Tertiary Academic Hospital Research Articles

Outcomes and complications after long versus short gastric pouch Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with severe obesity

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the second most common metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) globally. The impact of pouch size on weight loss outcomes and complications remains unclear. This study aims to compare the weight loss outcomes and complications in long pouch versus short pouch RYGB in patients with severe obesity. This retrospective study, conducted in 2021 in two academic tertiary Hospitals, included patients aged 18–65 with severe obesity who underwent RYGB with two different methods. Demographic data, past medical history, and surgical details were assessed. The study outcome was postoperative metrics at 12 months including weight loss outcomes and complications like marginal ulceration, and leaks. A total of 219 patients, who were included in this study, were divided into two groups: 107 with long gastric pouches and 112 with short gastric pouches. The average age was 41.33 ± 10.26 and 42.45 ± 11.70 in long and short gastric pouches, respectively. Patients with long gastric pouches had a mean weight of 113.29 ± 16.52 kg and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 42.97 ± 4.15 kg/m2, and patients with short gastric pouches had a mean weight of 118.39 ± 12.80 kg and mean BMI of 45.21 ± 5.10 kg/m2. At 12 months after surgery, substantial weight loss was noted in all participants (37.8 ± 10.7 kg in patients with long gastric pouch; 48.1 ± 11.3 kg in patients with short gastric pouch; P = 0.033). Delta BMI (P = 0.072), and TWL% (P = 0.061), were more pronounced in patients with short pouches, however the difference was not significant. Remission of underlying diseases and endoscopic findings were comparable for short and long gastric pouch groups. Both long and short-pouch gastric bypass surgeries are effective and safe for weight loss and remission of obesity-associated medical problems in patients with severe obesity and exhibited similar rates for remission of underlying diseases and endoscopic findings. More studies are needed to individualize surgical approaches based on patient characteristics.

Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors in a Tertiary University Hospital in Northern Spain

(1) Background: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are a rare and diverse group of neoplasms arising in the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands distributed throughout the upper aerodigestive tract. Given the rarity and complexity of MSGTs, understanding their epidemiology across diverse populations is crucial for improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis involving 45 patients diagnosed with malignant salivary gland tumors and treated with curative intention between 1 July, 2016 and 1 July, 2021 in a tertiary academic hospital was performed. (3) Results: Histologically, the most common subtype was adenoid cystic carcinoma in 12 (26.7%) cases, followed by carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma in 7 (15.6%) cases, mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 6 (13.3%) cases, and adenocarcinoma in 6 (13.3%) cases. The majority of tumors were located in the parotid gland in 28 cases (62.2%). The three-year overall survival rate was 80% and the three-year specific survival rate was 86.7%. Tumor grade was significantly associated with local recurrence and the appearance of distant metastasis during the follow-up period (p = 0.04). We also evidenced a worse survival in patients with advanced T-Stage (p = 0.038) and positive nodes in the neck (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusions: Overall, our study reinforces the prognostic significance of tumor grade, T-Stage and N-Stage while challenging the conventional understanding of factors such as PNI, LNM, and margin status.

Effects of a scoring aid on glasgow coma score assessment and physicians’ comprehension: a simulator-based randomized clinical trial

