Presentation, management, and outcomes of cauda equina syndrome up to one year after surgery, using clinician and participant reporting: A multi-centre prospective cohort study

Background

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral spine, usually due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Evidence for management of CES is limited by its infrequent occurrence and lack of standardised clinical definitions and outcome measures.

Methods

This is a prospective multi-centre observational cohort study of adults with CES in the UK. We assessed presentation, investigation, management, and all Core Outcome Set domains up to one year post-operatively using clinician and participant reporting. Univariable and multivariable associations with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and urinary outcomes were investigated.

Findings

In 621 participants with CES, catheterisation for urinary retention was required pre-operatively in 31% (191/615). At discharge, only 13% (78/616) required a catheter. Median time to surgery from symptom onset was 3 days (IQR:1–8) with 32% (175/545) undergoing surgery within 48 h. Earlier surgery was associated with catheterisation (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.5–3.3) but not with admission ODI or radiological compression. In multivariable analyses catheter requirement at discharge was associated with pre-operative catheterisation (OR:10.6, 95%CI:5.8–20.4) and one-year ODI was associated with presentation ODI (r = 0.3, 95%CI:0.2–0.4), but neither outcome was associated with time to surgery or radiological compression. Additional healthcare services were required by 65% (320/490) during one year follow up.

Interpretation

Post-operative functional improvement occurred even in those presenting with urinary retention. There was no association between outcomes and time to surgery in this observational study. Significant healthcare needs remained post-operatively.

Funding

DCN Endowment Fund funded study administration. Castor EDC provided database use. No other study funding was received.

Comparison of suspected and confirmed internal EVD-related infections: a prospective multi-centre U.K. observational study

Background

Diagnosis of internal external ventricular drain (EVD)-related infections (iERI) is an area of diagnostic difficulty. Empiric treatment is often initiated on clinical suspicion. There is limited guidance around antimicrobial management of confirmed versus suspected iERI.

Methods

Data on patients requiring EVD insertion were collected from 21 neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2015. Confirmed iERI was defined as clinical suspicion of infection with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and/or Gram stain. Cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and clinical parameters and antimicrobial management were compared between the 2 groups. Mortality and Modified Rankin Scores were compared at 30 days post-EVD insertion.

Results

Internal EVD-related infection was suspected after 46 of 495 EVD insertions (9.3%), more common after an emergency insertion. Twenty-six of 46 were confirmed iERIs, mostly due to Staphylococci (16 of 26). When confirmed and suspected infections were compared, there were no differences in CSF white cell counts or glucose concentrations, nor peripheral blood white cell counts or C-reactive protein concentrations. The incidence of fever, meningism, and seizures was also similar, although altered consciousness was more common in people with confirmed iERI. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial usage was prevalent in both groups with no difference in median duration of therapy (10 days [interquartile range {IQR}, 7–24.5] for confirmed cases and 9.5 days [IQR, 5.75–14] for suspected, P = 0.3). Despite comparable baseline characteristics, suspected iERI was associated with lower mortality and better neurological outcomes.

Conclusions

Suspected iERI could represent sterile inflammation or lower bacterial load leading to false-negative cultures. There is a need for improved microbiology diagnostics and biomarkers of bacterial infection to permit accurate discrimination and improve antimicrobial stewardship.

Neurosurgery activity levels in the United Kingdom and republic of Ireland during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic - a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study

The impact of Covid-19 on surgical patients worldwide has been substantial. In the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), the first wave of the pandemic occurred in March 2020. The aims of this study were to: (1) evaluate the volume of neurosurgical operative activity levels, Covid-19 infection rate and mortality rate in April 2020 with a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study conducted across 16 UK and RoI neurosurgical centres, and (2) compare patient outcomes in a single institution in April-June 2020 with a comparative cohort in 2019. Across the UK and RoI, 818 patients were included. There were 594 emergency and 224 elective operations. The incidence rate of Covid-19 infection was 2.6% (21/818). The overall mortality rate in patients with a Covid-19 infection was 28.6% (6/21). In the single centre cohort analysis, an overall reduction in neurosurgical operative activity by 65% was observed between 2020 (n = 304) and 2019 (n = 868). The current and future impact on UK neurosurgical operative activity has implications for service delivery and neurosurgical training.

Epidemiology and Pattern of Traumatic Brain Injuries at Annapurna Neurological Institute & Allied Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) constitutes a major health and socioeconomic problem worldwide. It represents the greatest contribution to death and disability among all trauma-related injuries globally. TBIs are a leading cause of death and disability in Nepal, despite improvements in safety regulations and implementation of strict drunk driving laws. We describe the epidemiology of patients with TBI following admission to our hospital. We discuss the implementation of specific strategies to reduce its incidence.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients presenting to Annapurna Neurological Institute & Allied Sciences (ANIAS), Kathmandu, with a TBI between September 2018 to September 2019.

RESULTS

One-hundred and sixty-seven patients presented with a TBI. The most common age groups were younger than 15 years old and 15-25 years old, and the majority were male (73%). The commonest cause of TBI was road traffic accidents (RTA) (59%). Drivers riding motorcycles were the predominant mechanism of RTA (38%). Helmet use was seen in 57% of patients riding 2-wheelers. Alcohol consumption was reported in 22% of all patients. Skull fractures were the most common diagnosis. Most patients were managed conservatively (84%).

CONCLUSIONS

TBI should be recognized as an important public health problem in Nepal. TBI is responsible for a considerable number of neurosurgical admissions to ANIAS. Our study showed patients most vulnerable to TBI are males younger than 25 years old. The implementation of stricter traffic rules and regulations, helmet law enforcement, and public education programs may be helpful in decreasing the number of TBI.

An unusual presentation of clival chordoma: a case report and review of the literature

Chordomas are rare bone tumours that are aggressive and locally invasive. When arising from the clivus, they typically present with cranial nerve deficits and headache. We report a case of a 58-year-old male who presented acutely with hydrocephalus and suspected encephalitis. He had evidence of clival erosion but no obvious tumour mass on imaging. After stabilisation, he developed CSF rhinorrhoea for which he underwent endoscopic repair. Biopsy samples diagnosed chordoma.

Neurosurgery in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary c. 1920-c.1940: knowledge, skills and styles

A neurosurgical unit was established in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) in 1948 with the appointment of Martin Nichols as its first full-time neurosurgeon. Despite there being no formal neurosurgical ward or specialist dedicated to neurosurgery in ARI prior to this, a number of neurosurgical procedures were undertaken between 1920 and 1940. From 1923 to 1932, the procedures were predominantly cranial and were performed by general surgeons. The operations evolved in 1933 to include the spine and peripheral nerves after the arrival of Sir James Learmonth. This paper chronicles the development of surgical neurology at the ARI in the 30 years preceding a formal unit. It considers the factors and background that enabled neurosurgical practices to be undertaken and led to evolution of neurosurgery from general surgery.

'Scapula alata' as a consequence of park bench position for a retro-mastoid craniectomy

We report on a patient who developed winged scapula on the contralateral side to the approach for a cerebellopontine tumour excision, an unreported complication following this procedure. We think this was due to damage of the long thoracic nerve in the dependant side, while in the park bench position.