Venous thromboembolism and intracranial hemorrhage in patients undergoing glioblastoma surgery.

In the perioperative management of patients with glioblastoma (GBM), physicians face the question of whether and when to administer prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation (AC). In this study, we investigate the effects of the timing of postoperative heparinization on thromboembolic events (TE) and postoperative hemorrhage (bleeding, PH) as well as the interactions between the two in the context of an underlying intracerebral malignancy. For this retrospective data analysis, 222 patients who underwent surgery for grade IV glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (2016 CNS WHO) between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2019 were included. We followed up for 12 months. We assessed various biographical and clinical data for risk factors and focused on the connection between timepoint of AC and adverse events. Subgroup analyses were performed for pulmonary artery embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis, and postoperative intracranial hemorrhage (PH) that either required surgical intervention or was controlled radiologically only. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-Test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and univariate binomial logistic regression. p values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. There was no significant association between prophylactic AC within 24 h and more frequent major bleeding (p = 0.350). AC in patients who developed major bleeding was regularly postponed by the physician/surgeon upon detection of the re-bleeding; therefore, patients with PH were anticoagulated significantly later (p = 0.034). The timing of anticoagulant administration did not differ significantly between patients who experienced a thromboembolic event and those who did not (p = 0.634). There was considerable overlap between the groups. Three of the six patients (50%) with PE had to be lysed or therapeutically anticoagulated and thereafter developed major bleeding (p < 0.001). Patients who experienced TE were more likely to die during hospitalization than those with major bleeding (p = 0.022 vs. p = 1.00). Prophylactic AC within 24 h after surgery does not result in more frequent bleeding. Our data suggests that postoperative intracranial hemorrhage is not caused by prophylactic AC but rather is a surgical complication or the result of antithrombotic therapy. However, thromboembolic events worsen patient outcomes far more than postoperative bleeding. The fact that bleeding may occur as a complication of life-saving lysis therapy in the setting of a thromboembolic event should be included in this cost-benefit consideration.

SNP array genomic analysis of matched pairs of brain and liver metastases in primary colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Brain metastasis formation is a rare and late event in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and associated with poor survival. In contrast to other metastatic sites, the knowledge on chromosomal aberrations in brain metastases is very limited. METHODS: Therefore, we carried out single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analyses on matched primary CRC and brain metastases of four patients as well as on liver metastases of three patients. RESULTS: Brain metastases showed more chromosomal aberrations than primary tumors or liver metastases. Commonly occurring aberrations were gain of 8q11.1-q24.3 (primary CRC), gain of 13q12.13-q12.3 (liver metastases), and gain of 20q11.1-q13.33 (brain metastases). Furthermore, we found one copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (cn-LOH) region on chromosome 3 in primary CRC, three cn-LOH regions in liver metastases and 23 cn-LOH regions in brain metastases, comprising 26 previously undescribed sites. CONCLUSION: The more frequent occurrence of cn-LOHs and subsequently affected genes in brain metastases shed light on the pathophysiology of brain metastasis formation. Further pairwise genetic analyses between primary tumors and their metastases will help to define the role of affected genes in cn-LOH regions.

Cervical intradural extramedullary cavernous malformation as a rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage without spinal dysfunction: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Intradural extramedullary cavernoma is a very rare lesion of the spinal cord, especially of the cervical spine. Its clinical presentation can vary with symptoms of sensory or motor deficits and even with symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). OBSERVATIONS: The authors present a case of a 45-year-old man with SAH with prolonged neck pain and increasing headache confirmed by lumbar puncture. Head computed tomography revealed only discrete blood deposits in the right frontal and biparietal lobes. The finding of pan-cerebral angiography was negative for the cause of bleeding. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary mass lesion at cervical level C5-6. The finding of subsequent cervical angiography was negative. The diagnosis of a cavernous malformation was confirmed histopathologically after surgery. The cavernoma was completely removed, and full recovery of the initial symptoms was achieved. LESSONS: Spinal lesions should be considered in the diagnostic work-up for SAH with excluded origin of bleeding in cranial neuroimaging. An intradural extramedullary cavernous malformation is an extremely rare entity in the differential diagnosis of SAH, and surgical resection is the treatment of choice to prevent further bleeding and neurological deficits.

