The role of radiologic,clinical and biochemical parameters in prediction of stroke mortality

Objectives:To assess National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), stroke volume, biochemical, and blood parameters for the prediction of one-month mortality in stroke patientsMethods:The study had retrospective design and 75 patients were involved that presented to a hospital Emergency Department between January 2016 and December 2017 in Adiyaman, Turkey diagnosed with acute ischemic cerebral infarction. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether mortality occurred within one month. Values for NIHSS, stroke volume, Glasgow Coma Scale, and blood parameters were compared between the groups.Results:Values for Glasgow Coma Scale p=0.002, NIHSS p=0.001, stroke volume p=0.003, monocyte/HDL ratio p=0.047, neutrophils p=0.01, white blood cell p=0.007, calcium p=0.016, and albumin p=0.027 were statistically significant for the prediction of one-month mortality. There were no significant differences between the groups for other parameters.Conclusion:The clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings individually provide significant support for the short-term prognosis of stroke. The evaluation of these results together can provide a clearer advance understanding of a prognosis to better manage the course of the disease and prevent death.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death for patients presenting to emergency departments worldwide.1 Thus, to foresee possible mortality and morbidity in stroke cases, adoption of the right treatment and follow-up approach is important.2 The quality of the health service in a hospital emergency department depends on the successful prediction of the course of the disease and the clinical picture that may arise. Being aware of the prognosis of the disease in advance is important not only for making optimal treatment decisions but also for correctly informing the patient and managing health expenditures.In the literature, clinical parameters such as C reactive protein (CRP), red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and routine blood parameters such as albumin, infarct volume on admission, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score have previously been defined for the prediction of mortality in stroke cases.2-5 Pro-brain natriuretic peptides and pro-atrial natriuretic peptides, 2 other biochemical parameters that are not among the routine blood parameters, have also been shown to be important markers of stroke prognosis.6,7This study aimed to evaluate the association of clinical, biochemical, and radiological parameters with one-month mortality in patients that presented to the emergency service and received a diagnosis of ischemic stroke.     

Gemcitabine alone versus combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin for the treatment of patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of multicenter study

The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer is of advanced disease. Several randomized Phase II and III trials suggest that the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis) response rates were higher than Gemcitabine (Gem) alone, however the trials were not enough powered to indicate a statistically significant prolongation of survival in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study is to evaluated the efficiency of Gem alone versus GemCis in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma .A total of 406 patients, from fourteen centers were evaluated retrospectively. All patients received Gem or GemCis as first-line treatment between September 2005 to March 2011. Primary end of this study were to evaluate the toxicity, clinical response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the arms. There were 156 patients (M: 98, F: 58) in Gem arm and 250 patients (M: 175, F: 75) in the combination arm. Gemcitabin arm patients older than the combination arm ( median 63 vs 57.5, p=0.001). In patients with the combination arm had a higher dose reduction (25.2% vs 11.3%, p=0.001) and dose delay (34% vs 16.8%, p=0.001). Among patients with the combination and Gemcitabin arm gender, diabetes mellitus, performance status, cholestasis, grade, stage did not have a statistically difference (p>0.05). Clinical response rate to the combination arm was higher than the Gem arm (69.0% vs 49.7%, p=0.001). PFS was more favorable in the GemCis arm than Gem alone, but the difference did not attain statistical significance (8.9 vs 6.0, p=0.08). OS was not significantly superior in the GemCis arm (12.0 vs 10.2, p>0.05). Grade III-IV hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity were higher in the combination arm. PFS was more favorable in the GemCis arm than Gem alone, but the difference did not attain statistical significance. OS was not significantly superior in the GemCis arm.     

Detection of CSF leaks with magnetic resonance imaging in intracranial hypotension syndrome

Intracranial hypotension syndrome (IHS) is a rare disorder characterized by postural headache, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, dural thickening and pachymeningeal contrast enhancement as a consequence of decreased CSF volume. The present report is a case of spontaneous IHS due to dural leak at the level of T12–L1. The site of CSF leakage was not detectable on either conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or T2-weighted MR myelography. However, it was evident on contrast-enhanced MR myelography (CE-MRM). The present report discusses the efficacy of CE-MRM in the detection of CSF leaks according to the literature so far.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of vulvar dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans – report of a case

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the vulva is a rare low-grade soft tissue sarcoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of vulvar DFSP were essentially unreported in the literature.

Case report

We report a DFSP of vulva with its clinical, histological and MRI features. As far we know this is the first case of histologically confirmed vulvar DFSP presenting with MR images. The diagnosis of DFSP is usually made by histopathologic and clinical findings.

Conclusions

MRI is useful both for the diagnosis of DFSP and following up the patients since it has high soft tissue resolution and no risk of radiation exposure. With MRI the relation to the adjacent anatomical structures, extension and depth of the tumour and possible lymph node involvement can also be demonstrated.     

Adhesive capsulitis: contrast-enhanced shoulder MRI findings

Purpose: Evaluation of contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE‐MRI) findings in cases clinically diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis (AC). Methods: CE‐MRI images of 12 cases diagnosed as AC (13 shoulder joints) and nine control cases were retrospectively evaluated. AC diagnosis was established based on the history and clinical symptoms. MR signal intensity changes in the axillary pouch, rotator interval, biceps anchor and anterior–posterior capsules were analysed with regard to the presence of abnormal soft tissue and contrast enhancement. Capsular and synovial thickening were measured in the axillary recess and rotator interval on coronal oblique CE T1‐weighted images. Patient and control groups were compared by Fisher's exact and McNemar tests in terms of signal intensity changes and contrast enhancement in the described areas. Results: Comparison of the group with AC and the control group regarding intensity changes showed a statistically significant difference in the axillary pouch (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in the rotator interval, biceps anchor and anterior–posterior capsules (P > 0.05). Comparison of AC and control groups in terms of contrast enhancement revealed statistically significant differences in the axillary pouch, rotator interval, biceps anchor and anterior–posterior capsules (P < 0.001). A significant difference was determined between the AC and control groups with regard to thickening in axillary pouch and rotator interval (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CE studies are useful for diagnosis of AC as it demonstrates thickening of specific soft‐tissue areas like joint capsule and synovium.