Significance of the spatial reconstruction based on mathematical modeling in the surgical treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND: The use of computer models for the 3-dimensional reconstruction could be a reliable method to overcome technical imperfections of diagnostic procedures for the microsurgical operation of giant intracranial aneurysms. CASE REPORT: We presented a case of successfully operated 52-year-old woman with giant intracranial aneurysm, in which the computer 3-dimensional reconstruction of blood vessels and the aneurysmal neck had been decisive for making the diagnosis. The model for 3-dimensional reconstruction of blood vessels was based on the two 2-dimensional projections of the conventional angiography. Standard neuroradiologic diagnostic procedures showed a giant aneurysm on the left middle cerebral artery, but the conventional subtraction and CT angiography did not reveal enough information. By the use of a personal computer, we performed a 3-dimensional spatial reconstruction of the left carotid artery to visualize the neck of aneurysm and its supplying blood vessels. CONCLUSION: The 3-dimensional spatial reconstruction of the cerebral vessels of a giant aneurysm based on the conventional angiography could be useful for planning the surgical procedure.     

Screening of Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infections among the male and female population of the Republic of Macedonia

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive urine screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infections offers a valuable public health tool, that could be of vast importance in Chlamydia control programs. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis infections among a sexually active population, to define the epidemiological factors associated with it, and to develop potential selective screening strategies among asymptomatic individuals in the Republic of Macedonia, using a highly sensitive and specific DNA amplification method for C. trachomatis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1435 urine samples, divided into two main groups: asymptomatic individuals (n = 1210) and symptomatic patients (n = 225), were tested. Samples from the asymptomatic group were collected during routine screening programs, while the symptomatic group consisted of patients with symptoms of urogenital tract infection, attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics. The presence of C. trachomatis was determined using commercial AMPLICOR C. trachomatis Assay (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, NJ, USA). RESULTS: The prevalence of C. trachomatis infections among different groups was: recruits 0%, soldiers 0.4%, policemen 3.5%, clerks 4.6%, pregnant women 4%, and students 4.4%. The average prevalence for both groups (asymptomatic and symptomatic) was 2.3%[95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5-3.1%]. The average prevalence for the asymptomatic group was 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-2.4%), while the average prevalence for the symptomatic group was 6.2% (95% CI: 3.1-9.3%) which were significantly different (P = 0.00003). CONCLUSION: Testing first void urine specimens by AMPLICOR C. trachomatis assay is a highly sensitive and specific method for diagnosing C. trachomatis infections in men and women. This method provides health care workers and public health officials with a new molecular amplification assay that uses noninvasive urine specimens for population-based screening purposes. The prevalence of C. trachomatis was relatively low among asymptomatic individuals. However, selective screening strategies are highly recommended for testing the student population in the Republic of Macedonia.     

Hyperfractionated radiation therapy for incompletely resected supratentorial low-grade glioma: a 10-year update of a phase II study

PURPOSE: To provide a 10-year update of hyperfractionated radiation therapy (Hfx RT) in adults with incompletely resected supratentorial low-grade glioma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 37 patients were treated with 55 Gy in 50 fractions in 25 treatment days in 5 weeks to tumor plus 2 cm, and additional 17.6 Gy given in 16 fractions in 8 treatment days in 1.5 weeks to tumor plus 1 cm, (1.1 Gy twice daily). Total dose was 72.6 Gy in 66 fractions in 33 treatment days in 6.5 weeks. RESULTS: After a median follow-up time of 121 months for all patients, the median survival time (MST) for all 37 patients was 145 months, whereas 10-year survival rate was 67%. Median time to tumor progression (MTP) has not yet been attained, but 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 62%. There was no difference in survival or PFS regarding gender, age, location, site, size, CT enhancement, and histology; whereas lower KPS, higher neurologic status, and lesser extent of surgery had an adverse influence. Infield progression occurred in 15 (88%), whereas in only 2 (12%) patients, tumor progression was described as marginal. Brain necrosis has not been observed so far. Autopsy findings confirmed recurrent glioma and excluded post-RT necrosis in 14 (38%) patients. Of those, 7 (50%) patients had either Grade 3 (n = 4) or Grade 4 (n = 3) glioma. CONCLUSION: High-dose HFX RT is effective with mild to moderate toxicity. Further studies are warranted with more patients before testing it against standard fractionation RT in this patient population.