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Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor, poses significant treatment challenges. A deeper investigation into its molecular complexity is essential for the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes in terms of survival and quality of life. While nuclear DNA mutations have been extensively studied, the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, specifically in the D-loop region, remains poorly understood. This prospective case-control study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of the mtDNA D-loop m.16126T>C variant in glioblastoma patients. Immunohistochemistry and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) were employed for mutation analysis, complemented by statistical analyses and a literature review. The study cohort comprised 22 glioblastoma patients (mean age 59.36 ± 14.17, 12 (54.55%) females), and 25 controls (59.48 ± 13.22, 12 (80%) females). The D-loop m.16126T>C variant was observed in four (18%) of the glioblastoma samples and was associated with shorter median survival (9.5 vs. 18 months; p = 0.016, log-rank test). This study underscores the importance of investigating mtDNA, especially D-loop variants, in glioblastoma, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and, therefore, its possible therapeutic targets, warranting further exploration.
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Biomarcadores de Tumor , Neoplasias Encefálicas , ADN Mitocondrial , Glioblastoma , Mutación , Humanos , Glioblastoma/genética , Glioblastoma/mortalidad , Glioblastoma/patología , Femenino , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , ADN Mitocondrial/genética , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/patología , Neoplasias Encefálicas/mortalidad , Anciano , Proyectos Piloto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios Prospectivos , AdultoRESUMEN
The tumor resistance of glioblastoma cells in vivo is thought to be enhanced by their heterogeneity and plasticity, which are extremely difficult to curb in vitro. The external microenvironment shapes the molecular profile of tumor culture models, thus influencing potential therapy response. Our study examines the expression profile of selected lncRNAs involved in tumor resistance network in three different glioblastoma-derived models commonly utilized for testing drug response in vitro. Differential expression analysis revealed significant divergence in lncRNA profile between parental tumors and tumor-derived cell cultures in vitro, including the following particles: MALAT1, CASC2, H19, TUSC7, XIST, RP11-838N2.4, DLX6-AS1, GLIDR, MIR210HG, SOX2-OT. The examined lncRNAs influence the phenomenon of tumor resistance via their downstream target genes through a variety of processes: multi-drug resistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, autophagy, cell proliferation and viability, and DNA repair. A comparison of in vivo and in vitro expression identified differences in the levels of potential lncRNA targets, with the highest discrepancies detected for the MDR1, LRP1, BCRP and MRP1 genes. Co-expression analyses confirmed the following interrelations: MALAT1-TYMS, MALAT1-MRP5, H19-ZEB1, CASC2-VIM, CASC2-N-CAD; they additionally suggest the possibility of MALAT1-BCRP, MALAT1-mTOR and TUSC7-PTEN interconnections in glioblastoma. Although our results clearly demonstrate that the artificial ex vivo microenvironment changes the profile of lncRNAs related to tumor resistance, it is difficult to anticipate the final phenotypic effect, since this phenomenon is a complex one that involves a network of molecular interactions underlying a variety of cellular processes.
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Glioblastoma , ARN Largo no Codificante , Transportador de Casetes de Unión a ATP, Subfamilia G, Miembro 2/genética , Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/genética , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Glioblastoma/patología , Humanos , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Neoplasias/uso terapéutico , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Microambiente TumoralRESUMEN
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary brain tumour in adults. The lack of molecular biomarker, non-specific symptoms and fast growth rate often result in a significant delay in diagnosis. Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Here, we verified the hypothesis that amino acids (AA) regulating the critical metabolic pathways necessary for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and immunity of an organism, may constitute a favourable target in GB biomarker research. We measured the plasma amino acids levels in 18 GB patients and 15 controls and performed the quantitative and qualitative metabolomic analysis of free AA applying high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). We present both the raw data and the results of our statistical analysis. The majority of AA were lowered in the study group in comparison to the control group. Five of these (arginine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, and histidine) differed significantly (all p < 10-5 and AUC > 0.9). Plasma levels of leucine and phenylalanine decreased in the case of GB with lost alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) expression on immunohistochemistry (p = 0.003 and 0.045, respectively). We demonstrated for the first time that certain plasma-free AA levels of GB patients were significantly different from those in healthy volunteers. Target profiling of plasma-free AA, identified utilizing LC-QTOF-MS, may present prognostic value by indicating GB patients with lost ATRX expression. The on-going quest for glioma biomarkers still aims to determine the detailed metabolic profile and evaluate its impact on therapy and prognosis.
