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Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part... Jun 2022The center of excellence model of health care hypothesizes that increased volume in a specialized center will lead to better and more affordable care. We sought to...
The center of excellence model of health care hypothesizes that increased volume in a specialized center will lead to better and more affordable care. We sought to characterize the volume-outcome data for surgically treated sinonasal and skull base tumors and (chemo) radiation-treated nasopharyngeal malignancy. Systematic review of the literature. This review included national database and multi-institutional studies published between 1990 and 2019. PubMed was interrogated for keywords "hospital volume," "facility volume," and outcomes for "Nasopharyngeal carcinoma," "Sinonasal carcinomas," "Pituitary Tumors," "Acoustic Neuromas," "Chordomas," and "Skull Base Tumors" to identify studies. Single-institution studies and self-reported surveys were excluded. The main outcome of interest in malignant pathologies was survival; and in benign pathologies it was treatment-related complications. A total of 20 studies met inclusion criteria. The average number of patients per study was 4,052, and ranged from 394 to 9,950 patients. Six of seven studies on malignant pathology demonstrated improved survival with treatment in high volume centers and one showed no association with survival. Ten of thirteen studies on benign disease showed reduced risk of complications, while one study demonstrated both an increased and decreased association of complications. Two studies showed no volume-outcome associations. This systematic review demonstrates that a positive volume-outcome relationship exists for most pathologies of the skull base, with some exceptions. The relative dearth of literature supports further research to understand the effect of centralization of care on treatment outcomes.
PubMed: 35769793
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721823 -
Neurosurgical Review Jan 2024Vestibular schwannomas (VS) account for approximately 8% of all intracranial neoplasms. Importantly, the cost of the diagnostic workup for VS, including the screening...
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) account for approximately 8% of all intracranial neoplasms. Importantly, the cost of the diagnostic workup for VS, including the screening modalities most commonly used, has not been thoroughly investigated. Our aim is to conduct a systematic review of the published literature on costs associated with VS screening. A systematic review of the literature for cost of VS treatment was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The terms "vestibular schwannoma," "acoustic neuroma," and "cost" were queried using the PubMed and Embase databases. Studies from all countries were considered. Cost was then corrected for inflation using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator, correcting to April 2022. The search resulted in an initial review of 483 articles, of which 12 articles were included in the final analysis. Screening criteria were used for non-neurofibromatosis type I and II patients who complained of asymmetric hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. Patients included in the studies ranged from 72 to 1249. The currency and inflation-adjusted mean cost was $418.40 (range, $21.81 to $487.03, n = 5) for auditory brainstem reflex and $1433.87 (range, $511.64 to $1762.15, n = 3) for non-contrasted computed tomography. A contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was found to have a median cost of $913.27 (range, $172.25-$2733.99; n = 8) whereas a non-contrasted MRI was found to have a median cost of $478.62 (range, $116.61-$3256.38, n = 4). In terms of cost reporting, of the 12 articles, 1 (8.3%) of them separated out the cost elements, and 10 (83%) of them used local prices, which include institutional costs and/or average costs of multiple institutions. Our findings describe the limited data on published costs for screening and imaging of VS. The paucity of data and significant variability of costs between studies indicates that this endpoint is relatively unexplored, and the cost of screening is poorly understood.
Topics: Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Brain Neoplasms; Brain Stem; Databases, Factual; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38252395
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02305-3 -
The Journal of International Advanced... Sep 2021Vestibular schwannomas (VS) frequently lead to ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL) as part of its natural history or as a result of treatment. Cochlear...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) frequently lead to ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL) as part of its natural history or as a result of treatment. Cochlear implantation represents a well-documented treatment of profound HL that cannot be treated adequately with a conventional hearing aid, thus being offered to selected VS patients. A functional cochlea and cochlear nerve are prerequisites for sound perception with a cochlear implant (CI). The potential impact of radiotherapy on these structures is thus an important issue for subsequent CI hearing outcomes. The objective of this article is to present a case and to review the existing literature on the outcomes of cochlear implantation in irradiated VS patients systematically.