PurposeExamining the impact of scoring aids on the accuracy of assessing the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) in a standardized trauma scenario (primary outcome). Evaluating physicians’ understanding of the GCS assessment and clinical application (secondary outcome).Materials and methodsThis randomized trial was performed at the simulator center of a Swiss tertiary academic medical hospital. Participants included intensivists, emergency physicians, internists, and neurologists. The setting involved a trauma patient portraying a GCS of 8 (eyes 1, verbal 2, motor 5). Participants were randomized to receiving or not receiving a scoring aid. Video/audio recordings of the assessments and questionnaires were analyzed by two investigators.ResultsAmong 109 participants, 55 received a scoring aid. Overall, 52% scored correctly (score interquartile range 7–8); 43% scored too low and 90% scored within a range of ± 1. A scoring aid increased accuracy (62% vs. 43%, p = 0.045) and participants’ confidence, whilst decreasing assessment duration. Clinical experience further improved reliability. 89% found assessing a GCS of 8 most challenging, particularly with motor response evaluation (64%). 26% indicated tracheal intubation to be mandatory with a score of GCS ≤ 8.ConclusionsGCS assessment is improved by professional experience and a scoring aid, the use of which needs to be promoted in daily clinical practice. Frequent inaccuracy and misunderstanding regarding clinical applications may alter patient management and misguide treatment and prognosis.Trial registrationISRCTN registry (IDISRCTN12257237) https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12257237 Retrospectively registered (last amendment 08/22/2023).

Characteristics and Resource Utilization of Hospitalized Children With Somatic Symptoms.

To examine patient characteristics and resource utilization of hospitalized children and adolescents with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs). This study included 173 patients who were aged 6 to 18years and admitted to a single, tertiary academic children's hospital between April 2015 and December 2021 with a diagnosis of an SSRD. Sociodemographic information and clinical features were assessed as outcomes. Resource utilization was compared across diagnostic subgroups. Regression analysis was used to determine whether diagnosis predicted length of stay (LOS). Of the 173 patients included, presenting symptoms were primarily neurologic (n = 109, 63%); the most common diagnostic subgroup was functional neurologic symptom disorder (n = 65, 38%). Resource utilization was notable; the median laboratory studies ordered was 9 (IQR, 4.5-13), 119 of the 173 patients (69%) had at least 1 imaging study, and 124 (72%) had at least 1 physician consultation. The 14-day all-cause emergency department (ED) return rate was 20% (n = 35), and 14-day related ED return rate was 16% (n = 27). After adjustments, LOS was significantly associated with physician-ordered labs (β = 0.32; P = <.001) and consults (β = 0.41; P = <.001). The findings of this study revealed significant variability in the management of hospitalized patients diagnosed with SSRDs. Future studies to assess the benefit of clinical pathways for SSRDs to standardize management and potentially reduce health care cost by limiting unnecessary evaluation are needed.

Comparing Outcomes of Moyamoya Disease and Moyamoya Syndrome in a Real-World Scenario: A Cohort Study.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) and moyamoya syndrome (MMS) are rare cerebrovascular conditions with unclear distinctions in clinical presentation and prognosis. This study assessed potential differences between MMD and MMS patients using real-world data on clinical manifestations, surgical outcomes, and stroke risk factors. This multicenter, retrospective cohort study examined patients with MMD or MMS treated at three tertiary academic hospitals in China, with a mean follow-up of 11.2 ± 3.1 years. Clinical differences were compared between MMD and MMS, and postoperative cerebrovascular events were compared between patients who underwent surgery and those with conservative management. Primary outcomes were postoperative ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Risk factors were evaluated via multivariate Cox regression analysis. Of the 2565 patients, 2349 had MMD and 216 had MMS. After 1:1 propensity-score matching, no significant differences were observed between these two cohorts. Surgical patients had fewer cerebrovascular events than those who received conservative treatment (HR, 0.487; 95% CI, 0.334-0.711; p < 0.001). Preadmission modified Rankin scale scores > 2 (HR, 3.139; 95% CI, 1.254-7.857; p = 0.015) and periprocedural complications (HR, 8.666; 95% CI, 3.476-21.604; p < 0.001) were independent stroke risk factors in patients with MMD. Periprocedural complications (HR, 31.807; 95% CI, 10.916-92.684; p < 0.001) increased stroke risk in patients with MMS. This real-world study revealed substantial clinical overlap between MMD and MMS. Both groups derived significant benefits from surgical revascularization, suggesting distinction may not be necessary to guide surgical management decisions. Optimizing preoperative status and preventing periprocedural complications may improve outcomes in these rare cerebrovascular conditions. This study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical trial registry (registration number: ChiCTR2200064160).

