Characterization of brain metastases using high-resolution magic angle spinning MRS.

The objectives of this study were to (a) explore the spectral characteristics of brain metastases, focusing on the origin of the primary cancer, and (b) evaluate the correlation with clinical outcome using multivariate analysis. High-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) MR spectra (n = 26) were obtained from 16 patients with brain metastases using a Bruker Avance DRX600 instrument. Standard pulse-acquired and spin-echo (TE 32 and 285 ms) (1)H spectra were obtained. These were examined using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression analysis (PLS) relating spectral data to clinical outcome. The PCA score plot of pulse-acquired HR-MAS spectra showed a trend of clustering due to the origin of the metastases, mainly based on differences in the lipid signals at 1.3 and 0.9 ppm. With PLS, spectra of patients who died less than 5 months after surgery appeared to cluster in the lower left quadrant of the score plot. These preliminary results on brain metastasis classification and prediction of survival must be validated in a larger patient cohort. However, the possibility of differentiating metastases according to origin and predicting survival on the basis of HR-MAS spectra suggests that this method may be useful for diagnosing and planning treatment for brain metastases and also for guiding decisions about terminating further treatment.

Radiosurgery versus conventional surgery for dermatochalasis.

PURPOSE: To compare hemorrhage and wound healing after radiosurgery and conventional surgery for dermatochalasis. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 13 patients with dermatochalasis who underwent radiosurgery in one upper eyelid and conventional surgery with scalpel and scissors in the contralateral eyelid. Hemorrhage and wounds were evaluated after surgery the same day, 1 week later, and 3 months after surgery by a masked observer. Hemorrhage was evaluated on a scale from 0 (no hemorrhage) to 4; wounds were evaluated by use of Hollander score, from 0 (poorest outcome) to 6 (best outcome). RESULTS: We found a tendency toward better wound healing and a higher Hollander score at 1 week after radiosurgery (p=0.014) and no significant differences in wound healing and hemorrhage between radiosurgery and the conventional technique. CONCLUSIONS: Both radiosurgery and conventional surgery for dermatochalasis showed good results at the 3-month follow-up.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors attenuate endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction in human temporal artery.

It is well documented that endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction develops in artery segments incubated in culture and that the reaction is augmented by proinflammatory cytokines, but little is known of the mechanisms involved. Segments of human temporal artery were incubated in organ culture for 2 days in the absence or presence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), with or without nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Thereafter, contractions were induced by the selective endothelin ET(B) receptor agonist, sarafotoxin S6c. Acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin, nimesulide and rofecoxib were all effective in eliminating the increase in endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction induced by interleukin-1 beta, but only indomethacin and rofecoxib significantly reduced the spontaneous development of this reaction in cultured arteries. Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone augmented the reaction, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor had no effect. The results clearly indicate a role for cyclooxygenase, most likely cyclooxygenase-2, in endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction in this preparation.