#Fake news: a systematic review of mechanical thrombectomy results among neurointerventional stroke surgeons on Twitter

Use of Social Media in Stroke: A Systematic Review

Background

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally. Over the last decade, digital health and related technology has emerged as a useful adjunct in the management of persons with stroke, particularly with the development of a large number of mobile phone applications dedicated to various aspects of stroke. However, whether social media can provide similar key support in stroke is an intriguing question. In this systematic review, we aimed to the scope and limits of social media platforms in care and research pertinent to persons with stroke.

Methods

PubMed database was searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and exploded keywords. The search retrieved 556 abstracts, which were screened by two reviewers. Of these, 14 studies met the review inclusion criteria. Given the small number of studies and heterogeneity of outcomes, quantitative analysis was not possible. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022324384).

Results

The social media platforms employed by the included studies comprised YouTube (n = 5), Twitter (n = 5), Facebook (n = 2), both Twitter and Facebook (n = 1), and WhatsApp (n = 1). Four assessed quality and accuracy of videos on YouTube available for stoke patients and caregivers. Three used social media to research link between role of gender and stroke descriptors on social media platforms, and one studied Twitter-derived racial/ethnic perceptual construction on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Three studies described use of social media by stroke survivors, in post-stroke care and engagement. 11 studies were assessed to be of "fair" quality and three were assessed to be of "poor" quality.

Conclusions

Limited preliminary data of low quality indicates that social media is used by persons with stroke and their caregivers, and may be harnessed as a tool of education and research. Future studies must address the current lack of high-quality evidence for the use of social media in stroke care.

Social Media for Global Neurosurgery. Benefits and limitations of a groundbreaking approach to communication and education

Introduction

Social media have become ubiquitous and their role in medicine is quickly growing. They provide an open platform by which members share educational material, clinical experiences, and collaborate with educational equity.

Research question

To characterize the role of social media in neurosurgery, we analyzed metrics of the largest neurosurgical group (Neurosurgery Cocktail), collected relevant data about activities, impact and risks of this groundbreaking technology.

Material and methods

We extracted Facebook metrics from 60-day time sample, including users demographics and other platform-specific values such as active members and number of posts within 60 days. A quality assessment of the posted material (clinical case reports and second opinions) was obtained establishing four main quality-criteria: privacy violation; quality of imaging; clinical and follow up data.

Results

By December 2022, the group included 29.524 members (79.8% male), most (29%) between 35 and 44 years of age. Over 100 countries were represented. A total of 787 posts were published in 60 days with an average of 12.7 per day. In 173 clinical cases presented through the platform, some issue with privacy was recorded in 50.9%. The imaging was considered insufficient in 39.3%, clinical data in 53.8%; follow up data were missing in 60.7%.

Discussion and conclusion

The study provided a quantitative evaluation of impact, flaws and limitations of social medial for healthcare. Flaws were mostly data breach and insufficient quality of case reports. There are actions to correct these flaws that can be easily taken to provide a greater credibility and efficacy to the system.

Quality analysis of YouTube videos on mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability. Mechanical thrombectomy can effectively treat large artery occlusions. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, and usefulness of videos on mechanical thrombectomy on YT using quantitative and qualitative analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Video searches were performed by entering the following keywords into the YT search bar: "endovascular thrombectomy," "endovascular treatment of acute stroke," "mechanical thrombectomy," "stroke stent retriever," and "stent retriever thrombectomy." For each search term, the top 35 videos were reviewed. The videos were analyzed by two independent raters using the DISCERN and JAMA scoring systems. Qualitative and quantitative data were recorded for each video.

RESULTS

A total of 150 videos were analyzed. The mean DISCERN score was 41.26, and the mean JAMA score was 1.42. Of the videos, 5.3% were categorized as very poor, 33.3% as poor, 44% as fair, 12% as good, and 5.3% as excellent. The videos that included qualitative features, such as clear information, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment response, prognosis, etiology, epidemiology, diagram, and radiological image, had significantly higher DISCERN and JAMA scores than their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

A reliable and useful content is not available for individuals searching for information on mechanical thrombectomy on YT. In this paper, we highlighted key points for content creators to increase the quality and audience engagement statistics of their videos. Information provided in YT videos should be verified using more reliable sources.

#RadialFirst and #RadialForNeuro: A descriptive analysis of Twitter conversations regarding transradial access

BACKGROUND

Transradial access for neurointerventional procedures was adopted and modified from cardiovascular intervention and is increasingly established as a safe and effective alternative to transfemoral catheterization. As social media influences public opinion on medical treatment, this study analyzes Twitter conversations to elucidate social media's depiction of transradial access as a neurointerventional tool.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twitter hashtags #RadialFirst and #RadialForNeuro were evaluated using a mixed-method analysis of quantitative social media metrics and qualitative thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Between January 2015 and April 2020, 104,146 tweets from 141 countries employed the hashtag #RadialFirst (2015 (1); 2016 (0); 2017 (22,804); 2018 (33,074); 2019 (38,352); 2020 (9,915 January-April)). These generated 226,909,374 impressions and were retweeted 80,120 times by 13,707 users. Media was present in 62.5% of tweets (e.g. wrist image, angiographic runs) but only 14.5% had a reference article. Physicians authored 70.8% of tweets; interventional cardiologists accounted for 83% of top 100 influencers. #RadialForNeuro is more nascent (6 posts in 2019; 323 posts January-April 2020), with 392,662 impressions, and 254 retweets by 177 users; physicians authored 35.6%. Compared to #RadialFirst, #RadialforNeuro tweets were more likely to include media (76%), less likely to include citations (9.7%), and more likely to discuss complications and troubleshooting techniques.

