Endoport-assisted surgery is associated with high clot evacuation and decreases 30-d mortality compared to a similar medical group.

ObjectiveFatty liver disease is increased among individuals with HIV. We sought to explore how aldosterone, a key hormone linked to insulin resistance and inflammation, relates to liver fat in the large population of individuals with HIV and metabolic abnormalities.MethodsForty-six individuals with HIV and increased waist circumference and dysglycemia were assessed for liver fat using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Serum aldosterone level was obtained following strictly controlled posture conditions and a standardized sodium diet and was related to liver fat.ResultsAmong the entire group [median (interquartile range) liver fat: 5% (3%, 12%) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance: 1.74 (1.21, 2.83)], serum aldosterone significantly correlated with liver fat (r = 0.31; P = 0.049). Liver fat level was significantly higher in those with aldosterone above vs below the median [8% (3%, 20%) vs 4% (2%, 10%); P = 0.02]. In the presence of metabolic syndrome, individuals with aldosterone levels above vs below the median had markedly elevated liver fat values [14% (9%, 23%) vs 5% (3%, 12%); P = 0.005] and increased presence of fatty liver disease (FLD; 92% vs 50%; P = 0.02). Controlling for metabolic syndrome, hepatitis C virus, and alcohol use, aldosterone was a significant and independent predictor of liver fat (β estimate: 0.6038, P = 0.01; overall model r2 = 0.41, P = 0.0005) and FLD (OR: 1.38, P = 0.02; overall model r2 = 0.28, P = 0.002).ConclusionThese data highlight a robust association between aldosterone and liver fat among individuals with HIV and metabolic dysregulation. Increased aldosterone may be a risk factor for liver fat accumulation among the population with HIV.

Purpose: Acute subdural hematomas are frequent, highly morbid, and affect all age groups. The most common mechanism of injury is a low-velocity fall, and the incidence of the disease is growing due to increasingly aggressive antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapies. In this study, we aimed to share our experience with the endoscopic-assisted evacuation of acute subdural hematoma, a less invasive procedure compared to standard craniotomy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of all consecutive patients aged 18 years and older who underwent endoscopic-assisted evacuation of acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma at our institution from 2015 to 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data were collected and reported. Statistical tests were done using Python statistical packages.Results: Of the 35 patients that underwent this procedure, 32 were 18 years and older. The median age was 69.5 years and 37.5% were female. Twenty patients (62.5%) were on antiplatelet therapy, and six patients (18.75%) were on anticoagulants upon presentation. A fall was the most common cause of trauma (71.88%). The median operative time was 107 minutes. The median length of stay in days and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at discharge were 8.5 and 15, respectively. There were no surgical site infections or in-hospital mortality in this series. At the latest follow-up, the median GCS and modified Rankin Scale were 15 and 1, respectively.Conclusion: Evacuation of acute-on-chronic subdural hematomas can be performed safely and efficiently via a smaller craniotomy and with the assistance of an endoscope. This may represent a less invasive alternative than standard craniotomy/craniectomy in selected patients.

OBJECTIVEPenetrating brain injury (PBI) is the most lethal of all firearm injuries, with reported survival rates of less than 20%. The projectile trajectory (PT) has been shown to impact mortality, but the significant lobar tracks have not been defined. The aim of this retrospective case-control study was to test for associations between distinct ballistic trajectories, missile types, and patient outcomes.METHODSA total of 243 patients who presented with a PBI to the Saint Louis University emergency department from 2008 through 2019 were identified from the hospital registry. Conventional CT scans combined with 3D CT reconstructions and medical records were reviewed for each patient to identify distinct PTs.RESULTSA total of 65 ballistic lobar trajectories were identified. Multivariable regression models were used, and the results were compared with those in the literature. Penetrating and perforating types of PBI associated with bitemporal (t-statistic = −2.283, p = 0.023) or frontal-to-contralateral parietal (t-statistic = −2.311, p = 0.025) projectile paths were universally found to be fatal. In the group in which the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation was lower than 8, a favorable penetrating missile trajectory was one that involved a single frontal lobe (adjusted OR 0.02 [95% CI 0.00–0.38], p = 0.022) or parietal lobe (adjusted OR 0.15 [95% CI 0.02–0.97], p = 0.048). Expanding or fragmenting types of projectiles carry higher mortality rates (OR 2.53 [95% CI 1.32–4.83], p < 0.001) than do nondeformable missiles. Patient age was not associated with worse outcomes when controlled by other significant predictive factors.CONCLUSIONSPatients with penetrating or perforating types of PBI associated with bitemporal or frontal-to-contralateral parietal PTs should be considered as potential donor candidates. Trauma patients with penetrating missile trajectories involving a single frontal or parietal lobe should be considered for early neurosurgical intervention, especially in the circumstances of a low GCS score (< 8). Surgeons should not base their decision-making solely on advanced patient age to defer further treatment. Patients with PBIs caused by nondeformable types of projectiles can survive multiple simultaneous intracranial missile trajectories.