Results of a multicenter phase I dose-finding trial of hyperthermic intraperitoneal cisplatin after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and complete cytoreductive surgery and followed by maintenance bevacizumab in initially unresectable ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may improve the outcome of patients with initially unresectable ovarian cancer who are eligible for complete cytoreductive surgery (CCRS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The main objective of this multicenter phase-I study was to identify the recommended dose of cisplatin for HIPEC at CCRS after neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP). METHODS: Patients were treated with 6cycles of CP followed by CCRS and HIPEC using cisplatin heated for one hour at 42°C+/-1°C. Four cisplatin dose-levels were evaluated: 50, 60, 70, 80mg/m(2). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined as a grade≥IIIb adverse event (Dindo classification). The Continual Reassessment Method was used for this dose-finding study, with a target percentage of DLT set at 20%. Twenty-two cycles (15mg/kg/cycle) of maintenance bevacizumab therapy were planned after surgery. RESULTS: Between June-2011 and September-2012, 30 patients were recruited. No DLT occurred at the first three dose-levels (4, 4 and 5 patients at 50, 60 and 70mg/m(2) respectively). At dose-level 4 (80mg/m(2), 17 patients), four DLTs occurred: renal failure (n=2), peritonitis (n=1) and hemorrhage (n=1). Eight weeks after surgery, creatinine clearance was reduced to <30mL/min in 3 patients, all treated at 80mg/m(2), and between 30 and 60mL/min in 6 patients (2, 1, 1 and 2 at the four dose-levels respectively). Twenty patients started maintenance bevacizumab, and 7 received the 22 courses initially planned. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the observed DLTs and prolonged impairment of renal function, we recommend a dose of 70mg/m(2) of cisplatin for HIPEC.

Anterior sacral meningocele. A case report.

A case of anterior sacral meningocele in a 6-year-old girl is reported. The laminotomies of L5, S1, and S2 vertebrae were performed through a median posterior approach. The communication between the subarachnoid space and the meningocele was closed using dural fibrin patch, which has not yet been described in the literature. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Catheter-induced bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.

A case of acute occlusion of both internal carotid arteries is presented where the precipitating cause appears to be catheter manipulation during angiography. Timely surgical intervention reversed the neurologic deficit.

Spinal invasion of pulmonary hydatidosis: computed tomographic demonstration.

A case of pulmonary hydatidosis in which cysts caused spinal cord compression is presented. To our knowledge, spinal invasion after pulmonary hydatidosis has not been demonstrated previously.