SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Defining Death”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

[Liver resection--indications and results].

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is an established treatment for malignancies like colorectal metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Indications and outcomes of liver resection at the National Hospital, Oslo, Norway was studied retrospectively in 226 patients operated between 1977 and 1999. RESULTS: The main indication for surgery was colorectal metastases (n = 137). The frequency of liver resection for colorectal malignancies was < 1 per 100,000 patients per year in the hospital's catchment area. Other indications included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 30), benign tumours like hemangioma (n = 14), and various primary and secondary malignant tumours. Reoperation due to postoperative complications was performed in 13 patients (6%). Total perioperative mortality defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days after discharge, was 3% (7/226). No perioperative deaths occurred among the 159 patients operated after 1987. Five year survival for patients operated for colorectal metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma were 29% and 24%, respectively. INTERPRETATION: The main indication for liver resection is colorectal metastases. Liver resection is a safe operation with potential curation for selected patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Late results of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy in patients with restenosis after surgical commissurotomy compared to patients with 'de-novo' stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: The outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) has been reported as poor in patients with prior surgical commissurotomy. The study aim was to evaluate immediate and long-term follow up results of BMC in patients with restenosis after surgical commissurotomy compared to patients with 'de-novo' mitral stenosis. METHODS: Between October 1988 and September 1999, a total of 1,027 patients underwent BMC. Of these patients, 169 (16.5%) were examined at 17+/-7 years (range: 2-33 years) after surgical commissurotomy (group 1), and 858 (83.5%) had de-novo mitral stenosis (group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 patients were older than group 2 patients (49.4+/-9.3 versus 47.3+/-9.6 years; p <0.05), and atrial fibrillation was seen more often in group 1 (53.9% versus 32.4%; p <0.005). Before BMC, mitral valve area (MVA) was similar in both groups (1.18+/-0.27 and 1.15+/-0.26 cm2 in groups 1 and 2 respectively; p = NS); following BMC, MVA was 1.82+/-0.3 and 1.93+/-0.40 cm2 respectively (p <0.05). Four patients (2.4%) from group 1, and 24 (2.8%) from group 2 required mitral valve replacement due to severe regurgitation (p = NS). Annual clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was completed for 950 patients (mean follow up 56.2+/-31.1 months (range: 12-132 months). Cardiac events defined as death, valve surgery or repeat BMC occurred in 16.0% of patients in group 1, and in 9.6% of those in group 2. At follow up of three, five and 10 years, actuarial event-free survival was 85.7+/-2.9%, 79.8+/-3.8% and 65.2+/-7.5% respectively in group 1, and 93.4+/-0.9%, 90.1+/-1.1% and 72.7+/-3.9% respectively in group 2 (log rank test, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed MVA <1.5 cm2 after BMC, mitral regurgitation grade >2/4, Wilkins score >8, and mean transmitral gradient and left atrial mean pressure post BMC to be independent predictors of an adverse event occurring during follow up. CONCLUSION: BMC in patients with restenosis after surgical commissurotomy is an effective method of treatment, and may help to avoid valve surgery in most patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Zinc inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation and sensitizes prostate cancer cells to cytotoxic agents.

Prostate carcinogenesis involves transformation of zinc-accumulating normal epithelial cells to malignant cells, which do not accumulate zinc. In this study, we demonstrate by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry that physiological levels of zinc inhibit activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B transcription factor in PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer cells, reduce expression of NF-kappa B-controlled antiapoptotic protein c-IAP2, and activate c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases. Preincubation of PC-3 cells with physiological concentrations of zinc sensitized tumor cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and paclitaxel mediated cell death as defined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay. These results suggest one possible mechanism for the inhibitory effect of zinc on the development and progression of prostate malignancy and might have important consequences for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1992

[Research of aging: epidemiological perspectives].

