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Biomedical subjects

A Musolino

Publications and source records attributed to A Musolino.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Stereotaxic diagnosis and treatment of colloid cysts of the 3d ventricle. Apropos of 7 cases].

The clinical and anatomical results of the treatment of 7 colloid cysts of third ventricle by stereotaxic aspiration are reported. A history of increased intracranial pressure was reported in all patients (4 females aged of 12, 16, 28, 38 years; 3 males aged of 36, 54, 59 years). A ventricular shunting device has been inserted in 4 patients. Pre-operative clinical findings were: signs of increased intracranial pressure (1 case), isolated memory disturbances (3 cases); motor weakness, memory disturbances and psychomotor slowness (2 cases); 1 of the 2 last cases had also thymic disturbances. Clinical examination was normal in 1 patient. CT-Scan revealed 5 hyperdense lesions, 3 with slight enhancement; 1 hypodensity encircled by an hyperdense ring without enhancement, 1 not enhancing isohypodensity. 6 colloid cysts were between the Foramens of Monro, 1 in the posterior third ventricle. Cyst volume ranged from 1.8 to 6.3 cc. (m: 3.4). Biventricular hydrocephalus was present in all but 1 patient. Stereotaxic aspiration of the cyst performed according to Talairach's system resulted in a release of C.S.F. circulation in all cases. 3 colloid cysts were aspirated completely, 4 were reduced to 3%, 11%, 12%, 33% of the initial volume. Post-operatively 2 patients presented with a transient meningeal reaction, 1 with a transient "myoclonic" syndrome. In 1 "completely aspirated" case a control CT-Scan showed, 5 years later, a small hyperdensity corresponding to 4% of the initial cyst volume. All patients lead a normal and useful life (Follow-up: 8-78 months, m: 45). Neurological examination is normal in 6 cases and shows a pre-existent facial asymmetry in 1. Ours results suggest that stereotaxic investigation should be the first safe procedure in order to achieve both diagnosis and treatment of colloid cysts of third ventricle.

Adolescent↗

Serial stereotactic biopsies and CT scan in gliomas: correlative study in 100 astrocytomas, oligo-astrocytomas and oligodendrocytomas.

Histologic features of 100 supra-tentorial astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and oligo-astrocytomas obtained from serial stereotactic biopsies were compared with the corresponding CT scans. Topographic comparisons provided by visualization of the biopsy trajectories on post-biopsy CT scans were available in 24 cases. Areas of contrast enhancement and low attenuation were compared with the histologic grade of malignancy, tumor delimitation and structural type. The latter was determined as follows: Type I-solid tumor tissue without significant peripheral isolated tumor cells; Type II-solid tumor tissue associated with peripheral isolated tumor cells; Type III-isolated tumor cells only. There was a strong correlation between areas of contrast enhancement and tumor microvascularity. In addition, contrast enhancement occurred only in the solid tumor tissue component of the neoplasm. This correlation accounted for the relationship observed between CT images and the structural type of glioma. Contrast enhancement was constant in structural type I gliomas, inconstant in structural type II, and absent in structural type III. No correlation was found between malignancy and contrast enhancement. Contrast enhancement occurred in all grades of malignancy but was a constant feature of grade 4 gliomas. The volume of the tumors could not be reliably determined from CT images alone. Areas of low attenuation on contrast CT scans could correspond to either peritumoral edema or to edematous parenchyma infiltrated by isolated tumor cells. Serial stereotactic biopsies combined with calculations based on the CT scan provided a more precise definition of the tumor volume and identification of structural type. Such classification may prove useful in prospective analysis of various modes of therapy.

Adolescent↗

[Complementarity of x-ray computed tomography of staged stereotaxic biopsies and of stereo-electroencephalography in the spatial definition of intracranial lesions].

This study concerns 180 patients (132 M; 48 F) (age: 2 to 69 years; m: 33 years) who underwent stereotactic procedures according to the methodology of Talairach and Szikla. Such procedures (stereotactic and stereoscopic angiography in all cases, and ventriculography in 81%) should permit a correct spatial definition of intracranial lesions. The informations provided by the angiography (normal in 7%) and by the ventriculography (normal in 11%) are complementary to those yielded by the TDM and permit an easier and safe stereotactic approach to the lesions. In 43% of patients the lesions were deep-seated (basal ganglia: 24; sellar region: 19; thalamo-peduncular: 13; brain stem: 6, etc.). The histological examination showed: low-grade gliomas in 43%; glioblastomas in 21%; non tumoral lesions in 17%. A precise diagnosis couldn't be obtained in 3.8%. The data provided by the stereo-EEG (in 11 patients suffering also of severe drug-resistant partial epilepsy) did not permit, alone, an histological diagnosis, excepted when electrodes explored a solid tumor. Two patients had a neurological impairment, and two died (one for extracerebral reasons). The authors consider that the TDM data and the informations given by the stereotactic procedures are complementary for obtaining valuable informations on the spatial organization of intracranial lesions and choosing the best treatment.

