Risk Factors for Early Fatal Outcomes Among Children with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): A Single-Institution Case-Series in Vietnam

OBJECTIVEFew studies describe long-term functional outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) because of the rarity of pediatric disc herniation and the short follow-up periods. The authors analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, complications, and functional outcomes of a single-institution series of LMD patients over a 19-year period.METHODSA retrospective case series was conducted of pediatric LMD patients at a large pediatric academic hospital from 1998 to 2017. The authors examined premorbid risk factors, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, type and duration of conservative management, indications for surgical intervention, complications, and postoperative outcomes.RESULTSOver the 19-year study period, 199 patients underwent LMD at the authors’ institution. The mean age at presentation was 16.0 years (range 12–18 years), and 55.8% were female. Of these patients, 70.9% participated in competitive sports, and among those who did not play sports, 65.0% had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Prior to surgery, conservative management had failed in 98.0% of the patients. Only 3 patients (1.5%) presented with cauda equina syndrome requiring emergent microdiscectomy. Complications included 4 cases of postoperative CSF leak (2.0%), 1 case of a noted intraoperative CSF leak, and 3 cases of wound infection (1.5%). At the first postoperative follow-up appointment, minimal or no pain was reported by 93.3% of patients. The mean time to return to sports was 9.8 weeks. During a mean follow-up duration of 8.2 years, 72.9% of patients did not present again after routine postoperative appointments. The total risk of reoperation was a rate of 7.5% (3.5% of patients underwent reoperation for the same level; 4.5% underwent adjacent-level decompression, and one patient [0.5%] ultimately underwent a fusion).CONCLUSIONSMicrodiscectomy is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief of pain and return to daily activities among pediatric patients with symptomatic lumbar disc disease in whom conservative management has failed.

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First-Ray Radiographic Changes After Flexible Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Correction

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/10711007211034516 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107110072110345

Author(s):

Chien-Shun Wang ◽

Yun-Hsuan Tzeng ◽

Tzu-Cheng Yang ◽

Chun-Cheng Lin ◽

Ming-Chau Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hallux Valgus ◽

Reconstructive Surgery ◽

Case Series ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Radiographic Parameters ◽

Case Series Study ◽

Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Background: Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) and hallux valgus (HV) are common foot and ankle deformities. Few studies have reported the changes in radiographic parameters of HV after reconstructive surgery for AAFD. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in radiographic parameters of HV and analyze the risk factors for increased HV after correction of AAFD. Methods: Adult patients with flexible AAFD who underwent similar bony procedures including medializing calcaneal osteotomy and Cotton osteotomy were included. Radiographic parameters were measured on weightbearing radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Patients were divided into hallux valgus angle (HVA) increased and HVA nonincreased groups; logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors affecting increased HV. Results: Forty-six feet of 43 patients were included. After AAFD reconstructive surgery, the tibial sesamoid position improved by 1 grade, but the HVA increased 4 degrees in average. Further, 21 of 46 feet (46%) showed an HVA increase ≥5 degrees immediately after AAFD correction surgery. Preoperative talonavicular coverage angle <21.6 degrees was a risk factor associated with HV increase immediately after the surgery. Conclusion: In this case series, using plain radiographs to measure standard parameters of foot alignment, we found the association between AAFD correction and HV deformity measures somewhat paradoxical. Correction of overpronation of the hindfoot and midfoot appears to improve the first metatarsal rotational deformity but may also increase HVA. A lower preoperative talonavicular coverage angle was associated with an increase of the HVA after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series study.

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Toxoplasma encephalitis presenting as neoplastic disease: A single institution case series

Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery ◽

10.1016/j.inat.2021.101174 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 101174

Author(s):

Jennifer L. Perez ◽

Zachary C. Gersey ◽

Daniel F. Marker ◽

Georgios A. Zenonos ◽

Pascal O. Zinn

Keyword(s):

Case Series ◽

Neoplastic Disease ◽

Single Institution ◽

Toxoplasma Encephalitis

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Incidence, Risk, and Visual Outcomes after Repositioning of Acute Non-Traumatic Flap Dislocations Following Femtosecond-Assisted LASIK

