Systematic symptom screening in patients with advanced cancer treated in certified oncology centers: results of the prospective multicenter German KeSBa project.

PURPOSE: Guidelines recommend a structured symptom screening (SC) for especially advanced cancer patients (CPs). The aim of this multicenter German prospective quality assurance project KeSBa (Kennzahl Symptom- und Belastungserfassung) was to gain knowledge on SC procedures in Oncology Centers (OCs) for advanced cancer patients and a first impression on the consequences of SC. METHODS: The KeSBa project consisted of three phases: pilot, 3 months screening and feedback phase. Participating OCs decided to use either the Minimal Documentation System (MIDOS) or the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) and defined the cutoff values for positive screening results. RESULTS: Out of 172 certified German OCs, 40 (23%) participated in the KeSBa pilot phase, 29 (16.8%) in the 3 months screening phase using MIDOS (n = 18, 58.6%) or IPOS (n = 11, 41.3%) and in the feedback round. 25/29 performed paper-based screening (86.2%). 2.963 CPs were screened. Results were documented for 1255 (42.2%, SC +) positive and 874 (29.5%, SC-) negative screenings depending on the center´s schedules: 452 SC + CPs (28.4%) and 42 SC- CPs (2.6%) had contact to specialized palliative care or other supportive specialist teams afterwards, 458 SC + CPs (28.8%) and 605 SC- CPs (38.1%) remained in standard oncology care. In the feedback round missing resources (personal and IT) and improved communication were mentioned most often. CONCLUSION: Routine SC is feasible in advanced CPs treated in OCs but associated with considerable workload. In 42.2% of CPs SC was classified as positive, indicating the need of further diagnostics or professional judgment. SC requires staff and IT resources.

Arachnoid webs causing rostral syrinx due to ball-valve effect: an illustrative report of two cases.

An arachnoid web is a pathological formation of the arachnoid membrane. It is a rare phenomenon but is known to lead to syrinx formation in the spinal cord along with pain and neurological deficits. On imaging, the 'scalpel sign' is pathognomonic for an arachnoid web. The etiology of syrinx formation from an arachnoid web is currently unknown. This report documents the only two cases of arachnoid webs with an extensive syrinx in which a likely pathophysiologic mechanism is identified. Both cases presented with motor deficits. The patients had no history of trauma or infection. After extensive workup in both patients and observation of the scalpel sign an arachnoid web was suspected. In both cases, the patients were treated surgically after an arachnoid web was suspected. Intra-operative ultrasound visualized in both cases demonstrates a fenestration in the web that allowed passage of cerebrospinal fluid in a rostral-caudal direction due to a ball-valve effect.

Facial Nerve Massage for the Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm Refractory to Microvascular Decompression: Outcomes and Complications.

BACKGROUND: After microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS), a minority of patients realize little to no relief of spasms. In some patients, the absence of relief of spasms results from incomplete or inadequate decompression of vascular compression of the facial nerve, and these patients represent excellent candidates for repeat MVD. However, in other patients, repeat MVD is not appropriate because adequate decompression and resolution of neurovascular compression, as determined by postoperative high-resolution MRI, was achieved with the initial operation. OBJECTIVE: To present a cohort of patients with a history of HFS refractory to MVD, with no evidence of neurovascular compression on postoperative MRI, who underwent facial nerve massage (FNM) in the posterior fossa in an attempt to relieve spasms. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a history of incomplete relief of spasms after technically adequate MVD surgery for hemifacial spasm underwent FNM. Immediate and long-term degree of spasm relief and complications after FNM were documented through in-person or telemedicine interview. RESULTS: At follow-up after FNM, 7 of 12 patients (58.3%) reported complete spasm relief (grade I), 2 of 12 patients (16.7%) reported >75% spasm relief (grade II), 0 patient (0%) reported >50% spasm relief (grade III), 3 of 12 (25.0%) patients reported <50% spasm relief (grade IV), and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. One patient experienced a delayed facial paresis, and another patient experienced high-frequency hearing loss. CONCLUSION: After FNM, durable and, at least, partial relief of spasms with a relatively low complication rate was observed in most patients with HFS with incomplete relief of spasms after technically adequate prior MVD.

