Methods: In total, 176 stent-assisted coil embolization procedures were investigated. Among them, 77 ruptured and 99 unruptured aneurysms were grouped and compared respectively. In the ruptured group, only SAPT (aspirin) was administered after the procedure. Meanwhile, in the unruptured group, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered before and after the procedure following standard guidelines. We compared both groups in regards to thromboembolic complications by analyzing post procedural diffusion-weighted images (DWI), hyperacute thrombosis during the procedure, and post-procedural symptoms. Results: The single antiplatelet therapy ruptured intracranial aneurysm (SAPT-RIA) group had 77 saccular aneurysms (62 ICA, 3 MCA, 4 ACA, 8 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 8.07 mm. The dual antiplatelet therapy unruptured intracranial aneurysm (DAPT-UIA) group had 99 aneurysms (81 ICA, 5 MCA, 3 ACA, 10 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 6.32 mm. DWI positivity rates were similar between groups, but hyperacute thrombosis was higher in the SAPT-RIA group (10.4%) compared to none in the DAPT-UIA group. Each group had one symptomatic complication. Conclusions SAPT could be a viable option for the peri-procedural management of SAC in acutely ruptured cases.

Methods: In total, 176 stent-assisted coil embolization procedures were investigated. Among them, 77 ruptured and 99 unruptured aneurysms were grouped and compared respectively. In the ruptured group, only SAPT (aspirin) was administered after the procedure. Meanwhile, in the unruptured group, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered before and after the procedure following standard guidelines. We compared both groups in regards to thromboembolic complications by analyzing post procedural diffusion-weighted images (DWI), hyperacute thrombosis during the procedure, and post-procedural symptoms. Results: The single antiplatelet therapy ruptured intracranial aneurysm (SAPT-RIA) group had 77 saccular aneurysms (62 ICA, 3 MCA, 4 ACA, 8 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 8.07 mm. The dual antiplatelet therapy unruptured intracranial aneurysm (DAPT-UIA) group had 99 aneurysms (81 ICA, 5 MCA, 3 ACA, 10 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 6.32 mm. DWI positivity rates were similar between groups, but hyperacute thrombosis was higher in the SAPT-RIA group (10.4%) compared to none in the DAPT-UIA group. Each group had one symptomatic complication. Conclusions SAPT could be a viable option for the peri-procedural management of SAC in acutely ruptured cases.

Methods: In total, 176 stent-assisted coil embolization procedures were investigated. Among them, 77 ruptured and 99 unruptured aneurysms were grouped and compared respectively. In the ruptured group, only SAPT (aspirin) was administered after the procedure. Meanwhile, in the unruptured group, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered before and after the procedure following standard guidelines. We compared both groups in regards to thromboembolic complications by analyzing post procedural diffusion-weighted images (DWI), hyperacute thrombosis during the procedure, and post-procedural symptoms. Results: The single antiplatelet therapy ruptured intracranial aneurysm (SAPT-RIA) group had 77 saccular aneurysms (62 ICA, 3 MCA, 4 ACA, 8 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 8.07 mm. The dual antiplatelet therapy unruptured intracranial aneurysm (DAPT-UIA) group had 99 aneurysms (81 ICA, 5 MCA, 3 ACA, 10 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 6.32 mm. DWI positivity rates were similar between groups, but hyperacute thrombosis was higher in the SAPT-RIA group (10.4%) compared to none in the DAPT-UIA group. Each group had one symptomatic complication. Conclusions SAPT could be a viable option for the peri-procedural management of SAC in acutely ruptured cases.

Objective: Reconstruction methods, including stent-assisted coiling, multiple telescopic stents, and flow diverters, are preferred modalities for the treatment of unruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs). We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between two reconstructive flow diversion techniques: single flow diverter (FD) device and multiple telescopic stenting (TS). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 39 patients with unruptured VADAs. Of these, 17 patients were treated with multiple TS and 22 with a single FD device. Aneurysm characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: All aneurysms included in this study successfully achieved flow diversion, regardless of the treatment modality and duration. However, the mean procedure duration to complete the diversion was shorter in the FD group. Subgroup analysis in TS group showed that there were no significant clinical differences between the low-profile visualized intraluminal support and Enterprise stents, except for the mean procedure duration. Conclusions Both the single FD and multiple TS methods showed excellent angiographic and clinical outcomes in the treatment of unruptured VADAs. However, single FD required a shorter procedure duration and was associated with faster achievement of complete flow diversion.

Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) after unruptured aneurysm surgery are extremely rare. Its onset timing is variable, and its mechanisms are unclear. We report two cases of CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery and review the literature regarding potential mechanisms. The first case is a 51-year-old woman with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm after unruptured left anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery. She presented with delayed vasospasm on postoperative day 14. The second case is a 45-year-old woman who suffered from oculomotor nerve palsy caused by an unruptured posterior communicatig artery (PCoA) aneurysm. DIND with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm developed on postoperative day 12. To our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic CVS with oculomotor nerve palsy following unruptured PCoA aneurysm surgery. CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery is very rare and can be triggered by multiple mechanisms, such as hemorrhage, mechanical stress to the arterial wall, or the trigemino-cerebrovascular system. For unruptured aneurysm surgery, although it is rare, careful observation and treatments can be needed for postoperative CVS with DIND.

Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) after unruptured aneurysm surgery are extremely rare. Its onset timing is variable, and its mechanisms are unclear. We report two cases of CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery and review the literature regarding potential mechanisms. The first case is a 51-year-old woman with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm after unruptured left anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery. She presented with delayed vasospasm on postoperative day 14. The second case is a 45-year-old woman who suffered from oculomotor nerve palsy caused by an unruptured posterior communicatig artery (PCoA) aneurysm. DIND with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm developed on postoperative day 12. To our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic CVS with oculomotor nerve palsy following unruptured PCoA aneurysm surgery. CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery is very rare and can be triggered by multiple mechanisms, such as hemorrhage, mechanical stress to the arterial wall, or the trigemino-cerebrovascular system. For unruptured aneurysm surgery, although it is rare, careful observation and treatments can be needed for postoperative CVS with DIND.

Graft-versus-host disease (GHVD) is a severe complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The degree of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, a major GVHD target organ, correlates with the disease severity. Intestinal inflammation is initiated by epithelial damage caused by pre-conditioning irradiation. In combination with damages caused by donor-derived T cells, such damage disrupts the epithelial barrier and exposes innate immune cells to pathogenic and commensal intestinal bacteria, which release ligands for Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota and signaling through the TLR/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) pathways contribute to the development of intestinal GVHD. Understanding the changes in the microbial flora and the roles of TLR signaling in intestinal GVHD will facilitate the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Bacteria ; Dysbiosis ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Graft vs Host Disease* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Immunity, Innate* ; Inflammation ; Ligands ; T-Lymphocytes ; Toll-Like Receptors

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive role of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2006 and April 2016, 53 patients were treated with IMRT in two institutions and their PET/CT at the time of diagnosis was reviewed. The SUVmax of their nasopharyngeal lesions and metastatic lymph nodes (LN) was recorded. IMRT was delivered using helical tomotherapy. All patients except for one were treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). Correlations between SUVmax and patients’ survival and recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: At a median follow-up time of 31.5 months (range, 3.4 to 98.7 months), the 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 83.2% and 77.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients with a higher nodal pre-treatment SUVmax (≥ 13.4) demonstrated significantly lower 3-year OS (93.1% vs. 55.5%; p = 0.003), DFS (92.7% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.001), locoregional recurrence-free survival (100% vs. 50.5%; p < 0.001), and distant metastasis-free survival (100% vs. 69.2%; p = 0.004), respectively. In multivariate analysis, high pre-treatment nodal SUVmax (≥ 13.4) was a negative prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 7.799; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.506–40.397; p = 0.014) and DFS (HR, 9.392; 95% CI, 1.989–44.339; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: High pre-treatment nodal SUVmax was an independent prognosticator of survival and disease progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with IMRT in our cohort. Therefore, nodal SUVmax may provide important information for identifying patients who require more aggressive treatment.
Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography* ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated* ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients who received radical hypofractionated IMRT were retrospectively reviewed. Based on a pelvic lymph node involvement risk of 15% as the cutoff value, we decided whether to deliver treatment prostate and seminal vesicle only radiotherapy (PORT) or whole pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT). Sixteen patients (41%) received PORT with prostate receiving 45 Gy in 4.5 Gy per fraction in 2 weeks and the other 23 patients (59%) received WPRT with the prostate receiving 72 Gy in 2.4 Gy per fraction in 6 weeks. The median equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions to the prostate was 79.9 Gy based on the assumption that the α/β ratio is 1.5 Gy. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 38 months (range, 4 to 101 months). The 3-year biochemical failure-free survival rate was 88.2%. The 3-year clinical failure-free and overall survival rates were 94.5% and 96.3%, respectively. The rates of grade 2 acute genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were 20.5% and 12.8%, respectively. None of the patients experienced grade ≥3 acute GU and GI toxicities. The grade 2-3 late GU and GI toxicities were found in 8.1% and 5.4% of patients, respectively. No fatal late toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Favorable biochemical control with low rates of toxicity was observed after hypofractionated IMRT, suggesting that our radiotherapy schedule can be an effective treatment option in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.
Appointments and Schedules ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Pelvis ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminal Vesicles ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for transient lymphedema (TLE) and persistent lymphedema (PLE) following treatment for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,073 patients who underwent curative breast surgery were analyzed. TLE was defined as one episode of arm swelling that had resolved spontaneously by the next follow-up; arm swelling that persisted over two consecutive examinations was considered PLE. RESULTS: At a median follow-up period of 5.1 years, 370 cases of lymphedema were reported, including 120 TLE (11.2%) and 250 PLE (23.3%). Initial grade 1 swelling was observed in 351 patients, of which 120 were limited to TLE (34%), while the other 231 progressed to PLE (66%). All initial swelling observed in TLE patients was classified as grade 1. In multivariate analysis, chemotherapy with taxane and supraclavicular radiation therapy (SCRT) were associated with development of TLE, whereas SCRT, stage III cancer and chemotherapy with taxane were identified as risk factors for PLE (p < 0.05). The estimated incidence of TLE among initial grade 1 patients was calculated using up to three treatment-related risk factors (number of dissected axillary lymph nodes, SCRT, and taxane chemotherapy). The approximate ratios of TLE and PLE based on the number of risk factors were 7:1 (no factor), 1:1 (one factor), 1:2 (two factors), and 1:3 (three factors). CONCLUSION: One-third of initial swelling events were transient, whereas the other two-thirds of patients experienced PLE. Estimation of TLE and PLE based on known treatment factors could facilitate prediction of this life-long complication.
Arm ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Combined Modality Therapy* ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphedema* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors*