Background Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a biallelic mutation in the SMN1 gene, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Nusinersen is the first disease-modifying drug for all SMA types. We report on effectiveness and safety data from 120 adults and older children with SMA types 1c-3 treated with nusinersen. Methods Patients were evaluated with the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE; n = 73) or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND; n = 47). Additionally, the Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were used in a subset of patients. Patients were followed for up to 30 months of nusinersen treatment (mean, SD; 23, 14 months). Subjective treatment outcomes were evaluated with the Patients Global Impression–Improvement (PGI-I) scale used in all patients or caregivers at each follow-up visit. Results An increase in the mean HFMSE score was noted at month 14 (T14) (3.9 points, p < 0.001) and month 30 (T30) (5.1 points, p < 0.001). The mean RULM score increased by 0.79 points at T14 (p = 0.001) and 1.96 points (p < 0.001) at month 30 (T30). The mean CHOP-INTEND increased by 3.6 points at T14 (p < 0.001) and 5.6 points at month 26 (p < 0.001). The mean 6MWT improved by 16.6 m at T14 and 27 m at T30 vs. baseline. A clinically meaningful improvement in HFMSE (≥ 3 points) was seen in 62% of patients at T14, and in 71% at T30; in CHOP INTEND (≥ 4 points), in 58% of patients at T14 and in 80% at T30; in RULM (≥ 2 points), in 26.6% of patients at T14 and in 43.5% at T30; and in 6MWT (≥ 30-meter increase), in 26% of patients at T14 and in 50% at T30. Improved PGI-I scores were reported for 75% of patients at T14 and 85% at T30; none of the patients reporting worsening at T30. Adverse events were mild and related to lumbar puncture. Conclusions In our study, nusinersen led to continuous functional improvement over 30-month follow-up and was well tolerated by adults and older children with a wide spectrum of SMA severity.

Purpose Intrathecal injection of nusinersen is an approved treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). CT-guided injection is a method of nusinersen administration in patients with severe scoliosis, in whom standard lumbar puncture is not feasible. The injections are repeated every 4 months for life, and accumulated radiation doses absorbed by the patient can increase the risk of cancer. In this study, we present the results of CT-guided intrathecal nusinersen injections with an ultra-low radiation dose protocol. Methods Eighteen patients (15 adults and three children) in whom standard lumbar puncture was not feasible due to severe scoliosis or spinal stabilization were included in this retrospective study. The first 23 injections were performed with a standard radiation dose protocol and the next 42 injections with an ultra-low-dose protocol. The radiation doses, measured as total dose length product (DLP), were acquired and compared between the protocols. Results Injections were successful in 100% of patients with both ultra-low-dose and standard protocols. The radiation dose, measured as DLP, was 111.2–1100.7 (Me = 248.1) mGy*cm for the standard protocol. For the ultra-low-dose protocol, the dose range was 5.0–54.4 (Me = 26.7) mGy*cm, which was significantly lower than with the standard protocol (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.67). Conclusion Radiation doses can be significantly decreased in the CT-guided injection of nusinersen. The proposed protocol allows for effective CT-guided intrathecal nusinersen administration in patients with SMA and severe scoliosis.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate adrenal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a method of treatment in patients with severe adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing syndrome, among whom bilateral adrenalectomy is not a suitable option. Material and Methods: Five patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome underwent RFA of both adrenal glands. Four of them presented with Cushing disease unsuccessfully treated with pituitary surgery and medical therapy, while one patient had ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome due to pancreatic endocrine tumor with liver metastases. All patients were disqualified from adrenalectomy due to morbid obesity or lack of consent. Results: A technical success was obtained in all cases, with only one re-intervention necessitated by a cooling effect of the inferior vena cava. Despite pre-procedural adrenergic blockade, severe hypertension was noted during the procedure in three cases, this being treated immediately using direct-acting vasodilators. No complications occurred otherwise. In all cases, significant improvement of clinical symptoms was observed, as well as marked decreases in levels of serum cortisol, free urine cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Conclusion: Bilateral RFA under CT-guidance is technically feasible and clinical improvement can be achieved using the method. In patients disqualified from adrenal surgery, RFA might be considered as an alternative method of ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome treatment.

SummaryBackgroundEndoscopic methods (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) are considered fundamental for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. In recent years, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has also gained importance in diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly in hemodynamically unstable patients and in cases with suspected lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding. CT can detect both the source and the cause of active gastrointestinal bleeding, thereby expediting treatment initiation.Material/MethodsThe study group consisted of 16 patients with clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding in whom features of active bleeding were observed on CT. In all patients, bleeding was verified by means of other methods such as endoscopic examinations, endovascular procedures, or surgery.ResultsThe bleeding source was identified on CT in all 16 patients. In 14 cases (87.5%), bleeding was confirmed by other methods.ConclusionsCT is an efficient, fast, and readily available tool for detecting the location of acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Some liver tumors are not visible on ultrasound or non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) which are the main modalities used in image-guided ablations. This is a report of magnetic resonance-guided implantation of a fiducial marker to tag a neuroendocrine tumor metastasis in a patient with renal insufficiency precluding the use of a contrast-enhanced CT during ablation. The marker was well visible on NECT which allowed for precise needle placement and complete ablation which was confirmed in 12-month follow-up.

Introduction. Ablation is one of most important methods of liver tumor treatment. However, radiation is one of disadvantages of CT-guided procedures including ablation. The purpose of this study is to assess the factors that have impact on radiation doses during CT-guided microwave liver tumor ablation. Material and methods. Radiation doses of CT-guided liver tumor ablations were collected in 127 patients. They were then compared in terms of number of lesions, lesion size and depth, use of additional localization needles and hydrodissection as well as tumor location.Results. The median radiation doses of ablations of multiple tumors (2348 mGy*cm) were significantly higher (p = 0.03) than those of single tumors (1784 mGy*cm). No statistically significant differences were noted when other factors (lesion size, depth, location, use of localization needles and hydrodissection) were taken into consideration. Conclusions. The number of lesions is the most important factor in terms of expected radiation doses in CT-guided microwave liver tumor ablations.