World Neurosurg
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Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-expressing pituitary adenomas are a rare but important entity with a spectrum of clinical manifestations. There are currently no data to indicate whether a difference exists in the natural progression of active and silent TSH-expressing pituitary adenomas (defined by the presence or absence of clinical hyperthyroidism, respectively). Here we report our experience (including presenting symptoms, treatment, and outcome) with managing both groups over 11 years in the largest single-center study published to date. ⋯ TSH-expressing pituitary adenomas present with a wide clinical spectrum. Visual disturbances are common. Despite radiologic evidence of clearance after surgery and extended follow-up, they may still recur whether clinically "active" or "silent." Our data support the need for close, long-term follow-up of these patients.
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To perform the first prospective survey of neurologic and neurosurgical emergency department (ED) admissions in Haiti. ⋯ This prospective survey represents the first study of neurosurgical or neurologic disease patterns in Haiti. The results suggest specific disease priorities for this population that can guide efforts to improve Haitian health care and conduct more comprehensive epidemiologic studies in Haiti.
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Metastases to the spine are a common manifestation of breast cancer leading to considerable reduction in the patient's quality of life. Physicians must consider the different treatments available to decrease pain, reduce tumor burden, and ensure spinal stability to prevent neurological compromises. The first objective of this study is to analyze the epidemiology and outcomes of patients with spinal metastases from breast cancer and describe changes over time in these lesions. The second objective is to establish the current treatment of spinal metastases in this type of cancer. ⋯ The survival rate was better in patients with spinal metastases who received specific treatment. The evolution from lytic spinal metastasis to mixed and blastic subtypes is observed with adjunctive therapy for spinal metastases (bisphosphonates, radiotherapy). Increased attention must be given for high-grade breast cancer, as spinal metastases declare faster for these stages. This study provides evidence that a multidisciplinary tumor board specifically focusing on bone metastasis is essential to effectively manage patients with breast cancer and spinal metastasis.
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Sarcoma rarely metastasizes to the brain, and there are no specific treatment guidelines for these tumors. The recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification is a well-established prognostic scale used in many malignancies. In this study we assessed the clinical characteristics of metastatic sarcoma to the brain and the validity of the RPA classification system in a subset of 21 patients who underwent surgical resection of metastatic sarcoma to the brain ⋯ This analysis is the first to support the prognostic utility of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group RPA classification for sarcoma brain metastases and may be used as a treatment guideline tool in this rare disease.
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Tumors of the jugular foramen are notably rare, and the majority of them arise from the glomic tissue of the jugular vein. There are other tumors that do not originate from that tissue, and these are called the nonglomic tumors. This report includes a series of patients with nonglomic tumors of the jugular foramen to analyze their biological and radiological behavior and the clinical outcomes of patients. ⋯ The most common nonglomic tumor of the jugular foramen was the schwannoma, which was the lesion with the best surgical prognosis. Chordoma is a rare and highly destructive tumor that has a notably high recurrence index.