Unusually Unnerved

A 47-year-old woman had left-sided facial weakness and swelling for 2 months. These symptoms developed after chemotherapy. What is your diagnosis?

Imaging Guidelines and Recommendations for Diagnosis, Surveillance, and Management of Pediatric CNS and Spinal Tumors

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common cause of cancer in children when incidence rates of cancer are estimated according to the Indian population dynamics based on 2011 consensus. As per the estimates, CNS tumors account for 20.1% of cancer burden in children aged between 0 and 14 years and 16.8% when 0 to 19 years age group is considered. The most common pediatric brain tumors are astrocytoma and medulloblastoma followed by other embryonal tumors, craniopharyngioma, and ependymal tumors. The incidence of CNS tumors in children from India is similar to the western high-income countries, other than slightly higher incidence of craniopharyngioma in Indian children.

NIMG-104. PRE-OPERATIVE LANGUAGE FUNCTIONAL MRI (FMRI) FOR LOCALIZATION OF THE RIGHT VENTRAL PREMOTOR CORTEX (VPMC) IN COMPARISON WITH DIRECT CORTICAL STIMULATION

PURPOSE

To assess the concordance of pre-operative language functional MRI (fMRI) for localization of the right ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) in comparison with Direct Cortical Stimulation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Prospective analysis was performed for 11 (n=11) patients with right-sided tumors who underwent language mapping by fMRI, followed by awake neurosurgery and intra-operative mapping by Direct Cortical Stimulation (DCS). Multi-paradigm language fMRI was performed using a standard 3-paradigm language protocol, with additional tongue movement paradigm on a Phillips Ingenia, 1.5T Scanner. The vPMC was identified as BOLD signal activation seen in at least two paradigms anterior to and discrete from the motor orofacial cortex. Pre-operative fMRI findings were validated intra-operatively using DCS with the intra-operative responses of anarthria (speech arrest) and dysarthria recorded separately.

RESULTS

We obtained moderate concordance (sensitivity) of 72.2% (n=8) for anarthria (speech arrest). The vPMC was the site of speech arrest in 75% cases (n=6), followed by the oro-facial motor cortex in the remainder (n=2, 25%). Higher frequency of vPMC activation was seen with Tongue Movement and Number Counting paradigms, while that of Broca’s area with Verb Generation. Tumour size >5cm, presence of peritumoral edema and intra-tumoral haemorrhage were some of the features associated with fMRI-DCS discordance.

CONCLUSIONS

vPMC detection by fMRI shows good concordance (sensitivity) with anarthria responses on Direct Cortical Stimulation. Thus, fMRI serves as a useful non-invasive tool in pre-operative planning for maximal safe resection of brain tumors.

Imaging for Plasma Cell Dyscrasias: What, When, and How?

Imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis, response assessment, and follow-up of patients with plasma cell bone disease. The radiologic diagnostic paradigm has thus far evolved with developing technology and availability of better imaging platforms; however, the skewed availability of these imaging modalities in developed vis-à-vis the developing countries along with the lack of uniformity in reporting has led to a consensus on the imaging criteria for diagnosing and response assessment in plasma cell dyscrasia. Therefore, it is imperative for not only the radiologists but also the treating oncologist to be aware of the criteria and appropriate imaging modality to be used in accordance with the clinical question. The review will allow the treating oncologist to answer the following questions on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive abilities of various imaging modalities for plasma cell dyscrasia: a) What lesions can look like multiple myeloma (MM) but are not?; b) Does the patient have MM? To diagnose MM in a high-risk SMM patient with clinical suspicion, which modality should be used and why?; c) Is the patient responding to therapy on follow-up imaging once treatment is initiated?; d) To interpret commonly seen complications post-therapy, when is it a disease and when is the expected sequel to treatment? Fractures, red marrow reconversion?; and e) When is the appropriate time to flag a patient for further workup when interpreting MRI spine done for back pain in the elderly? How do we differentiate between commonly seen osteoporosis-related degenerative spine versus marrow infiltrative disorder?

