scholarly journals Pain-free and pain-controlled survival after sectioning the nervus intermedius in nervus intermedius neuralgia: a single-institution review

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 352-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G. Holste ◽  
Frances A. Hardaway ◽  
Ahmed M. Raslan ◽  
Kim J. Burchiel

OBJECTIVENervus intermedius neuralgia (NIN) or geniculate neuralgia is a rare facial pain condition consisting of sharp, lancinating pain deep in the ear and can occur alongside trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Studies on the clinical presentation, intraoperative findings, and ultimately postoperative outcomes are extremely limited. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and surgical findings, and determine pain-free survival after sectioning of the nervus intermedius (NI).METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective chart review and survey of patients who were diagnosed with NIN at one institution and who underwent neurosurgical interventions. Pain-free survival was determined through chart review and phone interviews using a modified facial pain and quality of life questionnaire and represented as Kaplan-Meier curves.RESULTSThe authors found 15 patients with NIN who underwent microsurgical intervention performed by two surgeons from 2002 to 2016 at a single institution. Fourteen of these patients underwent sectioning of the NI, and 8 of 14 had concomitant TN. Five patients had visible neurovascular compression (NVC) of the NI by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in most cases where NVC was found. The most common postoperative complaints were dizziness and vertigo, diplopia, ear fullness, tinnitus, and temporary facial nerve palsy. Thirteen of the 14 patients reportedly experienced pain relief immediately after surgery. The mean length of follow-up was 6.41 years (range 8 months to 14.5 years). Overall recurrence of any pain was 42% (6 of 14), and 4 patients (isolated NIN that received NI sectioning alone) reported their pain was the same or worse than before surgery at longest follow-up. The median pain-free survival was 4.82 years ± 14.85 months. The median pain-controlled survival was 6.22 years ± 15.78 months.CONCLUSIONSIn this retrospective review, sectioning of the NI produced no major complications, such as permanent facial weakness or deafness, and was effective for patients when performed in addition to other procedures. After sectioning of the NI, patients experienced 4.8 years pain free and experienced 6.2 years of less pain than before surgery. Alone, sectioning of the NI was not effective. The pathophysiology of NIN is not entirely understood. It appears that neurovascular compression plays only a minor role in the syndrome and there is a high degree of overlap with TN.

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-557
Author(s):  
Malia McAvoy ◽  
Heather J. McCrea ◽  
Vamsidhar Chavakula ◽  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Wenya Linda Bi ◽  
...  

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ONS202-ONS211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas C. Bambakidis ◽  
U. Kumar Kakarla ◽  
Louis J. Kim ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
Randall W. Porter ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: We examined the surgical approaches used at a single institution to treat petroclival meningioma and evaluated changes in method utilization over time. Methods: Craniotomies performed to treat petroclival meningioma between September of 1994 and July of 2005 were examined retrospectively. We reviewed 46 patients (mean follow-up, 3.6 yr). Techniques included combined petrosal or transcochlear approaches (15% of patients), retrosigmoid craniotomies with or without some degree of petrosectomy (59% of patients), orbitozygomatic craniotomies (7% of patients), and combined orbitozygomatic-retrosigmoid approaches (19% of patients). In 18 patients, the tumor extended supratentorially. Overall, the rate of gross total resection was 43%. Seven patients demonstrated progression over a mean of 5.9 years. No patients died. At 36 months, the progression-free survival rate for patients treated without petrosal approaches was 96%. Of 14 patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, none developed progression. Conclusion: Over the study period, a diminishing proportion of patients with petroclival meningioma were treated using petrosal approaches. Utilization of the orbitozygomatic and retrosigmoid approaches alone or in combination provided a viable alternative to petrosal approaches for treatment of petroclival meningioma. Regardless of approach, progression-free survival rates were excellent over short-term follow-up period.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17043-e17043
Author(s):  
I. Diaz de Corcuera ◽  
C. Serrano ◽  
J. Pérez ◽  
I. Quispe ◽  
M. Arguis ◽  
...  

