Diagnostic delay and outcome in immunocompetent patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma in Spain: a multicentric study.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the management of immunocompetent patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 327 immunocompetent patients with histologically confirmed PCNSL diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 in 27 Spanish hospitals. RESULTS: Median age was 64 years (range: 19-84; 33% ≥ 70 years), 54% were men, and 59% had a performance status (PS) ≥ 2 at diagnosis. Median delay to diagnosis was 47 days (IQR 24-81). Diagnostic delay > 47 days was associated with PS ≥ 2 (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.13-3.50; p = 0.016) and treatment with corticosteroids (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.14-5.40; p = 0.023), and it did not improve over the years. Patients treated with corticosteroids (62%) had a higher risk of additional biopsies (11.7% vs 4.0%, p = 0.04) but corticosteroids withdrawal before surgery did not reduce this risk and increased the diagnostic delay (64 vs 40 days, p = 0.04). Median overall survival (OS) was 8.9 months [95% CI 5.9-11.7] for the whole series, including 52 (16%) patients that were not treated, and 14.1 months (95%CI 7.7-20.5) for the 240 (73.4%) patients that received high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy. Median OS was shorter in patients ≥ 70 years (4.1 vs. 13.4 months; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 65 years, PS ≥ 2, no treatment, and cognitive/psychiatric symptoms at diagnosis as independent predictors of short survival. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids withdrawal before surgery does not decrease the risk of a negative biopsy but delays diagnosis. In this community-based study, only 73.4% of patients could receive HD-MTX-based chemotherapy and OS remains poor, particularly in elderly patients ≥ 70 years.

Neuromodulación eléctrica y dolor raquídeo / Electrical neuromodulation and pain of spinal origin

El dolor de origen raquídeo es un cuadro patológico con una importante incidencia y prevalencia y un enorme impacto socio-sanitario. La incorporación de las diferentes técnicas de neuromodulación eléctrica en el tratamiento de estos pacientes se ha mostrado como una alternativa terapéutica novedosa, segura y eficaz. El presente trabajo de revisión pretende profundizar desde el punto de vista etiológico y fisiopatológico en el dolor raquídeo, y sobre todo en el síndrome de cirugía fallida espinal. Se intentará acercar la técnica quirúrgica de implantación, comentar las indicaciones y resultados obtenidos hasta la actualidad, y realizar una aproximación crítica a los posibles mecanismos de acción de las diferentes modalidades de neuroestimulación eléctrica. Finalmente, se comentarán cuáles han sido los problemas e inconvenientes que han impedido la utilización generalizada de esta alternativa quirúrgica en estos procesos (AU)

The pain of spinal origin is a pathological condition with a significant incidence and prevalence and enormous social and health impact. The different electrical neuromodulation techniques can be considered an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of these patients. In the present review, we deep from the etiological and pathophysiological in spinal pain, especially in the syndrome of failed spinal surgery. We describe the surgical implantation technique, its indications and results achieved until now. We will also summarize the possible mechanisms of action of different types of electrical neurostimulation. Finally, we will comment on the dificulties and inconvinients that did not allow this pain surgical alternative to become more widely used (AU)