Medial Extension of Medial Sphenoid Wing Meningioma from the Anterior Clinoid Line: Does It Truly Affect the Surgical Outcome?

Background Medial sphenoid wing meningiomas (MSWMs) account for approximately 20% of all meningiomas that are known for their critical relation to neurovasculture structures. Objective The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between the maximum diameter of the MSWM medial to the anterior clinoidal line (AC line) and surgical outcome. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study investigating all surgically resected MSWM cases at our institution over 10 years. The patients were divided into groups A and B based on the average ratio between the maximum medial extension of the MSWM from the AC line to the maximum diameter of the tumor, that is, value I = 0.42 (group A ≤ 0.42 and group B > 0.42). And into groups C and D based on the average medial extension of the tumor, that is, 14 mm (group C ≤ and D group D > 14 mm). These measurements were correlated with patients' demographics, preoperative symptoms, and postoperative assessment. Results Among 150 patients, 51patients had MSWM that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among them, 76.47% were females with a median age of 48 years (standard deviation [SD] = 47.75 ± 15.11). Also, 92% of the cases were World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. The follow-up period was 0.5 to 10 years. Among them, 40% of group C had gross total resection (GTR), whereas 43% in group D. In group B, 70% had GTR, whereas 48% had GTR in group A. None of the patients developed statistically significant postoperative complications. There is no statistically significant difference in the risk complication with medial extension in all groups. Conclusion The degree of medial extension of MSWM from the AC line has no statistically significant correlation with major postoperative complications, extent of resection, or clinical outcome.

Effect of cranioplasty timing on the functional neurological outcome and postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing for performing cranioplasty and its effect on functional outcome remains debatable. Multiple confounding factors may come into role; including the material used, surgical technique, cognitive assessment tools, and the overall complications. The aim of this study is to assess the neurological outcome and postoperative complications in patients who underwent early versus late cranioplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the neurological outcome and postoperative complications in patients who underwent cranioplasty between 2005 and 2018 at a Level l trauma center. Early and late cranioplasties were defined as surgeries performed within and more than 90 days of decompressive craniectomy, respectively. The Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS), recorded within 1 week of cranioplasty, were used to assess the neurological outcome. RESULTS: A total of 101 cases of cranioplasty were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 31.4 ± 13.9 years. Most patients (n = 86; 85.1%) were male. The mean GOS for all patients was 4.0 ± 1.0. The mean mRS was 2.2 ± 1.78. Hydrocephalus was noted in 18 patients (early, n = 6; late, n = 12; P = 0.48). Seizures developed in 28 patients (early, n = 12; late, n = 16; P = 0.77). CONCLUSION: The neurological outcome in patients who underwent early versus late cranioplasty is almost identical. The differences in the rates of overall postoperative complications between early versus late cranioplasty were statistically insignificant. The optimal timing for performing cranioplasty is mainly dependent on the resolution of cerebral swelling.

Patients' Perceptions Towards the Participation of Medical Students in their Care.

OBJECTIVES: Patient interaction is a vital part of healthcare training. This study aimed to investigate patients' perceptions of the participation of medical students in their care. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and March 2015 among 430 patients admitted to the medical and surgical wards at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An Arabic questionnaire was designed to assess the demographic characteristics of the patients and their perceptions of students' participation in their medical care. RESULTS: A total of 416 patients completed the survey (response rate: 97%). Overall, 407 patients (98%) acknowledged the educational benefit of involving medical students in their care. A total of 368 patients (88%) had no objection to a medical student being involved in their care. Of these, 98% were willing to be asked about their medical history by medical students, 89% would permit physical examinations by medical students and 39% preferred that the gender of the medical student match their own. Education level (P <0.003), a positive prior experience with a medical student (P <0.001) and perception of the medical students' attitudes (P <0.001) had a significant effect on patients' acceptance of medical students participating in their care. CONCLUSION: In general, the patients had a positive perception of medical students, with most patients acknowledging the educational benefit of student participation in patient care. As patients' perceptions of students' professionalism, confidence and respect for privacy were significantly related to acceptance of care, education on these aspects should be a priority in medical curricula.

Accuracy of Canadian CT head rule in predicting positive findings on CT of the head of patients after mild head injury in a large trauma centre in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of unjustified computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with minor head injury is lacking in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the compliance and effectiveness of the Canadian computed tomography head rule (CCHR) in our emergency department (ED) and trauma centre and also to reduce the number of unjustified CT studies of the head in the centre. METHODS: A retrospective study of 368 ED patients with minor head injury was conducted. Patients who underwent CT scan between July 2010 and June 2011 were selected from the ED head trauma registry by systematic randomisation. The CCHR was retrospectively applied on the patients' charts to calculate the prevalence of unjustified head CT scans. A separate survey was conducted to evaluate three emergency physicians' level of awareness about the CCHR and their ability to determine the necessity of CT scans with various clinical scenarios of head injury. RESULTS: The prevalence of unjustified CT scans as per the CCHR was 61.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56.5-66.9%). Approximately 5% of the sample had positive CT findings with 95% CI 2.9-7.6%. The CCHR correctly identified 12 cases with positive CT findings with 66.67% sensitivity. Only 24 (6.7%) had Glasgow coma scale scores less than 15 (13/14). The Glasgow coma scale correctly identified only two cases with positive CT findings with 11.11% sensitivity. The percentage of skull fracture (0.9% vs 5%, P=0.030) was significantly lower in patients with unjustified CT scans than in patients with clinically justified CT scans. There was fair to substantial agreement between the ED physicians and the CCHR (κ=35-61%). Two ED physicians identified all cases of justified CT scan with 100% sensitivity (95% CI 71.51-100%). CONCLUSION: The level of education regarding the CCHR was found to be optimal among emergency physicians using a case-based scenario survey. The CCHR was found to have a poor compliance potential in the busy ED of our trauma centre and the prevalence of unjustified cranial CT scans remained high.