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[Poster-Abstract] Formel zur Beurteilung der Blut-Liquor-Schrankenfunktion bei älteren Patienten
(1998)
Diagnostische Probleme bei Infektionen in der Intensivmedizin und ihre therapeutischen Konsequenzen
(1983)
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common symptom in people participating in exercise, sport, or recreational physical activities. Several remedies have been proposed to prevent and alleviate DOMS. In 2008 and 2015, two studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of acupuncture on symptoms and muscle function in eccentric exercise-induced DOMS of the biceps brachii muscle. In 2008 a prospective, randomized, controlled, observer and subject-blinded trial was undertaken with 22 healthy subjects (22–30 years; 12 females) being randomly assigned to three treatment groups: real acupuncture (deep needling at classic acupuncture points and tender points; n = 7), sham-acupuncture (superficial needling at non-acupuncture points; n = 8), and control (n = 7). In 2015, a five-arm randomized controlled study was conducted with 60 subjects (22 females, 23.6 ± 2.8 years). Participants were randomly allocated to needle, laser, sham needle, sham laser acupuncture, and no intervention.
In both cases treatment was applied immediately, 24 and 48 hours after DOMS induction.
The outcome measures included pain perception (visual analogue scale; VAS), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), maximum isometric voluntary force (MIVF) and pressure pain threshold (PPT).
Results: In 2008, following nonparametric testing, there were no significant differences between groups in outcome measures at baseline. After 72 hours, pain perception (VAS) was significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to the sham acupuncture and control subjects. However, the mean MPT and MIVF scores were not significantly different between groups. This lead to the conclusion, that acupuncture seemed to have no effects on MPT and muscle function, but reduced perceived pain arising from exercise-induced DOMS.
The more recent results from 2015 indicated that neither verum nor sham interventions significantly improved outcomes within 72 hours when compared with the no treatment control (P > 0.05).
Background: Transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) in patients undergoing major elective cranial surgery is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). This retrospective single center study aims to identify the impact of RBC transfusions on skull-base and non-skull-base meningioma patients including the identification of risk factors for RBC transfusion.
Methods: From October 2009 - October 2016 we retrospectively analyzed 423 primary meningioma patients undergoing surgery for primary meningioma resection our department.
Results: Of these 423 patients, 68 (16.1%) received RBC transfusion and 355 (83.9%) did not receive RBC units. Preoperative anaemia rate was significantly higher in transfused patients (17.7%) compared to patients without RBC transfusion (6.2%; p = 0.0015). In transfused patients, postoperative complications as well as hospital LOS was significantly higher (p < 00001) compared to non-transfused patients. After multivariate analyses, risk factors for RBC transfusion were preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score (p = 0.0247), tumor size (p = 0.0006), surgical time (p = 0.0018) and intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed significant influence on overall survival by preoperative anaemia, RBC transfusion, smoking, cardiovascular disease, preoperative KPS ≤ 60% and age (elderly ≥ 75 years).
Conclusion: We concluded that blood loss due to large tumors or localization near large vessels are the main triggers for RBC transfusion in meningioma patients paired with a potential preselection that masks the effect of preoperative anaemia in multivariate analysis. Further studies evaluating the impact of preoperative anaemia management for reduction of RBC transfusion are needed to improve clinical outcomes of meningioma patients.
Background: A growing interest exists in using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) especially functionalized with surface-active substances as carriers across the blood brain barrier (BBB) for potentially effective drugs in traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the organ distribution of intravenous administrated biodegradable and non-biodegradable NPs coated with different surfactants, how much of the administrated dose reach the brain parenchyma in areas with intact and opened BBB after trauma, as well as whether they elicit an inflammatory response is still to be clarified.
Methods: The organ distribution, brain penetration and eventual inflammatory activation of polysorbate-80 (Tw80) and sodium-lauryl-sulfate (SDS) coated poly l-lactide (PLLA) and perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFDL) nanoparticles were evaluated after intravenous administration in rats prior and after undergoing controlled cortical impact (CCI).
Results: A significant highest NP uptake at 4 and 24 hs was observed in the liver and spleen, followed by the brain and kidney, with minimal concentrations in the lungs and heart for all NPs. After CCI, a significant increase of NP uptake at 4 hs and 24 hs was observed within the traumatized hemisphere, especially in the perilesional area, although NPs were still found in areas away from CCI and the contralateral hemisphere in similar concentrations as in non-CCI subject. NPs were localized in neurons, glial and endovascular cells. Immunohistochemical staining against GFAP, Iba1, TNFα and IL1β demonstrated no glial activation or neuroinflamatory changes.
Conclusions: Tw80 and SDS coated biodegradable (PLLA) and non-biodegradrable (PFDL) NPs reach the brain parenchyma in both areas of traumatized and undamaged brain with disrupted and intact BBB, even though a high amount of them are retained in the liver and the spleen. No inflammatory reaction is elicited by these NPs within 24 hs after application. These preliminary promising results postulate the effectiveness and safety of these NPs as drug-carriers for the treatment of TBI.
Oral e-Poster Presentations - Booth 2: Neuro-Oncology C (Imaging&Monitoring), September 27, 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Background: Repetitive TMS (rTMS) can be used to non-invasively map cortical language areas. Commonly, frequencies of 5-10 Hz are used to induce speech errors. We could recently show that frequencies of 30 and 50 Hz are advantageous to achieve higher reliability. However, high-frequent rTMS applied over perisylvian regions still suffer from limited tolerability. Using short-train or paired-pulse TMS (pp-TMS) might offer a good alternative to rTMS to interfere with speech production. In this study, we, therefore, compared 30 Hz rTMS to pp-TMS aiming at improved language mapping.
Methods: 13 healthy, right-handed subjects (f=6, 25-41 years) were investigated using two different rTMS protocols: (i) 30 Hz rTMS and (ii) pp-TMS. TMS protocols were applied in a pseudo-randomized order during a picture naming task (picture-to-trigger interval: 0 ms) over cortical language areas. In a subsequent study, we compared pp-TMS also to short trains of three TMS pulses and repetitive paired pulse TMS. Language errors were post-hoc analysed by two independent raters and were assigned to eight different error categories. The level of pain was assessed on a subjective 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS). Moreover, language error distribution was analysed using a cortical parcellation system.
Results: 30 Hz rTMS evoked a significantly higher number of errors than the pp-protocol, i.e., 18 ± 12 % vs. 10 ± 7 % (p<0.05). However, pp-TMS was significantly better tolerated with a mean NRS of 2.3 ± 1.6 vs. 3.4 ± 1.5 (p<0.05, FDR-corrected). Of note, pp-TMS could induce a higher number of anomias (15 ± 15 %) than repetitive TMS protocols (4 ± 7 %; p<0.1, FDR-corrected), but less dysarthria. The cortical distribution of errors differed between the two protocols. The results of train-of-three TMS were similar to the pp-TMS protocol.
