Resection of parietal lobe gliomas： incidence and evolution of neurological deficits in 28 consecutive patients correlated to the location and morphological characteristics of the tumor

OBJECT： The goal of this study is to report the incidence and clinical evolution of neurological deficits in patients who underwent resection of gliomas confined to the parietal lobe. METHODS： Patient demographics, findings of serial neurological examinations, tumor location and neuroimaging characteristics, extent of resection, and surgical outcomes were tabulated by reviewing inpatient and office records, as well as all pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance （MR） images obtained in 28 consecutive patients who underwent resection of a glial neoplasm found on imaging studies to be confined to the parietal lobe. Neurological deficits were correlated with hemispheric dominance, location of the lesion within the superior or inferior parietal lobules, subcortical extension, and involvement of the postcentral gyms. The tumors were located in the dominant hemisphere in 18 patients （64%）; had a mean diameter of 39 mm （range 14-69 mm）; were isolated to the superior parietal lobule in six patients （21%） and to the inferior parietal lobule in eight patients （29%）; and involved both lobules in 14 patients （50%）. Gross-total resection, documented by MR imaging, was achieved in 24 patients （86%）. Postoperatively, nine patients （32%） experienced new neurological deficits, whereas seven （25%） had an improvement in their preoperative deficit. A correlation was noted between larger tumors and the presence of neurological deficits both before and after resection. Postoperatively higher-level （association） parietal deficits were noted only in patients with tumors involving both the superior and inferior parietal lobules in the dominant hemisphere. At the 3-month follow-up examination, five of nine new postoperative deficits had resolved. CONCLUSIONS： Neurological deterioration and improvement occur after resection of parietal lobe gliomas. Parietal lobe association deficits, specifically the components of Gerstmann syndrome, are mostly associated with large tumors that involve both the superior and inferior parietal lobules of the dominant hemisphere. New hemineglect or sensory extinction was not noted in any patient following resection of lesions located in the nondominant hemisphere. Nevertheless, primary parietal lobe deficits （for example, a visual field loss or cortical sensory syndrome） occurred in patients regardless of hemispheric dominance.     

Preliminary Validation of an Optimally Weighted Patient-Based Utility Index by Application to Randomized Trials in Breast Cancer

ObjectivesTo optimize, apply, and validate a scoring algorithm that provides a utility index from a cancer-specific quality of life questionnaire called the Utility-Based Questionnaire-Cancer (UBQ-C) using data sets from randomized trials in breast cancer. The index is designed to reflect the perspective of cancer patients in a specific clinical context so as to best inform clinical decisions.MethodsWe applied the UBQ-C scoring algorithm to trials of chemotherapy for advanced (n = 325) and early (n = 126) breast cancer. The algorithm converts UBQ-C subscales into a subset index, and combines it with a global health status item into an overall HRQL index, which is then converted to a utility index using a power transformation. The optimal subscale weights were determined by their correlations with the global scale in the relevant data set. The validity of the utility index was tested against other patient characteristics.ResultsOptimal weights (range 0–1) for the subset index in advanced (early) breast cancer were: physical function 0.20 (0.09); social/usual activities 0.23 (0.25); self-care 0.04 (0.01); and distresses 0.53 (0.64). Weights for the overall HRQL index were health status 0.66 (0.63) and subset index 0.34 (0.37). The utility index discriminated between breast cancer that was advanced rather than early (means 0.88 vs. 0.94, P < 0.0001) and was responsive to the toxic effects of chemotherapy in early breast cancer (mean change 0.07, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe scoring algorithm for the UBQ-C utility index can be optimized in different clinical contexts to reflect the relative importance of different aspects of quality of life to the patients in a trial. It can be used to generate sensitive and responsive utility scores, and quality-adjusted life-years that can be used within a trial to compare the net benefit of treatments and inform clinical decision-making.     

Intrauterine spermatic cord torsion in the newborn: sonographic and pathologic correlation

In five newborn patients with spermatic cord torsion, sonography demonstrated an enlarged and globular testis, hydrocele, and skin thickening. In four of these patients the testicular parenchyma was heterogeneous. Peripheral hypoechoic areas were seen in two of the four patients; the other two had a central hypoechoic region and a peripheral echogenic rim. The testis in the fifth patient was diffusely hyperechoic. Duplex Doppler sonography performed in two patients failed to demonstrate any signal in the spermatic cord in either the abnormal or contralateral hemiscrotum. Scintigraphic findings were positive for testicular torsion in two patients and equivocal in three patients. Surgery was performed 2-12 days after sonography and established the diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion. Pathologic examination demonstrated hemorrhagic infarction of the entire testis as well as scattered calcifications. The authors conclude that a solid globular testicular mass seen during the neonatal period is suggestive of intrauterine spermatic cord torsion.     

The PB3300 intraarterial blood gas monitoring system

Continuous intraarterial blood gas (IABG) monitoring is in clinical use both in the operating room and intensive care unit. This technology uses miniature, optically-based sensors that can be placed into a patient's artery. The arterial blood gas values are transduced into an optical signal that is measured by a bedside monitor on which the values are displayed. In this paper, we describe the operating principles of the PB3300 Intra-Arterial Blood Gas Monitoring System (Puritan-Bennett Corporation, FOxS Division, Carlsbad, CA). Topics include the principles of fluorescent determinations of pH,PCo ₂, andPO ₂; the optical path of the PB3300; system calibration; dye layer geometry; and clinical operation. The accuracy, precision, and drift of the system measuring tonometered aqueous standards are reported. The following values were noted for eight sensors sending data to eight monitors: system bias and precisions of 0.00±0.02 pH at a pH of 7.40, –2.5±1.5 mm HgPCo ₂ at aPCo ₂ of 40 mm Hg, and 3.3±1.3 mm HgPO ₂ at aPO ₂ of 80 mm Hg.

