at or before the time of consult was an independent predictor of visual impairment (p = 0.024), which had an estimated probability of 58%. IVH grade was an independent predictor of epilepsy (p = 0.026), which had an estimated probability of 18% in grade III and 43% in grade IV. The IVH grade was also an independent predictor of verbal function (p = 0.007), which had an estimated probability of 68% in grade III versus 41% in grade IV. A higher weeks gestational age (WGA) at birth was an independent predictor of the ability to ambulate (p = 0.0014), which had an estimated probability of 15% at 22 WGA and up to 98% at 36 WGA. The need for oscillating ventilation at consult was an independent predictor of death before 2 years of age (p = 0.001), which had an estimated probability of 42% in patients needing oscillating ventilation versus 13% in those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: IVH grade was consistently an independent predictor of functional outcomes at 2 years. Gestational age at birth, sepsis, and the need for oscillating ventilation may also predict worse functional outcomes.

Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of the Colloid Cyst Risk Score.

BACKGROUND: The Colloid Cyst Risk Score (CCRS) was developed to identify symptomatic patients and stratify risk of hydrocephalus among patients with colloid cysts. Its components consider patient age, cyst diameter, presence/absence of headache, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity, and location within the third ventricle. OBJECTIVE: To independently evaluate the inter- and intrarater reliability of the CCRS. METHODS: Patients with a colloid cyst were identified from billing records and radiology archives. Three independent raters reviewed electronic medical records to determine age, presence/absence of headache, cyst diameter (mm), FLAIR hyperintensity, and risk zone location. Raters made 53 observations, including 5 repeat observations.Fleiss' generalized kappa (κ) was calculated for all of the nominal criteria, whereas Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated for the overall score. RESULTS: Total CCRS score demonstrated extremely strong agreement (W = 0.83) using Kendall's W coefficient and good agreement (ICC = 0.74) using the ICC (P < .001). For interrater reliability of individual criteria, age (κ = 1.00) and FLAIR hyperintensity (κ = 0.89) demonstrated near perfect agreement. Axial diameter (κ = 0.63) demonstrated substantial agreement, whereas agreement was moderate for risk zone (κ = 0.51) and fair for headache (κ = 0.26). Intrarater reliability for total CCRS score was extremely strong using Kendall's W, good to excellent using ICC, and fair to substantial using weighted kappa. CONCLUSION: The CCRS has good inter- and intrarater reliability when tested in an independent sample of patients, though strength of agreement varies among individual criteria. The validity of the CCRS requires independent evaluation.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of imaging characteristics in Chiari I malformation: does anything really matter?

PURPOSE: Previous studies have attempted to evaluate the utility of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in predicting outcomes in Chiari I malformation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine what preoperative imaging features (if any) predict (1) presence of preoperative symptoms or associated findings, (2) need for surgical decompression, or (3) improvement after surgical decompression. METHODS: All publications through June 2018 on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the keywords "Chiari I malformation" AND "decompression" OR "imaging." One thousand two hundred ten publications were identified, and 20 were included for our systematic review; nine were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Tonsil position, clivus gradient, and scoliotic curve of > 20° were all associated with the presence of preoperative syrinx. Degree of scoliotic curve was associated with length of syrinx. Pre-operative findings of central syrinx morphology, shorter syrinx, and scoliotic curve < 20° were associated with post-operative stability/improvement. Post-operative symptomatic improvement was associated with preoperative pB-C2 line ≥ 3 mm, absence of scoliosis, and presence of syrinx. By meta-analysis, there was no significant difference in post-operative improvement between patients with and without syrinx (OR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.58-1.37). Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in post-operative improvement between patients with and without basilar invagination (OR = 1.31; 95% CI 0.72-2.36). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple studies have attempted to identify preoperative imaging parameters to predict post-operative improvement, but no consistently reliable criteria have been defined. This review and meta-analysis highlight the importance of considering each patient's clinical history and physical exam within the context of associated radiographic abnormalities.

Independent Validation of the Colloid Cyst Risk Score to Predict Symptoms and Hydrocephalus in Patients with Colloid Cysts of the Third Ventricle.

