Citations

Case Report. Spine surgery in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves increased risk. We describe a case of cervical myelopathy in a patient with PD, multiple fractures involving the atlas and axis vertebrae, and spasmodic torticollis. The patient was successfully treated with an upper cervical decompression and occipital-cervical (OC) fusion surgery. Strategies for torticollis reduction and successful surgical outcome are discussed. Risks and benefits must be carefully weighed when considering occipital cervical fusion in PD patients. Conclusion. Intraoperative manual reduction of laterocollis is possible after general endotracheal anesthesia, and continuous neuromonitoring is established. Use of optimizing strategies such as perioperative botulinum injections and intraoperative O-arm navigation should be considered.

Case Report. Escherichia coli is a rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis. It is more common in adults and males. We present a case of an immunocompetent adult male presenting with a several month history of progressive systemic symptoms and subsequent neurologic compromise. We discuss the neurosurgical evaluation of a patient with a progressive vertebral osteomyelitis and treatment options. Surgical debridement and spinal stabilization were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. The patient successfully completed a prolonged antimicrobial therapy course. The patient made a complete neurologic recovery. We discuss the presentation of a patient with Escherichia coli vertebral osteomyelitis and the successful surgical management.

AbstractBackgroundSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to provide pain relief for chronic back and leg pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. But many patients with chronic back pain have not had major back surgery or are not good candidates for surgery, and conventional medical management (CMM) provides limited relief. We have termed this condition nonsurgical refractory back pain (NSRBP). Level 1 evidence does not yet exist showing the therapeutic benefit of SCS for NSRBP.ObjectiveTo compare 10‐kHz SCS plus CMM (10‐kHz SCS + CMM) to CMM alone for treatment of NSRBP in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness.Study DesignMulticenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with subjects randomized 1:1 to either 10‐kHz SCS + CMM or CMM alone. Optional crossover occurs at 6 months if treatment does not achieve ≥50% pain relief.MethodsPatients with NSRBP as defined above may be enrolled if they are ineligible for surgery based on surgical consultation. Subjects randomized to 10‐kHz SCS + CMM will receive a permanent implant if sufficient pain relief is achieved in a temporary trial. Both groups will receive CMM per standard of care and will undergo assessments at baseline and at follow‐ups to 12 months. Self‐report outcomes include pain, disability, sleep, mental health, satisfaction, healthcare utilization, and quality of life.ResultsEnrollment was initiated on September 10, 2018. Prespecified independent interim analysis at 40% of the enrollment target indicated the sample size was sufficient to show superiority of treatment at the primary endpoint; therefore, enrollment was stopped at 211.ConclusionsThis large multicenter RCT will provide valuable evidence to guide clinical decisions in NSRBP.

Objective:Radiation therapy (RT) is the primary treatment of intracranial metastasis (ICM) from lung cancer (LC). Radiation necrosis (RN) has been reported post-RT with an incidence of 5% to 24%. We reviewed the spectrum of imaging changes in patients treated with RT for ICM from LC in an effort to identify potential risk factors for RN.Methods:We reviewed 63 patients with LC and ICM who received RT (radiosurgery [stereotactic radiosurgery] with/without whole brain radiation therapy) at our institution between 2013 and 2018. Data evaluated included demographics, tumor type, ICM burden and location, chemotherapy, surgery, and RT details as well as treatment choices and outcomes.Results:Of the 63 patients, clinical and radiographic criteria for RN were noted in 24 (38%) as early as 2 months and as late as 5 years posttreatment. Six patients required surgical resection due to refractory symptoms revealing pathology-proven RN and occasionally tumor. Patients were significantly more likely to develop RN if they had surgical resection of an ICM (45.8% vs. 20.5%,P=0.05). No differences were found in location, size, or genetic profile of lesions. In total, 80% of patients received treatment for symptoms and/or radiographic change. This was generally a combination of steroids, bevacizumab, laser interstitial thermal treatment, or surgical resection. Most patients required >1 treatment modality.Conclusions:This review of outcomes of RT for ICM in LC demonstrates a higher rate of RN than previously reported in the literature in those having had a surgical resection plus stereotactic radiosurgery. Our observation of RN as late as 5 years post-RT for ICM necessitates clinician awareness.

