Slope until reaching the plateau: a new predictor of valve response obtained by lumbar infusion test for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is based on clinical, radiological, and hydrodynamic data of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by invasive methods such as lumbar infusion test, which is used to determine the resistance to CSF outflow (Rout). However, Rout has limitations, and its value as predictor of valve response is questioned. Other variables can be obtained by lumbar infusion test, such as the time to reach the plateau (TRP) and the slope until reaching the plateau (SRP). The objectives were to determine if SRP could be a predictor of response to ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and what variable (Rout versus SRP) would have greater predictive value. METHOD: Patients with probable iNPH who underwent a lumbar infusion test and were indicated for a VPS were retrospectively studied. Two groups were established, responders and non-responders. Rout, TRP (period between the start of infusion until reaching the plateau measured in seconds) and SRP ((plateau pressure-opening pressure)/TRP) were obtained. For Rout and SRP, the receiver operating curves (ROC) with its areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients were included, being 86 responders (78.20%). Shunt responders had a significantly greater Rout (17.02 (14.45-20.23) versus 13.34 (12.10-16.28) mmHg/ml/min, p = 0.002) and SRP (0.049 (0.043-0.054) versus 0.031 (0.026-0.036) mmHg/sec, p < 0.001) and smaller TRP (641.28 (584.83-697.73) versus 777.65 (654.03-901.27) sec, p = 0.028) than non-responders. The AUC for SRP was greater than the AUC for Rout (0.763 (95 % CI 0.655-0.871, p < 0.001) versus 0.673 (95 % CI 0.595-0.801, p = 0.008), respectively), but the differences were not significant (p = 0.180). CONCLUSIONS: SRP could be considered predictor of response to VPS, and its accuracy tends to be better than Rout. So, this variable may be a useful tool to select shunt candidates among patients with probable iNPH.

Validez pronóstica de las amplitudes de presión, tiempo en alcanzar la meseta y la pendiente obtenidas en el test de infusión para el estudio de la hidrocefalia idiopática de presión normal / Prognostic value of the pulse pressure amplitudes, time to reach the plateau and the slope obtained in the lumbar infusion test for the study of idiophatic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Antecedentes y objetivo: Estudiar la validez pronóstica de la resistencia a la salida de líquido cefalorraquídeo (Rout) obtenida en el test de infusión lumbar en el estudio de la hidrocefalia idiopática de presión normal (iNPH), al igual que de las amplitudes en los diferentes tramos del test y otras nuevas variables obtenidas con el software Neuropicture®.Materiales y métodosRevisamos retrospectivamente pacientes con «probable iNPH» a los que se les sometió a un test de infusión lumbar. Se determinó el valor predictivo positivo (VPP) del punto de corte con mayor precisión pronóstica de la Rout, la amplitud de pulso en reposo (AMP0), la amplitud en los primeros 10 min (AMP10min), la amplitud de meseta (AMPmes), la amplitud de Rout (AMPRout), el tiempo en alcanzar la meseta (T) y la pendiente de la curva hasta alcanzar la meseta (P). Se dividió a los pacientes en respondedores y no respondedores.ResultadosEl estudio incluyó a 64 pacientes respondedores y 16, no respondedores. El VPP de Rout >15mmHg/ml/min fue 91,7%; de la AMP0> 2,34mmHg, 91,3%; de la AMP10min> 4,34 mmHG, 83,3%; de AMPmes> 12,44mmHg, 84,6%; de AMPRout> 6,34 mmHG, 85%; de T<634 s, 86,7%, y de P> 0,040mmHg/s, 96,3%.ConclusionesLa Rout sigue siendo un criterio válido para indicar un shunt ventricular. Las amplitudes en diferentes tramos del test, junto a la T y la P son otras variables cuya positividad es indicativa de respuesta valvular y deberían formar parte del protocolo diagnóstico (AU)

Background and objective: To study the prognostic value of the resistance to the cerebrospinal fluid outflow (Rout) obtained in the lumbar infusion test in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), as well as the pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the test and other new variables extracted by Neuropicture® software.Material and methodsPatients with ́probable iNPH́ who underwent a lumbar infusion test were retrospectively revised. The positive predictive values (PPV) of the cutoff point of the best prognostic accuracy of the Rout, the basal pulse pressure amplitude (AMP0), the pulse pressure amplitude during the first 10minutes (AMP10min), the plateau pulse pressure amplitude (AMPmes), the Rout pulse pressure amplitude (AMPRout), the time to reach the plateau (T), and the slope until reaching the plateau were determined. Patients were categorized either as responders or non-responders.ResultsThe study included 64 responders patients and 16 non-responders patients. The PPV of Rout> 15mmHg/ml/min was 91.7%; AMP0> 2.34mmHg: 91.3%; AMP10min>4.34mmHg: 83.3%; AMPmes>12.44mmHg: 84.6%; AMPRout>6.34mmHg: 85%; T <634seconds: 86.7%; P>0.040mmHg/sec: 96.3%.ConclusionsRout is a valid criterion to indicate a ventricular shunt. Pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the lumbar infusion test, in addition to T and P, are other variables whose positivity is indicative of shunt response and should be considered in the diagnostic protocol of the iNPH (AU)

