Hydrocephalus in primary intradural spinal cord tumors: a systematic review of the literature in the pediatric population

Neurosurgical Review - Hydrocephalus in children with primary intradural spinal cord tumors is exceedingly rare. Herewith, we performed a systematic literature review to address epidemiology,...     

Magnetic resonance angiography compared to intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage

Summary In order to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage, 14 patients with recent haemorrhage verified by CT or lumbar puncture were investigated with both selective intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) and MRA by two independent teams, each having the same preangiographic information. The results were compared with each other and whenever possible (all positive cases except one) with those of surgical intervention. Seven patients were identified by MRA and IA-DSA as having a single aneurysm on the circle of Willis, 1 an aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery 1 an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery (siphon) and 2 patients with two aneurysms on the circle of Willis. MRA and IA-DSA both failed to demonstrate aneurysms in 2 cases. Three patients had negative results on both methods and no surgical intervention was attempted. The aneurysms ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 cm in size. In most cases there was agreement between MRA and DSA, leading us to believe that, if the proper protocols are followed, MRA is a powerful alternative to other established methods in the detection of intracranial aneurysms. At this stage it will not replace IA-DSA prior to surgery, but the ability to obtain various projections using 3D MRA may improve surgical planning.     

Detection of malignant bone marrow involvement with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in detecting bone marrow involvement in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 50 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed malignant dissemination to the bone marrow, using dMRI of the lumbosacral spine. Time-signal intensity curves were generated from regions of interest (ROIs) obtained from areas of obvious bone marrow disease (group B). In 16 patients from group B with focal disease, ROIs were also placed on areas with apparently normal bone marrow on static magnetic resonance images (group C). Twenty-two patients with no history of malignancy were used as a control group (group A). Wash-in (WIN) and wash-out (WOUT) rates, time to peak (TTPK), time to maximum slope (TMSP) values and WIN/TMSP ratios were calculated for each patient. Mean values for the three groups were compared statistically. Six patients from group B had follow-up dMRI after chemotherapy: four patients achieved a clinical partial response and two had resistant disease. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between groups A and B for all values. Between groups A and C, in spite of the similar static MRI appearance, all values were significantly different. Between groups B and C, a significant difference was found for WIN, WOUT rates and WIN/TMSP ratio. Follow-up dMRI data analysis correlated well with clinical staging. CONCLUSIONS: dMRI can distinguish normal from malignant bone marrow. It may identify malignant bone marrow infiltration in patients with negative static MRI and serve as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool for patients with bone marrow malignancies.     

Radiation Therapy Alone for Growth Hormone-Producing Pituitary Adenomas

We present our experience in the treatment of growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas using irradiation alone. Between 1983 and 1991, 21 patients suffering from GH-secreting pituitary adenomas were treated with radiotherapy alone. Two bilateral opposing coaxial fields were used in 10 patients and in the remaining 11 a third frontovertex field was added. Treatment was given in 1.8-2 Gy daily fractions and total dose ranged between 45 and 54 Gy. Treatment was given using a cobalt unit. Four patients treated with somatostatin prior to and 14 patients treated after the end of radiotherapy experienced symptom relief for 6-28 weeks. The 5-year actuarial rate of disease control was 72%. Five out of six failed patients had macroadenomas. Hypopituitarism was observed in 5/21 (24%) patients. Whereas RT alone is effective in the treatment of microadenomas, this is not true for large infiltrative macroadenomas.     

Kidney progression project (KiPP): Protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of progression in chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Sri Lanka

Over the last two decades, a global epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has emerged in rural, arid, agricultural, lowland areas. Endemic regions have reported 15 to 20% prevalence among residents aged 30–60 years. CKDu is a progressive and irreversible disease resulting in renal failure and death in the absence of dialysis or a kidney transplant. While much of the research has focused on identifying etiology, this project seeks to ascertain factors associated with the rapidity of kidney disease progression in one of Sri Lanka’s CKDu endemic areas. A sample of 296 male and female residents aged 21 to 65 with moderate CKD, as measured by their serum creatinine level, and a clinical diagnosis of CKDu are followed using quarterly serum testing to track the rate of progression. A baseline survey administered to the entire sample addresses potential risk factors, supplemented by a short survey focusing on changes through time. Concurrently water, soil and air are tested at the local and household levels. The study is the first to foster a multi-disciplinary approach that focuses on disease progression, identifying behavioural and exposure risk factors for rapid kidney function decline, in this progressively fatal disease.