scholarly journals PedsQL for Prediction of Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes following Chiari Decompression Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawyon Baygani, BS ◽  
Kristin Zieles,BS ◽  
Andrew Jea, MD, MHA

Background and Hypothesis: Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is a common pediatric disorder in which the cerebellar tonsils herniate the foramen magnum with associated spinal symptoms. The purpose of this study is to determine if the preoperative Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) score is predictive of intermediate-term PedsQL outcomes following Chiari decompression surgery. The utility of preoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to postoperative PROs has been previously demonstrated in adult spine surgery. However, to our knowledge, there is currently no widely accepted tool to predict short-, intermediate-, or long-term outcomes after pediatric Chiari decompression surgery. Project Methods: A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent first-time decompression for symptomatic Chiari malformation were identified and grouped by their preoperative PedsQL scores: mild disability (score 80–100), moderate disability (score 60–80); and severe disability (score < 60). PedsQL outcomes were collected at 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. Preoperative PedsQL subgroups were tested for an association with demographic, perioperative characteristics, and improvements between groups by one-way ANOVA, chi-square, or Wilcoxon signed rank test, where appropriate. Results: The postoperative patient- and parent-reported PedsQL values were significantly different between all three groups at 6-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months after surgery (p < 0.05), except at the 6-month timepoint for parent-reported outcomes (p = 0.111). Patients with higher preoperative disability demonstrated statistically significant greater improvements (compared to preoperative score) in parent-reported PedsQL at all timepoints after surgery, except at the 6-month parent-reported outcomes (p = 0.133). Conclusion: Patients with worse preoperative disability, as assessed by PedsQL, experienced lower absolute PedsQL scores at all timepoints after surgery but had greater improvement in short- and intermediate-term PROs. We conclude that PedsQL is an efficient and accurate tool that can quickly assess patient disability in the preoperative period and predict both short-term and long-term surgical outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-273
Author(s):  
Shawyon Baygani ◽  
Kristin Zieles ◽  
Andrew Jea

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to determine if the preoperative Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) score is predictive of short- and intermediate-term PedsQL outcomes following Chiari decompression surgery. The utility of preoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in predicting pain, opioid consumption, and long-term PROs has been demonstrated in adult spine surgery. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, however, there is currently no widely accepted tool to predict short-, intermediate-, or long-term outcomes after pediatric Chiari decompression surgery.METHODSA prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had undergone first-time decompression for symptomatic Chiari malformation were identified and grouped according to their preoperative PedsQL scores: mild disability (score 80–100), moderate disability (score 60–79), and severe disability (score < 60). PedsQL scores at the 6-week, 3-month, and/or 6-month follow-ups were collected. Preoperative PedsQL subgroups were tested for an association with demographic and perioperative characteristics using one-way ANOVA or chi-square analysis. Preoperative PedsQL subgroups were tested for an association with improvements in short- and intermediate-term PedsQL scores using one-way ANOVA and a paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test controlling for statistically different demographic characteristics when appropriate.RESULTSA total of 87 patients were included in this analysis. According to their preoperative PedsQL scores, 28% of patients had mild disability, 40% had moderate disability, and 32% had severe disability. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of comorbidities (p = 0.009) and the presenting symptoms of headaches (p = 0.032) and myelopathy (p = 0.047) among the subgroups; however, in terms of other demographic or operative factors, there was no significant difference. Patients with greater preoperative disability demonstrated statistically significantly lower PedsQL scores at all postoperative time points, except in terms of the parent-reported PedsQL at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.195). Patients with severe disability demonstrated statistically significantly greater improvements (compared to preoperative scores) in PedsQL scores at all time points after surgery, except in terms of the 6-week and 6-month PROs and the 6-month parent-reported outcomes (p = 0.068, 0.483, and 0.076, respectively).CONCLUSIONSPatients with severe disability, as assessed by the PedsQL, had lower absolute PedsQL scores at all time points after surgery but greater improvement in short- and intermediate-term PROs. The authors conclude that the PedsQL is an efficient and accurate tool that can quickly assess patient disability in the preoperative period and predict both short- and intermediate-term surgical outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 704-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Louie ◽  
Jennifer Hong ◽  
David F. Bauer

Suboccipital craniectomy with duraplasty is a commonly performed procedure for children with symptomatic Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). Several dural substitutes are used for duraplasty, ranging from pericranium to synthetic materials. When available, autologous pericranium is often preferred due to its low cost, performance in obtaining a watertight closure, ease of suturing, and absence of immune reaction. Long-term follow-up data on the durability of various dural substitutes are lacking. The authors report a rare, long-term complication of duraplasty performed using an autologous pericranial graft, and they conduct a literature review of similar complications. Heterotopic ossification of an autologous pericranial graft is a rare complication of duraplasty. This dystrophic bone growth can be symptomatic due to compression of neural structures, and it requires reoperation for removal. Surgeons should consider this rare long-term complication in patients presenting with unusual symptoms after duraplasty with pericranium.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Balasa ◽  
Przemysław Kunert ◽  
Tomasz Dziedzic ◽  
Mateusz Bielecki ◽  
Sławomir Kujawski ◽  
...  