e17043 Background: Results of a recent phase III randomized study with cetuximab and platin-5FU chemotherapy support its use in recurrent/metastatic SCCHN. However, many patients (pts) are not able to be treated with platin combinations. Paclitaxel (P) and cetuximab (C) have shown an encouraging activity in a similar patients subset. We review the data of the patients treated with this schedule in our centre. Methods: From our database, we conducted a retrospective study of 20 patients with recurrent SCCHN who did not meet criteria for platin therapy and were treated with weekly P (80 mg/m2) and C (initially 400 mg/m2 followed by 250 mg/m2) until progression or intolerable toxicity. We have collected data regarding previous treatments, response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: From January 2007 to November 2008, 20 patients were included (18 male, 2 female) with a median age of 63 (50–81). Oral cavity (35%) and oropharynx (25%) were the most frequent locations. Most of the pts (13/20) had been treated with previous chemotherapy combinations (range 1–3 lines). All pts were evaluable for response and toxicity. Overall RR was 45% (1CR, 8 PR) and 35% of the pts (7/10) had SD. Response in radiated areas were 35% (6/17). With a median follow up of 10 months the median PFS and OS were 6.5 and 7 months respectively. Main related toxicities (Gr 2/3) were acne-like rash (30%), asthenia (15%), anemia (10%), and mucositis (10%). Conclusions: Our analysis confirms that weekly paclitaxel-cetuximab is an effective and safety combination in metastatic/recurrent SCCHN. Treatment is very well tolerated and could be a good alternative to platin-based chemotherapy in unfit patients for this therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-275
Author(s):  
Santiago M C Lopez ◽  
Brian T Campfield ◽  
Andrew J Nowalk

Abstract Background Guidelines for pediatric Lyme meningitis recommend treatment with parenteral therapy [1, 2]. Adult studies suggest that Lyme meningitis can be successfully treated with oral therapy. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical response, side effects and outcome of oral therapy for Lyme meningitis in the pediatric population compared with parenteral therapy in an area endemic for Lyme disease. Methods We conducted a case series chart review from January 2012 to May 2017 of pediatrics patient diagnosed and treated for Lyme meningitis. We recorded clinical presentation, laboratory values, antimicrobial therapy and follow up after therapy to compare the efficacy of oral versus parenteral route of therapy. Results We identified 38 patients diagnosed with Lyme meningitis. Thirty-two patients were discharge with exclusively oral therapy with: doxycycline and amoxicillin. We had only 2 patients developed potential adverse effects from oral doxycycline therapy. All patients treated with oral antibiotics had resolution of symptoms on follow up appointments. Conclusions Oral therapy for Lyme meningitis yields no serious adverse events, was well tolerated and showed resolution of symptoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Hussein Lotfy Bayoumi ◽  
Eman Nabil Elsayed

Purpose: To report on the clinical presentation and surgical treatment (procedure and outcome(s)) of glaucoma in children with facial port wine stain. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective chart review of children with facial port wine stain referred to Alexandria University paediatric ophthalmology practice from 2005 to 2016. The charts of 22 children (44 eyes) with facial port wine stain were reviewed. The data extracted included demographics, results of ophthalmic examination findings and treatment(s). The main outcome measures were the number of eyes stratified as glaucoma, glaucoma suspects and no glaucoma at the initial and final presentations. Results: The average age of presentation was 18.2 (±33.9) months. After a follow-up of over 16.1 (±24.8) months, there were 34%, 30% and 36% of the study eyes diagnosed as glaucoma, glaucoma suspects and no glaucoma, respectively with mean ± standard deviation of intraocular pressure of 20.6 ± 5.1, 13.6 ± 5.4 and 7.5 ± 1.7 mmHg. The majority (91%) of eyes presenting with glaucoma had clear corneas. In total, 11 eyes were operated upon for glaucoma. The recorded success rate was 91%. Two eyes developed a postoperative exudative choroidal detachment, of which one resolved spontaneously and the other was successfully managed by intravitreal gas injection. Conclusion: Glaucoma is a significant ocular hazard in children with facial port wine stain that may not be evident on the initial presentation. The presentation is usually with a clear cornea and surgical intervention is associated with a high success rate and a low rate of complications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-229
Author(s):  
Akshat Saxena ◽  
Gananjay G. Salve ◽  
Kim Betts ◽  
Nitin Arora ◽  
Andrew D. Cole ◽  
...  