Conclusions: Due to its better tolerability, pp-TMS might offer the possibility to stimulate regions which are particularly prone to direct facial / trigeminal nerve stimulation, e.g., the inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, pp-TMS seems advantageous for mapping patients who are comparatively susceptible to rTMS side effects and with regard to safety in general.
Study Design: Cross-sectional survey
Objective: To determine the influence of surgeons’ level of experience and subspeciality training on the reliability, reproducibility, and accuracy of sacral fracture classification using the AO Spine Sacral Injury Classification System.
Summary of Background Data: An ideal classification system is easily comprehensible and reliable amongst the diverse group of surgeons. A surgeons’ level of experience may have a significant effect on the reliability and accuracy of a classification system. Moreover, surgeons of different subspecialities may have various levels of comfort with imaging assessment of sacral injuries required for accurate diagnosis and classification.
Methods: High-resolution computerized tomography (CT) images from 26 cases were assessed by 172 investigators from a diverse array of surgical subspecialities (general orthopaedics, neurosurgery, orthopaedic spine, orthopaedic trauma) and experience (<5, 5-10, 11-20, >20 years). Validation assessments were performed via web conference using high-resolution images, as well as axial/sagittal/coronal CT scan sequences. Two assessments were performed by each investigator independently three weeks apart in randomized order. Reliability and reproducibility were calculated with cohen’s kappa coefficient (k) and gold standard classification agreement was determined for each fracture morphology and subtype and stratified by experience and subspeciality.
Results: Respondents achieved an overall k = 0.87 for morphology and k = 0.77 for subtype classification, representing excellent and substantial intraobserver reproducibility, respectively. Respondents from all four practice experience groups demonstrated excellent interobserver reliability when classifying overall morphology (k=0.842/0.850, Assessment 1/Assessment 2) and substantial interobserver reliability in overall subtype (k=0.719/0.751) in both assessments. General orthopaedists, neurosurgeons, and orthopaedic spine surgeons exhibited excellent interobserver reliability in overall morphology classification and substantial interobserver reliability in overall subtype classification. Surgeons in each experience category and subspecialty correctly classified fracture morphology in over 90% of cases and fracture subtype in over 80% of cases according to the gold standard. Correct overall classification of fracture morphology (Assessment 1: p= 0.024, Assessment 2: p=0.006) and subtype (p2<0.001) differed significantly with surgeons with >20 years of experience demonstrating increased difficulty correctly classifying all fracture subtypes overall in comparison to the other experience groups. Correct overall classification did not significantly differ by subspecialty.
Conclusions: Overall, the AO Spine Sacral Injury Classification System appears to be universally applicable among surgeons of various subspecialties and levels of experience with acceptable reliability, reproducibility, and accuracy.
Disclosures: author 1: none; author 2: consultant=Medtronic, Nuvasive, ISD, Asutra, Stryker, Bioventus, Zimmer, teledocs, Clinical Spine Surgery, AOSpine ; author 3: none; author 4: grants/research support=AOSpine, consultant=DPS, icotec; author 5: none; author 6: none; author 7: grants/research support=DPS; author 8: none; author 9: grants/research support=NIH, RTI, CSRS, royalties=Inion ; author 10: stock/shareholder=Advanced Spinal Intellectual Properties; Atlas Spine; Avaz Surgical; Bonovo Orthopaedics; Computational Biodynamics; Cytonics; Deep Health; Dimension Orthotics LLC; Electrocore; Flagship Surgical; FlowPharma; Globus; Innovative Surgical Design; Insight Therapeutics; Jushi; Nuvasive; Orthobullets; Paradigm Spine; Parvizi Surgical Innovation; Progressive Spinal Technologies; Replication Medica; Spine Medica; Spineology; Stout Medical; Vertiflex; ViewFi Health, royalties=Aesculap; Atlas Spine; Globus; Medtronics; SpineWave; Stryker Spine,other financial report=AO Spine
Oral e-Poster Presentations - Booth 3: Spine 2 (Tumors), September 26, 2023, 4:10 PM - 4:50 PM
Background: Spinal metastasis remains a persistent and oftentimes urgent challenge in the neurosurgical operating room. We aim to understand metastatic spread to the spinal bone on a molecular level in endothelial cells and tumor cells to facilitate improved therapeutic approaches and diagnostics.
Methods: We established a murine syngeneic spinal bone metastasis model. In vivo dissemination was first evaluated using fluorescent beads, followed by murine cancer cell lines (B16, LLC1). We investigated short-term seeding and long-term growth to identify correlations between seeding and tumor formation. EphrinB2-Eph4 interaction has been described as a crucial mediator of spinal bone metastasis. Transient (pharmacological) and permanent (genetical) ephrinB2-Eph4 interventions were performed.
Results: Dissemination of microbeads to distinct spinal segments depended on segment and particle size. Disseminated tumor cells on the contrary showed less frequent arrest in the bone and equal distribution among segments. EphrinB2 intervention changed the dissemination behavior towards the lumbar segment. Interestingly, only transient intervention retained this distribution, permanent ephrinB2 depletion on endothelial cells (efnb2iΔEC) resulted in equal dispersion of metastases. Histological staining revealed a reduction of Endomucin (Emcn) positive structures in combination with a reduction of Type H (Emcn high/CD31 high) endothelial cells in naïve efnb2iΔEC animals. In tumor tissue, these Type H endothelial cells were unaffected. However, an increase in CD31-expressing endothelial cells was observed under endothelial ephrinB2 depletion. These CD31-expressing endothelial cells have been recently described as Type E (Emcn low/CD31 high) and implicated in angiogenesis and osteogenesis.
Conclusions: We here describe a subpopulation of endothelial cells in efnb2iΔEC mice that seems to resemble pro-angiogenic and possibly pro-adhesive type E endothelial cells. Based on these finding we propose a compensatory pro-angiogenic mechanism in efnb2iΔEC mice that is highjacking pre-existing developmental pathways, which is critical for late-stage spinal metastatic growth independent of the initial seeding and extravasation of metastatic cells.
Background: To investigate whether patients with critical emergency conditions are seeking or receiving the medical care that they require we characterized the reality of care for patients presenting with Neuro-emergencies during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In this observational, longitudinal cohort study, all neurosurgical admissions that presented to our Department between February 1st and April 15th during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the same time-period in 2019 were identified and categorized according to the presence of a Neuro-emergency, the route of admission, management, and the category of disease. Further, the clinical course of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) was investigated as a Neuro-emergency representative for a wide variety of semi-urgent symptoms.
