scholarly journals Spinal metastasis: diagnosis, management and follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (1103) ◽  
pp. 20190211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Mossa-Basha ◽  
Peter C. Gerszten ◽  
Sten Myrehaug ◽  
Nina A. Mayr ◽  
William TC Yuh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Spinal Metastasis ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Spinal Column ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Spine metastatic disease is an increasingly common occurrence in cancer patients due to improved patient survival. Close proximity of the bony spinal column to the spinal cord limits many conventional treatments for metastatic disease. In the past decade, we have witnessed dramatic advancements in therapies, with improvements in surgical techniques and recent adoption of spine stereotactic radiotherapy techniques leading to improved patient outcomes. Multidisciplinary approaches to patient evaluation, treatment and follow-up are essential. Imaging plays an ever increasing role in disease detection, pre-treatment planning and assessment of patient outcomes. It is important for the radiologist to be familiar with imaging algorithms, best practices for surgery and/or radiotherapy and imaging findings in the post-treatment period that may indicate disease recurrence. In this review, we present a multidisciplinary discussion of spine metastases, with specific focus on pre-treatment imaging, planning, current treatment approaches, and post-treatment assessment.

scholarly journals Relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure following intravitreal ranibizumab injection for branch retinal vein occlusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshimi Sugiura ◽  
Fumiki Okamoto ◽  
Tomoya Murakami ◽  
Shohei Morikawa ◽  
Takahiro Hiraoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Edema ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Intravitreal Ranibizumab ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Number Of Injections

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on metamorphopsia in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and to assess the relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure and other factors. Thirty-three treatment-naïve eyes of 33 patients with macular edema caused by BRVO with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. The degree of metamorphopsia was quantified using the M-CHARTS. Retinal microstructure was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) at the first month after resolution of the macular edema (early DRIL) and at 12 months after treatment (after DRIL) was studied. Central retinal thickness (CRT), and status of the external limiting membrane as well as ellipsoid zone were also evaluated. IVR treatment significantly improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT, but the mean metamorphopsia score did not improve even after 12 months. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores showed a significant correlation with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores (P < 0.005), the extent of early DRIL (P < 0.05) and after DRIL (P < 0.05), and the number of injections (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the post-treatment mean metamorphopsia score was significantly correlated with the pre-treatment mean metamorphopsia score (P < 0.05). IVR treatment significantly improved BCVA and CRT, but not metamorphopsia. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores were significantly associated with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores, the extent of DRIL, and the number of injections. Prognostic factor of metamorphopsia was the degree of pre-treatment metamorphopsia.

Outcomes of surgical and/or medical treatment in patients with prolactinomas during long-term follow-up: a retrospective single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamze Akkus ◽  
Barış Karagun ◽  
Hilal Nur Yaldız ◽  
Mehtap Evran ◽  
Murat Sert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Tumour Size ◽  
Optic Chiasm ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
Pre Treatment

AbstractObjectivesProlactinoma is the most common cause of pituitary tumours. Current medical guidelines recommend dopamine agonists (cabergoline or bromocriptine) as the initial therapy for prolactinoma. However, surgical removal can also be considered in selected cases, such as patients with macroadenomas with local complications (bleeding or optic chiasm pressure) or those not responding to medical treatment.MethodsThe present retrospective study included patients with prolactinomas (n=43; female, 24; male, 19) who were primarily managed with medical (n=32) or surgical (n=11) treatment.ResultsMacroadenoma (n=29.67%) was commonly detected in both genders (female, 54%; male, 84%). Moreover, the mean pre-treatment prolactin levels were similar in both genders (female, 683.3 ± 1347 ng/mL; male, 685.4 ± 805 ng/mL; p=0.226). Surgically treated patients had a greater reduction in tumour size (27.7 ± 17.9 mm pre-treatment vs. 8.72 ± 14.2 mm post-treatment) than non-surgically treated ones (12.5 ± 7.5 mm pre-treatment vs. 4.1 ± 4.2 mm post-treatment; p=0.00). However, the decrease in prolactin levels was similar between the two patient groups (p=0.108). During the follow-up period (10.6 ± 7.0 years), the average cabergoline dose of the patients was 1.42 ± 1.47 mcg/week.ConclusionsAlthough a surgical approach was considered for selected cases of prolactinoma, the average dose used for medical treatment was highly inadequate for the patients in the present study.