The epidemiological aging research has the descriptive task of characterizing the phenomena of aging and their consequences: illness, disability, handicap, and death--in defined population groups and comparing these groups. The other closely related task is analytical epidemiology, which searches for predictive or causal factors: traits, events or conditions of the aging phenomena. Special problems for this research are created by the facts that exposure to the causal factors often may be assumed to have taken place long time before the aging process becomes apparent, that the causal factors may act on cumulative basis over long time, that the effects may be irreversible, and that the factors may no longer play a role at advanced age. The possible role of genetic factors, acting alone or in combination with environmental factors, must be considered and elucidated by special epidemiological methods. The rapid advances in molecular biology raise expectations about epidemiological utilization providing much more precise assessment of the genetic contribution to the aging phenomena, which also will improve the outlook of identification of environmental factors, particularly when there is a gene-environment interaction. The results of these studies will contribute to prevention and treatment of the health problems related to aging.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Effects of protocol-driven care versus usual outpatient clinic care on survival rates in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes were improved by protocol-driven care in a Diabetes Centre compared with usual outpatient care. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive analysis of a prospective cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a median 7-year observational period, 91 patients with type 2 diabetes and no cardiovascular or renal complications were monitored by a nurse and a diabetologist in a clinical trial setting according to a structured protocol. Another 81 patients with comparable clinical characteristics were monitored by generalists at the medical clinic in the same hospital. Clinical end points, defined as death and cardiovascular and renal events, were evaluated in 1997 by review of case records. RESULTS: Patients receiving structured care had lower mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.07, 0.65; P = .006) than the usual-care group, as well as a lower incidence of combined clinical end points (RR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.84; P = .01). In the usual-care group, patients who had no monitoring of glycosylated hemoglobin or plasma lipid levels during the entire observational period (8.6%) had a 14.6-fold (P < .01) and 15.7-fold (P < .01) increased risk of death and combined clinical end points, respectively, compared with those who had at least one measurement (60.5%). CONCLUSION: Management by protocol-driven care model improved survival and clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Definitive studies are required to confirm these findings and compare the cost effectiveness of these care models.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

[Improved risk counselling possible for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms].

The 'International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms' (ISUIA) investigators have recently published the results of a large prospective, observational study on risks of rupture and risks of treatment in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms. In patients with aneurysms smaller than 7 mm no rupture of the carotid, middle cerebral and anterior communicating arteries occurred during follow up (mean 4.1 years) if there was no history of subarachnoid haemorrhage from a separate aneurysm. Risks were higher in aneurysms of the posterior circulation (2.5% in 5 years), and in patients with a previous episode of subarachnoid haemorrhage from another aneurysm (1.5 to 3.4% in 5 years for aneurysms < 7 mm). Size was the most important risk factor for rupture, and aneurysms of the posterior circulation > 25 mm had a 50% cumulative risk of rupture over 5 years. The absence of rupture in some subgroups, such as small aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery, is probably explained by the small numbers in these subgroups. Similarly, the lack of identification of risk factors other than size is probably explained by insufficient power of the study. The overall risk (defined as death or dependence) of surgical treatment was 13%, with patient age and size and site of the aneurysm as the most important risk factors. Endovascular treatment carried a 7 to 10% risk in most subgroups; only patients with aneurysms > 25 mm had increased risks. Age was not a risk factor for endovascular treatment. By making use of these results, patients can now be given sound advice regarding the benefits of preventive treatment in each individual case.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Stratification of adverse outcomes by preoperative risk factors in coronary artery bypass graft patients: an artificial neural network prediction model.

We constructed and internally validated an artificial neural network (ANN) model for prediction of in-hospital major adverse outcomes (defined as death, cardiac arrest, coma, renal failure, cerebrovascular accident, reinfarction, or prolonged mechanical ventilation) in patients who received "on-pump" coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. We retrospectively analyzed a 5-year CABG surgery database with a final study population of 563 patients. Predictive variables were limited to information available before the procedure, and outcome variables were represented only by events that occurred postoperatively. The ANN's ability to discriminate outcomes was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the results were compared with a multivariate logistic regression (LR) model and the QMMI risk score (RS) model. A major adverse outcome occurred in 12.3% of all patients and 18 predictive variables were identified by the ANN model. Pairwise comparison showed that the ANN model significantly outperformed the RS model (AUC = 0.886 vs.0.752, p = 0.043). However, the other two pairs, ANN vs. LR models (AUC = 0.886 vs. 0.807, p = 0.076) and LR vs. RS models (AUC = 0.807 vs. 0.752, p = 0.453) performed similarly well. ANNs tend to outperform regression models and might be a useful screening tool to stratify CABG candidates preoperatively into high-risk and low-risk groups.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

PubMed1992

[An analysis of the quality of polyclinical diagnosis based on autopsy data].

Autopsy data and dispensary records were analyzed for 1843 outpatients who had died at home. Main causes of death were defined. Misdiagnosis was attributed to objective and subjective factors in 5.3% and 94.7% of the cases, respectively. Criteria of discrepancy arising between postmortem and dispensary diagnosis are suggested. Necessity of postmortem examinations is grounded.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed2005

Amiodarone fails to improve survival in amitriptyline-poisoned mice.

