Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes: Semi-Automated Data Collection in the Interventional Radiology Clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Patient-reported outcomes are important for clinical research and will likely be used in the near future as a metric for physician reimbursement. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of an electronic data collection system for deep vein thrombosis and lymphedema quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaires in a tertiary care interventional radiology practice. METHODS: A single provider's clinic patients were automatically e-mailed validated questionnaires 1 week before their appointments. If not completed via e-mail, the questionnaire was administered on an electronic tablet in clinic by a research coordinator. Patients were also sent postprocedure questionnaires. RESULTS: In all, 106 patients visited the clinic for a pre-intervention venous consultation. Of them, 96% (n = 102 of 106) completed the pre-intervention questionnaire: 48% (n = 47 of 98) via e-mail and 52% (n = 51 of 98) via tablet. Of the patients who had procedures and were sent questionnaires, 49% (n = 26 of 53) were seen in person. Of the postprocedure in-person clinic patients, 76% (n = 20 of 26) completed the questionnaire via e-mail, and the remainder with the tablet in clinic. Twenty-seven of the 53 (51%) patients did not return for follow-up and instead were sent an electronic questionnaire as their only source of follow-up, of which 74% (n = 20 of 27) complied. CONCLUSION: After an initial introduction to electronic QOL reporting, patients were more likely to complete the questionnaires remotely for their follow-up appointment. A semi-automated electronic QOL system allows physicians to collect patient outcome data even in the absence of a clinic visit.

Assessment of Inter- and Intraobserver Reliability and Accuracy to Evaluate Apical Vertebral Rotation Using Four Methods: An Experimental Study Using a Saw Bone Model.

STUDY DESIGN: After placing a thoracic three-vertebra segment saw bones model on a standardized turntable, a series of anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were obtained and then set in increments to 90° rotation. Then the specimen was instrumented with 35-mm pedicle screws bilaterally and the rotation process and image acquisition were repeated. OBJECTIVE: Assess reliability and accuracy of spine surgeons evaluating apical vertebral rotation (AVR) through surgeon's visual x-ray estimation, Nash-Moe system, Upasani trigonometric method, and Upasani grading system. BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Accurate assessment of AVR is one measure surgeons can evaluate the success of intervention and potential loss of correction in scoliotic deformities. METHODS: Eighty-four representative images of uninstrumented and instrumented vertebral segments were blinded. AVR was estimated by five experienced spinal deformity surgeons using the four techniques. The surgeons' grading, estimates, and errors compared to actual rotation were calculated. Inter- and intraobserver reliability were calculated using interclass correlation (ICC). RESULTS: Each surgeon's error for simple visual estimation for uninstrumented segments was 8.7° to 17.4° (average error = 12.4°), and for instrumented segments it was 7.7° to 11.3° (average error = 9.5°). Error for the Upasani trigonometric method was -6.7° to 11.6° (average error = 0.9°). There was relatively poor accuracy for Nash-Moe system (38.2%-53.9%) compared with the Upasani grading system (76.74%-80.23%). Interobserver reliability using the Nash-Moe method was good (0.844), with intraobserver reliability from fair to excellent (0.684-0.949). Interobserver reliability for the Upasani grading method was good (0.829), with intraobserver reliability from fair to good (0.751-0.869). We found excellent interobserver reliability for Upasani trigonometric classification (0.935) with fair to excellent intraobserver reliability (0.775-0.991). The interobserver reliability of surgeons' visual estimates was good (0.898) and the intraobserver reliability from good to excellent (0.866-0.99) without pedicle screws, and interobserver reliability was excellent (0.948) and intraobserver reliability also excellent (0.959-0.986) with pedicle screws. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that both techniques described by Upasani have good reliability and accuracy, appearing more accurate than surgeon's visual estimates or Nash-Moe system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Giant cell tumor of a lumbar vertebra in a 7-year-old child: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: This case provides a rare occurrence of a giant cell tumor (GCT) in posterior elements of a lumbar vertebra in a 7-year-old child with successful outcome after surgical excision and regular follow-ups. OBJECTIVE: To present a unique case report of a pediatric GCT in the vertebral column and results. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: GCT is a rare bone tumor seen in 3% to 5% of primary bone neoplasm. Approximately 7% of GCTs are found in the vertebral column. GCT of the spine is found in only 5% to 7% of cases and can occur in any region of the spine but are believed to be predominantly in the sacrum. Despite its benign nature, expansion in a confined space makes early detection of spinal GCTs important to prevent occurrence of compressive myelopathy/radiculopathy. The presence of a GCT in a child younger than 10 years of age, in posterior elements of a lumbar vertebral body, has not been reported earlier. METHODS: On the basis of the clinical history, radiograph of the thoracolumbar spine, computed tomography of lumbar spine, and magnetic resonance imaging, a preliminary diagnosis of osteoblastoma was made. RESULTS: The patient presented with a lytic lesion with involvement of posterior elements, 1 side the pedicle extending into the body of a lumbar vertebra (L3) and had extension into the paraspinal muscles. Intraoperative exploration and frozen section showed the presence of a typical histologic picture of a GCT. Ipsilateral pedicle, posterior elements, and the superior articular facet were excised. En bloc resection was found not to be feasible due to the friable nature of the tumor and involvement of the soft tissues. In addition, fusion was avoided with consideration of the young age of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The patient has been free of any recurrence as of his last follow-up visit.

Incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of fractures in children, adolescents, and adults with spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the age-specific incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of fractures in persons with spina bifida. DESIGN: Year-long historical cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Two hundred twenty-one consecutive patients aged 2-58 years evaluated in 2003 at a regional referral center. Twenty percent (n=44) were children age 2-10 years; 30% (n=68) were adolescents age 11-18 years; and 50% (n=109) were adults age 19-58 years. Fifty-five percent (n=121) were female; 64% (n=141) had shunted hydrocephalus. Fifty-eight percent (n=129) were community ambulators. Defect levels included 14% (n=31) thoracic; 37% (n=81) mid-lumbar; 35% (n=79) low-lumbar; and 14% (n = 30) sacral. METHODS: Chart review of 221 consecutive children, adolescents, and adults enrolled in a spina bifida program in Syracuse, New York, was used to determine incidence and prevalence rates. Chi-square was used for subgroup analyses, and linear regression was used to examine independent association of motor level, functional independence (Functional Independence Measures score), body mass index (BMI), shunted hydrocephalus, epilepsy, and/or other congenital anomalies with fractures, controlling for insurance status, race/ethnicity, age, and sex. RESULTS: Annual incidence of fractures among children, adolescents, and adults was 23/1000; 29/1000; and 18/1000, respectively. Overall prevalence was 200/1000. One in 4 patients with fractures reported multiple fractures. Median age at first fracture was 11 years. Most fractures involved the femur or tibia. Comparisons between adult- and childhood-onset fractures were not significant for difference in sex, BMI, defect level, functional independence, shunted hydrocephalus, epilepsy, or other congenital anomalies. In regression models only defect level RR = 1.646 (P = 0.019; 95% CI 1.085-2.498) and age RR = 1.033 (P= 0.036; 95% CI 1.002-1.065) were independently associated with fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures in persons with spina bifida are most common during early adolescence. Environmental modifications may be more effective than pharmacological treatment in reducing the prevalence of fractures in this population.

Bone density accumulation is not affected by brace treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescent girls.

Bracing for adolescent scoliosis has been postulated to cause permanent loss of bone mass and to predispose to adult osteoporosis. To determine whether brace use affects the rate of bone accretion with growth, the authors conducted a prospective study of 52 girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) showed a significant increase in spinal bone mineral density (BMD) over a 1-year period of brace wear. BMD correlated with measures of growth and pubertal status, but not average daily brace wear or severity of scoliosis. The annual rate of bone density accumulation was similar to reported normal values. The annual rate of change of volumetric bone density increased only slightly during the study period, suggesting that most of the change in BMD with time reflects growth in the dimensions of the spine. Brace treatment does not appear to inhibit bone density accumulation in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Cervical kyphosis associated with anteroposterior dissociation and quadriparesis in Larsen's syndrome.

