Prognostic relevance of miR-124-3p and its target TP53INP1 in pediatric ependymoma.

Ependymoma is a malignant pediatric brain tumor, often incurable under the current treatment regimen. We aimed to evaluate the expression of microRNAs (miRs) in pediatric ependymoma tumors in an attempt to identify prognostic molecular markers which would lead to potential therapeutic targets. Following miR-array expression analysis, we focused on 9 miRs that correlated with relapse which were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in a cohort of 67 patients.

Primary central nervous system histiocytic sarcoma.

Histiocytic sarcoma is a rare, lymphohematopoietic malignant neoplasm composed of tumor cells showing morphologic and immunophenotypic features of mature tissue histiocytes. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) as either a part of a systemic disease or as a primary lesion has rarely been described so far. We present a case of primary CNS histiocytic sarcoma in an adult patient and review the literature on this rare entity.

Acute intracranial hypertension and shunt dependency following treatment of intracranial arachnoid cyst in a child: a case report and review of the literature.

Arachnoid cysts are developmental anomalies that represent 1% of all intracranial space occupying lesions. Treatment of symptomatic cases may include shunting of the cyst or an open fenestration of it, among other less acceptable surgical procedures. Each procedure has its own pros and cons.

Pulmonary hypertension in an infant with achondroplasia.

An 18-month-old achondroplastic child presented with respiratory distress and severe pulmonary hypertension which was considered to be due to an atrial septal defect. The septal defect was closed via catheterization with Amplatzer occluder device, but the patient showed only mild to moderate clinical improvement. In addition, sleep monitoring study revealed apneas, oxygen desaturation and CO(2) retention; therefore, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed, showing medullary compression by a stenotic foramen magnum.

Epilepsy associated with pediatric brain tumors: the neuro-oncologic perspective.

The aim of the study was to correlate the onset of epilepsy with the disease stage in children with brain tumors through treatment and follow-up in the oncologic department. The study sample consisted of a heterogenous group of 219 children who were aged 6 months to 11 years, manifested brain tumors, and had been treated and monitored in the Department of Pediatric Oncology of the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel since 1991. The overall rate of epilepsy was 14.