1/5. Gamma knife surgery for treatment of central neurocytomas. Report of four cases.The authors investigated the use of gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of central neurocytoma, a usually benign primary brain tumor of the lateral and third ventricles. Four patients with subtotally resected or recurrent central neurocytomas were retrospectively studied. The prescription isodose was 9 to 13 Gy to the 30 to 50% peripheral isodose line. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images were compared to determine the volume reduction following GKS. Follow-up review included annual MR imaging and clinical evaluation by a neurosurgeon. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 99 months. Marked reduction in tumor size was seen in all four patients; the decrease in tumor volume for each was 48%, 72%, 81%, and 77%, respectively, at the last follow-up review. None of the four patients required additional treatment and none experienced a decline in neurological function during the follow-up period. No complications have been noted in any of these patients to date. Even though there have been few observations and follow-up time has been limited, because of the consistency of the response and the lack of observed side effects, GKS may be the treatment of choice for subtotally resected and recurrent central neurocytomas.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = volume (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Sudden development of right and left lung asymmetry in a pediatric patient following craniotomy.A 7-year-old girl presented to the pediatric intensive care unit following a craniotomy that left her with dysphagia, poor cough, and problems with retained secretions. Pulmonary function and blood oxygen saturation worsened for 3 days after surgery. Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and increased fraction of inspired oxygen improved oxygenation. glycopyrrolate was administered to decrease secretions but had little effect. The first chest radiograph showed left lung hyperinflation. The right lung showed loss of volume and elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. There was no mediastinal shift. Another chest radiograph 3 hours later showed substantial improvement. We discuss the causes of acute lung volume asymmetry and possible interpretations of the radiographs.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = volume (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Surgical removal of bilateral papillomas of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles with resolution of hydrocephalus. Case report.The authors report a patient with bilateral papillomas of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles with documentation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypersecretion causing hydrocephalus. Special attention is given to the large volume of CSF produced by these tumors (removal of one tumor reduced CSF outflow by one-half) and to the fact that CSF diversion was not required after both tumors were removed. Since tumor removal alone was sufficient to stop the progression of hydrocephalus, we feel that this case supports the concept that elevated CSF production by itself is sufficient to cause hydrocephalus in patients with papillomas of the choroid plexus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = volume (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Possible influence of cerebrospinal fluid pressure on the growth of a third ventricle choroid plexus papilloma.A case of histologically proven benign choroid plexus papilloma of the third ventricle in a 4-month-old male child is reported. The clinical symptoms and the neuroradiologic findings were those of a supratentorial hydrocephalus. A shunting procedure was performed after refusal by the family of a direct surgical approach. Subsequently there was a four- to fivefold increase in volume of this tumor in less than 4 months under decreased cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The purpose of this report is first to add a case to 27 cases of papilloma of the choroid plexus of third ventricle reported in the medical literature. Secondly to underline a possible influence of intraventricular pressure on the growth of a histologically benign intraventricular papilloma. Subsequently, the question of radiation therapy may be raised, if total removal of the papilloma is not obtained, especially in view of decreased cerebrospinal fluid pressure provided by the previous shunting procedure.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = volume (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Interstitial irradiation of a large, low grade ependymoma with stereotactically implanted iodine-125 seeds. Case report.In this case report a patient with a large intraventricular benign ependymoma is presented. The tumour was treated with stereotactically implanted iodine-125 seeds and interstitial irradiation. Extension (diameter: 6.5 cm) and volume (112.5 ml) of the lesion caused the application of an unusually low dose (tumour surface dose: 40 Gy). The tumour shrank significantly within a few weeks. Follow-up at nearly 5 years shows the patient to be tumour free.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = volume (Clic here for more details about this article) |