Reza Akhavan-Sigari

Connection between Cell Phone use, p53 Gene Expression in Different Zones of Glioblastoma Multiforme and Survival Prognoses.

The aim of this paper is to investigate p53 gene expression in the central and peripheral zones of glioblastoma multiforme using a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique in patients who use cell phones ≥3 hours a day and determine its relationship to clinicopathological findings and overall survival. Sixty-three patients (38 males and 25 females), diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), underwent tumor resection between 2008 and 2011. Patient ages ranged from 25 to 88 years, with a mean age of 55. The levels of expression of p53 in the central and peripheral zone of the GBM were quantified by RT-PCR. Data on p53 gene expression from the central and peripheral zone, the related malignancy and the clinicopatholagical findings (age, gender, tumor location and size), as well as overall survival, were analyzed. Forty-one out of 63 patients (65%) with the highest level of cell phone use (≥3 hours/day) had higher mutant type p53 expression in the peripheral zone of the glioblastoma; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.034). Results from the present study on the use of mobile phones for ≥3 hours a day show a consistent pattern of increased risk for the mutant type of p53 gene expression in the peripheral zone of the glioblastoma, and that this increase was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival time. The risk was not higher for ipsilateral exposure. We found that the mutant type of p53 gene expression in the peripheral zone of the glioblastoma was increased in 65% of patients using cell phones ≥3 hours a day.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and Ki-M1P in skull base chordoma: a series of 145 tumors

Chordomas are locally invasive tumors that have a tendency to relapse despite optimal treatment. Specific biological markers might be used to describe their behavior. There is currently no agreement regarding the best way to manage intracranial chordomas. We studied the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and Ki-M1P in 145 paraffin-embedded tumors. The purpose of our study was to determine: (a) the role of potent angiogenic factors VEGFR-2 and iNOS and their relationship to each other in skull base chordoma and (b) the role of monocytes/macrophages as a potential iNOS source in the angiogenic process. A series of 74 chordoma patients for a total of 145 lesions (including 71 recurrent lesions) and 10 specimens from embryonic notochord were investigated for the expression of iNOS, VEGFR-2, Ki-M1P, and CD-34 using immunohistochemistry. In the majority of the chordomas, correlations were found between iNOS and the immunoreactivity of Ki-M1P (r = 0.5303, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the expressions of Ki-M1P was correlated with VEGFR-2 (r = 0.4181, P < 0.0001). Our results indicate that chordomas may respond to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as VEGFR-2 or modulators of other downstream signaling molecules. The future of VEGFR-2 and iNOS inhibitors as therapeutic agents in the treatment of chordoma will be clearer over the next years as results of the current clinical trials become available and as the factors regulating angiogenesis and the interactions between these factors are elucidated. However, appropriate functional experiments remain to be conducted to prove such a hypothesis.

Continuation of medically necessary platelet aggregation inhibitors - acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel - during surgery for spinal degenerative disorders: Results in 100 patients.

Background: Patients undergoing spinal surgery while under anticoagulation therapy are at risk of developing bleeding complications, even though lower incidences have been reported for joint arthroplasty surgery. There is a gap in the medical literature examining the incidence of postoperative spinal bleeding in patients who were under anticoagulation medication at the time of surgery. Methods: We prospectively followed a consecutive cohort of 100 patients (58 male, 42 female) undergoing spinal surgery. The average patient age was 48.7 years and the minimum follow up time was 12 months. Diagnosis was lumbar spinal stenosis in 20, herniated lumbar discs in 63, degenerative cervical disc disease in 3, and cervical disc herniation in 14 cases. In our study, platelet aggregation inhibitors (clopidogrel and/or acetylsalicylic acid) were given for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular thrombotic events, to reduce risk of stroke in patients who have had transient ischemia of the brain or acute coronary syndrome, and as secondary prevention of atherosclerotic events (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). A cessation of anticoagulants (acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel) in our patients in the peri- and postoperative period was contraindicated. Results: Sixty-three patients were on both clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid and 37 on acetylsalicylic acid only. None of the patients suffered any postoperative bleeding complication. Three patients suffered postoperative wound dehiscence and one patient had an infection that required reoperation. Conclusion: The question of whether preoperative platelet aggregation inhibitors must be stopped before elective spinal surgery has never been answered in the literature. In our prospective series, we have found no increase in the risk of postoperative spinal bleeding with the use of clopidogrel or acetylsalicylic acid. This finding suggests that spine surgery can be done without stopping anticoagulation. Lacking specific guidelines, each patient should be treated on an individual basis, and the potential benefits of anticoagulation should be compared with the potential risks (risk–benefit ratio).

The Influence of Skull Base Chordoma on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

OBJECTIVE To provide the first insights into the potential role of skull base chordoma, which causes brainstem compression in and around Barringtons nucleus and its effect on the micturition center. Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor that originates from the remnants of the embryonic notochord, which normally forms and dissolves during early fetal development. Although it is a slowly growing tumor, it displays local invasive growth. METHODS Urodynamic testing of 22 symptomatic patients was performed. All women and men with skull base chordoma treated in 2 hospitals in Germany between 1986 and 2007 were studied. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 10 years. Lower urinary tract symptoms were documented in patients with acute brainstem compression because of local chordoma growth. RESULTS Of 74 patients treated, 22 (7 women, 15 men) with a median age of 37 years were evaluated with voiding diaries and computer urodynamic investigation. Urodynamic testing of 22 symptomatic patients revealed detrusor overactivity in 55%, low compliance bladder in 14%, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 45%, and uninhibited sphincter relaxation in 27%. Despite the description of incomplete emptying and urgency, 4 patients had normal urodynamic findings (18%). Brain magnetic resonance images of the lesions of the symptomatic patients were obtained to determine the side of lesions. CONCLUSION The dorsolateral pons, including pontine reticular nucleus and the reticular formation and the locus coeruleus, seems to be mainly responsible for lower urinary tract symptoms in our patients with skull base chordoma and brainstem compression.

Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis and Central Disc Herniation C3/4 in a Man with Primary Complaint of Thigh Pain

Purpose The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical course of a patient who had a primary complaint of isolated right lateral thigh pain 3 years prior that was nonresponsive to conservative measures. Hypoesthesia in the lateral side of the right forearm, deltoid and biceps, as well as triceps paresis, was also diagnosed. Results Immediately after surgery, the patient reported substantial improvement in his right thigh symptoms. The signs and symptoms associated with the right C6 and C7 radiculopathy did improve. Conclusion Although the presentation described in this case is somewhat unique, the eventual myelopathic signs and symptoms were not. It was these myelopathic signs and symptoms that led to cervical magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis of cervical cord compressive myelopathy, and surgical management.

Study of Radial Nerve Injury Caused By Gunshot Wounds and Explosive Injuries among Iraqi Soldiers

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds and blast injuries to the upper limbs produce complex wounds requiring management by multiple surgical specialities. AIM: We sought to determine the pattern of peripheral nerve injuries among Iraqi soldiers in the war. METHODS: We performed a 3 year retrospective cohort analysis based on medical records of patients with sustaining gunshot wounds and blast injuries to the upper limbs. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board. The patients included were male, serving military personnel of all age groups and ranks presenting with weakness or sensory loss of radial nerve. Three hundred eighteen patients aged 24 years or older with a high-energy, diaphyseal fracture of the humerus and complete motor and sensory radial nerve palsy were reviewed retrospectively. In these patients, the physical examination and electrodiagnostic study were carried out by experienced neurologists. Seddon’s classification system was used to assess the severity of the injury. The data related to the types of fracture, the type of damage, the factors causing damage and the failure of treatment were entered into the IBM SPSS 23 software after extraction of files. Based on mid-range indicators and data distribution, traumatic injuries among Iraqi soldiers in the war against ISIL were then investigated. RESULTS: A group of 318 patients with mean age of 25.41 ± 6 years were enrolled in the study, of which 127 patients were included with an open fracture and 191 patients with closed lesions. All 127 patients with a transected radial nerve had an open humerus fracture and were part of a complex upper-extremity injury. 113 of 127 subjects had primary repair of the radial nerve and recovered well. 14 of 127 subjects were not recovered. 3 of them had iatrogenic radial nerve injury due to the internal fixation device. Furthermore, all 191 patients with closed injuries recovered well. The average time to initial signs of recovery was 8 weeks (range, 1–27 weeks). Axonotmesis and Neurotmesis were found in 283 (89%) subjects. The average time to full recovery was determined to be 6 months (range, 1–22 months). The blast was found to be the main cause of nerve injury in 236 (74.2%) cases, followed by gunshot damage (21.4%, 68 subjects), falling from height and motor vehicle accidents (4.4%, 14 subjects) and multiple injuries (17%, 54 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Trauma caused by factors such as explosions and gunshot worsens the condition of the injuries and presents the treatment conditions with many challenges. However, the success rate in post-surgical recovery of humerus fracture and injured radial nerve can be remarkably higher in young people as compared to other age groups.

Enlightening the Cerebellopontine Angle: Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography in Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Background and Study Aims In microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the site of conflict is occasionally difficult to identify. Endoscopy has been described to better evaluate the anatomical conflict in such situations. We hypothesized that indocyanine green (ICG) angiography could allow for better visualization of the compressing artery and its anatomical relation to the nerve. Material and Methods ICG angiography was performed in 17 TN patients undergoing microvascular decompression. We focused on whether ICG angiography is helpful in determining the site of conflict, particularly when not directly visible via the microscope, and whether fluorescence is strong enough to shine through the nerve obliterating the direct view of the compressing vessel. Results In four patients, the site of conflict was immediately apparent after opening the cerebellopontine cistern, and ICG angiography did not provide the neurosurgeon with additional information. In another two patients, imaging quality and fluorescence were too poor. Of the remaining 11 patients with a hidden site of nerve‐vessel conflict, ICG angiography was found to be helpful in anticipating the site of compression and the course of the artery in 7 patients, particularly in regard to the so‐called shining‐through effect through fiber bundles of the thinned nerve. Of all the patients, 88% reported at least improvement or cessation of their symptoms, including all of the patients with a shine‐through effect. Conclusion ICG angiography could be a helpful adjunct in decompressing the trigeminal nerve and can guide the surgeon to the nerve‐vessel conflict. Intensity of the fluorescence is powerful enough to shine through thinned and splayed trigeminal nerve fiber bundles.

Stevens Johnson syndrome--an adverse drug reaction occurred after uncomplicated removal of an intracerebral cavernous hemangioma.

BACKGROUND Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, severe adverse drug reaction. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) represents the milder end of the spectrum. The exact pathogenesis of TEN and SJS is still unknown. Many drugs, including prednisolone, cyclosporin, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), have been used in an attempt to halt the disease process. The use of phenytoin as a prophylactic anticonvulsant after brain surgery, particularly for brain tumors, is a common practice, regardless of whether the patient has a previous history of convulsions. This treatment policy assumes that the benefits exceed the risks. CASE In this paper, we describe a young patient who underwent a total removal of an intracerebral cavernous hemangioma following development of SJS after taking phenytoin postoperatively. CONCLUSION We suggest that the practice of routine use of phenytoin following brain surgery should be re-evaluated because the treatment may be neither essential nor without side effects.