Abstract BACKGROUND Radiation is an integral component of the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with intracranial metastasis (ICM) from melanoma. The risk of radiation necrosis (RN) post-treatment can range from 5–25%. We retrospectively evaluated pre- and post-radiation clinical and radiographical characteristics in patients with ICM from melanoma to identify potential risk factors for RN. METHODS After IRB approval, patients with ICM from melanoma who received radiation at our institution between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. We recorded demographics, intracranial metastasis (burden and location), systemic therapy, resection, stereotactic radiosurgery versus whole brain radiation, and outcomes. Brain MRI was evaluated using the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria (RANO). RESULTS A total of 27 patients were included in the study. RN was diagnosed in 14 patients (52%) at one month to three years following radiation. Cerebellar location (n=7) was significantly associated with RN (p=0.0058). Metastasis-associated hemorrhage was present in 7 patients, 6 of which developed RN (43% vs 8%, p=0.08). Surgical resection prior to radiation was performed in 9 patients, 7 of which developed RN (50% vs 15%, p=0.1). RN appeared to be less often diagnosed when ICM were treated with higher doses of radiation (24 Gy vs 20 Gy, p=0.07). Systemic treatment was administered prior to radiation in 25 patients and we found no relationship with systemic therapy type and RN. Presumed RN was treated in 12 of 14 patients (86%). Steroids or surgical resection were the primary treatment modalities, with laser ablation used in 1 case. Following treatment, improvement was noted in 3 patients radiographically and in 1 of these clinically. CONCLUSIONS This series of patients with radiotherapy-treated brain metastases from melanoma reveals cerebellar involvement, hemorrhage, and prior surgical resection as potential risk factors for radiation necrosis. Neoadjuvant systemic treatment did not appear to be a risk factor in our review.

Case Report.Aspergillusosteomyelitis is a destructive and progressive infection that has been described both in immunosuppressed and in immunocompetent hosts. We describe a case of lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis in a 61-year-old immunocompetent patient due toAspergillus nidulansthat was successfully treated with a combination of extensive surgical debridement, spinal stabilization, and a prolonged course of antifungal therapy. Imaging demonstrated findings consistent with L3 discitis. The biopsy grewAspergillusfungus and was treated with vorconizole. Imaging showed progressive destructive osteomyelitis at L3-L4. Patient underwent anterior L3 and L4 partial corpectomies, anterior interbody fusion L3-L5, and posterior T11-S2 pedicle screw and rod fixation. Antifungal treatment resulted in resolution of infection.Aspergillusmarkers remain negative. One year following definitive treatment, the patient’s back pain remains resolved.Conclusion. Definitive surgical resection of the infection, spinal stabilization, and aggressive antifungal therapy were required to eradicate the infection.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment for medically refractory Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonia. The field of DBS is expanding and techniques are under investigation for the treatment of several neurological disorders. A critical component of the success of these procedures depends significantly on the reliability and durability of devices implanted. Immediate feedback during surgery often gives the surgeon and patient a sense of confidence of long term success. When impedances are found to be elevated during the implantation of the DBS leads, appropriate trouble shooting measures are critical. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We present a 73-yr-old male undergoing awake subthalamic DBS with microelectrode recordings for severe PD. Once the optimal trajectory and depth were ascertained, the permanent DBS electrode was placed. High impedances were recorded. Troubleshooting procedures were performed and were all negative as to the cause of the values. Correct impedance levels of the DBS electrode was confirmed with extracranial testing, but continued high values were found again with intracranial positioning of the electrode. A postoperative computerized tomography (CT) scan confirmed intracranial air surrounding all of the contacts. The patient went on to outpatient programming with excellent clinical results. CONCLUSION The presence of pneumocephalus surrounding the DBS lead contacts at the target nucleus may have accounted for the intraoperative impedance findings. When all troubleshooting checks have not identified an explanation for the high impedances, intraoperative imaging may demonstrate pneumocephalus around the lead contacts, which should resolve and impedances return to normal values.

OBJECTIVEThere is currently a paucity of literature evaluating procedural reimbursements and financial trends in neurosurgery. A comprehensive understanding of the economic trends and financial health of neurosurgery is important to ensure the sustained success and growth of the specialty moving forward. The purpose of this study was to evaluate monetary trends of the 10 most common spinal and cranial neurosurgical procedures in Medicare reimbursement rates from 2000 to 2018.METHODSThe Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was queried for each of the top 10 most utilized Current Procedural Terminology codes in both spinal and cranial neurosurgery, and comprehensive reimbursement data were extracted. The raw percent change in Medicare reimbursement rate from 2000 to 2018 was calculated for each procedure and averaged. This was then compared to the percent change in consumer price index over the same time. Using data adjusted for inflation, trend analysis was performed for all included procedures. Adjusted R-squared and both the average annual and the total percent change in reimbursement were calculated based on these adjusted trends for all included procedures. Likewise, the compound annual growth rate was calculated for all procedures.RESULTSWhen all reimbursement data were adjusted for inflation, the average reimbursement for all procedures decreased by an average of 25.80% from 2000 to 2018. From 2000 to 2018, the adjusted reimbursement rate for all included procedures decreased by an average of 1.59% each year and experienced an average compound annual growth rate of −1.66%, indicating a steady annual decline in reimbursement when adjusted for inflation.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first study to evaluate comprehensive trends in Medicare reimbursement in neurosurgery. When adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for all included procedures has steadily decreased from 2000 to 2018, with similar rates of decline observed between cranial and spinal neurosurgery procedures. Increased awareness and consideration of these trends will be important moving forward for policy makers, hospitals, and neurosurgeons as continued progress is made to advance agreeable reimbursement models that allow for the sustained growth of neurosurgery in the United States.

