Intraventricular Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: Very Rare Localization and Early Recurrence of a Rare Tumor.

We report a rare case of an adult, with no previous history of seizures, found to have a large intraventricular Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (APXA). To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second documented report of an APXA located within the ventricular system in an adult. The tumor was characterized by anaplastic features and necrosis without an elevated mitotic index, and it recurred shortly after a gross total surgical resection.

Upgrade of deep bed filtration with activated carbon dosage for compact micropollutant removal from wastewater in technical scale.

The removal of micropollutants from drinking and wastewater by powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption has received considerable attention in research over the past decade with various separation options having been investigated. With Switzerland as the first country in the world having adopted a new legislation, which forces about 100 wastewater treatment plants to be upgraded for the removal of organic micropollutants from municipal wastewater, the topic has reached practical relevance. In this study, the process combination of powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption and deep bed filtration (DBF) for advanced municipal wastewater treatment was investigated over an extended period exceeding one year of operation in technical scale.

Comparison of two PAC/UF processes for the removal of micropollutants from wastewater treatment plant effluent: process performance and removal efficiency.

Two hybrid membrane processes combining powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption with ultrafiltration (UF) were investigated regarding operational performance and efficiency to remove organic micropollutants from municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent. A pressurized PAC/UF (pPAC/UF) and a submerged PAC/UF (sPAK/UF) system were operated continuously over a period of six months. Both UF membrane systems showed good compatibility with the application of PAC showing no abrasion or other negative impacts.

Surgical resection of endolymphatic sac tumors in von Hippel-Lindau disease: findings, results, and indications.

Objectives/hypothesis: To define the surgical treatment and outcomes of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs), we analyzed consecutive VHL patients who underwent ELST resection.

Study Design: Retrospective investigation of consecutive VHL patients who underwent resection of ELSTs at a clinical research center between 1999 and 2010.

Methods: Analysis of serial clinical examinations, audiograms, imaging studies, and operative findings were analyzed.

Long-term stability after multilevel cervical laminectomy for spinal cord tumor resection in von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Object: Despite the frequent multiplicity and development of new spinal cord hemangioblastomas that require multiple resections in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, the long-term effects of spinal surgery on spinal column stability in this neoplasia disorder are not known. To determine the effect of multilevel cervical laminectomy for spinal cord tumor resection in VHL, the authors analyzed long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Methods: The authors included consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective VHL disease natural history study who underwent cervical laminectomy(s) for spinal cord hemangioblastoma resection.

Progressive peritumoral edema defining the optic fibers and resulting in reversible visual loss.

Hemangioblastomas are frequently associated with peritumoral edema caused by extravasation of plasma ultrafiltrate through permeable neoplastic vessels. The authors report the clinical and imaging findings in a 62-year-old man with von Hippel-Lindau disease who presented with rapid (within 24 hours) loss of color vision and nearcomplete loss of left eye vision (acuity too poor to test). Serial MR imaging demonstrated a stable vascular tumor in the medioinferior aspect of the left optic nerve, associated with progressive edema extending from the nerve through to the bilateral optic radiations.

The vestibular aqueduct: site of origin of endolymphatic sac tumors.

Object: Although endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) frequently destroy the posterior petrous bone and cause hearing loss, the anatomical origin of these neoplasms is unknown. To determine the precise topographic origin of ELSTs, the authors analyzed the imaging, operative, and pathological findings in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) and ELSTs.

Methods: Consecutive VHL patients with small ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Role of edema in peritumoral cyst formation.

Peritumoral cysts (those arising immediately adjacent to the tumor mass) are frequently associated with benign and malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord (syringomyelia). The cystic component of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and associated peritumoral cysts are often the cause of clinical symptoms. Because of the common occurrence of peritumoral cysts with CNS neoplasms and the morbidity associated with them, advanced imaging, histological, and molecular techniques have been used to determine the mechanism underlying cyst formation and propagation.

Mechanisms of morbid hearing loss associated with tumors of the endolymphatic sac in von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Context: Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease and cause irreversible sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibulopathy. The underlying mechanisms of audiovestibular morbidity remain unclear and optimal timing of treatment is not known.

Objective: To define the mechanisms underlying audiovestibular pathophysiology associated with ELSTs.

Multiple metachronous brain metastases from primary ureteral carcinoma.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the ureter is an uncommon urologic malignancy, with approximately 150 cases diagnosed annually. Metastatic brain disease from ureteral TCC is exceedingly rare. To our knowledge, our case report represents only the second report of brain metastasis from ureteral TCC and the only reported patient to undergo resection of their TCC brain metastasis.