Treatment of large low-grade oligodendroglial tumors with upfront procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine chemotherapy with long follow-up: a retrospective cohort study with growth kinetics.

We treated patients with newly diagnosed and large low-grade oligodendroglial tumors with upfront procarbazine, CCNU and vincristine (PCV) in order to delay radiotherapy. Patients were treated with PCV for a maximum of 6 cycles. The response to treatment was defined according to the RANO criteria; in addition change over time of mean tumor diameters (growth kinetics) was calculated. Thirty-two patients were treated between 1998 and 2006, 18 of which were diagnosed with 1p/19q co-deleted tumors. Median follow-up duration was 8 years (range 0.5-13 years). The median overall survival (mOS) was 120 months and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 46 months. Growth kinetics showed an ongoing decrease of the mean tumor diameter after completion of chemotherapy, during a median time of 35 months, but an increase of the mean tumor diameter did not herald progression as detected by RANO criteria. 1p/19q co-deletion was associated with a significant increase in OS (mOS 83 months versus not reached for codeleted tumors; p = 0.003)) and PFS (mPFS 35 months versus 67 months for codeleted tumors; p = 0.024). Patients with combined 1p/19q loss had a 10 year PFS of 34 % and the radiotherapy in these patients was postponed for a median period of more than 6 years. This long-term follow-up study indicates that upfront PCV chemotherapy is associated with long PFS and OS and delays radiotherapy for a considerable period of time in patients with low-grade oligodendroglial tumors, in particular with combined 1p/19q loss.

Defining a risk area for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in a country where TBE is emerging, the Netherlands, July 2016-October 2020.

TBE is an emerging infectious disease in the Netherlands since July 2016, and risk areas have not been defined yet. Until October 2020 twelve autochthonous cases of TBE have been identified. In six of these cases transmission of TBE virus likely occurred in the Twente region, which therefore is the region with the highest case number and risk of contracting the disease. Here we summarize the Twente cases so far and discuss if the Twente region should be considered a risk-area using criteria of traditional TBE endemic countries, and the public health measures that may accompany such designation.

Prolonged Unconsciousness Following Severe COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case series of patients with prolonged but reversible unconsciousness after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related severe respiratory failure. METHODS: A case series of patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit due to COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure is described. RESULTS: After cessation of sedatives, the described cases all showed a prolonged comatose state. Diagnostic neurologic workup did not show signs of devastating brain injury. The clinical pattern of awakening started with early eye opening without obeying commands and persistent flaccid weakness in all cases. Time between cessation of sedatives to the first moment of being fully responsive with obeying commands ranged from 8 to 31 days. CONCLUSION: Prolonged unconsciousness in patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19 can be fully reversible, warranting a cautious approach for prognostication based on a prolonged state of unconsciousness.

Botulinum toxin type A in simple motor tics: short-term and long-term treatment-effects.

To determine the short-term and long-term treatment-effects of botulinum toxin type A in simple motor tics, we analyzed 15 consecutive patients (18 tics) with simple motor tics that were treated every 3 months with injections of BTX-A. Efficacy (rated on a 4-level scale) and duration of effect of the first 2 and last 2 (if treated 5 times or more) treatments were recorded, as well as latency of response, changes of premonitory urges (PMUs) and possible side effects. Total number of treatments for each tic varied from 2 to 50 (mean 11, median 6). In 16 of 18 tics (89%) short-term efficacy was reported successful (good or moderate). Long-term efficacy was reported in 12 tics of which 11 showed similar or even increased beneficial effects. Premonitory urge (PMU) was reported in 8 patients (53%). PMU, if present, lessened or disappeared after treatment with BTX-A. A permanent remission of the treated tic was seen in 3 patients with a maximum follow-up of 10 years. BTX-A appears a safe and effective treatment for simple motor tics and retains its efficacy after long-term treatment. BTX may also induce permanent remission of the treated tics and effects of BTX are not restricted to merely motor behaviour.