Publications by authors named "Giuseppe Umana"

(1) Background: Testicular cancer, although accounting for only 0.5% to 1% of all solid male cancers, is the most common malignancy in males aged 15 to 35 years. Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) represent nearly half of all testicular germ cell tumors and are associated with a more aggressive clinical course.

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Objective: To build a supervised machine learning (ML) model that selects the best first-line treatment strategy for unruptured bAVMs.

Methods: A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA) trial data was obtained from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). A team of five clinicians examined the demographic, clinical, and radiological details of each patient at baseline and reached a consensus on the best first-line treatment for bAVMs.

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High-grade gliomas (HGGs) represent a formidable challenge in neuro-oncology due to their aggressive nature and resistance to current therapeutic interventions, which include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and emerging immunotherapies. Despite these efforts, the prognosis for patients remains poor, emphasizing the urgent need for novel treatment strategies. One promising avenue of exploration is microgravity, a condition experienced during spaceflight and simulated in laboratories on Earth, which induces significant physiological changes in cells and tissues.

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Background: The dura mater, a fibrous membrane protecting the brain and spinal cord, is prone to lacerations during spinal surgery, often leading to complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Anatomical differences in the spinal dura mater, particularly in regions under high biomechanical stress, suggest that chronic inflammatory processes may compromise its structural integrity. This pilot study investigates the molecular and anatomical characteristics of the spinal dura mater, focusing on its response to inflammation and the challenges of surgical repair.

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  • Scalp arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex vascular issues that can cause severe complications and cosmetic problems, especially in young women; early diagnosis and a team-based treatment approach are critical.
  • A 30-year-old female with a pulsatile scalp mass was diagnosed with a scalp AVM through various imaging techniques and successfully treated with endovascular embolization and surgical resection, resulting in significant symptom relief.
  • The case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced imaging in managing scalp AVMs, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring to prevent recurrence and ensure long-term success.
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  • - MV PLUS lesions are benign brain cysts that usually do not cause symptoms but can lead to neurological issues like seizures and headaches; they are mainly found in the posterior fossa and detected through MRI scans showing high intensity on T2-FLAIR sequences.
  • - A case of a 52-year-old woman with symptoms like dizziness and syncope revealed a multicystic lesion via MRI, which showed no harmful changes after treatment, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and further research.
  • - These lesions pose diagnostic challenges due to their complex features; although benign, their management and pathogenesis are still being studied, stressing the importance of ongoing investigation in the field.
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  • - The paper discusses recurrent pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) with leptomeningeal dissemination, emphasizing the difficult management of such cases and the potential benefits of radiotherapy for symptom relief and extending life.
  • - A specific case is described of a 27-year-old woman with recurrent anaplastic PXA who, after multiple treatments and disease progressions, benefited from radiotherapy to the spinal axis, achieving clinical stability.
  • - This case highlights the significance of considering palliative radiotherapy as a strategy to enhance quality of life and possibly prolong survival for patients with challenging PXA conditions.
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Background: Bilateral, biventricular lesions present a challenging scenario in neurosurgery, often requiring complex surgical techniques for management. Gangliogliomas (GG), while typically indolent, can manifest as anaplastic variants (AGG), necessitating comprehensive treatment strategies. This case study explores a unique surgical approach for a patient with bilateral, intra-extraventricular lesions infiltrating the corpus callosum, highlighting the complexities of managing such cases.

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  • This study evaluates the challenges in radiation therapy for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) and compares the effectiveness of C-methionine PET (MET-PET), Ga-PSMA PET, and MRI in accurately delineating tumor targets during treatment planning.
  • A 37-year-old female patient with recurrent GBM underwent all three imaging modalities, and the study measured the agreement in volume delineations using various statistical methods.
  • Results indicated that MET-PET and MRI provided more consistent target volumes compared to PSMA-PET, suggesting that relying solely on MRI may be insufficient, and combining PET with MRI could enhance tumor detection for better treatment planning.
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  • Intraventricular glioblastomas (IVGBMs) are rare brain tumors located in the ventricular system, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
  • A systematic review of literature revealed that these tumors mostly affect middle-aged males, presenting symptoms like increased intracranial pressure and seizures, with surgical resection being the main treatment.
  • Results indicate that while surgical and adjuvant therapies are standard, outcomes are still uncertain, highlighting the need for further research to improve strategies for managing IVGBMs.
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Introduction And Importance: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a significant cause of drug-resistant epilepsy, often necessitating surgical intervention. Type IIb FCD poses challenges due to its strong association with drug-resistant seizures. Effective management involves advanced imaging, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and precise surgical techniques.

