RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-seizure medication (ASM) approved for focal onset epilepsy in patients aged ≥ 4.378 Previous studies have reported an efficacy of LCM as add-on treatment in brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE). To date, there are no studies in the literature focusing on lacosamide used in monotherapy to treat BTRE. In our retrospective study we investigated efficacy and tolerability of LCM in monotherapy in a multicenter national cohort of primary brain tumor patients. METHODS: We collected from 12 Italian Centers 132 patients with primary brain tumors who were treated with LCM in monotherapy. For each patient we evaluated seizure freedom at 3 and 6 months (primary endpoints), side effects and drop-out rate (secondary endpoints). RESULTS: Overall, LCM led to seizure freedom in 64.4% of patients at 3 months and 55% at 6 months. Patients who used two or more ASMs before LCM had a worse seizure control than patients in monotherapy with LCM as first choice. In 14 patients, we observed seizure control despite tumor progression on magnetic resonance (MRI). Multivariate analysis showed that gross-total resection at diagnosis was significantly associated with higher seizure freedom rate at 6 months. Side effects were mainly mild (grade 1-2 according to CTCAE classification) and drop-out rate was low (1.5%). Main side effects were dizziness and somnolence. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing a good efficacy and tolerability of LCM when used in monotherapy in BTRE. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data, investigating also quality of life and neurocognitive functions.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos , Epilepsias Parciales , Epilepsia , Acetamidas , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/complicaciones , Neoplasias Encefálicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Epilepsias Parciales/complicaciones , Epilepsias Parciales/tratamiento farmacológico , Epilepsia/complicaciones , Epilepsia/etiología , Humanos , Lacosamida/uso terapéutico , Calidad de Vida , Estudios Retrospectivos , Convulsiones/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Intracranial aspergillosis is a rare pathologic condition, difficult to treat and often fatal, which generally affects immunodepressed patients. A case of brain abscess secondary to pulmonary localization in a patient with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma is described. The most significant clinico-pathological findings of intracranial aspergillosis are examined in the light of the relevant literature.