Value of Thallium-201 SPECT and SPECT/CT Brain Imaging in Differentiating Malignant From Nonmalignant Lesions: A Comparative Case-Series Study With Pathologic and/or Clinical Correlation.

BACKGROUND: Thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) brain scan is an imaging modality which can be done to differentiate between malignant and nonmalignant lesions among patients with nonconclusive findings on conventional neuroimaging. This study describes the results of thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging and relate it to histopathologic and/or clinical findings and evaluate the value of thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging in differentiating malignant from nonmalignant lesions. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study of 10 patients with cerebral lesions who underwent thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging in a hospital in the Philippines from 2010 to 2021. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients underwent thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain scan. Six had negative results while 4 had positive results. All of the patients who had positive results were found to have malignancy, whether recurrent or newly diagnosed. All of the patients with negative scan were found to have either an infectious and inflammatory disease and responded to treatment albeit in different degrees. Two of the 10 patients underwent biopsy whose results were consistent with the thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain scan results. CONCLUSION: Thallium-201 brain scan combined with SPECT and SPECT/CT has been demonstrated to be useful in distinguishing malignant from nonmalignant lesions and is more cost-effective versus other imaging techniques. The findings in this study support the role of thallium scintigraphy in the diagnosis of patients with brain lesions most significantly when there is a need to differentiate between a malignant and benign condition.

Use of rituximab, temozolomide, and radiation in recurrent and refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma in the Philippines: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Refractory disease in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) may occur despite adequate initial treatment. There is currently no standard of care for relapsed and recurrent PCSNL. No study to date documents using a combined regimen of radiotherapy, temozolomide, and rituximab. This study aimed to present the clinical course and outcomes of patients with recurrent or refractory disease who were given a combination of radiation, temozolomide, and rituximab. Methods: Retrospective analysis was employed to evaluate data from recurrent or refractory PCNSL patients who were treated with radiation, temozolomide, and rituximab in two tertiary hospitals in the Philippines. Baseline demographics, treatment regimen, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Fifteen patients with a median age of 56 years were included, 11 with refractory disease and 4 with recurrent disease. Patients with bulky disease received either whole brain radiotherapy or partial field radiotherapy with rituximab and temozolomide given during radiation and for 6 months after radiation. Overall response rate to salvage therapy was 93.3% (14/15). Median overall survival from initial diagnosis was not reached (median follow-up: 84 months). Mortality rate was 33.3% (5/15), but only 2 out of 5 mortalities were from disease progression. There were only two reported cases of mild allergic reactions to rituximab, which did not result in treatment interruption. Conclusion: Rituximab, temozolomide, and radiotherapy can be considered as an effective and safe salvage therapy for relapsed and recurrent central nervous system lymphoma.

Prolonged Survival Using First-Line Pazopanib in a Filipino Male with Renal Cell Carcinoma and Brain Metastasis: A Case Report.

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide. Brain metastasis is a poor prognostic factor among patients with this disease. The advancements in understanding of the molecular framework behind malignancy and brain metastasis led to more sophisticated treatment regimens which include targeted drugs and immunotherapy. While the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma has been proven in the literature, its specific role among patients with brain metastasis has not yet been fully elucidated. We report a case of a Filipino male with renal cell carcinoma and brain metastasis who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery of his right frontal lesion followed by pazopanib taken initially at 800 mg/day and then decreased to 600 mg/day. A significant increase in creatinine level led to the discontinuation of the medication after >3 years. He had a remarkable progression-free survival of 38 months. This is the first documented case of such significant response to pazopanib in a patient with renal cell carcinoma and brain metastasis. In the Philippine setting where options for cancer treatment are limited by the prohibitive cost of medications, this case can support the use of pazopanib as a potent agent for treating patients with this condition.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Seen at St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City Memory Service.

