First name
Jean
Middle name
B
Last name
Belasco

Title

Premature Epiphyseal Closure of the Lower Extremities Contributing to Short Stature after cis-Retinoic Acid Therapy in Medulloblastoma: A Case Report.

Year of Publication

2016

Number of Pages

69-73

Date Published

2016

ISSN Number

1663-2826

Abstract

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Prolonged cis-retinoic acid (RA) exposure contributes to premature epiphyseal closure. cis-RA is administered in various treatment regimens for pediatric cancers, thus increasing the risk for bone deformities and compromised growth.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>We present a case of premature epiphyseal closure in a 9-year-old female with a history of medulloblastoma and treatment with a multimodal regimen including cis-RA. She was subsequently diagnosed with radiation-induced endocrine late effects including hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Seven months after initiation of GH therapy, an increased prominence of the wrists and knees combined with a deceleration in growth velocity prompted further evaluation; radiographs revealed bilateral premature closure of the distal femur and proximal tibia growth plates despite normal left wrist bone age.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>High doses of vitamin A and its analogs are linked to premature closure of the lower-extremity growth plates in animals and children. Pediatric brain tumor patients are at increased risk of growth failure due to concurrent radiation-induced GHD, damage to the spinal bones, and cis-RA-associated premature closure of the lower-extremity growth plates, with significant reduction in adult stature. A better appreciation of the detrimental effect of cis-RA on the growing skeleton is needed to monitor at-risk patients and to provide timely interventions.</p>

DOI

10.1159/000441140

Alternate Title

Horm Res Paediatr

PMID

26457578
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Title

FDG-PET in two cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 and atypical malignancies.

Year of Publication

2014

Number of Pages

e345-8

Date Published

2014 Apr

ISSN Number

1198-0052

Abstract

<p>Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (nf1) are at increased risk for both benign and malignant tumours, and distinguishing the malignant potential of an individual tumour is a common clinical problem in these patients. Here, we review two cases of uncommon malignancies (Hodgkin lymphoma and mediastinal germ-cell tumour) in patients with nf1. Although (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (fdg-pet) has been used to differentiate benign neurofibromas from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, fdg-pet characteristics for more rare tumours have been poorly described in children with nf1. Here, we report the role of pet imaging in clinical decision-making in each case. In nf1, fdg-pet might be useful in the clinical management of unusual tumour presentations and might help to provide information about the malignant potential of uncommon tumours.</p>

DOI

10.3747/co.21.1803

Alternate Title

Curr Oncol

PMID

24764718
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