Temporal Artery Vascular Diseases

In the presence of temporal arteritis, clinicians often refer to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, differential diagnoses should also be evoked because other types of vascular diseases, vasculitis or not, may affect the temporal artery. Among vasculitis, Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is probably the most common, and typically affects the peri-adventitial small vessel of the temporal artery and sometimes mimics giant cell arteritis, however, other symptoms are frequently associated and more specific of ANCA-associated vasculitis prompt a search for ANCA. The Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can cause temporal arteritis as well. Some infections can also affect the temporal artery, primarily an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which has an arterial tropism that may play a role in triggering giant cell arteritis. Drugs, mainly checkpoint inhibitors that are used to treat cancer, can also trigger giant cell arteritis. Furthermore, the temporal artery can be affected by diseases other than vasculitis such as atherosclerosis, calcyphilaxis, aneurysm, or arteriovenous fistula. In this review, these different diseases affecting the temporal artery are described.

Extending the Indications of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Different Central Nervous System Tumors: A Series of 255 Cases in Latin America

Introduction Fluorescence guidance with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a safe and reliable tool in total gross resection of intracranial tumors, especially malignant gliomas and cases of metastasis. In the present retrospective study, we have analyzed 5-ALA-induced fluorescence findings in different central nervous system (CNS) lesions to expand the indications of its use in differential diagnoses. Objectives To describe the indications and results of 5-ALA fluorescence in a series of 255 cases. Methods In 255 consecutive cases, we recorded age, gender, intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence tumor response, and 5-ALA postresection status, as well the complications related to the method. Postresection was classified as ‘5-ALA free’ or ‘5-ALA residual’. The diagnosis of histopathological tumor was established according to the current classification of the World Health Organization (WHO). Results There were 195 (76.4%) 5-ALA positive cases, 124 (63.5%) of whom underwent the ‘5-ALA free’ resection. The findings in the positive cases were: 135 gliomas of all grades; 19 meningiomas; 4 hemangioblastomas; 1 solitary fibrous tumor; 27 metastases; 2 diffuse large B cell lymphomas; 2 cases of radionecrosis; 1 inflammatory disease; 2 cases of gliosis; 1 cysticercosis; and 1 immunoglobulin G4-related disease. Conclusion Fluorescence with 5-ALA can be observed in lesions other than malignant gliomas or metastases, including meningiomas, hemangioblastomas, pilocytic astrocytomas, and lymphomas. Although there is need for further evidence for the use of 5-ALA beyond high-grade gliomas, it may be a safe and reliable tool to improve resection in positive tumors or to guide the histopathologic analysis in biopsies.

IgG4-Related Disease Affecting Testicle and Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Just a Coincidence?

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is progressive immune-mediated fibrotic condition characterised by a tendency to form tumefactive lesions in different organs and by elevated IgG4 serum concentrations. Urological manifestations are rare and normally occur together with other systemic affections. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematopoietic stem cell neoplasms, with different subtypes based on the type of blood cells involved. MDS can be associated with other pathologies or medical treatments. We present an uncommon case of testicular manifestation associated with myelodysplastic syndrome here.