Usefulness and Limits of Tractography for Surgery in the Precentral Gyrus-A Case Report.

The resection of tumors within the primary motor cortex is a constant challenge. Although tractography may help in preoperative planning, it has limited application. While it can give valuable information on subcortical fibers, it is less accurate in the cortical layer of the brain. A 38-year-old patient presented with paresis of the right hand and focal epileptic seizures due to a tumor in the left precentral gyrus. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was not applicable due to seizures, so microsurgical resection was performed with preoperative tractography and intraoperative direct electrical stimulation. A histopathological assessment revealed a diagnosis of glioblastoma. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed complete resection. The paresis dissolved completely during follow-up. Surgery within the precentral gyrus is of high risk and requires multimodal functional planning. If interpreted with vigilance and consciousness of the underlying physical premises, tractography can provide helpful information within its limitations, which is especially subcortically. However, it may also help in the identification of functional cortex columns of the brain in the presence of a tumor.

The impact of neurological performance and volumetrics on overall survival in brain metastasis in colorectal cancer: a retrospective single-center case series.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastasis (BM) of colorectal cancer is a disease with a poor prognosis of only a few months survival. However, it is difficult to estimate the individual prognosis of each patient due to the lack of definitive prognosis parameters. The number of metastases and the Karnofsky performance score are known predictors for survival. We investigated whether or not the neurological performance score and the tumor volumetrics are equally suitable predictors for survival. DESIGN: All patients with histologically diagnosed BM linked to colorectal cancer between 2012 and March 2020 were reviewed. The Medical Research Council Neurological Performance Score was used to quantify neurological performance. Univariate analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimate and log-rank test was performed. Survival prediction and multivariate analysis were performed employing Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in our analysis with an overall survival of 4.9 months after surgery of the BM. Survival decreased in the univariate analysis with increasing postoperative neurological performance score, low Karnofsky performance score, absence of radiation therapy and radiation therapy modality. The neurological performance score is a reliable scoring parameter for estimating the prognostic course analogous to the Karnofsky performance score. Neither preoperative nor post resection residual tumor volume had any impact on overall survival in our small cohort. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the postoperative neurological performance is a valuable prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients with BM. Tumor volumetrics show no correlation to survival. Further investigations with a larger number of cases are mandatory.

The Role of Delayed Radiotherapy Initiation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma with Residual Tumor Mass.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment for newly diagnosed isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) includes maximum safe resection, followed by adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy (RCx) with temozolomide. There is evidence that it is safe for GBM patients to prolong time to irradiation over 4 weeks after surgery. This study aimed at evaluating whether this applies to GBM patients with different levels of residual tumor volume (RV). METHODS: Medical records of all patients with newly diagnosed GBM at our department between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients who received adjuvant radio (chemo) therapy, aged older than 18 years, and with adequate perioperative imaging were included. Initial and residual tumor volumes were determined. Time to irradiation was dichotomized into two groups (≤28 and >28 days). Univariate analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimate and log-rank test was performed. Survival prediction and multivariate analysis were performed employing Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve patients were included. Adjuvant treatment regimen, extent of resection, residual tumor volume, and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation were statistically significant factors for overall survival (OS). Time to irradiation had no impact on progression-free survival (p = 0.946) or OS (p = 0.757). When stratified for different thresholds of residual tumor volume, survival predication via Cox regression favored time to irradiation below 28 days for patients with residual tumor volume above 2 mL, but statistical significance was not reached. CONCLUSION: Time to irradiation had no significant influence on OS of the entire cohort. Nevertheless, a statistically nonsignificant survival prolongation could be observed in patients with residual tumor volume > 2 mL when admitted to radiotherapy within 28 days after surgery.

