Failure Of Medical Management Research Articles

Surgery for deformities in pediatric spinal tuberculosis: single centre review of 51 cases.

To retrospectively report on the clinical presentation, radiological features, indication, and outcome of surgical management of children with posttubercular spinal deformities with long term outcome. This retrospective study was conducted in a single center operated by a single surgeon from 2002 to 2022, and data from an electronic medical record was reviewed. The indications for surgery included failure of medical treatment, to prevent deformity (depending on location, extent of bone loss, stabilization patterns (A, B, or C), and the presence of "Spine at Risk" signs) or correct deformity and in the presence of major neurodeficit. 51 children (< 15years) of mean age 12.5, and mean follow-up of 7years (2-15) were included. Pain, deformity/instability, and limb weakness were seen in 34 (66.6%) patients (mean mJOA score was 13.44, which improved to 14.7 and 16.8 at immediate postoperative and latest follow-up), with 17 (33.3%) patients presenting with deformity alone. Dorsal affection was commonest (60.8%), followed by lumbosacral (19.6%) and cervical (19.6%), with multilevel/skip lesions seen in four patients. The mean coronal/sagittal Cobb at presentation was 24.2°/40.96°, which improved to 8.2°/25.6° in the immediate and 8.8°/24.8° at the latest follow-up. Gene Xpert positivity was found in 95%, AFB culture positivity in 84%, and histopathology was positive in 91%. All patients had posterior surgery with an additional anterior reconstruction in 6. The complication rate was 5.8% (N = 3); 2 had implant loosening requiring revision surgery, 1 with prolonged discharging sinus with MDR TB, healed with chemotherapy. Pediatric post-tuberculous spinal deformities require identification of those who are likely to worsen, and close follow-up is mandatory. Failure of medical management, major destruction of vertebral bodies, type C stabilization pattern, and worsening deformity/neurodeficit require surgery with a good outcome.

Catamenial Haemorrhagic Pleural Effusion Caused by Thoracic Endometriosis, which was Controlled by Surgery Undertaken after Failed Medical Management.

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome is a rare but significant cause of haemorrhagic pleural effusion in women of childbearing age.Diagnosis and treatment can be challenging, and a multidisciplinary approach has been found to improve outcomes.

Decompressive craniotomy for severe traumatic brain injury: Our experience and review of literature

Introduction: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most devastating injury affecting physical, mental, social and financial health of an individual and a society. The research, understanding and management of TBI is mainly focussed towards the secondary effects of the traumatic brain injury. Maintaining intracranial pressure within reasonable bounds is essential for successful TBI therapy, as an uncontrolled intracranial pressure (ICP) plays a major role in determining the course and prognosis of the injury. In general, ICP can be managed medically and/or surgically. In this article, we discuss our experience, the most recent understanding, and a method for managing ICP in traumatic brain injury. Material and Methods: This study comprised 350 patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were treated by a single neurosurgeon at several institutions between 2005 and 2020. 76.6% (268) of the patients were men, and 64% (224) of the patients were under 60 years old. The most common mode of injury was road traffic accident followed by fall from height. The study excluded those patients with brain stem injuries, bilateral non-reacting pupils, and concomitant significant injuries in other body parts. All were first treated medically with appropriate resuscitation, hyper-osmolar therapy (mannitol, 3% saline), hyperventilation, and barbiturate coma as per the response and requirement. Surgical intervention was used for patients who did not respond to medical management. In addition, decompressive craniectomy (DC) was primarily performed on those whose GCS was less than 5 and who had reacting pupils, upon presentation. Results: Out of the 350 patients, 53.2% (186) had moderate TBI and 46.8% (164) had severe TBI. Due to failure of medical management, 30.5% (54) of moderate and 69.5% (123) of severe TBI underwent decompressive craniectomy in the form of bifrontal craniectomy in 18% (32), unilateral fronto-temporo-parietal craniectomy (hemicraniectomy) in 64% (113) , bilateral hemicraniectomy in 6% (11) and 12% (21) underwent limited fronto-temporo-parietal craniectomy. Decompressive craniectomy was not performed for posterior fossa. The data on outcome is very poor, inadequate and unreliable due to bad follow up. 5 years Follow up could be obtained only of 127 out of 350 (36%) patients and majority of these 69% (88) were moderately or severely disabled. Of those operated ones, only 27% (48) agreed for cranioplasty. 17% (30) had to undergo VP shunt for hydrocephalus. The group with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounted for the majority of deaths (17%), with respiratory tract infections being the primary cause. Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy is the sole option in medically refractory cases of traumatic intracranial hypertension, who continue to deteriorate clinically. Nevertheless, the benefit falls short of expectations, particularly with regard to functional recovery. However prompt and appropriate decompression in appropriately indicated patients has withstood the test of time and remains a widely accepted attempt at life saving for moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

