COVID-19: Review of a 21st Century Pandemic from Etiology to Neuro-psychiatric Implications.

COVID-19 is a severe infectious disease that has claimed >150,000 lives and infected millions in the United States thus far, especially the elderly population. Emerging evidence has shown the virus to cause hemorrhagic and immunologic responses, which impact all organs, including lungs, kidneys, and the brain, as well as extremities. SARS-CoV-2 also affects patients', families', and society's mental health at large.

Increased dose of betamethasone for transforaminal epidural steroid injections is not associated with superior pain outcomes at 4 weeks.

Background: Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (FG-TFESIs) have been shown to provide both immediate and long-term improvement in patient's self-reported pain. Administration of the lowest possible dose of epidural betamethasone is desired to minimize side effects while maintaining efficacy. We hypothesize that a 3 mg or a 6 mg dose of betamethasone will demonstrate equivalent analgesic properties.

Perioperative factors associated with HCAHPS responses of 2,758 surgical patients.

Objective: To determine perioperative treatments and events associated with Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey responses.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Single tertiary care, academic, urban, level-1 trauma center.

Skull base osteomyelitis: the effect of comorbid disease on hospitalization.

Objectives/hypothesis: Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare disease that has a high morbidity and mortality rate if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Our objective was to perform a more detailed analysis of skull base osteomyelitis in the inpatient population. We also provide a more comprehensive evaluation of comorbid disease and severity of illness in this population and describe their effects on the duration and cost of hospital stay.

Treatment of culture-negative skull base osteomyelitis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic regimen in the treatment of patients with culture-negative skull base osteomyelitis.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.