STUDY DESIGN: The retrospective analysis of intramedullary hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) was performed, and the entity was discussed in accordance with the literature findings. PURPOSE: This study aimed at defining distinctive characteristic features of intramedullary HPC with respect to surgical approach and prognosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Intramedullary HPCs are extremely rare tumors. They originate from capillary pericytes, supposedly follow the vessels over the spinal cord, and infiltrate deep into the spinal cord without a distinct plane. Their treatments and prognosis are not well-defined in the literature. METHODS: Our database was retrospectively reviewed for the cases of HPCs. Later on, a literature search was performed to reveal all reported cases of intramedullary HPCs. The following key words were searched in PubMed databases: "hemangiopericytoma and intramedullary," "hemangiopericytoma and spine (spinal) and intradural," and "hemangiopericytoma and spinal cord." The articles were reviewed for patients' demographics features, imaging characteristics, tumor-specific factors (surgical technique, pathological descriptions, and world health organization grades), and postoperative course and prognosis (adjuvant therapies, recurrences, complications, and mortalities). RESULTS: A total of seven patients (three male and four female) was reached, with their ages ranging from 15 to 80 years (mean, 32.5 years). The tumors were located majorly in thoracic region (5/7, 71.4%), and only two cases were in the cervical region (2/7, 28.6%). All tumors were completely removed, and only two cases received radiotherapy. No recurrence was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of the intramedullary HPCs seems to be the best management strategy for long-term and recurrence-free survival and in alleviating further need for radiotherapy.
Capillaries ; Demography ; Hemangiopericytoma* ; Humans ; Male ; Pericytes ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine ; World Health Organization

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause major mortality and morbidity worldwide even after a year of its emergence. In its early days, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were noted as poor prognostic factors, while obesity gained attention at a later stage. In the present study, unfavorable clinical outcomes (transfer to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality) were investigated in obese patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed patients with positive polymerase chain reaction test in tertiary care hospital between March-May 2020. They were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI) as normal, overweight, and obese (BMI: 18.5 - 24.99 kg/m2 , 25 - 29.99 kg/m2 , and ≥ 30 kg/m2 , respectively). We compared clinical features and laboratory findings of these groups and recorded adverse clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed for unfavorable outcomes. Results: There were 99 patients (35%), 116 (41%), and 69 patients (24%) in the normal-weight, overweight, and obese group, respectively. Among all patients, 52 (18%) patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), 30 (11%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and 22 patients (8%) died. Obese patients had minimum 1 more comorbidity than normal BMI patients (73% vs. 50%, P = 0.002), and a longer median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of hospitalization (8 [5 - 12] vs. 6 [5 - 9]) days, P = 0.006). Obese participants had higher concentrations of serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin than nonobese patients (P <0.05 in all). In a multivariate analysis, obesity was associated with ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 - 7.04, P = 0.012). Moreover, IMV requirement was associated with obesity (aOR: 8.73, 95% CI: 2.44 - 31.20, P = 0.001). Mortality occurred in 16%, 9%, and 1% of the obese group, overweight group, and normal-weight group, respectively (Chi-square trend analysis, P = 0.002). Conclusion Obesity is a risk factor for adverse outcomes and caused increased mortality, hence requiring close follow-up.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause major mortality and morbidity worldwide even after a year of its emergence. In its early days, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were noted as poor prognostic factors, while obesity gained attention at a later stage. In the present study, unfavorable clinical outcomes (transfer to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality) were investigated in obese patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed patients with positive polymerase chain reaction test in tertiary care hospital between March-May 2020. They were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI) as normal, overweight, and obese (BMI: 18.5 - 24.99 kg/m2 , 25 - 29.99 kg/m2 , and ≥ 30 kg/m2 , respectively). We compared clinical features and laboratory findings of these groups and recorded adverse clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed for unfavorable outcomes. Results: There were 99 patients (35%), 116 (41%), and 69 patients (24%) in the normal-weight, overweight, and obese group, respectively. Among all patients, 52 (18%) patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), 30 (11%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and 22 patients (8%) died. Obese patients had minimum 1 more comorbidity than normal BMI patients (73% vs. 50%, P = 0.002), and a longer median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of hospitalization (8 [5 - 12] vs. 6 [5 - 9]) days, P = 0.006). Obese participants had higher concentrations of serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin than nonobese patients (P <0.05 in all). In a multivariate analysis, obesity was associated with ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 - 7.04, P = 0.012). Moreover, IMV requirement was associated with obesity (aOR: 8.73, 95% CI: 2.44 - 31.20, P = 0.001). Mortality occurred in 16%, 9%, and 1% of the obese group, overweight group, and normal-weight group, respectively (Chi-square trend analysis, P = 0.002). Conclusion Obesity is a risk factor for adverse outcomes and caused increased mortality, hence requiring close follow-up.