Prognostic value of the pulse pressure amplitudes, time to reach the plateau and the slope obtained in the lumbar infusion test for the study of idiophatic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of the resistance to the cerebrospinal fluid outflow (Rout) obtained in the lumbar infusion test in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), as well as the pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the test and other new variables extracted by Neuropicture® software. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with 'probable iNPH' who underwent a lumbar infusion test were retrospectively revised. The positive predictive values (PPV) of the cutoff point of the best prognostic accuracy of the Rout, the basal pulse pressure amplitude (AMPo), the pulse pressure amplitude during the first 10 min (AMP10min), the plateau pulse pressure amplitude (AMPmes), the Rout pulse pressure amplitude (AMPRout), the time to reach the plateau (T), and the slope until reaching the plateau were determined. Patients were categorized either as responders or non-responders. RESULTS: The study included 64 responders patients and 16 non-responders patients. The PPV of Rout > 15 mmHg/mL/min was 91.7%; AMPo > 2.34 mmHg: 91.3%; AMP10 min > 4.34 mmHg: 83.3%; AMPmes > 12.44 mmHg: 84.6%; AMPRout > 6.34 mmHg: 85%; T < 634 s: 86.7%; p > 0.040 mmHg/s: 96.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Rout is a valid criterion to indicate a ventricular shunt. Pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the lumbar infusion test, in addition to T and P, are other variables whose positivity is indicative of shunt response and should be considered in the diagnostic protocol of the iNPH.

Prognostic value of the pulse pressure amplitudes, time to reach the plateau and the slope obtained in the lumbar infusion test for the study of idiophatic normal pressure hydrocephalus. / Validez pronóstica de las amplitudes de presión, tiempo en alcanzar la meseta y la pendiente obtenidas en el test de infusión para el estudio de la hidrocefalia idiopática de presión normal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of the resistance to the cerebrospinal fluid outflow (Rout) obtained in the lumbar infusion test in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), as well as the pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the test and other new variables extracted by Neuropicture® software. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with ́probable iNPH́ who underwent a lumbar infusion test were retrospectively revised. The positive predictive values (PPV) of the cutoff point of the best prognostic accuracy of the Rout, the basal pulse pressure amplitude (AMP0), the pulse pressure amplitude during the first 10minutes (AMP10min), the plateau pulse pressure amplitude (AMPmes), the Rout pulse pressure amplitude (AMPRout), the time to reach the plateau (T), and the slope until reaching the plateau were determined. Patients were categorized either as responders or non-responders. RESULTS: The study included 64 responders patients and 16 non-responders patients. The PPV of Rout> 15mmHg/ml/min was 91.7%; AMP0> 2.34mmHg: 91.3%; AMP10min>4.34mmHg: 83.3%; AMPmes>12.44mmHg: 84.6%; AMPRout>6.34mmHg: 85%; T <634seconds: 86.7%; P>0.040mmHg/sec: 96.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Rout is a valid criterion to indicate a ventricular shunt. Pulse pressure amplitudes in the different periods of the lumbar infusion test, in addition to T and P, are other variables whose positivity is indicative of shunt response and should be considered in the diagnostic protocol of the iNPH.

Pseudoquistes abdominales, una complicación rara de los sistemas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Abdominal pseudocysts, an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt systems: Literature systematic review

Los pseudoquistes abdominales son una complicación infrecuente de las derivaciones ventrículo-peritoneales de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), por lo que su etiología, diagnóstico y manejo terapéutico son muy controvertidos. Nuestro objetivo es ofrecer una revisión sistemática, crítica y actualizada, de la complicación, valiéndonos de una búsqueda y revisión de la literatura más relevante existente a propósito de dicho tema. La forma de aparición de los pseudoquistes es generalmente mediante clínica abdominal muy inespecífica. La etiología más validada es la existencia de una infección concomitante del sistema de derivación del LCR, y como tal el tratamiento precisa antibioterapia y sustitución de todo o parte del sistema. Sin embargo, el pseudoquiste no necesita de un tratamiento activo, salvo casos concretos. Este manejo, presentado algorítmicamente en el presente trabajo, logra una tasa de recurrencia menor que otras opciones que, no obstante, sigue siendo importante, y se asocia además a otras complicaciones de las derivaciones relacionadas con varios factores (AU)

Since the first report in 1954, abdominal pseudocysts have been recognized as a particularly uncommon complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts of CSF, so their etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic management remain very controversial. Our objective is to offer a critical and updated systematic review of those controversial points, using a thorough search and review of the most relevant literature available. The clinical presentation of pseudocysts is normally through non-specific abdominal symptoms. The most validated etiology consists on the existence of a concomitant infection of the CSF shunt system, and so, treatment needs of antibiotherapy and total or partial substitution of the system. However, the pseudocyst itself doesn’t need an active treatment, except for some specific cases. This management, algorithmically presented in the present work, achieves a lower recurrence rate than other options, but this one is still important, and is also associated with other complications of those shunts related with several other factors which need to be taken in account (AU)

Tumor cell and immune cell profiles in primary human glioblastoma: Impact on patient outcome.