Results: During the pandemic, the percentage of Neuro-emergencies among all neurosurgical admissions remained similar as in 2019 but a larger proportion presented through the emergency department than through the outpatient clinic or by referral (*p=0.009). The total number of Neuro-emergencies was significantly reduced (*p=0.0007) across all types of disease, particularly in severe vascular (*p=0.036) but also in spinal (*p=0.007) and hydrocephalus (*p=0.048) emergencies. Strikingly, elderly patients with cSDH and mild to moderate symptoms presented less frequently, with more severe symptoms (*p=0.046) and were less likely to reach favorable outcome (*p=0.003).
Conclusions: Despite pandemic-related restrictive measures and reallocation of resources, patients with Neuro-emergencies should be encouraged to present regardless of the severity of symptoms because deferred presentation may result in adverse outcome. Thus, conservation of critical healthcare resources remains essential in spite fighting COVID-19.
Objective: Nationwide data on the epidemiology, treatment characteristics, and long-term outcome of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Germany is not yet existing. Neurosurgeons from the German Neurosurgery Society (DGNC) and traumatologists from the German Trauma Society (DGU), therefore, joined forces in 2016 to conceptualize a TBI module for the well-established Trauma Register of the DGU (TR-DGU). Here, we report how this “German National TBI registry (GNTR)” has been developed, implemented, and tested in a recently completed pilot period.
Methods: The conception and implementation process of the GNTR from August 2016 to February 2019 is described, and results of its 23-months long pilot period from February 2019 to December 2020 are presented. For the pilot period, TBI patients were prospectively enrolled at nine neurosurgical and traumatological hospitals across Germany. Inclusion criteria were treatment on the ICU ≥ 24h, or an ISS score ≥ 16. A variety of clinical, imaging, and laboratory parameters were collected, and the GOSE score was used to assess the outcome at discharge and 6- and 12 months follow-up.
Results: Details on the structure and dataset of the GNTR as well as milestones and pitfalls during its conception and implementation, are outlined. During the pilot period, a total of 264 TBI patients were enrolled. Their demographic characteristics, clinical, imaging, and radiological findings, and their early mortality and functional outcome are described. Furthermore, factors associated with an unfavorable outcome (GOSE 1-4) are assessed using uni- and multivariate regression analyses. Finally, problems and future directions of the GNTR are discussed.
Conclusion: The pilot period of the GNTR offers a first glance at the current epidemiology and treatment characteristics of TBI patients in Germany. More importantly, they show how a national TBI registry yielding high-quality prospective data can be developed, implemented, and tested within four years
Background: Dexamethasone (Dex) is the most common corticosteroid to treat edema in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Recent studies identified the addition of Dex to radiation therapy (RT) to be associated with poor survival. Independently, Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) provides a novel anti-cancer modality for patients with primary and recurrent GBM. Whether Dex influences the efficacy of TTFields, however, remains elusive.
Methods: Human GBM cell lines MZ54 and U251 were treated with RT or TTFields in combination with Dex and the effects on cell counts and cell death were determined via flow cytometry. We further performed a retrospective analysis of GBM patients with TTFields treatment +/- concomitant Dex and analysed its impact on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Results: The addition of Dex significantly reduced the efficacy of RT in U251 and MZ54 cells. TTFields (200 kHz/250 kHz) induced massive cell death in both cell lines. Concomitant treatment of TTFields and Dex did not reduce the overall efficacy of TTFields. Further, in our retrospective clinical analysis, we found that the addition of Dex to TTFields therapy did not influence PFS nor OS.
Conclusion: Our translational investigation indicates that the efficacy of TTFields therapy in patients with GBM and primary GBM cell lines is not affected by the addition of Dex.
Oral e-Poster Presentations - Booth 2: Spine 1 (Trauma&Misc), September 25, 2023, 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Background: Spondylodiscitis is a prevalent type of spinal infection, with pyogenic spondylodiscitis being the most common subtype. While antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment, some argue that early surgery can aid in infection clearance, improve survival rates, and prevent long-term complications such as deformities. However, others view early surgery as excessively risky. Due to the high mortality rate of up to 20%, it is crucial to determine the most effective treatment.
Methods: The primary objective of this study was to compare the mortality rate, relapse rate, and length of hospital stay for conservative and early surgical treatments of pyogenic spondylodiscitis, including determinants of outcomes. The study was registered on PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42022312573. The databases MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and JSTOR were searched for original studies comparing conservative and early surgical treatments of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. The included studies were assessed using the ROBINS-1 tool, and eligible studies were evaluated using meta-analyses, influence, and regression analyses.
Results: The systematic review included 31 studies. The meta-analysis, which had a pooled sample size of 10,954 patients from 21 studies, found that the pooled mortality rate among patients treated with early surgery was 8%, while the rate was 13% for patients treated conservatively. The mean proportion of relapse/failure was 15% for patients treated with early surgery and 21% for those treated conservatively. Furthermore, the analysis concluded that early surgical treatment is associated with a 40% and 39% risk reduction in relapse/failure and mortality rates, respectively, when compared to conservative management. Additionally, early surgical treatment resulted in a 7.75-day reduction in length of hospital stay per patient (p<0.01). The most highly significant predictors of treatment outcome were found to be intravenous drug use, diabetes, the presence of an epidural abscess, positive cultures, location of infection, and age (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Overall, early surgical management was found to be consistently significantly more effective than conservative management in terms of relapse/failure and mortality rates when treating pyogenic spondylodiscitis, particularly for non-spinal epidural abscess spondylodiscitis.
The Ethics of Waiting lists and Rationing access to care (Ethics Parallel Session), September 26, 2023, 4:50 PM - 6:20 PM
Background: There has been a fivefold increase of neurosurgeons over the last three decades in Germany, despite a lesser increase in operations. Currently, there are approximately 1000 neurosurgical residents employed at training hospitals. Little is known about the overall training experience and career opportunities for these trainees.
Methods: In our role as resident representatives, we implemented a mailing list for interested German neurosurgical trainees. Thereafter, we created a survey including 25 items to assess the trainees’ satisfaction with their training and their perceived career prospects, which we then distributed through the mailing list. The survey was open from 1st April until 31st May 2021.
Results: 90 trainees were enrolled in the mailing list and we received 81 completed responses to our survey. Overall, 47% of trainees were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their training. 62% of trainees reported a lack of surgical training. 58% of trainees found it difficult to attend courses or classes and only 16% had consistent mentoring. There was an expressed desire for a more structured training programme and mentoring projects. In addition, 88% of trainees were willing to relocate for fellowships outside their current hospitals.
Conclusions: Half of the responders were dissatisfied with their neurosurgical training. There are various aspects that require improvement, such as the training curriculum, the lack of structured mentoring and the amount of administrative work. We propose the implementation of a modernized structured curriculum, which addresses the mentioned aspects, in order to improve neurosurgical training and, consecutively, patient care.
Introduction: The optimal treatment of patients with spinal infections remains a controversial topic. Within Europe, fundamentally different therapeutic concepts are found. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients who received surgical vs. antibiotic treatment alone for primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis in an international cohort analysis.
