scholarly journals Long-term use of Temozolomide as safe and effective therapy for an aggressive Corticotroph Adenoma in a very old patient

Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Decaroli ◽  
Anna Ansaloni ◽  
Maria Laura Monzani ◽  
Marco Losa ◽  
Elena Zunarelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Temozolomide (TMZ) is safe and effective in the treatment of aggressive pituitary adenomas (PAs). However, the optimal duration of TMZ therapy is still unknown. Moreover, data about administration of TMZ in elderly (> 65 years) people to treat aggressive PAs are scarce. We report the case of the oldest female patient undergoing the longest TMZ protocol described so far to treat an aggressive, initially silent corticotroph PA. Case report The patient initially underwent partial surgical removal of the PA. Subsequent treatment with Cabergoline was applied, but it was unsuccessful in controlling the growth of the residual tumour. Pasireotide and external radiation also showed to be ineffective, therefore, treatment with TMZ was started at the standard dose of 200 mg/m 2/day for 5 days every 4 weeks for a total of 47 cycles. At the time of treatment’s beginning, the patient was 83 years old. Radiological follow-up documented a progressive, remarkable reduction of the adenoma and the last imaging, after 39 cycles of TMZ, showed an intrasellar lesion with large areas of cystic degeneration. The patient also developed adrenal deficiency managed with glucocorticoid replacement. No major side effects were observed throughout the treatment, with exception of nausea, well controlled with anti-emetic medication. TMZ therapy was discontinued after 47 cycles; hormonal and imaging follow up investigations documented sustained functional and dimensional response. Conclusions Our case supports the long-term use of TMZ, confirming its safety and efficacy also for elderly patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozer Birge ◽  
Mehmet Sait Bakır ◽  
Ceyda Karadag ◽  
Zivar Eldarova ◽  
Tayup Simsek

Abstract Background Hidradenoma papilliferum is a rare benign neoplasm arising from apocrine glands. It occurs commonly on the anogenital region of middle-aged women. It usually presents as a slow growing, solitary asymptomatic, skin colored or red nodule less than 1 cm in diameter. Case presentation The case is a 38-year-old, white woman who presented with a painful nodule occurring within a month in the himenal region of the posterior vaginal introitus. The nodule was excisied and the histology revealed a hidradenoma papilliferum. The diagnosis and treatment of hidradenoma papilliferum is possible with surgical removal and histopathological evaluation of nodules. Conclusion When an adult woman presents with a noduler lesion in the anogenital area, sexually transmitted diseases and other benign and malignant vulvar lesions, as well as malignant transformation is very rare but,should be kept in mind; however because it has been reported and long-term clinical follow-up is suggested


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guojia Du ◽  
Yandong Li ◽  
Pan Wu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Riqing Su ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To explore central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease, from the perspectives of diagnosis, treatment, and misdiagnosis Methods Twenty-eight patients with CNS echinococcosis were included in this retrospective study, including 18 males (64.3%) and 10 (35.7%) females. The average age of all the patients were 23.5 years (ranged 4–60 years). Twenty-three (23) patients (82.1%) received the first surgical resection in our hospital. Five (5) patients (17.9%) gave up surgical treatment for multiple-organ hydatidosis and previous surgery history at other hospitals, and albendazole was applied for a long-term (3–6 months) adjunct therapy for the 5 patients. The average follow-up time was 8 years. Results For the 28 patients, 23 cases received surgical treatments, and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examinations. The diagnosis of 4 cases of brain echinococcosis and 2 cases of spinal cord echinococcosis could not be confirmed, resulting in a misdiagnosis rate of 21.4% (6/28). For the pathological examination, a total of 17 cases were infected with Echinococcus granulosus (including 2 cases of spinal cord echinococcosis), and 6 cases were infected with Echinococcus alveolaris. Conclusion The diagnosis should be specifically considered in endemic regions. The clinical features of CNS hydatidosis were intracranial space-occupying lesions. For the treatment, the surgical removal of cysts should be necessary. In addition, the adjuvant therapy with drug and intraoperative prophylaxis is also suggested. The misdiagnosis may have resulted from atypical clinical features and radiographic manifestations, as well as the accuracy of hydatid immunologic test.