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2478

Author(s):

Majid Moshirfar ◽

David G. West ◽

Chase M Miller ◽

William B. West ◽

Shannon E. McCabe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

High Myopia ◽

Case Series ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Visual Outcomes ◽

Uncorrected Distance Visual Acuity ◽

Incidence Risk ◽

Mechanical Devices

Although the use of femtosecond lasers instead of mechanical devices has decreased the incidence of flap complications following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), dislocations and striae still occur. Flap repositioning is an effective intervention to improve visual outcomes after acute flap complications in both microkeratome-assisted and femtosecond-assisted LASIK. This retrospective case series included patients undergoing flap repositioning secondary to acute flap dislocation and/or visually significant striae within the first two weeks following femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) from 2015 to 2020 at a single institution. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative de-identified data were analyzed for incidence, risk factors, and visual acuity outcomes. The incidence of flap repositioning was 0.35% in 21,536 eyes (n = 70). Indications for repositioning included acute flap dislocation (35.7%) and visually significant striae (64.3%). High myopia (OR = 3.04, p = 0.001) and patient age over 50 years (OR = 3.69, p = 0.001) were the strongest risk factors for these complications. Prior to flap repositioning, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better and 20/40 or better occurred in 19% and 57% of eyes, respectively. After repositioning, a final UDVA of 20/20 or better and 20/40 or better occurred in 78% and 98% of eyes, respectively. After repositioning, one line of UDVA was lost in two eyes (2.8%) and two lines were lost in one eye (1.4%). Risk factors for acute flap dislocation included high myopia and age over 50 years. Flap repositioning was effective in salvaging visual outcomes.

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Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Documented Anterior Uveal Melanoma Regression after Ruthenium-106 Plaque Therapy

Ocular Oncology and Pathology ◽

10.1159/000512030 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Biljana Kuzmanović Elabjer ◽

Mladen Bušić ◽

Andrej Pleše ◽

Mirjana Bjeloš ◽

Daliborka Miletić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Uveal Melanoma ◽

Tumor Regression ◽

Corneal Thickness ◽

Case Series ◽

Ultrasound Biomicroscopy ◽

Close Monitoring ◽

Single Institution ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Caucasian Patients

Introduction: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is the only widely used method for the evaluation of anterior uveal melanoma (AUM). Objective: Documentation of regression of AUM treated with ruthenium-106 (Ru-106) plaque types CCB and CCC using UBM. Methods: This single institution-based retrospective case series involved 10 Caucasian patients with AUM followed after brachytherapy with UBM from January 2014 until February 2019. The largest prominence of the tumor perpendicular to the sclera or the cornea (including scleral/corneal thickness) (D) and the largest basal dimension (B) were measured in millimeters with UBM for all patients prior to the brachytherapy and at 4-month interval follow-up. Tumor regression was calculated as a percentage of decrease in the initial D and B values. Results: The study involved 10 patients with a mean age of 64.4 years (yr) (range 46–80 yr). D ranged from 1.82 to 5.5 mm (median 2.99 mm) and B from 2.32 to 12.38 mm (median 4.18 mm). The apical radiation dose in all patients was 100 Gy. The median follow-up was 42.02 months. Regression for D was 21.11 ± 13.66%, 31.09 ± 14.66%, and 34.92 ± 19.86% at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year of the follow-up, respectively, while for B it was 21.58 ± 16.05%, 28.98 ± 17.71%, and 32.06 ± 18.96%, respectively. Tumor recurrence was documented in 2/10 patients. Conclusion: The major regression of AUM, treated with Ru-106 plaque types CCB and CCC, was documented in the first 2 years after brachytherapy in our study group. In the following years, only minimal regression was documented that warns of the need for close monitoring and active search for local recurrences.

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The Use of Staples for External Ventricular Drain Catheter Fixation: A Single Institution Case Series

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106761 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106761

Author(s):

Mohamed M. Salem ◽

Luis C. Ascanio ◽

Alejandro Enriquez-Marulanda ◽

Santiago Gomez-Paz ◽

Charles E. Mackel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

External Ventricular Drain ◽

Case Series ◽

Single Institution

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