scholarly journals Expectancies as predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriët van Middendorp ◽  
Anneleen Berende ◽  
Fidel J. Vos ◽  
Hadewych H. M. ter Hofstede ◽  
Bart Jan Kullberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Expectancies ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Introduction/Objective Expectancies about symptom improvement or deterioration are reliable predictors of symptom progression and treatment outcomes (symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement) in many (non-)pharmacological studies and treatments. This study examined predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, hypothesizing particularly pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement to be predictive. Methods A predictive study was performed on pre-treatment and post-treatment individual characteristics, including expectancies, and physical and mental health–related quality of life (HRQoL) from the PLEASE-trial comparing randomized 12-weeks of doxycycline, clarithromycin-hydroxychloroquine, or placebo following 2 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. At end-of-treatment (14 weeks after trial start) and follow-up (52 weeks), complete data of 231 and 170 (of initial 280) patients with persistent symptoms temporally related to a history of erythema migrans or otherwise confirmed symptomatic Lyme disease, or accompanied by B. burgdorferi IgG or IgM antibodies, were examined through hierarchical regression analyses. Results In addition to pre-treatment HRQoL, pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement were consistently associated with stronger physical and mental HRQoL improvements at both end-of-treatment and follow-up (95% CI range: .09;.54, p < .01 to .27;.92, p < .001). Post-treatment expectancies regarding having received antibiotics vs. placebo was associated with more HRQoL improvement at end-of-treatment, but not at follow-up (95% CI-range 1.00;4.75, p = .003 to −7.34; −2.22, p < .001). Conclusions The present study shows that, next to pre-treatment functioning, patients’ pre-treatment and post-treatment expectancies regarding improvement of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease relate to a more beneficial symptom course. Expectancies of patients may be relevant to explain and potentially improve patient outcomes (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success). Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01207739 (Registration date: 23–09-2010) Key Points• As there is currently no sufficient symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement for many patients with persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, it is relevant to know which factors determine symptom progression and predict heterogeneity in treatment response.• Next to pre-treatment functioning, expectancies regarding symptom improvement and having received antimicrobial study medication are associated with a more beneficial symptom course after both shorter-term and longer-term antimicrobial treatment.• Expectancies are relevant to consider in treatment studies and may be useful in clinical settings to improve symptom course and treatment outcome (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success).

scholarly journals The mutational landscape of spinal chordomas and their sensitive detection using circulating tumor DNA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin K Mattox ◽  
Beibei Yang ◽  
Christopher Douville ◽  
Sheng-fu Lo ◽  
Daniel Sciubba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Status ◽  
Spinal Column ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Circulating Tumor Dna ◽  
Blood Draw ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Whole Exome ◽  
Tumor Dna

Abstract Background Chordomas are the most common primary spinal column malignancy in the United States. The aim of this study was to determine whether chordomas may be detected by evaluating mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Methods 32 patients with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of chordoma had blood drawn pre-operatively and/or at follow up appointments. Mutations in the primary tumor were identified by whole exome sequencing and liquid biopsy by ddPCR and/or RACE-Seq was used to detect one or more of these mutations in plasma ctDNA at concurrent or later time points. Results 87.1% of patients were ctDNA positive at the time of initial blood draw (p &lt; 0.001). Follow up blood draws in twenty of the patients suggest that ctDNA levels may reflect the clinical status of the disease. Patients with positive ctDNA levels were more likely to have greater mutant allele frequencies in their primary tumors (p = 0.004) and undergo radiotherapy (p = 0.02), and the presence of ctDNA may correlate with response to systemic chemotherapy and/or disease recurrence. Conclusions Detection of ctDNA mutations may allow for the detection and monitoring of disease progression for chordomas.

MICROSURGICAL TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC SACRAL PERINEURIAL CYSTS

Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1059-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongsheng Guo ◽  
Kai Shu ◽  
Rudong Chen ◽  
Changshu Ke ◽  
Yanchang Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage ◽  
Local Defect ◽  
Microsurgical Treatment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Return Visits