Adolescent↗

[Value and technic of translating the data from x-ray computed tomography into the stereotaxic coordinates of the Talairach system].

The neuroradiological stereotactic examinations provide indispensable information to localize many intracranial lesions: the data obtained by the CT-Scan are complementary of the stereotactic ones. The transfer of the routine CT-Scan transverse axial slices into the Talairach stereotactic system needs a precise definition of the inclination of the plan of the slices and a correct evaluation of the mean magnification factor. The inclination of the slices is appreciated using the bony, vascular and ventricular landmarks clearly identified on the CT-Scan and stereoscopic stereotactic images. We compared the spatial "reconstructed" CT-Scan data with the histopathological findings obtained by serial stereotactic biopsies in 48 tumor patients. The error varied from 1.5 to 4.6% (m: 2.7 +/- 1.2) on the sagittal plane; from 1.3 to 10% (m: 5.8 +/- 3.4) on the transversal plane; from 2.5 to 4.3% (m: 3.5 +/- 0.7) on the axial plane. The mean global error was 3.7% +/- 2.3. The CT-Scan directly performed under stereotactic conditions (acrylic frame) seems to be the more useful procedure. Nevertheless considering the good precision obtained with our methodology applied to the Talairach's system, we consider it suitable when: a) the gantry of the CT-Scan apparatus is too narrow for the acrylic frame; b) the exploitation of previous CT-Scan examinations is necessary; c) patient refuses the discomfort of the acrylic frame.

Brain Diseases↗

Stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. Preliminary report.

From January, 1979, to July, 1986, 10 patients (6 females, 4 males; 12-59 years, mean 37) with colloid cysts of the third ventricle were treated by stereotactic aspiration (Talairach's method). Five cysts have been completely aspirated. The mean residual volume of the other 5 was 19% of the initial volume. Clinical symptoms completely cleared in all but one patient. The advantages of the procedure are discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Value of bifocal stereotaxic destruction in case of dyskinesia in patients with a motor deficit of cerebral origin].

Authors report a study concerning 12 dyskinetic patients with cerebral palsy. The clinical pre-operative examination shows that many signs and symptoms are associated: volitional and postural dyskinesia, athetosis and dystonia, pyramidal deficit and spasticity. Talairach's stereotactic methodology has been used for bifocal (VPL thalamic nucleus and internal pallidum) Yttrium 90 implantation. After stereotactic bifocal lesions, involuntary movements have been reduced in 45.5% of cases and have disappeared in 27% of cases. Impairment of previous motor deficit has been observed in 3% of cases; volitional and postural dyskinesia seems to be the most curable symptomatology. Clinical results in athetoid involuntary movements and dystonia are less rewarding. Because of important anatomical modifications often observed cerebral palsy patients, the authors stress the interest of individual acute neurophysiological study and discuss about the stereotactic targets and the modalities of destruction. They insist upon the necessity of rigorous selection of indications based on acute clinical examination in the perspective of improvement of global functional capacities.

Adolescent↗

[Electro-clinical semiology of subintrant temporal lobe seizures].

The authors recorded 10 to 67 TLS (mean 29) in 10 patients (5 M, 5 F; 9 to 41 years, mean 23) during 'acute' (4-6 hours) stereo-EEG exploration. At the onset of seizures, we observed: subjective manifestations (often epigastric), autonomic symptoms, and oro-alimentary 'automatisms'. Affective, unpleasant, manifestations occurred in only 2 patients. The discharges may only affect the Ammon's horn, but they never involve only the amygdala. There is a strong relationship between the duration of the discharge, the number of cerebral structures (temporal and, later, extratemporal) involved in the discharge, and the clinical symptomatology. Somatomotor lateralized manifestations, and gestural 'automatisms' only occur when the discharges spread to extratemporal cerebral structures. The secondary generalizations are very rare and are also linked to a large extratemporal spread of the discharge.

Adolescent↗

Cryptic vascular malformations diagnosed by stereotactic biopsies--a preliminary study.

A series of 14 cryptic vascular malformations (CVM) deeply situated or localized in functional cortical areas were diagnosed by serial stereotactic biopsies. No history was suggestive of hemorrhage, despite a substantial hematoma being evacuated during biopsy procedures in 4 patients. Retrospectively, CVM without hematoma were found to have certain characteristics that should raise the suspicion as to the correct diagnosis. At the time of discharge from the hospital, only 1 patient had mild aggravation of a preexisting motor deficit, which further improved. Serial stereotactic biopsies provided the required histological diagnosis with relatively low risk.

Adolescent↗

Correlation between stereo-EEG, CT-scan and stereotactic biopsy data in epileptic patients with low-grade gliomas.

