Regression of Recurrent Spinal Cord High-Grade Glioma After Convection-Enhanced Delivery of Nimustine Hydrochloride: Case Reports and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord high-grade glioma has poor prognosis. Especially, no treatment protocols have been established for recurrent cases.

OBJECTIVE

To apply a novel treatment method, convection-enhanced delivery (CED), for recurrent high-grade glioma. CED can deliver chemotherapeutic agents directly into the intramedullary lesion and possibly lead to remarkable regression of enlarging tumors that are, otherwise, difficult to control.

METHODS

Two patients developed high-grade glioma in the thoracic spinal cord. Partial resection and chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced remission of the disease. However, following the initial treatment, recurrence was noted in the spinal cord at 6 and 12 mo, respectively. No effective treatment was available for these recurrent lesions. Therefore, the authors decided to use CED to infuse nimustine hydrochloride (ACNU) directly into the spinal cord. During the procedure, the infusion cannula was inserted into the spinal cord lesion under intraoperative computed tomography scan.

RESULTS

After ACNU CED, successive magnetic resonance imaging confirmed remarkable shrinkages of the tumors in both cases. However, the patient's preinfusion symptoms, including bilateral lower extremity weakness, did not change after the treatment. Importantly, overall survivals of the 2 patients were as long as 67 and 33 mo.

CONCLUSION

The authors report the first 2 cases of recurrent spinal cord high-grade glioma. ACNU CED dramatically regressed enhanced mass lesions and provided local tumor controls in the spinal cord.

Successful endoscopic identification of the bleeding source in the ventral dura of the cervical spine in a case of superficial siderosis

The authors report on the case of a 65-year-old man suffering progressive gait disturbance and hearing impairment due to superficial siderosis (SS). According to the literature, repeated hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space causes SS; however, the bleeding source remains unknown in half of SS patients. In the presented case, preoperative MRI revealed a fluid-filled intraspinal cavity extending from C2 to T8 with a dural defect at the ventral C7 level. During surgery, the dural defect was seen to connect to the intraspinal cavity filled with xanthochromic fluid. Importantly, endoscopic observation verified that the rupture of fragile bridging veins in the cavity was the definite bleeding source. Postoperative MRI confirmed disappearance of the intraspinal cavity, and the patient's symptoms gradually improved. The use of endoscopy helped to establish the diagnosis and led to definite treatment. Fragile bridging veins in the fluid-filled interdural layers were novelly verified as a bleeding source in SS. Recognizing this phenomenon is important since it can establish closure of the dural defect as a definite treatment in SS with an intraspinal cavity.

Design of photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers with enhanced in-plane optical feedback for high-speed operation

Photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs) use the two-dimensional (2D) resonance at the band-edge of a photonic crystal for lasing, and they feature various outstanding functionalities such as high-brightness lasing, arbitrary shaping of beam patterns and on-chip 2D beam steering. In this paper, to investigate the applicability of PCSELs for high-speed operation, we design PCSELs with enhanced in-plane optical feedback, which enable single-mode lasing inside a circular region the diameter of which is less than 10 µm. To realize a strong in-plane confinement of the lasing mode, we increase the one-dimensional coupling coefficients between counter-propagating waves through the careful design of the lattice points. We also introduce an in-plane heterostructure composed of two photonic crystals with different photonic bandgaps and utilize reflection at the boundary of the two photonic crystals in addition to the optical feedback at the band-edge of each photonic crystal. By using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method (3D-FDTD), we confirm that the proposed hetero-PCSELs can achieve single-mode lasing operation inside a 9-µm-diameter and possibly realize a 3-dB modulation bandwidth larger than 40 GHz.

Calculation of road accessibility for the rural population in the Shikoku Island of Japan using GIS

Background

The United Nations has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a blueprint for helping ensure the health and well-being of our world by 2030. The global goals address challenges we face including poverty, inequality, climate, environmental, peace and prosperity. The goals each have targets and indicators to help measure success. Indicator #9.1.1 is defined as “Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road”, which can aid in understanding multiple areas of human well-being including access to food, health care, education and in support of economic development. By understanding access to infrastructure, we can focus on affordable and equitable access for all. We focused on the Shikoku Island of Japan and calculated indicator #9.1.1 using spatial analysis.

