Is it possible to predict the development of diabetes insipidus after pituitary surgery? Study of 241 endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgeries.

PURPOSE: To identify presurgical and surgical factors associated with the development of diabetes insipidus (DI) after pituitary adenoma (PA) resection through an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. METHODS: Data from 231 patients with functioning and non-functioning PAs who underwent an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in the last ten years. RESULTS: 231 patients with 241 pituitary surgeries were included. Eighty-five percent harbored macroadenomas and 38.1% of them were invasive. After pituitary surgery, 12.5% (n = 30) developed transient DI and 5.0% (n = 12) permanent DI. The global risk of DI was higher in patients younger than 65 years (OR = 2.94, p = 0.029), with total tumoral resection (OR = 2.86, p = 0.007) and with diaphragm opening during pituitary resection (OR = 3.63, p = 0.0003). Once postoperative DI developed, the risk of permanent DI increased in those patients with larger PA (OR = 1.07 for each mm of craniocaudal diameter, p = 0.020), especially in those greater than 30 mm (OR = 8.33, p = 0.004). Moreover, diaphragm opening during pituitary resection (OR = 28.3, p = 0.018) predicted long-term DI independently of pituitary tumor size. The risk of permanent DI increased as PA craniocaudal diameter increased (r = 0.20, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In patients with PAs younger than 65 years, in whom diaphragm has been opened during pituitary surgery and/or with a total tumor resection, special hydric balance monitoring should be maintained in the postoperative period due to the increased risk of developing DI. The risk of permanent DI increases as PA craniocaudal diameter increased.

Bevacizumab dose adjustment to improve clinical outcomes of glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and vascularized brain tumors in adults, with a median survival of 20.9 months. In newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM, bevacizumab demonstrated an increase in progression-free survival, but not in overall survival. METHODS: We conducted an in silico analysis of VEGF expression, in a cohort of 1082 glioma patients. Then, to determine whether appropriate bevacizumab dose adjustment could increase the anti-angiogenic response, we used in vitro and in vivo GBM models. Additionally, we analyzed VEGFA expression in tissue, serum, and plasma in a cohort of GBM patients before and during bevacizumab treatment. RESULTS: We identified that 20% of primary GBM did not express VEGFA suggesting that these patients would probably not respond to bevacizumab therapy as we proved in vitro and in vivo. We found that a specific dose of bevacizumab calculated based on VEGFA expression levels increases the response to treatment in cell culture and serum samples from mice bearing GBM tumors. Additionally, in a cohort of GBM patients, we observed a correlation of VEGFA levels in serum, but not in plasma, with bevacizumab treatment performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that bevacizumab dose adjustment could improve clinical outcomes in Glioblastoma treatment.

Tratamiento del dolor neuropático por desaferentización mediante lesión DREZ, resultados a largo plaz / Treatment of neuropathic deafferentation pain using DREZ lesions; long-term results

Introducción: El dolor por desaferentización secundario a lesiones medulares, avulsión del plexo braquial y otras lesiones de nervios periféricos, es a menudo refractario a tratamientos convencionales. Este trabajo evalúa la eficacia a largo plazo de la cirugía de lesión DREZ (Dorsal Root Entry Zone) en diversos síndromes de dolor neuropático por desaferentización. Pacientes y métodos: Se presenta una serie de 18 pacientes con dolor refractario por desaferentización tratados mediante lesión DREZ con radiofrecuencia. La eficacia inmediata y a largo plazo se valoró mediante la escala visual analógica (EVA) preoperatoria y postoperatoria, la valoración subjetiva del paciente, la reincorporación laboral y la reducción de la medicación analgésica. Resultados: El dolor en la EVA disminuyó significativamente de 8,6 antes de la cirugía a 2,9 de media al alta (p<0,001). A largo plazo, con un seguimiento medio de 28 meses (6-108), el dolor se mantuvo en 4,7 en la EVA (p<0,002). El porcentaje de pacientes con un alivio moderado a excelente del dolor fue de 77% al alta y 68% a largo plazo. El 67% de los pacientes redujo la medicación analgésica y el 28% se reincorporó al trabajo. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en los pacientes con avulsión del plexo braquial con una mejoría significativa del dolor a largo plazo en todos los casos. Conclusiones: La lesión DREZ por radiofrecuencia es un tratamiento eficaz y seguro para el dolor neuropático refractario por desaferentización (AU)

Introduction: Deafferentation pain secondary to spinal cord injury, brachial plexus avulsion and other peripheral nerve injuries is often refractory to conventional treatments. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy of spinal DREZ (Dorsal Root Entry Zone) lesions for the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes caused by deafferentation.Patients and methodsA series of 18 patients with refractory deafferentation pain treated with radiofrequency DREZ lesions is presented. The immediate and long-term efficacy was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after treatment, the patient's subjective evaluation, the percentage of patients returning to work and the reduction in pain medication. Results: Pain on the VAS significantly decreased from 8.6 preoperatively to 2.9 (p<.001) at discharge. Over the long-term, with a mean follow-up of 28 months (6-108) pain remained at 4.7 on the VAS (p<0.002). The percentage of patients with moderate to excellent pain relief was 77% at discharge and 68% at the last follow-up. Pain medication was reduced in 67% of the patients and 28% returned to work. The best results were obtained in patients with brachial plexus avulsion, with a significant long-term pain relief in all cases. Conclusions:Radiofrequency DREZ lesion is an effective and safe treatment for refractory neuropathic pain caused by deafferentation (AU)

