Characterization of novel biomarkers in selecting for subtype specific medulloblastoma phenotypes.

Major research efforts have focused on defining cell surface marker profiles for characterization and selection of brain tumor stem/progenitor cells. Medulloblastoma is the most common primary malignant pediatric brain cancer and consists of 4 molecular subgroups: WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4. Given the heterogeneity within and between medulloblastoma variants, surface marker profiles may be subtype-specific.

Semapimod sensitizes glioblastoma tumors to ionizing radiation by targeting microglia.

Glioblastoma is the most malignant and lethal form of astrocytoma, with patients having a median survival time of approximately 15 months with current therapeutic modalities. It is therefore important to identify novel therapeutics. There is mounting evidence that microglia (specialized brain-resident macrophages) play a significant role in the development and progression of glioblastoma tumors.

Esophageal carcinoma in children and adolescents.

Background: Esophageal cancer is rare in children and is limited to isolated case reports. We describe 2 cases of esophageal carcinoma (1 case each of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) and present literature review of esophageal carcinoma in childhood.

Observations: Both of our patients had common symptoms of progressive dysphagia and significant weight loss at presentation.

Iatrogenic spinal epidermoid cyst after lumbar puncture using needles with stylet.

Iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumors are extremely rare and may be caused by implanted skin fragments in the spinal canal, most commonly due to lumbar punctures using hollow needles without a stylet. The authors report for the first time an iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumor that developed 26 months after several lumbar punctures, performed using disposable spinal needles with stylet, in an 8-year-old boy with persistent lower back pain. The authors hypothesize that an ill-fitting stylet compounded by multiple therapeutic lumbar punctures and young age as possible risk factors for the development of the tumor in the present case.

Brown-Séquard-plus syndrome because of penetrating trauma in children.

Brown-Séquard syndrome is an uncommon condition involving incomplete spinal cord injury, with ipsilateral motor and proprioception loss, contralateral pain, and decreased temperature. Brown-Séquard-plus syndrome is associated with additional neurologic findings involving the eyes, bowel, or bladder. We describe an adolescent with Brown-Séquard-plus syndrome attributable to a stab injury.