Improving the quality of care in the molecular era for children and adolescents with medulloblastoma.

PURPOSE: Elevated mortality and morbidity rates persist in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma. We present a clinical audit of a real-world cohort of patients in search for pragmatic measures to improve their management and outcome. METHODS/PATIENTS: All pediatric patients with medulloblastoma treated between 2003 and 2016 at a Spanish reference center were reviewed. In the absence of internationally accepted quality indicators (QIs) for pediatric CNS tumors, diagnostic, therapeutic, survival, and time QIs were defined and assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included, 24% were younger children (< 3 years), 36% high risk (anaplastic, metastasis, or surgical residue > 1.5 cm2), and 40% standard risk. Five-year OS was 59.2% (95% CI 47-75); 5-year PFS 36.4% (95% CI 25-53). Five main areas of quality assurance were identified: diagnosis, global strategy, frontline treatment modalities, outcomes, and long-term and end-of-life care. A set of 34 QIs was developed and applied. Lack of central pathology review, delay in the incorporation of novel molecular markers, and absence of a neurocognitive and quality-of-life evaluation program were some of the audit findings. CONCLUSIONS: This real-world research study resulted in the development of a pragmatic set of QIs, aimed to improve clinical audits and quality of care given to children and adolescents with medulloblastoma. We hope that our findings will serve as a reference to further develop a quality assurance system with specific QIs for pediatric CNS tumors in the future and that this will ultimately improve the survival and quality of life of these patients.

[Neuroimaging in epileptic encephalopathies in infants]. / Neuroimagen en las encefalopatias epilepticas del lactante.

Magnetic resonance plays a vital role in the aetiological diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathies, since it is capable of identifying specific aetiological patterns or patterns which are suggestive of different conditions. We review the main magnetic resonance findings that are observed in symptomatic epileptic encephalopathies.

TITLE: Neuroimagen en las encefalopatias epilepticas del lactante.La resonancia magnetica desempeña un papel crucial en el diagnostico etiologico de las encefalopatias epilepticas, al poder identificar patrones etiologicamente especificos o sugestivos de diferentes entidades. Se revisan los principales hallazgos por resonancia magnetica que se objetivan en las encefalopatias epilepticas sintomaticas.

Hallazgos neurorradiológicos en una serie de pacientes con mucopolisacaridosis / Neuroimaging findings in patient series with mucopolysaccharidosis

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of inherited disorders due to lysosomal enzyme deficiencies. The aims of this study are to describe the neuroimaging findings in children evaluated in our hospital with this diagnosis, looking for a possible correlation of these alterations with the type of MPS and clinical severity, and finally to compare these findings with those previously reported. Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 19 patients who had been diagnosed with MPS between 1992 and 2010: 7 had type I (5 with Hurler syndrome and 2 with Hurler-Scheie syndrome), 10 had type II or Hunter syndrome (4 with the severe form and 6 with the mild form), 1 had type III or Sanfilippo syndrome and 1 had type VI or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. We assessed the brain neuroimaging studies: computed axial tomography (CAT) in 5 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 15. Results: We observed a broad spectrum of neuroimaging anomalies. In CAT: mega cisterna magna (3/5, 60%). In brain MRI: dilated Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces (11/15, 73%), white matter abnormalities (11/15, 73%), and ventriculomegaly (5/15, 33%). Conclusions: Abnormal findings in neuroimaging studies are frequent in MPS (dilated Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces, white matter abnormalities and ventriculomegaly). Thus, given these abnormalities we should be aware of this possible diagnosis, particularly when typical signs and symptoms are present. However, we did not find a correlation between these findings and either any specific type of MPS or clinical severity (AU)

