Simulation-Based Assessments and Graduating Neurology Residents' Milestones: Status Epilepticus Milestones.

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) developed Milestones that provide a framework for residents' assessment. However, Milestones do not provide a description for how programs should perform assessments. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated graduating residents' status epilepticus (SE) identification and management skills and how they correlate with ACGME Milestones reported for epilepsy and management/treatment by their program's clinical competency committee (CCC). METHODS: We performed a cohort study of graduating neurology residents from 3 academic medical centers in Chicago in 2018. We evaluated residents' skills identifying and managing SE using a simulation-based assessment (26-item checklist). Simulation-based assessment scores were compared to experience (number of SE cases each resident reported identifying and managing during residency), self-confidence in identifying and managing these cases, and their end of residency Milestones assigned by a CCC based on end-of-rotation evaluations. RESULTS: Sixteen of 21 (76%) eligible residents participated in the study. Average SE checklist score was 15.6 of 26 checklist items correct (60%, SD 12.2%). There were no significant correlations between resident checklist performance and experience or self-confidence. The average participant's level of Milestone for epilepsy and management/treatment was high at 4.3 of 5 (SD 0.4) and 4.4 of 5 (SD 0.4), respectively. There were no significant associations between checklist skills performance and level of Milestone assigned. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated SE skills performance of graduating neurology residents was poor. Our study suggests that end-of-rotation evaluations alone are inadequate for assigning Milestones for high-stakes clinical skills such as identification and management of SE.

Implications of Janus Kinase 2 Mutation in Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source.

The role of genetic mutations in cerebral ischemia is not completely understood. Among these genetic variations, Philadelphia-negative gain-of-function mutation in the janus kinase 2 (JAK2) protein leads to overexpression of the genes involved in cell growth and proliferation, and has been linked to development of hematological malignancies, specifically, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs; essential thrombocythemia [ET], polycythemia vera [PV], and primary myelofibrosis). Overt ET and PV are known to induce a prothrombotic state that leads to development of vascular complications, including cerebral arterial or venous thrombosis. Thromboembolism can precede overt presentation of an MPN by 2-3 years. As such, for the selected cases of embolic stroke or cerebrovascular sinus thrombosis with otherwise undetermined source and persistent thrombocytosis or polycythemia, in the absence of a confirmed MPN diagnosis, screening for JAK2 mutation may be reasonable, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can influence outcome by preventing recurrent thrombotic events. In this article, we review the literature on the genetics, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of JAK2-associated thrombosis, and present 2 cases of JAK2-associated cerebral arterial infarction and cerebral and systemic venous thromboembolism with otherwise negative etiology workup for stroke.

Cerebral aspergillosis in a diabetic patient leading to cerebral artery occlusion and ischemic stroke: a case report and literature review.

Cerebral aspergillosis is a rare and highly fatal hematogenous infection most commonly found in immune compromised patients. From the onset of neurologic symptoms, the median reported rate of survival is between 5 and 9 days. Compounded with increased hemorrhagic risks and the lack of specificity in both clinical presentation and traditional imaging, a fast and noninvasive method of definitive diagnosis is necessary if there is to be any hope for positive outcomes. We describe the case of a 50-year-old female diabetic with a history of otitis media, an uncharacterized inflammatory nasopharyngeal process, and prior ischemic strokes who presented with a new cerebral infarction in the setting of an angioinvasive fungal infection of the large cerebral arteries. We also present a literature review of aspergillosis detection and treatment in hopes that future cases will be diagnosed in a timely manner and more patients may be saved.

Treatment of acute ischemic stroke: beyond thrombolysis and supportive care.

The initial therapeutic approach to acute ischemic stroke consists of thrombolytic therapy and early initiation of supportive care, usually commenced prior to the determination of the underlying stroke etiology. Varying stroke mechanisms may call for specific, etiology-based treatment. The majority of strokes result from cardioembolism, large-vessel atherothromboembolism, and small-vessel occlusive disease. There are scant data to support the use of acute anticoagulation therapy over anti-platelet therapy in cardioembolic stroke and large-vessel atherosclerosis, although it may be reasonable in a certain subset of patients. However, augmentation of blood flow with early surgery, stenting, or induced hypertension, may play a role in patients with large artery stenosis. The less commonly identified stroke mechanisms may warrant special consideration in treatment. Controversy remains regarding the optimal anti-thrombotic treatment of arterial dissection. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may benefit from therapy with calcium channel blockers, high-dose steroids, or magnesium, although spontaneous recovery may occur. Inflammatory vasculopathies, such as isolated angiitis of the central nervous system and temporal arteritis, require prompt diagnosis as the mainstay of therapy is immunosuppression. Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare cause of stroke, but one that needs early identification and treatment with anticoagulation. Rapid determination of stroke mechanism is essential for making these critical early treatment decisions.

Emergency management of acute ischemic stroke.

With the advent of new therapeutic options for acute ischemic stroke, expeditious evaluation of patients with suspected stroke has become imperative. Goals of the initial evaluation are to determine the time of symptom onset, severity of the neurologic deficit, and to exclude intracranial hemorrhage and other mimics of acute ischemic stroke. CT and MRI perfusion studies may demonstrate the presence of an ischemic penumbra and aid in identification of patients who may benefit from thrombolysis. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA) remains the gold standard for acute ischemic stroke treatment, and the therapeutic time window recently has been extended to 4.5 h in certain patients. Catheter-based intra-arterial thrombolysis is being used increasingly as "rescue therapy" after IV rtPA and as primary therapy in select patients who are ineligible for intravenous therapy. Trials investigating the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial therapy are ongoing.

Outcomes with stroke and lateropulsion: a case-matched controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lateropulsion after stroke has not been tracked using a case-matched controlled study and a standardized lateropulsion scale. Matched pairs of patients with stroke, with and without lateropulsion, were compared for functional outcomes and discharge destination following inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with ischemic stroke at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital matched 36 pairs of patients with versus without lateropulsion. Scores of 2 or greater on the Burke Lateropulsion Scale identified lateropulsion. Matching criteria were side of stroke, sex, age, admission motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and interval poststroke. FIM efficiency (change in total FIM/length of stay) and discharge destination were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests. RESULTS: FIM efficiency and discharge FIM scores were lower in the lateropulsion group. Groups had similar mean lengths of stay. Post-hoc analyses showed that only patients with lateropulsion and right brain damage had significantly different FIM efficiency and discharge FIM scores. Lower extremity weakness was greater in the lateropulsion group at discharge; patients with right brain damage accounted for this difference. Patients with lateropulsion required more dependent living situations at discharge, especially if they had right brain damage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lateropulsion following stroke have a lower FIM efficiency and more dependency at discharge when compared with matched controls with equal functional limitations. Secondary analyses show worse outcomes for the subgroup of patients with right hemisphere stroke; lateropulsion and greater leg weakness may account for differences. Patients with lateropulsion may require longer rehabilitation to reach outcome goals.