Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System: A Report of Two Cases With Spinal Pathology and a Review of the Literature.

Infratentorial superficial siderosis, characterized by hemosiderin deposition in the subpial layers of the brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord, is a rare progressive neurologic disorder. We present two cases of infratentorial superficial siderosis. Case 1 involves a 62-year-old female previously diagnosed with tethered cord syndrome and thoracic myelopathy, who, following 11 spinal surgeries, presented with worsening myelopathy, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive superficial siderosis affecting the cerebellar vermis and bilateral cerebellar hemispheres. Case 2 is a 27-year-old male with a traumatic T4 spinal cord injury from a gunshot wound, complicated by a syrinx, experiencing persistent lower back pain and lower limb spasticity. MRI confirmed superficial siderosis in the spinal cord. This case report explores the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, management strategies, and prognosis of these cases. It also highlights the diverse clinical presentations and underlying etiologies of infratentorial superficial siderosis. It emphasizes the pivotal role of MRI with iron-sensitive sequences for definitive diagnosis. Furthermore, the management underscores the significance of a multidisciplinary team approach in providing comprehensive care for affected individuals.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound as a Motivator for Selecting a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program in the United States: A Multicenter Survey Study.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the influence of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) curriculum on applicants during the residency-selection process. A survey of 666 applicants for the Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard/Spaulding Rehabilitation Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation programs was conducted in June 2020. A total of 180 respondents scored the influence of a MSKUS curriculum on their decision making for residency selection. In addition, applicants were asked to rank specific areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation that influenced their decision making. Participants most commonly included MSKUS in their top three areas of interest when constructing their rank order list. When asked whether MSKUS presence within a program had an effect during the interview-selection process, 71% responded with "very important" or "absolutely essential" (P < 0.001). For 74% of applicants, exposure to MSKUS in residency was an important factor when creating their rank order list (P < 0.001). More than 92% of applicants stated that they are "likely" or "very likely" to use MSKUS in their future practice and 83% would recommend a program with MSKUS to future candidates (P < 0.001). Based on these results, a large percentage of physical medicine and rehabilitation applicants intend on using MSKUS in their future practice. Therefore, MSKUS may be an important factor for residency selection.

A Primary Care Provider's Guide to Spasticity Management in Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Muscle spasticity is a common sequela of spinal cord injury (SCI) that may impact daily function. Spasticity dynamically varies and is an important physiologic response to illness or other stressors. The challenge for the general practitioner is in recognizing, treating, and developing an effective plan focused on the patient's individual goals. Objective: To provide the general practitioner with a basic contextual, diagnostic, and therapeutic approach to spasticity management for individuals with neurologic injury such as SCI. Discussion: Muscle spasticity can be disabling and can be managed effectively by using a comprehensive approach. We discuss a representative case and the assessment and planning for individuals with SCI and spasticity. Through an understanding of pathophysiology, careful history taking, and physical exam, a cause for increased spasticity can be identified, such as infection, constipation, or pregnancy. Symptomatology of these triggers is often quite different in the SCI population than in the general population. Management includes the treatment of this causative stressor as well as the thoughtful management of spasticity itself. Conclusion: Muscle spasticity is dynamic and requires a patient-centered approach. The general practitioner can play a key role in recognizing and treating spasticity in an individual with SCI. Comprehensive management to meet patient and caregiver goals involves primary care providers, specialists, and allied health practitioners.

A Lean Six Sigma quality improvement project to increase discharge paperwork completeness for admission to a comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation program.

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) process analysis can be used to increase completeness of discharge summary reports used as a critical communication tool when a patient transitions between levels of care. The authors used the LSS methodology as an intervention to improve systems process. Over the course of the project, 8 required elements were analyzed in the discharge paperwork. The authors analyzed the discharge paperwork of patients (42 patients preintervention and 143 patients postintervention) of a comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation program (CIIRP). Prior to this LSS project, 61.8% of required discharge elements were present. The intervention improved the completeness to 94.2% of the required elements. The percentage of charts that were 100% complete increased from 11.9% to 67.8%. LSS is a well-established process improvement methodology that can be used to make significant improvements in complex health care workflow issues. Specifically, the completeness of discharge documentation required for transition of care to CIIRP can be improved.