Materials and Methods: The retrospectively compiled databases of tertiary high-volume spine centers served as the baseline for this study. All documented cases of primary spondylodiscitis treated surgically and conservatively in the period of 2017-2022 were included and grouped according to the therapeutic concept: conservative vs. surgical treatment. Independent investigators collected the relevant clinical and radiological data. The primary endpoint of this study was mortality rate; secondary endpoints were relapse rate and persisting neurological deficit.
Results: A total of 392 patients were included in the analysis (155 females with a mean age of 68 years). Of these, 95 cases were treated conservatively (CoT) and 297 cases were treated surgically (SuT). There was no significant difference (p<0.01) related to patient’s disease characteristics: Lumbar was the main location (n=240, CoT 58/ SuT 182, p=0.97) followed by thoracic (n=70, CoT 24/ SuT 46, p=0,03) and cervical (n=47, CoT 7/ SuT 40, p=0.11) region. A multilocular spinal infection was present in 32 patients (CoT 3/ SuT 29, p=0.04). 181 cases (CoT 36/ SuT 145, p=0.06) presented with an epidural abscess. Neurological deficits were recorded in 100 cases (CoT 26/ SuT 74, p=0.63), and septic conditions in 88 cases (CoT 26/ SuT 62, p=0.19). Pre-existing conditions like Diabetes (p=0.57), renal failure (p= 0.97), hepatopathy (p= 0.15), malignoma (p=0.39) or i.v. drug abuse (p=0.93) did also not differ between the groups. The mortality rate of all conservatively treated was 24.2% (23 cases) and 6.7% (20 cases) in all surgically treated patients (p<0.001). A follow-up of ≥ 6 weeks was available in 289 cases (CoT 83, SuT 206 ). In this subset of patients relapse of infection occurred in six (7.2%) and 23 (11.2%) cases in the conservative and early surgical treatment group, respectively (p=0.69). Persisting neurological deficit was recorded in 21 (25.3%) of conservatively treated and 51 (24.8%) of surgically treated cases (p=0.92).
Conclusion: Whereas relapse rates and persisting neurological deficit were not found to differ significantly, the results of this international data analyses, with their respective limitations, clearly support the growing evidence of a significantly reduced mortality rate after surgical therapy for primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis when compared to conservative treatment regimen.
Spinal Tumors / Infections (Spine Parallel Session v.3), September 27, 2023, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Background: The optimal treatment of patients with spinal infections remains a controversial topic. While there is some consensus regarding the indication for surgical intervention in infections with neurologic deficit, significant deformity or progressive disease, other situations remain controversial. Within Europe, fundamentally different therapeutic concepts are found. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients who received surgical vs. antibiotic treatment alone for primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis in an international cohort analysis.
Methods: The retrospectively compiled databases of tertiary high-volume spine centers served as the baseline for this study. All documented cases of primary spondylodiscitis treated surgically and conservatively in the period of 2017-2022 were included and grouped according to the therapeutic concept: conservative vs. surgical treatment. Independent investigators collected the relevant clinical and radiological data. The primary endpoint of this study was mortality rate; secondary endpoints were relapse rate and persisting neurological deficit.
Results: A total of 392 patients were included in the analysis (155 females and 237 males with a mean age of 68 years). Of these, 95 cases were treated conservatively (CoT) and 297 cases were treated surgically (SuT). Most of conservatively treated patients were treated in the United Kingdom (CoT 81/ SuT 7), while most of the surgically treated cases were treated in Germany (CoT 14/ SuT 290). There was no significant difference (p<0.01) related to patient’s disease characteristics:
Lumbar was the main location (n=240, CoT 58/ SuT 182, p=0.97) followed by thoracic (n=70, CoT 24/ SuT 46, p=0,03) and cervical (n=47, CoT 7/ SuT 40, p=0.11) region. A multilocular spinal infection was present in 32 patients (CoT 3/ SuT 29, p=0.04). 181 cases (CoT 36/ SuT 145, p=0.06) presented with an epidural abscess. Neurological deficits were recorded in 100 cases (CoT 26/ SuT 74, p=0.63), and septic conditions in 88 cases (CoT 26/ SuT 62, p=0.19). Pre-existing conditions like Diabetes (CoT 20/, SuT 71, p=0.57), renal failure (CoT 19/ SuT 60, p= 0.97), hepatopathy (CoT 4/ SuT 26, p= 0.15), malignoma (CoT 9/ SuT 38, p=0.39) or i.v. drug abuse (CoT 5/, SuT 15, p=0.93) did also not differ between the groups.
The mortality rate of all conservatively treated was 24.2% (23 cases) and 6.7% (20 cases) in all surgically treated patients (p<0.001). A follow-up of ≥ 6 weeks was available in 289 cases (CoT 83, SuT 206 ). In this subset of patients relapse of infection occurred in six (7.2%) and 23 (11.2%) cases in the conservative and early surgical treatment group, respectively (p=0.69). Persisting neurological deficit was recorded in 21 (25.3%) of conservatively treated and 51 (24.8%) of surgically treated cases (p=0.92).
Conclusions: Whereas relapse rates and persisting neurological deficit were not found to differ significantly, the results of this international data analyses, with their respective limitations, clearly support the growing evidence of a significantly reduced mortality rate after surgical therapy for primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis when compared to conservative treatment regimen.
Introduction: Spondylodiscitis is the commonest form of infectious disease of the spine and harbours a high mortality rate of up to 20%. Recent demographic trends in Germany, such as an aging population, immunosuppression, and intravenous drug use, suggest that the incidence of spondylodiscitis may be on the rise. However, the exact epidemiological development of the disease remains uncertain. This study aims to analyse the burden on the tertiary healthcare system in Germany using data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (FSOG) database.
Materials and Methods: All cases of spondylodiscitis diagnosed between 2005 and 2021 were identified from the FSOG database. The study characterised the mean duration of hospital stays, total and population-adjusted number of diagnoses made, age-stratified incidence, and outcomes of hospitalised patients.
Results: A total of 131,982 diagnoses for spondylodiscitis were identified between 2005 and 2021. The number of diagnoses for spondylodiscitis has doubled during this period, from 5.4/100,000 population in 2005 to 11/100,000 population in 2021. The highest increase in admissions was recorded for those aged 90 years and above (+1307%), 80-89 (+376%) and 70-79 (+99%). Hospital discharges to rehabilitation facilities have increased by 160%, and discharges against medical advice by 91%. On the other hand, during the analysed period, the in-hospital mortality rate has decreased by 52%.
Conclusion: The population-adjusted incidence of spondylodiscitis in Germany has more than doubled between 2005 and 2021, highlighting the clinical relevance of this disease. During the same period, in-hospital mortality dropped by half. These findings suggest the need for further investigation into optimal therapy, particularly the role and timing of surgical treatment.