METHODS
A systematic literature review using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted. Medline was searched systematically. Papers reporting ipsilateral CI outcomes after radiotherapy of VS were included. Additionally, results of CI after stereotactic radiotherapy in a 54-year-old male with neurofibromatosis type 2 are presented.
RESULTS
A total of 14 papers (33 patients) fulfilled inclusion criteria. Moderate preoperative HL was found in 11 patients. Six had moderate to severe HL, whereas 16 had severe HL or total deafness. Postoperative hearing outcomes varied from poor in 27% of patients to excellent in 19%, with remaining cases lying in between (mean follow-up of 19 months). Most patients achieved improvement in hearing and quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Despite variation in the degree of hearing outcome, CI after radiotherapy of VS appears to be effective in the majority of cases, as more than 70% of patients have good or excellent outcomes within 1-2 years post-implantation. Subjective benefits are considerable, even in cases with relatively poor objective outcome.
Topics: Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroma, Acoustic; Quality of Life; Speech Perception; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34617898
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2021.21008 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Aug 2022Ubiquitous throughout the literature and during patient counseling, vestibular schwannoma is often quoted to affect about 1 per 100,000 people. Yet, reports from...
OBJECTIVE
Ubiquitous throughout the literature and during patient counseling, vestibular schwannoma is often quoted to affect about 1 per 100,000 people. Yet, reports from distinct international populations suggest that the incidence is likely much higher. The objective of the current work was to systematically characterize the global incidence of sporadic vestibular schwannoma.
DATA SOURCES
Scopus, Embase, and PubMed.
REVIEW METHODS
Population-based studies reporting incidence rates of sporadic vestibular schwannoma between January 2010 and August 2020 were searched with language restrictions requiring reports to be published in Chinese, English, German, Italian, or Spanish. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021228208) prior to commencement of data collection. PRISMA guidelines for transparent reporting of systematic reviews were followed.
RESULTS
Among 424 citations, 6 publications covering 4 distinct populations from Denmark, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and the United States met inclusion criteria. Most recent incidence rates of among all ages ranged between 3.0 and 5.2 per 100,000 person-years. Highest incidence rates were reported among patients aged ≥70 years, peaking at 20.6 per 100,000 person-years. One study from the United States reported the incidence of asymptomatic, incidentally diagnosed tumors at a rate of 1.3 per 100,000 person-years from 2012 to 2016.
CONCLUSIONS
Recent international incidence rates of sporadic vestibular schwannoma exceed the commonly quoted "1 per 100,000" figure by up to 5-fold among all ages and by up to 20-fold among age groups at highest risk. Based on modern incidence rates, the lifetime prevalence of developing sporadic vestibular schwannoma likely exceeds 1 per 500 persons.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Humans; Incidence; Language; Neuroma, Acoustic; Prevalence; Taiwan
PubMed: 34464224
DOI: 10.1177/01945998211042006 -
Neurosurgical Review Dec 2021Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are slow-growing intracranial extraaxial benign tumors, developing from the vestibular part of the eight cranial nerves. Stereotactic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are slow-growing intracranial extraaxial benign tumors, developing from the vestibular part of the eight cranial nerves. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has now a long-term scientific track record as first intention treatment for small- to medium-sized VS. Though its success rate is very high, SRS for VS might fail to control tumor growth in some cases. However, the literature on repeat SRS after previously failed SRS remains scarce and reported in a low number of series with a limited number of cases. Here, we aimed at performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on repeat SRS for VS. Using PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed manuscripts published between January 1990 and October 2020 and referenced in PubMed. Tumor control and cranial nerve outcomes were evaluated with separate meta-analyses. Eight studies comprising 194 patients were