Drastic Therapy for Listerial Brain Abscess Involving Combined Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Antimicrobial Agents

Background

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a rare causative pathogen of brain abscess that is often found in immunocompromised patients. Although patients with supratentorial listerial abscesses showed a longer survival with surgical drainage, the standard therapy for patients with subtentorial lesions has not been established.

Case Report

We report herein a patient with supra- and subtentorial brain abscesses caused by L. monocytogenes infection. These abscesses did not respond to antibiotics, and his symptoms gradually worsened. Drainage was not indicated for subtentorial lesions, and the patient was additionally treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which dramatically reduced the volume of abscesses and improved the symptoms.

Conclusions

This is the first report of drastic therapy for a patient with listerial brain abscesses involving combined antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a good option for treating patients with deep-seated listerial abscesses and for who surgical drainage is not indicated.     

幕下孤立性纤维瘤的影像学表现（附5例报道及文献复习）

目的:探讨幕下孤立性纤维瘤（solitary fibrous tumor,SFT）的影像学表现,以提高其诊断准确率。方法:回顾性分析5例经手术病理证实的幕下SFT的影像及临床、病理资料,1例行CT平扫,3例行MRI平扫及增强检查,1例仅行MRI增强检查。结果:本组5例（4例女性,1例男性）均为单发病灶,均宽基底与脑膜相连,2例位于右侧小脑半球,1例位于左侧小脑半球凸面,1例跨右侧小脑幕上下生长,1例位于左侧桥小脑角区,肿瘤最大径范围约4.1~5.2 cm,5例边界均清楚,4例呈浅分叶状,1例呈类圆形。肿瘤CT平扫呈稍高密度,MRI T1WI呈等信号或稍低信号,T2WI呈稍高信号或低信号,3例T2WI病灶内见片状低信号区,2例病灶内见囊变,2例病灶内见迂曲血管,4例病灶周围可见轻度水肿,3例病灶周围见脑脊液环绕征象。增强扫描实性成分及囊壁均明显强化,2例可见脑膜尾征。结论:幕下SFT影像学表现具有一定的特征性,当幕下肿块呈浅分叶状并具有脑外肿瘤的征象,CT上呈稍高密度,T1WI呈等或稍低信号,T2WI呈稍高信号或低信号,明显强化,T2WI病灶内见低信号区及迂曲血管影时,可考虑诊断该病,但最终确诊仍需依靠病理及免疫组织化学检查。     

White matter compromise predicts poor intellectual outcome in survivors of pediatric low-grade glioma

Background

While the impact of cranial radiation on white matter following treatment for pediatric brain tumor has been the focus of many recent studies, the effect of treatment in the absence of radiation has received little attention. The relations between white matter and cognitive outcome have not been explored in patients who have undergone radiation-free treatment. As most patients treated without cranial radiation survive long after their diagnosis, it is critical to identify factors that may impact structural and neurocognitive outcomes.

Methods

Using diffusion tensor imaging, we examined white matter structure in 32 patients with pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG) (19 with subtentorial location and 13 with supratentorial location) and 32 healthy participants. Indices of intellectual functioning were also evaluated. Radiation was not used to treat this cohort, aged 8–19 years.

Results

We detected evidence of deficits in IQ and compromised supra- and subtentorial white matter in patients relative to healthy children (P < .05). Compromise of supratentorial white matter mediated the impact of treatment for PLGG on IQ. Greater white matter compromise was observed in patients who presented without multiple symptoms, were treated with biopsy/no surgery, had positive neurofibromatosis 1 status, were younger age at diagnosis, and whose parents had lower levels of education (P < .05).

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence of increased risk of intellectual and white matter compromise in patients treated for PLGG without radiation. We identify a neural origin of cognitive deficit useful for predicting outcome and mitigating long-term adverse effects in pediatric brain tumor patients treated without cranial radiation.     

Cognitive impairment in isolated subtentorial stroke

BACKGROUND: Recent case reports have implicated subtentorial lesions of the brainstem or cerebellum as part of the neurocognitive circuitry. AIM : To determine whether cognitive impairment is part of the neurological deficit in isolated brainstem (IBSS) or cerebellar stroke (ICS), using bedside screening and formal neurocognitive assessment of higher cortical function. METHODS: Accrual occurred through a hospital based stroke registry. Cognitive bedside tests and neuropsychological tests were employed for the detection of higher cortical function. Scores from each test were converted to age and education based z-scores. Scores at or below -1.5 SD were clinically defined 'impaired'. Scores were averaged across tests in each functional area. RESULTS: Of the stroke patients (n = 1360), the infarct was isolated within the brainstem (IBSS) in (45 of 120 or 38%) and isolated within the cerebellum (ICI) in (37 of 79 or 46.8%). Comparison of the IBSS patients with cognitive impairment in one or more domains to those with brainstem (24 of 45 or 53%) and hemispheric cerebral infarcts: (43 of 72 or 58%) (Pearson Chi Square) was not significantly different (P = 0.49). The admission Canadian Neurological Score (mean 10.2, 95% CI: 9.7-10.2) and Rankin score at 1 month (mean 1.7, 95% CI: 2.1-1.4). Comparison of the number of ICI patients with cognitive impairment in one or more domains (13 of 37 or 35.1%) to those with cerebellar and hemispheric cerebral infarcts who had abnormal cognitive testing in one or more domains (16 of 36 or 44.4%) (Pearson Chi Square) was not significantly different (P = 0.41). The mean admission Canadian Neurological Scores for the ICI cases was 10.9 (95% CI: 10.5-11.2) on average. Their mean admission Rankin score was 1.7 (95% CI: 1.4-2.1). Neuropsychological testing for frontal/executive skills, immediate and delayed memory, and visuospatial abilities (n = 15), revealed that frontal abilities were most impacted by the isolated strokes in these patients (average frontal impairment index = -1.29 +/- 0.79) followed by delayed recall of verbal and visual information (mean = -1.18 +/- 1.17). Immediate memory (-0.51 +/- 0.75) and visuoconstructive skills (-0.06 +/- 0.88) were relatively spared. Overall, 47% of the patients showed impairment on frontal tasks while 40% had significant impairment in delayed recall. In contrast, only 13% had scores below the cutoff for immediate memory and none fell below the cutoff for visuoconstructive skills. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment is a common sequel of isolated subtentorial stroke. The frequency of impairment is similar either because of isolated brainstem or isolated cerebellar infarct, and similar to cognitive impairment with cerebral hemispheric lesions. Frontal networks or metacognition is the most frequently involved domain.