Background: Epileptic seizures are common clinical features in patients with acute subdural hematoma (aSDH); however, diagnostic feasibility and therapeutic monitoring remain limited. Surface electroencephalography (EEG) is the major diagnostic tool for the detection of seizures but it might be not sensitive enough to detect all subclinical or nonconvulsive seizures or status epilepticus. Therefore, we have planned a clinical trial to evaluate a novel treatment modality by perioperatively implanting subdural EEG electrodes to diagnose seizures; we will then treat the seizures under therapeutic monitoring and analyze the clinical benefit.
Methods: In a prospective nonrandomized trial, we aim to include 110 patients with aSDH. Only patients undergoing surgical removal of aSDH will be included; one arm will be treated according to the guidelines of the Brain Trauma Foundation, while the other arm will additionally receive a subdural grid electrode. The study's primary outcome is the comparison of incidence of seizures and time-to-seizure between the interventional and control arms. Invasive therapeutic monitoring will guide treatment with antiseizure drugs (ASDs). The secondary outcome will be the functional outcome for both groups as assessed via the Glasgow Outcome Scale and modified Rankin Scale both at discharge and during 6 months of follow-up. The tertiary outcome will be the evaluation of chronic epilepsy within 2-4 years of follow-up.
Discussion: The implantation of a subdural EEG grid electrode in patients with aSDH is expected to be effective in diagnosing seizures in a timely manner, facilitating treatment with ASDs and monitoring of treatment success. Moreover, the occurrence of epileptiform discharges prior to the manifestation of seizure patterns could be evaluated in order to identify high-risk patients who might benefit from prophylactic treatment with ASDs.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier no. NCT04211233.
Propranolol as a potentially novel treatment of arteriovenous malformations: from bench to bedside
(2022)
Background: Propranolol is a non-selective blocker of the β-adrenergic receptor and has been used for treatment of proliferative infantile hemangiomas. The vasoconstrictive and antiangiogenic effects of propranolol led us to explore its potential application for the treatment of AVMs.
Methods: AVM tissue was cultured after surgical resection in the presence of 100μM propranolol or solvent DMSO. After incubation for 72 hours, tissue was harvested for testing. The expression levels of SDF1α, CXCR4, VEGF and HIF-1 was measured by rt-PCR. Furthermore, data of patients in 2 vascular centres harboring AVM was retrospectively interrogated for a time period of 20 years. The database included information about hemorrhage, AVM size and antihypertensive medication. Descriptive analyses were performed, focusing on the risk of hemorrhage, size of the lesion at presentation and clinical follow-up in patients on β-blocker medication versus those who were not.
Results: Among 483 patients, 73 (15%) were under β-blocker-treatment. 48% AVMs presented with hemorrhage at diagnosis. Patients under β-blocker-treatment had a lower risk of hemorrhage at the time of diagnosis in a univariate analysis (p<0,0001;OR13). Patients under β-blocker-treatment showed a significant higher chance for a lower Spetzler-Martin-grade ≤III (p<0,0001;OR6,5) and a lower risk for the presence of an associated aneurysm (p<0,0001;OR3,6).
Multivariate analysis including Spetzler-Martin-Grading, young age ≤50, presence of associated aneurysm and β-blocker-treatment showed reduced risk for hemorrhage under β-blocker-treatment (p<0,01,OR0,2).
The expression of CXCR4 was suppressed by propranolol most likely through the HIF-1-pathways. The gene-expression of vasculogenesis factors was decreased in with propranolol incubated AVMs.
Conclusion: β-Blocker medication seems to be associated with a decreased risk of AVM-related hemorrhage and AVM-size at presentation or during follow-up. Propranolol inhibits SDF1α-induced vasculogenesis by suppressing the expression of CXCR4 most likely through the HIF-1-pathways. Therefore, SDF1α/CXCR4 axis plays an important role in the vasculogenesis and migration of inflammatory cells in AVM lesions.
Background: Following elective craniotomy patients routinely receive monitoring on ICU. However, the benefit of ICU monitoring in these patients is discussed controversially. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are further limitations of ICU capacities. This study aimed to compare this strategy with a standardized management of post-craniotomy patients on ICU.
Methods: Two postoperative strategies were compared in a matched-pair analysis: The first cohort included patients treated between May-August 2021 according to the “No ICU – unless” concept (NIU group), where patients were managed on the normal ward postoperatively. The second cohort contained patients routinely admitted to the ICU between February-April 2021 (control group). Outcome parameters contained complications, length of stay, duration to first postoperative mobilization, number of unplanned imaging, number/type of ICU interventions and pre- and postoperative mRS. Patient characteristics were analyzed using electronic medical records.
Results: The NIU group consisted of 96 patients, the control group of 75 patients. Complication rates were comparable in both cohorts (16% in NIU vs. 17% in control; p=0.123). Groups did not differ significantly in the number of imaging (10% in NIU vs. 13% in control; p=0.67), in the type of interventions on ICU (antihypertensive therapy 5% (NIU) vs. 6% (control); p=0.825) or in the time to first postoperative mobilization (average 1.1± 1.6 days vs. 0.9± 1.2 days; p=0.402). Length of hospital stay was shorter in the NIU group without reaching statistical significance (average 5.8 vs. 6.8 days; p=0.481). There was no significant change in the distribution of preoperative (p=0.960) and postoperative (p=0.425) mRS scores.
Conclusion: Postoperative ICU management does not reduce postoperative complications and has no effect on the surgical outcome of elective craniotomies. The majority of postoperative complications are detected after a 24-hour observation period. This approach may represent a potential strategy to prevent overutilization of ICU capacities while maintaining sufficient postoperative care for neurosurgical patients.
Introduction: Lumbosacral fixation is a common procedure in primary and revision spine surgery but leads to high biomechanical stress on adjacent segments and the SIJ, resulting in implant failure such as breakage and loosening and pain. This frequently results in further surgery. For patients showing clinical and radiological signs of SIJ affection/arthrosis who fail conservative therapy, transarticular lumbopelvic fusion via the SIJ may be considered. The Bedrock™ technique has been described as a new option for reinforced lumbopelvic fixation, fusing the SIJ with additional triangular titanium implants, thereby reducing biomechanical loads off the S2AI screws. We share our experiences with 19 patients treated with this technique since January 2019.
Materials and Methods: 19 patients suffering from persisting low back pain (LBP) with indication for reinforced lumbopelvic fixation and SIJ fusion were treated with reinforced lumboplevic fixation with S2AI screw and a triangular titanium implant. 14 cases were revisions. All surgeries were carried out by a single surgeon at a orthopedic university hospital. Data was gathered retrospectively.
