Meyer, Fredric B.

Abstract Assuring clinical competence throughout the career of a neurosurgeon is of paramount importance for patient safety. We present the first comprehensive survey of all neurosurgeons board certified through the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) to evaluate perceptions of Maintenance of Certification (MOC). We administered a validated, online, confidential survey to 4899 neurosurgeons (2435 ABNS diplomates participating in MOC, 1440 diplomates certified prior to 1999 [time-unlimited certificates], and 1024 retired diplomates). We received 1449 responses overall (30% response rate). Our study found that most respondents believe that neurosurgeons should be required to participate in continuing professional improvement following initial board certification (75%). Most believe that specialty boards, working in conjunction with specialty societies, should require diplomates to participate in programs meant to promote continuous professional development (73%). The majority of respondents (76%) believed that self-assessment tests constituted a meaningful professional development activity, in addition to periodic case log reviews (33%) or quality improvement projects (32.6%). A plurality of respondents (44%) do not feel that the MOC process as currently structured provides them with value. There were no differences between those who were “grandfathered” and those who actively participate in MOC and no differences between those in private practice versus those in academics. The ABNS is cognizant of diplomate concerns and is actively developing new MOC paradigms to ensure that the process achieves both the goals of meeting the public interest and assuring that the quality of American neurosurgery remains exemplary.

OBJECTIVEPatient-reported outcomes have been increasingly mandated by regulators and payers to evaluate hospital and physician performance. The purpose of this study is to delineate the differences in patient-reported experience of hospital care for cranial and spinal operations.METHODSThe authors selected all patients who underwent inpatient, elective cranial or spinal procedures and completed the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey at a single, high-volume, tertiary care institution between October 2012 and September 2015. The association of the surgical procedure and diagnosis with various HCAHPS composite measures, calculated across 9 domains using standard top-box methodology, was investigated. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted for outcomes that were significant with procedure type and diagnosis group on univariate analysis, adjusting for age, sex, case complexity, overall health rating, and education level.RESULTSA total of 1484 patients met criteria and returned an HCAHPS survey. Overall, patients undergoing a cranial procedure gave top-box (most favorable) scores more often in pain management measure (66.3% vs 59.6%, p = 0.01) compared with those undergoing spine surgery. Furthermore, despite better discharge scores (93.1% vs 87.1%, p < 0.001), spinal patients were less likely to report excellent health (7.4% vs 12.7%). Lastly, patients with a primary diagnosis of brain or spinal tumor compared with those with degenerative spinal disease and those with other neurosurgical diagnoses provided top-box scores more often regarding communication with doctors (82.7% vs 76.4% vs 75.2%, p = 0.04), pain management (71.8% vs 60.9% vs 59.1%, p = 0.002), and global rating (90.4% vs 84.0% vs 87.3%, p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, spinal patients had significantly lower odds of reporting top-box scores in pain management (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52–0.85; p = 0.001), staff responsiveness (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.87; p = 0.002), and global rating (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42–0.82; p = 0.002), and significantly higher odds of top-box scoring in discharge information (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.45–3.18; p < 0.001) than cranial patients. Similarly, brain tumor cases were associated with significantly higher odds of top-box scoring in communication with doctors (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01–2.12; p = 0.04), pain management (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.29–2.55; p < 0.001), staff responsiveness (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.33–2.66; p < 0.001), and global rating (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.26–3.17; p = 0.003) compared with degenerative spine cases.CONCLUSIONSSignificant differences in patient-reported experience with hospital care exist across different cranial and spine surgery patient populations. Overall, spinal patients, particularly those with degenerative spine disease, rated their health and their hospital experience lower relative to cranial patients. Identifying weaker areas of hospital performance in target populations can stimulate quality initiatives that aim to increase the overall hospital score.

Background Pediatric pituitary adenoma is a rare skull base neoplasm, accounting for 3% of all intracranial neoplasms in children and 5% of pituitary adenomas. Compared with pituitary tumors in adults, secreting tumors predominate and longer disease trajectories are expected due to the patient age resulting in a natural history and treatment paradigm that is complex and controversial. Objectives The aims of this study were to describe a large, single-institution series of pediatric pituitary adenomas with extensive long-term follow-up and to conduct a systematic review examining outcomes after pituitary adenoma surgery in the pediatric population. Methods The study cohort was compiled by searching institutional pathology and operative reports using diagnosis and site codes for pituitary and sellar pathology, from 1956 to 2016. Systematic review of the English language literature since 1970 was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Results Thirty-nine surgically managed pediatric pituitary adenomas were identified, including 15 prolactinomas, 14 corticotrophs, 7 somatotrophs, and 4 non-secreting adenomas. All patients underwent transsphenoidal resection (TSR) as the initial surgical treatment. Surgical cure was achieved in 18 (46%); 21 experienced recurrent/persistent disease, with secondary treatments including repeat surgery in 10, radiation in 14, adjuvant pharmacotherapy in 11, and bilateral adrenalectomy in 3. At the last follow-up (median 87 months, range 3–581), nine remained with recurrent/persistent disease (23%).Thirty-seven publications reporting surgical series of pediatric pituitary adenomas were included, containing 1,284 patients. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting tumors were most prevalent (43%), followed by prolactin (PRL)-secreting (37%), growth hormone (GH)-secreting (12%), and nonsecreting (7%). Surgical cure was reported in 65%. Complications included pituitary insufficiency (23%), permanent visual dysfunction (6%), chronic diabetes insipidus (DI) (3%), and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (4%). Mean follow-up was 63 months (range 0–240), with recurrent/persistent disease reported in 18% at the time of last follow-up. Conclusion Pediatric pituitary adenomas are diverse and challenging tumors with complexities far beyond those encountered in the management of routine adult pituitary disease, including nuanced decision-making, a technically demanding operative environment, high propensity for recurrence, and the potentially serious consequences of hypopituitarism with respect to fertility and growth potential in a pediatric population. Optimal treatment requires a high degree of individualization, and patients are most likely to benefit from consolidated, multidisciplinary care in highly experienced centers.