BACKGROUND: The Colloid Cyst Risk Score (CCRS) was devised to identify patients with symptomatic colloid cyst and stratify risk of hydrocephalus. The CCRS considers patient age, presence of headache, colloid cyst diameter, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity, and location within the third ventricle. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to independently evaluate the validity of the CCRS. METHODS: Patients with a colloid cyst of the third ventricle were identified retrospectively from institutional billing records and radiology report archives. Patients without a confirmed diagnosis of colloid cyst of the third ventricle or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were excluded. Data were collected via retrospective chart review. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. In our cohort, the CCRS stratified symptomatic patients and patients with hydrocephalus across all scores (P < 0.001). From CCRS 2 to 5, the percentage of symptomatic patients increased from 13% to 100%, whereas the percentage of patients with hydrocephalus increased from 8% to 83%. Simple logistic regression showed that total CCRS, headache, axial diameter, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity, and risk zone were all highly predictive of symptomatic status and hydrocephalus (P < 0.001). Logistic regression with receiver operating curves for the CCRS showed an area under the curve of 0.914 for symptomatic colloid cysts and an area under the curve of 0.892 for colloid cysts with hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: Our data analysis validates the predictive value of the CCRS for both symptomatic status and hydrocephalus and supports the use of the CCRS in risk stratification and clinical decision making.

Development of an evidence-based individualized transition plan for spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE: In spina bifida (SB), transition of care from the pediatric to adult healthcare settings remains an opportunity for improvement. Transition of care is necessarily multidimensional and focuses on increasing independence, autonomy, and personal responsibility for health-related tasks. While prior research has demonstrated that effective transition can improve health outcomes and quality of life while reducing healthcare utilization, little is known about the most advantageous transition program components/design. The individualized transition plan (ITP) was developed to optimize the readiness of the adolescent with SB for adult healthcare. The ITP is a set of clearly articulated, mutually developed goals that arise from best available data on successful transition and are individualized to meet the individual challenges, needs, and attributes of each patient and family. METHODS: Prospectively completed ITPs were retrospectively reviewed from June 2018 to May 2019. Demographic and disease characteristics were collected, and specific goals were reviewed and categorized. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with an ITP were included. The cohort was 50% male and had a mean age of 16.4 years. For goal 1 (maximize education), the most common goal was to complete a career interest survey (44%), followed by researching application/admission requirements for programs of interest (25%), shadowing in and/or visiting a workplace (16%), and improving high school performance (16%). For goal 2 (bowel management), most patients (59%) had a working bowel program with few or no bowel accidents. Eight patients (25%) were having more than the desired number of bowel accidents and received formal consultation with a gastroenterologist. Five patients (16%) needed only minor adjustments to their bowel management regimen. Goal 3 (SB program coordinator goal) focused on documenting medical and/or surgical history for the majority of patients (66%). Other goals aimed to increase patient communication in healthcare settings or utilize available community resources. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed an evidence-based ITP that focuses around 5 goals: maximizing education, bowel continence, and goals set by the SB clinic coordinator, parent/caregiver, and patient. Although developed for the authors' SB clinic, the ITP concept is applicable to transition of care in any chronic childhood illness.

Care management and contemporary challenges in spina bifida: a practice preference survey of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons.