Case Series of Applications of Resting State Functional MRI in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Novel Technique

Background The extent of resection for brain tumors is a critical factor in determining the oncologic outcome for a patient. However, a balance between preservation of neurological function and maximal resection is essential for true benefit.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the approaches that augments the neurosurgeon's ability to attain maximal safe resection by providing preoperative mapping. It may not be possible to perform awake craniotomy with intraoperative localization by direct cortical stimulation in all patients, such as children and those with neurocognitive impairment. Task-based fMRI may have limited value in these cases due to low patient cooperability.

Methods In this article we present in a case-based format, the various clinical scenarios where resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) can be helpful in guiding neurosurgical resection. rs-fMRI of the patients has been acquired on Philips 1.5 T system. Seed voxel method has been used for processing and analysis.

Conclusion rs-fMRI does not require active patient cooperation to generate useful information and thus can be a promising tool in patients unable to cooperate for task-based studies.

P1087Prevalence and significance of mitral regurgitation in atrial fibrillation coexisting with HFpEF and HFmEF

Background

Recent data has acknowledged atrial induced functional mitral valve regurgitation (MR) in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)  as a distinct type of secondary MR, holding prognostic significance. However, evidence on its prevalence is still scarce, especially in the phenotype of mid-range ejection fraction heart failure (HFmEF).

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of left atrial (LA) enlargement and MR in AF patients with or without heart failure with preserved or mid-range ejection fraction.

Methods

This retrospective study included 750 consecutive patients with AF admitted to a tertiary hospital from January 2018 to June 2019. We excluded patients with primary valvular disease and HF with reduced EF. MR presence and severity were assessed by evaluating the valve morphology, colour flow imaging and, when feasible, vena contracta and PISA methods. We measured LA anteroposterior diameter and used LA dilatation as a surrogate marker for mitral annulus dilatation.

Results

We evaluated 584 AF patients: mean age 72.22 ± 10.10 years; 58,73% females; 79.75% had HF: 73.13% of them had HFpEF and 26.87% had HFmEF.

Compared to those without HF, patients with HF had a relative risk (RR) of associating LA enlargement of 5.37 (95%CI = 3.05-9.48, p < 0.001) and a RR of associating MR of 1.47 (95%CI 1.08-2.00, p = 0.01). Mean LA diameter was higher in the HF group, compared to non-HF (47.06 ± 7.26 mm vs 40.91 ± 7.10 mm, p < 0.001). MR severity was more likely associated with HF (RR = 1.68, 95%CI = 1.46-1.94, p < 0.001).

When comparing results between the two HF subgroups, patients with HFmEF had a higher mean LA diameter than those with HFpEF (48.52 ± 5.68 mm vs 46.36 ± 7.57 mm, p = 0.011), without associating a significant difference in the MR prevalence (72.97% vs 73.98%, p = 0.94).

The presence of a dilated LA was directly correlated with MR in the HF group (RR = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.18-3.20, p = 0.023), but not in those without HF (RR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.57-1.90, p = 0.89).

In HF patients, permanent AF associated the highest prevalence of LA dilatation (96.67%) and MR (81.73%) in contrast to paroxysmal AF (81.10%, p < 0.01, respectively 63.43%, p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

LA dilatation, the presence and severity of MR correlated with AF and HF, especially in permanent AF patients. In patients without HF, LA dilatation did not correlate with the presence of MR.

MR prevalence was similar in patients with HFmEF and HFpEF, irrespective of a higher degree of LA dilatation in HFmEF.

Our results suggest that the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in LA enlargement and MR are different for different phenotypes of AF in patients with or without HF.

P1376 The utility of platelets indices in predicting the presence of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia with a high risk for thromboembolic events. The presence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is associated with a greater risk for stroke, yet few papers investgated predictor factors for LAA thrombus. Platelets indices-Mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PTC)-have been correlated with platelet reactivity, thrombogenicity and a high cardiovascular risk.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine if MPV-to-PCT and MPV-to-platelet (PLT) ratios could predict the presence of LAA thrombus in nonvalvular AF patients.

Methods

This retrospective study includes 112 patients screened with trans-esophageal echography (TEE) for LAA thrombus from January 2018 to Aprilie 2019. We excluded patients with manifest, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary trombembolism and malignancies. The platelets indices were measured on admission.