Neither the natural history nor the optimal treatment of cervical spine anomalies in Larsen's syndrome has been clearly defined. The authors describe two patients with Larsen's syndrome with cervical kyphosis, anteroposterior dissociation, and quadriparesis to show the variable clinical progression and offer a description of the authors' treatment. One patient has had continued neurologic and radiographic improvement with nonoperative treatment consisting of early traction. The other patient was treated with posterior fusion that failed to halt progressive kyphosis of the anterior vertebral bodies because of anteroposterior dissociation. He then was treated by resection of the posterior fusion, traction, and anterior and posterior decompression and fusion. Cervical kyphosis in patients with Larsen's syndrome is unpredictable, and both nonoperative and operative treatments have the potential to be successful. Anteroposterior dissociation of the cervical spine may be more common in Larsen's syndrome than recognized previously and may profoundly affect operative strategy and outcome.

Visual field defect after posterior spine fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVES: Review cases and literature regarding visual loss following posterior spine fusion for scoliosis and emphasize right-to-left atrial shunt as a risk factor for paradoxical embolus resulting in a postoperative visual field defect. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The existing literature discusses various possible etiologies of postoperative visual loss including direct pressure, hypotension, blood loss, and anemia. One study shows higher rates of cerebral microemboli in patients with right-to-left atrial shunts. METHODS: Chart and literature review. RESULTS: A paradoxical embolus to a branch of the central retinal artery resulted in a unilateral quadrant defect (homonymous quadrantanopsia) in a girl with a previously undiagnosed right-to-left atrial shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Right-to-left atrial shunts may predispose to cerebral emboli during scoliosis surgery. These emboli may be a cause of postoperative visual field defects.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in down syndrome.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and Down syndrome are both uncommon in the population at large, and rarely are both conditions present in a single individual. Institutional records were searched for both Down syndrome and SCFE. At least 2 years of follow-up was required. Eight patients were identified. At presentation four patients could not walk due to pain and four could walk. Six of eight hips presented with grade III SCFE. Four hips were treated with internal fixation in situ and four were manipulatively reduced in the operating room at the time of fixation with percutaneous screws or pins. Three hips healed uneventfully. Five hips developed aseptic necrosis (three partial, two whole head). This small retrospective study suggests an extremely high rate of complications in adolescents with Down syndrome and SCFE.

Capsuloligamentous restraints to dorsal and palmar carpal translation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine biomechanically the relative contributions of the dorsal and palmar capsuloligamentous structures to dorsal and palmar carpal stability. METHODS: Seven fresh-frozen cadaver specimens were tested using a testing machine (MTS, Eden Prairie, MN) with low loads applied perpendicular to the axis of the radial diaphysis. We determined the loads required to achieve dorsal and palmar translation of the carpus on the radius as palmar and dorsal ligaments and capsule were sectioned sequentially. The relative contributions of the dorsal and palmar capsuloligamentous structures to dorsal and palmar stability were determined. RESULTS: The palmar structures provided a statistically significantly greater restraint (61%) to dorsal translation of the carpus than did the dorsal structures (2%). The palmar structures also provided a statistically greater restraint (48%) to palmar translation of the carpus than did the dorsal structures (6%). CONCLUSIONS: The palmar capsuloligamentous structures provided greater restraint to both dorsal and palmar translation of the carpus. We suggest that surgeons consider repair or reconstruction of traumatic injuries to these structures.

Pulsed color-flow Doppler analysis of arterial deficiency in idiopathic clubfoot.

This prospective study used pulsed color-flow Doppler sonography to determine differences in the presence and direction of flow through the dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries in a group of children with clubfoot and a comparison group of controls. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of deficient (absent or retrograde flow) dorsalis pedis arteries in children with clubfoot (45%) compared with controls (8%). This indicates that there is an association between some clubfeet and deficiency of the dorsalis pedis artery. There was a trend toward difference in the prevalence of deficiency of the dorsalis pedis artery in the clubfeet that required surgery (54%) compared with those that did not (20%), suggesting that dorsalis pedis artery deficiency may be more prevalent among clubfeet with greater deformity.