CSF Rhinorrhea: A Rare Clinical Presentation of Choroid Plexus Papilloma

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare brain tumour occurring mostly in infants and children. Most CPPs are intraventricular and present with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This case report describes a middle-aged female who presented with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea from a tumour located in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). She underwent craniotomy with subtotal tumour resection and remained progression and rhinorrhea-free for several years. Upon clinical progression, the patient was treated with Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery. The patient clinically improved and demonstrated a favourable radiologic response to radiosurgery

حقيبة التخصص في علاج الأورام بالإشعاع: خارطة طريق عالمية في التخصص للمدربين والمتدربين (كتيب - سِّجْل)

A book gives guidance with information in radiation oncology certification from a global perspective. The idea is to help establish competency-based certification programs in radiation oncology worldwide. The portfolio provides a training roadmap that can be applied in many communities, particularly those with limited resources, to produce qualified, competent and safe radiation oncology practitioners. It is extracted from different well-established resources in this field and can be used as a general guide in tailoring and refining the programs at every accredited authority, or as a representative model and content, or through its sample tools to facilitate documentation. It refers to many resources that can be useful to trainers and trainees to achieve the required milestones in radiation oncology certification, which will further advance the level of education and practice of radiation oncology globally.يقدّم الكتاب إرشادات لنيل شهادة التخصص في علاج الأورام بالإشعاع من منظور عالمي. وتكمن الفكرة في المساعدة في إنشاء برامج اعتماد قائمة على الكفاءة في علاج الأورام بالإشعاع في جميع أنحاء العالم. توفر هذه الحقيبة خارطة طريق تدريبية يمكن تطبيقها في العديد من المجتمعات، لا سيما تلك المتصفة بالموارد المحدودة، تهدف إلى إنتاج ممارسين مؤهلين ومتمكنين وآمنين في علاج الأورام بالإشعاع، وقد انبثقت هذه الحقيبة من مصادر تخصصية عديدة في هذا المجال. يمكن استخدام هذه الحقيبة كدليل عام في تصميم وتنقيح البرامج التدريبية المعتمدة لنيل التخصص في معالجة الأورام بالإشعاع، أو كنموذج ومحتوى تمثيلي، كما يمكن من خلال أدواتها وملحقاتها تسهيل عملية التوثيق، بالإضافة إلى إنها تشير إلى العديد من المصادر العلمية المفيدة للمدربين والمتدربين؛ لتحقيق الأهداف المطلوبة في نيل شهادة التخصص في علاج الأورام بالإشعاع، بما يسهم في الارتقاء بمستوى التعليم وممارسة علاج الأورام بالإشعاع على مستوى العالم

68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT for radiotherapy planning and evaluating treatment response in the management of meningiomas

Meningiomas overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTR). PET imaging with SSTR ligands such as 68Ga-DOTA-peptide has recently shown high diagnostic accuracy in identification of meningiomas due to lack of normal bone and brain activity. PET-derived parameters, especially gross tumour volume (GTV) delineation improves inter-observer variability and appears to be particularly promising for RT planning. The potential strength of 68Ga-DOTA in the ongoing assessment of treatment response and disease progression in meningioma, particularly in the post-surgical and post-radiation settings is encouraging. More prospective randomized studies with large cohorts of patients are required to define the effective role of this modality. Keywords: 68Ga-DOTA PET/CT; Meningioma; 177Lu-DOTATATE; PET/CT; radiotherapy planning

Board-certified specialty training program in radiation oncology in a war-torn country: Challenges, solutions and outcomes

