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Petitt Z, Ordonez YT, Kelkar Y, Shakir M, Ott M, Patel Y, Agwu C, Khalafallah AM, Mullikin A, Tang A, Davis J, Ssembatya JM, Choi S, Deng DD, Headley J, Obiga O, Haglund MM, Fuller AT. A Mixed-Methods Assessment of the Feasibility of Conducting Neurosurgical Clinical Research in Uganda. World Neurosurg 2024; 183:e71-e87. [PMID: 38006934 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical research is necessary to evaluate neurosurgical interventions, yet clinical trials are conducted less frequently in low- and middle-income countries. Because specific barriers, facilitating factors, and strategies for neurosurgical clinical research in Uganda have not been previously identified, this study evaluated neurosurgical providers' perspectives on clinical research and documentation patterns of neurosurgical variables at Mulago National Referral Hospital. METHODS Retrospective review of 166 neurosurgical patient charts assessed the frequency of documentation of key variables. Twenty-two providers working in neurosurgery participated in 6 focus group discussions with qualitative analysis utilizing the framework method. RESULTS Chart review showed that primary diagnosis (99.4%), pupil light response (97.6%), and computed tomography scan results (93.3%) were documented for most patients. Cranial nerve exam (61.5%), pupil size (69.9%), and time to neurosurgical intervention (45%) were documented less frequently. On average, Glasgow Coma Scale was documented for 86.6% of days hospitalized, while vital signs were documented for 12.3%. In most focus group discussions, participants identified follow-up, financing, recruitment, time, approval, and sociocultural factors as research barriers. Participants described how the current health workforce facilitates successful research. To improve research capacity, suggested strategies focused on research networks, data collection, leadership, participant recruitment, infrastructure, and implementation. CONCLUSIONS At Mulago National Referral Hospital, there was variability in the frequency of documentation of neurosurgical variables, which may impact data collection for future studies. While multiple barriers were identified, sociocultural, financing, and time barriers greatly impacted neurosurgical clinical research. Despite that, identified facilitating factors and strategies could be utilized to support neurosurgical research capacity growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey Petitt
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yesel Trillo Ordonez
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yuveer Kelkar
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Muhammad Shakir
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Maura Ott
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yash Patel
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chibueze Agwu
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alexandria Mullikin
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Tang
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jenna Davis
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph Mary Ssembatya
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbararra, Uganda
| | - Shinbe Choi
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Di D Deng
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer Headley
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; TEACCH Autism Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Oscar Obiga
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michael M Haglund
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony T Fuller
- Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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Khalafallah AM, Yunga Tigre J, Rady N, Starke RM, Saraf-Lavi E, Levi AD. Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of 3D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography versus digital subtraction angiography in spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. Neurosurg Focus 2024; 56:E10. [PMID: 38428010 DOI: 10.3171/2023.12.focus23749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) often go undiagnosed, leading to irreversible spinal cord dysfunction. Although digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for diagnosing SDAVF, DSA is invasive and operator dependent, with associated risks. MR angiography (MRA) is a promising alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MRA as an equal alternative to DSA in investigating, diagnosing, and localizing SDAVF. METHODS Prospectively collected data from a single neurosurgeon at a large tertiary academic center were searched for SDAVFs. Eligibility criteria included any patient with a surgically proven SDAVF in whom preoperative DSA, MRA, or both had been obtained. The eligible patients formed a consecutive series, in which they were divided into DSA and MRA groups. DSA and MRA were the index tests that were compared to the surgical SDAVF outcome, which was the reference standard. Accurate diagnosis was considered to have occurred when the imaging report matched the operative diagnosis to the correct spinal level. Comparisons used a two-sample t-test for continuous variables and Fisher-Freeman-Halton's exact test for categorical variables, with p < 0.05 specifying significance. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate group associations with DSA and MRA accuracy. Positive predictive value, sensitivity, and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 63 years underwent surgery for SDAVF. There were 19 male (70.4%) and 8 female (29.6%) patients, and the mean duration of symptoms at the time of surgery was 14 months (range 2-48 months). Seventeen patients (63%) presented with bowel or bladder incontinence. Bivariate analysis of the DSA and MRA groups further revealed no significant relationships between the characteristics and accuracy of SDAVF diagnosis. MRA was found to be more sensitive and accurate (100% and 73.3%) than DSA (85.7% and 69.2%), with a subanalysis of the patients with both preoperative MRA and DSA showing that MRA had a greater positive predictive value (78.6 vs 72.7), sensitivity (100 vs 72.7), and accuracy (78.6 vs 57.1) than DSA. CONCLUSIONS In surgically proven cases of SDAVFs, the authors determined that MRA was more accurate than DSA for SDAVF diagnosis and localization to the corresponding vertebral level. Incomplete catheterization at each vertebral level may result in the failure of DSA to detect SDAVF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nadine Rady
- 2Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Efrat Saraf-Lavi
- 3Neuroradiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami; and
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Mukherjee A, Benett J, Anyigor KT, Olayinka OBO, Khalafallah AM, Alencastro J, Butt TE. Solar roads - a new potential renewable energy for Great Britain. Environ Technol 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38361350 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2024.2316669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Global warming has become a much more realised issue and an immediate threat, accelerating due to the anthropogenic carbon release associated with escalating energy demand. Consequently, pressures are building up to reduce anthropogenic carbon footprint by employing renewable energy resources, among which solar energy is the main. Solar roads are a new and innovative concept as they do not require land to be specifically allocated. This is because the road infrastructure already exists. Therefore, this emerging technique of embedding solar panels into pavements and roadways is becoming a more attractive proposition. However, a hurdle to its successful application is the lack of knowledge regarding its feasibility and viability. This study aims to evaluate the potential of solar roads to inform future feasibility and viability studies in varying contexts and implications. Within the scope of this study, the case of Great Britain is considered to evaluate the potential of how much energy can be generated via the solar roads technology that can be embedded in the country's road infrastructure. A mathematical exercise is performed in which calculations are executed to develop a basic numerical model of the potential. Therefore, the study is quantitative, and the factors considered include seasonal changes, average daily traffic covering roads, tree and building shades, road types and sizes, solar irradiance, solar panel types, and alike. It is estimated that solar roads may supply up to 96.42% of the UK's total electricity, which is a substantially promising potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mukherjee
- Faculty of Engineering & Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - J Benett
- Faculty of Engineering & Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - K T Anyigor
- Faculty of Engineering & Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - O B O Olayinka
- Faculty of Engineering & Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - A M Khalafallah
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - J Alencastro
- Built Environment Department, School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - T E Butt
- Faculty of Engineering & Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Rodriguez-Armendariz AG, Saint-Germain MA, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Almeida ND, Dornbos DL, Graffeo CS, Sivakumar W, Mukherjee D, Johnson JN. The neurosurgery research & education foundation-young neurosurgeons committee webinar series: Providing education and inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Neurosci 2024; 120:221-228. [PMID: 38295463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Young Neurosurgeons Committee (YNC) and Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) launched the YNC-NREF Webinar Series to provide young and aspiring neurosurgeons with timely information, education, and inspiration in the absence of in-person programming. DESIGN Five 90-minute Zoom webinars were evaluated, each including 1-2 keynote speakers, a panel discussion, and an audience question-and-answer section. Topics included overviews of neurosurgery, the match, subspecialties, and inspirational career stories. Optional pre- and post-webinar surveys with 11-point Likert-type scores were distributed to attendees. We compared groups using chi-squared and Kruskal-Willis tests, and perceptions pre- and post-webinar using Mann-Whitney tests. SETTING The webinars were live using Zoom, and the recordings were published on NREF's YouTube channel. PARTICIPANTS The webinar series targeted young neurosurgeons. The first five episodes had a particular focus on medical students and undergraduates. RESULTS A total of 673 unique participants attended the webinar series; 257 (38%) and 78 (11%) attendees completed the pre- and post-webinar survey, respectively. Respondents had high baseline interest in neurosurgery and were motivated to learn about the match and training in the US, understand neurosurgeons' day-to-day lives, and ask questions. There were significant differences in perceptions between USMSs, IMSs, and undergraduate students. The webinar improved attendees' knowledge about neurosurgical specialties, the match, and US neurosurgery training. CONCLUSIONS The YNC and NREF effectively engaged a large, diverse audience through an online webinar series, building a foundation for future virtual programming by organized neurosurgery. ACGME competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G Rodriguez-Armendariz
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnologico de Monterrey. 2501 Eugenio Garza Sada, Nuevo León, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
| | - Max A Saint-Germain
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 1800 Orleans St. Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1475 Northwest 12th Avenue, Floor 1, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian, Suite B-400, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Neil D Almeida
- The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, 23000 St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 131 Biomedical Education Building, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
| | - David L Dornbos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Semmes-Murphey Clinic, 6325 Humphreys Blvd, Memphis, TN 38120, USA
| | - Christopher S Graffeo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Walavan Sivakumar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 1800 Orleans St. Baltimore, MD, USA 21287.