Methods

We utilized data from three sources listed below. Cho-cho-moku boundaries population data from the Esri Japan corporation. Metropolitan Employment Area data from the Center for Spatial Information Science at the University of Tokyo. Emergency transport road data from the MLIT of Japan. We conducted proximity analysis with Geographic Information System (GIS) and estimated population of the target area using the area ratio of the target area to the original Cho-cho-moku area.

Results

The percentage of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road is 79.5% and those who have no access to an all-season road in the Shikoku Island is 20.5%.

Conclusions

We found the proportion of the rural population that cannot reach an all-season road by calculating indicator #9.1.1. 20.5% of the rural population in the Shikoku Island of Japan may have difficulties accessing essential services such as health care, education, food, and may have difficulties with economic development. By understanding accessibility to road infrastructure, we were able to identify areas at risk for access. We can work towards creating more equitable access in a next step.

Key messages

By conducting spatial analysis with GIS, we can identify areas at risk for access to infrastructure. we can focus on creating more affordable and equitable access for all by understanding access to infrastructure such as health care, education and food.

Laser-Beam-Patterned Topological Insulating States on Thin Semiconducting MoS_{2}

Identifying the two-dimensional (2D) topological insulating (TI) state in new materials and its control are crucial aspects towards the development of voltage-controlled spintronic devices with low-power dissipation. Members of the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides have been recently predicted and experimentally reported as a new class of 2D TI materials, but in most cases edge conduction seems fragile and limited to the monolayer phase fabricated on specified substrates. Here, we realize the controlled patterning of the 1T^{'} phase embedded into the 2H phase of thin semiconducting molybdenum-disulfide by laser beam irradiation. Integer fractions of the quantum of resistance, the dependence on laser-irradiation conditions, magnetic field, and temperature, as well as the bulk gap observation by scanning tunneling spectroscopy and theoretical calculations indicate the presence of the quantum spin Hall phase in our patterned 1T^{'} phases.

P832LDL-C levels on statins and cardiovascular event risk in stable coronary artery disease: An observation from the REAL-CAD study

Background

The relation between very low on-treatment low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the cardiovascular event risk is still unclear in patients receiving the same doses of statins.

Methods

From the REAL-CAD study comparing high-dose with low-dose pitavastatin therapy in Japanese patients with stable coronary artery disease, 11105 patients without reported non-adherence for the study drug were divided into 3 groups according to the on-treatment LDL-C level at 6-month (<70 mg/dL, 70–100 mg/dL, and ≥100 mg/dL; N=1016, N=3078, and N=1665 in the pitavastatin 1 mg/day stratum; N=2431, N=2524, and N=391 in the pitavastatin 4 mg/day stratum). Primary outcome measure was a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal ischemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring emergent admission.

Results

In the pitavastatin 1 mg/day stratum, cumulative 4-year incidence of the primary outcome measure was not significantly different across the 3 groups (5.0%, 5.7%, and 5.2%, P=0.51), while in the 4 mg/day stratum, it was significantly higher in the LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL group than in other groups (4.5%, 3.4%, and 9.1%, P<0.001). The adjusted risks of the LDL-C <70 mg/dL group relative to the LDL-C 70–100 mg/dL group (reference) remained insignificant for the primary outcome measure in both 1 mg/day and 4 mg/day strata (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.58–1.18, P=0.32, and HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.88–1.79, P=0.22). The adjusted risk of LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL group relative to the reference group was not significant for the primary outcome measure in the 1 mg/day stratum (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60–1.11, P=0.21), while it was highly significant in the 4 mg/day stratum (HR 3.32, 95% CI 2.08–5.17, P<0.001). In the on-treatment LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL group in the 4 mg/day stratum, LDL-C increased by 6.3 mg/dL from baseline to 6-month despite dose escalation of pitavastatin from 1 mg/day to 4 mg/day, suggesting the presence of unreported poor adherence in this small subgroup.

