Objective: With modern surgical advances, radical resection of pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) can be achieved with preservation of long-term neurological function. Clinical and radiographic risk factors predictive of postoperative neurological outcome may serve as a guide for surgical risk stratification.
Materials And Methods: We prospectively reviewed the outcomes of 16 consecutive cases of pediatric IMSCT resection at a single institution. Clinical, radiographic, and operative variables were analyzed as predictors of postoperative neurological function defined by the modified McCormick score (MMS).
Results: Sixteen children 10 +/- 5 years old presented with median (interquartile range) MMS score of 2 (1-2) with IMSCTs (eight cervical, eight thoracic) involving 4 +/- 2 levels. Pathology revealed astrocytoma in 12 cases (three pilocytic, four grade II, three grade III, two GBM), gangliogliomas in two, ependymoma in one, and gliosis in one case. At median follow-up of 7 months, six (38%) patients experienced improved neurological function, eight (50%) remained stable, one (6%) experienced a delayed decrease in neurological function (GBM progression), and one (6%) died (GBM progression). Five (31%) patients developed persistent dysesthetic symptoms. Four (80%) patients with cystic tumors experienced neurological improvement compared to only two (18%) patients with noncystic tumors, p < 0.05. Preoperative steroid use (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval, CI] = 18.0 [1.24-260.1], p = 0.03) and cystic tumor (OR [95%CI] = 18.0 [1.24-260.1], p = 0.03) predicted neurological improvement after surgery.
Conclusion: Radical resection of pediatric IMSCTs can be achieved with low incidence of neurological injury. Sensory syndromes frequently occur after pediatric IMSCT resection and frequently affect patient's quality of life. Tumors with compressive cysts may identify patients more likely to experience improved neurological function after surgical resection.
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Orv Hetil
January 2025
1 Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Klinikai Központ, Aneszteziológiai és Intenzív Terápiás Intézet Pécs, Ifjúság u. 13., 7624 Magyarország.
Itching tends to worsen at night in patients with itchy skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Unconscious scratching during sleep can exacerbate symptoms, cause sleep disturbances, or reduce quality of life. Therefore, evaluating nocturnal scratching behaviour is important for better patient care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Infect Dev Ctries
December 2024
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with long-term symptoms, but the spectrum of these symptoms remains unclear. We aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with persistent symptoms in patients at the post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic.
Methodology: This cross-sectional, observational study included hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients followed-up at a post-COVID-19 clinic between September 2021 and January 2022.
BMC Public Health
January 2025
Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background: Developing interventions along with the population of interest using systems thinking is a promising method to address the underlying system dynamics of overweight. The purpose of this study is twofold: to gain insight into the perspectives of adolescents regarding: (1) the system dynamics of energy balance-related behaviours (EBRBs) (physical activity, screen use, sleep behaviour and dietary behaviour); and (2) underlying mechanisms and overarching drivers of unhealthy EBRBs.
Methods: We conducted Participatory Action Research (PAR) to map the system dynamics of EBRBs together with adolescents aged 10-14 years old living in a lower socioeconomic, ethnically diverse neighbourhood in Amsterdam East, the Netherlands.
Commun Biol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a common cause of chronic vestibular syndrome. Although previous studies have identified central abnormalities in PPPD, the specific neural circuits and the alterations in brain network topological properties, and their association with dizziness and postural instability in PPPD remain unclear. This study includes 30 PPPD patients and 30 healthy controls.
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