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Aminoácidos/sangre , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Proteína Nuclear Ligada al Cromosoma X/metabolismo , Anciano , Biomarcadores de Tumor/sangre , Biomarcadores de Tumor/metabolismo , Neoplasias Encefálicas/sangre , Neoplasias Encefálicas/diagnóstico , Femenino , Glioblastoma/sangre , Glioblastoma/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Metabolómica , Persona de Mediana Edad , PronósticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for patients with medical refractory movement disorders with continuously increasing use also in other neurological and psychiatric diseases. Early and late complications can lead to revision surgeries with partial or complete DBS-system removal. In this study, we aimed to report on our experience with a frameless x-ray-based lead re-implantation technique after partial hardware removal or dysfunction of DBS-system, allowing the preservation of intracerebral trajectories. METHODS: We describe a surgical procedure with complete implant removal due to infection except for the intracranial part of the electrode and with non-stereotactic electrode re-implantation. A retrospective analysis of a patient series treated using this technique was performed and the surgical outcome was evaluated including radiological and clinical parameters. RESULTS: A total of 8 DBS-patients with lead re-implantation using the frameless x-ray-based method were enrolled in the study. A revision of 14 leads was performed, whereof a successful lead re-implantation could be achieved without any problems in 10 leads (71%). In two patients (one patient with dystonia and one patient with tremor), the procedure was not successful, so we placed both leads frame-based stereotactically. CONCLUSIONS: The described x-ray-based technique allows a reliable frameless electrode re-implantation after infection and electrode dysfunction and might represent an efficient alternative to frame-based procedures for lead revision making the preservation of intracerebral trajectories possible.
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Estimulación Encefálica Profunda , Adulto , Anciano , Electrodos Implantados , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Técnicas Estereotáxicas , Rayos XRESUMEN
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlation between the lateral ventricle ratio (LVR) and the risk of conservative treatment failure (CTF) among patients with acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) after non-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), we retrieved from the hospital database and performed a retrospective analysis of 1339 cases with TBI treated during the 2008-2016 period. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 112 patients with ASDH, GCS≥ 9 and initial conservative treatment were enrolled. They were divided according to the final treatment method applied (surgical or conservative). Clinical and radiological data was evaluated. We used ROC curve analysis and multivariate logistic regression model to identify risk factors of CTF. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: LVR higher than 1.48 calculated on admission CT scans was the strongest predictor of CTF, with sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 93.5% (AUC: 0.774-0.994). LVR, prolonged prothrombin time and coexisting traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage were independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations, study results support the view that patients after non-severe TBI with ASDH and with lateral ventricle asymmetry, defined as LVR> 1.48, require surgical treatment. LVR seems to be indirect, but still the closest method to quantify intracranial compliance. Thus, in the selected group of patients without clinical symptoms of critically diminished compensatory reserve, LVR could indicate those who need a surgical decompression.
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The rupture of saccular intracranial aneurysms (IA) is the commonest cause of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)—the most serious form of stroke with a high mortality rate. Aneurysm walls are usually characterized by an active inflammatory response, and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) has been identified as the main transcription factor regulating the induction of inflammation-related genes in IA lesions. This transcription factor has also been related to IA rupture and resulting SAH. We and others have shown that autophagy interacts with inflammation in many diseases, but there is no information of such interplay in IA. Moreover, NF-κB, which is a pivotal factor controlling inflammation, is regulated by autophagy-related proteins, and autophagy is regulated by NF-κB signaling. It was also shown that autophagy mediates the normal functioning of vessels, so its disturbance can be associated with vessel-related disorders. Early brain injury, delayed brain injury, and associated cerebral vasospasm are among the most serious consequences of IA rupture and are associated with impaired function of the autophagyâ»lysosomal system. Further studies on the role of the interplay between autophagy and NF-κB-mediated inflammation in IA can help to better understand IA pathogenesis and to identify IA patients with an increased SAH risk.
