Predicting glioblastoma progression using MR diffusion tensor imaging: A systematic review.

Background And Purpose: Despite multimodal treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), recurrence beyond the initial tumor volume is inevitable. Moreover, conventional MRI has shortcomings that hinder the early detection of occult white matter tract infiltration by tumor, but diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive probe for assessing microstructural changes, facilitating the identification of progression before standard imaging. This sensitivity makes DTI a valuable tool for predicting recurrence.

Clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and outcome of 80 Dachshunds with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion.

Introduction: Large clinical studies regarding cervical intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) in Dachshunds are lacking. This retrospective multicentric study therefore aims to describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and outcomes of Dachshunds diagnosed with cervical IVDE.

Methods: Medical records of Dachshunds with cervical IVDE were reviewed for signalment, onset of clinical signs, neurological examination, MRI features, treatment and outcome.

Outcomes, complications, and dosing of intrathecal baclofen in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate empirical outcomes of studies in the literature that investigated effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related spasticity (MSRS) based on various metrics. Since the first description of this route of baclofen delivery for MS patients by Penn and Kroin in 1984, numerous studies have contributed to the medical community's knowledge of this treatment modality. The authors sought to add to the literature a systematic review of studies over the last 2 decades that elucidates the clinical impact of ITB in treating MSRS with the following endpoints: impact on patient-centered outcomes, such as spasticity reduction (primary), complications (secondary), and dosing (secondary).

Erector spinae plane block in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy: A prospective randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the perioperative cumulative opioid consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy in which either an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or systemic opioids were administered.

Study Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Animals: A total of 60 client-owned dogs.

A case of disseminated spinal astroblastoma harboring a MAMLD1::BEND2 fusion.

Astroblastoma, MN1-altered, is a rare neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS). This malignancy shares similar histopathological features with other CNS tumors, including ependymomas, making it challenging to diagnose. DNA methylation profiling is a new and robust technique that may be used to overcome this diagnostic hurdle.

Relationship between magnetic resonance imaging findings and histological grade in spinal peripheral nerve sheath tumors in dogs.

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are a group of neoplasms originating from Schwann cells or pluripotent cell of the neural crest. Therapeutic options and prognosis are influenced by their degree of malignancy and location.

Hypothesis/objectives: Identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features predictive of PNST histologic grade.

The role of the dura mater in cerebral metastases.

Objective: The objective of this review was to describe the immunological changes that take place in the dura mater in response to metastatic disease that seeds the CNS. The authors hypothesized that the dura's anatomy and resident immune cell population play a role in enabling metastasis to the brain and leptomeninges.

Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to identify evidence that supports the dura's participation in metastasis to the CNS.

Ventriculomegaly in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with Chiari-like malformation: relationship with clinical and imaging findings.

The objective of this study was to calculate lateral ventricles dimension in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs with Chiari-like malformation and investigate the association between ventriculomegaly and signalment, clinical signs, ventricular asymmetry, grade of Chiari-like malformation, syringomyelia and index of medullary kinking. Retrospectively, 43 client-owned Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, older than 1 year of age, with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of Chiari-like malformation were enrolled. Initial and follow-up (up to 36 months) clinical status was graded.

Endolymphatic sac tumor in an 8-month-old cat.

Background: The endolymphatic sac is an organ devoid of sensory receptors. It is connected with the endolymphatic compartment and contains endolymph. Endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST) is a rare neoplasm involving the middle and inner ear described in humans and dogs that does not show cellular characteristics of malignancy, but can be locally invasive and involve destruction of the temporal bone and adjacent structures.

Clinical and genetic correlations of scoliosis in Rett syndrome.

Aim: To identify the clinical features correlating with the presence and severity of scoliosis in girls with Rett syndrome (RTT).

Method: Seventy-five girls with a clinical and genetically determined diagnosis of RTT participated in this cross-sectional study. Clinical scales administered included the Rett assessment rating scale, the modified Ashworth scale, the Rett syndrome motor evaluation scale, the PainAD, and the scale of evaluation of purposeful hand function.

Primary orthostatic tremor and orthostatic tremor-plus in dogs: 60 cases (2003-2020).

Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (>12 Hz) involuntary, rhythmic, sinusoidal movements affecting predominantly the limbs while standing.

Objective: To describe the signalment, presenting complaints, phenotype, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a large sample of dogs with OT.

Animals: Sixty dogs diagnosed with OT based on conscious electromyography.

Parenting girls with Rett syndrome: An investigation on self-perceived levels of stress.

Background: Although lives of parents of girls with Rett syndrome (RTT) are centred on the process of care, in the current literature their perceived levels of stress have been rarely investigated.

