Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRisk factors for ischemic lesions following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The aim of this study was to test whether enoxaparin treatment (40 mg subcutaneously once daily) reduces the risk of cerebral infarction after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to investigate predictive risk factors for permanent ischemic lesions visible on follow-up computerized tomography (CT) scans obtained 3 months after SAH. ⋯ The presence of ischemic lesions can be predicted by the severity of bleeding, delayed cerebral ischemia, excess weight, duration of temporary artery occlusion, and occurrence of nocturnal aneurysm rupture.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2005
Multicenter StudyPressure reactivity as a guide in the treatment of cerebral perfusion pressure in patients with brain trauma.
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different treatment protocols on physiological characteristics and outcome in patients with brain trauma. One protocol was primarily oriented toward reducing intracranial pressure (ICP), and the other primarily on maintaining cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). ⋯ Based on data from this study, the authors concluded that ICP-oriented therapy should be used in patients whose slope of the MABP/ICP regression line is at least 0.13, that is, in pressure-passive patients. If the slope is less than 0.13, then hypertensive CPP therapy is likely to produce a better outcome.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyMultimodal metabolic imaging of cerebral gliomas: positron emission tomography with [18F]fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of [18F]fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (FET)-positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy for tumor diagnosis in patients with suspected gliomas. ⋯ In patients with intracerebral lesions supposed to be diffuse gliomas on MR imaging, FET-PET and MR spectroscopy analyses markedly improved the diagnostic efficacy of targeted biopsies.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialNeuroradiographic changes following convection-enhanced delivery of the recombinant cytotoxin interleukin 13-PE38QQR for recurrent malignant glioma.
Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a novel method for delivering therapeutic agents to infiltrative brain tumor cells. For agents administered by CED, changes on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging directly resulting from catheter placement, infusion, and the therapeutic compound may confound any interpretation of tumor progression. As part of an ongoing multiinstitutional Phase I study, 14 patients with recurrent malignant glioma underwent CED of interleukin (IL) 13-PE38QQR, a recombinant cytotoxin consisting of human IL-13 conjugated with a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin. Serial neuroradiographic changes were assessed in this cohort of patients. ⋯ As CED of therapeutic agents becomes more common, clinicians and investigators must become aware of associated neuroimaging changes that should be incorporated into toxicity assessment. We have developed a simple grading system to facilitate communication about these changes among investigators. Biological imaging modalities that could possibly distinguish these changes from recurrent tumor should be evaluated. In this study the authors demonstrate the challenges in determining efficacy when surrogate end points such as time to tumor progression as defined by new or progressive contrast enhancement on MR imaging are used with this treatment modality.
-
Microscopic Rathke cleft cysts are a common incidental autopsy finding, but some Rathke cleft cysts can become sufficiently large to cause visual impairment, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, and headaches. In this study patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively to ascertain the clinical significance of surgical intervention on endocrine and visual improvement. Factors correlated with cyst recurrence were also evaluated. ⋯ This is the largest series of patients with symptomatic Rathke cleft cysts who received operative intervention and participated in the longest postoperative follow up reported in the literature. The high recurrence rate (18%) supports the theory that a relationship exists between a symptomatic Rathke cleft cyst and craniopharyngioma. Improvements in visual and endocrine dysfunction can be expected after surgical decompression of the optic apparatus and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.