| | - Jeremiah N Johnson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 7200 Cambridge, Suite 9A, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Suite 562, Box 956901, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6901, USA
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Lu VM, Khalafallah AM, Jaman E, Gurses ME, Komotar RJ, Ivan ME, Shah AH. Clinical course of ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus following glioblastoma surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurooncol 2023; 165:439-447. [PMID: 38112893 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04538-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgical resection of glioblastoma (GBM) remains a cornerstone in the current treatment paradigm. The postoperative evolution of hydrocephalus necessitating ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) continues to be defined. Correspondingly the objective of this study was to aggregate pertinent metadata to better define the clinical course of VPS for hydrocephalus following glioblastoma surgery in light of contemporary management. METHODS Searches of multiple electronic databases from inception to November 2023 were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were screened against pre-specified criteria. Outcomes were pooled by random-effects meta-analyses where possible. RESULTS A total of 12 cohort studies satisfied all selection criteria, describing a total of 6,098 glioblastoma patients after surgery with a total of 261 (4%) of patients requiring postoperative VPS for hydrocephalus. Meta-analysis demonstrated the estimated pooled rate of symptomatic improvement following VPS was 78% (95% CI 66-88), and the estimated pooled rate of VPS revision was 24% (95% CI 16-33). Pooled time from index glioblastoma surgery to VPS surgery was 4.1 months (95% CI 2.8-5.3), and pooled survival time for index VPS surgery was 7.3 months (95% CI 5.4-9.4). Certainty of these outcomes were limited by the heterogenous and palliative nature of postoperative glioblastoma management. CONCLUSIONS Of the limited proportion of glioblastoma patients requiring VPS surgery for hydrocephalus after index surgery, 78% patients are expected to show symptom improvement, and 24% can expect to undergo revision surgery. An individualized approach to each patient is required to optimize both index glioblastoma and VPS surgeries to account for anatomy and goals of care given the poor prognosis of this tumor overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Lu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, 33136, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Emade Jaman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Muhammet Enes Gurses
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ricardo J Komotar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ashish H Shah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
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Khalafallah AM, Chakravarti S, Cicalese KV, Porras JL, Kuo CC, Jimenez AE, Brem H, Witham T, Huang J, Mukherjee D. An asynchronous web-based intervention for neurosurgery residents to improve education on cost-effective care. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2023; 232:107887. [PMID: 37473488 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To gauge resident knowledge in the socioeconomic aspects of neurosurgery and assess the efficacy of an asynchronous, longitudinal, web-based, socioeconomics educational program tailored for neurosurgery residents. METHODS Trainees completed a 20-question pre- and post-intervention knowledge examination including four educational categories: billing/coding, procedure-specific concepts, material costs, and operating room protocols. Structured data from 12 index cranial neurosurgical operations were organized into 5 online, case-based modules sent to residents within a single training program via weekly e-mail. Content from each educational category was integrated into the weekly modules for resident review. RESULTS Twenty-seven neurosurgical residents completed the survey. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference between pre- vs post-intervention resident knowledge of billing/coding (79.2 % vs 88.2 %, p = 0.33), procedure-specific concepts (34.3 % vs 39.2 %, p = 0.11), material costs (31.7 % vs 21.6 %, p = 0.75), or operating room protocols (51.7 % vs 35.3 %, p = 0.61). However, respondents' accuracy increased significantly by 40.8 % on questions containing content presented more than 3 times during the 5-week study period, compared to an increased accuracy of only 2.2 % on questions containing content presented less often during the same time period (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Baseline resident knowledge in socioeconomic aspects of neurosurgery is relatively lacking outside of billing/coding. Our socioeconomic educational intervention demonstrates some promise in improving socioeconomic knowledge among neurosurgery trainees, particularly when content is presented frequently. This decentralized, web-based approach to resident education may serve as a future model for self-driven learning initiatives among neurosurgical residents with minimal disruption to existing workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, United States of America
| | - Sachiv Chakravarti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Kyle V Cicalese
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, United States of America
| | - Jose L Porras
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Cathleen C Kuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States of America
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Tim Witham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Judy Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America.
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Rakovec M, Zhu W, Khalafallah AM, Salvatori R, Hamrahian AH, Gallia GL, Ishii M, London NR, Ramanathan M, Rowan NR, Mukherjee D. Patient reported outcomes and treatment satisfaction in patients with cushing syndrome. Endocrine 2023; 79:161-170. [PMID: 36227510 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cushing Syndrome (CS) is a rare endocrine disorder associated with physical and mental symptoms that can drastically affect quality of life (QoL). This study characterizes QoL in patients with CS, describes their treatment experiences, and identifies patient subsets associated with decreased QoL or shared impressions of treatment. METHODS A 136-question survey addressing QoL factors and treatment experiences was completed by adult patients with CS from the Cushing Support and Research Foundation. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment information were collected. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine if patients' symptoms or treatment experiences were significantly associated with demographics or other variables. RESULTS A total of 178 patients, predominantly female (94%) with mean age 53 years, completed the survey. Anxiety and/or depression (n = 163, 94%), loss of physical strength (n = 164, 93%), loneliness (n = 156, 90%), fatigue from treatment (n = 142, 89%), memory loss (n = 153, 88%), insomnia (n = 144, 83%), and pain (n = 141, 83%) were symptoms most commonly experienced by respondents. Patients experiencing delay of diagnosis >10 years were more likely to have suicidal thoughts (p = 0.002). Younger patients were more likely to express concerns about hair loss (p = 0.007), loneliness (p = 0.025), pain (p = 0.004), or the impact of CS on their marriage (p = 0.039) or children (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION This survey demonstrates CS impacts patients across many dimensions, emphasizing the need for holistic support. We identified patient subsets in which QoL may be improved with additional patient resources or provider attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - William Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Amir H Hamrahian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nyall R London
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Murugappan Ramanathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Kim AA, Dono A, Khalafallah AM, Nettel-Rueda B, Samandouras G, Hadjipanayis CG, Mukherjee D, Esquenazi Y. Early repeat resection for residual glioblastoma: decision-making among an international cohort of neurosurgeons. J Neurosurg 2022; 137:1618-1627. [PMID: 35364590 PMCID: PMC10972535 DOI: 10.3171/2022.1.jns211970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The importance of extent of resection (EOR) in glioblastoma (GBM) has been thoroughly demonstrated. However, few studies have explored the practices and benefits of early repeat resection (ERR) when residual tumor deemed resectable is unintentionally left after an initial resection, and the survival benefit of ERR is still unknown. Herein, the authors aimed to internationally survey current practices regarding ERR and to analyze differences based on geographic location and practice setting. METHODS The authors distributed a survey to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Tumor Section, Society of British Neurological Surgeons, European Association of Neurosurgical Society, and Latin American Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. Neurosurgeons responded to questions about their training, practice setting, and current ERR practices. They also reported the EOR threshold below which they would pursue ERR and their likelihood of performing ERR using a Likert scale of 1-5 (5 being the most likely) in two sets of 5 cases, the first set for a patient's initial hospitalization and the second for a referred patient who had undergone resection elsewhere. The resection likelihood index for each respondent was calculated as the mean Likert score across all cases. RESULTS Overall, 180 neurosurgeons from 25 countries responded to the survey. Neurosurgeons performed ERRs very rarely in their practices (< 1% of all GBM cases), with an EOR threshold of 80.2% (75%-95%). When presented with 10 cases, the case context (initial hospitalization vs referred patient) did not significantly change the surgeon ERR likelihood, although ERR likelihood did vary significantly on the basis of tumor location (p < 0.0001). Latin American neurosurgeons were more likely to pursue ERR in the provided cases. Neurosurgeons were more likely to pursue ERR when the tumor was MGMT methylated versus unmethylated, with a resection likelihood index of 3.78 and 3.21, respectively (p = 0.004); however, there was no significant difference between IDH mutant and IDH wild-type tumors. CONCLUSIONS Results of this survey reveal current practices regarding ERR, but they also demonstrate the variability in how neurosurgeons approach ERR. Standardized guidelines based on future studies incorporating tumor molecular characteristics are needed to guide neurosurgeons in their decision-making on this complicated issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya A. Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Antonio Dono
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas
| | - Adham M. Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Barbara Nettel-Rueda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Mexican Social Security Institute, México City, México
| | - George Samandouras
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, New York
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yoshua Esquenazi
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas
- Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas
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Ukachukwu AEK, Seas A, Petitt Z, Dai KZ, Shlobin NA, Khalafallah AM, Patel DN, Rippeon E, von Isenburg M, Haglund MM, Fuller AT. Assessing the Success and Sustainability of Global Neurosurgery Collaborations: Systematic Review and Adaptation of the Framework for Assessment of InteRNational Surgical Success Criteria. World Neurosurg 2022; 167:111-121. [PMID: 36058483 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.08.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high unmet neurosurgical burden in low- and middle-income countries has necessitated multiple global neurosurgical collaborations. We identified these collaborations and their peer-reviewed journal publications and evaluated them using a modified version of the Framework for Assessment of InteRNational Surgical Success (FAIRNeSS). METHODS A systematic literature review yielded 265 articles describing neurosurgery-focused collaborations. A subset of 101 papers from 17 collaborations were evaluated with the modified FAIRNeSS criteria. Analysis of trends was performed for both individual articles and collaborations. RESULTS Most of the articles were general reviews (64), and most focused on clinical research (115). The leading collaboration focus was workforce and infrastructure development (45%). Composite FAIRNeSS scores ranged from 7/34 to 30/34. Average FAIRNeSS scores for individual articles ranged from 0.25 to 26.75, while collaboration-wide FAIRNeSS score averages ranged from 5.25 to 20.04. There was significant variability within each subset of FAIRNeSS indicators (P value <0.001). Short-term goals had higher scores than medium- and long-term goals (P value <0.001). Collaboration composite scores correlated with the number of papers published (R2 = 0.400, P = 0.007) but not with the number of years active (R2 = 0.072, P = 0.3). Finally, the overall agreement between reviewers was 53.5%, and the overall correlation was 38.5%. CONCLUSIONS Global neurosurgery has no established metrics for evaluating collaborations; therefore, we adapted the FAIRNeSS criteria to do so. The criteria may not be well suited for measuring the success and sustainability of global neurosurgery collaborations, creating a need to develop a more applicable alternate set of metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvan-Emeka K Ukachukwu
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andreas Seas
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zoey Petitt
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kathy Z Dai
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nathan A Shlobin
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dev N Patel
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Aureus University School of Medicine, Oranjestad, Aruba; NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elena Rippeon
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Megan von Isenburg
- Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael M Haglund