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Autofagia , Inflamación/patología , Aneurisma Intracraneal/patología , FN-kappa B/inmunología , Hemorragia Subaracnoidea/patología , Animales , Encéfalo/inmunología , Encéfalo/patología , Humanos , Inflamación/complicaciones , Inflamación/inmunología , Aneurisma Intracraneal/complicaciones , Aneurisma Intracraneal/inmunología , Hemorragia Subaracnoidea/complicaciones , Hemorragia Subaracnoidea/inmunologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Results of DBS of ATN in refractory epilepsy depend on accuracy of the electrode's location. We searched for characteristic intraoperative, intracerebral EEG recording pattern from anterior thalamic nuclei (ATNs) as a biological marker for verifying the electrode's position. METHODS: There were six patients with refractory epilepsy scheduled for deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure. At surgery, to map the target, we recorded EEG from each lead of DBS electrodes. One patient underwent a 24 hours EEG with continuous recording from both ATNs before internalization of stimulator units. RESULTS: In all patients we recorded spontaneous bioelectric activity of ATNs. The pattern of the recording from the ATN was similar in all cases. In the one patient where 24-hour recording was done with simultaneous scalp EEG, a complex partial seizure was captured. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of using DBS electrode for intraoperative EEG recordings from the ATN in patients with refractory epilepsy. Since we managed to find the characteristic pattern of bioelectric activity of ATN, this technique seems to be a promising method for targeting this structure during the operation.
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Núcleos Talámicos Anteriores , Estimulación Encefálica Profunda , Epilepsia Refractaria , Monitorización Neurofisiológica Intraoperatoria , Epilepsia Refractaria/terapia , Electroencefalografía , HumanosRESUMEN
Despite enormous progress in medicine, symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS), remains an unexplained clinical problem, which leaves both physicians and patients helpless and relying on chance, due to the lack of specific marker indicative of imminent danger as well as the lack of specific treatment. In our opinion CVS occurrence depends on dynamic disbalance between free radicals' formation (oxidative stress) and antioxidant activity. Isoprostanes are products of free-radical peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and seem to mark a promising path for the research aiming to unravel its possible mechanism. Not only are they the biomarkers of oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro, but also have manifold biological effects (including vasoactive, inflammatory and mitogenic) via activation of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R), both in physiological and pathophysiological processes. This review addresses the importance of isoprostanes in CVS in quest of appropriate biomarkers.
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Vasoespasmo Intracraneal , Biomarcadores , Humanos , Isoprostanos , Peroxidación de Lípido , Estrés OxidativoRESUMEN
Von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHL, familial cerebello-retinal angiomatosis) is a rare genetic autosomal dominant disorder associated with predisposition to vascular tumors. Mutations of VHL tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 3p25-26, are responsible for clinical manifestation of the disease. The VHL gene product encodes VHL protein, which is responsible for HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) dependent cell cycle regulation and cellular pathways mediated by VEGF, PDGF, TGF-α, EPO. The mechanism substantiates the hypoxia dependent vascular tumor growth caused by loss of wild-type VHL protein. The clinical spectrum of vHL syndrome includes multiple tumors of various localization and low histologic grade, often bilateral. The most typical for the syndrome are: hemangioblastoma of central nervous system (typically posterior fossa or medulla), retinal hemangioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. The aim of the case report is to remind the typical clinical manifestation of von Hippel- Lindau syndrome, update the diagnostic criteria, recommended diagnostic and follow up methods.
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Cuidados Paliativos , Eliminación de Secuencia , Proteína Supresora de Tumores del Síndrome de Von Hippel-Lindau/genética , Enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau/diagnóstico , Adulto , Exones , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Renales/etiología , Neoplasias Renales/cirugía , Enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau/complicaciones , Enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau/metabolismo , Enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau/terapiaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Reviewing our experience in intracranial video-EEG monitoring in the presurgical evaluation of patients with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: We report on 62 out of 202 (31%) patients with refractory epilepsy, who underwent a long term video-EEG monitoring (LTM). The epileptogenic zone (EZ) was localised either based on the results of LTM or after intracranial EEG recordings from depth, subdural or foramen ovale electrodes. The decision on the location of the electrodes was based upon semiology of the seizures, EEG findings and the lesions visualised in MRI brain scan. Intraoperative corticography was carried out before and right after the resection of the seizure onset zone. RESULTS: The video-EEG monitoring could localise EZ in 43 (69%) cases based. The remaining patients underwent invasive diagnostics: 10 (53%) had intracerebral depth electrodes, 6 (31%) depth and subdural and 3 (16%) foramen ovale electrodes. Intracranial video EEG recordings showed seizure focus in all the patients. Ten of them had EZ in mesial temporal structures, 4 in accessory motor area, 3 at the base of the frontal lobe and 2 in parietal lobe. There was one case of an asymptomatic intracerebral haematoma at the electrode. All patients were subsequently operated on. In 15 (79%) cases the seizures subsided (follow-up from 2 to 5 years), in 4 (21%) they decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The intracranial EEG is required in all patients with normal MRI (so-called nonlesional cases) in whom EZ is suspected to be located in the hippocampus, insula or in the basal parts of the frontal lobe.
