Diagnostic Algorithm for Intracranial Lesions in the Emergency Department: Effectiveness of the Relative Brain Volume and Hounsfield Unit Value Measured by Perfusion Tomography.

Background Early treatment of intracranial lesions in the emergency department is crucial, but it can be challenging to differentiate between them. This differentiation is essential because the treatment of each type of lesion is different. Cerebral computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging can help visualize the vascularity of brain lesions and provide absolute quantification of physiological parameters. Compared to magnetic resonance imaging, CTP has several advantages, such as simplicity, wide availability, and reproducibility. Purpose This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Hounsfield units (HU) in measuring the density of hypercellular lesions and the ability of CTP to quantify hemodynamics in distinguishing intracranial space-occupying lesions. Methods A retrospective study was conducted from March 2016 to March 2022. All patients underwent CTP and CT scans, and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and HU were obtained for intracranial lesions. Results We included a total of 244 patients in our study. This group consisted of 87 (35.7%) individuals with glioblastomas (GBs), 48 (19.7%) with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), 45 (18.4%) with metastases (METs), and 64 (26.2) with abscesses. Our study showed that the HUs for METs were higher than those for GB (S 57.4% and E 88.5%). In addition, rCBV values for PCNSL and abscesses were lower than those for GB and METs. The HU in PCNSL was higher than those in abscesses (S 94.1% and E 96.6%). Conclusion PCT parameters provide valuable information for diagnosing brain lesions. A comprehensive assessment improves accuracy. Combining rCBV and HU enhances diagnostic accuracy, making it a valuable tool for distinguishing between lesions. PCT's widespread availability allows for the use of both anatomical and functional information with high spatial resolution for diagnosing and managing brain tumor patients.

Panorama general de la terapia electroconvulsiva: indicaciones y funcionamiento / Electroconvulsive Therapy Overview: Indications and How it Works

Resumen La terapia electroconvulsiva (TEC) constituye una de las modalidades terapéuticas disponibles para el tratamiento de padecimientos psiquiátricos como depresión, manía, esquizofrenia y estados de catatonia. Incluso se considera la terapia con resultados más eficaces y rápidos para pacientes con padecimientos como depresión resistente, ideación suicida recurrente, psicosis aguda y padecimientos que llegan a ser mortales como el síndrome neuroléptico maligno. La TEC es una terapia de estimulación cerebral en la cual la respuesta terapéutica se logra a través de la generación de un estímulo eléctrico con una intensidad suficiente para producir una crisis convulsiva encefálica controlada, logrando una respuesta neurobiológica y neuroquímica positiva favorable. Este artículo enfoca la utilidad de la TEC en el tratamiento de distintos padecimientos neuropsiquiátricos, sus principios fisiopatológicos, la técnica utilizada, sus principales complicaciones y, sobre todo, una descripción global de su utilización, su eficacia y seguridad, así como la experiencia de su uso en nuestra institución. Constituye uno de los pocos artículos en México con este contenido que consideramos fundamental como parte del conocimiento de todos los profesionales de la salud.

Abstract The electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) constitutes one of the many treatment modalities available for management of psychiatric illnesses like depression, mania, schizophrenia, and catatonic states. It is even considered the single most effective and fastest treatment modality for patients with conditions like antidepressant-resistant depression, recurring suicidal ideations, acute psychoses, and potentially fatal conditions like malignant neuroleptic syndrome. ECT is a brain-stimulation therapy in which the therapeutic goal can be achieved through generating an electrical stimulus with enough intensity to produce a controlled seizure, achieving a positive and favorable neurobiological and neurochemical response. This article focuses on the use of ECT in treating the various neuropsychiatric conditions, its pathophysiological principles, the employed technique, its main complications and overall a description of its use, its efficiency and safety, as to the experience of its employment in our institution. This comprises one of the few articles in Mexico with this kind of content that we deem fundamental as part of the general knowledge for healthcare professionals.

Linfoma primario del sistema nervioso central: experiencia clínica en un centro neurológico / Primary central nervous system lymphoma: clinical experience in a neurological center

Introducción. El linfoma primario del sistema nervioso central es una variedad de linfoma no Hodgkin que representa el 4-5% de los tumores intracraneales y el 5% de todos los linfomas. Se origina en el encéfalo, los ojos, la leptomeninge y la médula espinal sin evidencia sistémica de actividad linfomatoide; el subtipo de linfoma mayoritariamente es de células de tipo B. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados con linfoma cerebral primario que fueron atendidos en centros de tercer nivel en México entre los años 1980 y 2016. Se incluyó a los pacientes que contaran con cribado para búsqueda de linfoma sistémico. Los resultados se analizaron mediante frecuencias simples; en el caso del tiempo libre de enfermedad y supervivencia global, mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier, y las diferencias entre curvas, mediante log rank. Resultados. En un total de 215 pacientes sólo hubo 74 casos. El 45% fueron mujeres y el 55%, hombres. El 36,7% eran mayores de 60 años. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron déficit motor (60%) y alteraciones cognitivas (52%). La mayoría recibió alguna forma de quimioterapia (89%). El único factor significativo para respuesta radiológica y pronóstico clínico era el uso combinado de radioquimioterapia (p = 0,04493). Conclusión. El linfoma representa una patología tumoral con alta respuesta clinicorradiológica al tratamiento, aunque la respuesta no es duradera. Es fundamental su identificación temprana y el tratamiento multidisciplinario para el mejor pronóstico de estos pacientes

