Publications by authors named "Babar Vaqas"

Background: Posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) comprise 15%-20% of adult brain tumors, with the reported frequency of hydrocephalus (HCP) ranging between 3.7% and 58%. Most HCP resolves after resection of PFTs, but studies report persistent or new-onset HCP occurring in between 2% and 7% of cases.

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Background Glial tumours are the most common central nervous system (CNS) neoplastic lesions. They occur in 7 per 100,000 individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) and are categorized into astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas in the adult population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a classification system in order to better categorise these lesions, placing them in a range from grade I to grade IV.

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A 65-year-old woman presented with a 2-month progressive history of forgetfulness, headaches, and decline in mobility. Imaging showed a large, enhancing pineal region tumor with triventricular hydrocephalus. She underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy after appropriate consent was gained.

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Introduction: Scrotal migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) catheter is a rare complication of VPS. Scrotal migrations usually manifest in the first year post-operatively, usually in the pediatric population, due to processus vaginalis patency and increased abdominal pressure.

Research Question: To review cases of scrotal migration of a VPS catheter that occur in the adult population, and its recommended management.

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Introduction Early diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can improve outcomes. HIV prevalence in brain tumor patients and the impact of an HIV diagnosis on patient outcomes are poorly understood. Materials and methods This was a prospective study of 100 consecutive brain tumor patients admitted to a Greater London Tertiary Neurosurgical center for surgery between January 2021 and October 2021.

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Background: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive primary adult brain neoplasm. The current standard of care is maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, followed by adjuvant temozolomide according to the Stupp protocol. Although the protocol is well adopted in high-income countries (HICs), little is known about its adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

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The cellular and molecular basis of choline uptake on PET imaging and MRS-visible choline-containing compounds is not well understood. Choline kinase alpha (ChoKα) is an enzyme that phosphorylates choline, an essential step in membrane synthesis. We investigate choline metabolism through 18F-fluoromethylcholine (18F-FMC) PET, MRS, and tissue ChoKα in human glioma.

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Objectives: To determine the potential costs and health benefits of a serum-based spectroscopic triage tool for brain tumours, which could be developed to reduce diagnostic delays in the current clinical pathway.

Design: A model-based health pre-trial economic assessment. Decision tree models were constructed based on simplified diagnostic pathways.

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Article Synopsis
  • The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a group that brings together charities and the government to help improve research on cancer so people can live healthier lives.
  • The NCRI Brain Tumor Clinical Studies Group wants to help adults with brain tumors, including those that spread from other body parts.
  • This document talks about the current brain tumor research in the UK, the problems with getting more studies for patients, and plans to make brain tumor research stronger and more accessible for everyone.
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OBJECTIVE Glioma heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional structural MRI for identifying aggressive tumor components can limit the reliability of stereotactic biopsy and, hence, tumor characterization, which is a hurdle for developing and selecting effective treatment strategies. In vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) and PET enable noninvasive imaging of cellular metabolism relevant to proliferation and can detect regions of more highly active tumor. Here, the authors integrated presurgical PET and MRS with intraoperative neuronavigation to guide surgical biopsy and tumor sampling of brain gliomas with the aim of improving intraoperative tumor-tissue characterization and imaging biomarker validation.

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Background: There is growing evidence that maximal surgical resection of primary intrinsic brain tumours is beneficial, both by improving progression free and overall survival and also by facilitating postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hence, there has been an increase in the popularity of real-time intraoperative imaging in brain tumour surgery. The complex theatre arrangements, prohibitive cost and prolonged theatre time of intraoperative MRI have restricted its application.

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OBJECTIVE Glioma heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional structural MRI for identifying aggressive tumor components can limit the reliability of stereotactic biopsy and, hence, tumor characterization, which is a hurdle for developing and selecting effective treatment strategies. In vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) and PET enable noninvasive imaging of cellular metabolism relevant to proliferation and can detect regions of more highly active tumor. Here, the authors integrated presurgical PET and MRS with intraoperative neuronavigation to guide surgical biopsy and tumor sampling of brain gliomas with the aim of improving intraoperative tumor-tissue characterization and imaging biomarker validation.

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We describe a case of a 58-year-old woman with a suspected dural tumour. She presented with progressive pyramidal weakness. MRI confirmed compression of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord at the level of C1-3.

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Low cost reduction of morbidity in lymphoedema is an essential goal in the management of lymphatic filariasis. This review emphasises the role of movement and elevation, and refers to the literature on the effects of these on the venous and lymphatic system. The patient with lymphoedema becomes increasingly immobile and the affected limb is often in a permanently dependent position causing venous hypertension and resultant overloading of the failing lymphatics.

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