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgical management preferences related to myelomeningocele (MMC) care demonstrate significant variability. The authors sought to evaluate variability in practice patterns across a group of senior pediatric neurosurgeons. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent of variability and of consensus with regard to neurosurgical management of MMC and associated hydrocephalus, Chiari II malformation, and tethered spinal cord. METHODS: A 43-question survey was distributed electronically to the members of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons (ASPN). The survey covered domains such as clinic case volume, newborn management, hydrocephalus management, transition to adulthood, clinical indications for shunt revision, Chiari II malformation decompression (C2MD), and tethered cord release (TCR). Ninety responses were received from 200 active ASPN members, for an overall response rate of 45%. RESULTS: The majority (58%) of respondents closed 5-15 new cases of open MMC per year. Nearly all (98%) respondents perform back closure within 48 hours of birth, with the majority imbricating the placode and striving for a 3- to 4-layer closure. The most consistent indications for surgical intervention in early hydrocephalus were CSF leak from the back (92%), progressive ventricular enlargement (89%), and brainstem symptoms, including apnea/bradycardia (81%), stridor (81%), and dysphagia (81%). Eighty percent of respondents indicated that spina bifida care is delivered through multidisciplinary clinics, with neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, physical therapy, and social work as the most common disciplines included. One-third of clinics see both pediatric and adult patients, one-third offer a formal transition program to adult care, and one-third have no transition program. The vast majority of respondents offer prenatal counseling (95%), referral for in utero closure (66%), and endoscopic third ventriculostomy/choroid plexus cauterization (72%). Respondents were more willing to perform shunt revision for symptoms alone than for image changes alone. An asymptomatic broken shunt without ventricular enlargement produced responses evenly divided between observation, intervention, and further investigation. Operative shunt exploration was always performed before C2MD by 56% of respondents and performed sometimes by 40% of respondents. Symptoms of brainstem dysfunction were the strongest clinical triggers reported for C2MD, while declines in urinary continence, leg strength or sensation, or ambulation were the most consistent thresholds for TCR. CONCLUSIONS: Significant disparities exist surrounding key areas of decision making regarding treatment for patients with MMC, though there are central areas of agreement among ASPN members. Additionally, there is significant variation in the clinical management of chronic hydrocephalus, C2MD, and TCR, underscoring the need for further research into these specific areas.

Is There an Association Between Physician Review Websites and Press Ganey Survey Results in a Neurosurgical Outpatient Clinic?

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggest a poor association between physician review websites and the validated metrics used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between online and outpatient Press Ganey (PG) measures of patient satisfaction in a neurosurgical department. METHODS: We obtained PG survey results from one large academic institution's outpatient neurosurgery clinic. Popular physician review websites were searched for each of the faculty captured in the PG data. Average physician rating and percent Top Box scores were calculated for each physician. PG data were separated into new and established clinic visits for subset analysis. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to determine associations. RESULTS: Twelve neurosurgeons were included. Established patients demonstrated greater PG scores as compared with new patients, with an average physician rating increase of 0.55 and an average Top Box increase of 12.5%. Online physician ratings were found to demonstrate strong agreement with PG scores for the entire PG population, new patient subset, and established patient subset (ρ = 0.77-0.79, P < 0.05). Online Top Box scores demonstrated moderate agreement with overall PG Top Box scores (ρ = 0.59, P = 0.042), moderate agreement with the new patient population Top Box scores (ρ = 0.56, P = 0.059), and weak agreement with established patient population Top Box scores (ρ = 0.38, P = 0.217). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated a strong agreement between PG ratings and online physician ratings and a poorer correlation when comparing PG Top Box scores with online physician Top Box scores, particularly in the established patient population.

Development of the Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly (SHE) score to predict mortality.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the development of a novel prognostic score, the Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly (SHE) score. The SHE score is intended to predict 30-day mortality in elderly patients (those > 65 years of age) with an acute, chronic, or mixed-density subdural hematoma (SDH) after minor, or no, prior trauma. METHODS: The authors used the Prognosis Research Strategy group methods to develop the clinical prediction model. The training data set included patients with acute, chronic, and mixed-density SDH. Based on multivariate analyses from a large data set, in addition to review of the extant literature, 3 components to the score were selected: age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and SDH volume. Patients are given 1 point if they are over 80 years old, 1 point for an admission GCS score of 5-12, 2 points for an admission GCS score of 3-4, and 1 point for SDH volume > 50 ml. The sum of points across all categories determines the SHE score. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate steadily increased as the SHE score increased for all SDH acuities. For patients with an acute SDH, the 30-day mortality rate was 3.2% for SHE score of 0, and the rate increased to 13.1%, 32.7%, 95.7%, and 100% for SHE scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The model was most accurate for acute SDH (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.94), although it still performed well for chronic (AUC = 0.80) and mixed-density (AUC = 0.87) SDH. CONCLUSIONS: The SHE score is a simple clinical grading scale that accurately stratifies patients' risk of mortality based on age, admission GCS score, and SDH volume. Use of the SHE score could improve counseling of patients and their families, allow for standardization of clinical treatment protocols, and facilitate clinical research studies in SDH.