Analysis and Validation of a Diagnostic Nomogram for Predicting the Risk of Acute Respiratory Failure for Non-HIV Related Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia Patients.

Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP), primarily affecting individuals with weakened immune systems, is a severe respiratory infection caused by pneumocystis jirovecii and can lead to acute respiratory failure (ARF). In this article, we explore the risk factors of ARF and propose a prognostic model of ARF for PCP patients. In this multi-center, retrospective study in 6secondary or tertiary academic hospitals in China, 120 PCP patients were screened from the Dryad database for the development of a predictive model. A total of 49 patients from Peking University People's Hospital were collected for external validation. Crucial clinical features of these patients are selected applying univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. We established an intuitive nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) were plotted to evaluate the model's performance. A cohort of 120 patients formed the training cohort for the development of the model, with 49 patients constituting the test cohort. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis identified five risk factors associated with ARF, which are age, fever, dyspnea, high neutrophil count and use of antibiotics. A nomogram was then proposed based on these factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) in the development group has reached 0.8576, while the validation group has an AUROC of 0.7372, indicating commendable ability for predicting ARF. In addition, results for Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicate the effectiveness of our model. Furthermore, DCA and CIC curves demonstrate excellent clinical benefit. We present a nomogram for predicting ARF in non-HIV related PCP patients. The prognostic model may provide references in clinical medicine, promote timely treatment and improve therapeutic outcomes of PCP patients.

Deep learning to predict risk of lateral skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak or encephalocele.

Skull base features, including increased foramen ovale (FO) cross-sectional area, are associated with lateral skull base spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leak and encephalocele. Manual measurement requires skill in interpreting imaging studies and is time consuming. The goal of this study was to develop a fully automated deep learning method for FO segmentation and to determine the predictive value in identifying patients with sCSF leak or encephalocele. A retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care academic hospital of 34 adults with lateral skull base sCSF leak or encephalocele were compared with 815 control patients from 2013-2021. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was constructed for image segmentation of axial computed tomography (CT) studies. Predicted FO segmentations were compared to manual segmentations, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. 295 CTs were used for training and validation of the CNN. A separate dataset of 554 control CTs was matched 5:1 on age and sex with the sCSF leak/encephalocele group. The mean Dice score was 0.81. The sCSF leak/encephalocele group had greater mean (SD) FO cross-sectional area compared to the control group, 29.0 (7.7) mm2 versus 24.3 (7.6) mm2 (P = .002, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.08). The area under the ROC curve was 0.69. CNNs can be used to segment the cross-sectional area of the FO accurately and efficiently. Used together with other predictors, this method could be used as part of a clinical tool to predict the risk of sCSF leak or encephalocele.

Radioactive iodine therapy dose impact on recurrence and survival in N1 papillary thyroid cancer.

The objective of this study is to investigate radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) dose impact on survival and recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with regional lymph node metastasis (N1). A retrospective study of PTC patients with N1 disease from 2007 to 2011 at a tertiary academic hospital collected demographics, tumor characteristics, and RAIT treatment dose. RAIT dose was stratified by total dosage less than or greater than 150 mCi. Outcomes included recurrence, immediate RAIT side-effects, and mortality. A total of 60 N1a and 21 N1b patients were studied with a median follow-up of about 9 years. No statistically significant differences were found between N1a PTC patients who received high-dose vs low-dose RAIT in recurrence rate (6.9% vs 6.7%, P > 0.999) or immediate RAIT side effects (6.9% vs 16.1%, P = 0.426). There were no mortalities in the N1a group. For patients with N1b PTC, there were no differences between high-dose and low-dose RAIT in recurrence rate (41.7% vs 44.4%, P > 0.999), mortality (0% vs 16.7%, P = 0.375), or immediate RAIT side effects (8.3% vs 11.1%, P > 0.999). Dosages of RAIT ≥ 150 mCi do not appear to provide additional benefit in reducing recurrence compared to doses <150 mCi for N1a or N1b PTC patients. No differences in mortality or immediate RAIT side effects were observed between the two dosing regimens; however, interpretation is limited by low event rates. Large randomized trials are needed for further individualized recommendations regarding optimal RAIT dosage in N1 PTC.

