Gender "tailored" conceptions: should the option of embryo gender selection be available to infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology?

The purpose of this article is to ascertain and appraise the ethical issues inherent to the utilisation of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for gender selection in infertile patients anticipating undergoing a medically indicated assisted reproductive technique procedure. Performance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis per request specifically for gender selection by an infertile couple undergoing medically indicated assisted reproductive technique may not breach the principles of ethics, and is unlikely to alter the population balance of sexes.

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor: case series and review of the literature

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PSPNET) is extremely rare and only 25 cases have been reported in the world literature so far. Three patients of 8, 9 and 18 years of age, who presented with variable grades of neurological deficit were diagnosed as having a dorsal intramedullary lesion, a holocord lesion and cervical extradural tumor with extraspinal extension, respectively, and were operated at our institute. The histopathology of all 3 children revealed PNET. The clinical course, image characteristics and outcome of the 3 children are described, and the relevant literature is reviewed. The following conclusions were drawn from the present study and review of the literature. PNET may manifest itself as a primary lesion of the spine unlike the more common drop metastases from an intracranial lesion. PSPNET may be intramedullary, intradural and extradural with variable extraspinal extension. PSPNET may present as holocord intramedullary lesion, an entity which has not been described earlier. These lesions have a short history, significant neurological deficits and rapid course of illness. PSPNET, though an established entity, did not find a place in the WHO 2000 classification of CNS tumors. Hence its status has to be defined.

Primary papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of broad ligament

A rare case of an advanced primary broad ligament carcinoma is discussed, with a review of the literature regarding its incidence, presentation and management. This patient showed a complete response to adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy following panhysterectomy and is presently without any evidence of disease, 15 months after completion of her treatment.

Glioneuronal migration and development disorders: histological and immunohistochemical study with a comment on evolution

Glioneuronal migration disorders of the brain evolve primarily due to aberration in neuronal migration, maturation and programming in the development of various topographic zones in the brain, following pathological alterations in glial and neuronal interactions. These are broadly referred as cortical dysplastic conditions. While these dysplastic conditions involving cerebral cortex present as drug resistant seizure disorder, those involving cerebellum present as mass lesions or slowly progressing vertigo. We report 17 cases, representing the histological spectrum of dysplastic, glioneuronal migration disorders which include, hemimegalencephaly (1), tuberous sclerosis (4), Sturge Weber Syndrome with focal dysplasia (1), Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (7) and Lhermitte Ductos disease of cerebellum (2). The dysplastic neurons in varied stages of maturation showed neuronal cytoskeletal pathology similar to that in neuro degenerative diseases, especially when associated with cytomegaly. Similarly, cells exhibiting dual expression of glial and neuronal markers were noted in the cerebral dysplastic lesions. The dysplastic glial elements probably form the subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Dysplastic neuronal elements form the nidus for DNT. When localized, surgical resection ameliorate the symptoms in many of these condition. Study of these conditions provide better insight into glioneuronal interaction and maturation of the brain.

Demonstration of scolex in calcified cysticercus lesion using gradient echo with or without corrected phase imaging and its clinical implications

AIM

This study was performed to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence that was best suited to demonstrate the scolex in a calcified lesion and to seek the explanation for the appearance of a negative phase in a calcified scolex on corrected gradient refocused echo (GRE) phase imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients with single/multiple computed tomography (CT) documented homogeneous calcified lesions and/or calcified scolices in cysts were studied with conventional spin echo and corrected GRE phase imaging. Calcium and different paramagnetic substances from cysticerci scolices of a sample of infected swine muscle were quantified.

RESULTS

The scolex could be demonstrated in 29/39 patients with single calcified lesion. GRE imaging with an echo time of 35ms was the only sequence that demonstrated scolex in all these 29 cases. 15/29 patients with a single calcified lesion, in all 10 patients with multiple calcified lesions and infected swine muscle with multiple cysts and calcified scolex, corrected GRE phase imaging showed negative phase in all these scolices. Estimation of minerals from the calcified scolices from the swine muscle showed by spectroscopic techniques 41.2% of the total mineral contents as paramagnetic substances.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that GRE imaging is the imaging method of choice for demonstration of the scolex in a CT calcified lesion. The negative phase on corrected GRE phase imaging is due to the presence of large amount of paramagnetic substances.