Marcin Roszkowski

Publications of Marcin Roszkowski

• Long-term results of vagus nerve stimulation in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy.

  Authors: Beata Majkowska-Zwolińska, Piotr Zwoliński, Marcin Roszkowski, Krzysztof Drabik

  Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. 01/2012;

  PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term seizure reduction and on-demand magnet use in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy who were treated with vagus nervePURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term seizure reduction and on-demand magnet use in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy who were treated with vagus nerve stimulation therapy. METHODS: Fifty-seven children and adolescents under 18 years of age with drug-resistant epilepsy were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulation therapy device. Seizure reduction was evaluated at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months after implantation. Magnet effect on seizure frequency was evaluated during the first week after implantation and after 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of treatment. RESULTS: The mean reduction in seizure frequency compared with baseline was significant at all time points up to 48 months post-implantation. At 12 months, the average reduction in seizure frequency was 52.4%, and at 48 months, it was 53.1% (observed case analysis). The use of a magnet to deliver extra "on-demand" stimulation between cycles resulted in cessation of seizures in 16.1% of patients, partial effect in 73.2%, and no effect in 10.7%, when evaluated within 1 week of implantation. The magnet effect decreased slightly with increasing time after implantation. A sub-analysis of children ≤12 years of age (N = 34) showed similar results after 36 months of follow-up. The therapy was well tolerated regardless of age. CONCLUSION: Vagus nerve stimulation therapy is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for children and adolescents of all ages with drug-resistant epilepsy.

• Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas with atypical histological features mimicking malignant gliomas.

  Authors: Wiesława Grajkowska, Katarzyna Kotulska, Elżbieta Jurkiewicz, Marcin Roszkowski, Paweł Daszkiewicz, Sergiusz Jóźwiak, Ewa Matyja

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 01/2011; 49(1):39-46.

  Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a rare, benign brain tumour developing in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Typical histopathological findings of this neoplasm are solidSubependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a rare, benign brain tumour developing in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Typical histopathological findings of this neoplasm are solid sheets and perivascular pseudorosettes of large, gemistocytic, polygonal and occasionally ganglion-like cells within a fibrillated background, accompanied by spindle-shaped cells creating broad fascicles. Rich vascular stroma, and numerous calcifications are common. Mitoses, focal necrosis, and endothelial proliferation are rarely encountered. In this study we report 3 cases of SEGA out of 29 TSC patients, operated on in the Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Memorial Health Institute, from 1990 to 2011 and retrospectively reviewed. These 3 cases exhibited distinct anaplastic features that might mimic malignant glioma. Histologically, the tumours were composed of pleomorphic, gemistocytic, polygonal, ganglion-like or multinucleated cells arranged in sheets or forming perivascular pseudorosettes. Numerous foci of necrosis, microvascular proliferation and high mitotic activity with atypical mito-tic figures were documented. The Ki67 labelling index was about 15-20%. These tumours might be confused with high-grade gliomas and such a misleading diagnosis might result in aggressive radio- or chemotherapy. Despite the common statement that morphological features of anaplasia, i.e. pleomorphism, necrosis, microvascular proliferation and increased mitotic activity, are not of prognostic value, the tumour behaviour in our cases seems to be more aggressive and requires longer follow-up studies. We suggest recognizing such cases of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma as atypical SEGAs.

• Favourable prognosis in medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity is associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase upregulation.

  Authors: Jarosław Jóźwiak, Iwona Sontowska, Barbara Bikowska, Wiesława Grajkowska, Ryszard Galus, Marcin Roszkowski

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 01/2011; 49(4):257-61.

  Medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN) is the only type of medulloblastoma (MB), an aggressive CNS tumour of childhood, that is connected with favourable prognosis. In patients with MBENMedulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN) is the only type of medulloblastoma (MB), an aggressive CNS tumour of childhood, that is connected with favourable prognosis. In patients with MBEN tumour resection and chemotherapy are sometimes sufficient. While development of other types of MB is usually connected with activation of the wingless pathway, sonic hedgehog pathway or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway, little is known about the molecular basis of MBEN pathophysiology. In the present paper we evaluated activation of the mTor pathway and kinases upstream of mTor, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/Erk) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in an MBEN sample. Using western blot technique with antibodies directed against active, phosphorylated forms of proteins, we found upregulation of mTor, Akt and Erk. Thus we postulate that the mTor pathway, often implicated in the development of CNS tumours, is also responsible for MBEN progression. Especially interesting seems implication of Erk and other kinases belonging to the same pathway: mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK-1) or phospho-ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (p90 RSK1), whose activity we usually demonstrate in more benign neoplasms. However, it remains to be clarified whether Erk pathway activation is actually prognostic for benign tumour development.

• Open database of epileptic EEG with MRI and postoperational assessment of foci--a real world verification for the EEG inverse solutions.

