Is Access to Outpatient Neurosurgery Affected by Narrow Insurance Networks? Results From Statewide Analysis of Marketplace Plans in Louisiana.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to make health insurance affordable to all Americans while addressing the lack of coverage for 48 million people. In the face of rapidly increasing enrollment and rising demand for inexpensive plans, insurance providers are limiting in-network physicians. Provider networks offering plans with limited in-network physicians have become known as narrow networks. OBJECTIVE: To assesses the adequacy of ACA marketplace plans for outpatient neurosurgery in Louisiana. METHODS: The Marketplace Public Use Files were searched for all silver plans. A total of 7 silver plans were identified in Louisiana. Using the plans\u27 online directories, a search of in-network neurosurgeons in Louisiana parishes with \u3e100 000 population was performed. The primary outcome was lack of in-network neurosurgeon(s) in silver plans within 50 miles of selected zip code for each parish with \u3e100 000 population. Plans without in-network neurosurgeon(s) are labeled as neurosurgeon-deficient plans. RESULTS: Several plans in Louisiana are neurosurgeon deficient, ie no in-network neurosurgeon within 50 miles of the designated parish zip code. Company A\u27s plan 3 is deficient in all 5 parishes, while company C and company D silver plans are deficient in 4 out of 14 (29%). Combined results from all counties and plans demonstrate that 43% (3 out of 7) of all silver plans in Louisiana are neurosurgeon deficient in at least 4 parishes with population \u3e100 000. CONCLUSION: In Louisiana, narrow networks have limited access to neurosurgical care for those patients with ACA silver plans

Extra-Axial Hematoma and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Induced Aplastic Anemia: The Role of Hematological Diseases in Subdural and Epidural Hemorrhage

Objective and Importance. To illustrate the development of spontaneous subdural hematoma secondary to aplastic anemia resulting from the administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This is the first report of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole potentiating coagulopathy leading to any form of intracranial hematoma. Clinical Presentation. A 62-year-old female developed a bone marrow biopsy confirmed diagnosis of aplastic anemia secondary to administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole following a canine bite. She then developed a course of waxing and waning mental status combined with headache and balance related falls. CT imaging of the head illustrated a 3.7 cm × 6.6 mm left frontal subdural hematoma combined with a 7.0 mm × 1.7 cm left temporal epidural hematoma. Conclusion. Aplastic anemia is a rare complication of the administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Thrombocytopenia, regardless of cause, is a risk factor for the development of spontaneous subdural hematoma. Given the lack of a significant traumatic mechanism, this subset of subdural hematoma is more suitable to conservative management

Cerebral Revascularization for Moyamoya Syndrome Associated with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature on the Role of Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass in Treating Neurologic Manifestations of Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) accentuates the risk of recurrent strokes. Chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) is an excellent option for preventing recurrent strokes in most patients with SCD. In SCD with MMS, CTT may fail as a long-term solution. Cerebral revascularization, in the form of extracranial-intracranial bypass, has been shown to prevent recurrent strokes in this cohort. We review the evolution of this paradigm shift in the management of SCD-associated MMS. A systematic review, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, was conducted. Our primary objectives were 1) to study the evolution of cerebral revascularization techniques in management of MMS in SCD and 2) to analyze the impact of neurosurgical intervention in this high-risk population. Four patients with SCD-associated MMS, who underwent indirect cerebral revascularization at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. A summary of 13 articles chronicling the advent and subsequent evolution of cerebral revascularization as a viable treatment strategy for stroke prevention in SCD-associated MMS is presented. The literature review suggests that early detection and surgical intervention (in addition to CTT) could significantly reduce stroke recurrence and improve neurocognitive outcome. Our short series of 4 patients also had a good outcome and no recurrence of strokes postoperatively. The literature emphasizes the use of a traditional standardized protocol for early identification (transcranial Dopplers, selective magnetic resonance angiography, and CTT). Early treatment and screening that involves early magnetic resonance angiography and referral to neurosurgery for revascularization may be considered for this high-risk population

Proposing a validated clinical app predicting hospitalization cost for extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery.

