Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia presenting as symptomatic obstructive hydrocephalus: A case report with review of literature

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a common, but usually asymptomatic condition characterized by marked elongation, dilatation, and tortousity of the vertebral and basilar arteries. VBD can sometimes present with symptoms related to mass effect like cranial nerve palsies, or with ischemia or hemorrhage. Hydrocephalus is an extremely uncommon presentation of VBD. We describe here a patient with VBD who presented with symptomatic hydrocephalus due to third ventricular obstruction, which was relieved by ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Progressive limbic encephalopathy: Problems and prospects

Background: It was observed that a good number of patients presenting with psychiatric manifestations when investigated later because of unresponsiveness to treatment or late development of organic features turned out to be treatable limbic syndromes. Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the patients presenting with new onset neuropsychiatric symptoms satisfying the criteria for probable limbic encephalitis. Patients and Methods: Patients referred to neurology department following a period of treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms, which did not respond to conventional treatment were analyzed using Electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, screening for malignancy Vasculitic work-up, histopathology and autoantibody done when feasible. Results: There were 22 patients satisfying criteria for probable limbic encephalitis. Their mean age was 34.5 years. Symptoms varied from unexplained anxiety, panic and depression, lack of inhibition, wandering, incontinence, myoclonus, seizures and stroke like episodes. Three had systemic malignancy, 10 had chronic infection, one each with vasculitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Hashimoto encephalitis and two each with non-convulsive status, cryptogenic and Idiopathic inflammation. Conclusion: All patients who present with new onset neuropsychiatric symptoms need to be evaluated for sub-acute infections, inflammation, autoimmune limbic encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndrome. A repeated 20 minute EEG is a very effective screening tool to detect organicity

Excellent local tumor control regardless of extent of surgical resection after treatment on the Chicago Pilot II protocol for neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the impact of the extent of surgical resection on local recurrence and survival in high-risk patients treated with the Chicago Pilot II protocol. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on 30 patients enrolled in the Chicago Pilot II protocol between 1995 and 2003. Variables studied were location of tumor, extent of resection, timing and location of recurrence, MYCN amplification, surgical complications, event-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Operative reports and postoperative meta-iodobenzylguanidine scans were used to assess extent of resection. Complete resection (CR) was defined as no gross residual tumor including primary and nodal disease. RESULTS: Three-year event-free survival and OS of this cohort of 30 patients was 58% and 82%, respectively. Only 1 patient developed a local recurrence, whereas metastatic recurrent disease was observed in 13 (43%) of the 30; and this subset had a significantly worse OS (23% vs 94%, P = .001). The most common relapse location was in bone. Patients with incomplete resection (IR) (11/30) and CR (19/30) had recurrence rates of 64% (7/11) and 32% (6/19, P = .12), respectively. Event-free survival was significantly better for patients with CR (68%) vs IR (27%; P = .05; odds ratio, 2.9). Overall survival rates for patients with CR vs IR were 68% vs 55%, respectively (P = .25). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence rate was the significant determinant of survival. Patients with CR had lower recurrence rates; however, they did not have improved local control. Final outcome of patients with unfavorable neuroblastoma will be determined by metastatic recurrence, not by extent of resection

A prospective school-based study of abdominal pain and other common somatic complaints in children

To determine the prevalence and impact of pediatric abdominal pain (AP). Prospective cohort study (12/2005-06/2006), with gastrointestinal and other symptoms assessed weekly. Anxiety, depression, functional disability, quality of life, somatization, coping, school absenteeism and medical care were assessed in 237 students in the third through eighth grades (11.8 years; 134 girls) from 2 public schools weekly. Complete data were obtained on 4606 of 5175 (89%) possible questionnaires. Seventy-two percent of children reported >1 somatic symptom weekly, and 45% of children reported >1 gastrointestinal symptom weekly. The weekly prevalence of AP was 38%, and 90% of children reported AP at least once. AP persisted >4 consecutive weeks in 52% of children and was associated with higher anxiety (P < .001) and depression (P < .001) scores and worse quality of life (P < .001). Twenty-three percent of children missed school for AP (average, 2.3 days), and 10% of parents of those children missed work (average, 1.9 days). Presence of AP (P < .001) was independently associated with school absences. Four children (2%) sought medical attention. AP is common in school-age children and is associated with worse quality of life, psychological co-morbidities, school absenteeism, and parental work absences