The Prognostic Value of NANO Scale Assessment in IDH-Wild-Type Glioblastoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: IDH-wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent brain-derived malignancy. Despite intense research efforts, it is still associated with a very poor prognosis. Several parameters were identified as prognostic, including general physical performance. In neuro-oncology (NO), special emphasis is put on focal deficits and cognitive (dys-)function. The Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale was proposed in order to standardize the assessment of neurological performance in NO. This study evaluated whether NANO scale assessment provides prognostic information in a standardized collective of GBM patients. METHODS: The records of all GBM patients treated between 2014 and 2019 at our facility were retrospectively screened. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, at least 3 months postoperative follow-up, and preoperative and postoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The NANO scale was assessed pre- and postoperatively as well as at 3 months follow-up. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried to investigate the prognostic value. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-one patients were included. In univariate analysis, poor postoperative neurological performance (HR 1.13, p = 0.004), poor neurological performance at 3 months postsurgery (HR 1.37, p < 0.001), and neurological deterioration during follow-up (HR 1.38, p < 0.001), all assessed via the NANO scale, were associated with shorter survival. In multivariate analysis including other prognostic factors such as the extent of resection, adjuvant treatment regimen, or age, NANO scale assessment at 3 months postoperative follow-up was independently associated with survival prediction (HR 1.36, p < 0.001). The optimal NANO scale cutoff for patient stratification was 3.5 points. CONCLUSION: Neurological performance assessment employing the NANO scale might provide prognostic information in patients suffering from GBM.

On the Prognosis of Multifocal Glioblastoma: An Evaluation Incorporating Volumetric MRI.

Primary glioblastoma (GBM), IDH-wildtype, especially with multifocal appearance/growth (mGBM), is associated with very poor prognosis. Several clinical parameters have been identified to provide prognostic value in both unifocal GBM (uGBM) and mGBM, but information about the influence of radiological parameters on survival for mGBM cohorts is scarce. This study evaluated the prognostic value of several volumetric parameters derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data from the Department of Neurosurgery, Leipzig University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients treated between 2014 and 2019, aged older than 18 years and with adequate peri-operative MRI were included. Volumetric assessment was performed manually. One hundred and eighty-three patients were included. Survival of patients with mGBM was significantly shorter (p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed extent of resection, adjuvant therapy regimen, residual tumor volume, tumor necrosis volume and ratio of tumor necrosis to initial volume as statistically significant for overall survival. In multivariate Cox regression, however, only EOR (for uGBM and the entire cohort) and adjuvant therapy were independently significant for survival. Decreased ratio of tumor necrosis to initial tumor volume and extent of resection were associated with prolonged survival in mGBM but failed to achieve statistical significance in multivariate analysis.

Perioperative anticoagulation in patients with intracranial meningioma: No increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE: Anticoagulation (AC) is a critical topic in perioperative and post-bleeding management. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data about the safe, judicious use of prophylactic and therapeutic anticoagulation with regard to risk factors and the cause and modality of brain tissue damage as well as unfavorable outcomes such as postoperative hemorrhage (PH) and thromboembolic events (TE) in neurosurgical patients. We therefore present retrospective data on perioperative anticoagulation in meningioma surgery. METHODS: Data of 286 patients undergoing meningioma surgery between 2006 and 2018 were analyzed. We followed up on anticoagulation management, doses and time points of first application, laboratory values, and adverse events such as PH and TE. Pre-existing medication and hemostatic conditions were evaluated. The time course of patients was measured as overall survival, readmission within 30 days after surgery, as well as Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate regression. RESULTS: We carried out AC with Fraxiparin and, starting in 2015, Tinzaparin in weight-adapted recommended prophylactic doses. Delayed (216 ± 228h) AC was associated with a significantly increased rate of TE (p = 0.026). Early (29 ± 21.9h) prophylactic AC, on the other hand, did not increase the risk of PH. We identified additional risk factors for PH, such as blood pressure maxima, steroid treatment, and increased white blood cell count. Patients' outcome was affected more adversely by TE than PH (+3 points in modified Rankin Scale in TE vs. +1 point in PH, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early prophylactic AC is not associated with an increased rate of PH. The risks of TE seem to outweigh those of PH. Early postoperative prophylactic AC in patients undergoing intracranial meningioma resection should be considered.