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  • Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumors that disrupt the glymphatic system, which affects how the brain drains waste and could influence disease severity.
  • Research highlighted significant changes in lymphatic outflow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in glioblastoma patients, suggesting the glymphatic system plays a critical role in managing these tumors.
  • The study emphasizes the need for future research to understand the molecular mechanisms behind these changes and to improve treatment strategies, including drug delivery and immunotherapy.
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Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the role of nuclear imaging techniques in detecting incidentalomas and their impact on patient management.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted from February to May 2022. Studies in English involving patients undergoing nuclear medicine studies with incidental tumor findings were included.

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Key Clinical Message: can cause rare odontogenic brain abscesses in immunocompetent patients, highlighting the importance of considering uncommon pathogens in central nervous system infections. With only three reported cases of cerebral abscesses and one pituitary abscess caused by this microorganism, tailored diagnostic methods and individualized treatment regimens are crucial for accurate management.

Abstract: Brain abscesses present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, with infections being exceptionally rare in the central nervous system.

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Background/aim: Craniopharyngiomas pose challenges in diagnosis and management due to their rare occurrence and diverse clinical manifestations. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of cranio-pharyngioma, including its epidemiological trends, clinical presentations, radiological characteristics, surgical interventions, and the role of radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 23 patients diagnosed with craniopharyngioma at our hospital from August 2017 to July 2019.

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Lumbar epidural varicose veins (LEVs) present a challenging clinical scenario with limited literature. This series addresses the scarcity of comprehensive understanding, emphasizing the need for nuanced exploration. Varied prevalence estimates and clinical oversights underscore the urgency for a standardized approach to surgical interventions.

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Introduction: Paediatric bacterial meningitis (PBM) represents a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality globally, with heightened susceptibility in low- and middle-income nations where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is highly prevalent. Pakistan exemplifies this setting, with widespread antibiotic overuse driving AMR expansion. Thus, expediting PBM diagnosis and targeted antibiotic therapy is imperative yet challenged by the dynamic local epidemiology.

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  • Scalp metastasis from atypical meningioma is rare, but highlights the need for careful surgical techniques to avoid spreading tumor cells during surgery.
  • A 33-year-old patient with a history of atypical meningioma experienced headaches and seizures, leading to the discovery of metastasis on the scalp after recent MRI scans.
  • Following surgery and radiation therapy, the patient showed no signs of tumor recurrence after 12 months, emphasizing the importance of early detection and comprehensive treatment for better outcomes.
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Background: Informed consent is a crucial aspect of modern medicine, but it can be challenging due to the complexity of the information involved. Mixed reality (MR) has emerged as a promising technology to improve communication. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the impact of MR on medical informed consent.

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Background:  Skull metastases from follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are infrequent but clinically significant, often presenting with localized pain, neurologic deficits, and cranial nerve dysfunction. Early detection and accurate diagnosis pose challenges due to their asymptomatic nature in some cases.

Methods:  A systematic literature review, conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, identified and analyzed 15 relevant studies focusing on large skull metastases in FTC.

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  • A systematic review identified 30 studies with 317 pediatric patients diagnosed with intraventricular gliomas, primarily males diagnosed around age 8, with common symptoms like headaches and seizures.
  • Most tumors were located in the fourth or lateral ventricles, often classified as WHO grade 1, and treatment typically involved surgical removal, with recent studies showing better surgical success rates and improved survival outcomes.
  • Comparing recent cases to older ones, newer studies reported higher rates of gross total resection, lower recurrence rates, and longer overall survival, alongside reduced postoperative cranial nerve complications.
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Background: Cavernous malformations (CMs), also known as cavernomas or cavernous angiomas, are vascular malformations characterized by sinusoidal spaces lined by endothelial cells. Giant CMs (GCMs) are extremely rare, with limited understanding of their presentation and management. We present a case of symptomatic GCM in a newborn and review the literature on this rare entity.

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