Abstract TP401: Chemotherapy-associated Cerebral Vasospasm in Children With Leukemia: A Prospective Study Using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa R Sun ◽  
Wendy C Ziai ◽  
Ryan J Felling

Introduction: Intrathecal (IT) cytarabine, an antineoplastic agent with poorly understood neurotoxicity, is commonly administered to children with newly diagnosed leukemia on the first day of induction chemotherapy for central nervous system prophylaxis. Five recent case reports demonstrated severe diffuse cerebral vasospasm leading to neurologic sequelae 4-11 days after administration of IT cytarabine. While these patients developed overt consequences, subclinical vasospasm may lead to more subtle forms of neurotoxicity in a larger group of patients. Recognition of subclinical vasospasm could prevent both overt and subtle consequences. Objective and Hypothesis: We evaluated cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFVs), a marker of vasospasm, as measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound, before and after the administration of IT cytarabine. We hypothesized that IT cytarabine increases CBFVs in pediatric leukemia patients in the first two weeks after treatment. Methods: In this prospective before and after study, TCDs were performed on each subject prior to induction chemotherapy and subsequently around days +1, +4, and +8 of induction, before other IT medication administration and within the window of expected vasospasm based on prior cases. Results: In this interim analysis, we found elevated CBFVs compared to age-matched normal values in all arterial distributions measured (though more prominently in anterior circulation), even prior to the administration of IT chemotherapy. Substantial increases in CBFVs were observed after the administration of IT cytarabine in some subjects, though this trend was not observed in all cases. Conclusions: The observed elevations in CBFVs are likely in part due to decreased blood viscosities that resulted from hematologic changes secondary to leukemia. The observed changes in CBFVs after IT cytarabine administration are probably partially due to treatment effects, but the variability between patients suggests that patient and/or disease-specific characteristics may predispose certain children to cerebral vasospasm and its neurologic sequelae. This ongoing study aims to identify clinical features that allow risk stratification in order to develop clinical pathways for preventing neurotoxicity.

Author(s):  
Mahmoud M. Allam ◽  
Hatem A. Almasry ◽  
Sandra M. Ahmed ◽  
Youssuf G. Taha ◽  
Mohammed I. Oraby

Abstract Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause and can have serious visual effects. Previous research work suggests that transcranial Doppler measurements of pulsatility index correlate accurately with elevated intracranial pressure. Objective To assess the cerebrovascular hemodynamic changes in patients with IIH using transcranial Doppler before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal. Methods An interventional study conducted on 40 patients (31 females and 9 males) fulfilling the modified Dandy criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, MRI brain, and MRV was done to the patients. Lumbar puncture was done for all included patients to measure intracranial pressure and CSF withdrawal. Transcranial Doppler was performed for all included before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal and the following parameters were measured: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI). Results Significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and PSV, RI, and PI (p value 0.012, 0.025, 0.016) but no significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and EDV (0.102). Significant changes occurred in parameters of TCD pre- and post-CSF withdrawal including PSV, EDV, and PI (p value 0.001, 0.015, 0.019) denoting a significant change in cerebral hemodynamics after CSF withdrawal which denotes a decrease in intracranial pressure. Conclusion Increased intracranial pressure significantly affects cerebral blood flow. A normalization of transcranial Doppler parameters occurs following lowering of intracranial pressure through lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Ito ◽  
Kiyoaki Tsukahara ◽  
Hiroki Sato ◽  
Akira Shimizu ◽  
Isaku Okamoto

Abstract Background Carnitine is related to malaise, and cisplatin is associated with decreased carnitine. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of one course of induction chemotherapy (IC) for head and neck cancer on blood carnitine levels, focusing on free carnitine (FC). Methods This single-center prospective study investigated 20 patients diagnosed with primary head and neck cancer who underwent IC with cisplatin, docetaxel, and 5-fluorouracil. FC, acylcarnitine (AC), and total carnitine (TC) levels were measured before starting therapy and on Days 7 and 21 after starting IC. In addition, malaise was evaluated before and after therapy using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results All subjects were men and the most common primary cancer site was the hypopharynx (9 patients). FC levels before starting therapy and on Days 7 and 21 were 47.7 ± 2.2 μM/mL, 56.7 ± 2.2 μM/mL, and 41.1 ± 1.9 μM/mL, respectively. Compared with the baseline before starting therapy, FC had significantly decreased on Day 21 (p = 0.007). AC levels before starting therapy and on Days 7 and 21 were 12.5 ± 1.2 μM/mL, 13.6 ± 1.4 μM/mL, and 10.7 ± 0.7 μM/mL, respectively. TC levels before starting therapy and on Days 7 and 21 were 60.2 ± 2.5 μM/mL, 70.2 ± 3.3 μM/mL, and 51.7 ± 2.3 μM/mL, respectively. No significant differences in AC, TC or VAS were seen before the start of therapy and on Day 21. Conclusions After IC, a latent decrease in FC occurred without any absolute deficiency or subjective malaise.