In vivo panoramic imaging of regional cortical blood flow and intracellular brain pH with umbelliferone fluorescence was performed in fasted New Zealand White rabbits (n = 30) subjected to constant or stepwise increases in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) up to 160 mmHg under 1.0% halothane anesthesia. At a PaCO2 of 40 mmHg, baseline brain pHi measured 7.03 +/- 0.04, while regional cortical blood flow was 47.0 +/- 4.3 ml.100 g-1.min-1. With an immediate but constant exposure to a PaCO2 of 60, 80, or 120 mmHg, at 15 min pHi fell to 6.94 +/- 0.03, 6.89 +/- 0.03, and 6.90 +/- 0.03 and recovered over 20, 80, and 120 min, respectively. At 160 mmHg PaCO2, pHi fell to 6.68 +/- 0.04 and remained acidotic. With stepwise increases in PaCO2 up to 80 mmHg, brain pHi decreased from 7.01 +/- 0.02 to 6.99 +/- 0.02, not significantly different despite a severe systemic acidosis of 7.022 +/- 0.034. At a PaCO2 of 120 and 160 mmHg, pHi dropped to 6.97 +/- 0.02 and 6.93 +/- 0.02, respectively. The difference in brain pHi between an immediate and stepwise exposure to a PaCO2 of 160 mmHg was significant (P < 0.005). These results demonstrate that brain pHi is tightly regulated across the cortical surface and resistant to profound changes in extracellular pH. The difference in pHi between the constant and incremental increases in PaCO2 suggests that there is upregulation of pH homeostatic mechanisms.

The effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on brain acidosis, regional cortical blood flow (rCBF), and NADH redox state were examined using in vivo fluorescence imaging during four 15-min periods of moderate focal cerebral ischemia, each separated by three 5-min reperfusion periods followed by a final 3-h reperfusion period. Fasted rabbits under 1.5% halothane were divided into six groups of seven animals each: nonischemic controls, ischemic controls, and the following drug groups receiving NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) intravenously 20 min before repetitive ischemia (as follows: 0.1 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg L-arginine). L-NAME at 0.1 and 1 mg/kg prevented the development of significant brain acidosis throughout the four ischemic insults. L-NAME at 10 mg/kg reduced preischemic rCBF by 21% (P < 0.05) and did not mitigate brain acidosis after the third and fourth ischemic insults. Brain intracellular pH returned toward baseline after the 3-h final reperfusion in all groups. NADH redox state was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated from baseline controls in all groups during the last three ischemic insults. During the final reperfusion period, NADH redox state returned toward baseline values only in the 0.1 mg/kg L-NAME and ischemic control group. In conclusion, low-dose L-NAME attenuated brain acidosis independent from rCBF changes during intermittent, moderate focal cerebral ischemia.

Abstract BACKGROUND When clinical presentation, laboratory studies, or imaging cannot diagnose cavernous sinus (CS) and/or Meckel's cave (MC) lesions, biopsy may be necessary. OBJECTIVE To review our institutional series of biopsies of indeterminate CS and MC lesions. METHODS Records from January 1994 to June 2016 were searched for biopsied indeterminate CS and MC lesions. We defined indeterminate as having an atypical imaging appearance or a broad differential and the need for tissue for definitive diagnosis. We defined primary tumors as originating from cells inherent or near the CS and MC. RESULTS Eighty-five patients were included (median age 59 [2-85] yr); 22 (28%) had a cancer history. Approaches included frontotemporal craniotomy (n = 48, 56%), endoscopic endonasal (n = 20, 24%), percutaneous transforamen ovale (n = 12, 14%), or retrosigmoid craniotomy (n = 5, 6%). Final diagnosis was metastatic in 27 (32%), primary in 21 (25%), inflammatory in 13 (15%), hematologic in 11 (13%), fungal in 5 (5%), and nondefinitive or nondiagnostic in 8 (10%) patients. Thirteen (59%) patients with a cancer history (n = 22) had a diagnosis consistent with their prior cancer; the remaining had a second pathology (n = 6, 27%) or nondiagnostic biopsy (n = 3, 14%). Two patients had surgical complications resulting in death. CONCLUSION In this patient cohort, metastatic tumors were the most likely pathology. The biopsy threshold should be lower in patients with a cancer history if clinical or radiographic diagnosis is uncertain as 27% had a second disease. However, we consider biopsy as a last resort because the risk of major morbidity/mortality, while low, is not zero.