Administration of repeated doses of MSCs by subarachnoid route is a well-tolerated procedure that is able to achieve progressive and significant improvement in the quality of life of patients suffering incomplete SCI.

The present guideline for cell therapy is safe and shows efficacy in patients with SCI, mainly in recovery of sphincter dysfunction, neuropathic pain and sensitivity.

We present our clinical experience and the results of surgical management with 25 cavernomas of the CNS, treated in our hospital in the last 10 years. The location of the lesion assessed by clinical and CT scan examinations, proved to be the most significative factor determining the prognosis of cavernomas of the CNS, after surgical removal. The symptoms started in most of the cases in the third decade of life. 19 cases were located in the cerebral hemispheres and produced three well defined clinical syndromes: Irritative syndrome (seizures) present in 70% of the cases. Space-occupying lesion syndrome (20%) and haemorrhagic syndrome (10%). The remaining six cases were located within the basal ganglia, brainstem, pineal region, cerebellum and spinal cord, showing a progressive course. CT scan studies were performed on 24 cases. The characteristic image of a cavernoma is represented by a moderately hyperdense nodule with discreet contrast uptake. Calcification was observed in and around the lesions in 33% of the cases. Perilesional hypodensities suggestive of brain tissue atrophy were noted in 22% of the CT scans. On the other hand, 12% of cerebral hemisphere cavernomas showed atypical CT scan images that suggested an erroneous diagnosis of cystic gliomas. Radical surgical removal was performed in all cases. The postoperative results varied according to the location of the lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We have studied 15 cases of spontaneous intracerebellar haematomas in 9 males and 6 females. A significant correlation between the clinical presentation and the CT scan features of benign and fatal haemorrhages of the cerebellum is presented. Diagnostic computerized tomographic studies were performed in a mean interval of 31 hours after the initial symptoms. 60% were diagnosed and treated in less than 24 hours; 11 patients had haematomas larger than 3 cm, and 5 (45%) of these cases died with evidence of irreversible brain-stem damage. Twelve (80%) showed compression of the fourth ventricle, 9 (60%) obliteration of the brain-stem cisterns and 8 (53%) ventricular dilatation. 8 cases were treated with surgery; 50% of them showed neurological improvement, including two cases with signs of brain-stem compression. 7 patients who were treated conservatively were followed closely with repeated CT scans, which showed that resolution of the mass effect and isodensity of the haematomas larger than 3 cm (73%), hydrocephalus (45%) and intraventricular haemorrhage (40%). Smaller haematomas without CT scan evidence of obliteration of the brain-stem cisterns or hydrocephalus had a better outcome.

BackgroundClinical response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using biologics is well-known. However, there is no direct comparison between biologics in cohorts of patients with RA in real-life settings, which could have implications in treatment decisions and health economics.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe a direct comparison in effectiveness between two classical antiTNF biologics (Adalimumab, Infliximab) and one Etanercept biosimilar in patients with long-standing RA in a cohort of real-life.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Were included 158 patients with at least 6 visits to rheumatologist in last 24 months in a specialized in RA center. Clinical follow-up was designed by the authors according to DAS28 as follows: every 3-5 weeks (DAS28 >5.1), every 7-9 weeks (DAS28 ≥3.1 and ≤5.1), and every 11-13 weeks (DAS28 <3.1). Therapy had to be adjusted with DAS28 >3.2 unless patient's conditions don't permit it; we considered this follow-up type as implementation of a T2T strategy. We divided patients in two groups: remission-low disease activity (Rem/LDA) patients and moderate-severe disease activity (MDA/SDA) patients and the aim of the study was to look at what percentage of patients who were MDA/SDA disease activity reached a low disease activity or remission. 158 patients with RA and using Adalimumab, Infliximab and Etanercept biosimilar (Etanar® CP Guojian Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, China) were involved. The Etanercept biosimilar was approved for using in Colombia since 2007. Descriptive epidemiology was done, the medians were analyzed using t-Student assuming normality for DAS28 distribution and disease activity was analyzed using Pearson's statistics.Results158 patients were included in this study, 125 (79.1%) women and 33 (20.9%) men. Average age was 59±10 y/o with disease duration of 11 years (0.5-47). 158 patients with diagnosis of RA using Adalimumab, Etanercept and Infliximab were involved: Adalimumab 61 (38.6%), Etanercept 25 mg 62 (39.2%), and Infliximab 35 (22.2%). At 24 months was observed an increase in percentage of patients in remission and a decrease in percentage of patients in MDA/SDA disease activity statistically significant. for Adalimumab at beginning DAS28-3.6 and 24 months later 2.6; for Etanercept biosimilar at beginning DAS28-3.6 and 24 months later 2.6 and for Infliximab at beginnng DAS28-3.6 and 24 months later 2.6. There were not statistically significant differences between analyzed biologics. On the other hand, there were fewer adverse events with Etanercept-biosimilar than Adalimumab and Infliximab; it was statistically significant.ConclusionsThis study shows that the Etanercept biosimilar is as effective as 2 other traditional anti-TNF biological for disease activity control in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a real-life setting with fewer adverse events, which could have implications in treatment decisions and health economics. On the other hand the study proves effectiveness of implementation of a T2T strategy in patients with ...