Canadian computed tomography head rule and New Orleans criteria in mild traumatic brain injury: Comparison at an urban tertiary care facility in Pakistan.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with road traffic accidents being the predominant cause in Pakistan. Computed tomography (CT) scans have become the cornerstone of investigation for all TBIs, but their widespread use raises concerns about cost-effectiveness, radiation exposure, and incidental findings. This study aimed to validate the applicability of the Canadian CT head rule (CCHR) and New Orleans Criteria (NOC) in the Pakistani population and compare their sensitivity and specificity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care academic hospital in Pakistan, including consecutive patients with acute, mild brain injury. The primary outcome was "clinically important brain injury," while the secondary outcome was "need for neurosurgical intervention." Univariate analysis using Chi square was performed for each variable to assess association with CT findings. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated to evaluate the performance of each decision rule. Most of the patients in our study had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 (92.6%). Headache was the most common parameter overall (61.7%). Clinically important CT was detected in 68 (6.7%) patients. Only 1 of the NOC and 4 CCHR variables demonstrated statistically significant association with clinically significant CT. The CCHR was 64% sensitive for detecting clinically important CTs in trauma patients with GCS of 13-15, and the NOC was 86% sensitive, with respective specificities of 70% and 33%. For predicting the need for neurosurgical intervention, the sensitivities of CCHR and NOC were 61% and 85%, and specificity was 68% and 32%, respectively. We concluded that the CCHR was more specific and accurate, and it has the potential to have a greater influence on CT ordering rates than the NOC. Further studies are recommended to validate the tools for the Pakistani population.

Gather "Round": An Integrated Care Model for the Emergency Department Multi-Visit Patient.

Emergency departments (EDs) are a vital component of the United States healthcare system and care for over 130 million patient visits annually. Nonurgent ED visits can contribute to crowding, delays in care, and adverse effects. Many high-utilizing ED patients may present with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs that are not necessarily emergent or urgent in nature. The authors created an Integrated Care Model, called the Multi-Visit Patient (MVP) program, for patients with 5 or more visits to the ED in a rolling 12-month period. The MVP program incorporated an interdisciplinary group of ED leadership and case management (CM) to identify, engage, and intervene with ED MVPs, aiming to improve their ED utilization. Patients received comprehensive screenings for depression, falls, alcohol use disorder, caregiver support, social determinants of health, and more. Based on these screenings, the CM team implemented interventions such as connecting patients with outpatient specialists and linking patients to community-based organizations to optimize stability, wellness, and reduce ED utilization. The collaboratively developed MVP program was implemented in the ED of a large, suburban, tertiary care academic hospital. The MVP program identified 221 MVP patients over a 20-month period and successfully connected with 89% of them. Of these 221 patients, 78% (172 patients) chose to engage in the MVP program, with 160 completing their engagement with an outcome. Among the patients who completed their engagement and for whom the study could match separate utilization data (151 patients), the study observed a 57% reduction in ED visits. Case managers play a crucial role in the effectiveness of the MVP program by coordinating comprehensive care for high-utilizing ED patients. The MVP program includes transition of care initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes. Through screenings and targeted interventions, case managers identify and address the complex medical, behavioral, and social needs of MVP patients. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach underscores the importance of timely and coordinated care, benefiting both patients and the health system. The MVP program exemplifies the critical role of case managers in reducing unnecessary ED visits and enhancing overall patient care.

A Prospective Evaluation of Health Literacy Levels of Pregnant Women in Antenatal Classes: Impact on Delivery Outcomes in Nulliparous and Multiparous Women.