Introducción: Las mucopolisacaridosis (MPS) son un grupo de enfermedades hereditarias de depósito lisosomal. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir las alteraciones neurorradiológicas en los niños evaluados en nuestro hospital con este diagnóstico, buscar la posible correlación de estas alteraciones con el tipo de MPS y con la gravedad clínica, y comparar nuestros hallazgos con lo descrito en la literatura. Material y métodos:Revisamos retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de 19 pacientes diagnosticados de MPS en el periodo 1992-2010: 7 tipo I (5 con síndrome de Hurler y 2 con Hurler-Scheie), 10 tipo II o síndme de Hunter (4 con la forma grave y 6 con la moderada), 1 tipo III o síndrome de Sanfilippo y 1 tipo VI o síndrome de Maroteaux-Lamy. Se analizaron las pruebas de neuroimagen: tomografía computarizada (TC) en 5 pacientes y resonancia magnética craneal (RMC) en 15. Resultados: Encontramos un amplio espectro de alteraciones radiológicas. En la TC destaca la megacisterna magna (3/5, 60%); en la RMC el aumento de los espacios perivasculares (11/15, 73%), la alteración parcheada de la sustancia blanca (SB) (11/15, 73%) y la ventriculomegalia (5/15, 33%).Conclusiones: Algunas anomalías neurorradiológicas son frecuentes en las MPS (aumento de los espacios perivasculares, alteraciones de la SB, ventriculomegalia), por lo que ante estos hallazgos debemos investigar esta posibilidad diagnóstica, especialmente en pacientes con clínica compatible. No hemos hallado datos específicos de cada tipo de MPS, ni relación de estas alteraciones radiológicas con la gravedad de la forma clínica (AU)

Neuroimaging findings in patient series with mucopolysaccharidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of inherited disorders due to lysosomal enzyme deficiencies. The aims of this study are to describe the neuroimaging findings in children evaluated in our hospital with this diagnosis, looking for a possible correlation of these alterations with the type of MPS and clinical severity, and finally to compare these findings with those previously reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 19 patients who had been diagnosed with MPS between 1992 and 2010: 7 had type I (5 with Hurler syndrome and 2 with Hurler-Scheie syndrome), 10 had type II or Hunter syndrome (4 with the severe form and 6 with the mild form), 1 had type III or Sanfilippo syndrome and 1 had type VI or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. We assessed the brain neuroimaging studies: computed axial tomography (CAT) in 5 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 15. RESULTS: We observed a broad spectrum of neuroimaging anomalies. In CAT: mega cisterna magna (3/5, 60%). In brain MRI: dilated Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces (11/15, 73%), white matter abnormalities (11/15, 73%), and ventriculomegaly (5/15, 33%). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal findings in neuroimaging studies are frequent in MPS (dilated Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces, white matter abnormalities and ventriculomegaly). Thus, given these abnormalities we should be aware of this possible diagnosis, particularly when typical signs and symptoms are present. However, we did not find a correlation between these findings and either any specific type of MPS or clinical severity.

Polimicrogiria: epidemiología, factores neurológicos y anatómicos y evolución clínica de una serie de 34 casos / Polymicrogyria: epidemiology, neurological and anatomical factors and clinical outcome in a series of 34 cases

Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología y evolución clínica, así como los factores anatómicos y neurológicos implicados, en una serie de casos de 34 pacientes con esta afectación. Pacientes y métodos: Se han recopilado 34 pacientes diagnosticados y/o en seguimiento en la sección de neuropediatría del Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús entre 1995 y 2010. Todos los pacientes tienen una resonancia magnética indicativa de polimicrogiria y la mayoría sigue controles periódicos, por lo que conocemos su evolución. Resultados: El 76,5% de los pacientes son varones. La media de edad de inicio de la clínica neurológica es de 10 meses; el motivo del estudio fue por retraso psicomotor (44%) seguido por crisis (38,2%). En su evolución los pacientes presentaron epilepsia (61,7%), parálisis cerebral infantil (47%), retraso psicomotor/mental (94,1%), trastorno generalizado del desarrollo (26,4%), alteraciones conductuales (38,2%), déficits neurosensoriales (35,2%) y microcefalia el 67,6%. En el 82,3% la afectación es bilateral (42,8% perisilviana). El 58,8% asoció otras alteraciones en la resonancia magnética. El electroencefalograma al diagnóstico estaba alterado en el 41,1% y a lo largo de la evolución aumentó hasta el 67,6%. Reciben tratamiento antiepiléptico el 61,7%, precisando ≥ 2 fármacos el 52,3%. Dos pacientes se sometieron a cirugía de la epilepsia. Presentó algún tipo de secuela el 91,1%. La etiología es desconocida en el 61,7%; se sospecha infección congénita en 10 y cuadro sindrómico o polimalformativo en 3. Conclusiones: Con este estudio se pone en evidencia la amplitud de expresión clínica y radiológica posible en la polimicrogiria, además de las posibilidades futuras en cuanto a una aproximación etiológica en esta patología (AU)