included. The overall rate of patients treated in repeat SRS series as per overall series with first SRS was 2.2% (range 1.2-3.2%, p < 0.001). The mean time between first and second SRS was 50.7 months (median 51, range 44-64). The median marginal dose prescribed at first SRS was 12 Gy (range 8-24) and at second SRS was 12 Gy (range 9.8-19). After repeat SRS, tumor stability was reported in 61/194 patients, i.e., a rate of 29.6% (range 20.2-39%, I = 49.1%, p < 0.001). Tumor decrease was reported in 83/194 patients, i.e., a rate of 54.4% (range 33.7-75.1%, I = 89.1%, p < 0.001). Tumor progression was reported in 50/188 patients, i.e., a rate of 16.1% (range 2.5-29.7%, I = 87.1%, p = 0.02), rarely managed surgically. New trigeminal numbness was reported in 27/170 patients, i.e., a rate of 9.9% (range 1.4-18.3%, p < 0.02). New facial nerve palsy of worsened of previous was reported in 8/183 patients, i.e., a rate of 4.3% (range 1.4-7.2%, p = 0.004). Hearing loss was reported in 12/22 patients, i.e., a rate of 54.3% (range 24.8-83.8%, I = 70.7%, p < 0.001). Repeat SRS after previously failed SRS for VS is associated with high tumor control rates. Cranial nerve outcomes remain favorable, particularly for facial nerve. The rate of hearing loss appears similar to the one related to first SRS.
Topics: Facial Nerve; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Radiosurgery; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33847846
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-021-01528-y -
Neurosurgical Review Feb 2021The surgical injury of the intracranial portion of the facial nerve (FN) is a severe complication of many skull base procedures, and it represents a relevant issue in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Comparison between VII-to-VII and XII-to-VII coaptation techniques for early facial nerve reanimation after surgical intra-cranial injuries: a systematic review and pooled analysis of the functional outcomes.
The surgical injury of the intracranial portion of the facial nerve (FN) is a severe complication of many skull base procedures, and it represents a relevant issue in terms of patients' discomfort, social interactions, risk for depression, and social costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical and functional outcomes of the most common facial nerve rehabilitation techniques. The present study is a systematic review of the pertinent literature, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Two different online medical databases (PubMed, Scopus) were screened for studies reporting the functional outcome, measured by the House-Brackman (HB) scale, and complications, in FN early reanimation, following surgical injuries on its intracranial portion. Data on the VII-to-VII and XII-to-VII coaptation, the surgical technique, the use of a nerve graft, the duration of the deficit, and complications were collected and pooled. The XII-to-VII end-to-side coaptation seems to provide higher chances for functional restoration (HB 1-3) than the VII-to-VII (68.8% vs 60.6%), regardless of the duration of the palsy deficit, the use or not of a nerve graft, and the use of stitches or glues. However, its complication rate was as high as 28.6%, and a second procedure is then often needed. The XII-to-VII side-to-end coaptation is the most effective in providing a functional outcome (HB 1-3), even though it is associated to a higher complication rate. Further trials are needed to better investigate this relevant topic, in terms of health-related social costs and patients' quality of life.
Topics: Facial Nerve; Facial Nerve Injuries; Facial Paralysis; Humans; Hypoglossal Nerve; Neurosurgical Procedures; Postoperative Complications; Skull Base; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31912333
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-019-01231-z -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Oct 2022To review the current literature regarding cochlear implantation in patients with retrocochlear pathologies and extract speech perception scores between 6 months and 1...
OBJECTIVE
To review the current literature regarding cochlear implantation in patients with retrocochlear pathologies and extract speech perception scores between 6 months and 1 year after surgery.
DATABASES REVIEWED
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL via Ovid, CINAHL Complete via Ebsco, and Web of Science.
METHODS
The review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Search strategies included keywords and subject headings to maximize retrieval and reflect cochlear implants and retrocochlear pathologies. Patients with previously resected vestibular schwannoma (VS) were excluded.
