Combination treatment of vertebral metastases using image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and vertebroplasty: a case report

BACKGROUND: We describe a case of vertebral metastases treated with a combination of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and vertebroplasty in a single session. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 45-year-old female with recently diagnosed metastatic non-small cell lung cancer was referred for consideration of vertebroplasty after having several weeks of back pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thoracic spine revealed metastatic lesions at the T9 and T12 bodies. Radiofrequency ablation was performed using a starburst array electrode (Rita Medical Systems, Mountain View, Calif). The metastatic lesion in the T9 vertebral body measured 1.5 x 1.5 cm and was heated to 100 degrees C for 5 minutes. Vertebroplasty was then performed on this lesion as well as a lesion at T12 with no complications. The patient was discharged home the same day without complaints. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures that can be used in combination to treat spinal metastases. The pain relief from these treatments is often immediate. RFA can also be used to minimize procedure-related complications during the vertebroplasty. In properly selected patients, RFA may also increase the duration of local spinal stabilization afforded by the vertebroplasty alone. Long-term studies are warranted to assess the efficacy and durability of this unique approach.     

Prediction of antimalarial activity of some cyclic peroxy ketals using physico-chemical and topological indices

This study is based on modeling the anti-malarial activity (log IC₅₀/nm) of 20 cyclic peroxy ketals using topological and physicochemical parameters. The multiple regression analysis reveals that the five-parametric model containing MW, ST, χ _eq, ⁰ χ ^v, IP₂ as correlating parameters is the best for modeling the activity of the compounds under present study. The cross-validated parameters have been calculated by LOO cross-validation procedure for validation of proposed model.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Kaempferia rotunda Linn

The plant Kaempferia rotunda Linn. has been explored for its anti oxidant potential in the present study. The antioxidant property was assessed by lipid peroxidation markers such as malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (4-HNE). The lipid peroxidation byproducts are highly toxic and responsible for various diseases like myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, hepatic injury, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. The chemical constituents of the plant were critically and qualitatively analyzed to confirm the presence of flavonoids and phenolic derivatives. Hence our objective has been designed to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Kaempferia rotunda linn. and its contribution to control the lipid peroxidation.     

Undifferentiated Tumors: An Immunohistochemical Analysis on Biopsies

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 145 biopsies with a diagnosis of undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor in order to classify them into lymphoid, epithelial, or mesenchymal in origin. It was possible to arrive at a histogenetic diagnosis on immunostaining in 85.5% of cases. Immunostaining confirmed the diagnosis in 32.4% and contributed to diagnosis in 53.1%. Malignant lymphoma was the most common diagnosis (35.9%), followed by carcinoma (23.4%). A panel of antibodies consisting of anti-common leucocyte antigen (LCA), anti-epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), anti-cytokeratin (CK), anti-low to intermediate molecular weight cytokeratin (CAM 5.2), anti-S-100 protein (S-100), and anti-vimentin (VM) may resolve, to a large extent, some of the common diagnostic problems. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.