United States healthcare reforms are focused on curtailing rising expenditures. In neurosurgical domain, limited or no data exists identifying potential modifiable targets associated with high-hospitalization cost for cerebrovascular procedures such as extracranial-intracranial (ECIC) bypass. Our study objective was to develop a predictive model of initial cost for patients undergoing bypass surgery.In an observational cohort study, we analyzed patients registered in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002-2011) that underwent ECIC bypass. Split-sample 1:1 randomization of the study cohort was performed. Hospital cost data was modelled using ordinary least square to identity potential drivers impacting initial hospitalization cost. Subsequently, a validated clinical app for estimated hospitalization cost is proposed (https://www.neurosurgerycost.com/calc/ec-ic-by-pass).Overall, 1533 patients [mean age: 45.18 ± 19.51 years; 58% female] underwent ECIC bypass for moyamoya disease [45.1%], cerebro-occlusive disease (COD) [23% without infarction; 12% with infarction], unruptured [12%] and ruptured [4%] aneurysms. Median hospitalization cost was $37,525 (IQR:$16,225-$58,825). Common drivers impacting cost include Asian race, private payer, elective admission, hyponatremia, neurological and respiratory complications, acute renal failure, bypass for moyamoya disease, COD without infarction, medium and high volume centers, hospitals located in Midwest, Northeast, and West region, total number of diagnosis and procedures, days to bypass and post-procedural LOS. Our model was validated in an independent cohort and using 1000-bootstrapped replacement samples.Identified drivers of hospital cost after ECIC bypass could potentially be used as an adjunct for creation of data driven policies, impact reimbursement criteria, aid in-hospital auditing, and in the cost containment debate

Inflation adjusted hospitalization cost for ECIC bypass surgery^*.

<p>Inflation adjusted hospitalization cost for ECIC bypass surgery^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0186758#t002fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

Algorithm for cohort selection for patients undergoing EC-IC bypass.

<p>Algorithm for cohort selection for patients undergoing EC-IC bypass.</p

Cohort definition and extraction

The figure describes the ICD-9 coding definitions along with the inclusion and exclusion criteria's that were utilized to establish a cohort of patients registered in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database [2002-2011] that underwent extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery for various indications

Percent change in hospitalization cost following EC-IC bypass surgery for the variables included in the final predictive model.

<p>Percent change in hospitalization cost following EC-IC bypass surgery for the variables included in the final predictive model.</p

Demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,533 patients registered in the NIS that underwent EC-IC bypass surgery across 218 non-federal hospitals between 2002 and 2011.

<p>Demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,533 patients registered in the NIS that underwent EC-IC bypass surgery across 218 non-federal hospitals between 2002 and 2011.</p

Septal dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor: a comprehensive clinical, imaging, histopathologic, and molecular analysis

Background Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are uncommon neural tumors presenting most often in children and young adults and associated with intractable seizures. Rare midline neoplasms with similar histological features to those found in DNETs have been described near the septum pellucidum and termed DNET-like neoplasms of the septum pellucidum. Due to their rarity, these tumors have been described in just a few reports and their genetic alterations sought only in small series. Methods We collected 20 of these tumors for a comprehensive study of their clinical, radiological, and pathological features. RNA sequencing or targeted DNA sequencing was undertaken on 18 tumors, and genome-wide DNA methylation profiling was possible with 11 tumors. Published cases (n = 22) were also reviewed for comparative purposes. Results The commonest presenting symptoms and signs were related to raised intracranial pressure; 40% of cases required cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Epilepsy was seen in approximately one third of cases. All patients had an indolent disease course, despite metastasis within the neuraxis in a few cases. Radiologically, the septum verum/septal nuclei were involved in all cases and are the proposed site of origin for septal DNET (sDNET). Septal DNET showed a high frequency (similar to 80%) of mutations of platelet derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA), and alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) were also identified. In a genomic DNA methylation analysis alongside other neural tumors, sDNETs formed a separate molecular group. Conclusions Genetic alterations that are different from those of cerebral DNETs and a distinct methylome profile support the proposal that sDNET is a distinct disease entity