External Validation of Predictive Models for Failed Medical Management of Spinal Epidural Abscess

ObjectiveThere is limited consensus regarding management of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA), particularly in patients without neurologic deficits. Several models have been created to predict failure of medical management in patients with SEA. We evaluate the external validity of five predictive models in an independent cohort of patients with SEA. Methods176 patients with SEA between 2010 and 2019 at our institution were identified, and variables relevant to each predictive model were collected. Published prediction models were used to assign probability of medical management failure to each patient. Predicted probabilities of medical failure and actual patient outcomes were used to create Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, with the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) used to quantify a model’s discriminative ability. Calibration curves were plotted using predicted probabilities and actual outcomes. The Spiegelhalter Z-test was used to determine adequate model calibration. ResultsOne model (Kim et al.) demonstrated good discriminative ability and adequate model calibration in our cohort (ROC = 0.831, p-value = 0.83). Parameters included in the model were age >65, diabetes, MRSA infection, and neurologic impairment. Four additional models did not perform well for discrimination or calibration metrics (Patel et al., ROC=0.580, p=<0.0001; Shah et al., ROC=0.653, p=<0.0001; Baum et al., ROC=0.498, p=<0.0001; Page et al., ROC=0.534, p=<0.0001). ConclusionOnly one published predictive model demonstrated acceptable discrimination and calibration in our cohort, suggesting limited generalizability of the evaluated models. Multi-institutional data may facilitate the development of widely applicable models to predict medical management failure in patients with SEA.

Pediatric infectious aneurysms: individual patient pooled analysis on presentation, management and outcomes

BackgroundInfectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are a rare sequel of systemic infection and occur most commonly in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Despite the increasing use of non-invasive screening angiography in...

Symptomatic carotid artery intraluminal thrombus: risk of medical management failure and distal embolization

BackgroundCarotid artery intraluminal thrombus (ILT), or free-floating thrombus, is an uncommon cerebrovascular entity with considerable equipoise regarding its clinical management. Likewise, in patients treated with medical management (MM), distal embolization...

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided Drainage of Caudate Lobe Abscess: A Single Center Experience.

Liver abscess is usually treated with medical therapy. Few patients require drainage of the collection due to large size, certain high-risk location or rupture of the collection. Percutaneous drainage is most commonly used modality for the drainage of such collection. However, caudate lobe poses a unique difficulty in percutaneous drainage due to its deep location. We did a retrospective analysis of all patients with caudate lobe abscess who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage at our center. We reviewed their indications, technical and clinical success rates of the procedure from 2020 to 2023. We also performed systemic review of published literature till June 12, 2023 showing use of EUS-guided drainage of caudate lobe abscess. Total of 8 patients (age: 37.33 ± 12.8y; Males 62.5%) underwent EUS-guided drainage of caudate lobe collection at our center. Six patients underwent drainage using plastic stents, 1 patient underwent using metal stent, and 1 patient had aspiration of the abscess. Technical success was achieved in all patients. One patient succumbed to background illness and clinical success could be achieved in rest of the patients. In systemic review of literature on EUS-guided drainage of caudate lobe, a total of 10 studies (17 patients) were included. All patients achieved technical success. Majority studies reported use of plastic stents or naso-cystic drains whereas only 1 case reported use of metal stents. One procedure related complication (localized para-esophageal abscess) was reported requiring endoscopic intervention for management. EUS-guided drainage of caudate lobe abscess is safe and effective. It should be used as a first-line intervention after a failed medical management.

