An objective way to predict remission and relapse in Cushing disease using Bayes' theorem of probability.

OBJECTIVE: In this study on patients with Cushing disease, post-transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), we attempt to predict the probability of remaining in remission, at least for a year and relapse after that, using Bayes' theorem and the equation of conditional probability. The number of parameters, as well as the weightage of each, is incorporated in this equation. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design was a single-centre ambispective study. Ten clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological parameters capable of predicting Cushing disease remission were identified. The presence or absence of each parameter was entered as binary numbers. Bayes' theorem was applied, and each patient's probability of remission and relapse was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included in the study. ROC plot showed a cut-off value of the probability of 0.68, with a sensitivity of 82% (range 73-89%) and a specificity of 94% (range 83-99%) to predict the probability of remission. Eighty-one patients who were in remission at 1 year were followed up for relapse and 23 patients developed relapse of the disease. The Bayes' equation was able to predict relapse in only 3 out of 23 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using various parameters, remission of Cushing disease can be predicted by applying Bayes' theorem of conditional probability with a sensitivity and a specificity of 82% and 94%, respectively. This study provided an objective way of predicting remission after TSS and relapse in patients with Cushing disease giving a weightage advantage to every parameter.

Remission in Cushing's disease is predicted by cortisol burden and its withdrawal following pituitary surgery.

AIM: To ascertain the predictors of remission and relapse in patients of Cushing's disease (CD) undergoing pituitary transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). METHODS: Patients with CD subjected to TSS over 35 years at a tertiary care center were included. Patients were grouped into remission and persistent disease at 1 year after surgery, and were further followed up for relapse. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, histological, radiological and post-operative follow-up parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 152 patients of CD, 145 underwent TSS. Remission was achieved in 95 (65.5%) patients at 1 year. Patients in remission had shorter duration of symptoms prior to presentation (p = 0.009), more frequent presence of proximal myopathy (p = 0.038) and a tumor size of < 2.05 cm (p = 0.016) in comparison to those with persistent disease. Post-TSS, immediate post-operative 0800-h cortisol (< 159.85 nmol/L; p = 0.001), histological confirmation of tumor (p = 0.045), duration of glucocorticoid replacement (median 90 days; p = 0.001), non-visualization of tumor on MRI (p = 0.003), new-onset hypogonadism (p = 0.001), 3-month 0800-h cortisol (< 384.9 nmol/L; p = 0.001), resolution of diabetes (p = 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.001), and recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (p = 0.018) favored remission. In logistic regression model, requirement of glucocorticoid replacement (p = 0.033), and resolution of hypertension post-TSS (p = 0.003) predicted remission. None of the parameters could predict relapse. CONCLUSION: The study could ascertain the predictors of remission in CD. Apart from the tumor characteristics, surgical aspects and low post-operative 0800-h cortisol, the results suggest that baseline clinical parameters, longer glucocorticoid replacement, and resolution of metabolic complications post-TSS predict remission in CD. Long-term follow-up is essential to look for relapse.

Assessment of Utilization of Rehabilitation Services among Stroke Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation is probably one of the most important phases of recovery for many stroke survivors. The current study was conducted with the objective to assess the utilization of rehabilitation services and factors affecting nonutilization of rehabilitation services among the stroke survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study was carried out in the Neuro Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital in India. It was a descriptive study. Consecutive 55 stroke survivors who had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited in this study. Self-structured rehabilitation tool was used to collect the data. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the patients comprised 70.9% of males and 29.1% of females. Among participants, 70.90% were aware about rehabilitation, 67% were utilizing rehabilitation services, whereas 33% were not utilizing rehabilitation services. In the current study, certain reasons were found behind not utilizing rehabilitation services. There were 83.3% of participants who had lack of awareness about rehabilitation services and 61.1% of participants who had no availability of rehabilitation services. Only 45.5% of rural inhabitants were utilizing rehabilitation services as compared to 81.2% of urban inhabitants and 83.23% of suburban inhabitants. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation is of utmost importance. Hemiparesis, difficulty in performing activity of daily living, difficulty in performing social activities, and difficulty in reasoning were the most common problems faced by people suffering stroke after discharge from the hospital. There was lack of awareness and utilization of rehabilitation services by patients among Indian stroke population. Hence, health workers have an immense role in educating, motivating, and ensuring that rehabilitation services in rural inhabitants.

Fungal Mycotic Aneurysm in a Case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

We report a case of a 15-year old boy who was managed as a case of B cell lymphoblastic leukaemia with the modified BFM 90 protocol. During the induction phase, he developed febrile neutropenia with sino-pulmonary fungal infection confirmed on histopathology. He developed left sided hemiparesis during in-hospital management of febrile neutropenia. Neuroimaging revealed 9.6 × 8.4 mm round well defined aneurysm arising from right cortical artery in distal middle cerebral artery territory. He underwent fronto-temporo-parietal craniectomy with evacuation of the hematoma and excision of the aneurysm. Histopathological examination of excised aneurysmal specimen grew same species of fungus as was cultured from nasal scraping. He recovered fully in next 6 months with minimal residual focal neurological deficits. Presently he is in maintenance phase chemotherapy. We presented this case to illustrate a rare complication of ALL therapy with mycotic aneurysm secondary to invasive fungal infection treated successfully.

Hemorrhage in astroblastoma: An unusual manifestation of an extremely rare entity.

Astroblastoma is a rare tumor of glial origin with characteristics of both astrocytoma and ependymoma. It is usually seen in children and young adults, and is peripherally located, well circumscribed, of solid-cystic composition and with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Histopathology reveals perivascular pseudorosette formation and thick hyalinised vessels. Hemorrhage in astroblastoma is unusual and rarely described in literature. We report two patients with astroblastoma who presented with hemorrhage and discuss the natural history, radiological findings, pathophysiology of hemorrhage and histopathological characteristics. We emphasize the importance of early suspicion in peripherally located lesions with bleeding.

Is ligation and division of anterior third of superior sagittal sinus really safe?

BACKGROUND/OBJECT: Ligation and division of anterior third (AT) of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) is presumed to be safe and is commonly used for approaching anterior skull base tumors and distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (DACA). Contrary to this belief we found complications secondary to this procedure more often than described and we have described them along with probable etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 62 patients who underwent bifrontal or extended bifrontal craniotomies with ligation and division of the proximal end of SSS were studied retrospectively. The clinical profiles and postoperative CT scans were studied to look for venous edema and hemorrhages. Venogram (digital subtraction) was done in one of the patients who had developed this complication. RESULTS: Five patients developed bifrontal venous hemorrhagic infarcts (4 patients with anterior skull base tumors and 1 with DACA aneurysm). These patients had a morbid postoperative hospital stay with memory disturbances and urinary incontinence in the follow up period. Two patients died. The venogram done in one patient revealed complete occlusion of the AT-SSS. The morbidity and mortality that can be attributed to ligation of AT-SSS was 8.06% and 1.6% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The safety of ligation and division of the AT-SSS is questionable, contrary to traditional teaching. Though only the proximal end of SSS is ligated, the occlusion extends upto the distal craniotomy edge possibly due to reflection of the dural leaf with AT-SSS that causes kinking and thrombosis. It is more often seen in patients with anterior skull base lesions, probably because of already compromised basal venous drainage. A preoperative venogram could possibly predict the safety of this procedure.

The economic divide in outcome following severe head injury.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status is an important determinant of the standard of living and health status of people. OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of economic status on the outcome following severe head injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients of severe head injury, whose guardians' volunteered information on family income, were enrolled for the study. The family per capita income was then calculated. They were studied prospectively in relation to various factors and followed-up. RESULTS: Among 99 patients, monthly per capita income of Rs. <500, 500-1000, 1000-2000, and >2000 were noted in 20, 43, 22, and 14 patients, respectively. The credibility of information on income was confirmed by positive correlation with patients' mid arm circumference measurements (P<0.001). They were divided into two groups (family monthly per capita income ≤Rs.1000 and >Rs.1000). The comparability of both groups based on age, Glasgow Coma Scale, systemic injury, and surgical intervention was confirmed (P>0.05). Mortality at one month was 49% among patients whose monthly per capita income ≤Rs.1000 compared with 17% of the rest (Odds ratio [OR] 4.0, P=0.003). Unfavorable outcome at three months was noted in 63% of patients whose monthly per capita income ≤Rs.1000, as compared with 35% of those with per capita income >Rs.1000 (OR 4.1, P=0.01). In multivariate analysis, family monthly per capita income ≤Rs.1000 emerged as an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome at three months (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: In patients of severe head injury, lower economic status is significantly associated with unfavorable outcome at three months, independent of other factors.