AbstractSuboccipital decompression with duraplasty is a widely accepted method for treating patients with Chiari malformation type I. However, important details of the duraplasty technique are still controversial. This retrospective study analyzes clinical and radiological outcomes after surgery depending upon the type of graft and methods of graft fixation. Seventy consecutive decompressions with duraplasty were analyzed. Two types of grafts, nonautologous (Non-AutoG; 60.0%) and autologous (AutoG; 40.0%), and two methods of graft fixation, suturing (S; 67.1%) and gluing (G; 32.9%), were used in four different combinations: (Non-AutoG+S: 31.4%; Non-AutoG+G: 28.6%; AutoG+S: 35.7%; AutoG+G: 4.3%) according to surgeon preference. The mean follow-up was 63.4 months. According to gestalt and Chicago Chiari Outcome Scales, satisfactory results were obtained in 72.9% and 78.6% of cases, respectively, in the long term. The outcomes were not related to the kind of graft (p = 0.44), fixation method (p = 0.89) or duraplasty pattern (p = 0.32). Decreased syringomyelia was observed in 88.9% of cases, and no associations with the kind of graft (p = 0.84), fixation method (p = 1) or duraplasty pattern were found (p = 0.96). Pseudomeningocele occurred 5 times more often in the Non-AutoG group than in the AutoG group (52.4% vs. 10.7%; p < 0.05), whereas their formations were not related to the fixation method (p = 0.34). Three cases (12.0%) required reoperation with reduraplasty. Autologous and nonautologous dural grafts can be sutured or glued with similar clinical results; however, the use of nonautologous grafts is linked with a much higher risk of pseudomeningocele formation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan De Vlieger ◽  
Joost Dejaegher ◽  
Frank Van Calenbergh

Background: We studied patient-reported outcome among patients who underwent posterior fossa decompression (PFD) for Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). Methods: We interviewed patients who underwent PFD for CM-I from 1995 to 2016. Results: A total of 79 patients were interviewed. The median age at surgery was 30 years (range 5–72 years) with 27 pediatric patients. Forty-six patients had syringomyelia (36 adults and 10 pediatric patients). Fifty-four patients (68%) reported at least some improvement, 46 (58%) important improvement, 13 (16%) worsening, and 12 stabilization (15%). Any improvement as well as important improvement were significantly more often reported in the nonsyringomyelia group (85% vs. 57%, P = 0.01 and 76% vs. 46%, P = 0.01, respectively). Of the 47 patients reporting preoperative neck pain, 31 (66%) reported at least some improvement after surgery and 9 (19%) worsening after surgery. Of the 59 patients experiencing headaches before surgery, 45 (76%) reported at least some improvement after surgery and 4 (7%) worsening. Quality of life was mostly affected by pain and discomfort in all groups. Sixty-two patients (78%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the results of surgery and 8 (11%) were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. Up to 71 patients (90%) would consent to surgery again. Conclusion: In CM-I patients, PFD offers symptom improvement in about two-thirds of patients with high patient satisfaction. Symptom improvement is significantly higher in patients without associated syringomyelia, but patient satisfaction is similar. Symptom worsening is more frequent in the adult than in the pediatric population, with similar rates of postoperative improvement and patient satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-444
Author(s):  
Vijay M. Ravindra ◽  
Rajiv R. Iyer ◽  
Al-Wala Awad ◽  
Robert J. Bollo ◽  
Huirong Zhu ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe authors’ objective was to better understand the anatomical load-bearing relationship between the atlantooccipital joint and the upper cervical spine and its influence on the clinical behavior of patients with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) and craniocervical pathology.METHODSIn a single-center prospective study of patients younger than 18 years with CM-I from 2015 through 2017 (mean age 9.91 years), the authors measured the occipital condyle–C2 sagittal vertebral alignment (C–C2SVA; defined as the position of a plumb line from the midpoint of the occiput (C0)–C1 joint relative to the posterior aspect of the C2–3 disc space), the pB–C2 (a line perpendicular to a line from the basion to the posteroinferior aspect of the C2 body on sagittal MRI), and the CXA (clivoaxial angle). Control data from 30 patients without CM-I (mean age 8.97 years) were used for comparison. The primary outcome was the need for anterior odontoid resection and/or occipitocervical fusion with or without odontoid reduction. The secondary outcome was the need for two or more Chiari-related operations.RESULTSOf the 60 consecutive patients with CM-I identified, 7 underwent anterior odontoid resection or occipitocervical fusion and 10 underwent ≥ 2 decompressive procedures. The mean C–C2SVA was greater in the overall CM-I group versus controls (3.68 vs 0.13 mm, p < 0.0001), as was the pB–C2 (7.7 vs 6.4 mm, p = 0.0092); the CXA was smaller (136° vs 148°, p < 0.0001). A C–C2SVA ≥ 5 mm was found in 35% of CM-I children and 3.3% of controls (p = 0.0006). The sensitivities and specificities for requiring ventral decompression/occipitocervical fusion were 100% and 74%, respectively, for C–C2SVA ≥ 5 mm; 71% and 94%, respectively, for CXA < 125°; and 71% and 75%, respectively, for pB–C2 ≥ 9 mm. The sensitivities and specificities for the need for ≥ 2 decompressive procedures were 60% and 70%, respectively, for C–C2SVA ≥ 5 mm; 50% and 94%, respectively, for CXA < 125°; and 60% and 76%, respectively, for pB–C2 ≥ 9 mm. The log-rank test demonstrated significant differences between C–C2SVA groups (p = 0.0007) for the primary outcome. A kappa value of 0.73 for C–C2SVA between raters indicated substantial agreement.CONCLUSIONSA novel screening measurement for craniocervical bony relationships, the C–C2SVA, is described. A significant difference in C–C2SVA between CM-I patients and controls was found. A C–C2SVA ≥ 5 mm is highly predictive of the need for occipitocervical fusion/ventral decompression in patients with CM-I. Further validation of this screening measurement is needed.