Background: Residency programs leading to board certification are important for safe and competent Radiation Oncology (RO) practice. In some developing nations, there is a gap in this field. This work addresses the experience that was accomplished to establish such a program in Iraq despite all the challenges that faces a country under war. Methods: Descriptive report of challenges faced in a developing country that is still reeling from war, the steps taken to overcome these challenges and outcomes after graduation of two classes. Results: After over 18 months of prerequisite technical and logistical preparations, a group of local and external faculty members were invited to establish the required syllabus of a structured RO residency program in Iraq. It is comprised of a total of 100 post-graduate academic credits over a 48-months period after clinical internship. First year evaluations included regular practical assessments; seven in-house papers covering RO, cancer and radiation biology, medical physics, radiological anatomy and diagnostic oncology, tumor pathology, onco-pharmacology, and medical statistics, research methodology, and cancer epidemiology, followed by a comprehensive examination. Subsequent evaluations were on an annual bases with enrollment in the American College of Radiology In-Training examination in RO. Final assessment included logbook and skills\u27 reviews, graduation thesis or peer-review publication, two-papers\u27 written examination, and an exit practical examination. Conclusions: Given the political, economic and social difficulties in post-war Iraq, it was a major challenge to establish a residency program in RO. Despite the significant difficulties, the first residency program leading to board certification in RO was successfully started in Iraq. The new specialists will help in addressing the shortage of radiation oncologists in the country

Board-certified specialty training program in radiation oncology in a war-torn country: Challenges, solutions and outcomes.

BackgroundResidency programs leading to board certification are important for safe and competent Radiation Oncology (RO) practice. In some developing nations, there is a gap in this field. This work addresses the experience that was accomplished to establish such a program in Iraq despite all the challenges that faces a country under war.MethodsDescriptive report of challenges faced in a developing country that is still reeling from war, the steps taken to overcome these challenges and outcomes after graduation of two classes.ResultsAfter over 18 months of prerequisite technical and logistical preparations, a group of local and external faculty members were invited to establish the required syllabus of a structured RO residency program in Iraq. It is comprised of a total of 100 post-graduate academic credits over a 48-months period after clinical internship. First year evaluations included regular practical assessments; seven in-house papers covering RO, cancer and radiation biology, medical physics, radiological anatomy and diagnostic oncology, tumor pathology, onco-pharmacology, and medical statistics, research methodology, and cancer epidemiology, followed by a comprehensive examination. Subsequent evaluations were on an annual bases with enrollment in the American College of Radiology In-Training examination in RO. Final assessment included logbook and skills' reviews, graduation thesis or peer-review publication, two-papers' written examination, and an exit practical examination.ConclusionsGiven the political, economic and social difficulties in post-war Iraq, it was a major challenge to establish a residency program in RO. Despite the significant difficulties, the first residency program leading to board certification in RO was successfully started in Iraq. The new specialists will help in addressing the shortage of radiation oncologists in the country

Board-certified specialty training program in radiation oncology in a war-torn country: Challenges, solutions and outcomes.

Background: Residency programs leading to board certification are important for safe and competent Radiation Oncology (RO) practice. In some developing nations, there is a gap in this field. This work addresses the experience that was accomplished to establish such a program in Iraq despite all the challenges that faces a country under war. Methods: Descriptive report of challenges faced in a developing country that is still reeling from war, the steps taken to overcome these challenges and outcomes after graduation of two classes. Results: After over 18 months of prerequisite technical and logistical preparations, a group of local and external faculty members were invited to establish the required syllabus of a structured RO residency program in Iraq. It is comprised of a total of 100 post-graduate academic credits over a 48-months period after clinical internship. First year evaluations included regular practical assessments; seven in-house papers covering RO, cancer and radiation biology, medical physics, radiological anatomy and diagnostic oncology, tumor pathology, onco-pharmacology, and medical statistics, research methodology, and cancer epidemiology, followed by a comprehensive examination. Subsequent evaluations were on an annual bases with enrollment in the American College of Radiology In-Training examination in RO. Final assessment included logbook and skills\u27 reviews, graduation thesis or peer-review publication, two-papers\u27 written examination, and an exit practical examination. Conclusions: Given the political, economic and social difficulties in post-war Iraq, it was a major challenge to establish a residency program in RO. Despite the significant difficulties, the first residency program leading to board certification in RO was successfully started in Iraq. The new specialists will help in addressing the shortage of radiation oncologists in the country