scholarly journals A Retrospective Clinicoradiologic Study of 126 Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors to Predict the Outcome of House–Brackmann Status to Prognosticate Them: A Single-Center Tertiary Care Perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sambuddha Dhar ◽  
Anurag Sahu ◽  
Barnava Pal ◽  
Kulwant Singh
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Natural Course ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Preoperative Status ◽  
Increasing Risk ◽  
Average Size

Abstract Introduction House–Brackmann (HB) grading had been described to quantify the facial nerve involvement in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors, a very common tumor in neurosurgical practice. Very few studies have specifically looked into the factors predicting the facial nerve morbidity and its severity. Here, we try finding these while going through the clinicoradiologic factors and its natural course to help us prognosticate the patients. Objective To analyze the size of tumor and duration of symptoms to predict the severity of HB status of facial nerve presentation and outcome, and to study the course of the disease to help prognosticate the patients with respect to facial nerve status. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of 126 operated CPA tumors, where we studied the natural course of HB status with respect to size and duration of symptoms of patients at our institute between December 2016 to February 2020. Results Average duration of symptoms were 33.8 days with increasing risk of HB outcome after 36 days of symptoms. All patients improved to their preoperative facial nerve status at 3 months and only 18 maintained the worsened HB status. Average size of tumor was 3.53 cm, and size higher than 3.8 cm was associated with poorer HB outcome. Conclusion Although there can be a significant deterioration of HB status in immediate postoperative period, it improves to preoperative status in due time. Tumor larger than 3.8 cm and symptom duration more than 36 days are two important factors predicting poorer HB outcome.

Presentation, treatment and natural course of severe symptoms of urinary tract infections measured by a smartphone app. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akke Vellinga ◽  
Karen Farrell ◽  
Roisin Fallon ◽  
Daniel Hare ◽  
Una Sutton-Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Natural Course ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Information ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Study Participants

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common conditions in females. Current information on presentation, management and natural course of the infection is based on paper diaries filled out by patients and subsequently posted. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of a smartphone app to assess the natural course and management of urinary tract infections. METHODS A smartphone app was developed to collect data from study participants presenting in general practice with symptoms of a UTI. After initial demographic and treatment information, symptom severity was recorded by the patient upon a reminder on their smartphone which occurred twice daily for a period of 7 days or until symptom resolution. RESULTS A total of 181 women aged 18-76 downloaded the smartphone app. Duration of symptoms was obtained from the results of 178 participants. All patients had a urine sample submitted, most patients were prescribed an antibiotic (90%) and 39% had a positive culture. Moderately bad or worse symptoms lasted a mean of 3.8 days (median 4) and 70% of patients indicated that they were cured on day 4 after consultation. This compares with other research assessing symptom duration and management of UTIs where data is collected by paper diaries. Patients were very positive about the usability of the smartphone app and often found the reminders supportive. Based on the feedback and the analysis of the data, some suggestions for improvement were made. CONCLUSIONS Smartphone diaries for symptom scores over the course of infections are an efficient and acceptable means to collect data in research. CLINICALTRIAL na

scholarly journals Presentation, Treatment and Natural Course of Severe Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections Measured by a Smartphone App.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akke Vellinga ◽  
Karen Farrell ◽  
Roisin Fallon ◽  
Daniel Hare ◽  
Una Sutton-Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Natural Course ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Information ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common conditions in females. Current information on presentation, management and natural course of the infection is based on paper diaries filled out by patients and subsequently posted. The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of a smartphone app to assess the natural course and management of urinary tract infections.Methods A smartphone app was developed to collect data from study participants presenting in general practice with symptoms of a UTI. After initial demographic and treatment information, symptom severity was recorded by the patient upon a reminder on their smartphone which occurred twice daily for a period of 7 days or until symptom resolution. Results A total of 181 women aged 18-76 downloaded the smartphone app. Duration of symptoms was obtained from the results of 178 participants. All patients had a urine sample submitted, most patients were prescribed an antibiotic (90%) and 39% had a positive culture. Moderately bad or worse symptoms lasted a mean of 3.8 days (median 4) and 70% of patients indicated that they were cured on day 4 after consultation. This compares with other research assessing symptom duration and management of UTIs where data is collected by paper diaries. Patients were very positive about the usability of the smartphone app and often found the reminders supportive. Based on the feedback and the analysis of the data, some suggestions for improvement were made. Conclusions Smartphone diaries for symptom scores over the course of infections are an efficient and acceptable means to collect data in research.

scholarly journals Clinical course of 602 patients with Takayasu's arteritis: comparison between Childhood-onset versus adult onset disease