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony T Fuller
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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10
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Botros D, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Dux H, Oliveira LAP, Pellegrino R, Jackson C, Gallia GL, Bettegowda C, Lim M, Weingart J, Brem H, Mukherjee D. Predictors and Impact of Postoperative 30-Day Readmission in Glioblastoma. Neurosurgery 2022; 91:477-484. [PMID: 35876679 PMCID: PMC10553112 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative 30-day readmissions have been shown to negatively affect survival and other important outcomes in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). OBJECTIVE To further investigate patient readmission risk factors of primary and recurrent patients with GBM. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed records of 418 adult patients undergoing 575 craniotomies for histologically confirmed GBM at an academic medical center. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics were collected and compared by patient readmission status using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U testing. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors that predicted 30-day readmissions. RESULTS The cohort included 69 (12%) 30-day readmissions after 575 operations. Readmitted patients experienced significantly lower median overall survival (11.3 vs 16.4 months, P = .014), had a lower mean Karnofsky Performance Scale score (66.9 vs 74.2, P = .005), and had a longer initial length of stay (6.1 vs 5.3 days, P = .007) relative to their nonreadmitted counterparts. Readmitted patients experienced more postoperative deep vein thromboses or pulmonary embolisms (12% vs 4%, P = .006), new motor deficits (29% vs 14%, P = .002), and nonhome discharges (39% vs 22%, P = .005) relative to their nonreadmitted counterparts. Multivariable analysis demonstrated increased odds of 30-day readmission with each 10-point decrease in Karnofsky Performance Scale score (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, P = .002), each single-point increase in 5-factor modified frailty index (OR 1.51, P = .016), and initial presentation with cognitive deficits (OR 2.11, P = .013). CONCLUSION Preoperatively available clinical characteristics strongly predicted 30-day readmissions in patients undergoing surgery for GBM. Opportunities may exist to optimize preoperative and postoperative management of at-risk patients with GBM, with downstream improvements in clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Botros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M. Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hayden Dux
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leonardo A. P. Oliveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Pellegrino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gary L. Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jon Weingart
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Abstract
Much research has been conducted to investigate predictors of an academic career trajectory among neurosurgeons in general. This study seeks to examine a cohort of fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologists to determine which factors are associated with a career in academia. Publicly available data on fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologists was aggregated from ACGME-accredited residency websites, from program websites listed on the AANS Neurosurgical Fellowship Training Program Directory, and from professional websites including Doximity. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine covariates for a logistic regression model, and a multivariate analysis was conducted to determine which variables were independently associated with an academic career trajectory. A total of 87 neurosurgical oncologists were identified (1991-2018). A total of 73 (83.9%) had > 1 year of protected research time in residency, 33 (37.9%) had an h-index of ≥2 prior to residency, and 63 (72.4%) had an h-index of ≥2 during residency. In multivariate analysis, the only factor independently associated with academic career trajectory among neurosurgical oncologists was achieving an h-index of ≥2 during residency (odds ratio [OR] = 2.93, p = .041). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center graduated the most neurosurgical oncologists in our cohort (n = 23). Our study establishes a novel factor that is predictive of academic career trajectory among fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologists, specifically having an h-index of ≥2 during residency. Our results may be useful for those mentoring students and trainees with an interest in pursuing academia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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12
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Rakovec M, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D. In Reply: A Crowdsourced Consensus on Supratotal Resection Versus Gross Total Resection for Anatomically Distinct Primary Glioblastoma. Neurosurgery 2022; 90:e72. [PMID: 35007235 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Rincon-Torroella J, Rakovec M, Khalafallah AM, Liu A, Bettegowda A, Kut C, Rodriguez FJ, Weingart J, Luciano M, Olivi A, Jallo GI, Brem H, Mukherjee D, Lim M, Bettegowda C. Clinical features and surgical outcomes of intracranial and spinal cord subependymomas. J Neurosurg 2022; 137:1-12. [PMID: 35148513 DOI: 10.3171/2021.12.jns211643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Subependymomas are low-grade ependymal tumors whose clinical characteristics, radiographic features, and postsurgical outcomes are incompletely characterized due to their rarity. The authors present an institutional case series and a systematic literature review to achieve a better understanding of subependymomas. METHODS Adult patients with histologically confirmed subependymoma or mixed subependymoma-ependymoma surgically treated at a tertiary hospital between 1992 and 2020 were identified. A systematic literature review of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from inception until December 4, 2020, was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Data extracted from both groups included demographics, radiographic features, tumor characteristics, management, and follow-up variables. RESULTS Forty-eight unique patients with subependymoma were identified by chart review; of these patients, 8 (16.7%) had mixed subependymoma-ependymoma tumors. The median age at diagnosis was 49 years (IQR 19.8 years), and 26 patients (54.2%) were male. Forty-two patients (87.5%) had intracranial subependymomas, and 6 (12.5%) had spinal tumors. The most common presentation was headache (n = 20, 41.7%), although a significant number of tumors were diagnosed incidentally (n = 16, 33.3%). Among the 42 patients with intracranial tumors, 15 (35.7%) had hydrocephalus, and the most common surgical strategy was a suboccipital approach with or without C1 laminectomy (n = 26, 61.9%). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 33 cases (68.7%), and 2 patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Most patients had no major postsurgical complications (n = 34, 70.8%), and only 1 (2.1%) had recurrence after GTR. Of 2036 reports initially identified in the systematic review, 39 were eligible for inclusion, comprising 477 patients. Of 462 patients for whom tumor location was reported, 406 (87.9%) were intracranial, with the lateral ventricle as the most common location (n = 214, 46.3%). Spinal subependymomas occurred in 53 patients (11.5%), with 3 cases (0.6%) in multiple locations. Similar to the case series at the authors' institution, headache was the most common presenting symptom (n = 231, 54.0%) among the 428 patients whose presentation was reported. Twenty-seven patients (6.3%) were diagnosed incidentally, and 36 cases (8.4%) were found at autopsy. Extent of resection was reported for 350 patients, and GTR was achieved in 250 (71.4%). Fifteen of 337 patients (4.5%) had recurrence or progression. CONCLUSIONS The authors' case series and literature review demonstrate that patients with subependymoma are well managed with resection and generally have a favorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maureen Rakovec
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ann Liu
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Anya Bettegowda
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carmen Kut
- 2Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fausto J Rodriguez
- 3Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jon Weingart
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Luciano
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alessandro Olivi
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - George I Jallo
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Institute for Brain Protection Sciences, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida; and
| | - Henry Brem
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- 5Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Lim
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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14
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Yang W, Rincon-Torroella J, Feghali J, Khalafallah AM, Ishida W, Perdomo-Pantoja A, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Lim M, Gallia GL, Riggins GJ, Anderson WS, Lo SFL, Rigamonti D, Tamargo RJ, Witham TF, Bydon A, Cohen AR, Jallo GI, Latremoliere A, Luciano MG, Mukherjee D, Olivi A, Qu L, Gokaslan ZL, Sciubba DM, Tyler B, Brem H, Huang J. Impact of international research fellows in neurosurgery: results from a single academic center. J Neurosurg 2022; 136:295-305. [PMID: 34298505 PMCID: PMC9999112 DOI: 10.3171/2021.1.jns203824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE International research fellows have been historically involved in academic neurosurgery in the United States (US). To date, the contribution of international research fellows has been underreported. Herein, the authors aimed to quantify the academic output of international research fellows in the Department of Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. METHODS Research fellows with Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or MD/PhD degrees from a non-US institution who worked in the Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery for at least 6 months over the past decade (2010-2020) were included in this study. Publications produced during fellowship, number of citations, and journal impact factors (IFs) were analyzed using ANOVA. A survey was sent to collect information on personal background, demographics, and academic activities. RESULTS Sixty-four international research fellows were included, with 42 (65.6%) having MD degrees, 17 (26.6%) having PhD degrees, and 5 (7.8%) having MD/PhD degrees. During an average 27.9 months of fellowship, 460 publications were produced in 136 unique journals, with 8628 citations and a cumulative journal IF of 1665.73. There was no significant difference in total number of publications, first-author publications, and total citations per person among the different degree holders. Persons holding MD/PhDs had a higher number of citations per publication per person (p = 0.027), whereas those with MDs had higher total IFs per person (p = 0.048). Among the 43 (67.2%) survey responders, 34 (79.1%) had nonimmigrant visas at the start of the fellowship, 16 (37.2%) were self-paid or funded by their country of origin, and 35 (81.4%) had mentored at least one US medical student, nonmedical graduate student, or undergraduate student. CONCLUSIONS International research fellows at the authors' institution have contributed significantly to academic neurosurgery. Although they have faced major challenges like maintaining nonimmigrant visas, negotiating cultural/language differences, and managing self-sustainability, their scientific productivity has been substantial. Additionally, the majority of fellows have provided reciprocal mentorship to US students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jordina Rincon-Torroella
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James Feghali
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adham M. Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wataru Ishida
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gary L. Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gregory J. Riggins
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - William S. Anderson
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sheng-Fu Larry Lo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniele Rigamonti
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rafael J. Tamargo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Timothy F. Witham
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ali Bydon
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alan R. Cohen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - George I. Jallo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alban Latremoliere
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark G. Luciano
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alessandro Olivi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lintao Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ziya L. Gokaslan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel M. Sciubba
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Judy Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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15
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D. In Reply: Predictors of Academic Neurosurgical Career Trajectory Among International Medical Graduates Training Within the United States. Neurosurgery 2022; 90:e29. [PMID: 34982898 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami , Florida , USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
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16
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Botros D, Horowitz MA, Azmeh O, Lam S, Oliveira LAP, Chakravarti S, Liu S, Wu E, Wei O, Porras JL, Bettegowda C, Tamargo RJ, Brem H, Mukherjee D. The role of anticoagulation for superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following craniotomy for resection of parasagittal/parafalcine meningiomas. J Neurooncol 2021; 156:341-352. [PMID: 34855096 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-021-03916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The safety and efficacy of anticoagulation in managing superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis remains unclear. The present study investigated the relationship between anticoagulation and cerebrovascular complications in parasagittal/parafalcine meningioma patients presenting with post-surgical SSS thrombosis. METHODS We analyzed 266 patients treated at a single institution between 2005 and 2020. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a logistic regression model. Blood thinning medications investigated included aspirin, warfarin, heparin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and other novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). A symptomatic SSS thrombosis was defined as a radiographically apparent thrombosis with new headaches, seizures, altered sensorium, or neurological deficits. RESULTS Our patient cohort was majority female (67.3%) with a mean age ([Formula: see text] SD) of 58.82 [Formula: see text] 13.04 years. A total of 15 (5.6%) patients developed postoperative SSS thrombosis and 5 (1.9%) were symptomatic; 2 (0.8%) symptomatic patients received anticoagulation. None of these 15 patients developed cerebrovascular complications following observation or anticoagulative treatment of asymptomatic SSS thrombosis. While incidence of any other postoperative complications was significantly associated with SSS thrombosis in bivariate analysis (p = 0.015), this association was no longer observed in multivariate analysis (OR = 2.15, p = 0.16) when controlling for patient age, sex, and anatomical location of the tumor along the SSS. CONCLUSIONS Our single-institution study examining the incidence of SSS thrombosis and associated risk factors highlights the need for further research efforts better prognosticate this adverse outcome. Conservative management may represent a viable treatment strategy for patients with SSS thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - David Botros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Melanie A Horowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Omar Azmeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Shravika Lam
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Leonardo A P Oliveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sachiv Chakravarti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sophie Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Esther Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Oren Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jose L Porras
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Rafael J Tamargo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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17
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Gami A, Lam S, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Oliveira LAP, Mukherjee D. Predicting Postoperative Outcomes in Brain Tumor Patients With a 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index. Neurosurgery 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa335_s068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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18
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D. In Reply: Predictors of Academic Neurosurgical Career Trajectory Among International Medical Graduates Training Within the United States. Neurosurgery 2021; 89:E340. [PMID: 34432881 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyab332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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19
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Khalafallah AM, Rakovec M, Burapachaisri K, Fung S, Kozachik SL, Valappil B, Abou-Al-Shaar H, Wang EW, Snyderman CH, Zenonos GA, Gardner PA, Baskaya MK, Dornbos D, Choby G, Kuan EC, Roxbury C, Overdevest JB, Gudis DA, Lee VS, Levy JM, Thamboo A, Schlosser RJ, Huang J, Bettegowda C, London NR, Rowan NR, Wu AW, Mukherjee D. The Suprasellar Meningioma Patient-Reported Outcome Survey: a disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure for resection of suprasellar meningioma. J Neurosurg 2021:1-9. [PMID: 34874673 DOI: 10.3171/2021.6.jns21517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suprasellar meningioma resection via either the transcranial approach (TCA) or the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is an area of controversy and active evaluation. Skull base surgeons increasingly consider patient-reported outcomes (PROs) when choosing an approach. No PRO measure currently exists to assess quality of life for suprasellar meningiomas. METHODS Adult patients undergoing suprasellar meningioma resection between 2013 and 2019 via EEA (n = 14) or TCA (n = 14) underwent semistructured interviews. Transcripts were coded using a grounded theory approach to identify themes as the basis for a PRO measure that includes all uniquely reported symptoms. To assess content validity, 32 patients and 15 surgeons used a Likert scale to rate the relevance of items on the resulting questionnaire and the general Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS29). The mean scores were calculated for all items and compared for TCA versus EEA patient cohorts by using unpaired t-tests. Items on either questionnaire with mean scores ≥ 2.0 from patients were considered meaningful and were aggregated to form the novel Suprasellar Meningioma Patient-Reported Outcome Survey (SMPRO) instrument. RESULTS Qualitative analyses resulted in 55 candidate items. Relative to patients who underwent the EEA, those who underwent the TCA reported significantly worse future outlook before surgery (p = 0.01), tiredness from medications 2 weeks after surgery (p = 0.001), and word-finding and memory difficulties 3 months after surgery (p = 0.05 and < 0.001, respectively). The items that patients who received a TCA were most concerned about included medication-induced lethargy after surgery (2.9 ± 1.3), blurry vision before surgery (2.7 ± 1.5), and difficulty reading due to blurry vision before surgery (2.7 ± 2.7). Items that patients who received an EEA were most concerned about included blurry vision before surgery (3.5 ± 1.3), difficulty reading due to blurry vision before surgery (2.4 ± 1.3), and problems with smell postsurgery (2.9 ± 1.3). Although surgeons overall overestimated how concerned patients were about questionnaire items (p < 0.0005), the greatest discrepancies between patient and surgeon relevance scores were for blurry vision pre- and postoperatively (p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively) and problems with taste postoperatively (p < 0.001). Seventeen meningioma-specific items were considered meaningful, supplementing 8 significant PROMIS29 items to create the novel 25-item SMPRO. CONCLUSIONS The authors developed a disease- and approach-specific measure for suprasellar meningiomas to compare quality of life by operative approach. If demonstrated to be reliable and valid in future studies, this instrument may assist patients and providers in choosing a personalized surgical approach. ABBREVIATIONS EEA = endoscopic endonasal approach; GTR = gross-total resection; PRO = patient-reported outcome; PROMIS29 = Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29; QOL = quality of life; SMPRO = Suprasellar Meningioma Patient-Reported Outcome Survey; TCA = transcranial approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | | | - Shirley Fung
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sharon L. Kozachik
- Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Benita Valappil
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric W. Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Carl H. Snyderman
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Georgios A. Zenonos
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul A. Gardner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mustafa K. Baskaya
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David Dornbos
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Garrett Choby
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Edward C. Kuan
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Christopher Roxbury
- Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jonathan B. Overdevest
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - David A. Gudis
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria S. Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois
| | - Joshua M. Levy
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Andrew Thamboo
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Rodney J, Schlosser
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Judy Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Nyall R. London
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicholas R. Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Albert W. Wu
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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20
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Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Lam S, Gami A, Dornbos DL, Sivakumar W, Johnson JN, Mukherjee D. Burnout among medical students interested in neurosurgery during the COVID-19 era. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 210:106958. [PMID: 34624828 PMCID: PMC8493812 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented new stressors to medical student education. This national survey investigated the prevalence of burnout in U.S. medical students interested in pursuing neurosurgical residency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A 24-question survey was sent to all American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) medical student chapter members. The abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) was used to measure the following burnout metrics: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Bivariate analyses were conducted and multivariate analyses were performed using a logistic regression models. Results 254 medical students were included (response rate of 14.5%). The majority were male (55.1%), White (66.1%), and between their 2nd and 3rd years in medical school (62.6%). Burnout was identified in 38 (15.0%) respondents, a rate lower than reported in the pre-COVID era. In multivariate analysis, burnout was significantly associated with choosing not to pursue, or feeling uncertain about pursuing, a medical career again if given the choice (OR = 3.40, p = 0.0075), having second thoughts about choosing to pursue neurosurgery (OR = 3.47, p = 0.0025), attending a medical program in the Northeast compared to the Southeast (OR = 0.32, p = 0.027) or Southwest U.S. (OR = 0.30, p = 0.046), and indicating that one’s future clinical performance will have worsened due to COVID-19 (OR = 2.71, p = 0.025). Conclusions Our study demonstrates relatively low rates of burnout among U.S. medical students interested in pursuing neurosurgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings also demonstrate multiple factors may aid in early identification of burnout, highlighting potential opportunities for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shravika Lam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Abhishek Gami
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David L Dornbos
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Walavan Sivakumar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Jeremiah N Johnson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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21
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Feghali J, Gami A, Rapaport S, Patel J, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Mukherjee D, Tamargo RJ, Huang J. Adapting the 5-factor modified frailty index for prediction of postprocedural outcome in patients with unruptured aneurysms. J Neurosurg 2021; 136:456-463. [PMID: 34388727 DOI: 10.3171/2021.2.jns204420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) is a practical tool that can be used to estimate frailty by measuring five accessible factors: functional status, history of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension. The authors aimed to validate the utility of mFI-5 for predicting endovascular and microsurgical treatment outcomes in patients with unruptured aneurysms. METHODS A prospectively maintained database of consecutive patients with unruptured aneurysm who were treated with clip placement or endovascular therapy was used. Because patient age is an important predictor of treatment outcomes in patients with unruptured aneurysm, mFI-5 was supplemented with age to create the age-supplemented mFI-5 (AmFI-5). Associations of scores on these indices with major complications (symptomatic ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or surgical site infection requiring reoperation) were evaluated. Validation was carried out with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2006-2017). RESULTS The institutional database included 275 patients (88 underwent clip placement, and 187 underwent endovascular treatment). Multivariable analysis of the surgical cohort showed that major complication was significantly associated with mFI-5 (OR 2.0, p = 0.046) and AmFI-5 (OR 1.9, p = 0.028) scores. Significant predictive accuracy for major complications was provided by mFI-5 (c-statistic = 0.709, p = 0.011) and AmFI-5 (c-statistic = 0.720, p = 0.008). The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) provided poor discrimination (area under the curve = 0.541, p = 0.618) that was significantly less than that of mFI-5 (p = 0.023) and AmFI-5 (p = 0.014). Optimal relative fit was achieved with AmFI-5, which had the lowest Akaike information criterion value. Similar results were obtained after equivalent analysis of the endovascular cohort, with additional significant associations between index scores and length of stay (β = 0.6 and p = 0.009 for mFI-5; β = 0.5 and p = 0.003 for AmFI-5). In 1047 patients who underwent clip placement and were included in the NSQIP database, mFI-5 (p = 0.001) and AmFI-5 (p < 0.001) scores were significantly associated with severe postoperative adverse events and provided greater discrimination (c-statistic = 0.600 and p < 0.001 for mFI-5; c-statistic = 0.610 and p < 0.001 for AmFI-5) than ASA score (c-statistic = 0.580 and p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS mFI-5 and AmFI-5 represent potential predictors of procedure-related complications in unruptured aneurysm patients. After further validation, integration of these tools into clinical workflows may optimize patients for intervention.