Abstract OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the microsurgical results of symptomatic sacral perineurial cysts of 11 patients and to discuss the treatment options of the past 10 years. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with symptomatic sacral perineurial cysts who underwent microsurgical treatment at Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 1993 through 2006. The philosophy was to perform total or partial cyst wall removal, to imbricate the remaining nerve sheath if possible, and to repair local defect with muscle, Gelfoam (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI), and fibrin glue. Patient outcomes were assessed by comparing the preoperative and postoperative examination results. The average follow-up time obtained from return visits to the neurosurgery clinic or by telephone questionnaires ranged from 2 months to 13 years. A literature search and analysis of current treatment options were performed. RESULTS Nine of the 11 patients (82%) experienced complete or substantial relief of their preoperative symptoms. One patient (Patient 4) experienced worsening of bladder dysfunction after surgery and recovered slowly to subnormal function during the subsequent 2 months. The symptoms of Patient 9 did not resolve, and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the cyst had reoccurred. The patient underwent reoperation 3 months later without any improvement. One patient (Patient 11) experience a cerebrospinal fluid leakage complication. Neither new postoperative neurological defects nor infection were observed in our series. In the literature, there are six different treatment options under debate and controversially discussed. CONCLUSION Microsurgical treatment yielded the best long-term resolution of patient symptoms to date and should be recommended to appropriately selected patients.

Personalized attention control therapy for PTSD: effectiveness and moderators of outcome in a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Adva Segal ◽  
Daniel S. Pine ◽  
Yair Bar-Haim
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Control Therapy ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Attentional Interference

Abstract Background Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that attention control therapy (ACT), targeting aberrant fluctuations of attention toward and away from threats in patients with PTSD, may be effective in reducing symptoms. The current RCT examined whether the use of personalized-trauma stimuli enhances ACT efficacy in patients with PTSD. Additional moderators of treatment outcome were tested on an exploratory basis. Methods Sixty patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to either personalized ACT, non-personalized ACT, or a control condition. Changes in symptoms were examined across pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up. Attentional interference was examined pre- and post-treatment. Baseline clinical and cognitive indices as well as the time elapsed since the trauma were tested as potential moderators of treatment outcome. Results A significant reduction in clinical symptoms was noted for all three conditions with no between-group differences. Attention bias variability decreased following ACT treatment. Personalized ACT was more effective relative to the control condition when less time had elapsed since the trauma. Baseline clinical and cognitive indices did not moderate treatment outcome. Conclusions In this RCT of patients with PTSD, ACT was no more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than a control condition. The data also suggest a potential benefit of personalized ACT for patients who experienced their trauma more recently.

Treatment of Storm Fears Using Virtual Reality and Progressive Muscle Relaxation

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lima ◽  
Hanna McCabe-Bennett ◽  
Martin M. Antony
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Progressive Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Exposure Condition ◽  
Pre Treatment

Background: The present study examined the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for treating individuals with storm fears by comparing a one-session VR exposure treatment with a one-session progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and psychoeducation session. Aims: It was predicted that there would be a reduction in storm-related fear post-treatment for individuals in both conditions, but that this reduction would be greater for those in the VR exposure condition. It was predicted that improvements would be maintained at 30-day follow-up only for those in the VR exposure condition. Method: Thirty-six participants each received one of the two treatment conditions. Those in the PMR treatment group received approximately 30 minutes of PMR and approximately 15 minutes of psychoeducation regarding storms. Those in the VR treatment group received approximately 1 hour of VR exposure. Additionally, participants were asked to complete a pre-treatment and post-treatment 5-minute behavioural approach test to assess changes in storm fears. They were also asked to complete a measure assessing storm phobia. Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment group and self-reported fear at post-treatment, such that fear decreased for both groups, although the reduction was stronger in the VR group. Results also showed that reductions in storm fear were maintained at 30-day follow-up for both groups. Conclusions: Although this study used a small non-clinical sample, these results offer preliminary support for the use of VR exposure therapy in the treatment of storm-related fear.

Patterns of failure following tri-modality therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 203-203
Author(s):  
Talha Shaikh ◽  
Mark A. Zaki ◽  
Michael M. Dominello ◽  
Elizabeth Handorf ◽  
Andre A. Konski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Advanced Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Patterns Of Failure ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

203 Background: Although tri-modality therapy is an acceptable standard of care in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, data regarding patterns of failure is lacking. We report bi-institutional patterns of failure experience treating patients using tri-modality therapy. Methods: Following IRB approval, we retrospectively reviewed all pts who underwent chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy at two NCI-designated cancer centers from 2000-2013. Patient and treatment factors were analyzed for failure patterns. First failure sites were categorized as local, regional nodal, or distant. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test and non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: A total of 132 patients met the inclusion criteria with a median age of 62 (range 36-80) and median follow-up of 28 months (range 4-128). The majority of patients had T3 (82%), N1 (64%), or M0/M1a (92%) disease. At the time of last follow-up there were a total of 6 (4.5%) local, 13 (10%) regional nodal, and 32 (23.5%) distant failures. Local failure was correlated with fewer lymph nodes assessed (p=0.01) and close or positive margins (p<0.01). Regional nodal failure was correlated with fewer lymph nodes assessed (p<0.01) and smaller pre-treatment tumor size (p=0.04). Distant recurrence was correlated with post-treatment nodal stage (p<0.01), peri-neural invasion (p=0.03), negative margins (p=0.02), ulceration (p=0.02), incomplete response (p<0.01), post-treatment PET SUV (p=0.05), 3D-CRT (0.053), metastatic disease at diagnosis (p<0.01) and post-treatment metastatic disease (p<0.01). No other patient, tumor, or treatment factor was correlated with treatment failure. Conclusions: Per our bi-institutional experience, patient, tumor, and treatment factors may predict for failure in patients undergoing tri-modality therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Further data is needed to identify patterns of failure in these patients.