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Mapeo Encefálico/instrumentación , Epilepsia Refractaria/fisiopatología , Epilepsia Refractaria/cirugía , Electrocorticografía/instrumentación , Electrodos Implantados , Electroencefalografía/instrumentación , Monitoreo Ambulatorio/instrumentación , Monitoreo Fisiológico/instrumentación , Grabación en Video/instrumentación , Adulto , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Corteza Cerebral/cirugía , Dominancia Cerebral/fisiología , Epilepsia del Lóbulo Temporal/fisiopatología , Epilepsia del Lóbulo Temporal/cirugía , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cuidados Preoperatorios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine in pre- and postsurgical fMRI studies the rearrangement of the Broca's and Wernicke's areas and the lateralization index for these areas in patients with brain tumors located near speech centers. Impact of the surgical treatment on the brain plasticity was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and postoperative fMRI examinations were performed in 10 patients with low grade glial, left-sided brain tumors located close to the Broca's (5 patients) or Wernicke's area (5 patients). BOLD signal was recorded in regions of interest: Broca's and Wernicke's areas, and their anatomic right-sided homologues. RESULTS: In the preoperative fMRI study the left Broca's area was activated in all cases. The right Broca's area was activated in all the patients with no speech disorders. In the postoperative fMRI the activation of both Broca's areas increased in two cases. In other two cases activation of one of the Broca's area increased along with the decrease in the contralateral hemisphere. In all patients with temporal lobe tumors, the right Wernicke's area was activated in the pre- and postsurgical fMRI. After the operation, in two patients with speech disorder, the activation of both Broca's areas decreased and the activation of one of the Wernicke's areas increased. CONCLUSIONS: In the cases of tumors localized near the left Broca's area, a transfer of the function to the healthy hemisphere seems to take place. Resection of tumors located near Broca's or Wernicke's areas may lead to relocation of the brain language centers.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas/fisiopatología , Área de Broca/fisiopatología , Plasticidad Neuronal/fisiología , Área de Wernicke/fisiopatología , Adulto , Mapeo Encefálico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/cirugía , Femenino , Lateralidad Funcional/fisiología , Humanos , Lenguaje , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of the anatomical anomalies of the V3 segment of the vertebral artery in the Polish population. There is conflicting evidence on the incidence of these anomalies: Asian-based studies show high incidence of 10 %, whereas the North American study identifies these anomalies in less than 1 % of patients. METHODS: 1800 computed tomography angiographies (CTA) obtained at the Barlicki University Hospital in Lodz, Poland, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All the patients were Caucasians. There were 968 males and 832 females. The mean age of the patients was 58. CTAs were obtained for the following reasons: stroke 1312, trauma 25, vascular/aneurysm 216, and intracranial haemorrhage 247. Vertebral artery hypoplasia was present in 360 cases (20 %). Persistent intersegmental artery (type I anomaly) was not found in any study. Fenestration of the V3 vertebral artery (type II) was recognized in three angiograms (0.16 %). Vertebral artery ending up as posterior inferior cerebellar artery (type III anomaly) was seen in 11 patients (0.61 %). CONCLUSIONS: Very low incidence of V3 segment anomalies does not justify in our opinion routine vascular imaging in patients undergoing posterior cervical instrumented procedures.
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Malformaciones Vasculares/epidemiología , Arteria Vertebral/anomalías , Adulto , Anciano , Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polonia/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Arteria Vertebral/diagnóstico por imagen , Población BlancaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To find the optimal duration of the long-term video-EEG (LTM) and assess diagnostics utility of LTM in patients with epilepsy and other paroxysmal events in terms of future diagnosis and management. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 282 LTMs performed in the last 5 years in our Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), in 202 consecutive patients. The analysis included demographic data, monitoring time, number and type of paroxysmal events, the time until their onset, influence of LTM result on the diagnosis and future management. RESULTS: There were 117 women and 85 men, mean age 34.2 years. Mean duration of LTM was 5 days (3-9), with 447 paroxysmal events recorded in 131 (65%) patients. Epileptic seizures were recorded in 82% cases (in 11% associated with PNES). The remaining 18% had either PNES (psychogenic non-epileptic seizures) - 11%, or parasomnias - 7%. Only 15% of epileptic seizures took place within the first 24h of the LTM (53% and 32% on the 2nd and 3rd day, respectively), whereas as many as 62% of PNES did (while only 28% and 10% on the 2nd and 3rd day, respectively). The LTM results changed the diagnosis in 36% of the patients, most frequently in PNES (from 2% to 14%). Altogether, it changed the management in 64% of the patients - particularly with PNES and those who underwent epilepsy surgery. CONCLUSIONS: LTM should last at least 72h in patients with refractory epilepsy. Most of cases with PNES could be diagnosed after 48h.
