Changes in the Eeg Background Activity of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia During Cytotoxic Therapy

Thirteen children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were investigated before and during cytotoxic therapy. EEG findings were correlated with the clinical course and the therapy protocol and compared with normal data obtained from 295 healthy children. Frequency analysis of the background activity of the EEG revealed an initial slowing of the background activity prior to therapy and further slowing each time a combination of vincristine (VCR), daunorubicine (DAU) or adriblastine (ADR), prednisone (FRED), and L-asparaginase (L-ASP) was administered. The slowing of the background activity correlated only with the administration of these drugs. DAU, ADR, and FRED are not known to influence the EEG; therefore, VCR and L-ASP remain the primary candidates responsible for the central nervous system alteration.     

Endoscopic surgery for early glottic carcinoma

Early glottic carcinoma, specifically stage I or II, can be treated with endoscopic excision, radiation therapy, or open partial laryngectomy. Over the past two decades, this topic has received intensive interest, and controversies have often focused on techniques and outcomes comparing the use of endoscopic excision versus radiation therapy. This article will discuss philosophy, techniques, and outcomes of resection using the endoscopic approach to early glottic carcinoma. Optimization through appropriate instrumentation, staging, and technical details are critical to postoperative oncologic and vocal outcomes. The reader must remember that over 90% of T1 lesions and approximately 75% of T2 lesions are curable, and therefore adherence to the principles described below is important to achieve these outcomes.