Bifocal intracranial germ cell tumor: A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for radiation oncologists.

An eight-year-old child presenting with increased thirst, raised intracranial tension and visual deterioration was diagnosed with synchronous suprasellar and pineal lesions, for which she underwent partial resection of the suprasellar lesion. Histopathological examination suggested pure germinoma. Tumor marker evaluation showed significantly raised levels of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG), favoring a non-germinoma germ cell tumor (NGGCT), leading to a diagnostic dilemma as the histology and βHCG levels were contradictory.

Intuitive evaluation of contemporary management strategies in thymoma - the largest Indian experience.

Background: The aim was perusal of the treatment strategies, clinical outcomes and factors impacting these outcomes in thymoma.

Materials And Methods: A total of 119 patients diagnosed and treated cases of thymoma, at our hospital, were taken for analysis. Thirty-one patients were excluded due to inadequate medical records.

Analytical assay validation for acute myeloid leukemia measurable residual disease assessment by multiparametric flow cytometry.

Background: Measurable residual disease (MRD) assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) has gained importance in clinical decision-making for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. However, complying with the recent In Vitro Diagnostic Regulations (IVDR) in Europe and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance in the United States requires rigorous validation prior to their use in investigational clinical trials and diagnostics. Validating AML MRD-MFC assays poses challenges due to the unique underlying disease biology and paucity of patient specimens.

Evaluation of Peripapillary and Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Characteristics in Different Stages of Papilledema.

Background: Prospective evaluation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) characteristics in different stages of papilledema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Methods: In this prospective, observational study patients of IIH with papilledema were recruited and divided into 3 groups-early/established (Group 1), chronic (Group 2), and atrophic papilledema (Group 3). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) were recorded on OCT.

Tri-modality therapy in advanced esophageal carcinoma: long-term results and insights from a developing world, institutional cohort.

Objective: To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients from a low-middle income country (LMIC) with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT/S).

Methods: Between 2010 and 2020, 254 patients (median follow-up: 53 months) met our inclusion criteria. Out-of-field nodal regions were determined by reviewing individual radiotherapy plans.

Dosimetric analysis of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy in comparison with conventional box technique in the treatment of carcinoma cervix: An impact of prosthetic implant.

Introduction: The number of patients for carcinoma cervix with implanted hip prostheses has been increasing worldwide during the past several decades. Technological advancements are useful for delivering higher doses, i.e.

Assessment of Fluoride Content in Water and Its Impact on the Intelligence Quotient of School Children Aged 12-13 Years.

Background: The preliminary study was undertaken with the aim to assess the effect of fluoride content in water on the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of school children aged 12-13 years residing in areas that differ with respect to fluoride levels.

Materials And Methods: The IQ was measured using Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices in 90 children, who were life-long residents in three villages (30 children each) of similar population size but differing in the level of fluoride in drinking water. Urinary fluoride concentration was measured using the selective ion electrode technique.

An institutional review of treatment outcomes in extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma- the largest Asian experience.

Purpose: To analyze the treatment strategies, outcomes and factors impacting these outcomes in extraosseous ewings sarcoma (EOES).

Material And Methods: A search of the hospital database yielded a total of 109 EOES patients registered in last 10 years out of which 25 patients were excluded from analysis due to incomplete medical records. Demographic and clinical characteristics were reported using descriptive statistics.

SARS-CoV-2-associated haemorrhagic encephalitis mimicking Herpes encephalitis.

Although acute encephalopathy is quite commonly seen in patients of SARS-CoV-2 infection, encephalitis characterised by brain inflammation is relatively rare. Encephalitis caused by Herpes simplex type 1 is the most common cause of identified sporadic encephalitis, and early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent the devastating outcome. In this brief communication, we report a case of SARS-CoV-2 associated haemorrhagic encephalitis mimicking herpes encephalitis.

Exome sequencing identifies procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 mutations in primary congenital and juvenile glaucoma.

Purpose: To report the association of procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) mutations with bilateral primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) in monozygotic twins and with nondominant juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (JOAG).

Methods: We utilized family-based whole-exome sequencing to detect disease-causing mutations in a pair of monozygotic twins with de-novo PCG and compared its existence in 50 nonfamilial cases of JOAG and 30 healthy controls. To validate the identified mutations, direct Sanger sequencing was performed.

Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and High-Dose IFNα-2b in Resectable Regionally Advanced Melanoma.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy may improve the clinical outcome of regionally advanced operable melanoma and allows for rapid clinical and pathologic assessment of response. We examined neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and high-dose IFNα-2b (HDI) therapy in patients with resectable advanced melanoma.

