Leg Venous Properties in Children With Myelomeningocele.

The vascular properties of individuals with myelomeningocele (MMC) are an underestimated problem, as evidenced by the lack of relevant research. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the venous properties of the leg in children with MMC. This study compared the duration of retrograde flow (RF) of the distal and proximal sites of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in children with MMC and typically developing (TD) children.

Brain invasion in meningiomas: does surgical sampling impact specimen characteristics and histology?

Brain invasion (BI) is a new criterion for atypia in meningiomas and therefore potentially impacts adjuvant treatment. However, it remains unclear whether surgical practice and specimen characteristics influence histopathological analyses and the accuracy of detecting BI. Tumor location, specimen characteristics, and rates of BI were compared in meningioma samples obtained from 2938 surgeries in different neurosurgical departments but diagnosed in a single neuropathological institute.

Strategies in the treatment of distal cerebellar aneurysms: report of a series of 11 patients.

Background: Distal cerebellar artery aneurysms are rare entities and treatment modalities technically challenging. In recent years, new therapeutic options have emerged through microsurgical and endovascular means.

Objective: Based on a series of 11 cases, we describe combined interdisciplinary treatment strategies and report the outcome in a midterm follow-up interval of 12 months.

First-line treatment of malignant glioma with carmustine implants followed by concomitant radiochemotherapy: a multicenter experience.

Randomized phase III trials have shown significant improvement of survival 1, 2, and 3 years after implantation of 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) wafers for patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma. But these studies and subsequent non-phase III studies have also shown risks associated with local chemotherapy within the central nervous system. The introduction of concomitant radiochemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) has later demonstrated a survival benefit in a phase III trial and has become the current treatment standard for newly diagnosed malignant glioma patients.

Primary hypophysitis: clinical-pathological correlations.

Objective: Primary hypophysitis comprises of three distinct histomorphological entities: lymphocytic, granulomatous and xanthomatous. Clinical features of the three subtypes for diagnostic and treatment strategies have yet not been well characterized.

Methods: Endocrine function, visual fields and acuity as well as magnetic resonance imaging characteristics were assessed before and after transphenoidal surgery in the largest series of 31 patients with primary hypophysitis (21 lymphocytic, 6 granulomatous, and 4 xanthomatous cases).

Long-term relapse-free survival with supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor in an adult: a case report.

Objective: In adults, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (sPNET) is a very rare undifferentiated embryoblastic neoplasm. Prognosis is worse in comparison to infratentorial medulloblastoma. Older age appears to be prognostically favorable.

High-dose tamoxifen treatment increases the incidence of multifocal tumor recurrences in glioblastoma patients.

Background: Multifocal tumor recurrences in glioblastoma patients are described in 4% - 14% of cases. Two recent studies, treating newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with continuous high-dose tamoxifen (TAM), reported an increased incidence of multifocal tumor recurrences in 45.5% and 33% of study patients.

CD44 expression and tumour cell density correlate with response to tamoxifen/carboplatin chemotherapy in glioblastomas.

In order to identify response predictors for a post-operative glioblastoma therapy consisting of tamoxifen, carboplatin and radiotherapy, expression of 12 antigens was evaluated in 36 newly diagnosed tumours and 13 recurrences. Results were correlated with the clinical course of the disease. Antigen expression was assessed immunohistochemically for CD44s, TGF-beta2, TGF-alpha, progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, EGFR, urokinase, urokinase inhibitor 1, CD87, p53 protein and Ki-67.

The influence of tamoxifen on the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) in glioblastomas: in vitro and in vivo findings.

Background: Only a minority of patients with malignant gliomas respond to continuous high-dose tamoxifen (TAM) treatment. Therefore a method to predict the efficiency of TAM-treatment would be desirable. Analogous to previous studies in breast cancer patients, we investigated whether the dynamics of TGF-beta2 plasma levels allow the prediction of response to TAM-treatment in glioblastoma patients as well.

In vivo labeling with1-CRH of human ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas heterotransplanted to nude mice.

Tissue from 23 pituitary adenomas causing Cushing's disease was implanted subcutaneously into 159 NuNu/NMRi mice, resected after 21 or 35 days, and evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically. After 21 days, 74.3% of the grafts survived, 59% having less than 30% necrotic adenoma cells.