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a dynamic state, which has evolved into a highly defined condition due to its association with dementia syndromes. There are no published data on the demographic and clinical characteristics of MCI in the Philippines. These data will help in defining the population at risk for the condition and in modifying the factors for its prevention. METHODS: From 2010 to 2019, 434 subjects were diagnosed with MCI based on the criteria published by the International Working Group on MCI last 2004. The demographic profile, vascular risk factors, and levels of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and homocysteine were reviewed. Results of neuropsychological tests, such as Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), were collected. The Fazekas score of the cranial magnetic resonance imaging of patients was also considered. RESULTS: The median age was 72 years [34-97] with 58.3% females. The median years of education were 14 [4-28]. Median ADAS-Cog, MMSE, and MoCA scores were 11.3 [0-27.67], 27 [13-30], and 21 [7-30], respectively. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were present in 66.8% and 64.1%, respectively. Normal homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D levels were found in 64.2%, 59.8%, and 48.8%, respectively. The median Fazekas score was 1 (59.4%). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to document the demographic and clinical profile of Filipinos with MCI in a clinical setting. This review serves as a foundation for increased understanding of MCI with the ultimate goal of controlling the factors which may impact its prevention.

Chronic methanol toxicity through topical and inhalational routes presenting as vision loss and restricted diffusion of the optic nerves on MRI: A case report and literature review.

Methanol intoxication can cause irreversible neurologic sequelae if unrecognized and untreated. Ingestion is the most common form of toxicity; however, dermal and inhalational exposures likewise occur but are documented rarely. While acute intoxication is commonly encountered, chronic exposure to methanol should also be highlighted. We report a case of a 57-year old female presenting in the emergency room with progressive dyspnea, metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, and metabolic encephalopathy. After emergency hemodialysis, the patient complained of vision loss on both eyes. Initial non-contrast cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed restricted diffusion of the intraorbital segment of both optic nerves. A thorough history revealed that she was applying a clear colorless liquid bought online all over her body for alleged pruritus for more than a year. The syndrome of metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, metabolic encephalopathy, vision loss, and laboratory findings led us to suspect a diagnosis of chronic methanol poisoning with an acute component. The liquid in question was sent for chemical analysis and result showed that it consisted of 95.5% Methanol. This case highlights the need for high index of clinical suspicion for methanol toxicity in the absence of oral consumption, the complications of chronic form of methanol intoxication, and the uncommon radiologic finding seen in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Dabigatran Reversal With Idarucizumab Preceding Thrombolysis in an Octogenarian Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease and Acute Stroke: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reversing the effect of dabigatran among patients with atrial fibrillation is important to normalize coagulation profile among patients who develop serious hemorrhage from any source. However, such intervention always has the potential to cause a prothrombotic state. Among patients suspected of ischemic stroke, Idarucizumab, may be administered preceding thrombolysis. This is a considerable option when given during the critical phase of revascularization. METHODS: We report the case of an 84-year old, male, banker, known hypertensive with chronic renal disease. He has non valvular atrial fibrillation receiving Dabigatran at 75 mg twice daily and presented with symptoms of right-sided weakness, right hemisensory loss, facial asymmetry, and slurring of speech equating to National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 5. After coming into the hospital for a suspected stroke, 3 hours and 25 minutes after symptoms, complete reversal of Dabigatran with Idarucizumab was administered and intravenous thrombolysis was initiated 271 minutes post ictus. There was immediate improvement of the right upper extremity weakness and dysarthria 30 minutes post infusion. At 13 days post ictus, the patient was discharged with minimal right central facial palsy and right arm drift (NIHSS 2). Brain CT scan post revascularization did not reveal any hemorrhage and anticoagulant Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily was started and maintained thereafter. Brain Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) showed complete recanalization of the left proximal MCA after 52 days. CONCLUSION: Our case showed the effectiveness and safety of giving Idarucizumab followed by thrombolysis in Dabigatran-treated atrial fibrillation with ischemic stroke. Based on this case, the procedure can be performed in an elderly population with chronic kidney disease when administered close to the limit of threshold for thrombolysis.