Introduction: The aim of our study is to describe the epidemiology, clinical evolution, and the anatomical and neurological factors involved in polymicrogyria in 34 patients with this disorder. Subjects and methods: We have compiled 34 patients diagnosed and/or in follow-up at the Department of Paediatric Neurology of the Hospital Infantil Niño Jesús between 1995 and 2010. All the patients had a magnetic resonance imaging suggestive of polymicrogyria, and most of the patients still have periodic checks, thus their outcome is known. Results: The large majority were male (76.5%). The median age at presentation was 10 months; the reason for the study was psychomotor or mental delay (44%) followed by seizures (38.2%). During the condition patients presented with epilepsy (61.7%), infantile cerebral palsy (47%), psychomotor/mental retardation (94.1%), pervasive developmental disorder (26.4%), behavioural disturbances (38.2%), neurosensory deficit (35.2%) and microcephaly 67.6%. In 82.3% of patients there was bilateral involvement (42.8% perisylvian). Other abnormalities were observed in the MRI of 58.8% of patients. The electroencephalogram at diagnosis showed changes in 41.1%, and this rose to 67.6% during follow-up. 61.7% received antiepileptic treatment was received by 61.7% of patients, with 52.3% requiring ≥2 drugs. Epilepsy surgery was performed on two patients. Some type of sequelae was observed in 91.1% of patients. The aetiology was unknown in 61.7%; a congenital infection was suspected in 10 patients and syndromic or polymalformative disorder in three patients. Conclusions: This study shows the range of clinical and radiological expression in polymicrogyria, in addition to the possibilities for the future in terms of determining the aetiology of this pathology (AU)

Malformación vascular de la rodilla simulando una artritis idiopática juvenil / Vascular malformation of the knee simulating juvenile idiopathic arthritis

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Solución del caso 30. Papiloma de los plexos coroideos con realce meníngeo / Solution to case 30. Choroid plexus papilloma with meningeal enhancement

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Quiste óseo aneurismático coexistente con osteosarcoma. Discusión radiopatológica / Aneurysmatic bone cyst coexisting with osteosarcoma. Radiopathologic discussion

El quiste óseo aneurismático es una lesión ósea benigna de etiopatogenia incierta. Se ha postulado que pudiera tratarse de una lesión reactiva a un traumatismo o a un tumor óseo primario benigno (tumor de células gigantes, condroblastoma, etc.) o maligno (osteosarcoma) que acaba produciendo cambios hemodinámicos locales. Existe controversia sobre su posible malignización. Presentamos un caso de evolución radiológica de osteosarcoma de bajo grado indistinguible de quiste óseo aneurismático (AU)

Aneurysmatic bone cysts are benign lesions of unknown origin. It has been postulated that they might occur in reaction to trauma or to a primary benign (giant cell tumor, chondroblastoma, etc.) or malignant (osteosarcoma) bone tumor that results in local hemodynamic changes. Their malignant transformation is controversial. We present a case of low grade osteosarcoma with a radiologic progression that was indistinguishable from that of an aneurysmatic bone cyst (AU)

[Aneurysmatic bone cyst coexisting with osteosarcoma. Radiopathologic discussion]. / Quiste óseo aneurismático coexistente con osteosarcoma. Discusión radiopatológica.

Aneurysmatic bone cysts are benign lesions of unknown origin. It has been postulated that they might occur in reaction to trauma or to a primary benign (giant cell tumor, chondroblastoma, etc.) or malignant (osteosarcoma) bone tumor that results in local hemodynamic changes. Their malignant transformation is controversial. We present a case of low grade osteosarcoma with a radiologic progression that was indistinguishable from that of an aneurysmatic bone cyst.

Linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica familiar: hallazgos neurorradiológicos / Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: neuroradiological findings

La linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica (LHH) es un síndrome clínico raro, posiblemente infradiagnosticado, más frecuente en niños. Pueden ser cuadros agresivos y evolucionar en poco tiempo a fallo multiorgánico letal. Simula cuadros de sepsis infecciosa, aunque con peor respuesta y evolución. Se debe sospechar ante un niño pequeño con fiebre persistente de origen desconocido, afectación del estado general, hepatoesplenomegalia, citopenias, aumento de triglicéridos y ferritina y disminución del fibrinógeno. En la resonancia magnética cerebral se puede apreciar un realce difuso leptomeníngeo y perivascular, áreas parcheadas hiperintensas en T2 en sustancia blanca de ambos hemisferios cerebrales y atrofia cerebral. La secuencia de difusión es útil en la estadificación de las lesiones. Presentamos un caso clínico de LHH familiar de evolución mortal y realizamos una revisión bibliográfica de las características clínicas, anatomopatológicas y radiológicas de esta entidad (AU)

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HL) is a rare syndrome, although more common in children, that may be underdiagnosed. The clinical presentation can be aggressive, and patients may rapidly develop lethal multiple organ failure.…HL simulates the presentation of infectious sepsis, although the response to treatment and evolution are worse. HL should be suspected in young children with persistent fever of unknown origin, general malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, elevated triglycerides and ferritin, and decreased fibrinogen. Brain MRI shows diffuse leptomeningeal and perivascular enhancement, patchy areas of hyperintensity in the white matter of both cerebral hemispheres on T2-weighted sequences, and cerebral atrophy. Diffusion-weighted sequences are useful for staging the lesions. We present a fatal case of familial HL and review the literature about the clinical, histological, and radiological characteristics of this disease (AU)

[Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: Neuroradiological findings]. / Linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica familiar: hallazgos neurorradiológicos.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HL) is a rare syndrome, although more common in children, that may be underdiagnosed. The clinical presentation can be aggressive, and patients may rapidly develop lethal multiple organ failure....HL simulates the presentation of infectious sepsis, although the response to treatment and evolution are worse. HL should be suspected in young children with persistent fever of unknown origin, general malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, elevated triglycerides and ferritin, and decreased fibrinogen. Brain MRI shows diffuse leptomeningeal and perivascular enhancement, patchy areas of hyperintensity in the white matter of both cerebral hemispheres on T2-weighted sequences, and cerebral atrophy. Diffusion-weighted sequences are useful for staging the lesions. We present a fatal case of familial HL and review the literature about the clinical, histological, and radiological characteristics of this disease.

[Neuroimaging and epilepsy]. / Neuroimagen y epilepsia.

The objective of magnetic resonance neuroimaging is to define the structural changes responsible for epileptogenic lesions and to rule out the presence of dual pathology when partial epileptic seizures are being studied. To this end, the individualization and optimization of protocols and sequences is indispensable. Structural images must be complemented by clinical evidence and function studies (EEG, SPECT, PET) in order to determine whether the structural lesion is responsible for the seizure and might eventually be excised. Spectroscopy provides biochemical information that is somewhat comparable to that obtained by biopsy of the epileptogenic zone. Spectroscopic images in the near future will provide clear "blind" views of these zones. Functional magnetic resonance images will presumably be of great help in the management of these patients.