Backgrounds/Objectives: Modern technology and educational activities, such as antenatal classes (ACs), increase patient informedness in medicine and improve collaboration between physicians and patients. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of maternal health literacy (HL) on delivery outcomes between nulliparous and multiparous women who attended antenatal classes. Methods: This prospective study recruited 281 pregnant women who regularly attended ACs, but only 188 who gave birth at our academic tertiary hospital were included in the final analysis. Socio-demographic characteristics, peripartum data (cervical dilatation at the time of admission to the hospital, duration of labor, and mode of delivery), and obstetric interventions (cesarean section (C/S) rate and rate of instrumental vaginal birth and episiotomy) were recorded, and the level of HL was assessed using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16). HL levels did not significantly affect peripartum and postpartum outcomes. Results: The study results showed that HL levels did not impact labor duration and newborn Apgar scores (p > 0.05). Patient education levels and employment status affected the peripartum duration of labor (p = 0.048 and p = 0.001, respectively). There were no differences in the HL total score and subscale scores (p > 0.05) between nulliparous and multiparous patients, and the rate of primary C/S was similar in both groups. Conclusions: HL levels did not impact delivery (peripartum) outcomes in pregnant women who attended antenatal classes. However, the primary C/S rate was similar between the nulliparous and multiparous groups, which may indicate that antenatal education services can correct the negative impact of low HL levels on the primary C/S rate.

Managing Angiography Unit Failure in Interventional Radiology: Lessons in Crisis Management and Considerations in Prevention.

Functional and efficient medical equipment is at the core of modern healthcare delivery, particularly in medical imaging. Growing healthcare costs and constrained budgets can delay equipment renewal. Aging equipment risks malfunction, potentially causing injury to patients and staff, and downtimes delaying patient care and impacting departmental revenue. Extensive equipment failure can lead to significant operational disruption which can compromise the delivery of timely and quality healthcare. Although extensive equipment failure is uncommon, 2 interventional radiology divisions at tertiary academic hospitals in Canada and the UK recently faced such a crisis. Their experiences of crisis and recovery inform this review of angiography equipment failure, and the principles learned. The concept of organizational resilience is introduced as a framework through which we review the crises. This concept can be split into successive and cooperative stages of anticipation, coping, and adaptation. Resilient organizations can identify potential threats, cope with unexpected crises, and recover swiftly to ensure future success. The author's experience of critical angiography unit failure, their response, and lessons learned are reviewed. We find these principles are broadly applicable to other medical imaging divisions and relevant to any system reliant on technology for healthcare delivery.

Abstract Sa1101: Association Between Changes in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury and Neurological Outcomes in Cardiac Arrest Survivors.

Aim: Quantitative analysis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to predict poor neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. Our study aimed to determine the association between changes in HIBI and neurological outcomes in OHCA survivors using two types of MRI. Methods: This observational study used data collected prospectively from a tertiary academic hospital. The study included adult comatose OHCA survivors who underwent targeted temperature management (TTM) and brain MRI within 6 hours (first) and 72–96 hours (second) using the same MR scanner. We analyzed the neurological outcomes based on brain volumes below a specific ADC value using 10-step intervals within the range of 200–1200 × 10 -6 mm 2 /s for the first and second MRIs. ADC-R(x) represents the proportion of total brain volume occupied by voxels, with ADC values ranging from 200 × 10 -6 mm 2 /s to each threshold. Additionally, ADC(x) represents the proportion of total brain volume occupied by voxels that are “threshold - 10” at each threshold. Poor neurological outcomes were categorized as cerebral performance levels 3–5, observed 6 months after OHCA. Results: Overall, 122 patients (25% female) were included in the analysis, of whom 61 (50%) showed poor neurological outcomes. Higher ADC-R(x) were observed in the poor neurological outcome group on both the first and second MRI scans at all ADC intervals (all P &lt; 0.05) (Figure 1). In the Good Neurological Outcome group, the ADC-R values ranged between 370 and 940, with the second MRI value being smaller than that of the first (right shift, P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the Poor Neurological Outcome group showed ADC-R values ranging between 340 and 1190, with the second MRI value being higher than that of the first (left shift, P &lt; 0.05) (Figure 2). The difference in ADC(x) between the second and first MRI based on neurological outcome showed a positive change in ADC below 620 for a poor neurological outcome and a positive change in ADC above 740 for a good neurological outcome (Figure 3). Conclusions: In this cohort study, we observed that the initial HIBI that occurred during OHCA worsened or returned to normal depending on the neurological outcome after TTM. Prospective multicenter studies are required to generalize our findings.