Adjusted Effects of On-treatment LDL-C

Conclusions

Very low on-treatment LDL-C level (<70 mg/dL) was not associated with lower cardiovascular event risk compared with moderately low on-treatment LDL-C level (70–100 mg/dL) in patients receiving the same doses of statins. Too much emphasis on the target LDL-C strategy might mislead the clinical practice.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Comprehensive Support Project for Clinical Research of Lifestyle-Related Disease of the Public Health Research Foundation.

P5600Surgical reconstruction of type A aortic dissection in octogenarians

Introduction

Because the population is aging, the indication for surgical reconstruction in older patients will increase. Japan is especially facing the most aging society worldwide. However, surgical reconstruction of type A aortic dissection (AADA) in patients who are octogenarians is not often performed because of the decision of the patient or surgeon. We examined the outcome of surgical reconstruction of AADA in octogenarians.

Method

Over 4 years, 132 cases of surgical reconstruction of AADA were analyzed. Twenty-five consecutive octogenarians with AADA were retrospectively reviewed. In our institution, we recommend an emergent operation to the patient or family in all generations unless they reject it for some reason.

Results

Operative factors in octogenarians with AADA were not significantly different compared with those in patients aged younger than 79 years (n=107) (operation: 238±11 vs. 246±5 min, p=0.54; cardiopulmonary bypass: 147±7.4 vs. 154±3.5 min, p=0.42; aortic-clamp: 114±6.0 vs. 120±2.8 min, p=0.36; hypothermic-arrest: 43±2.7 vs. 42±1.3 min, p=0.81). The overall mortality rate was 24.0% (n=6). The mortality rate was no difference between younger patients and octogenarians (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 0.86–8.21, p=0.08). Furthermore, MACE (Major Adverse Cardiac Event) and the postoperative stroke rate were not significantly different between the two groups (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.52–3.93, p=0.42; OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.16–2.59, p=0.69, respectively).

Conclusion

In AADA, the outcome of emergent surgical reconstruction in octogenarians is acceptable. Even with the risk of aging, surgeons should consider aggressive surgical reconstruction in octogenarians.

P4731Procedure-related acute thrombosis after surgical left atrial appendage occlusion for atrial fibrillation

Background/Introduction

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an effective strategy for thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the novel methods of occlusion is various. The acute thrombosis after percutaneous LAA occlusion devices has been recently reported, but thrombus formation after surgical LAA occlusion is still unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to analyse the incidence and prognosis of thrombus formation on closure stump line in patients with AF who underwent surgical LAA occlusion.

Methods

This study retrospectively analised the data from patients treated with two methods of surgical LAA closure, resection or clipping, from January 2014 to November 2018.

Results

A total of 187 consecutive patients with AF underwent surgical LAA closure (31 clipping and 156 stapler resection). 170 patients (91%) underwent cardiac CT for LAA imaging on postoperative day 2. The incidence of acute procedure-related thrombus formation in full cohort was 19% (35 cases). The incidence of acute thrombus in patients with clipping and resection was 19% and 16%, respectively (Fisher's exact test, p=0.8). All of 35 patients who had thrombus on LAA closure stump line underwent cardiac CT again 3 months after the primary CT. In all patients with secondary cardiac CT, thrombus on LAA closure stump line disappeared. No symptomatic thromboembolism occurred during the follow-up from operation to secondary CT scan.

Conclusion(s)

Thrombus formation on stump after surgical LAA closure may often occur on acute phase. The optimal LAA imaging and anti-coagulation therapy after surgical LAA occlusion will prevent patients with acute thrombus from thromboembolism.

P1831Prediction of cardiovascular events by atheromatous plaques detected by non-obstructive general angioscopy: two-year results of EAST-NOGA Registry

Background

Non-obstructive general angioscopy (NOGA) has revealed the intimal damages or atheromatous plaques as well as its spontaneous rupture of the aorta. Recent study revealed that plaque debris or different size of cholesterol crystals were detected in the blood above the spontaneous ruptured aortic plaque observed by NOGA and these plaque materials might cause the peripheral organ damages as the embolic source. These various morphological changes may cause the acute aortic events or atheroembolic events on the peripheral organs, such as brain, kidney, peripheral artery and so on.