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22
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Asher AL, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D, Alvi MA, Yolcu YU, Khan I, Pennings JS, Davidson CA, Archer KR, Moshel YA, Knightly J, Roguski M, Zacharia BE, Harbaugh RE, Kalkanis SN, Bydon M. Launching the Quality Outcomes Database Tumor Registry: rationale, development, and pilot data. J Neurosurg 2021; 136:369-378. [PMID: 34359037 DOI: 10.3171/2021.1.jns201115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurosurgeons generate an enormous amount of data daily. Within these data lie rigorous, valid, and reproducible evidence. Such evidence can facilitate healthcare reform and improve quality of care. To measure the quality of care provided objectively, evaluating the safety and efficacy of clinical activities should occur in real time. Registries must be constructed and collected data analyzed with the precision akin to that of randomized clinical trials to accomplish this goal. METHODS The Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) Tumor Registry was launched in February 2019 with 8 sites in its initial 1-year pilot phase. The Tumor Registry was proposed by the AANS/CNS Tumor Section and approved by the QOD Scientific Committee in the fall of 2018. The initial pilot phase aimed to assess the feasibility of collecting outcomes data from 8 academic practices across the United States; these outcomes included length of stay, discharge disposition, and inpatient complications. RESULTS As of November 2019, 923 eligible patients have been entered, with the following subsets: intracranial metastasis (17.3%, n = 160), high-grade glioma (18.5%, n = 171), low-grade glioma (6%, n = 55), meningioma (20%, n = 184), pituitary tumor (14.3%, n = 132), and other intracranial tumor (24%, n = 221). CONCLUSIONS The authors have demonstrated here, as a pilot study, the feasibility of documenting demographic, clinical, operative, and patient-reported outcome characteristics longitudinally for 6 common intracranial tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Asher
- 1Neuroscience and Levine Cancer Institutes, Atrium Health.,2Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Yagiz U Yolcu
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Inamullah Khan
- 5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Jacquelyn S Pennings
- 5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.,6Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Claudia A Davidson
- 5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.,6Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kristin R Archer
- 5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.,6Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - John Knightly
- 7Atlantic Neurosurgical Specialists, Summit, New Jersey
| | - Marie Roguski
- 8Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brad E Zacharia
- 9Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Robert E Harbaugh
- 9Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Steven N Kalkanis
- 10Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Mohamad Bydon
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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23
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Romano RM, Chambless LB, Wolfe SQ, Witham TF, Huang J, Mukherjee D. Perceptions of the Virtual Neurosurgery Application Cycle During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Program Director Survey. World Neurosurg 2021; 154:e590-e604. [PMID: 34363998 PMCID: PMC8461646 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a shift to virtual residency interviews for the 2020-2021 neurosurgery match, with unknown implications for stakeholders. This study seeks to analyze the perceptions of residency program directors (PDs) and associate program directors (APDs) regarding the current virtual format used for residency selection and interviews. METHODS An anonymous, 30-question survey was constructed and sent to 115 neurosurgery PDs and 26 APDs to assess respondent demographics, factors used to review applicants, perceptions of applicants and applicant engagement, perceptions of standardized letters and interview questions, the effect of the virtual interview format on various stakeholders, and the future outlook for the virtual residency interview format. RESULTS A total of 38 PDs and APDs completed this survey, constituting a response rate of 27.0%. Survey respondents received significantly more Electronic Residency Application Service applications in the 2020-2021 cycle compared with the 2019-2020 cycle (P = 0.0029). Subinternship performance by home-rotators, (26.3%), letters of recommendation (23.7%), and Step 1 score (18.4%) were ranked as the most important factors for evaluating candidates during the current virtual application cycle. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights that applicants applied to a greater number of residency programs compared with years prior, that the criteria used by PDs/APDs to evaluate applicants remained largely consistent compared to previous years, and that the virtual residency interview format may disproportionately disadvantage Doctor of Osteopathic medicine and international medical graduate applicants. Further exploring attitudes toward signaling mechanisms and standardized letters may serve to inform changes to future neurosurgery match cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert M Romano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lola B Chambless
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stacey Quintero Wolfe
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Timothy F Witham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Judy Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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24
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Koenecke A, Powell M, Xiong R, Shen Z, Fischer N, Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Trevisan M, Sparen P, Carrero JJ, Nishimura A, Caffo B, Stuart EA, Bai R, Staedtke V, Thomas DL, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S, Bettegowda C, Konig MF, Mensh B, Vogelstein JT, Athey S. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists to prevent hyperinflammation and death from lower respiratory tract infection. ArXiv 2021:arXiv:2004.10117v8. [PMID: 32550250 PMCID: PMC7280904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In severe viral pneumonia, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the viral replication phase is often followed by hyperinflammation, which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure, and death. We previously demonstrated that alpha-1 adrenergic receptor ($\alpha_1$-AR) antagonists can prevent hyperinflammation and death in mice. Here, we conducted retrospective analyses in two cohorts of patients with acute respiratory distress (ARD, n=18,547) and three cohorts with pneumonia (n=400,907). Federated across two ARD cohorts, we find that patients exposed to $\alpha_1$-AR antagonists, as compared to unexposed patients, had a 34% relative risk reduction for mechanical ventilation and death (OR=0.70, p=0.021). We replicated these methods on three pneumonia cohorts, all with similar effects on both outcomes. All results were robust to sensitivity analyses. These results highlight the urgent need for prospective trials testing whether prophylactic use of $\alpha_1$-AR antagonists ameliorates lower respiratory tract infection-associated hyperinflammation and death, as observed in COVID-19.