No enhanced (p-) α-synuclein deposition in gastrointestinal tissue of Parkinson's disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation in the brain is believed to be a central component of the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). α-Syn aggregates in the gastrointestinal tract have been suggested as a potential biomarker of PD that may even signal an early event of the Parkinsonian molecular pathology. However, studies further investigating this hypothesis have produced mixed results. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the prevalence of α-Syn- and serine 129-phosphorylated α-Syn (Ser129p-α-Syn) depositions detected in intestine from PD patients differed from that of non-Parkinsonian controls. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we examined post-mortem small and large intestine samples of 25 PD patients and 20 age- and sex-matched controls without PD. Specimens were taken from archived paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Immunohistochemical techniques were applied to detect α-Syn and Ser129p-α-Syn aggregates in situ. Immunoreactivity was quantified by a new approach that employed the detailed assessment of α-Syn- and Ser129p-α-Syn-positive morphological structures of the enteric nervous system (i.e., nerve fibers, myenteric and submucous plexus as well as ganglion cells). RESULTS: α-Syn immunoreactivity was a common finding in intestinal tissues from PD patients and controls. Importantly, α-Syn and Ser129p-α-Syn immunoreactivity were significantly reduced in PD patients compared to controls in each of the morphological structures examined. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical detection of intestinal α-Syn and Ser129p-α-Syn seems to be a frequent and potentially normal finding. Neither α-Syn nor Ser129p-α-Syn immunoreactivity may, therefore, be regarded as a molecular intestinal biomarker of PD pathology. Reduced intestinal α-Syn and Ser129p-α-Syn immunoreactivity in PD patients rather reflect PD-related neuronal degeneration.

Redefining the heterogeneity of peripheral nerve cells in health and autoimmunity.

Peripheral nerves contain axons and their enwrapping glia cells named Schwann cells (SCs) that are either myelinating (mySCs) or nonmyelinating (nmSCs). Our understanding of other cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) remains limited. Here, we provide an unbiased single cell transcriptomic characterization of the nondiseased rodent PNS. We identified and independently confirmed markers of previously underappreciated nmSCs and nerve-associated fibroblasts. We also found and characterized two distinct populations of nerve-resident homeostatic myeloid cells that transcriptionally differed from central nervous system microglia. In a model of chronic autoimmune neuritis, homeostatic myeloid cells were outnumbered by infiltrating lymphocytes which modulated the local cell-cell interactome and induced a specific transcriptional response in glia cells. This response was partially shared between the peripheral and central nervous system glia, indicating common immunological features across different parts of the nervous system. Our study thus identifies subtypes and cell-type markers of PNS cells and a partially conserved autoimmunity module induced in glia cells.

Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis of Multiple Meningiomas and Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis as First Clinical Appearance of Kidney Cancer: A Case Report and Analysis.

Background Meningioma accounts for more than 35% of all diagnosed brain tumors of the central nervous system and, moreover, it is the most common benign recipient of tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Several cases with tumor-to-meningioma metastasis by breast, lung, and intestinal cancer have been described before. Case description The case of a patient with a longstanding history of multiple meningiomas ( n = 4) that suddenly became symptomatic and progressive in size is presented. Following extirpation of the two largest meningiomas, a histological examination revealed two separate tumor-to-meningioma metastases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma that was undiagnosed before. Post-surgical computed tomography scan then confirmed tumor-suspect lesions in both kidneys. After recovery and rehabilitation, adjuvant radio-chemo-therapy was applied according to protocols for kidney cancer. No other tumor-to-tumor-suspect event occurred since then for the remaining two meningiomas. Conclusion Review of literature and our case strengthens the idea of meningioma as a favorable premetastatic niche. Considering that the patient lived with a stable disease for many years, a sudden progress of tumor size in association with neurological deterioration was highly suspected for malign involvement, including the possibility of tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Physicians should be aware about this phenomenon and treat patients accordingly to the underlying disease.