Uterine artery embolization in Tanzania: a procedure with major public health implications

BackgroundThe burden of uterine fibroids is substantial in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with up to 80% of black women harboring them in their lifetime. While uterine artery embolization (UAE) has emerged as an effective alternative to surgery to manage this condition, the procedure is not available to the vast majority of women living in SSA due to limited access to interventional radiology (IR) in the region. One of the few countries in SSA now offering UAE in a public hospital setting is Tanzania. This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of UAE in this new environment.MethodsFrom June 2019 to July 2022, a single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted at Tanzania’s first IR service on all patients who underwent UAE for the management of symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis. Patients were selected for the procedure based on symptom severity, imaging findings, and medical management failure. Procedural technical success and adverse events were recorded for all UAEs. Self-reported symptom severity and volumetric response on imaging were compared between baseline and six-months post-procedure using paired sample t-tests.ResultsDuring the study period, 92.1% (n = 35/38) of patients underwent UAE for the management of symptomatic fibroids and 7.9% (n = 3/38) for adenomyosis. All (n = 38/38) were considered technically successful and one minor adverse event occurred (2.7%). Self-reported symptom-severity scores at six-months post-procedure decreased in all categories: abnormal uterine bleeding from 8.8 to 3.1 (-5.7), pain from 6.7 to 3.2 (-3.5), and bulk symptoms from 2.8 to 1 (-1.8) (p < 0.01). 100% of patients reported satisfaction with outcomes. Among the nine patients with follow-up imaging, there was a mean volumetric decrease of 35.5% (p = 0.109).ConclusionsUAE for fibroids and adenomyosis can be performed with high technical success and low complication rates in a low-resource setting like Tanzania, resulting in significant symptom relief for patients. Building capacity for UAE has major public health implications not only for fibroids and adenomyosis, but can help address the region’s leading cause of maternal mortality, postpartum hemorrhage.

Long-term treatment outcomes in refractory rhinitis medicamentosa managed with nasal surgery.

Limited treatment options exist for refractory Rhinitis Medicamentosa (RM). The role of surgery after failed medical management is not well defined. Mucosal contact points and restricted airflow often perpetuate decongestant use. This study assessed the long-term outcomes of nasal surgery in patients with refractory RM. A prospective cohort study of refractory RM treated with nasal surgery was performed with ≥12months follow-up. Refractory RM was defined as nasal decongestant use once per day continuously for ≥4weeks despite medical therapy. Patients with concomitant sinus disease and nonrhinitis conditions were excluded. Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT22), Nasal Symptom Score (NSS), and nasal medication use were assessed. Patients who ceased decongestants were compared with ongoing users. A total of 56 patients (age 48.4 [5.0] years, 50% female) were assessed. Median follow-up was 3.4(1.6-6.2) years. Total cessation of decongestants was achieved in 91.1%, while 5.4% had intermittent use, and 3.6% reported daily use. Ongoing users had higher odds of concomitant asthma (40.0% vs. 3.9%; odds ratio [OR], 16.33 [1.7-159.75]; p=0.036), reduced symptom improvement (ΔSNOT22, -4.6 [15.7] vs. 27.1 [17], p=0.009 and ΔNSS, -1.0 [4.2] vs. -6.6 [5.1], p=0.025), and greater ongoing use of nasal corticosteroid (60.0% vs. 5.9%; OR 24.0 [2.8-203.1]) and saline sprays (40% vs. 3.9%; OR 16.3 [1.7-159.8]) but showed no difference in allergy status (OR, 0.7[0.1-7.1]), previous surgery (OR, 1.0[0.1-10.2]), gastroesophageal reflux (OR 1.0[0.1-10.2], or underlying anxiety/depression (OR 6.1[0.8-45.9]) compared with those who ceased. Surgically re-establishing a nasal airway was associated with long-term decongestant cessation and symptom improvement in medically refractory RM.

