Insights into Endothelin-3 and Multiple Sclerosis.

Endothelins are powerful vasoconstrictor peptides that play numerous other roles. Endothelin-1 (ET1) is the principal isoform produced by the endothelium in the human cardiovascular system. Endothelin-3 (ET3) and its rPptor affinity have been demonstrated to support neuronal repair mechanisms throughout life. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the role of vasoactive peptides are not well defined. Here we focus on ET3, specifically the plasma levels between MS patients and healthy subjects. Furthermore, we evaluated the changes in ET1 and ET3 plasma levels during different disease phases, the correlation between ET3 and cerebral circulation time, and the relationship between ET1 and ET3. In MS patients, the ET3 plasma levels were altered in a time-dependent manner. These results could support a putative role of ET3 in neuroprotection and/or neuroimmune modulation over time.

Lenalidomide and Temozolomide Combination in a Very Elderly Patient with CNS Relapse of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is an infrequent but severe complication for DLBCL patients, associated with poor prognosis. Intravenous prophylaxis with high-dose methotrexate has shown promising results but is rarely feasible in elderly and/or nephropathic patients. A 83 years old woman with CNS relapse occurred 6 months after chemoimmunotherapy. The patient was defined ineligible for radiotherapy (RT) and started oral Temozolomide 250mg daily for 5 consecutive days without any improvement after 1st cycle. We administered lenalidomide 25mg daily for 21 days every 28 days together with temozolomide 250mg daily for 5 days every 28 days. The patient experienced a rapid improvement of general and cognitive conditions; Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI showed a wide reduction of neoplastic tissue. The patients maintained good clinical conditions with mild treatment toxicity until the end of the 6th cycle, when brain MRI showed disease progression and the patient died 1 month later. We suggest lenalidomide could be a feasible option for CNS relapse in elderly DLBCL patients and it could be associated in future studies with other cytotoxic agents such as temozolomide.

Pediatric spinal epidural abscess in an immunocompetent host without risk factors: Case report and review of the literature.

Spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) are unusual bacterial infections, with possible devastating neurologic sequelae. Despite abundance of case series in adults, reports in children are scanty. We describe a spontaneous SEA due to methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in a previously healthy 15-year old male, and we perform a literature review regarding management of pediatric SEAs without risk factors, from 2001 to 2014. We found a total of 12 cases (8 males, average age 9.6 years). Clinical presentation was mainly fever, back pain and elevation of inflammation markers. All cases were initially misdiagnosed. Lumbar puncture was performed in 36% of patients. Etiological diagnosis was obtained in 8 cases. MSSA was isolated in 4 patients, methicillin-resistant S. aureus in 1 patient, and S. aureus with unknown susceptibility patterns in 2 cases. The average of therapy duration was 6 weeks. Patients' spine was always evaluated by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; most abscesses were localized at thoracic and lumbar area, without osteomyelitis. In 8 cases, laminectomy and/or abscess drainage were performed in association with medical therapy; 3 cases were successfully treated with antimicrobial therapy only; no data were available in one case. A good outcome was obtained in all patients, except a reported residual headache and paraspinal pain lasting for 3 years. The rarity and the possible differential diagnosis can lead to underestimate SEA occurrence in children without risk factors. It seems therefore essential to maintain a high attention to pediatric SEAs. A prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy are essential prognostic factors for remission.

Postsurgical predictive theoretical thickness (PTT) of frontal sinus anterior wall as key point in surgical management of frontal bossing: proposal of a new analytic method.

BACKGROUND: Frontal bossing is a malformation characterized by peculiar prominent forehead, and commonly it can be associated with cranial synostosis and endocrine disorder; however, nonsyndromic conditions are described as well.Literature controversies on proper frontal bossing surgical treatment showed evidence of 2 main surgical procedures: frontal bone reshaping and bone en bloc mobilization.A decision-making criterion between these 2 techniques has never been described in literature. METHODS: In this paper, the authors introduce their brand-new analytic method for decision-making between bur shaping and en bloc mobilization in frontal bossing treatment, and describe a successful case of a nonsyndromic frontal bossing patient, treated with their unconventional surgical technique. RESULTS: Our analytic method indicated that bur shaping was not indicated in this particular case: aggressive remodeling of excessive thin wall could lead to sinus perforation, which could turn into unsatisfied aesthetic and functional outcome.So we planned for a bilateral orbitofrontal en bloc reposition, followed by internal rigid fixation. No postoperative complications occurred. Postoperative CT scan revealed good bone repositioning and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The authors explained their analytic method based on careful presurgical CT-scan measurements for decision-making between bur shaping and en bloc mobilization.