Purpose

EAST-NOGA (Evaluation of AtheroSclerotic and rupture events by Non-Obstructive General Angioscopy) is a multi-center prospective observational study to assess the relationship between the findings of NOGA and future cardiovascular events.

Methods

Five hundred and seventy-seven patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who underwent NOGA study. The major cerebrocardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal cerebral infarction, and acute aortic syndrome were accumulated during the 2-year follow-up after NOGA study.

Results

The median number of aortic atheromatous plaques was 6 [IQR: 3–12]. A total of 514 patients were followed up (89.1%). The mean follow-up duration was 757±120 days. Major adverse cardiovascular events developed in 23 (4.5%) during 2 years follow-up. Patients with MACE and cerebral infarction, had significantly greater number of aortic atheromatous plaques (11 [5–19] vs. 6 [3–11], p<0.001, 12 [4–20] vs. 6 [3–12], p=0.014, respectively). In a univariate analysis, the number of aortic atheromatous plaques and ruptured plaque were significant predictors of MACE (HR: 1.09 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.14, p<0.001) and (HR: 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.23, p=0.02). In a multivariate logistic analysis, the number of aortic atheromatous plaques is one of the independent predictors of MACE (HR 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.10, p=0.032).

Conclusion

The number of atheromatous plaques identified by NOGA has a significant relation to the onset of cerebral infarction, which suggest the atheromatous plaque were vulnerable and ruptured spontaneously, then cause the aortogenic cerebral infarction. The NOGA study would be useful for predicting the futured atheroembolic events.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

A surgical case of cerebellar tuberculoma caused by a paradoxical reaction while on therapy for tuberculosis spondylitis

Background:

A paradoxical reaction (PR) is a phenomenon in which the primary tuberculous lesion worsens or another de novo tuberculous lesion appears while on anti-tuberculosis therapy. Here, we report a rare case of cerebellar tuberculoma caused by a PR during therapy for lumbar tuberculous spondylitis (Pott’s disease).

Case Description:

A 47-year-old male with human immunodeficiency virus seronegative was diagnosed with lumber tuberculous spondylitis (Pott’s disease) and prescribed anti-tuberculous agents. His lower back pain and inflammatory condition recovered after initiation of anti-tuberculous therapy. Two months later, he complained of headache, nausea, and staggering. Magnetic resonance images revealed a ring-enhanced lesion located at the cerebellar hemisphere extending to the vermis, which caused perifocal edema and bilateral ventriculomegaly. These findings were consistent with his symptoms of hydrocephalus. He did not have preceding clinical findings of meningitis, and a PR was suggested to cause de novo aggregation of cerebellar tuberculoma. A lesionectomy was performed, and the surgical specimen was pathologically diagnosed as a tuberculoma. He recovered well from neurological disorders after the resection.

Conclusion:

De novo formation of intracranial tuberculoma alone caused by a PR without preceding meningitis is very rare. Lesionectomy is needed for intracranial tuberculoma, which manifests as a mass effect, as well as antituberculous therapy.

Massive Intramedullary Hemorrhage After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Patient with Vertebrovertebral Arteriovenous Fistula

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic presentations are rare in vertebrovertebral arteriovenous fistula (VVAVF). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient initially presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and progressing to intramedullary hemorrhage.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors report on a 59-year-old man with VVAVF who developed massive intramedullary hemorrhage. Twelve months before ictus, the patient presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although we recommended endovascular surgery, the patient refused treatment. Twelve months after the initial attack, the massive intramedullary hemorrhage in cervical spinal cord caused complete spinal cord injury. Emergent endovascular intervention was performed after the intramedullary hemorrhage, but there was no neurologic improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of this phenomenon is important in VVAVF because intramedullary hemorrhage dramatically degrades patient outcome. Prompt surgical intervention is mandatory for VVAVF cases presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage.