Implantation Metastasis Following a Biopsy of Thalamic Germinoma: A Case Report.

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) commonly develop in the pineal and suprasellar regions, with the most common GCTs being germinomas. In this report, a 22-year-old male presented with progressive right-sided weakness, and his imaging was consistent with a left thalamic high-grade glioma. A stereotactic biopsy was performed, revealing a germinoma, but radiation therapy was not done, and the patient was lost to follow-up.

Edaravone's Safety Profile in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the safety of intravenous edaravone for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke among Filipino patients. The study, categorized as Phase IV, spans from December 2022 to November 2023. The primary objective is to document side effects and serious adverse events during the 14-day edaravone infusion period.

Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease With Glycemic Variability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There is increasing evidence that establishes a connection between fluctuations in glucose metabolism and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current research supports the notion that this metabolic imbalance significantly affects cognitive health. However, the specific mechanisms through which these fluctuations influence neurodegeneration, eventually leading to AD, require further exploration.

Comparison of surgical outcomes of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate using different energies.

Objective: This study evaluates surgical outcomes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients undergoing transurethral enucleation using various holmium laser (HoLEP) settings and/or bipolar devices (BipoLEP).

Design: This study was retrospective.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 158 BPH patients treated surgically, categorized by method: BipoLEP ( = 28), HoLEP with short pulse (HoLEP-SP,  = 26), HoLEP with long pulse and low energy (HoLEP-LP/LE,  = 29), HoLEP with long pulse and high energy (HoLEP-LP/HE,  = 26), HoLEP using Moses technology (HoLEP-Mo,  = 19), and a combination of HoLEP and BipoLEP (HoLEP-mix,  = 30).

Perceptions of Selected Undergraduate Medical Students in the Philippines on the Effectiveness of the Combined Use of Plastinated and Formalin-preserved Brains in Neuroanatomy Education: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background And Objective: Neuroanatomy is both terrifying to learn and problematic to teach, and the different methods of neuroanatomical education have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the perception of undergraduate medical students towards the combined use of plastinated and formalin-preserved brain specimen in their neuroanatomy course.

Methods: A bridging program was designed for students whose medical education was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to reinforce the knowledge and understanding of anatomy that they acquired in a virtual environment.

Cardioembolic Artery of Percheron Infarction.

Occlusion of the artery of Percheron (AOP) is a rare yet potentially disabling form of ischemic stroke resulting in infarction of the bilateral paramedian thalami and mesencephalon with variable and often atypical presentation. Given the various patterns of thalamic blood supply, recognizing the presence of AOP infarction is crucial for the diagnosis and management of ischemic strokes involving these regions. Here, we report a case of acute hemorrhagic infarction involving the bilateral thalami and the rostral mesencephalon caused by a cardioembolic occlusion of the AOP.

NF2-Related Schwannomatosis Exhibiting the Complete Constellation of Multiple Inherited Schwannomas, Meningiomas, and Ependymomas (MISME Syndrome).

Introduction: NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2) is a rare inheritable autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple nervous system neoplasms.

Case Presentation: In this report, we present a rare case of NF2 exhibiting the complete constellation of multiple inherited schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas (MISME syndrome).

Conclusion: This is the first documented case of simultaneous occurrence of all three tumors in a single patient in the Philippines, adding to the sparse evidence of MISME syndrome in world literature.

A Systematic Search and Review of Registered Pharmacological Therapies Investigated to Improve Outcomes after a Stroke.

Introduction: Stroke burden is largely due to long-term impairments requiring prolonged care and loss of productivity. We aim to identify and assess studies of different registered pharmacological therapies as treatments for improving post-stroke impairments and/or disabilities.

Methods: In a systematic search and review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022376973), studies of treatments that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting treatments in adult patients who had suffered a stroke will be searched for, screened, and reviewed based on the following: participants (P): adult humans, aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with stroke; interventions (I): registered or marketed pharmacological therapies that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting treatments in stroke; comparators (C): active or placebo or no comparator; outcomes (O): stroke-related neurological impairments and functional/disability assessments.

The association between sleep and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

Unlabelled: It is estimated that 45% of individuals with cognitive impairment experience sleep disturbances prior to the onset of cognitive symptoms. Assessing sleeping problems and enhancing sleep quality are critical first steps to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

Objective: To review existing literature based on predefined eligibility criteria to understand the connection between sleep disturbance and Alzheimer's disease.

