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Biomedical subjects

Geeta Chacko

Publications and source records attributed to Geeta Chacko.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Intracranial hemangiopericytomas: correlation of topoisomerase IIalpha expression with biologic behavior.

BACKGROUND: Meningeal hemangiopericytomas are aggressive tumors that have a high rate of recurrence despite gross total resection and radiation therapy. Topoisomerase, a cell proliferation marker, is also a target of certain chemotherapeutic agents, and its nuclear levels are speculated to predict efficacy of targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to correlate the topoisomerase IIalpha proliferation index (TPI) with biologic behavior in intracranial hemangiopericytomas. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, and management data in 27 patients with intracranial hemangiopericytoma admitted between 1990 and 2003 were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on all the tumors using a monoclonal antibody to topoisomerase IIalpha, and the proliferation index was calculated. The effect of TPI on outcome was sought. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 15:12. The mean age at presentation was 31.33 years. A radical excision of tumor was done in 18, subtotal excision in 2, partial excision in 4, and a biopsy in 3 patients. Tumor recurrence was noted in 15 (55.6%) of the 27 patients (mean follow-up duration, 51.5 months). The time to recurrence ranged from 7 months to 8 years (mean, 49 months). The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 33.8% in patients with a TPI of 5% or greater, and 72% in patients with a TPI of less than 5%. The relative risk of recurrence was 2.9 times greater in patients with a TPI 5% or greater as compared with those a TPI of less than 5%. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that cases with a radical excision, radiation therapy, or a TPI index of less than 5% have a longer recurrence-free survival. A TPI of 5% or greater is a reliable predictor of recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Plasma cell tumors of the skull.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell tumors are rare neoplasms, which include extramedullary plasmacytoma, solitary plasmacytoma of the bone, and multiple myeloma. Although indistinguishable histopathologically, these entities need to be differentiated as treatment and prognosis vary. METHODS: This study was conducted by retrospective chart review and correspondence with patients diagnosed to have plasma cell tumors of the skull from 1992 to 2004. The clinico-diagnostic investigations, treatment, and subsequent follow-up of the patients were obtained. RESULTS: We report 5 cases of plasma cell tumors of the skull. The lesion involved the base of skull in 2 and the calvarium in 3 patients. In 2 cases, the histopathology was reported as plasmacytoma and further investigations revealed systemic involvement, indicative of multiple myeloma. In 1 patient, the biopsy was reported as multiple myeloma. The above 3 patients underwent radiation, followed by chemotherapy, and there was improvement in their neurologic status at subsequent follow-up. Another patient with a scalp swelling and symptoms of systemic involvement underwent investigations to detect multiple myeloma and, hence, was not subjected to an invasive procedure for histopathologic diagnosis. Chemotherapy was initiated but was discontinued because of social reasons. The last patient in our series died in the immediate postoperative period and although her histopathology was reported as plasmacytoma, she could not be evaluated for systemic involvement. CONCLUSION: The treatment options are different for the systemic form of disease and the localized disease; hence, it is imperative that a rigorous search for systemic involvement is conducted in a case of solitary or extramedullary plasmacytoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma presenting with multiple intracranial metastases.

A 28-year-old man presented with history of raised intracranial pressure and one episode of generalized tonic clonic seizures. Computed Tomogram revealed multiple contrast enhancing intracranial lesions. Biopsy of one of the lesions was reported as metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma. He was advised whole brain radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma causing spinal cord compression.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyoma as a cause of cord compression is extremely rare. To our knowledge this is the first report of a dural-based leiomyoma and second report of a leiomyoma causing cord compression. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old female renal transplant recipient presented with features of cervical cord compression. On imaging and at surgery, the tumor was mistaken for a neurofibroma. A cervical laminectomy and near total excision of the tumor was done. She did well in the postoperative period but presented 5 months later with thoracic empyema leading to septicemia and her demise. Ultrasound examination and autopsy showed leiomyomas in many other sites including the uterus. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of extrauterine and uterine leiomyomas is a curious condition termed as "benign metastasizing leiomyoma." As our patient was on immunosuppressant therapy following a renal transplant, it might have predisposed her to this rare condition with multifocal tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Neuroprotective effects of L-arginine administration after cortical impact injury in rats: dose response and time window.

Administration of L-arginine has been shown to increase cerebral blood flow and reduce neurological damage after experimental traumatic brain injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the optimal dose and time window for these neuroprotective effects. In a dose response experiment, doses of L-arginine ranging from 37.5 to 600 mg/kg were administered 5 min after a 5-m/s, 3-mm, controlled cortical impact in rats. The amount of brain injury found at 2 weeks after injury, both at the contusion site and in the ipsilateral hippocampus, were inversely related to the dose of L-arginine administered. Both 300- and 600-mg/kg doses of L-arginine significantly reduced contusion volume. The 300-mg/kg dose significantly increased the neuron density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Physiological effects of L-arginine were also dose-related. The greatest reduction in intracranial pressure occurred with the 300-mg/kg dose of L-arginine. Doses up to 300 mg/kg were well tolerated, but the 600-mg/kg dose resulted in transient hypotension. In another experiment, 300 mg/kg L-arginine was administered at times varying from 5 min to 48 h after injury. Contusion volume was significantly reduced when the L-arginine was given at 5 min and 1 h after injury. The protective effect was less when the same dose was given at the later times, but there was no evidence of an adverse effect even when the L-arginine was administered 48 h after injury.

Animals↗