Gamma knife surgery of vestibular schwannomas: volumetric dosimetry correlations to hearing loss suggest stria vascularis devascularization as the mechanism of early hearing loss.

Objective: Determine which variables are correlated with early hearing changes after gamma knife surgery of vestibular schwannomas (VSs).

Study Design: Prospective clinical study of hearing outcomes, radiation dosimetry, conformity, and tumor size of all sporadic unilateral VS patients treated between June 2000 and July 2009.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Outcome among patients with acute renal failure needing continuous renal replacement therapy: A single center study.

Outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) and use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have shown a consistently high mortality. (1) Evaluate the short-term patient survival. (2) Evaluate dialysis-free survival.

Gamma Knife surgery of vestibular schwannomas: longitudinal changes in vestibular function and measurement of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Object: Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) is one of the methods available to treat vestibular schwannomas (VSs), in addition to microsurgical resection; however, clear information regarding balance function outcomes and the impact of treatment on patients' quality of life over time remains an important clinical need. The purpose of this study was to assess the longitudinal balance outcomes and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) following GKS for VSs.

Methods: This was a prospective clinical study of balance outcomes in all patients with VSs treated in the Acoustic Neuroma and Skull Base Surgery Program at a tertiary referral center by the senior author and the Gamma Knife team between June 2000 and May 2008.

The influence of surgery in MEN-1 syndrome: observations over 150 years.

Background: Efficacy and timing of operative intervention in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome remains controversial. This report utilizes a novel approach to evaluate the influence of evolving operative interventions for patients with MEN-1 syndrome.

Methods: Six generations from a large MEN-1 family pedigree were studied.

A murine model of invasive aspergillosis: variable benefit of interferon-gamma administration under in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Background: Interferon-gamma modulates host defense in a number of infectious diseases. Previous studies have shown that systemic administration of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) can enhance survival in experimental invasive aspergillosis (IA).

Methods: Using a novel model of murine IA that is characterized by primary pulmonary infection, we investigated the role of IFN-gamma in the phagocytosis and killing of Aspergillus fumigatus by murine neutrophils and pulmonary alveolar macrophages in vitro and the impact of systemic and regional administration of IFN-gamma on the course of IA in glucocorticoid-treated mice.

BK virus nephritis: risk factors, timing, and outcome in renal transplant recipients.

Background: BK virus nephritis (BKVN) has emerged as an important cause of renal transplant failure. Quantified analysis of its timing and clinical course is generally lacking. We have thus quantified the timing, risk factors, evolution of renal function, and transplant graft outcome in renal transplant recipients with BKVN from our center.