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Electroencefalografía/métodos , Monitoreo Fisiológico/métodos , Convulsiones/fisiopatología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Epilepsia/fisiopatología , Epilepsia/cirugía , Femenino , Humanos , Cuidados a Largo Plazo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/métodos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Complete removal of a meningioma (MG) does not guarantee relapse-free survival. Alterations on several chromosomes responsible for MG recurrence were suggested, although their role was not validated by a systematic review. Following the analysis of own 161 cases, all previously published data has been collected for evidence synthesis. Based on own series, WHO grade >I (odds ratio (OR)=92.0; 95%CI: 19.1-443.5) and a combination of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1p and 14q (OR=10.2; 95%CI: 19-55.7) were the independent recurrence-specific prognosticators. The deleterious role of LOH on 1p/14q was demonstrated in a subset of parasagittal and falcine MGs. A total of 742 cases and 10 studies were pooled for the Individual Patient Data and Aggregate Data models of meta-analysis, respectively. The prognostic role of WHO classification (OR=90.4) and anomaly of chromosome 14 (OR=3.5) was confirmed. LOH on 14 showed lesser impact on recurrence than suggested by the WHO grading (area under the curve 0.65 for LOH vs. 0.74 for WHO). Fixed effect model of meta-analysis provided high summarized OR values for 1p (OR=5.4; 95%CI: 3.6-8.1) and 14q (OR=7.6; 95%CI: 4.3-13.6), and low for chromosome 22 (OR=1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4). Final appraisal of recurrence-associated chromosomal alterations indicated that arms 1p and 14q deserve attention while predicting MG recurrence.
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Aberraciones Cromosómicas , Pérdida de Heterocigocidad , Neoplasias Meníngeas/genética , Meningioma/genética , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/genética , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Cromosomas Humanos Par 1/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Par 14/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Par 22/genética , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Neoplasias Meníngeas/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Meníngeas/patología , Meningioma/diagnóstico por imagen , Meningioma/patología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Pronóstico , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We present a case of a 29-year-old male with a calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON) located in the region of the foramen magnum, treated successfully by complete resection. After a 2-year follow-up the patient remains recurrence free. Clinical and histopathological characterization of CAPNON is provided with special emphasis on the intraoperative and neuroradiological features of the lesion.
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Calcinosis/cirugía , Foramen Magno/cirugía , Adulto , Calcinosis/patología , Foramen Magno/patología , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/métodos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Isolated neurosarcoidosis (INS), as a disease of low prevalence, is commonly overlooked in differential diagnosis, and its discovery on histopathological examination usually comes as a surprise. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because the clinical picture of INS is non-specific. Its symptoms depend on the location of the lesions, and the MRI results are similar to those found in meningiomas or optic nerve gliomas. Although up to 5% of all sarcoidosis patients present with neurological symptoms, those with INS are exceptionally infrequently encountered. Three cases of INS are presented here, analysing their clinical course and radiological images, in order to determine characteristic traits that might lead to a correct diagnosis.
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Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico por imagen , Sarcoidosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Encefálicas , HumanosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) studies results in case of an adult patient with low grade glioma (LGG) in dominant hemisphere suggest brain plasticity process with acquisition of language functions by the non-dominant hemisphere speech regions. CASE REPORT: A 36-years old right-handed woman was admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery for surgical treatment of brain tumor. An MRI examination revealed a pathological mass in the left frontal lobe, in close topographical relationship to the Broca's area. A left fronto-parietal craniotomy was performed, with an intraoperative awake language mapping procedure. A total resection of the pathological mass was achieved. The tumor was examined histologically as LGG. In the follow-up MRI exam 32 months after the operation a tumor recurrence was suggested. The fMRI exams performed preoperative and 3, 32 and 41 months after the operation showed changes in language regions activation patterns, with a progressive right-sided activation of Broca's and Wernicke's areas. Pre- and postoperative cognitive evaluation by a neuropsychologist did not detect any language impairment. We present a running process of reorganization of language areas in a patient after brain tumor resection, from strong left-sided to symmetrical lateralization. CONCLUSIONS: 1. FMRI results in comparison with the psychological status of the patient proved contribution of functional reorganization to the preservation of language performance. 2. A slow growing LGG as well as the recurrence of the tumor near the left Broca's area might be the factors leading to reorganization of language-related areas by recruiting the right hemisphe.
