Magnetic resonance imaging of the cerebellopontine angle: comparison between constructive interference steady-state and small field-of-view technique turbo spin echo sequences.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to optimize a three-dimensional (3D) turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequence using a small field-of-view (FOV) technique for the study of the cerebellopontine angle and to compare it with a constructive interference steady-state (CISS) sequence. METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging with a 3Tesla (T) scanner, including 3D CISS and the optimized 3D small FOV technique turbo spin echo (3D SFT-TSE) T2-weighted sequences for the study of the cerebellopontine angle. The 3D SFT-TSE sequence was optimized after three different steps, and a quantitative evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was obtained according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) method. Three neuroradiologists made a blind comparative qualitative evaluation of the images between the 3D CISS and the 3D SFT-TSE obtained after the third optimization step, based on spatial resolution, contrast resolution, and presence of artifacts and noise. RESULTS: The calculation of SNR using the NEMA method confirmed the superiority of the third optimization step over the others. For both spatial and contrast resolution, the optimized SFT-TSE was considered better (p < 0.001) than the CISS, while image artifacts and noise were considered worse in the CISS sequence (p < 0.001). Intraobserver analysis showed that all neuroradiologists preferred the 3D SFT-TSE sequence in terms of both spatial resolution and contrast resolution and found more noise and artifact disruption in the CISS sequence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the 2D radiofrequency pulse technique with a 3D SFT-TSE T2 sequence was significantly more efficient than the 3D CISS sequence for the study of the cerebellopontine angle and inner ear structures.

Selective cell cycle arrest in glioblastoma cell lines by quantum molecular resonance alone or in combination with temozolomide.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, characterised by high proliferation rates and cell invasiveness. Despite advances in surgery and radio-chemotherapy, patients continue to have poor prognoses, with a survival rate of 14-15 months. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. Non-ionising electromagnetic fields represent an emerging option given the potential advantages of safety, low toxicity and the possibility to be combined with other therapies. METHODS: Here, the anticancer activity of quantum molecular resonance (QMR) was investigated. For this purpose, three glioblastoma cell lines were tested, and the QMR effect was evaluated on cancer cell proliferation rate and aggressiveness. To clarify the QMR mechanism of action, the proteomic asset after stimulation was delineated. Mesenchymal stromal cells and astrocytes were used as healthy controls. RESULTS: QMR affected cancer cell proliferation, inducing a significant arrest of cell cycle progression and reducing cancer tumorigenicity. These parameters were not altered in healthy control cells. Proteomic analysis suggested that QMR acts not only on DNA replication but also on the machinery involved in the mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. Moreover, in a combined therapy assessment, QMR significantly enhanced temozolomide efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: QMR technology appears to be a promising tool for glioblastoma treatment.

Surgical brain metastases: management and outcome related to prognostic indexes: a critical review of a ten-year series.

Brain metastasis are the most common neoplastic lesions of the nervous system. Many cancer patients are diagnosed on the basis of a first clinical presentation of cancer on the basis of a single or multiple brain lesions. Brain metastases are manifestations of primary disease progression and often determine a poor prognosis. Not all patients with a brain metastases undergo surgery: many are submitted to alternative or palliative treatments. Management of patients with brain metastases is still controversial, and many studies have been developed to determine which is the best therapy. Furthermore, management of patients operated for a brain metastasis is often difficult. Chemotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, panencephalic radiation therapy, and surgery, in combination or alone, are the means most commonly used. We report our experience in the management of a ten-year series of surgical brain metastasis and discuss our results in the preoperative and postoperative management of this complex condition.