ROC curve analysis and the Youden index associated criterion was used to determine the cut-off values and Chi –square test to estimate associated risks.

Results

The focus group consisted of 112 AF patients, with a mean age of 67 ± 10.02 and 52.3% males. 71% patients had persistent AF, 19.64% (22) patients had LAA thrombi.

Higher MPV-to-PCT, respectively MPV-to-PLT ratios were associated with LAA thrombus. In ROC curve analysis MPV-to-PLT ratio (AUC 0.618 95% CI 0.521 to 0.708, p = 0.0729) and MPV-to-PCT ratio (AUC 0.627, 95% CI 0.530 to 0.716, p = 0.05) predicted LAA thrombi, with a cut-off value of >38 for MPV-to-PCT and >0.049 for MPV-to-PLT ratio.

Patients with an MPV-to-PCT ratio > 38 had a risk ratio of 1.21 (95% CI 1.03 - 1.44, p = 0.039) and those with an MPV-to-PLT ratio> 0.049 a risk ratio of 1.27 (95%CI 1.03 - 1.58, p = 0.01 ) of having a LAA thrombus.

Conclusion

Platelets indices are cost efficient, readily available thrombogenesis biomarkers that could be auxilliary parameters useful for the associtation of LAA thrombi in non-valvular AF patients undergoing TEE before cardioversion. We suggest the cut-off values of MPV-to-PCT> 38 and MPV-to-PLT > 0.049 to be considered as risk indicator.

P751Low platelets in heart failure: small cells, important impact on all-cause long-term mortality

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) affects platelet activation, function, as well as the production of platelets from megakaryocytes. Low platelet counts have been described in HF patients, however without clear distinction whether this is a consequence of HF severity or an independent comorbidity contributing to worse outcomes.

Aim

Our purpose was to assess the prognostic role of thrombocytopenia in HF patients.

Methods

Patients with HF admitted to our Cardiology Department were included in this study, after excluding acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary embolisms, infections, malignancy and hepatic cirrhosis.

Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet number below 15ehz747.0353/uL and classified as severe below 5ehz747.0353/uL and moderate between 5ehz747.0353–1ehz747.03530/uL. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were classified as HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), those with a LVEF between 40 and 49% as HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) and the rest as HF with preserved EF (HFpEF).

All-cause mortality was assessed after a mean follow-up of 5.5 years.

Results

We included 1142 patients, with a mean age of 72.45±10.53 and 51.6% female. 121 (10.6%) patients had thrombocytopenia, of which 3 had severe thrombocytopenia and 21 had moderate thrombocytopenia. All-cause long-term mortality was 43.8%.

Patients with acute decompensated heart failure had similar prevalence of thrombocytopenia as those with stable heart failure (12.3% vs 9.5%, p=0.22).

Patients with thrombocytopenia had a higher risk ratio for all-cause mortality compared to patients with normal platelet counts (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.14–1.60, p=0.002). Patients with severe thrombocytopenia had a risk ratio of 2.29 (95% CI 2.14–2.45, p=0.049), those with moderate thrombocytopenia had a risk ratio of 1.80 (95% CI 1.39–2.33, p=0.006) and those with mild thrombocytopenia had a risk ratio of 1.23 (95% CI 1.01–1.51, p=0.06) of all-cause long-term mortality, compared to patients with normal platelet counts.

Patients with thrombocytopenia and HFpEF (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16–2.37, p=0.021) or HFrEF (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09–1.68, p=0.03) had higher risk of all-cause long-term mortality, but not those with HFmrEF and thrombocytopenia (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.67–1.76, p=0.73), possibly due to the predominance of mild thrombocytopenia (80.9%).

In multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for age and sex, alongside NT-proBNP levels and left ventricular ejection fraction, moderate thrombocytopenia (p=0.031) was an independent predictor of all-cause long-term mortality, but not mild thrombocytopenia (p=0.415). Due to the very low number of patients, no multiple regression analysis could be computed with severe thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

Thrombocytopenia is an independent predictor of mortality in HF patients, especially platelet counts below 1ehz747.03530/uL. In both patients with HFrEF and HFpEF this biomarker should be assessed for prognosis.