Clinical and Urodynamic Predictors for Failure of Medical Management with Alpha Blockers in PBNO: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic variables that may predict the failure of alpha-blockers in PBNO patients. Alpha-blockers are useful as a treatment option in patients with Primary Bladder Neck Obstruction (PBNO). Non-responders need to undergo Bladder Neck Incision (BNI). Little is known about the predictive factors determining success of treatment. The was a retrospective study, spanning over a period of 8 years. PBNO was diagnosed in the presence of a Bladder Outlet Obstruction Index (BOOI) >40 with video-urodynamic evidence of obstruction at the bladder neck. The patients were initially managed with alpha-blockers (alfuzosin/tamsulosin) for 3 to 6 months, and BNI contemplated when pharmacotherapy failed. The patients with upper tract changes managed with upfront BNI or Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC) were excluded. The data for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, urodynamic studies, and ultrasonography of pre and post-treatment periods were reviewed. Treatment outcomes were defined as complete response (>50% improvement in Qmax and IPSS score) and partial response (30-50% improvement in Qmax and IPSS score) at 3 or 6 months. Ninety-nine patients were analyzed. 21 patients underwent BNI for the failure of medical management and 31 for recurrence of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 18.8±3.5 months (12-70 months). Independent predictors of failure of pharmacotherapy with alpha-blockers were age (p = 0.021), Pdet@Qmax (p = 0.015), and BOOI (p = 0.019). Alpha-blockers are more likely to fail in PBNO in younger patients generating higher voiding pressures and BOOI > 60.

ID: 216340 Treatment of Chronic Craniofacial Pain With Wireless Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A Case Series

Chronic craniofacial pain can result from a number of events including infection, trauma, surgery, or dental procedures and can be a significant cause of morbidity in patients (1, 2). The various etiologies of craniofacial pain aforementioned are most commonly treated with opioids with or without anticonvulsants and antidepressants. Failure of medical management as well as technological advancement has meanwhile accelerated the use of neurostimulation (3). PNS has been found to be effective for alleviating pain that is intractable to medical therapy, physical therapy, nerve blocks, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (4). Indeed, PNS has been shown to be a viable therapeutic option for those suffering with chronic and disabling pain. Wireless PNS offers a solution to decrease adverse events linked to traditional PNS systems while maintaining the effectiveness of the procedure (2).

Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis: Association with demyelination and progression.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a well-recognized symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet its clinical characteristics related to MS subtype is poorly studied. Our aim was to evaluate whether development and clinical outcome of TN are influenced by MS phenotype. In this retrospective cohort study, our database from 2007 to 2022 was reviewed to identify patients who had both the diagnosis of MS and TN, whether TN was an initial symptom of MS or developed later in diagnosis. A detailed medical history and treatment outcome was obtained. Pain status was assessed retrospectively using the Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Scale (BNI-PS), with BNI-PS I-III considered as good pain control and BNI-PS IV-V as poor pain control. 58 patients had MS-related TN. 44 patients had relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at the time of TN diagnosis, 11 had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) at the time of TN diagnosis, and type of MS was not clear in 3 patients at the time of TN diagnosis (either RRMS or SPMS). Over a mean follow up of 18.8 (SD=10.9) years, 30 transitioned to SPMS. TN was refractory to medical management in 9 RRMS and 22 SPMS patients (p=0.001). TN patients with RRMS required lower median number of pain medications compared to SPMS (p=0.014). Brain MRI was available in 41 of the entire cohort. Of these, 27 patients had demyelinating lesions in the trigeminal sensory pathway and 14 did not. Patients with existing lesions had a higher chance of failure of medical management (74% versus 36%, p=0.017) and required surgical intervention (55% versus 7%, p=0.003). TN was not seen in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). In patients who transitioned to SPMS, TN was more likely to be refractory to medical management. TN was more refractory in the presence of demyelinating plaque involving trigeminal sensory pathway.