Background: We sought to evaluate the outcomes following right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit placement in pediatric patients, excluding those with a RV-PA conduit for the Ross procedure which is associated with improved conduit durability, partly related to its orthotopic position. Methods: Outcomes for 119 patients who underwent RV-PA conduit placement at a single institution from January 2004 to December 2016 were reviewed. Primary outcome measures were reintervention-free survival (RFS) and overall survival. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors associated with reintervention were evaluated. Results: The median age at the time of conduit placement was 6 months (interquartile range, IQR: 1-14), and the median length of follow-up was 63 months (range: 0-156). During follow-up, 39 patients required conduit-related reintervention, while 6 patients died perioperatively with an overall survival of 90% at 10 years. Among the remaining 113 patients, the RFS at one, five, and ten years was 91% (84%-95%), 72% (60%-80%), and 33% (16%-50%), respectively. The median time to conduit replacement in the series was 43.5 months (IQR: 19.3-76.2). The use of a pulmonary homograft was associated with improved RFS ( P = .03), and this was particularly pronounced in comparison with aortic homografts in neonates. Infection was the indication for replacement in only one patient. Conclusions: The majority of the conduits placed during the neonatal period required conduit replacement before the age of five years. Endocarditis was not a common indication for replacement. In neonates and infants, we prefer pulmonary homografts for most indications.


VASA ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Guillaume Bergère ◽  
Claire Toquet ◽  
Clément Hoffmann ◽  
Luc Bressollette ◽  
Alizée Raimbeau ◽  
...  

Summary: Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a distal non atherosclerotic thrombotic vasculitis affecting tobacco smokers. The role of cannabis co-exposure remains controversial. The study aims to assess how cannabis consumption influences clinical presentation and outcome of TAO in tobacco smokers. Patients and methods: TAO patients, according to Papa’s criteria, were included in a retrospective bicentric study between the 1st January 2003 and the 1st march 2020. Clinical characteristics, arterial involvement at TAO diagnosis, vascular event and amputations during follow-up were analyzed according to cannabis consumption. Results: Seventy-three patients with TAO patients were included. Forty-five patients were in Tobacco group (T) and 28 in Tobacco and cannabis group (T&C). Tobacco exposure was less important in T&C group than in T group (19.4±11.3 vs 31.6±16.6 pack-years) (p=0.005) and patients in T&C group were younger at TAO diagnosis than in T group (p=0.008). Patients in T&C group presented more claudication (33.3% vs 8.9%, p=0.01) and less upper limbs resting ischemia (25.9% vs 51.1%, p=0.04) than patients in the T group. No differences were found between groups with regard to arterial distribution. Amputation rate for patients who had at least one major or minor amputation did not differ between T and T&C group (25% vs 14.8%, p=0.38). Conclusions: Cannabis consumption was associated with a younger age of TAO onset. However, it does not affect amputation-free survival, Tobacco exposure is less important in T&C patients; data of this bicentric study suggest that cannabis could be a cofactor of tobacco which accelerates TAO onset.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1693-1693
Author(s):  
Musa Yilmaz ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Elias J. Jabbour ◽  
Susan M. O'Brien ◽  
Gautam Borthakur ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1693 Background: Outcomes of CML chronic phase (CP) pts treated in clinical trials are frequently perceived to not be representative of those treated outside of clinical trials (Lucas et al, Haematologica 2009; 94: 1362–7). The latter is frequently referred to as “the real world” world experience. Some reports have suggested that outcome of pts treated outside of clinical trials have an inferior outcome. We investigated the outcomes of pts receiving imatinib on and off a clinical trial for CML-CP at a single institution. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all pts with CML-CP treated at MDACC between 2000 and 2012 to identify pts that received initial therapy with imatinib 400 mg on a clinical trial or as standard therapy outside of a clinical trial (“off protocol” group). Only pts who had not received any prior therapy, or only hydroxyurea, or interferon alpha for less than 1 month, and that initiated on 400 milligram daily dose of imatinib within 6 months of diagnosis were included. Event-free survival (EFS) was measured from the start of treatment to the date of any of the following events: loss of major cytogenetic response (MCyR), loss of complete hematologic response (CHR), transformation to accelerated phase (AP) and blast phase (BP), and death while on imatinib. Transformation-free survival (TFS) was measured from the start of treatment to the date progression to AP/BP during therapy, last follow-up, or death from any cause. Overall survival (OS) was measured until death form any cause at any time. Results: We identified 65 pts treated with imatinib off protocol during the period of interest. During this time 71 pts were treated on clinical trials with imatinib. The median age was 49 yrs (15–79) for pts on clinical trials and 49 yrs (15–84) for those off protocol, respectively. The median follow-up was 125 months (13 to 142) for pts on clinical trials and 51 months (2 to 117) for those off protocol. The overall complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) rates were 84% and 83% for patients treated on and off protocol, respectively. CCyR rates, 12 months after initiation of imatinib, were not different (60% vs 66%, respectively; p=.15). Pts treated on protocol had higher rates of major molecular response (MMR) (79% vs 58%, P=.012) and complete molecular response (CMR = undetectable with sensitivity of at least 4 logs) (42% vs 32%, P=.045) at any time compared to the pts treated off protocol. This is likely due to the longer follow-up for pts on protocol as MMR takes longer to occur. In fact, the MMR rate at 12 months were 30% and 24% in pts treated on and off protocol, respectively (p=.28). Analyzing earlier responses, 3-month rates of MCyR were 71% on protocol and 69% off protocol (p=.82). Corresponding rates at 6 months were 82% and 85%, respectively (p=.68). The 5-year EFS rates were 86% and 84% for on and off protocol patients, respectively. There was also no significant difference in 5-year TFS (96% vs 94%) and OS (90% vs 96%). Conclusion: These results suggest that pts with CML treated outside of a clinical trial may have the same excellent outcome as those treated on a clinical trial provided they are followed with the same rigor. Disclosures: Ravandi: BMS: Research Funding. Cortes:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding.