Methods: We analysed levels of stress in a sample of 79 fathers and mothers parenting girls with RTT, who were required to compile the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) questionnaire.

Results: We found clinical levels of stress in about 39% of fathers, as compared with 44% of the mothers.

Agreement of surgeon's perception of the effectiveness of spinal cord decompression with findings on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging for dogs surgically treated for intervertebral disk extrusion.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of the surgeon's perception versus postoperative MRI findings in assessing the effectiveness of spinal cord decompression achieved in dogs surgically treated for intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE) and whether postoperative MRI findings were more likely to be associated with various outcomes.

Animals: 68 dogs surgically treated for cervical or thoracolumbar IVDE.

Procedures: Data on clinical, neurologic, pre- and postoperative MRI, and intraoperative findings as well as outcomes and recovery times (6-month follow-up period) were prospectively collected and compared between various groups.

Comparison of intranasal versus intravenous midazolam for management of status epilepticus in dogs: A multi-center randomized parallel group clinical study.

Background: The intranasal (IN) route for rapid drug administration in patients with brain disorders, including status epilepticus, has been investigated. Status epilepticus is an emergency, and the IN route offers a valuable alternative to other routes, especially when these fail.

Objectives: To compare IN versus IV midazolam (MDZ) at the same dosage (0.

A New Scale to Evaluate Motor Function in Rett Syndrome: Validation and Psychometric Properties.

Background: We aim to describe and psychometrically validate the Rett Syndrome Motor Evaluation Scale, a 25-item ordinal scale examining (loco-)motor function across six sections: standing, sitting, transitions, walking, running, and walking up or downstairs.

Methods: We illustrate the process of item construction and validation, report findings and normative data obtained on a standardization sample of 60 patients with Rett syndrome. We investigate the validity and reliability of the scale and illustrate its psychometric properties using modern multivariate techniques of data analysis.

Parents' perception of health care services for girls with Rett syndrome.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, implying impairment and disability across several domains.

Method: We investigated parents' perception of the caregiving process in a sample of 55 mothers and fathers of girls with RTT using the MPOC-20 questionnaire. The association of parents' satisfaction with clinical variables has also been explored.

Motor function in Rett syndrome: comparing clinical and parental assessments.

Aim: To describe a new clinical tool, the Rett Syndrome Motor Evaluation Scale (RESMES) and to assess (loco-)motor function in people with Rett syndrome (RTT).

Method: Formal assessment provided by physicians was followed by parents' direct observation at home using the RESMES. Sixty females (mean [SD] age 12y 5mo [8y 9mo], range 3-40y) with a clinical diagnosis and genetically determined RTT participated in the study.

Basal Autophagy Is Altered in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs with an ATG4D Mutation.

A missense variant in the autophagy-related ATG4D-gene has been associated with a progressive degenerative neurological disease in Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs. In addition to neural lesions, affected dogs show an extraneural histopathological phenotype characterized by severe cytoplasmic vacuolization, a finding not previously linked with disturbed autophagy in animals. Here we aimed at testing the hypothesis that autophagy is altered in the affected dogs, at reporting the histopathology of extraneural tissues and at excluding lysosomal storage diseases.

Role of image guided radiation therapy in obese patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of body mass index on setup errors by analyzing daily shifts required in treating patients undergoing image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for gynecologic malignancies.

Methods And Materials: Forty successive patients treated with daily kV-based IGRT for gynecologic malignancies between April 2009 and June 2012 were identified. Directional setup corrections were analyzed according to patient body mass index.

Sensory nerve conduction and nociception in the equine lower forelimb during perineural bupivacaine infusion along the palmar nerves.

The purpose of this investigation was to study lateral palmar nerve (LPN) and medial palmar nerve (MPN) morphology and determine nociception and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) following placement of continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) catheters along LPN and MPN with subsequent bupivacaine (BUP) infusion. Myelinated nerve fiber distribution in LPN and MPN was examined after harvesting nerve specimens in 3 anesthetized horses and processing them for morphometric analysis. In 5 sedated horses, CPNB catheters were placed along each PN in both forelimbs.

Fibrogenic cytokines and extent of fibrosis in muscle of dogs with X-linked golden retriever muscular dystrophy.

Fibrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients' muscle seems to be mediated by fibrogenic cytokines, particularly transforming growth factor-beta1. Golden retriever muscular dystrophy is a model of Duchenne dystrophy characterised by severe myopathy and muscle fibrosis. We evaluated mRNA levels and protein distribution of transforming growth factor-beta1, connective tissue growth factor and collagens in muscle of golden retriever muscular dystrophy dogs at different ages.