Molecular biology of gliomas: present and future challenges.

Malignant brain tumours are one of the most relevant causes of morbidity and mortality across a wide range of individuals. Malignant glioma is the most common intra axial tumor in the adult. Many researches on this theme brought advances in the knowledge of gliomas biology and pathogenesis and to the development of new agents for targeted molecular therapy. Recent studies focused on either tumor metabolism analysis or epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis or maintenance of brain tumors. This Review summarizes these developments analyzing molecular pathology and possible further developments for targeted therapies.

Standing lateral lumbar spine and pelvis (SLLP) radiograph: a screening, reduced radiation method, for sagittal imbalance.

INTRODUCTION: Sagittal imbalance is a predictor of failure after surgery for lumbar degenerative pathology. For this reason, specialists advocate correction of sagittal deformity and systematically perform preoperative standing whole spine films. Such diagnostic investigations expose patients to significant doses of radiation. The authors propose an easier radiographic investigation helpful as a screening test to identify patients likely to have sagittal imbalance. METHODS: Fifteen whole spine lateral films were evaluated, classifying subjects into three categories: balanced, compensating imbalanced or imbalanced. A second specialist evaluated the reduced SLLP versions of the film (from L1 to proximal femora), measuring spinopelvic parameters. RESULTS: In the SLLP film, the combination of two parameters (femoral inclination >10°, pelvic tilt >1/3 pelvic incidence +5°) identified 94 % of patients with altered sagittal balance. CONCLUSIONS: This study preliminarily suggests that the SLLP film can be a useful screening test for sagittal balance abnormalities.