Results: From 1/2019 - 9/2021 19 patients (11f, 8m) were treated with reinforced lumbopelvic fixation and SIJ fusion with a mean follow up of 18,2 months. Mean age 68 years (range 62-78y). Preop. walking distance was reduced to an average <100 m. Standard treatment involved S2AI screws and triangular titanium implants (SIBone, iFuse 3D™). 14 revision cases split into 5 low grade infections with screw loosening, 3 cases with rod breakage, 5 cases of painful lumbopelvic screw prominence, 7 cases with proximal junctional kyphosis, 2 cases with misplaced implants, 8 cases of poor bone mineral density. 5 patients without prior spine surgery. All patients were treated bilaterally using freehand technique. Average implant length was 65 mm. There were no intraoperative or implant associated adverse events (AE) or serious adverse events (SAE). Postoperative imaging demonstrated good implant positioning and function. All patients regained walking ability for distances > 1000 m and were satisfied with the result. All patients reported significant reduction of SIJ pain.
Conclusion: We report results of 19 patients with a reinforced lumbopelvic fixation and fusion by S2AI screws augmented by one parallelly placed triangular titanium implant fusing the SIJ bilaterally with a mean follow-up of 18.2 months. Intra- and postoperatively we experienced no implant associated adverse event. Patients regained significant walking ability and significant reduction of SIJ pain. Radiologically no signs of implant loosening or failure were detected at the end of follow-up. Our results demonstrate a safe and efficacious surgical technique for reinforced lumbopelvic fixation with fusion of SIJ with significant improvement of the health care related quality of life. Further studies need to be conducted in order to obtain additional evidence.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased volumes of acute stroke admissions were reported. We aimed to examine whether subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) volumes demonstrated similar declines in our department. Furthermore, the impact of pandemic on disease progression should be analyzed.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in neurosurgical department of university hospital Frankfurt including patients with the diagnosis of aneurysmal SAH during the first year of COVID-pandemic. One year cumulative volume for SAH hospitalization procedures were compared to the one-year period before (03/2020–02/2021 versus 03/2019–02/2020) and the last 5 pre-COVID-pandemic years (2015-2020). All relevant patient characteristics concerning family history, disease history, clinical condition at admission, active/past COVID-infection, treatment management, complications and outcome were analyzed.
Results: There was a decline in SAH hospitalizations, with 84 admissions in the year immediately before and 56 admissions during the pandemic, without reaching a significance. No significant difference in analyzed patient characteristics including clinical condition at onset, treatment, complications and outcome, between 56 SAH patients admitted during COVID pandemic and treated patients in the last 5 years in pre-COVID period were found. Using a multivariable analysis, we detected young age (p<0.05;OR4,2) and no existence of early hydrocephalus (p<0.05;OR0,13) as important factors for a favorable outcome (mRS≤0-2) after aSAH during the COVID-pandemic. A past COVID-infection was detected in young patients suffering from aSAH (Age< 50years, p<0.05;OR10,5) with increased rate of cerebral vasospasm after SAH onset (p<0.05;OR26). Nevertheless, past COVID-infection did not reach a significance as a high risk factor for unfavorable outcome.
Conclusion: There was a relative decrease in the volume of SAH during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite of extremely different conditions of hospitalization, there was no impairing significant effect on treatment and outcome of admitted SAH patients. A past COVID-infection seemed not to be a relevant limiting factor concerning favorable outcome.
Background: Unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) poses a therapeutic dilemma in which the risk-benefit analysis of invasive intervention has to be balanced against the natural history of the disease. To date, there is no medical treatment to prevent aneurysm development and subsequent progression to rupture. We explored the vitamin D system because of its known anti-inflammatory and anti-tissue-remodeling effect as a potential treatment for UIA.
Methods: 25-vitaminD3 levels tested between 2008-2016 and data of SAH patients admitted during the months with a peak versus nadir of VitD3-values were analyzed, retrospectively. We prospectively correlated VitD3 with size and number of aneurysms at the rupture time in patients admitted between 2017-2019. An experimental mice shear stress model and cell culture model were used to investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitaminD3 (1,25-VitD3) and acting mediators in this mechanism.
Results: Based on the retrospective analysis demonstrating an increased frequency of aneurysm rupture rate in patients during the low vitamin D period in winter, we started the prospective study evaluating plasma vitamin D levels at admission. VitD levels were inversely correlated with aneurysm size as well as number of aneurysms. Low number of aneurysms was significantly associated with sufficient plasma Vitamin D level as an independent factor in a multivariate analysis.
From bedside back to bench, active 1,25-VitD3 hormone attenuated the natural history of remodeling in mice basilar artery. Deletion of the vitamin-D-receptor in myeloid cells decreased the protective 1,25-VitD3 effect. Cell-culture of vascular fibroblasts confirmed the anti-tissue remodeling effect of 1,25-VitD3.
Conclusion: 1,25-VitD3 attenuates aneurysm development and subsequent progression to rupture. However, VitD-administration should be tested as optional treatment in management of patients with UIA.
Oral e-Poster Presentations - Booth 1: Vascular 3, September 27, 2023, 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Background: Despite current clinical guidelines recommending suboccipital decompressive craniectomy (SDC) in patients with space-occupying cerebellar infarction when neurological deterioration occurs, the precise definition of such deterioration remains unclear. The current study aimed at characterizing whether clinical outcomes can be predicted by the GCS score immediately prior to SDC, and whether higher GCS scores are associated with better clinical outcomes. We aimed to characterize whether clinical outcomes can be predicted by the GCS score immediately prior to SDC, and if higher GCS scores are associated with better clinical outcomes.
Methods: In a single-center, retrospective analysis of 51 patients treated with SDC for space-occupying cerebellar infarction clinical and imaging data were evaluated at the timepoints of symptom onset, hospital admission and preoperatively. Clinical outcome was measured by mRS at the last available follow-up. Preoperative GCS scores were stratified into three groups (GCS 3-8, 9-11 and 12-15). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed using clinical and radiological parameters as predictors of clinical outcome.
Results: In Cox-regression analysis using mRS of 1-2 as a positive clinical outcome we found a significant increase in the proportional hazard ratio (HR) of 6.581 [CI 1.839-36.414]; p=0.031 for GCS scores of 12-15 prior to SDC. Clinical outcomes (mRS 3-6) were associated with infarct volume above 6.0 cm3 (HR 2.473 [CI 1.209-5.057]; p=0.013), tonsillar herniation (HR: 0.279 [CI 0.083-0.933]; p=0.038), brainstem compression (HR 0.304 [CI 0.123-0.749]; p=0.010) and a preoperative GCS score of 3-8 (HR 2.386 [CI 1.160-4.906]; p=0.018).
Conclusions: SDC should be considered in patients with infarct volumes above 6.0 cm3 with GCS scores higher than previously described in the literature, as these patients may show better long-term outcome than those in which surgery is delayed until a GCS score of 11 or lower.
