Syeda Beenish Bareeqa

Third Ventricular Tumors: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Third ventricle tumors are uncommon and account for 0.6 - 0.9% of all the brain tumors. Tumors of the third ventricle are classified into primary tumors, such as colloid cysts, choroid plexus papillomas, and ependymomas, or secondary tumors, such as craniopharyngiomas, optic nerve gliomas, pineal tumors, and meningiomas. Third ventricular tumors are uncommon, and their treatment involves significant morbidity and mortality. The colloid cyst has a better surgical outcome and many approaches are available to achieve a complete cure. Choroid plexus papilloma is also a common tumor documented with its treatment majorly based on surgical resection. In addition to multiple treatment options for craniopharyngiomas, surgery is the most preferred treatment option. Ependymomas also have few treatment options, with surgical resection adopted as the first line of treatment.

CD133 Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Literature Review

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common primary brain tumor. Extensive research has been carried out to discover the factors associated with the course and progression of GBM. CD133 is a glycoprotein antigen found in normal and malignant tissues. CD133 has been recognized as a marker for the growth of cancer cells. The association between this tissue marker and GBM is being investigated. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of CD133 as a tumor marker for the prognosis of GBM.

Re-expression of the p53 Gene by Inhibiting the Mdm-2 Receptor in Wild-type p53 Tumors for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: A Mini Review

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has been the topic of immense research in recent years. The suitable therapeutic approach towards this wild-type p53 tumor has been the topic of ongoing discussion for some decades now. There has been a substantial debate about the role of mouse double minute-2 (MDM-2) antagonists in the treatment of GBM recently. We have reviewed the current data in our study to establish the consensus about recent interventions. Our review of the literature suggests that MDM-2 antagonists are currently a more suitable approach with improved efficacy, and it might be utilized in the future for significant results. Newer analogs of MDM-2 antagonists with better pharmacokinetics profiles and the least drug-drug interactions were also discussed in our research. It was concluded that MDM-2 antagonists are improved therapy against GBM but evidential proof with more experimental studies is needed to standardize this therapy in near future.

Efficacy of Empirical Therapy With Combined Ciprofloxacin Versus Topical Drops Alone in Patients With Tubotympanic Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial:

Background: One of the prevailing otologic infections in our country is chronic suppurative otitis media, especially the tubotympanic type for which various treatment protocols are followed. Usually, oral and topical antibiotics (mainly quinolones) are given alone or in combination. There is a lack of consensus as to whether topical drops alone are effective or a combined oral and systemic therapy should be prescribed. In our study, we have attempted to observe the efficacy of empirical therapy with combined ciprofloxacin versus topical drops only in patients with tubotympanic chronic suppurative otitis media for control of infection. Methodology: A total of 100 patients visiting the outpatient ENT department at our tertiary care hospital with clinically diagnosed chronic suppurative otitis media (tubotympanic type) were enrolled in our study. The study was reviewed and accepted by the ethical review committee. A detailed proforma was filled for all patients. All patients after aural toilet were subjected randomly to one of the 2 treatment methods, ie, topical ciprofloxacin ear drops plus an oral placebo or combined oral and topical ciprofloxacin. These patients were reviewed after 1 week of treatment. Results: It was observed that 48 of 50 (96%) patients responded to treatment in the group receiving topical ciprofloxacin, whereas 49 of 50 (98%) patients responded in the group receiving combined therapy. This difference was not significant. Moreover, age, sex, and duration of discharge did not have any effect on treatment. There were minimal side effects in both groups, which were also not significant and disappeared after discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions: The results of this study show that topical ciprofloxacin drops were as effective as combined oral and topical ciprofloxacin and that the addition of oral drug did not have any beneficial effect and added only to the cost of treatment.

Frequency of History of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine frequency of history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and secondly to evaluate for the prevalence and concomitant association with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke/TIA) in the above said patients. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted on 654 consecutive female patients presenting with ACS admitted to National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi between May to September 2013. A comprehensive questionnaire including details of obstetric history, history of HDP, ACS, cardiovascular risk factors and existing hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus and CKD was obtained. Patients with history of HDP (group 1) were compared with patients without history of HDP (group 2). Results: 654 female patients with ACS with mean age 55.5 ± 10.34 were included. 184 (28%) patients reported having history of HDP, i.e., history of gestational HTN, chronic HTN, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia was noted in 10.8%, 13.4% and 3.8%, respectively. Means of patient age, maternal age at 1st pregnancy and development of ACS (in years) after last pregnancy in patients with and without history of HDP were 53.8 ± 10.29 versus 56.8 ± 11.85 (p=0.003), 21.0 ± 5.89 versus 19.9 ± 5.39 (p=0.028) and 18.6 ± 8.0 versus 22.0 ± 10.0 (p=0.001), respectively. Existing hypertension in patients with history of HDP and without history of HDP were 88.0% versus 80.2% (p=0.018). Conclusion: History of HDP was present in almost one third of female patients presenting with ACS. Mean patient age, development of ACS (in years) after last pregnancy was less in patients with history of HDP. Existing hypertension was more frequent in this patient group.

Post Stroke Remote Complications; A Tertiary Care Experience from a Developing Country

Background: Rapidly developing clinical signs of focal (or global) disturbance of cerebral function, lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin is termed as stroke.our study is helpful in providing pattern of complications in different groups of stroke patients. It is also helpful in predicting and managing these complications in patients with stroke in Pakistani population. Material and Methods: Our study was a retrospective cross sectional study. Sample size was calculated using WHO sample size calculator. Sampling technique used in our study was non probability technique. Data was collected by trained medical students and was recorded on computer. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Results: Our study included 84 patients with stroke, which were followed for any complications for atleast 6 months. The different complications were observed in stroke patients. The mean age of study participants was 57.3 ± 12.9. The mean number of patient follow-up visits was 5 ± 4. Regarding the Remote post stroke complications the most common complication was insomnia which was present in 24 (28.6%) patients followed by lethargy in 19(22.6%) and muscular spasms in 16(19%). The least common post stroke complication was impotence which was present in only 1(1.2%) patient. Conclusion: Stroke is quite common in Pakistan and post stroke complications should be managed to provide better quality of life to the patients.in our study the most common complication was insomnia followed by lethargy and muscle spasms. The least common post stroke complication was impotence. *Corresponding author: Dr. Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan; E-mail: syedijlalahmed@ymail.com Citation: Syed, I.A., et al. Post Stroke Remote Complications; A Tertiary Care Experience from a Developing Country. (2017) Int J Neuro Brain Dis 4(1): 14. Post Stroke Remote Complications; A Tertiary Care Experience from a Developing Country Syed Ijlal Ahmed1*, Syed Ahmed Asif2, Kashmala Qureshi1, Nimra Naeem1, Noor e-sabah Saleem1, Syeda Beenish Bareeqa3, Kashif Aziz4, Anas Faroqi5 and Tayyab Shera5 Received date: May 02, 2017 Accepted date: May 30, 2017 Published date: June 05, 2017 DOI: 10.15436/2377-1348.17.1504 ing, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, inactivity and genetic factors[3]. Excessive stress and alcoholism are also significant risk factors for stroke[4]. Recently some new local risk factors have been studied, prevailing in South Asian countries, which include water-pipe use, parenthesis clarified butter and chewable tobacco[5]. There are different kind of complications that arise after stroke. Some of them arise during hospital stay for example;