2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1048-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Ko ◽  
Alp Ozpinar ◽  
Albert Lee ◽  
Ahmed M. Raslan ◽  
Shirley McCartney ◽  
...  

OBJECT Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) occurs and recurs in the absence of neurovascular compression (NVC). While microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective treatment for TN, it is not possible when NVC is not present. Therefore, the authors sought to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and durability of internal neurolysis (IN), or “nerve combing,” as a treatment for TN without NVC. METHODS This was a retrospective review of all cases of Type 1 TN involving all patients 18 years of age or older who underwent evaluation (and surgery when appropriate) at Oregon Health & Science University between July 2006 and February 2013. Chart reviews and telephone interviews were conducted to assess patient outcomes. Pain intensity was evaluated with the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) Pain Intensity scale, and the Brief Pain Inventory–Facial (BPI-Facial) was used to assess general and face-specific activity. Pain-free survival and durability of successful pain relief (BNI pain scores of 1 or 2) were statistically evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Prognostic factors were identified and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS A total of 177 patients with Type 1 TN were identified. A subgroup of 27 was found to have no NVC on high-resolution MRI/MR angiography or at surgery. These patients were significantly younger than patients with classic Type 1 TN. Long-term follow-up was available for 26 of 27 patients, and 23 responded to the telephone survey. The median follow-up duration was 43.4 months. Immediate postoperative results were comparable to MVD, with 85% of patients pain free and 96% of patients with successful pain relief. At 1 year and 5 years, the rate of pain-free survival was 58% and 47%, respectively. Successful pain relief at those intervals was maintained in 77% and 72% of patients. Almost all patients experienced some degree of numbness or hypesthesia (96%), but in patients with successful pain relief, this numbness did not significantly impact their quality of life. There was 1 patient with a CSF leak and 1 patient with anesthesia dolorosa. Previous treatment for TN was identified as a poor prognostic factor for successful outcome. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of IN with meaningful outcomes data. This study demonstrated that IN is a safe, effective, and durable treatment for TN in the absence of NVC. Pain-free outcomes with IN appeared to be more durable than radiofrequency gangliolysis, and IN appears to be more effective than stereotactic radiosurgery, 2 alternatives to posterior fossa exploration in cases of TN without NVC. Given the younger age distribution of patients in this group, consideration should be given to performing IN as an initial treatment. Accrual of further outcomes data is warranted.


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