Background: Dysphagia is a common and severe symptom of traumatic brain injury (TBI) affecting up to 78% of patients. It is associated with pneumonia, increased morbidity and mortality. Although subdural hematoma (SDH) accounts for over 50% of TBI, the occurrence of dysphagia in this subtype has not been investigated. This study investigates the overall frequency, clinical predictors of dysphagia and functional outcome of patients with SDH associated dysphagia.
Methods: All patients presenting in author ́s institution between 2007 and 2020 with SDH were included in the study. Patients with SDH and clinical suspicion for dysphagia received a clinical swallowing assessment by a speech and language pathologist (SLP). Furthermore the severity of dysphagia was rated according to swallowing disorder scale.Functional outcome was evaluated by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS).
Results: Of 545 patients with SDH, 71 patients had dysphagia (13%). The prevalence of dysphagia was significantly lower in the surgical arm compared to the conservative arm (11.8% vs 21.8%; OR 0.23; p=0.02). Independent predictors for dysphagia were GCS <13 at admission (p<0.001; OR 4.17), cardiovascular disease (p=0.002; OR 2.29) and pneumonia (p=0.002; OR 2.88) whereas operation was a protective factor (p<0.001; OR 0.2). All patients with dysphagia improved significantly under SLP treatment from initial diagnosis to hospital discharge (p<0.01). However, patients with most severe grade of dysphagia showed no significant improvement during the clinical course. Patients with dysphagia had significantly worse outcome (GOS 1-3) compared to those without dysphagia (48.8% vs 26.4%; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Dysphagia is a frequent symptom in SDH and the early identification of dysphagia is crucial regarding initiation of treatment and functional outcome. Surgery is effective in preventing dysphagia and should be considered in high-risked patients.
Background: Research on chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) management has primarily focused on potential recurrence after surgical evacuation. Herein, we present a novel postoperative/non-invasive treatment that includes a supervised Valsalva maneuver (SVM), which may serve to reduce SDH recurrence. Accordingly, the aims of the study were to investigate the effects of SVM on SDH recurrence rates and functional outcomes.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted from December 2016 until December 2019 at the Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt. Of the 204 adult patients with surgically treated cSDH who had subdural drains placed, 94 patients were assigned to the SVM group and 82 patients were assigned to the control group. The SVM was performed by having patients blow into a self-made SVM device at least two times/h for 12 h/day. The primary end-point was SDH recurrence rate, while secondary outcomes were morbidity and functional outcomes at 3 months of follow-up.
Results: SDH recurrence was observed in 16 of 94 patients (17%) in the SVM group, which was a significant reduction as compared with the control group, which had 24 of 82 patients (29.3%; p = 0.05) develop recurrent SDHs. Further, the infection rate (e.g., pneumonia) was significantly lower in the SVM group (1.1%) than in the control group (13.4%; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 0.1). At the 3-month follow-up, 85 of 94 patients (90.4%) achieved favorable outcomes in the SVM group compared with 62 of 82 patients (75.6%) in the control group (p = 0.008; OR 3.0). Independent predictors for favorable outcome at follow-up were age (OR 0.9) and infection (OR 0.2).
Conclusion: SVM appears to be safe and effective in the post-operative management of cSDHs, reducing both recurrence rates and infections after surgical evacuation, thereby resulting in favorable outcomes at follow-up.
Background: The extent of preoperative peritumoral edema in glioblastoma (GBM) has been negatively correlated with patient outcome. As several ongoing studies are investigating T-cell based immunotherapy in GBM, we conducted this study to assess whether peritumoral edema with potentially increased intracranial pressure, disrupted tissue homeostasis and reduced local blood flow has influence on immune infiltration and affects survival.
Methods: A volumetric analysis of preoperative imaging (gadolinium enhanced T1 weighted MRI sequences for tumor size and T2 weighted sequences for extent of edema (including the infiltrative zone, gliosis etc.) was conducted in 144 patients using the BrainlabÒ software. Immunohistochemical staining was analyzed for lymphocytic- (CD 3+) and myeloid (CD15+) tumor infiltration. A retrospective analysis of patient-, surgical-, and molecular characteristics was performed using medical records.
Results: The edema to tumor ratio was neither associated with progression-free nor overall survival (p=0.90, p=0.74). However, GBM patients displaying IDH-1 wildtype had significantly higher edema to tumor ratio than patients displaying an IDH-1 mutation (p=0.01). Immunohistopathological analysis did not show significant differences in lymphocytic or myeloid tumor infiltration (p=0.78, p=0.74) between these groups.
Conclusion: In our cohort, edema to tumor ratio had no significant correlation with immune infiltration and outcome. However, patients with an IDH-1wildtype GBM had a significantly higher edema to tumor ratio compared to their IDH-1 mutated peer group. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Introduction: Ferroptosis has recently been identified as a form of programmed cell death caused by an accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, little is yet known about the role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its signalling mechanism as well the modulation of ROS.
Material and methods: Human HCC cell lines were treated with different concentrations of ROS modulators (Auranofin, Erastin, BSO). Cell death was determined by analysis of PI-stained nuclei using flow cytometry. ROS production and lipid peroxidation were analysed at early time points before cell death starts. For mechanistic studies we performed Western Blot and a Proteome array. Different inhibitors of cell death target proteins, ROS-scavengers as well as lipoxygenase inhibitors were used. To investigate the functional relevance of NAPDH oxidases (NOX) 1 and 4 for ROS modulation and ferroptosis we genetically silenced its genes using three distinct siRNAs and we used the NOX1/4-inhibitor GKT137831.
Results and discussions: Compared to the single treatment, Auranofin/BSO-cotreatment as well as Erastin/BSO-cotreatment acted in concert to trigger cell death and to reduce cell viability of HCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, both cotreatments induce ROS production, lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death, which could be inhibited by the use of Ferrostatin-1 (inhibitor of lipid peroxidation) and Liproxstatin-1 (specific inhibitor of ferroptosis). The broad-range caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk failed to rescue cells from Auranofin/BSO- or Erastin/BSO-cotreatment induced cell death. No activation of caspases-3 could be seen in the proteome profiler apoptosis assay. Importantly, the selective lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor Baicalain and the pan-LOX inhibitor NDGA protect HCC cells from Auranofin/BSO- and Erastin/BSO-cotreatment stimulated lipid peroxidation, ROS generation and cell death, indication that the induction of ferroptosis may bypass apoptosis resistance of HCC cells. Mechanistic studies showed that Auranofin/BSO-cotreatment decreased TrxR-activity, led to Nrf2 accumulation and promoted the activation of HO-1. In contrast, NOX 1 and 4 were involved in Erastin/BSO-mediated cell death and the use of the NOX1/4-inhibitor GKT137831 rescued HCC cells from the Erastin/BSO-induced cell death.