QOL-29. PREVALENCE, MANAGEMENT, AND OUTCOMES OF PROCARBAZINE-ASSOCIATED HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS IN PATIENTS RECEIVING PCV FOR LOW-GRADE GLIOMA

Abstract Procarbazine is an alkylating agent commonly used to treat low-grade gliomas as part of the PCV regimen. The use of procarbazine is frequently limited by the development of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), which often require dose reduction or cessation of procarbazine therapy prior to the completion of a planned treatment course. The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and potential predictors of these reactions are not well defined. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with low-grade glioma who received PCV between January 2016 and January 2024 at a tertiary academic hospital. Data on patient demographics, tumor type, clinical characteristics, treatment course, and hypersensitivity reactions were collected and analyzed. 61 total patients were included. The overall prevalence of HSRs was 60.7% (95% CI: 48.4% - 72.9%). The median cycle during which HSRs occurred was cycle 3 (IQR: 2-4, Range: 1-5). All HSRs involved the development of rash, with 86.5% being pruritic and 21.6% involving the face. Treatments for HSRs included antihistamines (62.2%), topical corticosteroids (35.1%), and systemic corticosteroids (27.0%). Three patients with HSRs presented to the emergency department with concern for anaphylaxis, and one required treatment with epinephrine. Out of six patients rechallenged with procarbazine after experiencing HSRs, one patient redeveloped a diffuse, pruritic rash that resolved with systemic corticosteroids. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between HSRs and gender, age at PCV C1D1, elevated liver enzymes, and concomitant anticonvulsant use, but no significant correlation was observed. In summary, our study provides a contemporary and comprehensive analysis of the prevalence and severity of HSRs to procarbazine in patients with low-grade glioma. The high rate of HSRs in this population, including a relatively high rate of suspected anaphylaxis, should be considered carefully by clinicians in choosing chemotherapy for low-grade glioma and warrants routine counseling and close monitoring.

NCOG-47. DEFINING PERIOPERATIVE RISK FACTORS IN STEREOTACTIC BRAIN BIOPSIES AMONG DIFFERENT HISTOLOGIC DIAGNOSES

Abstract INTRODUCTION Stereotactic brain biopsies (SBB) are critical for diagnosing neoplastic central nervous system pathologies including gliomas, metastatic carcinomas (cA), and lymphomas. While SBB-related complications have been cited in the literature, we sought to characterize the perioperative risk factors/outcomes. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 615 patients who underwent a SBB at the same tertiary academic hospital between 2000-2020. Logistic regression was conducted across all recorded variables to assess the relative impact on intra/postoperative complications, and Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated to assess probability of 1-year hospice enrollment. RESULTS Of the 615 patients, the average (+/- SD) age was 56+/- 19 years with 286 (46.5%) female patients and the following histological groups: glioma (n=422), lymphoma (n=74), and metastatic cA (n=22). Complications included intraoperative bleeding (7.1%), general postoperative hemorrhage (34%), symptomatic postoperative hemorrhage (3.3%), and discharge-to-hospice (6.8%). General hemorrhage and discharge-to-hospice were most common in glioma (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and lymphoma patients (p=0.003), respectively. Independent risk factors for general hemorrhage included medical history (mental status deficits, glioma, GBM; p= 0-0.02) and biopsy characteristics (parietal lobe, subcortical, eloquent, M8 hole, multiple depths; p= 0-0.05). Preoperative systematic workups and history of lymphoma were independently associated with lower hemorrhage risk (p= &amp;lt;0.001). Risk factors for hospice discharge included preoperative deficits (gait, speech, and mental status; p=0.001-0.05) and postoperative complications (prolonged ICU, UTI, pneumonia; p&amp;lt;0.001). Of the 15 cases of symptomatic hemorrhage, there was a significantly greater representation of glioma patients (p&amp;lt;0.001) with 67% GBM patients and 50% with multiple-depth biopsies. These patients had similar probability of 1-year hospice enrollment compared to non-hemorrhagic patients (p= 0.92). DISCUSSION While complication rates were relatively similar among different histological categories, perioperative risk factors broadly differed based on the type of complication. Understanding perioperative risk factors in SBB may help inform surgical decision making and prognostication.