OBJECTIVE: Amiodarone, a class III antidysrhythmic agent, blocks Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels as well as the beta-adrenergic receptor. Despite increased use of amiodarone for wide-complex tachycardia, its efficacy in the treatment of dysrhythmias induced by tricyclic antidepressants has not been tested. We investigated the effect of amiodarone and amitriptyline in a mouse lethality model. METHODS: The LD50 of amitriptyline obtained from reference sources was confirmed by giving 100 mg/kg to 40 mice by intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The safety of the treatment dose of amiodarone was confirmed by giving 50 mg/kg by IP injection to 10 mice. One hundred and nine mice were randomized to receive pretreatment with 50 mg/kg amiodarone (n=55) or an equal volume of saline or water as a volume control (n=54). Thirty minutes after pretreatment or control injection, the mice received amitriptyline, 100 mg/kg. Outcome was defined as death or survival 3 h after amitriptyline injection. RESULTS: In our confirmation of the LD50 of amitriptyline, 25/40 mice died (62.5%). None of the 10 mice that received only amiodarone died. In the control + amitriptyline arm, 36/54 (66.7%) died, compared with 39/55 (70.9%) in the amiodarone+amitriptyline arm (X2, p=0.663). Power analysis demonstrated a 90% chance of finding a 28% difference. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with amiodarone does not appear to significantly alter the lethality of amitriptyline poisoning in mice. Given the inability to monitor cardiac activity in this model, further investigation in a larger animal is required.

Amiodarone↗

PubMed2005

[Dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with stable chronic angina and a low- or medium-risk on exercise testing: usefulness for assessing long-term prognosis].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The ability of stress echocardiography to provide prognostic information that supplements that obtainable from clinical data and exercise electrocardiography is still controversial. Our aim was to determine whether dobutamine stress echocardiography provides additional information on long-term prognosis after conventional exercise testing has indicated that a patient with chronic stable angina has a low or intermediate risk of a cardiac event. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study included consecutive patients with stable angina who were not found to be at high risk on a previous exercise test. All patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography. The mean follow- up period was 4.5+/-1.76 years. The single combined end-point was defined as death due to cardiac disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of cardiac events. RESULTS: There were 24 (19%) cardiac events in the 124 participants: four deaths due to cardiac disease, 10 nonfatal myocardial infarctions, and 10 hospitalizations for unstable angina. Associations were found between a higher event rate during follow-up and previous myocardial infarction, Duke treadmill score, and the detection of regional wall motion abnormalities indicative of multivessel disease by stress echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stable angina who have undergone an exercise test that indicates that they have a low or intermediate risk of cardiac events, dobutamine stress echocardiography provides additional prognostic information to that obtainable from clinical data and exercise testing.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Treatment outcomes in an integrated civilian and prison MDR-TB treatment program in Russia.

SETTING: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major problem in countries of the former Soviet Union in both the civilian and prison sectors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of the MDR-TB treatment program (DOTS-Plus) in Tomsk, Russia. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of all patients enrolled in this program between 10 September 2000 and 10 September 2002. The program involves both the civilian and penitentiary TB services in Tomsk. Poor treatment outcome was defined as death, default and treatment failure. RESULTS: Among the 244 patients who received treatment, 77% were cured, 5% died, 7% failed, and 12% defaulted. In a multivariable analysis, alcohol consumption during treatment and the presence of both cavitary and bilateral disease were found to be the strongest predictors of poor treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of civilian and penitentiary TB services in the Tomsk MDR-TB treatment program has resulted in high cure rates and low rates of default. However, alcohol use among patients with MDR-TB is associated with poor treatment outcomes. Better understanding and programmatic alcohol interventions are needed if large-scale treatment of MDR-TB is to be successful in areas with high rates of alcohol use disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiotoxicity of the alpha-emitting bone-seeker 223Ra injected intravenously into mice: histology, clinical chemistry and hematology.

BACKGROUND: The alpha-emitter 223Ra, which localizes in osteoblastic active zones, including on skeletal surfaces and in osteoblastic metastases, has recently been introduced as a potential therapeutic agent against skeletal metastases. Here, the adverse effects of high dosages in animals were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Balb/c mice received intravenously (i.v.) either 1250, 2500, or 3750 kBq/kg of dissolved 223RaCl2 and were followed in the initial toxicity phase. At the 4-week end-point, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to study the effects on clinical chemistry and hematological parameters. Selected organs were weighed and tissue samples examined by microscopy. RESULTS: Treatment with 223Ra caused a dose-related minimal to moderate depletion of osteocytes and osteoblasts in the bones. Furthermore, a dose-related minimal to marked depletion of the hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, and a minimal to slight extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and in the mandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes were observed. The LD50 for acute toxicity, defined as death within 4 weeks of receiving the substance, was not reached. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that high doses of the bone-seeker 223Ra did not completely inactivate the blood-producing cells. The relatively high tolerance to skeletal alpha doses was probably caused by the surviving pockets of red bone marrow cells beyond the range of alpha particles from the bone surfaces, and the recruitment of peripheral stems cells.