165 Background: Distant metastases are common in primary esophageal cancer, but data conflict regarding the rates of brain metastases (BM) ranging from 0% to 13%. We sought to investigate whether the incidence of BM from esophageal malignancies is increasing in the modern era. Methods: After IRB approval, a single institution retrospective review identified 583 patients (pts) treated between 1/1997 and 1/2016 for stage I-IV cancer of the esophagus/esophagogastric junction with at least 3 months follow-up. Data collected included demographic information, primary diagnosis date and staging, histologic subtype, treatment regimens for primary and BM, date of BM diagnosis, status of neurologic symptoms and extracranial disease at BM diagnosis, and date of death. Data were analyzed by Fischer’s exact test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The overall cohort was comprised of 495 pts (85%) with adenocarcinoma and 82 pts (14%) with squamous cell carcinoma. 492 pts (84%) were male; the median age was 68 years (range 26-90). BM were identified in 22 pts (3.8%) with a median latency of 11 months from the primary diagnosis. Of the pts with BM, the primary histology was adenocarcinoma in 21 pts and squamous cell carcinoma in 1 pt ( P = 0.3). BM developed in 12 pts who were initially treated for locally advanced disease and in 10 pts who presented with distant metastases. Diagnosis of BM was at the time of initial presentation in 4 of these 10 stage IV pts. A solitary BM was identified in 9 pts. Initial treatments of BM were surgical resection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS; n = 5); surgical resection followed by whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT; n = 1); WBRT alone (n = 13); SRS alone (n = 3). Overall survival (OS) following diagnosis of BM was 18% at 1 year with a median of 4 months. OS was superior for pts who had surgical resection as initial treatment of BM compared to pts treated with WBRT or SRS alone (1-year OS 67 vs. 0%; median OS 13.5 vs. 3 months; P = 0.003). Conclusions: The incidence of BM is low in esophageal cancer with no statistically significant increased rate of BM developing in patients with adenocarcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma. Outcomes were poor overall for pts who developed BM, but pts who were appropriate for neurosurgical resection had improved survival.

134 Background: Brain metastasis (BM) is an uncommon site of failure in patients (pts) with esophageal cancer (EC) with reported rates between 1-6%. EC pts are living longer with the wider adoption of trimodality therapy and, as with other malignancies, this may change the patterns of failure. We evaluated the incidence and outcomes of BM in EC at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Methods: A retrospective review identified pts who developed BM from cancer of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. A total of 321 patients treated for stage I-IV EC (adenocarcinoma, n = 273; squamous, n = 46; small cell, n = 2) were identified between 1997 and 2012. Fisher’s exact test was used for comparisons. Actuarial survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: BM developed in 13 pts (4%), all of whom had adenocarcinoma. Nine pts initially presented with T3 and/or node-positive disease. Four pts presented with metastatic disease to other sites, but only 1 of this group was diagnosed with BM at initial presentation. The median time from initial diagnosis to BM detection was 12 months (range 0-40). All pts were symptomatic at diagnosis. BM was solitary in 6 pts, multiple in 6 pts, and unknown in 1 pt. The posterior fossa was involved in 9 pts. The brain represented the first site of failure in 9 pts. Treatment included surgical resection (n = 5), stereotactic radiosurgery (n = 4), and whole brain radiotherapy (n = 9). Median overall survival was 24 months from initial diagnosis and 5 months from BM detection. Among pts with adenocarcinoma, 3/119 (2.5%) were diagnosed between 1997-2006 compared to 10/154 (6.5%) between 2007-2012 (P = 0.1). Conclusions: The brain remains an uncommon site of failure among pts with EC. A recent series reported an incidence of BM in 13% of pts, raising the possibility of a changing failure pattern. In our series, BM was detected in only 4% of pts. Our study is suggestive of a trend towards increased incidence of BM in more recent years, although it did not reach statistical significance and could be a consequence of the retrospective nature of the study. Both series found BM limited only to pts with adenocarcinoma, and a possible association has been reported between HER-2 overexpression and BM in EC. Therefore, BM in EC may be an interesting area for future study.