BackgroundOtotoxicity is a known side effect of combined radiation therapy and cisplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of medulloblastoma. The delivery of an involved field boost by intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may reduce the dose to the inner ear when compared with conventional radiotherapy. The dose of cisplatin may also affect the risk of ototoxicity. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the impact of involved field boost using IMRT and cisplatin dose on the rate of ototoxicity.MethodsData from 41 medulloblastoma patients treated with IMRT were collected. Overall and disease-free survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method Hearing function was graded according to toxicity criteria of Pediatric Oncology Group (POG). Doses to inner ear and total cisplatin dose were correlated with hearing function by univariate and multivariate data analysis.ResultsAfter a mean follow-up of 44 months (range: 14 to 72 months), 37 patients remained alive, with two recurrences, both in spine with CSF involvement, resulting in a disease free-survival and overall survival of 85.2% and 90.2%, respectively.Seven patients (17%) experienced POG Grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Cisplatin dose was a significant factor for hearing loss in univariate analysis (p < 0.03). In multivariate analysis, median dose to inner ear was significantly associated with hearing loss (p < 0.01). POG grade 3 and 4 toxicity were uncommon with median doses to the inner ear bellow 42 Gy (p < 0.05) and total cisplatin dose of less than 375 mg/m2 (p < 0.01).ConclusionsIMRT leads to a low rate of severe ototoxicity. Median radiation dose to auditory apparatus should be kept below 42 Gy. Cisplatin doses should not exceed 375 mg/m2.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue characterized by a painful and progressive necrotizing process. The management of pyoderma gangrenosum often requires systemic drug therapy, such as corticosteroids, sulfones or immunosuppressants, either alone or in combination. Several reports in the literature document the successful treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In our case, hyperbaric oxygen therapy associated with corticoids and immunosuppressants promoted healing of large and very painful lesions in an adolescent girl with an excellent outcome, including rapid wound closure and decreased discomfort. Keywords: Hyperbaric oxygenation; Pyoderma gangrenosum; Skin diseases, vesiculobullous Resumo: O pioderma gangrenoso é uma dermatose neutrofílica, rara da pele e do tecido subcutâneo, caracterizada por um processo necrosante progressivo e doloroso. A conduta no Pioderma gangrenoso requer, com frequência, o uso de drogas sistêmicas, tais como: corticoides, sulfonas e imunossupressoras, seja de maneira isolada, seja em combinação. Muitos relatos, na literatura, documentam o tratamento com êxito do Pioderma gangrenoso, com a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica. No nosso caso, uma jovem com lesões extensas e muito dolorosas, o tratamento com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica associado ao corticoide e imunossupressor promoveu cicatrização, com excelente resultado, com fechamento rápido da lesão e diminuição do desconforto.
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