Interactions Between Self-Exposure and Alprazolam in the Treatment of Agoraphobia Without Current Panic: An Exploratory Study

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Echeburúa ◽  
Paz De Corral ◽  
Elvira García Bajos ◽  
Mercedes Borda
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Active Drug ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exposure Group ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Pre Treatment

The aim of this work was to test the comparative efficacy of four therapeutic modalities (self-exposure, self-exposure + Alprazolam, Alprazolam, and self-exposure + placebo) and also to determine the combined effects of self-exposure with Alprazolam and self-exposure with placebo in the treatment of agoraphobia without current panic. The sample consisted of 31 patients selected according to DSM-III-R criteria. A multigroup experimental design with repeated measures of assessment (pre-treatment, post-treatment and 1, 3 and 6-month follow-up) was used. The results indicated that there was a similar therapeutic improvement (in about 75% of the cases) between pre- and post-treatment in all therapeutic modalities, except for the Alprazolam group, where improvement did not take place, was rather weak or tended to fade as time passed. This improvement increased at the follow-ups in the self-exposure + placebo group, remained stable in the self-exposure group, and was irregular or fairly unpredictable in the self-exposure + Alprazolam group. There was a positive combined action between self-exposure and placebo and a negative interaction between self-exposure and Alprazolam. The highest relapse rate appeared in the therapeutic modalities where the active drug was administered. The intratreatment evolution was faster in the self-exposure group than in the others, but it tended to remain stable in the second part of the therapy. It is therefore concluded that the efficacy of self-exposure therapy may be the same if reduced to half the number of sessions. Finally, several topics that may contribute to future research in this field are commented upon.

IL10, An Independent Predictor of Outcome in HNSCC Patients

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P90-P90
Author(s):  
Osama Alhamarneh ◽  
Nicholas D. Stafford ◽  
John Greenman
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Tumor Load ◽  
Pre Treatment

Problem To determine the correlation between IL10, a Th2-type inhibitory cytokine, clinical outcome and survival in HNSCC patients. Methods IL10 levels in the serum of newly-presenting, untreated, patients with HNSCC were measured pre-treatment (n=107) and 4–6 weeks after treatment (n=43), and were compared with a cohort of healthy controls (n=40) of similar age and sex. A commercial IL10 ELISA (Biosource) with a minimum detectable level of 0.2 pg/ml was used. Statistical analysis of associations between the levels and detectability of IL10 and clinical outcome and survival were done. Results Both IL10 detectability and levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p=0.001). Post treatment, IL10 levels dropped significantly (p=0.02). Pretreatment, IL10 levels were significantly elevated in the advanced stage of the disease (III/IV vs. I/II), in node positive patients and in patients with bulkier tumor load (T3/T4 vs. T1/T2); p=0.005, 0.037 and 0.001 respectively. The larynx (n=36), oropharynx (n=25) and pharynx (n=16) showed significantly higher levels and increased detectability of IL10 in the pre-treatment group when compared to the post treatment group, however, oral cavity tumors (n=21) showed the opposite. Finally, the detectability of IL10 significantly correlated with poorer survival (Kaplan-Meier, p=0.026) after a mean follow up of 15 (range 1–36) months. Conclusion IL10 levels drop significantly once the tumor mass is removed suggesting that this is the most important source of the circulating cytokine. IL10, as well as the tumor bulk, the nodal status and the overall tumor stage, were shown to be independent factors in predicting a poorer clinical outcome and worse survival in tumors originating in the larynx, pharynx and oropharynx, but not oral cavity, suggesting distinct inter-tumour differences. Significance IL10 could play a potential role as a prognostic marker in HNSCC, in addition to the possible manipulation of IL10 in future immunotherapeutic agents.

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