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debashish Danda ◽  
Ruchika Goel ◽  
George Joseph ◽  
Sathish T Kumar ◽  
Aswin Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Arch ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Takayasu’S Arteritis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Adult Onset ◽  
Takayasu's Arteritis ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Disease Extent ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms

Abstract Objectives To describe the clinical profile of Asian Indian patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) and to compare clinical features and outcome of childhood-onset Takayasu’s arteritis (cTAK) with adult-onset TAK (aTAK). Methods Data related to clinical features and response to treatment of patients with cTAK (age of onset <16 years) and aTAK from a large observational cohort in our tertiary care teaching hospital were noted and compared. Results Altogether, 602 patients (cTAK = 119; aTAK = 483) were studied. Patients with cTAK had a blunted female: male ratio; but fever, elevated acute phase reactants, involvement of abdominal aorta or its branches, hypertension, abdominal pain, elevated serum creatinine and cardiomyopathy were more common in cTAK as compared with aTAK. Patients with aTAK were more likely to have aortic-arch disease and claudication than cTAK. During follow-up, complete remission was more common in cTAK (87% vs 66%; P < 0.01), but subsequent relapses were equally common (30% vs 27%; P = 0.63). Independent associations of disease duration at presentation with disease extent [Disease Extent Index in TAK (DEI.Tak)] and damage [TAK Damage Score (TADS)] were observed (P ≤ 0.01). Moreover, 54% of patients with symptom duration of >5 years at presentation still continued to have elevated CRP suggesting continued and active inflammation warranting escalation or inititation of immunosuppression. Conclusion Patients with cTAK are more likely to have arterial disease below the diaphragm, systemic inflammation and achieve remission. Disease of the aortic arch is more common in patients with aTAK. Longer duration of symptoms prior to initiation of immunosuppression, thereby leading to extensive disease and damage, reflects ongoing disease activity as the rule rather than exception in untreated TAK.

Cerebellopontine Angle Surgery Assisted by Continuous Mapping of the Facial Nerve Via the Ultrasonic Aspirator

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Cenzato ◽  
Roberto Stefini ◽  
Francesco Zenga ◽  
Maurizio Piparo ◽  
Alberto Debernardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Continuous Mapping ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Current Intensity ◽  
Vestibular Schwannomas ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Surgical Workflow ◽  
Ultrasonic Aspirator

Abstract Background Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) surgery carries the risk of lesioning the facial nerve. The goal of preserving the integrity of the facial nerve is usually pursued with intermittent electrical stimulation using a handheld probe that is alternated with the resection. We report our experience with continuous electrical stimulation delivered via the ultrasonic aspirator (UA) used for the resection of a series of vestibular schwannomas. Methods A total of 17 patients with vestibular schwannomas, operated on between 2010 and 2018, were included in this study. A constant-current stimulator was coupled to the UA used for the resection, delivering square-wave pulses throughout the resection. The muscle responses from upper and lower face muscles triggered by the electrical stimulation were displayed continuously on multichannel neurophysiologic equipment. The careful titration of the electrical stimulation delivered through the UA while tapering the current intensity with the progression of the resection was used as the main strategy. Results All operations were performed successfully, and facial nerve conduction was maintained in all patients except one, in whom a permanent lesion of the facial nerve followed a miscommunication to the neurosurgeon. Conclusion The coupling of the electrical stimulation to the UA provided the neurosurgeon with an efficient and cost-effective tool and allowed a safe resection. Positive responses were obtained from the facial muscles with low current intensity (lowest intensity: 0.1 mA). The availability of a resection tool paired with a stimulator allowed the surgeon to improve the surgical workflow because fewer interruptions were necessary to stimulate the facial nerve via a handheld probe.

scholarly journals Long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer reanimation of the paralyzed face: Three cases

2008 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-233
Author(s):  
John P. Leonetti ◽  
Chad A. Zender ◽  
Daryl Vandevender ◽  
Sam J. Marzo
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Facial Movement ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Facial Reanimation

We conducted a retrospective case review at our tertiary care academic medical center to assess the long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer to achieve facial reanimation in 3 patients. These patients had undergone wide-field parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Upper facial reanimation was accomplished with a proximal facial nerve–sural nerve graft, and lower facial movement was achieved through proximal facial nerve–long thoracic (serratus muscle) nerve anastomosis. Outcomes were determined by grading postoperative facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann system. All 3 patients were able to close their eyes independent of lower facial movement, and all 3 had achieved House-Brackmann grade III function. We conclude that reanimating the paralyzed face with microvascular free-tissue transfer provides anatomic coverage and mimetic function after wide-field parotidectomy. Synkinesis is reduced by separating upper-and lower-division reanimation.

