Dr. Piatt gathered Nationwide Inpatient Sample data on hospital care in adult patients with myelomeningocele and concomitant active or inactive hydrocephalus in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010.
Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine published the article.
Here are five takeaways:
1. The most common and severe form of spina bifida, myelomeningocele is a neural tube defect. Patients with myelomeningocele may also experience hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
2. Although research exists on myelomeningocele in children, there is limited information about myelomeningocele in adults. Dr. Piatt wanted to fill this void of information with his paper.
3. Based on the study, the most common reasons myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus patients entered the hospital included:
• Urinary tract infections
• Complications of a device, implant or graft
• Nervous system congenital anomalies
• Chronic skin ulcers
• Septicemia
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections
• Complications of surgical care
• Infective arthritis an osteomyelitis
• Spondylosis
• Pneumonia
4. Compared to patients with other spina bifida forms, myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus patients were younger and more were female.
5. Dr. Piatt concluded myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus patients receive the best care from multidisciplinary teams of specialists in high-volume hospitals. This care setting is essential to prevent, monitor and treat complications.
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