CONCLUSION

Twitter activity regarding transradial access permits information dissemination and discussion on approach benefits and challenges. However, many posts arise from non-physician sources and lack links to peer-reviewed publication. The public should be mindful that tweets may reflect opinions, rather than experience or scientific evidence.

Social media usage for neurointerventionalists: report of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery Standards and Guidelines Committee

The purpose of this publication is to provide a review of social media usage by neurointerventionalists. Using published literature and available local, regional, and national guidelines or laws, we reviewed data on social media usage as it pertains to neurointerventional surgery. Recommendations are provided based on the quality of information and conformity of medico-legal precedent and law. Social media is a growing entity as it is used both promotionally and educationally. Neurointerventionalists may post de-identified radiographic images with discussions, but should be conscientious and adhere to applicable laws and regulations, strict ethical codes, and institutional policies.

Social media in interventional radiology

INTRODUCTION

Social media provides opportunities for Interventional Radiologists to share research, communicate with colleagues, provide health information and advertise their clinical practice. This study aims to examine the online and social media presence of currently practicing Australian Interventional Radiologists.

METHODS

Systematic Google searches were undertaken in May 2019 and updated in May 2020 to identify practicing Interventional Radiologists in Australia. Comprehensive searches of practice websites and social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, ResearchGate, YouTube) were undertaken for each Interventional Radiologist.

RESULTS

There were 265 Interventional Radiologists identified as currently practising in Australia, including 209 Interventional Radiologists (excluding Interventional Neuroradiologists), 49 Interventional Neuroradiologists and 7 that practise across both Interventional Radiology and Interventional Neuroradiology. 72% of Interventional Radiologists had at least one social media account, with LinkedIn the most widely used social media platform (60%). There was a significant negative correlation between the total number of social media accounts and years in practice (P = 0.04). Across the states, a higher population per IR was positively correlated with a higher average number of social media accounts per IR (P = 0.04). Interventional Neuroradiologists had a significantly higher average number of social media accounts compared to Interventional Radiologists (1.94 vs 1.29, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Most Australian Interventional Radiologists have a readily identifiable social media presence. There is potential for further utilisation of social media for academic, educational and business purposes.

Twitter Use Among Departments of Surgery With General Surgery Residency Programs

OBJECTIVE

To examine patterns of Twitter use by surgery departments with residency programs and understand relevant motivations and concerns. The primary outcome was to quantify account prevalence and activity. The secondary outcomes were to identify reasons for use and perceived benefits and concerns.

DESIGN SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A cross-sectional study was performed on Twitter accounts of departments of surgery with Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education accredited general surgery residencies. An anonymous survey was distributed to all programs with accounts. Data acquisition was completed in August 2019 and analysis was completed in February 2020.

RESULTS

Among the 319 departments of surgery, only 80 (25%) had department of surgery Twitter accounts. Mean account age was 3.5 years (range: 0-9.8), with the highest account creation in 2017 (n = 23, 29%). Median total tweets per account was 314 (range 3-21,893), and median number of followers was 454 (range 18-22,353). Having a Twitter account was associated with program type: 66/123 (54%) university-based, 1/9 (11%) military, 13/124 (11%) community/university-affiliated, and 0/63 (0%) community (p < 0.01). Survey response rate was 40% (n = 32). Only 59% had formal posting guidelines. Daily logins (78%) and daily tweeting (53%) were common. The most frequent perceived benefits were "highlighting new research and major events" (97%), "increasing visibility within the academic community" (91%), and "improving resident engagement" (75%). The most common concerns were "professionalism" (72%), "privacy" (63%), and "time commitment" (53%).

CONCLUSIONS

Though only a quarter of departments of general surgery had Twitter accounts, they were felt to be key for improving academic reach. Formal posting guidelines existed for 59% of survey respondents, although concerns about privacy and content were common. An underutilized tool for surgery departments to promote academic achievements, Twitter use represents a potential opportunity to engage the surgical community more broadly.

Social media in cardiovascular medicine: a contemporary review

Social media increasingly impact both the private and professional lives of the majority of the population, including individuals engaged in cardiovascular healthcare and research. Healthcare providers across the world use social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook to find medical and scientific information, to follow scientific meetings, to discuss individual clinical cases with colleagues, and to engage with patients. While social media provide a means for fast, interactive and accessible communication without geographic boundaries, their use to obtain and disseminate information has limitations and the potential threats are not always clearly understood. Governance concerns include a lack of rigorous quality control, bias due to the pre-selection of presented content by filter algorithms, and the risk of inadvertent breach of patient confidentiality. This article provides information and guidance regarding the role and use of social media platforms in cardiovascular medicine, with an emphasis on the new opportunities for the dissemination of scientific information and continuing education that arise from their responsible use.

Distal transradial access in the anatomical snuffbox for balloon guide-assisted stentriever mechanical thrombectomy: Technical note and case report

Recent trends in neuroendovascular surgery have seen a rise in alternative access utilization. Social media feeds such as #RadialFirst or #RadialForNeuro are the beacons of a growing movement among more and more endovascular neurosurgeons, as they venture away from the traditional femoral access gravitating toward radial access. We have previously shown our distal radial access technique utilizing the snuffbox to be a reliable means of endovascular access and in addition to traditional ventral radial access provides access to the entire cerebrum. Stroke thrombectomy often encounters reticence from those who prefer transfemoral access over the radial access. Thrombectomy has been performed radially in a few series and only once previously in a case report of distal radial access for thrombectomy. Hesitance to adopt radial access for mechanical thrombectomy is often related to perceived increased access times and a lack of suitable balloon guide catheters for radial techniques. Here, we present one of the first descriptions of a distal transradial access with balloon guide flow arrest for stentriever thrombectomy.