Donor-Derived Infections: A Journey From Evidence to Policy.

The prevalence of donor-derived Bartonella quintana infection poses an emerging issue in solid organ transplantation. Further studies are needed to validate criteria for donor screening to prevent transmission without negatively affecting organ utilization.

Evaluating Real-World Experience With Maribavir for Treatment of Refractory/Resistant Cytomegalovirus in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Maribavir was recently approved by the FDA, expanding treatment options for post-solid-organ transplant refractory/resistant CMV. We sought to describe the post-marketing experience with maribavir at a large academic transplant center.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of all renal transplant recipients treated with maribavir for refractory/resistant CMV DNAemia/disease.

Impact of an ultrasensitive Cytomegalovirus quantitative nucleic acid test on Cytomegalovirus detection and therapy in renal transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has broad implications for morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Routine surveillance for CMV replication with PCR-based quantitative nucleic acid testing (qNAT) assays is standard practice in most transplant centers, but the impact of assay sensitivity on antiviral decision-making and virologic outcomes has not been studied. We investigated the effects of an ultrasensitive CMV qNAT assay on multiple clinical outcomes, including time to detection and duration of CMV DNAemia.

Non-typeable and purpura fulminans.

typically causes illness and infection in the paediatric population. We report a case of a 53-year-old man who developed invasive non-typeable infection associated with purpura fulminans and multiorgan failure. On review of the literature, this is the first reported case of non-typeable causing purpura fulminans.

Predictors of Local Control of Brain Metastasis Treated With Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy.

Background: Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) has been used to treat recurrent brain metastasis after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Little is known about how best to assess the efficacy of treatment, specifically the ability of LITT to control local tumor progression post-SRS.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive factors associated with local recurrence after LITT.

Correction to: Volumetric response of progressing post-SRS lesions treated with laser interstitial thermal therapy.

The original article was published with an incorrect protocol number. The correct protocol number is DR07-0585.

Spinal Epidermoid Tumors: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Spinal epidermoid tumors are rare, benign tumors that are either acquired from trauma, surgery, or lumbar puncture or arise as congenital lesions, particularly spinal dysraphisms. We report a case of a massive spinal epidermoid tumor and review the literature with a focus on the surgical outcomes. A 71-year-old female patient presented after a fall with subsequent symptoms of severe back and hip pain, as well as loss of motor strength in the left leg.

Volumetric response of progressing post-SRS lesions treated with laser interstitial thermal therapy.

We analyzed volumetric response of metastatic brain tumors that progressed despite treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) after treatment with laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients treated from 1/2012 to 10/2015 with LITT for metastatic brain tumors demonstrating progression after SRS. Volumes were quantified using MRI with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1W) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR).

Intraventricular Cavernomas of the Third Ventricle: Report of 2 Cases and a Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Intraventricular cavernous malformations are relatively rare benign vascular malformations. Patients may be asymptomatic or present with headache, seizure, hemorrhage, or neurologic deficits. We report 2 cases of patients with cavernomas in the third ventricle and at the foramen of Monro.