NRG1 type I dependent autoparacrine stimulation of Schwann cells in onion bulbs of peripheral neuropathies.

In contrast to acute peripheral nerve injury, the molecular response of Schwann cells in chronic neuropathies remains poorly understood. Onion bulb structures are a pathological hallmark of demyelinating neuropathies, but the nature of these formations is unknown. Here, we show that Schwann cells induce the expression of Neuregulin-1 type I (NRG1-I), a paracrine growth factor, in various chronic demyelinating diseases. Genetic disruption of Schwann cell-derived NRG1 signalling in a mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease 1A (CMT1A), suppresses hypermyelination and the formation of onion bulbs. Transgenic overexpression of NRG1-I in Schwann cells on a wildtype background is sufficient to mediate an interaction between Schwann cells via an ErbB2 receptor-MEK/ERK signaling axis, which causes onion bulb formations and results in a peripheral neuropathy reminiscent of CMT1A. We suggest that diseased Schwann cells mount a regeneration program that is beneficial in acute nerve injury, but that overstimulation of Schwann cells in chronic neuropathies is detrimental.

Publisher Correction: NRG1 type I dependent autoparacrine stimulation of Schwann cells in onion bulbs of peripheral neuropathies.

Michael W. Sereda was incorrectly associated with the Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Hanover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hanover, Germany. The correct affiliations for Michael W. Sereda are Department of Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.

Combined Microsurgery and Radiotherapy for Multiple Spinal Cord Hemangioblastomas with Holocord Syrinx in von Hippel-Lindau Disease: A Case Report.

Spinal and cerebellar hemangioblastomas are common in von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHLD) and usually treated surgically. Multifocal presence and surgically not amenable locations are issues that require a combined microsurgical and radiosurgical approach to control complex cases. We would like to present the case of a 37-year-old male patient who was diagnosed vHLD with multiple spinal and one infratentorial hemangioblastomas and holocord syrinx formation of the whole spinal cord. Combined microsurgical approaches to two spinal lesions and the cerebellar lesion followed by external beam radiotherapy of the posterior fossa and the whole spinal axis stabilized tumor growth of the asymptomatic lesions, while no recurrent tumors were detected at the site of surgery. A clinical deterioration connected to early postoperative deficits stabilized to a moderate gait ataxia. The follow-up after radiotherapy covered 60 months. A combination of microsurgery and radiosurgery for the surgically not amenable lesions is an adequate treatment regimen to stabilize tumor growth and clinical symptoms of multifocal spinal hemangioblastomas in vHLD, though the therapy should be limited to symptomatic or growing lesions.

Diffusion profiling of tumor volumes using a histogram approach can predict proliferation and further microarchitectural features in medulloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastomas are the most common central nervous system tumors in childhood. Treatment and prognosis strongly depend on histology and transcriptomic profiling. However, the proliferative potential also has prognostical value. Our study aimed to investigate correlations between histogram profiling of diffusion-weighted images and further microarchitectural features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven patients (age median 14.6 years, minimum 2 years, maximum 20 years; 5 male, 2 female) were included in this retrospective study. Using a Matlab-based analysis tool, histogram analysis of whole apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) volumes was performed. RESULTS: ADC entropy revealed a strong inverse correlation with the expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 (r = - 0.962, p = 0.009) and with total nuclear area (r = - 0.888, p = 0.044). Furthermore, ADC percentiles, most of all ADCp90, showed significant correlations with Ki67 expression (r = 0.902, p = 0.036). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Diffusion histogram profiling of medulloblastomas provides valuable in vivo information which potentially can be used for risk stratification and prognostication. First of all, entropy revealed to be the most promising imaging biomarker. However, further studies are warranted.

