Traumatic Events Preceding the Development of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To describe the features of antecedent head trauma in patients with superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS).

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to 450 adult patients who underwent surgical repair for SCDS patients asking questions about the nature of internal or external traumatic events preceding symptoms.

RESULTS

One-hundred and thirty-six patients (avg. age, 51.9 years, 62.8% female) completed the survey, of which 61 (44.9%) described either preceding external head trauma (n = 35, 26%), preceding internal pressure event (n = 33, 25%), or both (8, 6%). Of those endorsing external trauma, 22 (63%) described a singular event (head hit by object (n = 8); head hit ground (n = 5); motor vehicle accident (n = 4); assault (n = 2); other (n = 3). One-third experienced loss of consciousness because of the trauma. For those describing internal pressure events (n = 33), the most common events were heavy physical exertion (9, 27%); pressure changes while flying (6, 18%); coughing, nose blowing with illness (5, 15%); childbirth (5, 15%); and self contained underwater breathing apparatus diving events (3, 9%). The interval between trauma and onset of symptoms averaged 5.6 years (SD, 10.7 years). One-third (n = 19) described onset of symptoms immediately after the external trauma or internal pressure event. Symptoms began on the side ipsilateral to the trauma in 91%. Sound- and pressure-induced vertigo/oscillopsia developed more commonly after external trauma versus internal pressure events (68% and 61% vs 44% and 32%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Trauma or internal pressure-related events precede SCDS symptoms in nearly half of cases, with roughly half of preceding events being external.

A Practical Guide to Relugolix: Early Experience With Oral Androgen Deprivation Therapy

BACKGROUND

Relugolix is the newest form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) approved for prostate cancer. However, as an oral drug, several real-world concerns exist, particularly medication compliance, safety with other androgen receptor-targeted agents, and financial burden to patients.

METHODS

A single institution retrospective chart review was conducted evaluating all patients who were prescribed relugolix for any prostate cancer indication from January 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Demographic data, cardiac risk factors, concomitant therapy usage, and PSA/testosterone levels, were abstracted from the chart review. Adverse effects were obtained by examining progress notes. Compliance was assessed by clinic notes as well as prescription fills by specialty pharmacy records. The reasons patients did not fill or discontinued the medication were noted.

RESULTS

Hundred and one patients were prescribed relugolix, and 91 patients consented to research. Seventy-one (78%) patients filled the prescription to relugolix, with a median follow-up of 5 months. Prescription fill data were available for 45 (63%) patients, with 94% of days covered. The most commonly reported reason not to fill was cost at 50%. Sixty-six (93%) patients reported never missing a dose. PSA levels were available in 71 (100%) patients with 69 (97%) showing stable or improved PSA. Testosterone levels were available in 61 (86%) of patients, which showed 61 (100%) stable or successful castration. Twenty-four (34%) patients used relugolix in combination. No new major safety signals were seen in combination therapy. Nineteen (27%) patients had switched to another form of ADT. Fifteen of these (79%) felt similar or better on relugolix therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Compliance with relugolix seemed acceptable. No major new safety signals were seen, even in combination. Among patients who switched therapy, most tolerated relugolix similarly or better than the previous form of ADT. The cost was a major reason for patients not initiating and for discontinuing therapy.

Real-world experience with relugolix

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Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists were developed in part to avoid testosterone flare to achieve faster and more consistent testosterone suppression. Relugolix (Rel) was given FDA approval for use in prostate cancer (PCa) based on the phase 3 HERO trial but some real-world concerns include compliance, affordability, and performance in patients transitioning from another GnRH agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents. The aim of our study was to evaluate the real-world implications of prescribing and/or switching to Rel. Methods: A single institution retrospective study was conducted on patients prescribed Rel. Treatment data including concomitant therapeutic agents were collected. Compliance data was measured via chart review and pharmacy dispensary records. Patients were classified as either newly castrated or transitioning from another agent. PSA and testosterone levels were tabulated. Reported adverse effects (AE), and reasons for discontinuation if applicable including financial toxicity were noted. Results: 50 patients were reviewed; 15 (30%) treated for adjuvant, 18 (36%) for biochemical recurrence, and 17 (34%) for metastatic PCa. 12% were on concomitant therapy with abiraterone, 4% with enzalutamide, and 2% with apalutamide. 80% reported compliance to Rel. 5 (10%) never filled the prescription. 30 (60%) were newly castrated (castration restart or naïve) while 16 (36%) were transitioned from another GnRH. No changes in PSA or testosterone were noted in patients switched form injected GnRH to Rel. The most common documented AE effects included hot flashes 24%, fatigue, 29%, and weight gain 9%. No unexpected toxicity was reported in combination with abiraterone. Of 11 patients who discontinued therapy, 45% did so due to cost, 36% due to AE, and 27% due to therapy completion. 4 of 16 (25%) of those who transitioned from injection GnRH felt symptoms were worse on Rel. Conclusions: In our early experience with Rel, patients did comply to therapy based on self-reporting, pharmacy fill dates, and laboratory evidence of castration. However, financial toxicity was and remains a significant barrier both accessing Rel and remaining on Rel therapy. While a differential toxicity was reported by those who switched from injection GnRH, sometimes leading to discontinuation, there were no new safety signals reported, especially in combination with abiraterone.