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25
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Khalafallah AM, Rakovec M, Bettegowda C, Jackson CM, Gallia GL, Weingart JD, Lim M, Esquenazi Y, Zacharia BE, Goldschmidt E, Ziu M, Ivan ME, Venteicher AS, Nduom EK, Mamelak AN, Chu RM, Yu JS, Sheehan JP, Nahed BV, Carter BS, Berger MS, Sawaya R, Mukherjee D. A Crowdsourced Consensus on Supratotal Resection Versus Gross Total Resection for Anatomically Distinct Primary Glioblastoma. Neurosurgery 2021; 89:712-719. [PMID: 34320218 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyab257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gross total resection (GTR) of contrast-enhancing tumor is associated with increased survival in primary glioblastoma. Recently, there has been increasing interest in performing supratotal resections (SpTRs) for glioblastoma. OBJECTIVE To address the published results, which have varied in part due to lack of consensus on the definition and appropriate use of SpTR. METHODS A crowdsourcing approach was used to survey 21 neurosurgical oncologists representing 14 health systems nationwide. Participants were presented with 11 definitions of SpTR and asked to rate the appropriateness of each definition. Participants reviewed T1-weighed postcontrast and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery magnetic resonance imaging for 22 anatomically distinct glioblastomas. Participants were asked to assess the tumor location's eloquence, the perceived equipoise of enrolling patients in a randomized trial comparing gross total to SpTR, and their personal treatment plans. RESULTS Most neurosurgeons surveyed (n = 18, 85.7%) agree that GTR plus resection of some noncontrast enhancement is an appropriate definition for SpTR. Overall, moderate inter-rater agreement existed regarding eloquence, equipoise, and personal treatment plans. The 4 neurosurgeons who had performed >10 SpTRs for glioblastomas in the past year were more likely to recommend it as their treatment plan (P < .005). Cases were divided into 3 anatomically distinct groups based upon perceived eloquence. Anterior temporal and right frontal glioblastomas were considered the best randomization candidates. CONCLUSION We established a consensus definition for SpTR of glioblastoma and identified anatomically distinct locations deemed most amenable to SpTR. These results may be used to plan prospective trials investigating the potential clinical utility of SpTR for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher M Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jon D Weingart
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yoshua Esquenazi
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brad E Zacharia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ezequiel Goldschmidt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mateo Ziu
- Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute, University of Virginia Medical School-Inova Campus, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew S Venteicher
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Edjah K Nduom
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Adam N Mamelak
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ray M Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - John S Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jason P Sheehan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Brian V Nahed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bob S Carter
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mitchel S Berger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raymond Sawaya
- Division of Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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26
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D. Tranexamic acid for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Lancet 2021; 398:25. [PMID: 34217395 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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27
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Jimenez AE, Shah PP, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Porras JL, Jackson CM, Gallia G, Bettegowda C, Weingart J, Suarez JI, Brem H, Mukherjee D. Patient-Specific Factors Drive Intensive Care Unit and Total Hospital Length of Stay in Operative Patients with Brain Tumor. World Neurosurg 2021; 153:e338-e348. [PMID: 34217859 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital length of stay (LOS) is an important cost driver in neurosurgery. Broader surgical literature has shown that patient-related factors, including comorbidities, and procedure-related factors, such surgeon experience, may be associated with LOS. Because value optimization strategies may be targeted toward either domain, this study investigated the contributions of patient-related and procedure-related factors in predicting prolonged intensive care unit LOS (iLOS) and total hospital LOS (tLOS). METHODS Data for adult patients undergoing brain tumor surgery (2017-2019) were collected. Bivariate analyses for iLOS and tLOS were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Variables associated with either outcome with P < 0.10 were included in patient-only, procedure-only, and patient+procedure factor multivariate linear regression models. Model discrimination was quantified using C-statistics. RESULTS Our 654 patients had a mean age of 57.54 years (standard deviation, ± 14.34 years). For iLOS, the patient-only model significantly outperformed the procedure-only model (P < 0.0001) and performed similarly to the patient+procedure model (P = 0.50). Other than tumor diagnosis, 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index score was the only factor associated with iLOS (P < 0.001) and tLOS (P < 0.001) on multivariate analysis. When predicting prolonged tLOS, the patient-only model significantly outperformed the procedure-only model (P < 0.0001), and performed similarly to patient+procedure models (P = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS Patient-specific factors are the main drivers of prolonged iLOS and tLOS among patients with brain tumor. Frailty was significantly associated with both iLOS and tLOS on multivariate analysis. Efforts to improve care value should focus on strategies to optimize patient status, such as prehabilitation and enhanced recovery after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pavan P Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jose L Porras
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher M Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gary Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jon Weingart
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jose Ignacio Suarez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Botros D, Oliveira LAP, Dux H, White T, Jimenez AE, Gujar SK, Sair HI, Pillai JJ, Mukherjee D. A novel radiographic marker of sarcopenia with prognostic value in glioblastoma. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 207:106782. [PMID: 34186275 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sarcopenia is an important prognostic consideration in surgical oncology that has received relatively little attention in brain tumor patients. Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has recently been proposed as a novel radiographic marker of sarcopenia that can be efficiently obtained within existing workflows. We investigated the prognostic value of TMT in primary and progressive glioblastoma. METHODS TMT measurements were performed on magnetic resonance images of 384 patients undergoing 541 surgeries for glioblastoma. Relationships between TMT and clinical characteristics were examined on bivariate analysis. Optimal TMT cutpoints were established using maximally selected rank statistics. Predictive value of TMT upon postoperative survival (PS) was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, sex, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), Stupp protocol completion, extent of resection, and tumor molecular markers. RESULTS Average TMT for the primary and progressive glioblastoma cohorts was 9.55 mm and 9.40 mm, respectively. TMT was associated with age (r = -0.14, p = 0.0008), BMI (r = 0.29, p < 0.0001), albumin (r = 0.11, p = 0.0239), and KPS (r = 0.11, p = 0.0101). Optimal TMT cutpoints for the primary and progressive cohorts were ≤ 7.15 mm and ≤ 7.10 mm, respectively. High TMT was associated with increased Stupp protocol completion (p = 0.001). On Cox proportional hazards regression, high TMT predicted increased PS in progressive [HR 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI)) 0.25-0.90), p = 0.023] but not primary [HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.64-1.51), p = 0.949] glioblastoma. CONCLUSIONS TMT correlates with important prognostic variables in glioblastoma and predicts PS in patients with progressive, but not primary, disease. TMT may represent a pragmatic neurosurgical biomarker in glioblastoma that could inform treatment planning and perioperative optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Miguel A Ruiz-Cardozo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David Botros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Leonardo A P Oliveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Hayden Dux
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Taija White
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sachin K Gujar
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Haris I Sair
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jay J Pillai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D. In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding "Predictors of Nonroutine Discharge Disposition Among Parasagittal/Parafalcine Meningioma Patients". World Neurosurg 2021; 146:429. [PMID: 33607749 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Shlobin NA, Larkin CJ, Mukherjee D, Zygourakis CC, Lo SF, Sciubba DM, Bydon A, Witham TF, Dahdaleh NS, Theodore N. Predictors of an academic career among fellowship-trained spinal neurosurgeons. J Neurosurg Spine 2021:1-8. [PMID: 34116505 DOI: 10.3171/2020.12.spine201771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although fellowship training is becoming increasingly common in neurosurgery, it is unclear which factors predict an academic career trajectory among spinal neurosurgeons. In this study, the authors sought to identify predictors associated with academic career placement among fellowship-trained neurological spinal surgeons. METHODS Demographic data and bibliometric information on neurosurgeons who completed a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education between 1983 and 2019 were gathered, and those who completed a spine fellowship were identified. Employment was denoted as academic if the hospital where a neurosurgeon worked was affiliated with a neurosurgical residency program; all other positions were denoted as nonacademic. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 376 fellowship-trained spinal neurosurgeons were identified, of whom 140 (37.2%) held academic positions. The top 5 programs that graduated the most fellows in the cohort were Cleveland Clinic, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Miami, Barrow Neurological Institute, and Northwestern University. On multivariate analysis, increased protected research time during residency (OR 1.03, p = 0.044), a higher h-index during residency (OR 1.12, p < 0.001), completing more than one clinical fellowship (OR 2.16, p = 0.024), and attending any of the top 5 programs that graduated the most fellows (OR 2.01, p = 0.0069) were independently associated with an academic career trajectory. CONCLUSIONS Increased protected research time during residency, a higher h-index during residency, completing more than one clinical fellowship, and attending one of the 5 programs graduating the most fellowship-trained neurosurgical spinal surgeons independently predicted an academic career. These results may be useful in identifying and advising trainees interested in academic spine neurosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nathan A Shlobin
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Collin J Larkin
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Sheng-Fu Lo
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel M Sciubba
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ali Bydon
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Timothy F Witham
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nader S Dahdaleh
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Nicholas Theodore
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Camp S, Horowitz MA, Chiu I, Ryu D, Charewycz N, Vera L, Bhoopalam M, Feghali J, Sharma M, Lubelski D, Cohen AR, Tamargo RJ, Witham T, Huang J, Brem H, Mukherjee D. Predictors of Academic Neurosurgical Career Trajectory among International Medical Graduates Training Within the United States. Neurosurgery 2021; 89:478-485. [PMID: 34114014 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyab194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the literature, there has been limited research tracking the career trajectories of international medical graduates (IMGs) following residency training. OBJECTIVE To compare the characteristics of IMG and US medical school graduate (USMG) neurosurgeons holding academic positions in the United States and also analyze factors that influence IMG career trajectories following US-based residency training. METHODS We collected data on 243 IMGs and 2506 USMGs who graduated from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited neurosurgery residency programs. We assessed for significant differences between cohorts, and a logistic regression model was used for the outcome of academic career trajectory. RESULTS Among the 2749 neurosurgeons in our study, IMGs were more likely to pursue academic neurosurgery careers relative to USMGs (59.7% vs 51.1%; P = .011) and were also more likely to complete a research fellowship before beginning residency (odds ratio [OR] = 9.19; P < .0001). Among current US academic neurosurgeons, USMGs had significantly higher pre-residency h-indices relative to IMGs (1.23 vs 1.01; P < .0001) with no significant differences between cohorts when comparing h-indices during (USMG = 5.02, IMG = 4.80; P = .67) or after (USMG = 14.05, IMG = 13.90; P = .72) residency. Completion of a post-residency clinical fellowship was the only factor independently associated with an academic career trajectory among IMGs (OR = 1.73, P = .046). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that while IMGs begin their US residency training with different research backgrounds and achievements relative to USMG counterparts, they attain similar levels of academic productivity following residency. Furthermore, IMGs are more likely to pursue academic careers relative to USMGs. Our work may be useful for better understanding IMG career trajectories following US-based neurosurgery residency training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha Camp