Complications After 3- and 4-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a standard surgical procedure used widely in the treatment of degenerative cervical spine conditions. Although the safety and effectiveness of single-level ACDF is well supported in the literature, reports of multilevel ACDF are sparse and present mixed results. There is concern for greater complications with increasing levels of fusion given the increased complexity, procedure duration, and invasiveness of multilevel ACDF. METHODS: In this retrospective review, we report complications data for 105 adult neurosurgical patients who underwent elective multilevel ACDF at a single institution by a single surgeon between 2004 and 2016. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients underwent 3-level ACDF and 51 patients underwent 4-level ACDF with a mean follow-up of 2.7 ± 1.9 years. Although patients with 4-level fusion were more likely than those with 3-level fusion to have estimated blood loss ≥100 mL (P = 0.04), we found no significant differences in other peri- and postoperative complications, need for revision, and presence of symptoms at the time of last follow-up between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 4-level ACDF is not necessarily associated with a greater number of or more severe complications than 3-level ACDF.

Exclusive use of fixed pressure valves for cerebrospinal fluid diversion in a modern adult cohort.

BACKGROUND: There is extensive debate on the role of fixed pressure shunts in the adult population. Most studies assessing fixed pressure valves do not consider the potential for changes in technique and management of shunts. We sought to examine the natural history of fixed pressure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 169 patients undergoing shunt placement by the senior author Daniel Wecht (DW). The etiology of shunt placement, shunt failure rates, and outcome data was assessed for each patient. RESULTS: Overall, 126 patients underwent initial shunt placement. Thirty-three (26.2%) patients required at least one shunt revision during follow-up. The most common cause of first time revision was mechanical shunt malfunction (13, 39.4%), followed by infection (7, 21.2%), and shunt migration (6, 18.2%). Three patients (9.1%) required revision due to misplaced catheters. Underdrainage or overdrainage of shunts each resulted in revisions for 2 (6.1%) patients. The mean follow-up length was 28.1 ± 6.1 months. CONCLUSION: Fixed pressure shunts failed primarily because of shunt malfunction and occurred most commonly in patients developing hydrocephalus as a result of hemorrhage or normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The overall failure rate between these two groups was proportionally equivalent. Both overdrainage or underdrainage were found to be rare indications for revision.

Reducing Surgical Infections and Implant Costs via a Novel Paradigm of Enhanced Physician Awareness.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that physicians are often unaware of prescription drug, laboratory, diagnostic, and surgical supply costs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of increased physician awareness on infection incidence and surgical device cost containment. METHODS: Within our institution, physicians were informed of individual, independently adjudicated, craniotomy and ventricular shunt infection incidence and rankings among peers, after which a protocol aimed at reducing skin bacterial burden was implemented for craniotomies. Physicians were also made aware of the costs for shunts and dural substitutes as well as available alternatives. RESULTS: The combined craniotomy and ventricular shunt infection incidence significantly decreased by 37.5% from 3.2% over May 2011 to April 2015 (132 infections/4137 procedures) to 2.1% over May 2015 to April 2016 (26 infections/1250 procedures; P = .041). The average annual cost savings was $234 175 from preventing postoperative craniotomy infections and $121 125 from preventing postoperative ventricular shunt infections. Total supply costs of ventricular shunts significantly decreased by 26% from $2345 per procedure in fiscal year 2015 to $1747 per procedure in fiscal year 2016 (P < .001). Total supply cost of dural grafts significantly decreased by 54% from $191 per procedure in fiscal year 2015 to $88 per procedure in fiscal year 2016 (P < .001). In total, all initiatives in this study resulted in an estimated annual savings of $567 062. CONCLUSION: Physician awareness of outcomes and costs resulted in increasing the quality of care, while at the same time reducing the cost.

Perioperative stroke after cerebral aneurysm clipping: Risk factors and postoperative impact.

Stroke is a devastating complication after intracranial aneurysm clipping. Understanding the risk factors that prognosticate perioperative stroke may help to identify patients that would benefit from neuroprotective therapy. This study assesses patient-specific independent predictors of perioperative stroke in relation to surgical aneurysm clipping. Additionally, this study evaluates the postoperative complications of stroke. We performed a retrospective chart review of 437 patients with ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms, which underwent surgical clipping from 2006 to 2013. Multivariate logistical regression was utilized to assess the effect of age, race, gender, subarachnoid hemorrhage, Hunt and Hess (H/H) grade, aneurysm location, and intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) changes on the frequency of perioperative stroke. Thirty-five (8.0%) patients developed a stroke within 24h postoperatively. Patients with significant intraoperative SSEP changes were 7.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.51-15.31) times more likely to develop perioperative strokes. In patients who presented with H/H grade 5, the odds ratio for developing perioperative stroke was 9.21 (95% CI: 1.28-66.13) respectively. In the absence of aneurysm rupture, patients presenting with new-onset stroke were more likely to suffer postoperative complications, stay in the intensive care unit longer, and be discharged to in-patient rehabilitation compared to patients without new-onset stroke. This study suggests that severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage based on the patient's clinical condition increases the risk of perioperative stroke in patients with surgical aneurysm clipping. SSEP changes and high-grade H/H scores can serve as independent predictors of perioperative stroke, with the latter having the greatest predictive value.