Alpha Particles↗

PubMed2006

Impact of opportunistic diseases on chronic mortality in HIV-infected adults in Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate incidence rates of opportunistic diseases (ODs) and mortality for patients with and without a history of OD among HIV-infected patients in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: Using incidence density analysis, we estimated rates of ODs and chronic mortality by CD4 count in patients in a cotrimoxazole prophylaxis trial in Abidjan before the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Chronic mortality was defined as death without a history of OD or death more than 30 days after an OD diagnosis. We used Poisson's regression to examine the effect of OD history on chronic mortality after adjusting for age, gender, and current CD4 count. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy patients (40% male, mean age 33 years, median baseline CD4 count 261 cells/microl) were followed up for a median of 9.5 months. Bacterial infections and tuberculosis were the most common severe ODs. Of 47 patients who died, 9 (19%) died within 30 days of an OD, 26 (55%) died more than 30 days after an OD, and 12 (26%) died with no OD history. The chronic mortality rate was 31.0/100 person-years for those with an OD history, and 11.1/100 person-years for those with no OD history (rate ratio (RR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43 - 5.54). Multivariate analysis revealed that OD history remained an independent predictor of mortality (RR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.07 - 4.33) after adjusting for CD4 count, age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Before the HAART era, a history of OD was associated with increased chronic HIV mortality in Côte d'Ivoire, even after adjusting for CD4 count. These results provide further evidence supporting OD prophylaxis in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed2006

Rheolytic thrombectomy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and large thrombus burden: the Thoraxcenter experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of Rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) on the clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and large thrombus burden (LTB). METHODS: Two hundred sixty-six consecutive patients who presented from April 2002 until December 2004 with STEMI and LTB were retrospectively analyzed. LTB was defined as definite presence of thrombus with the greatest dimension greater > or = 2 vessel diameters by visual assessment. RT, as well as the interventional procedure and the peri-procedural pharmacological therapy, was at the discretion of the operator. All patients were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and infarct-related artery revascularization. Pre- and post-procedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow and thrombus burden as well as myocardial blush, distal embolization and no reflow were also determined. RESULTS: Complete follow-up was available in all patients; mean duration was 17 +/- 8.7 months. RT was used in 75 patients (28.2%). Stents were implanted in 251 (94.4%) patients; drug-eluting stents in 210 (84.6%) patients (15.5% sirolimus-eluting stents and 69.1% paclitaxel-eluting stents). The 2-year cumulative survival and MACE-free survival were higher in the RT compared to the non-RT group (92% vs. 82.7%, p = 0.051 and 87.7% vs. 69.9%, p = 0.004, respectively). Post-procedure indices (TIMI 3 flow, absence of thrombus and myocardial blush grade 3) of angiographic outcome were significantly better in the RT group. RT was an independent predictor of MACE (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.93, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: RT significantly improves the clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with STEMI and large thrombus burden.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Independent predictors of operative mortality and postoperative complications in surgically treated carcinomas of the oesophagus and cardia--is the aggressive surgical approach worthwhile?