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Melanie A Horowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ian Chiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Ryu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha Charewycz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren Vera
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Myan Bhoopalam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - James Feghali
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mayur Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Daniel Lubelski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan R Cohen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rafael J Tamargo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy Witham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Judy Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Henry Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Hura N, Orlov CP, Khalafallah AM, Mukherjee D, Rowan NR. Impact of Routine Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery on Subjective Olfaction and Gustation Outcomes. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021; 21:137-142. [PMID: 33956975 DOI: 10.1093/ons/opab137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) for sellar pathology has become routine, there is increasing awareness of quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes related to this approach. Similarly, there is a growing interest in postoperative chemosensory function, with notable emphasis on olfaction and the corresponding psychosocial implications of olfactory dysfunction. Meanwhile, there has been minimal direct investigation into gustatory outcomes, and the association between these 2 chemosensory functions remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate patient-reported chemosensory function and rhinologic-specific QOL following EESBS for routine sellar pathologies. METHODS Comprehensive clinical characteristics and sinonasal QOL assessments, measured using Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory-12 (ASK Nasal-12), were collected from 46 patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathology. RESULTS Forty-six patients were included: 65.2% female, average age 52.8 yr (range: 27-89). The most common pathology was nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (n = 28). Preoperative ASK Nasal-12 scores (mean = 0.81) demonstrated postoperative worsening at 2 wk (mean = 2.52, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 1.33, P = .0031), with no difference at 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 0.89, P = .92). Meanwhile, there was significant worsening of preoperative subjective smell (mean = 0.62) and taste function (mean = 0.42) at 2 wk (mean = 3.48, P < .0001; mean = 2.69, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 2.40, P < .0001; mean = 2.03, P < .0001) postoperatively, which persisted at approximately 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 1.26, P = .04; mean = 1.15, P = .0059). CONCLUSION Patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathologies experience anticipated, temporary disruptions in sinonasal QOL but may have longer lasting perturbations in subjective olfaction and gustation. Given the increasing use of the endoscopic endonasal corridor, further investigation in postoperative chemosensory function is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanki Hura
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cinthia P Orlov
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Jimenez AE, Serra R, Bettegowda C, Mukherjee D. "Zooming in" on Glioblastoma: Understanding Tumor Heterogeneity and its Clinical Implications in the Era of Single-Cell Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing. Neurosurgery 2021; 88:477-486. [PMID: 32674143 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults and one of the most aggressive of all human cancers. It is highly recurrent and treatment-resistant, in large part due to its infiltrative nature and inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. This heterogeneity entails varying genomic landscapes and cell types within and between tumors and the tumor microenvironment (TME). In GBM, heterogeneity is a driver of treatment resistance, recurrence, and poor prognosis, representing a substantial impediment to personalized medicine. Over the last decade, sequencing technologies have facilitated deeper understanding of GBM heterogeneity by "zooming in" progressively further on tumor genomics and transcriptomics. Initial efforts employed bulk ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, which examines composite gene expression of whole tumor specimens. While groundbreaking at the time, this bulk RNAseq masks the crucial contributions of distinct tumor subpopulations to overall gene expression. This work progressed to the use of bulk RNA sequencing in anatomically and spatially distinct tumor subsections, which demonstrated previously underappreciated genomic complexity of GBM. A revolutionary next step forward has been the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), which examines gene expression at the single-cell level. scRNAseq has enabled us to understand GBM heterogeneity in unprecedented detail. We review seminal studies in our progression of understanding GBM heterogeneity, with a focus on scRNAseq and the insights that it has provided into understanding the GBM tumor mass, peritumoral space, and TME. We highlight preclinical and clinical implications of this work and consider its potential to impact neuro-oncology and to improve patient outcomes via personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Riccardo Serra
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Duan D, Wehbeh L, Mukherjee D, Hamrahian AH, Rodriguez FJ, Gujar S, Khalafallah AM, Hage C, Caturegli P, Gallia GL, Ahima RS, Maruthur NM, Salvatori R. Preoperative BMI Predicts Postoperative Weight Gain in Adult-onset Craniopharyngioma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e1603-e1617. [PMID: 33417676 PMCID: PMC7993568 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Craniopharyngiomas, while benign, have the highest morbidity of all nonmalignant sellar tumors. Studies on weight and metabolic outcomes in adult-onset craniopharyngioma (AOCP) remain sparse. OBJECTIVE To examine postsurgical weight and metabolic outcomes in AOCP and to identify any clinical predictors of weight gain. METHODS Retrospective chart review of patients with AOCP who underwent surgery between January 2014 and May 2019 in a single pituitary center. The study included 45 patients with AOCP with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. Median follow-up time was 26 months (interquartile range [IQR] 10-44). Main outcome measures were the changes in weight/body mass index (BMI), metabolic comorbidities, and pituitary deficiencies between preoperative and last follow-up. RESULTS Both weight and BMI were higher at last follow-up, with a mean increase of 3.4 kg for weight (P = .015) and 1.15 kg/m2 for BMI (P = .0095). Median % weight change was 2.7% (IQR -1.1%, 8.8%). Obesity rate increased from 37.8% at baseline to 55.6% at last follow-up. One-third of patients had ~15% median weight gain. The prevalence of metabolic comorbidities at last follow-up was not different from baseline. Pituitary deficiencies increased postoperatively, with 58% of patients having ≥3 hormonal deficiencies. Preoperative BMI was inversely associated with postoperative weight gain, which remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, race, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Patients with ≥3 hormonal deficiencies at last follow-up also had higher postoperative weight gain. CONCLUSION In this AOCP cohort, those with a lower BMI at the preoperative visit had higher postoperative weight gain. Our finding may help physicians better counsel patients and provide anticipatory guidance on postoperative expectations and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Duan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leen Wehbeh
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amir H Hamrahian
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fausto J Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sachin Gujar
- Division of Neuroradiology, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camille Hage
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrizio Caturegli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rexford S Ahima
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nisa M Maruthur
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Correspondence: Roberto Salvatori, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Ste 333, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Gami A, Lam S, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Oliveira LAP, Mukherjee D. Predicting Postoperative Outcomes in Brain Tumor Patients With a 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index. Neurosurgery 2021; 88:147-154. [PMID: 32803222 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frailty indices may represent useful decision support tools to optimize modifiable drivers of quality and cost in neurosurgical care. However, classic indices are cumbersome to calculate and frequently require unavailable data. Recently, a more lean 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) was introduced, but it has not yet been rigorously applied to brain tumor patients. OBJECTIVE To investigate the predictive value of the mFI-5 on length of stay (LOS), complications, and charges in surgical brain tumor patients. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data for brain tumor patients who underwent primary surgery from 2017 to 2018. Bivariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (logistic and linear regression) analyses assessed the predictive power of the mFI-5 on postoperative outcomes. RESULTS Our cohort included 1692 patients with a mean age of 55.5 yr and mFI-5 of 0.80. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) and total LOS were 1.69 and 5.24 d, respectively. Mean pulmonary embolism (PE)/deep vein thrombosis (DVT), physiological/metabolic derangement, respiratory failure, and sepsis rates were 7.2%, 1.1%, 1.6%, and 1.7%, respectively. Mean total charges were $42 331. On multivariate analysis, each additional point on the mFI-5 was associated with a 0.32- and 1.38-d increase in ICU and total LOS, respectively; increased odds of PE/DVT (odds ratio (OR): 1.50), physiological/metabolic derangement (OR: 3.66), respiratory failure (OR: 1.55), and sepsis (OR: 2.12); and an increase in total charges of $5846. CONCLUSION The mFI-5 is a pragmatic and actionable tool which predicts LOS, complications, and charges in brain tumor patients. It may guide future efforts to risk-stratify patients with subsequent impact on postoperative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Abhishek Gami
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shravika Lam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Miguel A Ruiz-Cardozo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Leonardo A P Oliveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Jimenez AE, Khalafallah AM, Lam S, Horowitz MA, Azmeh O, Rakovec M, Patel P, Porras JL, Mukherjee D. Predicting High-Value Care Outcomes After Surgery for Skull Base Meningiomas. World Neurosurg 2021; 149:e427-e436. [PMID: 33567369 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although various predictors of adverse postoperative outcomes among patients with meningioma have been established, research has yet to develop a method for consolidating these findings to allow for predictions of adverse health care outcomes for patients diagnosed with skull base meningiomas. The objective of the present study was to develop 3 predictive algorithms that can be used to estimate an individual patient's probability of extended length of stay (LOS) in hospital, experiencing a nonroutine discharge disposition, or incurring high hospital charges after surgical resection of a skull base meningioma. METHODS The present study used data from patients who underwent surgical resection for skull base meningiomas at a single academic institution between 2017 and 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict extended LOS, nonroutine discharge, and high hospital charges, and 2000 bootstrapped samples were used to calculate an optimism-corrected C-statistic. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess model calibration, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 245 patients were included in our analysis. Our cohort was mostly female (77.6%) and white (62.4%). Our models predicting extended LOS, nonroutine discharge, and high hospital charges had optimism-corrected C-statistics of 0.768, 0.784, and 0.783, respectively. All models showed adequate calibration (P>0.05), and were deployed via an open-access, online calculator: https://neurooncsurgery3.shinyapps.io/high_value_skull_base_calc/. CONCLUSIONS After external validation, our predictive models have the potential to aid clinicians in providing patients with individualized risk estimation for health care outcomes after meningioma surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shravika Lam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Melanie A Horowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Omar Azmeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Palak Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jose L Porras