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BACKGROUND: The molecular heterogeneity of high-grade astrocytomas underlies the difficulties in the development of representative and valuable in vitro experimental models for their studies. The purpose of our study was to estimate the value of astrocytoma-associated antigens (AAAs) - IL13Rα2, Fra-1, EphA2 - and the most common molecular aberrations typical for astrocytomas as potential markers to screen the status of tumour-derived cell cultures in vitro. METHODS: The tumour-derived cell cultures were established from high-grade astrocytomas. The expression analyses of the tested genes were performed via semi-quantitative real-time PCR and subsequently verified by immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical technique. The analyses of molecular aberrations at DNA level included gene dosage status evaluation based on real-time PCR, sequencing analysis, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) assay. RESULTS: The expression analyses based on semi-quantitative real-time PCR showed that in the final stage of culture the expression level of all tested AAAs was significantly higher or at least comparable to that of primary tumours; however, two expression patterns were observed during cell culture establishment. Analysis at the single cell level via immunocytochemistry also demonstrated an increase of the level of tested proteins and/or selection of tumour cell populations strongly positive for AAAs vs. other cell types including admixed non-tumoural cells. Confrontation of AAA expression data with the results of molecular analyses at DNA level seems to support the latter, revealing that the expression pattern of astrocytoma-associated antigens in tumour-derived cells in subsequent stages of culture is convergent with changes in the molecular profile of examined cell populations. CONCLUSIONS: The consistency of the obtained results seems to support the use of the selected AAAs, in particular IL13Rα2 and Fra-1, as tools facilitating the establishment of tumour-derived cultures. However, the intratumoural heterogeneity of high-grade astrocytomas may require further detailed characterisation of the molecular profile of a tumour in order to evaluate the value of the experimental model in relation to the individual context of particular studies.
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Neurovascular compression syndromes (NVC) remains a challenging disorders resulting from the compression of cranial nerves at the transition zone [...].
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Background: Intracranial space is divided into three compartments by the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli. We assessed whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) distribution evaluated by a specifically developed deep-learning neural network (DLNN) could assist in quantifying mass effect. Methods: Head trauma CT scans from a high-volume emergency department between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Manual segmentations of intracranial compartments and CSF served as the ground truth to develop a DLNN model to automate the segmentation process. Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate the segmentation performance. Supratentorial CSF Ratio was calculated by dividing the volume of CSF on the side with reduced CSF reserve by the volume of CSF on the opposite side. Results: Two hundred and seventy-four patients (mean age, 61 years ± 18.6) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) who had an emergency head CT scan were included. The average DSC for training and validation datasets were respectively: 0.782 and 0.765. Lower DSC were observed in the segmentation of CSF, respectively 0.589, 0.615, and 0.572 for the right supratentorial, left supratentorial, and infratentorial CSF regions in the training dataset, and slightly lower values in the validation dataset, respectively 0.567, 0.574, and 0.556. Twenty-two patients (8%) had midline shift exceeding 5 mm, and 24 (8.8%) presented with high/mixed density lesion exceeding >25 ml. Fifty-five patients (20.1%) exhibited mass effect requiring neurosurgical treatment. They had lower supratentorial CSF volume and lower Supratentorial CSF Ratio (both p < 0.001). A Supratentorial CSF Ratio below 60% had a sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 87.7% (AUC 0.88, 95%CI 0.82-0.94) in identifying patients that require neurosurgical treatment for mass effect. On the other hand, patients with CSF constituting 10-20% of the intracranial space, with 80-90% of CSF specifically in the supratentorial compartment, and whose Supratentorial CSF Ratio exceeded 80% had minimal risk. Conclusion: CSF distribution may be presented as quantifiable ratios that help to predict surgery in patients after TBI. Automated segmentation of intracranial compartments using the DLNN model demonstrates a potential of artificial intelligence in quantifying mass effect. Further validation of the described method is necessary to confirm its efficacy in triaging patients and identifying those who require neurosurgical treatment.