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Background and importance Neurointervention is a very competitive specialty in the United States due to the limited number of training spots and the larger pool of applicants. The training standards are continuously updated to ensure solid training experiences. Factors affecting candidate(s) selection have not been fully established yet. Our study aims to investigate the factors influencing the selection process. Methods A 52-question survey was distributed to 93 program directors (PDs). The survey consisted of six categories: (a) Program characteristics, (b) Candidate demographics, (c) Educational credentials, (d) Personal traits, (e) Research and extracurricular activities, and (f) Overall final set of characteristics. The response rate was 59.1%. As per the programs’ characteristics, neurosurgery was the most involved specialty in running the training programs (69%). Regarding demographics, the need for visa sponsorship held the greatest prominence with a mean score of 5.9 [standard deviation (SD) 2.9]. For the educational credentials, being a graduate from a neurosurgical residency and the institution where the candidate's residency training is/was scored the highest [5.4 (SD = 2.9), 5.4 (SD = 2.5), respectively]. Regarding the personal traits, assessment by faculty members achieved the highest score [8.9 (SD = 1)]. In terms of research/extracurricular activities, fluency in English had the highest score [7.2 (SD = 1.9)] followed by peer-reviewed/PubMed-indexed publications [6.4 (SD = 2.2)]. Conclusion Our survey investigated the factors influencing the final decision when choosing the future neurointerventional trainee, including demographic, educational, research, and extracurricular activities, which might serve as valuable guidance for both applicants and programs to refine the selection process.

SummaryBackgroundAccurate estimates for the risk of COVID‐19 in IBD, and an understanding of the impact of COVID‐19 on IBD course and the risk of incident post‐infectious IBD are needed.AimsTo estimate the risk of COVID‐19 in IBD and study its impact on IBD course and the risk of incident post‐infectious IBD.MethodsA retrospective propensity score matched cohort study utilising multi‐institutional research network TriNetX. COVID‐19 patients with and without IBD were identified to quantify the risk of COVID‐19 in patients with IBD, COVID‐19 outcomes in patients with IBD and the impact of COVID‐19 on IBD disease course. The risk of incident post‐infectious IBD in COVID‐19 patients was compared to the population not infected with COVID‐19 during a similar time period.ResultsIncidence rate ratio for COVID‐19 was lower in IBD patients compared to the non‐IBD population (0.79, 95% CI: 0.72‐0.86). COVID‐19‐infected patients with IBD were at increased risk for requiring hospitalisation compared to non‐IBD population (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.34) with no differences in need for mechanical ventilation or mortality. Patients with IBD on steroids were at an increased risk for critical care need (RR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.29‐3.82). Up to 7% of patients with IBD infected with COVID‐19 suffered an IBD flare 3‐months post‐infection. Risk for incident IBD post‐COVID was lower than that seen in the non‐COVID population (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54‐0.65).ConclusionWe observed no increase in risk for COVID‐19 amongst patients with IBD or risk for de novo IBD after COVID‐19 infection. We confirmed prior observations regarding the impact of steroid use on COVID‐19 severity in patients with IBD.

Purpose: To report two cases of macular choroidal macrovessel with description of multimodal imaging and review of published cases. Methods: Medical and imaging records were retrospectively reviewed. A literature review was performed to identify other cases of macular choroidal macrovessel published between 1990 and 2018. Results: There were 2 patients referred for evaluation of a potential choroidal tumor, including a 55-year-old white woman with no visual symptoms and a 68-year-old white woman with blurred vision. Funduscopic examination in each case revealed a focal area of choroidal elevation in the temporal foveal area with a single, dilated, slightly tortuous choroidal vessel, estimated to measure 250 μm and 300 μm, respectively, at widest girth, and extending temporally toward the equator with a tapering width. Optical coherence tomography showed an optically hollow choroidal lesion elevating the retinal pigment epithelium with overlying ellipsoid zone mottling. Both cases demonstrate shallow subretinal fluid, sparing the foveola. Fluorescein angiography showed faint staining along the course of the vessel in both cases. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated clear visualization of the ectatic vessel with early filling and late staining without leakage. Both patients retained visual acuity of 20/25 in the affected eye and did not require treatment. Conclusion: Macular choroidal macrovessel is a rare vascular anomaly presenting as a single, dilated, tortuous choroidal vessel, originating in the temporal foveal region and extending temporally to the equator. This finding can simulate a choroidal neoplasm or parasitic track. Optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography have diagnostic value demonstrating the vascular nature of this lesion and delineating the vascular course.