Correlation Between the Residual Tumor Volume, Extent of Tumor Resection, and O6-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase Status in Patients with Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) status, extent of surgical resection, and its impact on overall outcomes in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS: After institutional review board approval, 233 newly diagnosed patients with GBM with known MGMT status (2009-2015) were included in our analysis. Clinical, imaging, and follow-up data were collected from the database. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary and secondary end points, respectively. RESULTS: Of patients, 51.9% were younger than 65 years and 44.2% were noted to have promoter methylation of MGMT. Median residual tumor volume was 1.1 cm3 and extent of complete resection of enhancing tumor on imaging was 96%. Estimated median OS and PFS were 10.9 months and 5.4 months, respectively. MGMT status was an independent predictor of PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; P = 0.005) but only marginally associated with OS (P = 0.059). In MGMT methylated patients, extent of resection (≥86%) and good performance status (Karnofsky Performance Status ≥70) were independently associated with PFS and OS, respectively (PFS: HR, 0.21; P = 0.015; OS: HR, 0.05; P = 0.002). In MGMT promoter unmethylated patients, extent of resection (≥86%) was independently associated with OS (P = 0.039). Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was associated with OS/PFS irrespective of age and MGMT status. CONCLUSIONS: Greater extent of resection of enhancing tumor was associated with improved PFS in MGMT promoter methylated patients, OS regardless of MGMT status. Elderly patients with methylated MGMT promoter were found to have improved PFS whereas younger patients had improved OS with MGMT promoter methylated status.

Infective Endocarditis in a Patient with Celiac Disease after Central Venous Catheter Insertion.

There is an increasing incidence of infective endocarditis secondary to central venous catheters, which is termed as 'healthcare-associated infective endocarditis'. There is an increased risk of getting infective endocarditis in conditions with malnutrition and also if the tip of the central venous catheter is deep in the right atrium close to the tricuspid valve. We present a case of 31-year-old female who had all these risk factors. She was admitted to the hospital for the work up of the weight loss and was diagnosed with celiac disease. Central venous access was obtained because of poor peripheral intravenous access via the peripherally inserted central catheter which was complicated by thrombosis and removed after three days of insertion, and she was started on anticoagulation. Two weeks after being discharged, she presented to the emergency department with fever, shortness of breath, and had signs of congestive heart failure. A computed tomography of the chest for pulmonary embolism was taken and showed small clot burden pulmonary embolism and two cavitary lesions in the right lung. A transthoracic echocardiogram was taken and showed vegetation on the tricuspid valve and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, a diagnosis of infective endocarditis was made, and she was treated with intravenous antibiotics for a total of six weeks after a long and complicated hospital stay.