RESULTS
There were 2,524 abstracts screened against inclusion criteria, and 53 studies were included, with individual data available for 171 adult patients. Pathologies included were either observed or irradiated VS (previously operated tumors were excluded) (n = 99, 57.9%), superficial siderosis (n = 39, 22.8%), neurosarcoidosis (n = 11, 6.4%), and previous central nervous system or skull base radiation (n = 22, 12.9%). Mean (standard deviation) postoperative consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word scores were 45.4% (24.2) for observed VS, 44.4% (20.8) for irradiated VS, 43.6% (21.0) for superficial siderosis, 89.5% (3.0) for neurosarcoidosis, and 30.0% (30.2) in patients with previous central nervous system or skull base irradiation. Irradiated compared with observed VS had similar postoperative CNC word scores (effect size, 0.06; p = 0.71). Age, sex, maximal tumor dimension, and neurofibromatosis type 2 status did not significantly impact cochlear implant performance in patients with VS. Eighty-two percent of patients with reported device usage were daily users, and overall, 82% of cases benefitted from cochlear implantation.
CONCLUSION
Cochlear implantation in patients with concomitant retrocochlear pathology generally results in improved speech discrimination scores sustained over time.
Topics: Adult; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Sarcoidosis; Siderosis; Speech Perception; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36047686
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003648 -
Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica :... May 2024
Meta-Analysis
Topics: Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Hearing Loss
PubMed: 38745520
DOI: 10.14639/0392-100X-suppl.1-44-2024-N2900 -
NeuroRehabilitation 2024NF2-schwannomatosis (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder prone to hearing loss. Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) offer a promising solution for hearing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
NF2-schwannomatosis (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder prone to hearing loss. Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) offer a promising solution for hearing rehabilitation in NF2.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize existing literature on ABI implantation in NF2, focusing on audiological outcomes and ABI-related complications.
METHODS
The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022362155). Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CMB, and CNKI from inception to August 2023. Data on environmental sound discrimination, open-set discrimination, closed-set discrimination, and ABI-related complications were extracted and subjected to meta-analysis. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies were included. The pooled estimate was 58% (95% CI 49-66%) for environmental sound discrimination and 55% (95% CI 40-69%) for closed-set discrimination. Regarding open-set discrimination, the pooled estimates were 30% (95% CI 19-42%) for sound only, 46% (95% CI 37-54%) for lip-reading only, and 63% (95% CI 55-70%) for sound plus lip-reading. The pooled occurrence of ABI-related complications was 33% (95% CI 15-52%).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis underscores the effectiveness and safety of ABIs in NF2, providing valuable insights for evidence-based decision-making and hearing rehabilitation strategies.
Topics: Humans; Auditory Brain Stem Implants; Neurofibromatosis 2; Auditory Brain Stem Implantation; Treatment Outcome; Hearing; Retrospective Studies; Neurilemmoma; Skin Neoplasms; Neurofibromatoses
PubMed: 38427506
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-230198 -
Neurosurgical Review Aug 2021Intramedullary schwannomas (IMS) represent exceptional rare pathologies. They commonly present as solitary lesions; only five cases of multiple IMS have been described... (Review)
Review
Intramedullary schwannomas (IMS) represent exceptional rare pathologies. They commonly present as solitary lesions; only five cases of multiple IMS have been described so far. Here, we report the sixth case of a woman with multiple IMS. Additionally, we performed the first complete systematic review of the literature for all cases reporting IMS. We performed a systematic review of the literature in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled (CENTRAL) to retrieve all relevant studies and case reports on IMS. In a second step, we analysed all reported studies with respect to additional cases, which were not identified through the database search. Studies published in other languages than English were included. One hundred nineteen studies including 165 reported cases were included. In only five cases, the patients harboured more than one IMS. Gender ratio showed a ratio of nearly 3:2 (male:female); mean age of disease presentation was 40.2 years; 11 patients suffered from neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1 or 2 (6.6%). IMS are rare. Our first systematic review on this pathology revealed 166 cases, including the here reported case of multiple IMS. Our review offers a basis for further investigation on this disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Neurilemmoma; Neurofibromatosis 1; Neurofibromatosis 2; Spine
PubMed: 32935226
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-020-01357-5