Yorknorman6790

We describe a case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in an 18-year-old female individual with refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma treated with the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab. She received 11 doses of pembrolizumab without immune-related adverse events (irAEs) before the diagnosis of P. jirovecii pneumonia. However, prophylactic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was discontinued 6 months of postautologous stem cell transplant per standard guidelines. This case report highlights the importance of judicious infectious disease evaluation while on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy as symptoms can often mimic irAEs. Furthermore, the benefits of immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of presumptive irAEs must be weighed against the possible increased risk for opportunistic infections.STUDY DESIGN An ambispective cohort analysis OBJECTIVE. To investigate the impact of early (≤ 2 weeks) vs. delayed (> 2 weeks) surgical intervention on the spinal motor neurons at and distal to injury site in acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA accumulating evidence demonstrated degeneration in distal lower motor neurons (LMNs) following spinal cord injury, and this secondary degeneration may exacerbate motor impairments and limit spontaneous motor recovery. However, few studies involved this pathological process in ATCCS. METHODS Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) was performed on both abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) in 69 ATCCS patients (early vs. delayed surgical-treatment 29 vs. 35) and 42 healthy subjects. All patients were assessed by American spinal injury association and Medical Research Council scales. These examinations and disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire were administered approximately 21 months afto injury site, reducing secondary motor neuron loss, and eventually improving neurologic outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.STUDY DESIGN Nationwide Readmissions Database Study. OBJECTIVE To investigate the patterns of readmissions and complications following hospitalization for elective single level anterior lumbobsacral interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Lumbar interbody spine fusions for degenerative disease have increased annually in the United States, including associated hospital costs. Anterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIFs) have become popularized secondary to higher rates of fusion compared to posterior procedures, and preservation of posterior elements. Prior national databases have sought to study readmission rates with some limitations due to older diagnosis and procedure codes. The newer 2016 International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10 CM) includes more specification of the surgical site. METHODS We utilized the 2016 United States Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), this nationally representative, all-payer database that includes weighted probability sample of mographics, and costs associated with 90-day readmissions are critical. Surgeons should consider these risk factors in preoperative planning and optimization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.STUDY DESIGN Population-based study / From 2008 to 2017, data from the national database of the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service were analyzed. The national insurance system and all medical expense bill data of the entire population are included in the database. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the incidence and management trends of metastatic spinal tumors in South Korea. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The spine is the most common location of bone metastases. However, population-based studies in this topic are limited. METHODS The International Classification of Disease, tenth revision, medical behavior, and examination codes were used to identify the incidence and management trends of metastatic spinal tumors. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used in statistical analysis. RESULTS Overall, 38,007 patients (average age, 61 years) diagnosed with metastatic spinal tumors were analyzed. Metastatic tumors were most common in patients in their 60 s (25.7%). The 10-year incidence of spinal metastases in Soures increased, and total healthcare costs increased rapidly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.STUDY DESIGN Economic modeling of data from a multicenter, prospective registry. OBJECTIVE To analyze the cost utility of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA ASD surgery is expensive and presents risk of major complications. BMP is frequently used off-label to reduce the risk of pseudarthrosis. METHODS Of 522 ASD patients with fusion of 5 or more spinal levels, 367 (70%) had at least 2-year follow-up. Total direct cost was calculated by adding direct costs of the index surgery and any subsequent reoperations or readmissions. Cumulative quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were calculated from the change in preoperative to final follow-up SF-6D health utility score. A decision-analysis model comparing BMP vs. no-BMP was developed with pseudarthrosis as the primary outcome. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed using mixed first-order and second-order Monte Carlo simulations. One-way sensitivity analyses were performed by varying cost, probability, and QALY estimates. Alpha = 0.05. RESULTS BMP was used in the index surgery for 267 patients (73%). The mean (± standard deviation) direct cost of BMP for the index surgery was $14,000 ± $6,400. Forty patients (11%) underwent revision surgery for symptomatic pseudarthrosis (BMP group, 8.6%; no-BMP group, 17%; P = 0.022). The mean 2-year direct cost was significantly higher for patients with pseudarthrosis ($138,000 ± $17,000) than for patients without pseudarthrosis ($61,000 ± $25,000) (P 52% of patients. NSC 27223 mouse CONCLUSIONS BMP use was associated with reduction in revisions for symptomatic pseudarthrosis in ASD surgery. Cost-utility analysis suggests that BMP use may be favored in ASD surgery; however, this determination requires further research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2.