CJEM ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 119-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Merritt ◽  
Christopher Haiman ◽  
Sean O. Henderson

ABSTRACTObjective:Priapism is a recognized complication of sickle cell anemia (SCA). When initial conventional treatments fail, simple or exchange blood transfusion has been advocated as a secondary intervention. However, recent literature suggests this may not be an effective therapy and may have significant neurologic sequelae. This paper reviews and summarizes the effectiveness and risks of blood transfusion compared with conventional priapism therapy.Methods:All relevant papers identified from a MEDLINE search were systematically examined for data related to the use of blood transfusion in the setting of priapism due to SCA. The effectiveness of conventional therapy was compared with transfusion therapy using the outcome of “time to detumescence” (TTD). In addition, papers documenting adverse neurologic sequela were reviewed and summarized.Results:Forty-two case reports were identified containing complete information with regard to patient age and TTD. The mean TTD was 8.0 days with conventional therapy (n= 16) and 10.8 days with blood transfusion therapy (n= 26). Adverse neurologic sequelae from blood transfusion therapy was described in 9 cases, with long term outcomes ranging from complete resolution to severe residual deficits.Conclusion:The current literature does not support the contention that blood transfusion is an effective therapy in the treatment of priapism due to SCA, as defined by an acceleration of TTD. In fact, numerous reports suggest that serious neurologic sequelae may result from this treatment. We feel the routine use of this therapy cannot be recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e2288
Author(s):  
Mahdiyar Iravani Saadi ◽  
Mani Ramzi ◽  
Aliasghar Karimi ◽  
Maryam Owjfard ◽  
Mahmoud Torkamani ◽  
...  

Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemia syndrome (AML) is a hematologic malignancy which is due to clonal extensive proliferation of leukemic precursor cells and is rapidly fatal unless treated or response to chemotherapy. Cytogenetic findings have important role in prognosis and categorization of AML. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression changes in CX3CL1 and Interlukin-6 (IL-6) genes before and after chemotherapy as remission induction therapy in AML patients. Materials and Methods: In this study 69 patients (36 males, 33 female) with AML was selected from tertiary medical heath center. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for mRNA expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6genes before and after induction chemotherapy. To obtain expression changes in CX3CL1 and IL-6genes, we used 2-ΔΔCT method. Results: The expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6 was significantly increased after induction chemotherapy. Also, the ΔCt mean of CX3CL1 and IL-6 mRNA was not significant between AML subtype groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, as we showed that chemotherapy significantly increase the expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6 which can be used as a prognostic factor of AML.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palle Rosted ◽  
Mads Bundgaard ◽  
Sian Gordon ◽  
Anne Marie Lynge Pedersen

Background Anxiety related to dental treatment is a common phenomenon that has a significant impact on the provision of appropriate dental care. The aim of this case series was to examine the effect of acupuncture given prior to dental treatment on the level of anxiety. Methods Eight dentists submitted 21 case reports regarding the treatment of dental anxiety. The level of anxiety was assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Only patients with moderate to severe anxiety (BAI score ≥16) were included. The remaining 20 patients, 16 women and 4 men, with a mean age of 40.3 years, had a median BAI score of 26.5 at baseline. The BAI score was assessed before and after the acupuncture treatment. All patients received acupuncture treatment for 5 min prior to the planned dental treatment using the points GV20 and EX6. Results There was a significant reduction in median value of BAI scores after treatment with acupuncture (26.5 reduced to 11.5; p<0.01), and it was possible to carry out the planned dental treatment in all 20 cases after acupuncture treatment. Previously this had only been possible in six cases. Conclusion Acupuncture prior to dental treatment has a beneficial effect on the level of anxiety in patients with dental anxiety and may offer a simple and inexpensive method of treatment. However, the present results need to be tested in a larger randomised clinical trial in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment in patients with dental anxiety.


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