Stereo-EEG activity, which was recorded precisely from the same location as stereotactic biopsies, was studied on 11 patients with low-grade glioma and severe partial epilepsy. The volume of the lesions varied from 6 to 72 cm3 (mean 23 cm3). A very depressed activity was recorded in all the 25 specimens of solid tumor and in more than half of infiltrated white matter. The background activity was still conserved in all 'normal' fragments, while it is never found in solid tumor; sometimes it could be found in the infiltrating tumors of white or gray matter. High voltage theta and delta activity was recorded in neither 'normal' nor solid tumors. We emphasize the importance of considering the stage of evolution when we evaluate the significance of the stereo-EEG activity.

Adolescent↗

[Stereotaxic treatment of expanding cysts in craniopharyngiomas by endocavitary beta-irradiation (Re-186; Au-198; Y-90)].

The authors report the results of 17 intracystic injection of colloidal 186 rhenium, 2 colloidal 198 gold, and 1 colloidal 90 yttrium for endocavitary treatment of 18 cystic craniopharyngiomas (16 pts during a period ranging from January 1975 till July 1982. Follow-up studies ranging from 12 to 72 months (m: 36 m) revealed that all craniopharyngiomas cysts were effectively treated with cessation of fluid formation, progressive shrinkage of the formerly expansive cysts, and finally cyst obliteration in 75% of the cases. No early or late side-effects were observed during the entire observation period. Late reexpansion of one craniopharyngioma cyst, observed at 11 months, was successfully treated by a second injection. Leakage of colloid isotope into the CSF spaces during the "test" or "therapeutic" injections occurred in 18% of the global number of injections, however no clinical complications were observed. On the basis of a clinical dosimetric study a 30 000 rads wall-dose, not exceeding 40 000 rads is actually considered as the safer dose for endocavitary treatment of craniopharyngioma.

Adolescent↗

[Current significance of stereotactic exploration in the diagnosis and therapy of space-occupying cerebral processes].

To reach good functional results in patients with spaceoccupying processes--especially with those localized in the dominant hemisphere operative treatment should be planned individually, which is impossible if all diagnostic assessments are followed by the same surgical procedure. The choice of appropriate method of therapy in case of brain tumor depends on various factors, such as the histological nature, extent and volume, relationship to the brain structures and vessels, and spatial form of the growth. The synthesis of all neuroradiological information from stereotactic exploration, together with the histological findings from stereotactic serial biopsies yields a three-dimensional representation of the brain with the tumor. This method seems to offer the optimal basis for the choice of appropriate treatment--especially for gliomas--between surgery, radiotherapy (external or/and interstitial), endocavitary radiation therapy or drainage.

Adolescent↗

Stereotactic endocavitary treatment of cysts and pseudocysts of glioma. Preliminary report.

The present study reports the results of the stereotactic treatment via endocavitary irradiation (Talaraich's method) of 50 gliomatous cysts (volume: 5-242 cm3; av.: 73 cm3) in 45 patients (M: 24; F: 21; age 3.5-57 yrs; av.: 22 yrs) in the period January 1973-January 1987. Twenty-four patients (27 cysts) were affected by a grade I glioma, 10 patients (12 cysts) by a grade II and 11 patients (11 cysts) by a grade III or IV glioma. The first step in the treatment was a neuroradiological stereotactic stereoscopical survey (tele-angiography, ventriculography, cystography) with serial biopsies and a cystic impermeability test (injection of 0.3-1 mCi of Re 186). One week later one therapeutic dose, ranging between 5 and 85 mCi of a beta-emitting colloidal radioisotope (Re 186, Au 198, Y 90), was stereotactically injected into the cyst. The stereotactic treatment was not followed by severe side effects. In high grade gliomas (grade III and IV) the benefit of the possible shrinkage and/or disappearance of the cyst was vanished by the solid tumor progression. In low grade gliomas (grade I and II) more than 50% of the cysts disappeared and 25% of them shrinked up to one third of the starting volume (follow-up: 5-168 mo.; av.: 54 mo.). At present almost only Re 186 is employed using a cyst wall dose of 400-500 Gys. The low surgical invasiveness, the absence of severe side effects and good therapeutical results induce us to propose this as a first choice treatment in inoperable low grade gliomatous expanding cysts.

Adolescent↗

Long term results of stereotactic endocavitary beta irradiation of craniopharyngioma cysts.

This study concerns 33 pts (age: 3-69 yrs; m: 22) with cystic craniopharyngiomas (36 cysts) treated with stereotactic beta endocavitary irradiation (TRT). Nine patients died (3 days to 36 months after TRT) and one was lost. In 23 the follow-up varied from 12 to 126 months (m: 45 months). The disappearance of 13 cysts was appreciated 5 to 24 months after TRT: no recurrence was observed after 22-126 months (m: 61). A greater than 70% reduction of the cyst volume occurred 3-36 months after TRT and persisted at 12-71 months (m: 35 m). In one patient, the cyst volume increased. Visual acuity improved in more than 50% of survivors, while endocrine disturbances did not change and memory troubles disappeared.

Adolescent↗