Duration of neurological deficit and outcomes in the surgical treatment of spinal coccidioidomycosis.

Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare complication of coccidioidomycosis infection. Surgical intervention is indicated when there is failure of medical management or presence of neurological deficit, epidural abscess, or spinal instability. The relationship between timing of surgical intervention and recovery of neurological function has not been previously described. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the duration of neurological deficits at presentation affects neurological recovery after surgical intervention. This was a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis involving the spine at a single tertiary care center between 2012 and 2021. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, radiographic information, and surgical intervention. The primary outcome was change in neurological examination after surgical intervention, quantified according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale. The secondary outcome was the complication rate. Logistic regression was used to test if the duration of neurological deficits was associated with improvement in the neurological examination after surgery. Twenty-seven patients presented with spinal coccidioidomycosis between 2012 and 2021; 20 of these patients had vertebral involvement on spinal imaging with a median follow-up of 8.7 months (IQR 1.7-71.2 months). Of the 20 patients with vertebral involvement, 12 (60.0%) presented with a neurological deficit with a median duration of 20 days (range 1-61 days). Most patients presenting with neurological deficit (11/12, 91.7%) underwent surgical intervention. Nine (81.2%) of these 11 patients had an improved neurological examination after surgery and the other 2 had stable deficits. Seven patients had improved recovery sufficient to improve by 1 grade according to the AIS. The duration of neurological deficits on presentation was not significantly associated with neurological improvement after surgery (p = 0.49, Fisher's exact test). The duration of neurological deficits on presentation should not deter surgeons from operative intervention in cases of spinal coccidioidomycosis.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Children with Medically Refractory Fecal Incontinence or Severe Constipation

IntroductionThe goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients treated with sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for medically refractory fecal incontinence or severe constipation. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated with SNS after failed medical management at a single center between 9/1/2015 and 6/30/2022. Demographic and clinical data was extracted from the electronic medical record. Rates of involuntary bowel movements were evaluated using a bowel severity score questionnaire and compared pre- and post-SNS using McNemar and McNemar–Bowker tests. Results70 patients underwent SNS placement. The median age was 12.8 years (IQR 8.6–16.0) and 61.4% were male. The most common diagnosis was idiopathic constipation (67.1%), followed by anorectal malformation (15.7%), and others. 43 patients had severity scores recorded both pre- and at least 90 days post-SNS insertion. The rates of daytime and nighttime involuntary bowel movements were significantly different pre-compared to post-SNS placement (p = 0.038 and p = 0.049, respectively). The rate of daytime and nighttime fecal continence increased from 44% to 58.1% and 53.5%–83.7%, respectively. The rate of at least weekly daytime and nighttime fecal incontinence decreased from 48.8% to 18.7% and 34.9%–7.0%, respectively. Minor pain/neurological symptoms occurred in 40% of patients, while 5.7% developed a wound infection. Further surgery for the SNS was required in 40% of patients. ConclusionsSNS placement can be an effective treatment for medically refractory fecal incontinence. Minor complications and the need for further procedures are common, while more serious complications like wound infections are rare. Type of StudyRetrospective Cohort Study. Level of EvidenceLevel 3.

Medical management of retained products of conception: A prospective observational study

Objective(s)To measure the success rate of primary medical therapy in managing retained products of conception (RPOC) in women with secondary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and to identify factors associated with need for surgical management. Study designPostpartum patients presenting to a tertiary women’s hospital Emergency Department between July 2020 and December 2022 with secondary PPH and evidence of RPOC on ultrasound were recruited. Clinical information relating to the presentation was collected prospectively. Antenatal and intrapartum data were collected from medical record and Birthing Outcome System database review. The primary outcome was the success of medical management for RPOC, defined by the implementation of medical or expectant management without subsequent need for surgical intervention. ResultsForty-one patients with RPOC underwent primary medical or expectant management. Twelve patients (29%) were managed successfully with medical management, while twenty-nine (71%) proceeded to surgical management. Medical management involved antibiotics (n = 37, 90%), prostaglandin E1 analogue (n = 14, 34%) and other uterotonics (n = 3, 7%). A greater endometrial thickness on ultrasound was significantly associated with a requirement for secondary surgical intervention (p < 0.05). There was an association approaching statistical significance between a higher sonographic volume of RPOC and the failure of medical management (p = 0.07). There was no statistically significant association between the mode of delivery or the number of days postpartum with the success of medical management. Conclusion(s)For patients presenting with secondary PPH and sonographic RPOC, over two thirds required surgical management. Increased endometrial thickness was associated with an increased requirement for surgical management.

CULTURE NEGATIVE INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS – A CASE SERIES IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN RURAL INDIA

Background- Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of endocardial surface of the heart. It commonly involves heart valves but may also involve other endocardial sites in heart. The incidence is 3 to 10 per one lakh with mortality of 30%. Viridian streptococci and staph aureus are common causative organism, 6% of cases are culture negative IE. Aims and Objectives-To report 5 cases of culture negative infective endocarditis and to study predisposing factors, response to treatment and outcome. Materials And Methods-The study was conducted in patients admitted in Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural Hospital ,Loni from January 2022 to June 2022 and diagnosed as IE by modied Duke's criteria, detailed history was taken to assess the risk factors and clinical examination, 2d echocardiography, serial blood culture, careful monitoring is done to look for response treatment and outcome. Results- During the study period total 8 cases were diagnosed as infective endocarditis out of which 5 cases were found to be culture negative IE.Out of 5 cases, 4 patient had congenital heart disease and 1 patient had RHD as predisposing factor,4 survived and 1 patient expired.3 patient responded to empirical antibiotic treatment, while 1 patient was reffered to higher center for surgery due to failure of medical management. Conclusion-Infective endocarditis prophylaxis in patient with risk factors is appropriate step in prevention and proper blood culture technique , prompt clinical examination and imaging remains the mainstay in diagnosis of IE.Antibiotic policy according to the protocol and 2d echocardiographical surveillance reects the outcome.

Development of a machine learning-based predictive model for prediction of success or failure of medical management for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

To develop a novel predictive model for identifying patients who will and will not respond to the medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Using data from the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) study, several models were constructed using an initial data set of 2172 patients with BPH who were treated with doxazosin (Group 1), finasteride (Group 2), and combination therapy (Group 3). K-fold stratified cross-validation was performed on each group, Within each group, feature selection and dimensionality reduction using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) were performed based on the training data, before several machine learning algorithms were tested; the most accurate models, boosted support vector machines (SVMs), being selected for further refinement. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was calculated and used to determine the optimal operating points. Patients were classified as treatment failures or responders, based on whether they fell below or above the AUC threshold for each group and for the whole data set. For the entire cohort, the AUC for the boosted SVM model was 0.698. For patients in Group 1, the AUC was 0.729, for Group 2, the AUC was 0.719, and for Group 3, the AUC was 0.698. Using MTOPS data, we were able to develop a prediction model with an acceptable rate of discrimination of medical management success for BPH.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Outcomes Following Conservative Treatment of Spinal Epidural Abscesses.