Author(s):  
Solomiia Savchuk ◽  
Michael C. Jin ◽  
Stephanie Choi ◽  
Lily H. Kim ◽  
Jennifer L. Quon ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Optimal management of pediatric Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is much debated, chiefly due to the lack of validated tools for outcome assessment, with very few tools incorporating patient-centered measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Although posterior fossa decompression (PFD) benefits a subset of patients, prediction of its impact across patients is challenging. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of patient-centered HRQOL measures in the assessment and prediction of outcomes after PFD. METHODS The authors collected HRQOL data from a cohort of 20 pediatric CM-I patients before and after PFD. The surveys included assessments of selected Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) health domains and were used to generate the PROMIS preference (PROPr) score, which is a measure of HRQOL. PROMIS is a reliable standardized measure of HRQOL domains such as pain, fatigue, depression, and physical function, which are all relevant to CM-I. The authors then compared the PROPr scores with Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) scores derived from time-matched clinical documentation. Finally, the authors used the PROPr scores as an outcome measure to predict postsurgical HRQOL improvement at 1 year on the basis of patient demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and radiological and physical findings. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Kendall’s correlation were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Aggregate analysis revealed improvement of pain severity after PFD (p = 0.007) in anatomical patterns characteristic of CM-I. Most PROMIS domain scores trended toward improvement after surgery, with anxiety and pain interference reaching statistical significance (p < 0.002 and p < 0.03, respectively). PROPr scores also significantly improved after PFD (p < 0.008). Of the baseline patient characteristics, preexisting scoliosis was the most accurate negative predictor of HRQOL improvement after PFD (median −0.095 vs 0.106, p < 0.001). A correlation with modest magnitude (Kendall’s tau range 0.19–0.47) was detected between the patient-centered measures and CCOS score. CONCLUSIONS The authors observed moderate improvement of HRQOL, when measured using a modified panel of PROMIS question banks, in this pilot cohort of pediatric CM-I patients after PFD. Further investigations are necessary to validate this tool for children with CM-I and to determine whether these scores correlate with clinical and radiographic findings.


2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1159-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott L. Parker ◽  
Saniya S. Godil ◽  
Scott L. Zuckerman ◽  
Stephen K. Mendenhall ◽  
Noel B. Tulipan ◽  
...  