2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juri Kivelev ◽  
Elina Koskela ◽  
Kirsi Setälä ◽  
Mika Niemelä ◽  
Juha Hernesniemi

Object Cavernomas in the occipital lobe are relatively rare. Because of the proximity to the visual cortex and incoming subcortical tracts, microsurgical removal of occipital cavernomas may be associated with a risk of visual field defects. The goal of the study was to analyze long-term outcome after operative treatment of occipital cavernomas with special emphasis on visual outcome. Methods Of the 390 consecutive patients with cavernomas who were treated at Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1980 and 2011, 19 (5%) had occipital cavernomas. Sixteen patients (4%) were surgically treated and are included in this study. The median age was 39 years (range 3–59 years). Seven patients (56%) suffered from hemorrhage preoperatively, 5 (31%) presented with visual field deficits, 11 (69%) suffered from seizures, and 4 (25%) had multiple cavernomas. Surgery was indicated for progressive neurological deterioration. The median follow-up after surgery was 5.25 years (range 0.5–14 years). Results All patients underwent thorough neuroophthalmological assessment to determine visual outcome after surgery. Visual fields were classified as normal, mild homonymous visual field loss (not disturbing the patient, driving allowed), moderate homonymous visual field loss (disturbing the patient, driving prohibited), and severe visual field loss (total homonymous hemianopia or total homonymous quadrantanopia). At the last follow-up, 4 patients (25%) had normal visual fields, 6 (38%) had a mild visual field deficit, 1 (6%) complained of moderate visual field impairment, and 5 (31%) had severe homonymous visual field loss. Cavernomas seated deeper than 2 cm from the pial surface carried a 4.4-fold risk of postoperative visual field deficit relative to superficial ones (p = 0.034). Six (55%) of the 11 patients presenting with seizures were seizure-free postoperatively. Eleven (69%) of 16 patients had no disability during the long-term follow-up. Conclusions Surgical removal of occipital cavernomas may carry a significant risk of postoperative visual field deficit, and the risk is even higher for deeper lesions. Seizure outcome after removal of these cavernomas appeared to be worse than that after removal in other supratentorial locations. This should be taken into account during preoperative planning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Freda ◽  
Jeffrey N Bruce ◽  
Carlos Reyes-Vidal ◽  
Yessica De Leon ◽  
Zhezhen Jin ◽  
...  

Abstract Surgical removal of the GH-secreting tumor is the initial treatment of choice for acromegaly. Outcome of surgery is assessed by measuring IGF-1 and glucose-suppressed GH levels. IGF-1 normalization is an essential biochemical criterion for remission. The cut-off for nadir GH after oral glucose that signifies remission, however, is debated. It also remains unclear whether GH levels provide additional prognostic or clinically relevant information when IGF-1 results are definitive. To address this question, we examined how initial postoperative glucose-suppressed GH levels change over time on serial testing in patients who achieve initial remission as defined by IGF-1 normalization. We studied 87 acromegaly patients (48M, 39F) who achieved a normal IGF-1 level after surgery alone longitudinally from 1996 to 2019. All had GH measured before and 60, 90 and 120 minutes after 75 or 100 mg oral glucose (OGTT) at ≥ 3 months after surgery and GH and IGF-1 repeated ≥ 1 year later. GH was by measured by sensitive, 22KDa GH specific assays, either a IRMA (DSL, International Reference Standard (IRS) 88/624) or a chemiluminescence immunoassay (IDS-iSYS, IRS 98/574). OGTT Nadir GH levels were also measured in healthy subjects; n=46 (26 M, 20 F, ages 19-71 yr.) by DSL and n=46 (29 M, 17 F; ages 20-66 yr.) by IDS-iSYS. Nadir GH levels in acromegaly patients were compared to the 95%CI of healthy subjects’ mean and categorized relative to healthy subjects’ 97.5 percentile, which was 0.14 µg/L for both assays. IGF-1 levels were compared to age and gender adjusted normal ranges. Subjects were grouped based on initial nadir GH ≤ or > 0.14 µg/L and the patterns of change in nadir GH and IGF-1 at last follow up or until IGF-1 became elevated (i.e. recurrence). Follow up durations are given as median(range). In follow up, 73 patients remained in remission (normal IGF-1) and 14 had a recurrence (elevated IGF-1). Of the 73 in remission, 55 had initial nadir GH ≤ 0.14 µg/L that persisted to 10 yr.(1-22yr.) of follow up, 5 had initial GH ≤ 0.14 µg/L that rose to > 0.14 µg/L by 9(3-21)yr., 10 had GH > 0.14 µg/L that persisted at 5.5(2-22)yr., and 3 had GH > 0.14 µg/L that fell to ≤ 0.14 µg/L at 5(4-7)yr. of follow up. Of the 14 that recurred, 11 had an initial and persistent GH > 0.14 µg/L and developed an elevated IGF-1 level after 6(1-23) yr.. The 3 other patients that recurred had an initial GH ≤ 0.14 µg/L that rose to > 0.14 µg/L by 1-6 years later and subsequently developed an elevated IGF-1 level by 14-16 years of follow up. In summary, we found that the pattern of normal IGF-1 along with nadir GH > 0.14 µg/L on initial testing or developing with time, was associated with recurrence in 14/32 patients. We also found that initial nadir GH ≤ 0.14 µg/L was highly predictive of long-term persistent remission: 60/63 such patients remained in remission. In conclusion, glucose-suppressed GH levels are of prognostic value in acromegaly patients with normal IGF-1 after surgery.