Whole Tumor Histogram-profiling of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images Reflects Tumorbiological Features of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) quantifies motion of hydrogen nuclei in biological tissues and hereby has been used to assess the underlying tissue microarchitecture. Histogram-profiling of DWI provides more detailed information on diffusion characteristics of a lesion than the standardly calculated values of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-minimum, mean and maximum. Hence, the aim of our study was to investigate, which parameters of histogram-profiling of DWI in primary central nervous system lymphoma can be used to specifically predict features like cellular density, chromatin content and proliferative activity. PROCEDURES: Pre-treatment ADC maps of 21 PCNSL patients (8 female, 13 male, 28-89 years) from a 1.5T system were used for Matlab-based histogram profiling. Results of histopathology (H&E staining) and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67 expression) were quantified. Correlations between histogram-profiling parameters and neuropathologic examination were calculated using SPSS 23.0. RESULTS: The lower percentiles (p10 and p25) showed significant correlations with structural parameters of the neuropathologic examination (cellular density, chromatin content). The highest percentile, p90, correlated significantly with Ki-67 expression, resembling proliferative activity. Kurtosis of the ADC histogram correlated significantly with cellular density. CONCLUSIONS: Histogram-profiling of DWI in PCNSL provides a comprehensible set of parameters, which reflect distinct tumor-architectural and tumor-biological features, and hence, are promising biomarkers for treatment response and prognosis.

Histogram Analysis of T1-Weighted, T2-Weighted, and Postcontrast T1-Weighted Images in Primary CNS Lymphoma: Correlations with Histopathological Findings-a Preliminary Study.

PURPOSE: Previously, some reports mentioned that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict histopathological features in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). The reported data analyzed diffusion-weighted imaging findings. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between histopathological findings, such as tumor cellularity, nucleic areas and proliferation index Ki-67, and signal intensity on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images in PCNSL. PROCEDURES: For this study, 18 patients with PCNSL were retrospectively investigated by histogram analysis on precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. For every patient, histopathology parameters, nucleic count, total nucleic area, and average nucleic area, as well as Ki-67 index, were estimated. RESULTS: Correlation analysis identified several statistically significant associations. Skewness derived from precontrast T1-weighted images correlated with Ki-67 index (p = - 0.55, P = 0.028). Furthermore, entropy derived from precontrast T1-weighted images correlated with average nucleic area (p = 0.53, P = 0.04). Several parameters from postcontrast T1-weighted images correlated with nucleic count: maximum signal intensity (p = 0.59, P = 0.017), P75 (p = 0.56, P = 0.02), and P90 (p = 0.52, P = 0.04) as well as SD (p = 0.58, P = 0.02). Maximum signal intensity derived from FLAIR sequence correlated with nucleic count (p = 0.50, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Histogram-derived parameters of conventional MRI sequences can reflect different histopathological features in PSNCL.

Colchicine triggered severe rhabdomyolysis after long-term low-dose simvastatin therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis is a widely recognized yet rare complication in statin use. Rhabdomyolysis might be triggered by the prescription of high doses of statins or by statin accumulation due to interactions with concomitant medication. Muscle cell destruction as evidenced by myoglobin elevation can induce potentially life-threatening acute renal failure. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 70-year-old obese white man with sudden onset of severe rhabdomyolysis with consecutive renal failure. His medication included low-dose simvastatin, which he had taken for 6 years up until the event. The statin was withdrawn immediately. After 3 days of veno-venous hemofiltration his renal function was completely restored. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians in both primary and special care might be unaware that side effects of statins do occur even after a long uneventful statin medication; they should be advised not to exclude that possibility upfront, even if a patient has tolerated the medication for years.