Object Suboccipital decompression is a common procedure for patients with Chiari malformation Type I (CMI). Published studies have reported complication rates ranging from 3% to 40%, with pseudomeningocele being one of the most common complications. To date, there are no studies assessing the effect of this complication on long-term outcome. Therefore, the authors set out to assess the effect of symptomatic pseudomeningocele on patient outcomes following suboccipital decompression for CM-I. Methods The study comprised 50 adult patients with CM-I who underwent suboccipital craniectomy and C-1 laminectomy with or without duraplasty. Clinical presentation, radiological studies, operative variables, and complications were assessed for each case. Baseline and 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes were assessed to determine improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life. The extent of improvement was compared for patients with and without development of a postoperative symptomatic pseudomeningocele. Results A symptomatic pseudomeningocele developed postoperatively in 9 patients (18%). There was no difference with regard to clinical, radiological, or operative variables for patients with or without a postoperative pseudomeningocele. Patients without a pseudomeningocele had significant improvement in all 9 patient-reported outcome measures assessed. On the other hand, patients with pseudomeningocele only had significant improvement in headache (as measured on the Numeric Rating Scale) and headache-related disability (as measured on the Headache Disability Index) but no improvement in quality of life. Twenty-nine (71%) of 41 patients without a pseudomeningocele reported improvement in health status postoperatively compared with only 3 (33%) of 9 patients with a postoperative pseudomeningocele (p = 0.05). Conclusions Surgical management of CM-I in adults provides significant and sustained improvement in pain, disability, general health, and quality of life. Development of a postoperative symptomatic pseudomeningocele has lingering effects at 1 year, and it significantly diminishes the overall benefit of suboccipital decompression for CM-related symptoms. Further research is needed to accurately predict which patients may benefit from decompression alone without duraplasty.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 519-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis R. Ladner ◽  
Jacob K. Greenberg ◽  
Nicole Guerrero ◽  
Margaret A. Olsen ◽  
Chevis N. Shannon ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Administrative billing data may facilitate large-scale assessments of treatment outcomes for pediatric Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). Validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code algorithms for identifying CM-I surgery are critical prerequisites for such studies but are currently only available for adults. The objective of this study was to validate two ICD-9-CM code algorithms using hospital billing data to identify pediatric patients undergoing CM-I decompression surgery. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed the validity of two ICD-9-CM code algorithms for identifying pediatric CM-I decompression surgery performed at 3 academic medical centers between 2001 and 2013. Algorithm 1 included any discharge diagnosis code of 348.4 (CM-I), as well as a procedure code of 01.24 (cranial decompression) or 03.09 (spinal decompression or laminectomy). Algorithm 2 restricted this group to the subset of patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of 348.4. The positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity of each algorithm were calculated. RESULTS Among 625 first-time admissions identified by Algorithm 1, the overall PPV for CM-I decompression was 92%. Among the 581 admissions identified by Algorithm 2, the PPV was 97%. The PPV for Algorithm 1 was lower in one center (84%) compared with the other centers (93%–94%), whereas the PPV of Algorithm 2 remained high (96%–98%) across all subgroups. The sensitivity of Algorithms 1 (91%) and 2 (89%) was very good and remained so across subgroups (82%–97%). CONCLUSIONS An ICD-9-CM algorithm requiring a primary diagnosis of CM-I has excellent PPV and very good sensitivity for identifying CM-I decompression surgery in pediatric patients. These results establish a basis for utilizing administrative billing data to assess pediatric CM-I treatment outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 030006052092421
Author(s):  
Dang Huu Luong ◽  
Yen-Chun Chen ◽  
Linh Ngoc Tuong Tran ◽  
Shih-Han Hung ◽  
Quang Xuan Ly

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leak from the skull base has been previously reported, but there are few reports of sCSF leak from the foramen rotundum due to its rare occurrence. This case report describes a 15-year-old male patient that presented with left side watery rhinorrhoea that had been present since he was 4 years of age and a history of repeated bouts of meningitis of unknown cause. A discharge sample from the nose tested positive for beta-2 transferrin. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) revealed a fistula between the cerebellopontine angle and the left sphenoid sinus. There was also a pseudo-Chiari malformation type I with ectopia of the cerebellar tonsil. Endoscopic transnasal surgery identified a leak from the foramen rotundum that was repaired using autologous material and a contralateral pedicle nasoseptal flap. At 6 months after surgery, the patient reported no recurrence of the CSF leakage. Postoperative CT imaging revealed that the cerebellar tonsil was back in the normal position, indicating that the preoperative Chiari malformation was possibly due to decreased CSF volume. This current case shows that a rare case of sCSF leak from the foramen rotundum can be effectively repaired using the endoscopic transnasal approach.


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