Introduction. Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system is a variety of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that accounts for 4-5% of intracranial tumours and 5% of all lymphomas. It has its origin in the brain, the eyes, the leptomeninges and the spinal cord with no systemic evidence of lymphomatoid activity; the subtype of lymphoma is predominantly of B-type cells. Patients and methods. We conducted a descriptive study of the patients diagnosed with primary brain lymphoma who were attended to at third-level centres in Mexico between the years 1980 and 2016. Patients who had been screened for systemic lymphoma were included. The results were analysed by means of simple frequencies, and disease-free and overall survival time was analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves; the differences among curves were analysed by means of log rank. Results. Of a total of 215 patients, there were only 74 cases. By sex, 45% were females and 55% were males. Regarding age, 36.7% were over 60 years old. The most frequent clinical manifestations were motor loss (60%) and cognitive disorders (52%). Most patients received some form of chemotherapy (89%). The only significant factor for radiological response and clinical prognosis was the combined use of radiochemotherapy (p = 0.04493). Conclusion. Lymphoma is a tumorous condition with a high clinicoradiological response to treatment, although the response is not long-lasting. Its early identification and multidisciplinary management are essential for a more favourable prognosis in these patients

Radioterapia más temozolomida o PCV en pacientes con oligodendroglioma anaplásico con codeleción 1p19q / Radiotherapy plus temozolomide or PCV in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma 1p19q codeleted

Introducción. La hipotonía constituye un signo habitual de enfermedad en el neonato. Ahora bien, se trata de un signo inespecífico: puede ser la manifestación inicial de una enfermedad neurológica o multisistémica. Objetivos. Estudiar las principales causas de la hipotonía neonatal y evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica de la anamnesis y la exploración física en el neonato hipotónico. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 22 años con recién nacidos afectados por hipotonía e ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales. A partir de la anamnesis y de los datos recabados durante la exploración física, se hizo una clasificación inicial en condiciones de enmascaramiento del tipo de hipotonía: central, periférica o indeterminada. Resultados. El número de pacientes estudiados ascendió a 91. De ellos, 42 (46,2%) presentaban antecedentes de alteraciones prenatales: polihidramnios (28,6%), retraso del crecimiento intrauterino (21,4%) y presentación de nalgas (19%). Cincuenta y tres (58,2%) habían precisado reanimación al nacer. Los principales síntomas asociados consistieron en disnea (65,9%), dificultades de alimentación (36,5%) y escasez de movimientos espontáneos (22,4%). El diagnóstico definitivo se obtuvo en 64 neonatos (70,3%): el 81,3% mostraba hipotonía central, y el 18,7%, hipotonía periférica. El valor predictivo positivo de la clasificación inicial alcanzó el 97,9% en la hipotonía central y el 66,7% en la hipotonía periférica. La tasa de mortalidad fue del 8,8%, y resultó superior en el grupo de hipotonía periférica (58,3% frente a 1,3%). Conclusiones. La hipotonía neonatal aparece vinculada con una larga lista de trastornos. Una anamnesis minuciosa y una valoración neurológica cuidadosa brindan un alto valor predictivo diagnóstico que debe orientar el estudio etiológico

Introduction. Radiotherapy with procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) improves overall survival in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma 1p19q codeleted. Patients and methods. This retrospective analysis investigated outcomes in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma 1p19q codeleted compared two different protocols (radiotherapy plus temozolomide or PCV). The primary end points were overall survival and progression-free survival. Secondary endpoint was the radiological response. Results. A total of 48 patients were included. Mean age was 43 years (range: 19-66 years), 26 were male (54.1%). Twenty-one patients received PCV and 27 temozolomide. The baseline characteristics were not difference between the groups. The progression-free survival and overall survival in the PCV group were 7.2 and 10.6 years respectively and temozolomide were 6.1 and 9.2 years, both statistically significant. The radiological response was present in 80.9% in PCV arm and 70.2% in temozolomide arm there was not statistical differences. The multivariate Cox model showed only the significant parameters the use of PCV protocol. The toxicity grade 3 or 4 was present in 42.8% in PCV arm and 11.1% in temozolomide arm. Conclusions. The most common strategy in the Latin America community is the substitution of the PCV or temozolomide. This retrospective study showed superior efficacy of PCV than temozolomide. The Latin American community effort must be made to be able to have the drugs to available for using as a first line of treatment