The distribution and role of tumor-infiltrating leucocytes in glioblastoma (GBM) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the cellular composition of 55 primary (adult) GBM samples by flow cytometry and correlated the tumor immune profile with patient features at diagnosis and outcome. GBM single-cell suspensions were stained at diagnosis (n = 44) and recurrence following radiotherapy and chemotherapy (n = 11) with a panel of 8-color monoclonal antibody combinations for the identification and enumeration of (GFAP+ CD45- ) tumor and normal astrocytic cells, infiltrating myeloid cells -i.e. microglial and blood-derived tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), M1-like, and M2-like TAM, neutrophils. and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)- and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) -i.e. CD3+ T-cells and their TCD4+ , TCD8+ , TCD4- CD8- , and (CD25+ CD127lo ) regulatory (T-regs) subsets, (CD19+ CD20+ ) B-cells, and (CD16+ ) NK-cells-. Overall, GBM samples consisted of a major population (mean ± 1SD) of tumor and normal astrocytic cells (73% ± 16%) together with a significant but variable fraction of immune cells (24% ± 18%). Within myeloid cells, TAM predominated (13% ± 12%) including both microglial cells (10% ± 11%) and blood-derived macrophages (3% ± 5%), in addition to a smaller proportion of neutrophils (5% ± 9%) and MDSC (4% ± 8%). Lymphocytes were less represented and mostly included TCD4+ (0.5% ± 0.7%) and TCD8+ cells (0.6% ± 0.7%), together with lower numbers of TCD4- CD8- T-cells (0.2% ± 0.4%), T-regs (0.1% ± 0.2%), B-lymphocytes (0.1% ± 0.2%) and NK-cells (0.05% ± 0.05%). Overall, three distinct immune profiles were identified: cases with a minor fraction of leucocytes, tumors with a predominance of TAM and neutrophils, and cases with mixed infiltration by TAM, neutrophils, and T-lymphocytes. Untreated GBM patients with mixed myeloid and lymphoid immune infiltrates showed a significantly shorter patient overall survival versus the other two groups, in the absence of gains of the EGFR gene (p = 0.02). Here we show that immune cell infiltrates are systematically present in GBM, with highly variable levels and immune profiles. Patients with mixed myeloid and T-lymphoid infiltrates showed a worse outcome.

Abdominal pseudocysts, an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt systems: Literature systematic review. / Pseudoquistes abdominales, una complicación rara de los sistemas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal: revisión sistemática de la literatura.

Since the first report in 1954, abdominal pseudocysts have been recognized as a particularly uncommon complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts of CSF, so their etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic management remain very controversial. Our objective is to offer a critical and updated systematic review of those controversial points, using a thorough search and review of the most relevant literature available. The clinical presentation of pseudocysts is normally through non-specific abdominal symptoms. The most validated etiology consists on the existence of a concomitant infection of the CSF shunt system, and so, treatment needs of antibiotherapy and total or partial substitution of the system. However, the pseudocyst itself doesn't need an active treatment, except for some specific cases. This management, algorithmically presented in the present work, achieves a lower recurrence rate than other options, but this one is still important, and is also associated with other complications of those shunts related with several other factors which need to be taken in account.

Utility of Radiologic Variables to Predict the Result of Lumbar Infusion Test in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is based in clinical data, radiologic variables, and invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, such as the lumbar infusion test. Several neuroimaging findings are inconclusively related to improvement after CSF shunt surgery. CSF tests are invasive and have complications. The aim of this study was to select radiologic variables related to a positive lumbar infusion test so as to avoid this test in patients. METHODS: Patients with possible idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus were reviewed. The collected radiologic data were cingulate sulcus sign, disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space, callosal angle, and width of temporal horns. Two groups were established: group 1, comprising patients with resistance to CSF outflow <12 mm Hg/mL/minute, and group 2, comprising patients with resistance to CSF outflow >12 mm Hg/mL/minute. Negative and positive predictive values were determined. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients in group 1 and 64 patients in group 2. Group 2 significantly showed more acute callosal angle with higher accuracy cutoff value of 90.6°, lower width of temporal horns with higher accuracy cutoff value of 8 mm, and higher percentage of cingulate sulcus sign and disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space. Matching the radiologic variables, positive predictive values were >80%; however, negative predictive values were low. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to high positive predictive values of matched radiological variables, the lumbar infusion test could be avoided in the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. However, when 1 or 2 of the variables are negative, this invasive test should be performed.