ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Craniopharyngiomas are extremely rare (incidence rate of 1.34 per million). Due to its proximity to the sellar/suprasellar prefrontal regions region, cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and adverse endocrinological outcomes are common. Further, surgery and radiotherapy can further impact functioning. Currently, there is no parsimonious cognitive profile of adult patients following interventions. This case highlights the role of neuropsychological evaluations in monitoring global psychological functioning and frontal behavioral syndrome in an adult with recurrent craniopharyngioma.

METHOD: The patient is a 39-year-old Black female first evaluated as an inpatient prior to resection surgery. She was evaluated on four additional times post-surgically. At the most recent evaluation, she and her family reported memory problems, apathy, and gait instability. Complicating factors included hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, hypotension, COVID-19, and recurrent tachycardia, with inconsistent adherence to treatment recommendations.

RESULTS: She displayed global cognitive deficits two years post-surgery, particularly in language and memory. Neurobehaviorally, she exhibited pervasive signs of severe frontal lobe syndrome, including, abulia, hypophonic and dysarthric speech, psychomotor retardation, bradyphrenia, and anosognosia.

CONCLUSION: Neuropsychological evaluations remain critical in monitoring the patient's neurocognitive status and provide valuable insights into treatment planning and need for additional support and care to optimize patients' quality of life in the context of significant cognitive disability.

PMID:37807245 | DOI:10.1093/arclin/acad067.136

07:11

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Two Cases of Catheter-Related Venous Thrombosis Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants(DOAC)

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2023 Sep;50(9):993-996.

ABSTRACT

The implantation of a totally implantable central venous(CV)access port is considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism( VTE). In the treatment of catheter-related thrombosis(CRT), both European and American guidelines recommend anticoagulation therapy with catheters in place. We experienced 2 cases of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT)after the implantation of CV access ports through the left subclavian vein for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resected breast cancer. Both patients were successfully treated with direct oral anticoagulants(DOAC) while the port remained in place with a careful follow-up that included monitoring of serum D-dimer levels. The administration of DOAC to CRT that develops in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer may be relatively safe, with a low potential for adverse events such as bleeding.

PMID:37800295

07:11

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Risk of Thrombosis and Bleeding in Gynecologic Cancer Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Oct 10:S0002-9378(23)00735-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.006. Online ahead of print.