2006 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chow Huat Chan ◽  
Richard G. Bittar ◽  
Gavin A. Davis ◽  
Renate M. Kalnins ◽  
Gavin C. A. Fabinyi

Object Resection of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) is thought to result in favorable seizure outcome, but long-term follow-up data are scarce. The authors present a review of 18 patients who underwent surgical removal of a DNET: 12 via temporal lobectomy and six via lesionectomy. Methods The mean long-term follow up was 10.8 years (median 10.4 years, range 7.8 to 14.8 years), and results obtained during this time period were compared with previously reported short-term (mean 2.7 years) seizure outcome data. In the current study, 66.7% patients had an Engel Class I outcome and 55.6% had an Engel Class IA outcome compared with 77.8% and 55.6%, respectively. Temporal lobectomy (Engel Class I, 83.3%; Engel Class IA, 66.7%) led to a better seizure outcome than lesionectomy (Engel Classes I and IA, 33.3%). Two patients (11.1%) required repeated operation and both had an incomplete lesionectomy initially. Conclusions Results indicated that complete resection of a DNET leads to a favorable seizure outcome, with epilepsy cure in those who had experienced early postoperative seizure relief. Long-term seizure outcome after surgery is predictable based on the result of short-term follow up.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Pan ◽  
H.J. Zhou ◽  
R.Y. Zhan ◽  
S. Wan ◽  
M. Yan ◽  
...  

Onyx is increasingly used in endovascular therapy of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, the embolic effect and post-embolization management are still under discussion. We report our experience in the treatment of supratentorial brain arteriovenous malformations (SBAVMs) with Onyx and discuss post-embolic management. From June 2006 to July 2008, 20 patients with SBAVM were embolized with Onyx. There were 14 men and six women ranging from 14 to 64 years of age (mean 38.3 years). Initial symptoms included spontaneous hemorrhage (n=12), headaches (n=4), seizure (n=3) and incidentally disclosed after head trauma (n=1). After the endovascular procedure, all had subsequent treatment (follow-up angiogram, stereotactic radiosurgery or microsurgery) according to the obliteration degree. At angiography, seven patients (35%, 7/20) were completely obliterated (over 95% closure) after embolization while one suffered a small subarachnoid hemorrhage without permanent clinical sequelae. Four patients (20%, 4/20) were subtotally obliterated (over 80% closure), one patient who suffered severe cerebral edema after embolization underwent decompressive craniectomy, two patients had additional radiosurgery and one patient had follow-up angiogram. Nine patients (45%, 9/20) were partially obliterated (20–80% closure), five patients had additional surgery, two patients had additional radiosurgery and two patients had follow-up angiogram (one patient had intraventricular hemorrhage three months after embolization). Of all 20 AVMs, an average of 2.2 ml Onyx was used per patient and average volume reduction was 80% (range, 30%–99%). Onyx is suitable for embolization of SBAVMs because of its diffuse controllable properties. We suggest clinical follow-up after complete obliteration, additional radiosurgery or angiographic follow-up after subtotal obliteration and additional surgery after partially obliteration. More cases with long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of our post-embolization management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lotan ◽  
Y Wasserstrum ◽  
E Itelman ◽  
M Nir-Simchen ◽  
M Arad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pericarditis in pregnancy is uncommon. Treatment options, including NSAIDs and long term gluco-corticosteroids (CS) have extensive side-effects, while data on the use of Colchicine in pregnant women who suffer from pericarditis is limited. Objective To evaluate the management and outcome of active pericarditis during pregnancy in both acute (AP) and recurrent pericarditis (RP) patients. Methods and results Twelve pregnant women (14 pregnancies) with active pericarditis were followed prospectively in our cardiology-pregnancy clinic; 6 with AP and 8 with RP. Etiology: 11 idiopathic, 2 post-pericardiotomy syndrome and 1 Q fever. Maternal age on presentation was 27±4y vs. 33±3y in RP vs AP respectively. Average gestational age upon diagnosis was lower in RP than in AP (18 weeks, range 6–30 vs 26 weeks, range 5–35). In the RP group, 7/8 women (87%) were treated with CS compared with 2/6 women (33%) in the AP group; 3 women in RP group (37%) failed to respond to subsequent treatment with azathioprine and 1 patient was treated successfully with Anakinra. Colchicine was prescribed in 13/14 (93%) of pregnancies, average colchicine exposure during pregnancy was 25±15 weeks. Recurrence during pregnancy: 6/8 (75%) of RP; 2/6 (33%) of the AP, all of them on CS. All pregnancies culminated in a live birth with a mean gestational age on delivery of 37±1.4 weeks. Average birthweight was 3267±507 grams. There were no fetal anomalies or developmental delays after a mean follow-up of 2.7 years. All newborns and maternal outcomes were normal. On long term follow-up after delivery RP patients treated with colchicine developed less recurrences. Conclusion Active pericarditis is associated with a high recurrence rate during pregnancy despite treatment with CS. Colchicine use in pregnant women with active pericarditis appears to be safe. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Baerg ◽  
David A. Russell ◽  
Laura M. LeVan ◽  
Carl A. Kirker-Head