Management of Prenatal Expanded Genetic Carrier Screening Results for Autosomal Recessive Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Expanded carrier screening (ECS) identified couples at-risk to have a baby with an autosomal recessive genetic condition. Several genes implicated in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are included in prenatal or preconception genetics ECS testing. Early identification of SNHL risk may enable prognostication of hearing loss, early educational intervention, and minimization of unnecessary diagnostic testing. We sought to describe cases where ECS enabled early SNHL-risk identification. Retrospective chart review. Maternal-Fetal Care Center and Otolaryngology department at an academic tertiary hospital. Medical records of parent-infant dyads with positive ECS results for variants in autosomal recessive SNHL genes were reviewed. Data regarding genetic diagnostic testing, newborn hearing screening, time to HL diagnosis, audiological evaluation, and clinical consultations were compiled. Fifteen pregnant with positive ECS results for SNHL were referred for consultation with a pediatric otolaryngologist and genetic counselor. Generally, these couples were highly educated and adequately insured. 14 had pathogenic variants for GJB2 and 1 for USH2A. Four couples pursued prenatal genetic diagnosis via amniocentesis; 11 couples deferred genetic testing to the postnatal period or waited for initial hearing evaluation. Six babies inherited biallelic GJB2 mutations. Four were found to have SNHL on ABR by age 5 weeks and received follow-up management, 1 had a normal hearing evaluation despite being gene-positive, and 1 was lost to follow-up before hearing evaluation. Carrier screening and confirmatory prenatal or neonatal genetic testing provided considerable lead time for early audiometric testing and appropriate intervention services including hearing aid fitting.

Outcomes of Universal Suicide Risk Screening in Medical Inpatients

Objectives Universal screening for suicide risk has not been shown to reduce suicide rates or reliably predict suicide, but there have been few studies assessing other potential benefits of this practice. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a universal inpatient suicide risk screening protocol and determine if a positive suicide screen was predictive of the need for psychiatric admission, and if it reduced the length of stay prior to psychiatric admission. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of non-psychiatric admissions over 1 year at a tertiary care academic hospital. We calculated the proportion of patients screening positive for suicidal ideation (SI), and among those screening positive, the proportion receiving a psychiatric consult and being admitted to psychiatry. Length of stay among groups was determined. We performed chi square analysis and adjusted multivariate logistic regression comparing different demographics. Results 97.2% of patients were screened, with 2.6% screening positive. Of these patients, 44.6% received a psychiatric consultation and 9.2% were admitted to psychiatry. Psychiatric admissions who screened positive for SI averaged 5.7 days until transfer to psychiatry, compared to 17.9 days for those who screened negative. Suicide risk screening had a sensitivity of 62.0%, specificity of 97.6%, positive predictive value of 9.2%, and a negative predictive value of 99.8% for psychiatric admission. Conclusions Universal suicide risk screening is feasible and may help identify patients requiring psychiatric care sooner, reducing length of stay of those requiring psychiatric admission.

