Evaluating interleukin-16 expression in patients with grade-3 and grade-4 glial cell tumors and healthy individuals.

Background: This study evaluated the change in IL-16 levels in patients with high-grade glial tumors undergoing radiotherapy (RT) and healthy individuals (control group). Materials and Methods: Serum IL-16 levels of 35 high-grade glioma patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) and 30 healthy individuals were compared. We compared the IL-16 levels before (RT0) and after the (RT1) and IL-16 levels were measured and the relationship of this change with other characteristics such as age, gender, weight, height, and blood test results. Results: The RT0-IL-16 level was approximately 15 pg/ml higher than the RT1 measurement in the patient group. The mean RT0-IL-16 levels in the patient group were approximately 10 pg/ml higher than the mean IL-16 levels in the control group. Likewise, at the RT1 time-point, the mean IL-16 levels for the patient group were approximately 5 pg/ml lower than the mean IL-16 for the control group. The mean RT0-RT1-IL-16 value tended to be higher in female patients than in male patients. Conclusion: The application of RT reduces the overall IL-16 levels, suggesting the efficacy of RT, as well as the role of IL-16 in tumorigenesis.

The effects of radiotherapy on arterial diameters in patients with high-grade glial tumors who have undergone adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background and Aims: Our purpose was to evaluate the M2 branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in high-grade glial tumor patients who undergo adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). For this purpose, the diameter of the M2 branch was measured and evaluated by means of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) before and after RT. Post-radiotherapeutical measurements were made 1, 3, 5, and 7 months after the procedure; and vascular diameter alterations were evaluated. Materials and Methods: CE-MRI examinations were performed on the 32 patients enrolled in the study, who had undergone radiotherapy of the temporoparietal region. MRI examinations were performed prior to RT (RT0) and 1 (RT1), 3 (RT2), 5 (RT3), and 7 (RT4) months after RT. The M2 branch of the MCA was evaluated on MRI images, and the vessel diameter was measured in millimeters (mm), and then comparisons were made. Results: Statistically significant results were obtained during RT0-RT1, RT0-RT2, RT0-RT3, RT0-RT4, RT1-RT2, RT2-RT4, and RT3-RT4, and comparisons of the diameters of the M2 branch of the right MCA were performed (P < 0.05). When the same measurements and comparisons were made for the M2 branch of the left MCA, statistically significant results were found for the RT1-RT2, RT1-RT3, and RT1-RT4 comparisons (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that the MCA M2 branch diminished in size following RT. This was demonstrated by means of CE-MRI controls performed up to 7 months after the completion of the RT procedures.

Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report showing an intramedullary thoracic spinal tuberculoma secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis in a 16-year-old patient with findings of subacute spinal cord compression. OBJECTIVES: The significance and the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intramedullary tuberculoma, and the treatment of the patient that involves surgically the excision of intramedullary lesion followed by appropriate antituberculous therapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Tuberculomas of spinal cord are rare entities. The possibility of intramedullary tuberculoma should be seriously considered when an intraspinal mass is found, provided that pulmonary tuberculosis is present in the history of the patient. METHOD: Th4-Th5 laminectomy was performed. Intramedullary tuberculoma was excised through a myelotomy. Antituberculous treatment was applied after the surgery. RESULTS: Excellent clinical outcome was obtained with a combination of both medical and surgical treatments. CONCLUSION: The intramedullary spinal tuberculoma, although a rare entity, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of the spinal cord compression in patients with a history of tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and those who have a bad socioeconomic condition and bad nutrition habit. When confronted with a progressing neurologic deficit, a combination of microsurgical resection and antituberculous chemotherapy with the avoidance of steroids should be the choice of treatment for intramedullary tuberculomas.