Concussion in ice hockey.

Ice hockey is an aggressive and fast-paced sport which has a high risk of injury, concussions in particular. Although serious head injury has been recognized for nearly 50 years, an increase in mainstream media attention in recent years has led to unprecedented public awareness. As a result, the National Hockey League (NHL) and other professional leagues around the world have initiated concussion protocols in order to better prevent, recognize, and treat concussions. With over 1,000,000 youth hockey participants in Canada and the USA combined, concussion is an issue that reaches beyond the professional level. In this report we review the incidence, evaluation, treatment, return-to-play protocol, and prevention efforts related to concussion in ice hockey.

Iatrogenic cerebral venous sinus occlusion with flowable topical hemostatic matrix.

OBJECT: The use of commercially available topical hemostatic adjuncts has increased the safety profile of surgery as a whole. Cranial surgery has also benefited from the development of numerous agents designed to permit more rapid achievement of hemostasis. Flowable topical hemostatic agents applied via syringe injection are now commonly employed in many neurosurgical procedures, including cranial surgery. Intravascular use of these strongly thrombogenic agents is contraindicated, but in certain settings, inadvertent intravascular administration can occur, resulting in vascular occlusion, thrombosis, and potential dissemination. To date, there have no reports detailing the presence and incidence of this complication. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of all cranial surgeries performed at Presbyterian University Hospital by members of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Department of Neurological Surgery between 2007 and 2009. Cases complicated by vascular occlusion due to inadvertent intravascular administration of flowable topical hemostatic matrix (FTHM) were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: Iatrogenic vascular occlusion induced by FTHM was identified in 5 (0.1%) of 3969 cranial surgery cases. None of these events occurred in 3318 supratentorial cases, whereas 5 cases of cerebral venous sinus occlusion occurred in 651 infratentorial cases (0.8%). The risk of accidental vessel occlusion was significantly associated with infratentorial surgery, and all events occurred in the transverse and/or sigmoid sinus. No episodes of inadvertent vascular occlusion occurred during endoscopic surgery. No cases of arterial occlusion were identified. Of the 5 patients with FTHM-related cerebral venous sinus occlusion, none developed long-term neurological sequelae referable to the event. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent intravascular administration of FTHM is a rare complication associated with cranial surgery that occurs most commonly during infratentorial procedures around the transverse and/or sigmoid sinuses. Modifications in the choice of when to use an FTHM and the method of application may help prevent accidental venous sinus administration.

Evaluation of lipid profiles and the use of omega-3 essential Fatty Acid in professional football players.

BACKGROUND: Recent research showed 82% of 233 retired National Football League players under age 50 had abnormal narrowing and blockages in arteries compared to the general population of the same age. It has been suggested that early screening and intervention in this at-risk population be a priority. HYPOTHESIS: Omega-3 essential fatty acid has been shown to improve cardiovascular lipid risk factors and should improve lipid profiles in professional football players to help reduce their recently shown accelerated risk of developing cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A total of 36 active national football players were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the first group (n = 20) was provided fish oil capsules (2200 mg of mixed docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid and 360 mg of other omega-3s), and the second group (n = 16) served as controls during a 60-day trial. Vertical Auto Profile cholesterol tests directly measuring serum low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and other subfractions were performed. Compliance, side effects, and seafood consumption data were also collected. Baseline, midpoint, and poststudy blood work measured plasma docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. RESULTS: Treatment increased high-density lipoprotein (average percent change: +25.96, control +14.16), decreased triglycerides treatment (-8.06, control +43.98), very low-density lipoprotein treatment (-13.98, control +23.18), intermediate density lipoprotein (-27.58, control +12.07), remnant lipoproteins (-23.86, control +8.33), and very low-density lipoprotein-3 (-17.10, control +7.77). An average increase of 106.67% for docosahexaenoic acid and 365.82% for eicosapentaenoic acid compared to control was also shown. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation significantly improved the lipid profile of active players randomized to treatment. These results suggest that fish oil supplementation is an effective way to increase eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels in plasma and should be considered as a method to improve modifiable cardiovascular risk lipid factors in professional football players. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A prospective study examining the effects of 60 days of a highly purified fish oil supplementation in professional football players.

Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Multilevel fusions, the use of allograft bone, and smoking have been associated with an increased risk of nonunion after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation has been shown to increase arthrodesis rates after lumbar spine fusion surgery, but there are minimal data concerning the effect of PEMF stimulation on cervical spine fusion. PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of PEMF stimulation as an adjunct to arthrodesis after ACDF in patients with potential risk factors for nonunion. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, prospective multicenter clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: Three hundred and twenty-three patients with radiographic evidence (computed tomography-myelogram [CT-myelo] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) of a compressed cervical nerve root and symptomatic radiculopathy appropriate to the compressed root that had failed to respond to nonoperative management were enrolled in the study. The patients were either smokers (more than one pack per day) and/or were undergoing multilevel fusions. All patients underwent ACDF using the Smith-Robinson technique. Allograft bone and an anterior cervical plate were used in all cases. OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements were obtained preoperatively and at each postoperative interval and included neurologic assessment, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for shoulder/arm pain at rest and with activity, SF-12 scores, the neck disability index (NDI), and radiographs (anteroposterior, lateral, and flexion-extension views). Two orthopedic surgeons not otherwise affiliated with the study and blinded to treatment group evaluated the radiographs, as did a blinded radiologist. Adverse events were reported by all patients throughout the study to determine device safety. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those receiving PEMF stimulation after surgery (PEMF group, 163 patients) and those not receiving PEMF stimulation (control group, 160 patients). Postoperative care was otherwise identical. Follow-up was carried out at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The PEMF and control groups were comparable with regard to age, gender, race, past medical history, smoking status, and litigation status. Both groups were also comparable in terms of baseline diagnosis (herniated disc, spondylosis, or both) and number of levels operated (one, two, three, or four). At 6 months postoperatively, the PEMF group had a significantly higher fusion rate than the control group (83.6% vs. 68.6%, p=.0065). At 12 months after surgery, the stimulated group had a fusion rate of 92.8% compared with 86.7% for the control group (p=.1129). There were no significant differences between the PEMF and control groups with regard to VAS pain scores, NDI, or SF-12 scores at 6 or 12 months. No significant differences were found in the incidence of adverse events in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized, controlled trial that analyzes the effects of PEMF stimulation on cervical spine fusion. PEMF stimulation significantly improved the fusion rate at 6 months postoperatively in patients undergoing ACDF with an allograft and an anterior cervical plate, the eligibility criteria being patients who were smokers or had undergone multilevel cervical fusion. At 12 months postoperatively, however, the fusion rate for PEMF patients was not significantly different from that of the control group. There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events in the two groups, indicating that the use of PEMF stimulation is safe in this clinical setting.

Cervical neurapraxia in elite athletes: evaluation and surgical treatment. Report of five cases.

OBJECT: Neurapraxia, transient posttraumatic paralysis of the motor and/or sensory tracts in the spinal cord, may be a career-ending event in an athlete. Management, rehabilitation, and return-to-play decisions remain controversial. METHODS: Five elite football players were evaluated after experiencing episodes of neurapraxia. All patients experienced bilateral paresthesias--three in all four extremities and two in the upper extremities--lasting a few minutes to more than 24 hours. Transient motor deficits occurred in two individuals but caused no permanent sequelae. Neuroimaging confirmed the presence of herniated discs, focal cord compression, and no parenchymal changes in all cases. All patients underwent anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion, and cervical plates were placed in four. After aggressive rehabilitation and confirmation of fusion ranging from 9 weeks to 8 months postoperatively, the players were allowed to return to active play. Two of the players developed recurrent career-ending disc herniations, one above and the other below the fusion level. One player required repeated spinal cord decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologically intact athletes with focal cord compression due to a single-level herniated disc may safely return to football after undergoing decompressive surgery and confirmation of fusion. It appears, however, that there may be an increased chance of repeated herniation above or below a fused level.