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Kopparapu S, Khalafallah AM, Botros D, Carey AR, Rodriguez FJ, Duan D, Rowan NR, Mukherjee D. Predictors of Postoperative Visual Outcome After Surgical Intervention for Craniopharyngiomas. World Neurosurg 2021; 148:e589-e599. [PMID: 33482413 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because of involvement of the optic apparatus, craniopharyngiomas frequently present with visual deterioration. Although visual improvement is a primary goal of surgical intervention, prediction models are lacking. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing craniopharyngioma surgery at a single institution (2014-2019). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables of interest were collected. Visual acuity and visual fields (VFs) were standardized into Visual Impairment Scores (VISs), defined by the German Ophthalmological Society. VIS ranged from 0 (normal vision) to 100 (complete bilateral blindness). Visual improvement/deterioration was defined as a postsurgical decrease/increase of ≥5 VIS points, respectively. RESULTS Complete ophthalmologic assessments were available for 61 operations, corresponding to 41 patients (age, 4-73 years). Vision improved after 28 operations (46%), remained stable after 27 (44%), and deteriorated after 6 (10%). In bivariate analysis, significant predictors of visual improvement included worse preoperative VIS (odds ratio [OR], 1.058; P < 0.001), worse preoperative VF mean deviation (OR, 1.107; P = 0.032), preoperative vision deficits presenting for longer than 1 month (OR, 6.050; P = 0.010), radiographic involvement of the anterior cerebral arteries (OR, 3.555; P = 0.019), and gross total resection (OR, 4.529; P = 0.022). The translaminar surgical approach was associated with visual deterioration (OR, 6.857; P = 0.035). In multivariate analysis, worse preoperative VIS remained significantly associated with postoperative visual improvement (OR, 1.060; P = 0.011). Simple linear correlation (R2=0.398; P < 0.001) suggests prediction of postoperative VIS improvement via preoperative VIS. CONCLUSIONS Patients with reduced preoperative vision, specific radiographic vascular involvement, and gross total resection showed increased odds of visual improvement, whereas the translaminar approach was associated with visual deterioration. Such characteristics may facilitate patient-surgeon counseling and surgical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srujan Kopparapu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Botros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew R Carey
- Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fausto J Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daisy Duan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Koenecke A, Powell M, Xiong R, Shen Z, Fischer N, Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Trevisan M, Sparen P, Carrero JJ, Nishimura A, Caffo B, Stuart EA, Bai R, Staedtke V, Thomas DL, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S, Bettegowda C, Konig MF, Mensh BD, Vogelstein JT, Athey S. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists to prevent hyperinflammation and death from lower respiratory tract infection. eLife 2021; 10:61700. [PMID: 34114951 PMCID: PMC8195605 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In severe viral pneumonia, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the viral replication phase is often followed by hyperinflammation, which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure, and death. We previously demonstrated that alpha-1 adrenergic receptor (⍺1-AR) antagonists can prevent hyperinflammation and death in mice. Here, we conducted retrospective analyses in two cohorts of patients with acute respiratory distress (ARD, n = 18,547) and three cohorts with pneumonia (n = 400,907). Federated across two ARD cohorts, we find that patients exposed to ⍺1-AR antagonists, as compared to unexposed patients, had a 34% relative risk reduction for mechanical ventilation and death (OR = 0.70, p = 0.021). We replicated these methods on three pneumonia cohorts, all with similar effects on both outcomes. All results were robust to sensitivity analyses. These results highlight the urgent need for prospective trials testing whether prophylactic use of ⍺1-AR antagonists ameliorates lower respiratory tract infection-associated hyperinflammation and death, as observed in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Koenecke
- Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Michael Powell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Computational Medicine, The Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ruoxuan Xiong
- Management Science & Engineering, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Zhu Shen
- Department of Statistics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Nicole Fischer
- The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Marco Trevisan
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenSolnaSweden
| | - Pär Sparen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenSolnaSweden
| | - Juan J Carrero
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenSolnaSweden
| | - Akihiko Nishimura
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brian Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Renyuan Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Verena Staedtke
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - David L Thomas
- The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Nickolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer CenterBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ken W Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer CenterBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer CenterBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer CenterBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States,Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer CenterBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Maximilian F Konig
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brett D Mensh
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Joshua T Vogelstein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Computational Medicine, The Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States,Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Susan Athey
- Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
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Khalafallah AM, Shah PP, Huq S, Jimenez AE, Patel PP, London NR, Hamrahian AH, Salvatori R, Gallia GL, Rowan NR, Mukherjee D. The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts health burden following surgery for pituitary adenomas. Pituitary 2020; 23:630-640. [PMID: 32725418 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-020-01069-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Frailty is known to influence cost-related surgical outcomes in neurosurgery, but quantifying frailty is often challenging. Therefore, we investigated the predictive value of the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) on total hospital charges, LOS, and 90-day readmission for patients undergoing pituitary surgery. METHODS The medical records of all patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary adenomas at an academic medical center between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Bivariate statistical analyses were conducted using Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, and independent samples t-test. Linear and logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS Our cohort (n = 234) had a mean age of 53.8 years (standard deviation 14.6 years). Sex distributions were equal, and most patients were Caucasian (59%). On multivariate linear regression, with each one-point increase in mFI-5, total LOS increased by 0.64 days in the overall cohort (p < 0.001), 1.08 days in the Cushing disease cohort (p = 0.045), and 0.59 days in non-functioning tumors cohort (p = 0.004). Total charges increased by $3954 in the whole cohort (p < 0.001), $10,652 in the Cushing disease cohort (p = 0.033), and $2902 in the non-functioning tumors cohort (p = 0.007) with each one-point increase in mFI-5. Greater mFI-5 scores were associated with greater odds of 90-day readmission in both overall and Cushing disease cohorts, but these associations did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION A patient's mFI-5 score is significantly associated with increased length of stay and hospital charges for patients undergoing pituitary surgery. The mFI-5 may hold peri-operative value in patient counseling for pituitary adenoma surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Pavan P Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Palak P Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Nyall R London
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Amir H Hamrahian
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
- Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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Khalafallah AM, Liang A, Jimenez A, Rowan N, Oyesiku NM, Mamelak AN, Mukherjee D. Trends in Endoscopic and Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Jimenez A, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Patel P, Sharma P, Dux H, White T, Mukherjee D. A Novel Online Calculator for Hospital Length of Stay in Brain Tumor Patients. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Khalafallah AM, Shah PP, Huq S, Jimenez A, London N, Hamrahian A, Salvatori R, Gallia GL, Rowan N, Mukherjee D. The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index Predicts Patient Health Burden Following Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Jimenez A, Kedda J, Bachu V, Lam S, Camp S, Horowitz M, Azmeh O, Mukherjee D. Nutritional Status Predicts Hospital Length of Stay in Meningioma Patients. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Khalafallah AM, Jimenez A, Romo C, Kamson D, Kleinberg L, Weingart J, Brem H, Grossman S, Mukherjee D. Quantifying the Utility of a Multidisciplinary Neuro-oncology Tumor Board. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Khalafallah AM, Jimenez A, Botros DB, Horowitz M, Azmeh O, Lam S, Oliveira L, Tamargo RJ, Brem H, Mukherjee D. The Role of Anticoagulation for Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis Following Craniotomy for Resection of Parasagittal/Parafalcine Meningiomas. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Jimenez A, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Patel P, Mukherjee D. Predicting Patient Resource Utilization and Identifying Drivers of Healthcare Costs among Brain Tumor Patients. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Jimenez A, Khalafallah AM, Huq S, Horowitz M, Azmeh O, Lam S, Oliveira L, Brem H, Mukherjee D. Predictors of Nonroutine Discharge Disposition Among Parasagittal and Parafalcine Meningioma Patients. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Tsehay Y, Srivastava S, Khalafallah AM, Yi P, Jones C, Mukherjee D. MengiomaNet. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Botros DB, Jimenez A, Lam S, Huang J, Mukherjee D. Perceived Consequences of USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail Scoring Change. Neurosurgery 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa447_186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Huq S, Khalafallah AM, Botros D, Oliveira LAP, White T, Dux H, Jimenez AE, Mukherjee D. The Prognostic Impact of Nutritional Status on Postoperative Outcomes in Glioblastoma. World Neurosurg 2020; 146:e865-e875. [PMID: 33197633 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The clinical impact and optimal method of assessing nutritional status (NS) have not been rigorously examined in glioblastoma. We investigated the relationship between NS and postoperative survival (PS) in glioblastoma using 4 nutritional indices and identified which index best modeled PS. METHODS NS was retrospectively assessed for patients with glioblastoma undergoing surgery at our institution from 2007 to 2019 using the albumin level, albumin/globulin ratio (AGR), nutritional risk index (NRI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). Optimal cut points for each index were identified using maximally selected rank statistics and previously established criteria. The predictive value of each index on PS was determined using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for prognostic variables. The best-performing model was identified using the Akaike Information Criterion. RESULTS Our analysis included 242 patients (64% male) with a mean age of 57.6 years, Karnofsky Performance Status of 77.6, 5-factor modified frailty index of 0.59, albumin level of 4.2 g/dL, AGR of 1.9, NRI of 105.6, and PNI of 47.4. Median PS after index and repeat surgery was 12.7 and 7.8 months, respectively. On multivariable analysis, low albumin level (hazard ratio [HR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.89; P < 0.001), mild NRI (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04-2.49; P = 0.032), moderate/severe NRI (HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.64-3.85; P < 0.001), and low PNI (HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.78-3.53; P < 0.001), but not low AGR (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.89-1.54; P = 0.270), predicted decreased PS. PNI had the lowest Akaike Information Criterion. CONCLUSIONS NS predicts PS in glioblastoma. PNI may provide the best model for assessing NS. NS is an important modifiable aspect of brain tumor management that warrants increased attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Botros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leonardo A P Oliveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taija White
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hayden Dux
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrian E Jimenez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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