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Abstrakt Die kontinuierliche intraarterielle Blutgasüberwachung (IABG) wird klinisch sowohl im OP als auch auf der Intensivstation eingesetzt. Hierbei werden miniaturisierte, optische Sensoren angewandt, die sich direkt in der Arterie des Patienten plazieren lassen. Die Blutgaswerte werden in optische Signale umgesetzt und von einem bettseitigen Monitor gemessen und angezeigt. In dieser Arbeit beschreiben wir das Funktionsprinzip des Intra-Arteriellen Blutgasanalysesystems PB3300 (Puritan-Bennett Corporation, FOxS Division, Carlsbad, CA). Themen sind die Grundlagen der Bestimmung von pH, PCO2 und PO2 mittels Fluoreszenz; die optische Übertragung des PB3300; die Kalibrierung des Systems; die Geometrie der Farbschichten und der Einsatz in der Klinik. Die Genauigkeit, Auflösung und Drift des Systems bei der Messung von tonometrischen wässrigen Standards wird beschrieben. Die folgenden Werte ergaben sich aus einer Meßreihe mit 8 Sensoren, die an 8 Monitore angeschlossen waren (jeweils Bias, Streuung und Sollwert): 0.00±0.02 pH bei 7.40 pH, –2.5±1.5 mmHg PCO2 bei 40 mmHg PCO2 und 3.3±1.3 mmHg PO2 bei 80 mmHg PO2.

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Resumen La monitorizaciòn continua de gases intraarteriales tiene uso clinico, tanto en el pabellòn de operaciones como en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Esta tecnologia utiliza sensores miniatura de tipo òptico que pueden ser introducidos en una arteria del paciente. Los valores de gases arteriales son transducidos en forma de señal òptica que es medida al lado de la cama del paciente por un monitor que presenta los valores numéricos. En este trabajo, describimos los principios de operaciòn del PB3300 Intra-Arterial Blood Gas Monitoring System (Puritan-Bennett Corporation, FOxS Division, Carlsbad, CA). Los temas incluyen los principios de determinaciones fluorescentes de pH, PCO₂, and PO₂; la via òptica del PB3300; calibraciòn del sistema; geometria de la capa de colorante; y la operaciòn clinica. Se presentan la exactitud, precisiòn, y deriva (drift) del sistema, midiendo soluciones acuosas de tonometrìa estàndar. Los siguientes valores fueron registrados para ocho sensores enviando informaciòn a ocho monitores: los sesgos del sistema y las precisiones fueron de 0.00±0.02 pH a pH 7.40, –2.5±1.5 mmHg PCO₂ a PCO₂ 40 mmHg, y 3.3±1.3 mmHg PO₂ a PO₂ 80 mmHg.

     

Pre-B cells and other possible precursor lymphoid cell lines derived from patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia

A group of unique Epstein-Barr virus-containing cell lines was derived from the bone marrow of three patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Efforts to obtain cell lines from the peripheral blood of these patients were uniformly unsuccessful. Immunofluorescence analyses as well as biosynthetic studies with [(35)S]methionine indicated unusual patterns of Ig synthesis in many of these bone marrow derived lines. Seven of the lines were of particular interest in that two produced no Ig of any type; two others showed no Ig by fluorescence but small amounts by [(35)S]methionine labeling; one expressed only cytoplasmic μ chains without any evidence of light chain synthesis, and two produced primarily μ chains with only slight amounts of light chains. One of the lines without membrane or cytoplasmic Ig studied in detail grew like a typical lymphoid line and was carried in intermittent culture over a period of 2 yr without Ig expression. One line grew quite differently and resembled the round cell type described previously, which has been obtained from a variety of sources. The cell line with cytoplasmic μ chains and no light-chain expression had the characteristic properties of pre-B cells. Three normal type Ig-producing cell lines also were obtained from the patients. The accumulated evidence obtained in the present study indicates that these unusual cell lines represent normal precursor cells of the B-cell lineage; these grew out in these cases because of the virtual absence of mature B cells that ordinarily overgrow the culture system. However, the possibility that in certain instances they reflect abnormal Ig synthesis characteristic of the disease has not been ruled out.     

Radiation-induced red cell damage: role of reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND: Cellular blood components are irradiated to prevent graft- versus-host disease in transfusion recipients at risk for this syndrome. Because gamma radiation can result in the production of reactive oxygen species, the role of reactive oxygen species was investigated in radiation-induced red cell damage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Whole blood from normal donors was exposed to various doses of t-butyl hydroperoxide (0-1 mM) and/or to gamma-radiation (0-50 Gy). Oxidative damage was assessed by the extent of lipid peroxidation (measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS]) and hemoglobin oxidation. Fresh blood was divided into three parts-one initially irradiated and stored, another stored with portions irradiated weekly, and a third stored without irradiation. TBARS and hemoglobin oxidation were measured weekly. RESULTS: As expected, t- butyl hydroperoxide induced TBARS formation and hemoglobin oxidation in a dose-dependent fashion. The gamma-radiation not only increased hemoglobin oxidation and TBARS formation, but also enhanced the t-butyl hydroperoxide effect on red cells. Red cell storage increased TBARS generation and hemoglobin oxidation in a time-dependent fashion. When radiation was administered either initially or after weekly storage, TBARS production and hemoglobin oxidation were increased over that measured in unirradiated paired controls. CONCLUSION: Gamma radiation at clinically used doses increases lipid peroxidation and hemoglobin oxidation in human red cells. The effect of gamma-radiation is accentuated by blood storage and induces damage independent of time of storage.