A 22 year old thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation and treatment of chronic dental disease. The horse had a history of quidding and abnormal bit behavior. Intraoral examination revealed signs of chronic generalized gingival inflammation and severe dental caries affecting the maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth. Treatment was provided on two separate visits over an interval of four months. The first visit consisted of the surgical extraction of three unrestorable incisor teeth and restoration of six carious maxillary incisor teeth. The second visit consisted of conventional endodontic therapy on the remaining mandibular incisor teeth and the surgical removal of a chronic suppurative osteomyelitic lesion. Immediate and long term improvements in eating habits were noted. Three month follow-up examinations following completion of treatment have shown the teeth to be in functional position, the restorations intact, and the surgical site well healed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 1142-1147
Author(s):  
Habibe Hezer ◽  
Hatice Kiliç ◽  
Osama Abuzaina ◽  
H Canan Hasanoǧlu‎ ◽  
Ayşegül Karalezli

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the most commonly used thrombolytic agent in patients with high risk and intermediate to high mortality risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Clinical trials have shown early efficacy and safety of low-dose rt-PA. This study investigated the effects of low-dose rt-PA treatment on acute PE in long-term prognosis, recurrence of pulmonary thromboembolism, or the development of late complications. In this study, 48 patients undergoing low-dose rt-PA for the relative contraindications of thrombolytic therapy and 48 patients undergoing standard-dose therapy were evaluated retrospectively. Long-term follow-up investigated the chronic PE, recurrence, and causes of morbidity and mortality.In both treatment groups, embolism-induced mortality and overall mortality rates were similar in the first 30 days (p=1.000, p=0.714, respectively). Overall mortality rates in long-term follow-up were 41.7% in the low-dose treatment group and 16.7% in the standard-dose treatment group (p=0.013). The mortality rate at the first year was higher in the low-dose-treated group (p=0.011) and most of the deaths were due to accompanying comorbidities. There was no difference in PE recurrence and duration of recurrence between the groups (p=0.598, p=0.073, respectively). Intracranial hemorrhage due to therapy developed in one patient in both groups.Low-dose thrombolytic therapy in acute PE reduces PE-related mortality in the early period. Long-term follow-up showed that thrombolytic therapy did not affect mortality rates independently of the dose and PE recurrence.


1976 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrna M. Weissman ◽  
Stanislav V. Kasl

SummaryThis paper reports on the clinical status, help-seeking and subsequent treatment experiences of 150 women one year after they had completed out-patient maintenance treatment by amitriptyline and/or psychotherapy for a depressive episode.While the majority of patients were asymptomatic at follow-up, a substantial minority had a return of acute symptoms and 2 per cent made minor suicide attempts during the year. Admission to hospital was rare. However, only 30 per cent of the patients did not seek any treatment during the year and the majority received some psychotropic medication.The findings support the long-term need for prompt access to treatment by patients who have recovered from an acute depression.


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