Correct histopathological diagnosis is therefore crucial, but there is overlap between histological patterns of malignant tumours, between benign and malignant lesions, and with non-mesenchymal tumours. Immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic techniques, the latter to detect tumour-specific alterations, add significantly to histological interpretation, but several groups of tumours still lack reliable immunohistochemical markers or reproducible genetic changes. The classification of sarcomas is incomplete and continues to evolve, and although the biology

of many remains relatively poorly understood, selleck chemicals llc our increasing insight into molecular events occurring in these tumours is certain to aid future diagnosis and therapy. This paper aims to give a broad overview of several of the main soft tissue sarcomas from a clinicopathological perspective, discussing laboratory diagnosis and the use and limitations of ancillary investigations, including recent developments in molecular diagnosis. Thway, K. (2009). Clinical Oncology 21, 695-705 (C) 2009 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for epilepsy is a well established and effective AZD1480 price treatment for medically intractable epilepsy. VNS

is indicated if resective epilepsy surgery is unsuccessful or is not an option. About 50% of patients with VNS have a seizure reduction greater than 50%, but less than 10% become seizure-free. selleckchem VNS also has an alerting

effect on patients and may allow a reduction in sedating medications. The major adverse event is hoarseness, but treatment is generally well tolerated. The therapeutic effect can be delayed: patients may improve several months after VNS implantation. Direct brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging treatment for epilepsy. Scheduled stimulation is similar to brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Only the anterior thalamic nucleus has been studied in a larger randomized, controlled trial, in which patients with the stimulator turned on had a significantly reduced seizure frequency. Responsive stimulation applies an electrical stimulus at the site of seizure onset to terminate the seizure if one occurs. The seizure-onset zone must be well defined before implantation. Responsive stimulation requires seizure detection and application of a stimulus online. A large pivotal trial showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency. Both DBS and responsive neurostimulation are well tolerated, but there has been some concern about depression with DBS. Infection, hemorrhage, and lead breakage are adverse events possible with any type of stimulator. None of the brain stimulation devices have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, but final approval is expected soon. These devices are indicated for patients with bilateral seizure onset or seizure onset in eloquent areas.