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by hysterectomy in locally advanced endometrial cancer: Outcomes from a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines.

Objective: Managing endometrial cancer with suspected or gross cervical involvement lacks a standard approach. This study evaluated outcomes in patients with cervical and/or parametrial involvement treated with neoadjuvant radiation followed by hysterectomy.

Methods: Fourteen patients from 2007 to 2022 with locally advanced endometrial cancer and cervical and/or parametrial involvement were retrospectively analyzed.

Fabrication of acoustically and physically validated artificial stones to natural kidney stones under shock waves and laser lithotripsy.

To present an efficient method for fabricating artificial kidney stones with acoustic and physical properties to assess their fragmentation efficiency under shock waves and laser lithotripsy for very hard stones. The mixture ratio of super-hard plaster and water was adjusted to produce artificial kidney stones for comparison with > 95% human genuine calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and uric acid (UA) stones. Acoustic and physical properties, such as wave speed, stone hardness, density, compressive strength, and stone-free rates under shock-wave and laser lithotripsy, were assessed.

Tip bendable suction ureteral access sheath versus traditional sheath in retrograde intrarenal stone surgery: an international multicentre, randomized, parallel group, superiority study.

Background: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is the main treatments for upper urinary tract stones. The Ureteral Access Sheath (UAS) serves as a supplementary tool, facilitating direct kidney access during RIRS. High quality of evidence comparing tip bendable suction ureteral access sheath (S-UAS) with traditional UAS in RIRS for the treatment of renal and ureteral stones is lacking.

Hub-and-Spoke Stroke System: Enhancing Acute Ischemic Stroke Care in the Philippines.

Introduction: The Hub-and-Spoke stroke system seeks to enhance the efficiency of stroke care by establishing a cohesive network between healthcare facilities providing quality stroke care to patients. This study endeavors to evaluate the effectiveness and characterize the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients treated within the Hub-and-Spoke hospital system over 2 years. The assessment focused on thrombolysis rates, mortality, and disability at 3-month follow-up.

Empowering the management of early-onset Parkinson's disease: The role of technology.

Early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is defined as PD with an age of onset after 21 years of age but before 50 years. It displays many important differences to late-onset PD in terms of its pathology, phenotype, presentation and disease course, all of which have consequences for achieving a definitive diagnosis, the choice of therapy and approach to management. Studies show that this younger population is keen to embrace digital technologies as part of PD care, being familiar with using digital tools in their daily lives.

A rare form of metastatic breast carcinoma mimicking lymphangioma circumscriptum.

Cutaneous metastasis is rare but may indicate an advanced internal malignancy or a recurrence of a previously treated one and is usually associated with a poor prognosis. They may also pose a diagnostic problem as the clinical manifestations are variable and non-specific, which could mimic other benign conditions. We report a case of a 48-year-old female who presented with a 4-year history of erythematous papules and vesicles on the trunk mimicking lymphangioma circumscriptum.

Challenges and real-world solutions for adoption of holistic skincare routine (cleansing, treatment, moisturization, and photoprotection) in acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and sensitive skin: An expert consensus.

Background: While treatment is a definitive therapeutic component in the management of inflammatory skin conditions, adjunctive skin care comprising of appropriate cleansing, moisturization, and photoprotection are just as important. Cleansing, treatment, moisturization, and photoprotection (CTMP) constitute the four major components of holistic skincare routine for dermatological conditions. However, inadequate patient understanding of the condition, limited resources for physicians, and insufficient time for patient education during busy dermatological consultations are the main obstacles to establishing a holistic skincare routine in the real world.

International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) guideline on staghorn calculi management.

Background: The stone burden based management strategy reported in the guidelines published by different associations is well known for a long time. Staghorn calculi, representing the largest burden and most complex stones, is one of the most challenging cases to practicing urologists in clinical practice. The International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) has released a series of guidelines on the management of urolithiasis.

A systematic-search-and-review of registered pharmacological therapies investigated to improve neuro-recovery after a stroke.

Background: Stroke burden is largely due to long-term impairments requiring prolonged care with loss of productivity. We aimed to identify and assess studies of different registered pharmacological therapies as treatments to improve post-stroke impairments and/or disabilities.

Methods: We performed a systematic-search-and-review of treatments that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting therapies in adult patients with stroke.