Candida auris fungaemia outbreak in a tertiary care academic hospital and emergence of a pan-echinocandin resistant isolate, Greece, 2021 to 2023.

After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid rise in reported numbers and wide geographic spread of Candida auris-related invasive infections has been observed globally. However, the contemporary epidemiology of C. auris fungaemias in Greece remains unknown. An outbreak of C. auris bloodstream infections has been ongoing for almost 3 years in a Greek tertiary care academic hospital, with 89 C. auris-driven episodes appearing in five waves every 6-7 months following peaks in colonisation rates by 3-4 months. All isolates clustered in clade I and were genetically related, 84% were fluconazole-resistant and all were non-resistant to amphotericin B and echinocandins, except one pan-echinocandin-resistant isolate (FKS1S639F mutant) recovered from a patient on empiric therapy with anidulafungin. Notably, C. auris was in 2023 the most prevalent (34%) cause of candidaemia in our hospital. The accelerated and long-term transmission dynamics of C. auris fungaemia underscore the need for rigorous infection control measures, while antifungal stewardship is warranted to contain the selection of echinocandin-resistant isolates.

Clinical and audiological characteristics in adults with tinnitus in South Africa.

In South Africa, the prevalence of tinnitus and its associated clinical and audiological characteristics remain underexplored, posing challenges in the assessment and management of the condition. This knowledge gap affects clinician preparedness and effectiveness in treating tinnitus. This study aimed to explore the clinical and audiological characteristics of adult patients reporting tinnitus at a tertiary academic hospital in South Africa. A quantitative, non-experimental, retrospective review of 129 patient audiological records from the Audiology Department at Helen Joseph Hospital was conducted. Among these, 71 records were of patients who reported experiences of tinnitus. Tinnitus was reported by 55% of patients, with a higher prevalence in females (76%). The mean age of patients was 51.9 years. Unilateral tinnitus was present in 28% of cases, while 78% of patients had hearing loss, predominantly sensorineural. Common audiological characteristics included vertigo (24%), otalgia (14%), otorrhea (17%) and perforated tympanic membrane (15%). Clinical conditions associated with tinnitus included hypertension (32%), heart disease (28%), diabetes (9%) and head trauma (9%). Findings regarding age and gender differences in the clinical and audiological manifestations of tinnitus are presented. Further research with larger, diverse samples and prospective designs is necessary to confirm these findings and explore possible underlying causes.Contribution:The findings highlight the significant prevalence of tinnitus and its association with various clinical and audiological conditions in the South African context. Understanding these characteristics will enhance the clinician's ability to accurately assess, diagnose and manage tinnitus, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

Characteristics and outcomes of pediatric brucellosis cases collected from a tertiary academic hospital in Saudi Arabia

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., affecting different body systems and leading to multiple complications. Although brucellosis is prevalent in several regions, including Saudi Arabia, limited research has focused on childhood brucellosis. This study aimed to characterize the features and outcomes of brucellosis in pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study involving children (&lt;18 years) with confirmed brucellosis (diagnosed through culture, serology, or both) who received antibiotic therapy. Subjects were stratified into two groups based on age: younger (&amp;le;8 years) and older (&gt;8 years). We assessed treatment outcomes, including clinical cure, mortality, and hospital length of stay. A total of 20 patients were included, with 52.3% in the younger group and 47.7% in the older group. The majority were male (65%), with a mean age of 8.9 years, and 45% required hospitalization. Out of all the patients, only 6 (30%) reported consuming dairy products. Serologically, the baseline median antibody titers for Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus were 1:1280 and 1:640, respectively. In the younger group, half reported arthralgia and presented with fever. While white blood cell elevation was not significant, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and liver enzymes were elevated at baseline. The administered regimen varied, but about half of the patients received at least three antibiotics. All patients experienced clinical cures, and there were no deaths. This study highlights the characteristics of pediatric brucellosis in a country where the disease is endemic and provides evidence of positive prognosis associated with appropriate antibiotic therapy.