Predicting High-Value Care Outcomes After Surgery for Non-Skull Base Meningiomas

OBJECTIVE

A need exists to better understand the prognostic factors that influence high-value care outcomes after meningioma surgery. The goal of the present study was to develop predictive models to determine the patients at risk of experiencing an extended hospital length of stay (LOS), nonroutine discharge disposition, and/or a 90-day hospital readmission after non-skull base meningioma resection.

METHODS

In the present study, we analyzed the data from 396 patients who had undergone surgical resection of non-skull base meningiomas at a single institution between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2020. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for bivariate analysis of the continuous variables and the Fisher exact test for bivariate analysis of the categorical variables. A multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Most patients had had a falcine or parasagittal meningioma (66.2%), with the remainder having convexity (31.8%) or intraventricular (2.0%) tumors. Nonelective surgery (P < 0.0001) and an increased tumor volume (P = 0.0022) were significantly associated with a LOS >4 days on multivariate analysis. The independent predictors of a nonroutine discharge disposition included male sex (P = 0.0090), nonmarried status (P = 0.024), nonelective surgery (P = 0.0067), tumor location within the parasagittal or intraventricular region (P = 0.0084), and an increased modified frailty index score (P = 0.039). Hospital readmission within 90 days was independently associated with nonprivate insurance (P = 0.010) and nonmarried status (P = 0.0081). Three models predicting for a prolonged LOS, nonroutine discharge disposition, and 90-day readmission were implemented in the form of an open-access, online calculator (available at: https://neurooncsurgery3.shinyapps.io/non_skull_base_meningiomas/).

CONCLUSIONS

After external validation, our open-access, online calculator could be useful for assessing the likelihood of adverse postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing surgery of non-skull base meningioma.

The role of anticoagulation for superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following craniotomy for resection of parasagittal/parafalcine meningiomas

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.

A rare case of abdominal pregnancy

An extrauterine abdominal pregnancy is a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy in which implantation occurs within the peritoneal cavity, and outside the fallopian tube and ovary. It easily causes misdiagnosis and is closely related to maternal health. Only a few reported cases have been treated using laparoscopy. The authors report a case involving an extrauterine abdominal pregnancy diagnosed during laparoscopy located near the rectum. A 39-year-old gravida 3 para 1 who had a cesarean delivery 16 years ago was referred to the present department for evaluation of vaginal bleeding for 47 days. No abdominal tenderness was demonstrated on physical examination. The vaginal examination revealed an enlarged uterus. An ultrasound scan showed an empty uterine cavity. Adjacent to the right ovary, a mixed echo was noted in which a yolk sac was visible. A heart rate was detected. The serum beta hCG was 11,198 mIU/mL. Laparoscopic surgery was performed. On the right side of the sacral ligament there was a 3x3x2.5 cm purple-blue mass adherent to the rectum. The pregnancy was excised and removed from the abdomen in an endo-bag, and hemostasis was assured. During the postoperative course, intramuscular methotrexate therapy was administered (20 mg/m² twice a week x 5). The patient was discharged on the 26th post-operative day; she was asymptomatic and had no complaints. The serum beta hCG level was 3.98 IU/l at the time of discharge. This case shows that laparoscopic treatment of abdominal pregnancy is safe and feasible, and when necessary, can assist drug therapy.