Primary spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but serious pathology that may result in severe neurologic injury. While certain literature has identified medical risk factors for failure of conservative therapy, no current evidence has been published regarding socioeconomic risk factors associated with failure of medical therapy. A retrospective review was conducted of patients presenting with SEA from primary spinal infections. Patients presenting with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of SEA treated conservatively in the absence of neurologic deficits were included. Baseline clinical and socioeconomic characteristics were collected. Failure of medical management was defined as requiring surgical intervention despite maximal medical therapy due to the development of neurologic deficits or clinically significant deformity. A total of 150 patients were identified as presenting with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of SEAs without evidence of neurologic deficit. Of these patients, 42 required surgical intervention compared with 108 whose infection was successfully treated with medical therapy alone. Estimated average annual income was $64,746 vs $62,615 in those who successfully cleared their infection with medical management without requiring surgery, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.5). Insured patients were 5 times more likely to be successfully treated with antibiotics alone compared with uninsured patients (OR = 5.83, P = 0.008). Payer type, employment status, and incarceration status were not associated with failure of conservative therapy. In the treatment of primary SEA, absence of medical insurance is associated with failure of medical management. Payer status, employment status, average salary, and incarceration are not significant risk factors for failure of conservative management.

Paediatric interlabial bleeding: More than vaginal pathology

A 10 years old girl was referred with the complaints of “per vaginal bleeding and a mass after cycling”. During the first 2 weeks of symptoms, she had visited three different doctors with possible delayed recognition of her diagnosis. Clinical examination revealed an underweight, non-dysmorphic, prepubertal girl with vulvitis and an inflamed interlabial bleeding mass with ulceration. Imaging revealed a subcentimetre arteriovenous fistula and haematoma in the vagina. After one more week (total 3 weeks) of medical therapy, the indication for surgery was worsening of symptoms and failure of medical management. Examination under anaesthesia and cystoscopy revealed a complete urethra prolapse. Dilute adrenaline was injected into the prolapsed mucosa. The prolapse was excised in elliptical segments, and the edges closed with interrupted absorbable sutures. Sub-centimetre segments of mucosa were left between the excised specimens. Bipolar diathermy was used only for hemostasis and circumferential coagulation on the mucosa was avoided. These measures prevent an iatrogenic stenosis. The urethra prolapse was reduced, with no recurrence demonstrated on Valsalva maneuver. Post-operatively, her symptoms resolved. Oral antibiotics, sitz baths, antimicrobial cream and topical estrogen were administered. There was no recurrent urethra prolapse or stricture. The aim of this case report is to increase awareness of the urethral prolapse in the paediatric population and its management.

Limb myorhythmia treated with chemodenervation: a case report

We describe a case of limb myorhythmia successfully palliated with botulinum toxin injections. The patient is a 30-year-old male evaluated for abnormal movements of the left lower foot that began after an ankle injury for which the patient underwent Achilles tendon scar tissue debridement without improvement. On examination, he had near-constant involuntary, slow, rhythmic flexion/extension tremor of toes 2-4 that was diminished during active movement. Needle electromyography (EMG) revealed a rhythmic, 2-3 Hz tremor isolated to the flexor digitorum brevis. After failure of medical management with muscle relaxants, gabapentin, and levodopa trials, the patient underwent two EMG-guided chemodenervation procedures with incobotulinum toxin A injections of the left flexor digitorum brevis. At 3-month follow-up, he had achieved a sustained 50% reduction in the intensity of the movements and improved quality of life. Myorhythmia is a rare condition characterized by a repetitive, rhythmic, slow frequency (1-4 Hz) movement affecting the cranial and limb muscles. The most common causes include stroke, demyelinating disorders, drug or toxin intake, trauma, and infections. The management of this condition is very limited with pharmacologic agents such as anticholinergics, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, or dopaminergic agents showing limited efficacy. The use of botulinum toxin chemodenervation aided by EMG muscle targeting can be a useful therapeutic intervention in cases of medication-refractory regionally distributed myorhythmia involving accessible muscles.