We present the modeling efforts on antenna design and frequency selection to monitor brain temperature during prolonged surgery using non-invasive microwave radiometry. A tapered log-spiral antenna design is chosen for its wideband characteristics that allow higher power collection from deep brain. Parametric analysis with HFSS is used to optimize antenna performance for deep brain temperature sensing. Radiometric antenna efficiency (η) is evaluated in terms of the ratio of power collected from brain to total power received by the antenna. Anatomical information extracted from several adult computed tomography (CT) scans is used to establish design parameters for constructing an accurate layered 3D tissue phantom. This head phantom includes separate brain and scalp regions, with tissue equivalent liquids circulating at independent temperatures on either side of an intact skull. The optimized frequency band is 1.1–1.6 GHz producing an average antenna efficiency of 50.3% from a 2 turn log-spiral antenna. The entire sensor package is contained in a lightweight and low profile 2.8 cm diameter by 1.5 cm high assembly that can be held in place over the skin with an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding adhesive patch. The calculated radiometric equivalent brain temperature tracks within 0.4°C of measured brain phantom temperature when the brain phantom is lowered 10°C and then returned to original temperature (37°C) over a 4.6-hour experiment. The numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the optimized 2.5 cm log-spiral antenna is well suited for the non-invasive radiometric sensing of deep brain temperature.

Refractory radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis can be successfully and safely treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Treatment effectiveness seems to be correlated with the need for transfusion therapy and the number of sessions performed.

Gliomas are a group of heterogeneous primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors arising from the glial cells. Malignant gliomas account for a majority of malignant primary CNS tumors and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Glioblastoma is the most frequent and malignant glioma, and despite the recent advances in diagnosis and new treatment options, its prognosis remains dismal. New opportunities for the development of effective therapies for malignant gliomas are urgently needed. Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT), which consists of heat generation in the region of the tumor through the application of magnetic nanoparticles subjected to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), has shown positive results in both preclinical and clinical assays. The aim of this review is to assess the relevance of hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles in the treatment of gliomas and to note the possible variations of the technique and its implication on the effectiveness of the treatment. We performed an electronic search in the literature from January 1990 to October 2010, in various databases, and after application of the inclusion criteria we obtained a total of 15 articles. In vitro studies and studies using animal models showed that MHT was effective in the promotion of tumor cell death and reduction of tumor mass or increase in survival. Two clinical studies showed that MHT could be applied safely and with few side effects. Some studies suggested that mechanisms of cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and antitumor immune response were triggered by MHT. Based on these data, we could conclude that MHT proved to be efficient in most of the experiments, and that the improvement of the nanocomposites as well as the AMF equipment might contribute toward establishing MHT as a promising tool in the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Summary Objective This study characterizes the sensitivity and accuracy of a non-invasive microwave radiometric thermometer intended for monitoring body core temperature directly in brain to assist rapid recovery from hypothermia such as occurs during surgical procedures. Materials and Methods A human head model was constructed with separate brain and scalp regions consisting of tissue equivalent liquids circulating at independent temperatures on either side of an intact skull. This test setup provided differential surface/deep tissue temperatures for quantifying sensitivity to change in brain temperature independent of scalp and surrounding environment. Following calibration of a 500MHz bandwidth microwave radiometer in the multilayer human head model, the feasibility of clinical monitoring was assessed in a pediatric patient monitored during a 2-hour surgery. Results The calculated radiometric equivalent brain temperature agreed within 0.4°C of measured temperature when the brain phantom was lowered 10°C and returned to original temperature (37°C), while scalp was maintained constant over a 4.6-hour experiment. During a 2-hour pediatric surgery, the radiometrically measured brain temperature tracked within 1–2°C of rectal and nasopharynx temperatures, except during rapid cooldown and heatup periods when brain temperature deviated 2–4°C from other core temperature surrogates. Conclusions A single band radiometer was calibrated and tested in a multilayer model of the human head with differential scalp and brain temperature. The intended clinical use of this system was demonstrated by monitoring brain temperature during surgery of a pediatric patient. The radiometer demonstrated long term stability, accuracy and sensitivity sufficient for clinical monitoring of deep brain temperature during surgery.