During the 25 years 1960-84, 657 patients were operated on for carcinomas of the thoracic oesophagus (n = 347) or gastric cardia (n = 310). Resection was carried out in 514 (78%) and oesophagogastrostomy in 481 (73%). Overall operative mortality (defined as death within 30 days) was 19% (n = 122). Pulmonary complications developed in 167 patients (25%), cardiovascular complications in 100 (15%), and anastomotic leakage and mediastinitis in 36 (6%). After radical resection of a localised tumour (n = 144), or non-localised tumour (n = 224), pallative resection (n = 146), or exploration (n = 143), the operative mortality and five year cumulative survival were 10% and 26%, 15% and 8%, 27% and 0, and 24% and 0, respectively (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.0001). Using logistic regression analysis several variables were found to be independent predictors of operative mortality, pulmonary complications, cardiovascular complications, and anastomotic leakage. The predictor variables reflected both general preoperative status of the patients, preexisting cardio-pulmonary diseases, stage of the cancer, and surgical procedures. Based on the final logistic regression models the patients were stratified into risk groups (12 for operative mortality, pulmonary complications, and cardiovascular complications, and eight for anastomotic leakage). Operative mortality varied from 0 to 80%, pulmonary complications from 3 to 100%, cardiovascular complications from 0 to 100%, and anastomotic leakage from 0 to 50% (p less than 0.0001 in each case). Given the high operative mortality and complication rates, and the low five year survival rate after palliative procedures or exploratory operations, a more selective surgical approach seems warranted. Patients likely to have a good response should be identified before operation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting vs. bare-metal stents in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Late mortality among dialysis patients undergoing PCI with bare-metal stents is high. The impact of drug-eluting stent use on outcomes in such patients is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes of dialysis patients undergoing coronary stenting with versus without the use of drug-eluting stents. METHODS: Baseline features and outcomes were compared in dialysis patients undergoing coronary stent implantation using either bare-metal devices only (n = 41) or drug-eluting stents (n = 33), in recruitment waves 3 (2001-2002; n = 2,047) and 4 (2004; n = 2,112) of the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry. The primary study endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as death, myocardial infarction (MI) or any repeat revascularization procedure at 1-year follow up. RESULTS: Baseline and procedural features and in-hospital MACE rates were similar in both groups. Cumulative 1-year rates of the composite MACE endpoint and all-cause mortality were lower in patients treated with drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents (25.2% vs. 57.3%; p = 0.01, and 18.4% and 36.8%, respectively; p = 0.09). By multivariable analysis, drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent use was independently associated with freedom from the composite MACE endpoint (hazard ratio = 0.24, 95% CI [0.10-0.60]; p = 0.002) and with a trend to lower all-cause mortality (HR = 0.40 [0.15-1.05]; p = 0.06) at 1 year. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of dialysis patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent implantation was associated with enhanced freedom from 1-year MACE. Given previous bare-metal stent data indicating worse outcomes after PCI than after bypass surgery in dialysis patients, randomized trials comparing these strategies in the drug-eluting stent era are needed.

Aged↗

PubMed1979

Use of VM-26 as a single agent in the treatment of renal carcinoma.

VM-26 was administered to 13 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the kidney. Twelve of the 13 patients were assessable. The remaining patient was nonevaluable due to early death as defined in the protocol. No responses were observed in any of the 12 patients. Nonhematological toxicity was mild except for one instance of life-threatening hypotension, occurring during the infusion of VM-26. Significant leukopenia (less than 3000/mm3) occurred in 29% of courses and significant thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000/mm3) occurred in 14% of courses. Further studies using VM-26 in renal cell carcinoma do not seem warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1982

Pineal tumors in childhood. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and surgical approaches.

For the purposes of surgical indications and considerations, we prefer that the general, anatomical term 'pineal tumors' be used for all tumors in the region of the pineal gland, and that such developmental, histological, or congenital terms as dysgerminoma, pinealoma, and teratoma be reserved exclusively for neuropathological descriptive purposes. Of our 26 children - age range from 7 months to 16 years - treated for pineal tumors during the 9-year period 1972-1980 inclusive, all presented with hydrocephalus necessitating ventriculoperitoneal shunts. This incidence of pineal tumors represents 9.4% of the total number of brain tumors in childhood (275) which were managed by the senior author during this period of time. 23 of the 26 children were operated for direct attack of the tumor, with the postoperative mortality being 1 (as defined by death preceding discharge from hospital): a 7-month-old child with a medulloepithelioma which rapidly, within 3 weeks, invaded the thalamus, corpus callosum, brain stem, and cerebellum, causing death. It is recommended that cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) be taken from the ventricular system at the time of insertion of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt and that this fluid be analyzed for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophins (HCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and that cytology be performed to search for neoplastic cells. If the marker studies are positive, or malignant neoplastic cells identified at cytology, then it is recommended that Röentgen therapy be given to the patient and that no direct surgical attack of the tumor be attempted. On the other hand, if the marker studies and cytology are negative, direct surgical attack is recommended after the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, when all signs of an increase in intracranial pressure disappear. None of our patients had steroid management for the increase in intracranial pressure. The shunt sufficed. We suggest that the surgical approach (parasagittal, occipital-transtentorial, suboccipital-supracerebellar) be planned on the basis of the direction of displacement of the Galenic (internal cerebral vein, and great vein of Galen) and supraculminate (pre-central and superior cerebellar) venous systems; (1) when the Galenic system is displaced inferiorly, a parasagittal approach is recommended; (2) when the Galenic system is displaced superiorly, a suboccipital supracerebellar approach is recommended; (3) when the supraculminate system is displaced posteriorly, an occipital transtentorial approach is recommended.

Adolescent↗