Treatment of neuropathic deafferentation pain using DREZ lesions; long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: Deafferentation pain secondary to spinal cord injury, brachial plexus avulsion and other peripheral nerve injuries is often refractory to conventional treatments. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy of spinal DREZ (Dorsal Root Entry Zone) lesions for the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes caused by deafferentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 18 patients with refractory deafferentation pain treated with radiofrequency DREZ lesions is presented. The immediate and long-term efficacy was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after treatment, the patient's subjective evaluation, the percentage of patients returning to work and the reduction in pain medication. RESULTS: Pain on the VAS significantly decreased from 8.6 preoperatively to 2.9 (p<.001) at discharge. Over the long-term, with a mean follow-up of 28 months (6-108) pain remained at 4.7 on the VAS (p<0.002). The percentage of patients with moderate to excellent pain relief was 77% at discharge and 68% at the last follow-up. Pain medication was reduced in 67% of the patients and 28% returned to work. The best results were obtained in patients with brachial plexus avulsion, with a significant long-term pain relief in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency DREZ lesion is an effective and safe treatment for refractory neuropathic pain caused by deafferentation.

Control nutricional en pacientes de traumatología / Nutritional control in orthopedic surgery patients

Objetivos: Establecer la incidencia y evolución de malnutrición en una cohorte de pacientes ingresados en un servicio de traumatología. Ámbito: Es un estudio observacional y prospectivo, realizado en un hospital terciario que dispone de Unidad de Nutrición Clínica. Pacientes: Se estudian 107 pacientes (56,1% mujeres, 43,9% hombres, edad 62,1 ± 20,4 años) al ingreso en el Servicio de Traumatología y la evolución en la primera consulta externa de los pacientes intervenidos para colocar una prótesis de cadera o rodilla. Intervenciones: Se realizó una historia clínica, recogida de datos antropométricos y tres tests de cribado nutricional: Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) y Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS). Con ellos se calcula la prevalencia de malnutrición al ingreso, comparando las diferencias entre los métodos y la posible existencia de asociación entre la malnutrición y otros factores, tales como úlceras por presión o dependencia para las actividades de la vida diaria. Resultados: Según el MNA el 22% tiene riesgo de malnutrición, en la VGS es un 24% (un 4% están malnutridos) y en el MUST un 80% presenta alto riesgo de malnutrición. Un 1,7% de los pacientes tienen un Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) menor que 18,5. Existe una relación significativa entre la malnutrición y estado neuropsicológico (p = 0,001), dependencia para las actividades de la vida diaria (p = 0,002) y entre el MUST de alto y medio riesgo con la aparición de úlceras por presión (p = 0,003). Hay empeoramiento del estado nutricional postquirúrgico con 2 tests: MNA y VGS (p = 0,000). Conclusión: En las condiciones del estudio la prevalencia de malnutrición al ingreso en el Servicio de Traumatología es elevada, los pacientes con cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera muestran al mes un claro empeoramiento de su estado nutricional, así como una mayor incidencia de úlceras por presión (AU

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of orthopaedic patients. Design: Prospective observation study. Setting: Tertiary hospital, Clinical Nutrition Unit. Patients: 107 patients (56,1% women, 43,9% men, 62,1± 20,4 years) are studied at admission to the orthopaedic unit and it is observed the evolution of orthopaedic surgery patients with hip or knee prosthesis. Material and methods: Medical history, anthropometric data and three nutritional screening tools were considered: Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) y Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS). It was assessed the prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital, using different methods and determining if a correlation exists between malnutrition and other factors, such as the development of pressure sores of the dependence in activities of daily living. Results: The risk of malnutrition is 22 and 24/100 patients admitted at hospital, if MNA and SGA are used, respectively (SGA caregorized 4% of the group as "malnourished"). 80% patients are considered to be at high risk of malnutrition using MUST. 1,7% patients presented a Body Mass Index (BMI) lower than 18,5. There is a strong agreement between malnutrition and neropsychological status (p = 0,001), and the dependence in activities of daily living (p = 0,002), and between medium and high risk of malnutrition and the development of pressure sores (p = 0,003). If MNA and SGA (p = 0,000) are used, post-surgical patients presents a deteriorating nutritional status. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital is elevated. Orthopaedic surgery patients with hip and knee prosthesis presented a deteriorating nutritional status, and a higher incidence of pressure sores in a month (AU)

[Nutritional control in orthopedic surgery patients]. / Control nutricional en pacientes de traumatología.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status of orthopaedic patients. DESIGN: Prospective observation study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital, Clinical Nutrition Unit. PATIENTS: 107 patients (56.1% women, 43.9% men, 62.1 +/- 20.4 years) are studied at admission to the orthopaedic unit and it is observed the evolution of orthopaedic surgery patients with hip or knee prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical history, anthropometric data and three nutritional screening tools were considered: Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) y Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS). It was assessed the prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital, using different methods and determining if a correlation exists between malnutrition and other factors, such as the development of pressure sores of the dependence in activities of daily living. RESULTS: The risk of malnutrition is 22 and 24/100 patients admitted at hospital, if MNA and SGA are used, respectively (SGA caregorized 4% of the group as "malnourished"). 80% patients are considered to be at high risk of malnutrition using MUST. 1.7% patients presented a Body Mass Index (BMI) lower than 18.5. There is a strong agreement between malnutrition and neropsychological status (p = 0.001), and the dependence in activities of daily living (p = 0.002), and between medium and high risk of malnutrition and the development of pressure sores (p = 0.003). If MNA and SGA (p = 0.000) are used, post-surgical patients presents a deteriorating nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital is elevated. Orthopaedic surgery patients with hip and knee prosthesis presented a deteriorating nutritional status, and a higher incidence of pressure sores in a month.