Patients And Methods: Patients with resectable stage III/IV melanoma were treated with concurrent pembrolizumab 200 mg i.

Curious case of steroid responsive diffuse anterior horn cell disease associated with COVID-19 infection.

Covid-19-associated neurological manifestations are being reported with increased frequency throughout the world. In a study from China, symptoms referable to peripheral nervous system (PNS) were described in approximately 9% of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Common PNS symptoms reported in the study were loss of taste/smell and muscle pains.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration as a presenting manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background: Paraneoplastic Cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is one of the classical paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) which is characterised by subacute onset, progressive cerebellar ataxia and is usually associated with small cell lung carcinoma, adeno carcinoma of breast and ovary followed by Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Objective: We herein report a case of subacute onset, progressive cerebellar ataxia in a 37-year-old female, who on evaluation was found to have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and experienced good clinical response to treatment.

Discussion: As compared to solid tumours, chances of association of PNS with Lymphomas is quite low and there are only few case reports in the literature showing association of PCD with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Multimarker scores of Th1 and Th2 immune cellular profiles in peripheral blood predict response and immune related toxicity with CTLA4 blockade and IFNα in melanoma.

Neoadjuvant therapy with ipilimumab in combination with high dose IFNα was evaluated in patients with locally/regionally advanced melanoma in a previously reported clinical trial [NCT01608594]. In this study, peripheral immune cell profiling was performed in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms of tumor immune susceptibility and resistance. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from treated patients (N = 28) were collected at baseline and then at 6-weeks, 3-months and 12-months.

Feasibility of Monte-Carlo algorithm in comparison with collapse-cone dose calculation algorithm of a commercial treatment planning system in the presence of high-density metallic implant: a dosimetric study.

Background: The number of people with implanted hip prosthesis has grown worldwide. For radiotherapy planning of patients with hip implants, few main challenges are encountered. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of different planning algorithms in the presence of high-density metallic implant in the treatment of patients with carcinoma cervix.

Plan quality assessment of modern radiotherapy delivery techniques in left-sided breast cancer: an analysis stratified by target delineation guidelines.

Objective: This study compares planning techniques stratified by consensus delineation guidelines in patients undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy based on an objective plan quality assessment scale.

Methods: 10 patients with left-sided breast cancer were randomly selected, and target delineation for intact breast was performed using Tangent (RTOG 0413), ESTRO, and RTOG guidelines. Consensus Plan Quality Metric (PQM) scoring was defined and communicated to the physicist before commencing treatment planning.

Covid-19 associated Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Contrasting tale of four patients from a tertiary care centre in India.

Background: Globally, more than 12 million people have been infected with COVID -19 infection till date with more than 500,000 fatalities. Although, Covid-19 commonly presents with marked respiratory symptoms in the form of cough and dyspnoea, a neurotropic presentation has been described of late as well.

Objective: In this brief communication we report four cases of Covid-19 who presented to our hospital with features suggestive of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas: a comparative effectiveness survival analysis.

Objectives: To analyse the survival of patients with malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas (ERF) and perform a comparative effectiveness analysis of ERF-directed interventions.

Methods: Fifty-five patients met our inclusion criteria, and data on ERF-directed interventions (stent placement, surgical repair and best supportive care) and their outcomes, along with clinical and treatment details, were recorded. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and survival after developing ERF (F-OS).

Monitoring CAR-T cell kinetics in clinical trials by multiparametric flow cytometry: Benefits and challenges.

Exceptional clinical responses produced by the first chimeric antigen receptor T [CAR-T] cell therapies, and their entry into commercial markets prompted a logarithmic increase in the number of next generation CAR-T clinical trials. As a result, there is a growing interest in understanding the analytical approaches utilized for reliable monitoring of these "living" drugs, and the challenges encountered during their clinical development. Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) assays have played a crucial role in understanding the phenotype and function of first approved CAR-T therapies.

A case report evaluating combined effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and deep inspiratory breath-hold for mediastinal lymphoma: A dosimetric analysis.

Excellent survival has been reported after combined modality treatment in bulky mediastinal Hodgkin's lymphoma. Late effects such as cardiac morbidity and secondary cancers have been reported after radiotherapy (RT), especially in young adults. Advanced RT techniques such as deep inspiratory breath-hold (DIBH), intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), and volumetric arc therapy have been used recently to reduce these late effects with encouraging results.