Conclusion: By providing new insights into the molecular regulation of ROS and ferroptosis, our study contributes to the development of novel treatment strategies to reactivate programmed cell death in HCC cells.
Background: The most frequent therapy of hydrocephalus is the implantation of ventriculoperitoneal shunts for diverting cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles into the peritoneum. We compared two adjustable valves, the proGAV and proGAV 2.0, for complications which resulted in revision operations.
Methods: Four hundred patients who underwent primary shunt implantation between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed for overall revision rate, one-year revision rate, revision free survival and overall survival observing patient age group, gender, etiology of hydrocephalus, implantation site, prior diversion of cerebrospinal fluid and cause of revision.
Results: All data were available of all 400 patients (female/male 208/192). Overall, 99 patients underwent revision surgery after primary implantation. ProGAV valve was implanted in 283 patients, proGAV 2.0 in 117 patients. There was no significant difference between the two shunt valves concerning revision rate (p=0.8069), one-year revision rate (p=0.9077), revision free survival (p=0.6921) and overall survival (p=0.3232). Furthermore, regarding one-year revision rate, we observed no significant difference between the two shunt valves in pediatric patients (40.7% vs 27.6%; p=0.2247). Revision operation had to be performed more frequently in pediatric patients (46.6% vs 24.8%; p=0.0093) with a significant higher number of total revisions with proGAV than proGAV 2.0 (55.9% vs. 27.6%; p=0.0110) most likely due to longer follow up in the proGAV -group.
Conclusion: According to the target variables we analyzed, aside from lifetime revision rate in pediatric patients there is no significant difference between the two shunt valves. From our subjective point of view, implantation of the newer proGAV 2.0 valve is preferable due to higher adjustment comfort for both patients and physicians.
Nosocomial infectious diseases (e.g. influenza, pertussis) are a threat particularly for immunocompromised and vulnerable patients. Although vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) constitutes the most convenient and effective means to prevent nosocomial transmissions, vaccine uptake among HCWs remains unacceptably low. Worldwide, numerous studies have demonstrated that nurses have lower vaccination rates than physicians and that there is a relationship between receipt of vaccination by HCWs and knowledge. Measures to improve vaccination rates need to be profession-sensitive as well as specific in their approach in order to achieve sustained success.
Health-care personnel (HCP) are exposed to infectious diseases throughout the course of their work. The concerns of pregnant HCP are considerable because certain otherwise mild infections may affect fetal development. We studied 424 pregnant HCP at the University Hospital Frankfurt / Germany between March 2007 and July 2011. Serological tests were carried out for varicella zoster virus (VZV), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and parvovirus B19. Our overall seroprevalence data with regard to VZV, MMR, CMV and parvovirus B 19 corresponded to the general population. It was striking that, only 57.1% of the study population was immune against the four vaccine-preventable diseases (MMR, VZV). Our study suggests that a comprehensive approach to improving the vaccination status of said HCP before pregnancy is paramount.
Previous study showed that kaffir lime leaf contains alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, tannin and saponin. The objective of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of kaffir lime leaf extract on cervical cancer and neuroblastoma cell lines. The method used for this research to determine cell viability was an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results showed that an ethyl acetate extract had an IC50 for HeLa cells, UKF-NB3, IMR-5 and SK-N-AS parental cells of 40.7 μg · mL–1, 28.4 μg · mL–1, 14.1 μg · mL–1, and 25.2 μg · mL–1 respectively. Furthermore, the IC50 of chloroform extracts for HeLa cells, UKF-NB3, IMR-5 and SK-N-AS parental were 17.6 μg · mL–1, 18.9 μg · mL–1, 6.4 μg · mL–1, and 9.4 μg · mL–1 respectively. These data showed that kaffir lime extract reduces the viability of cervical and neuroblastoma cell lines and may have potential as anti-cancer compounds.
ecently, pertussis has become a problem also in the adult population, with incidences even higher than in children. Pediatric health care workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission, exposing very young and immunocompromised patients to an increased risk of potentially severe pertussis infections. Encouraging HCWs to get vaccinated can play a vital role in stopping the transmission of pertussis, thereby reducing institutional outbreaks.
In Germany, HCWs come up with all sorts of reasons for not getting pertussis vaccination. This study was meant to provide information in order to better understand the backgrounds of these attitudes.
A survey was conducted at the children's university hospital in Frankfurt, using an anonymous questionnaire. Survey results were used to design an intervention to increase the immunization rate of staff. Disappointingly, our efforts to increase the acceptance of the immunization program by providing information in advance were not yet satisfying.
Misconception about pertussis vaccination was prevalent especially among nursing staff. The main reasons for non-compliance included: unawareness of an own risk of infection, the belief that pertussis is not a serious illness, fear of side effects, the belief that the pertussis vaccine might trigger the pertussis disease itself, and skepticism about the efficacy of the pertussis vaccination.
Recently, pertussis has become a problem also in the adult population, with incidences even higher than in children. Pediatric health care workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission, exposing very young and immunocompromised patients to an increased risk of potentially severe pertussis infections. Encouraging HCWs to get vaccinated can play a vital role in stopping the transmission of pertussis, thereby reducing institutional outbreaks.
In Germany, HCWs come up with all sorts of reasons for not getting pertussis vaccination. This study was meant to provide information in order to better understand the backgrounds of these attitudes.
A survey was conducted at the children's university hospital in Frankfurt, using an anonymous questionnaire. Survey results were used to design an intervention to increase the immunization rate of staff. Disappointingly, our efforts to increase the acceptance of the immunization program by providing information in advance were not yet satisfying.
Misconception about pertussis vaccination was prevalent especially among nursing staff. The main reasons for non-compliance included: unawareness of an own risk of infection, the belief that pertussis is not a serious illness, fear of side effects, the belief that the pertussis vaccine might trigger the pertussis disease itself, and skepticism about the efficacy of the pertussis vaccination.
With respect to nosocomial influenza infections, the welfare of patients is best served by high rates of staff immunity against influenza. However, data from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) in the USA and the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) in Germany indicate that most of health care workers (HCWs) choose not to be vaccinated. Under voluntary influenza immunization standards, institutional influenza outbreaks occur every flu season. The question about the legality of implementation mandatory flu vaccination for HCWs is an ongoing debate, which covers several different positions.
To characterize the attitudes of German HCWs toward mandatory influenza immunization, an anonymous questionnaire was offered to HCWs of the University Hospital in Frankfurt/Main / Germany. Our study showed that almost 70% of the respondents would accept mandatory influenza vaccination.
In our opinion an annual influenza vaccination should be required for HCWs who care for immunocompromised patients and residents in long-term care if there will be a failure of voluntary vaccination programs. An informed declination should be obtained from employees who decline vaccination and these HCWs ought to work in uncritical areas of patient care.