scholarly journals Relationship between trajectories of post-stroke disability and self-rated health (NeuroAdapt): protocol for a prospective observational study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e049944
Author(s):  
Sarah K Schäfer ◽  
Robert Fleischmann ◽  
Bettina von Sarnowski ◽  
Dominic Bläsing ◽  
Agnes Flöel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Modifying Factors ◽  
Study Results

IntroductionStroke is the leading neurological cause of adult long-term disability in Europe. Even though functional consequences directly related to neurological impairment are well studied, post-stroke trajectories of functional health according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health are poorly understood. Particularly, no study investigated the relationship between post-stroke trajectories of activities of daily living (ADL) and self-rated health (SRH). However, such knowledge is of major importance to identify patients at risk of unfavourable courses. This prospective observational study aims to investigate trajectories of ADL and SRH, and their modifying factors in the course of the first year after stroke.Methods and analysisThe study will consecutively enrol 300 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA; Age, Blood Pressure, Clinical Features, Duration of symptoms, Diabetes score ≥3). Patient inclusion is planned from May 2021 to September 2022. All participants will complete an interview assessing ADL, SRH, mental health, views on ageing and resilience-related concepts. Participants will be interviewed face-to-face 1–5 days post-stroke/TIA in the hospital; and will be followed up after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months via telephone. The 12-month follow-up will also include a neurological assessment. Primary endpoints are ADL operationalised by modified Rankin Scale scores and SRH. Secondary outcomes are further measures of ADL, functional health, physical activity, falls and fatigue. Views on ageing, social support, resilience-related concepts, affect, frailty, illness perceptions and loneliness will be examined as modifying factors. Analyses will investigate the bidirectional relationship between SRH and ADL using bivariate latent change score models.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the institutional review board of the University Medicine Greifswald (Ref. BB 237/20). The results will be disseminated through scientific publications, conferences and media. Moreover, study results and potential implications will be discussed with patient representatives.Trial registration numberNCT04704635.

scholarly journals POS1120 PRESENCE OF TOPHI IS ASSOCIATED WITH A RAPID DECLINE IN THE RENAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH GOUT

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 839.1-839
Author(s):  
Y. J. Oh ◽  
K. W. Moon
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Renal Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Tophaceous Gout ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk

Background:Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis resulting from a chronic deposition of MSU crystals in the joints and other soft tissues. After the process of repeated tissue damage and repair due to gout, tophi could be formed around the affected joints. Intra-articular tophi may sometimes result in bone destruction, joint deformities, and dysfunction which can adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. Furthermore, early-onset tophaceous gout patients are more likely to develop renal dysfunction, however, few studies have investigated if the presence of tophi is related with the progression of renal dysfunction in gout patients.Objectives:We aimed to compare clinical characteristics of patients with and without tophi at the time of the diagnosis of gout and investigate the effect of tophi on the renal function in gout patients.Methods:Data of 257 patients who were first diagnosed with gout at the Kangwon National University Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of tophi at the diagnosis. We compared clinical characteristics and the progression of renal dysfunction between the two groups.Results:Of all patients, 66 (25.5%) initially presented with tophi. Patients with tophi were older, had a longer duration of symptoms, and had a higher prevalence of multiple joint involvement than those without tophi. The decline in the eGFR was more prominent in patients with tophi than in those without (-4.8±14.5 ml/min/1.73m2vs. -0.7±11.9 ml/min/1.73m2, respectively; P=0.039). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a prolonged symptom duration (odds ratio [OR], 1.010; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004–1.017; P=0.001) and multiple joint involvement (OR, 3.027; 95% CI, 1.831–5.004; P<0.001) were significantly associated with increased risk of formation of tophi. The presence of tophi was significantly associated with a rapid decline in the eGFR (β=-0.141; P=0.035).Conclusion:A prolonged symptom duration and multiple joint involvement were independent risk factors for tophi as the presenting symptom in gout patients. The presence of tophi was associated with a declining renal function. Therefore, an early diagnosis and active treatment are important in tophaceous gout.References:[1]Bardin T, Richette P. Definition of hyperuricemia and gouty conditions. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2014;26:186-91.[2]Liu F, Du GL, Song N, Ma YT, Li XM, Gao XM, et al. Hyperuricemia and its association with adiposity and dyslipidemia in Northwest China: results from cardiovascular risk survey in Xinjiang (CRS 2008-2012). Lipids Health Dis 2020;19:58.[3]Dalbeth N, Merriman TR, Stamp LK. Gout. Lancet 2016;388:2039-52.[4]Ruoff G, Edwards NL. Overview of Serum Uric Acid Treatment Targets in Gout: Why Less Than 6 mg/dL? Postgrad Med 2016;128:706-15.[5]Bieber A, Schlesinger N, Fawaz A, Mader R. Chronic tophaceous gout as the first manifestation of gout in two cases and a review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018;47:843-8.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

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