  Authors: Piotr Zwoliński, Marcin Roszkowski, Jaroslaw Zygierewicz, Stefan Haufe, Guido Nolte, Piotr J Durka

  Neuroinformatics. 12/2010; 8(4):285-99.

  This paper introduces a freely accessible database http://eeg.pl/epi , containing 23 datasets from patients diagnosed with and operated on for drug-resistant epilepsy. This was collected as part ofThis paper introduces a freely accessible database http://eeg.pl/epi , containing 23 datasets from patients diagnosed with and operated on for drug-resistant epilepsy. This was collected as part of the clinical routine at the Warsaw Memorial Child Hospital. Each record contains (1) pre-surgical electroencephalography (EEG) recording (10-20 system) with inter-ictal discharges marked separately by an expert, (2) a full set of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for calculations of the realistic forward models, (3) structural placement of the epileptogenic zone, recognized by electrocorticography (ECoG) and post-surgical results, plotted on pre-surgical MRI scans in transverse, sagittal and coronal projections, (4) brief clinical description of each case. The main goal of this project is evaluation of possible improvements of localization of epileptic foci from the surface EEG recordings. These datasets offer a unique possibility for evaluating different EEG inverse solutions. We present preliminary results from a subset of these cases, including comparison of different schemes for the EEG inverse solution and preprocessing. We report also a finding which relates to the selective parametrization of single waveforms by multivariate matching pursuit, which is used in the preprocessing for the inverse solutions. It seems to offer a possibility of tracing the spatial evolution of seizures in time.

• Cognitive and social functioning in children and adolescents after the removal of craniopharyngioma.

  Authors: Agnieszka Ondruch, Agnieszka Maryniak, Tomasz Kropiwnicki, Marcin Roszkowski, Paweł Daszkiewicz

  Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. 10/2010; 27(3):391-7.

  The aim of this study is to assess cognitive, emotional and social functioning in children and adolescents after the removal of craniopharyngioma. Twenty-seven children operated for craniopharyngiomaThe aim of this study is to assess cognitive, emotional and social functioning in children and adolescents after the removal of craniopharyngioma. Twenty-seven children operated for craniopharyngioma and their parents participated in the study. Cognitive functions were assessed with WISC-R/WAIS-R-PL and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. Parents completed Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) questionnaires on problems in functioning and psychopathological symptoms and took part in an interview on children coping in everyday life. Eighty-two percent of patients were diagnosed with an average level of intellectual functioning. No child received results indicating mental disability. In half of the children, effectiveness of visual memory was reduced, despite normal visual-spatial abilities. The results in the CBCL scale indicated more frequent presence of psychopathological symptoms-especially social problems, depression, anxiety and withdrawal. The most frequent problems in children's everyday functioning included inability to control emotions, difficulties in learning, unsatisfactory peer relationships, and unattractive appearance resulting from hormonal disorders (short height and obesity). One third of parents also reported problems with pathological appetite in their children. Despite normal intellectual abilities and relatively good physical condition, children after removal of craniopharyngioma experience many difficulties in everyday life regarding social relationships, emotion control and learning. The analogy between the above-mentioned symptoms and symptoms observed in patients after infantile damage in the frontal area leads to an observation that, apart from endocrine disorders, damage to the frontal lobe caused by the growth of tumour and operational intervention is of crucial importance to the further development of children with craniopharyngioma.

• Open database of epileptic EEG with MRI and postoperational assessment of foci --- a real world verification for the EEG inverse solutions

  Authors: Piotr Zwolinski, Marcin Roszkowski, Jaroslaw Zygierewicz, Stefan Haufe, Guido Nolte, Piotr J. Durka

  Neuroinformatics. 01/2010; 8:285-299.

• Activation of Akt/mTOR pathway in a patient with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor.

  Authors: Jarosław Jóźwiak, Barbara Bikowska, Wiesława Grajkowska, Iwona Sontowska, Marcin Roszkowski, Ryszard Galus

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 01/2010; 48(3):185-9.

  A typical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly malignant childhood brain tumor. Most AT/RTs are shown to contain chromosome 22 mutation in the region of hSNF5/INI1 gene, whose protein productA typical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly malignant childhood brain tumor. Most AT/RTs are shown to contain chromosome 22 mutation in the region of hSNF5/INI1 gene, whose protein product participates in chromatin remodeling. Although the presence of this mutation is well described, molecular pathways underlying AT/RT development are poorly, if at all, understood. In the current paper we evaluate a case of AT/RT with special consideration of two pathways often implicated in tumor development: protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). First, we confirmed expression of typical protein pattern being unique for AT/RT, including epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. In molecular analyses we tested the sample for activity of Akt and Erk kinase cascade. We found that Erk pathway signaling in the tumor was not upregulated. Neither c-Raf, MAPK nor Erk were hyperphosphorylated. On the other hand, we detected significant phosphorylation of Akt, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). At the same time, inhibitor of Akt pathway, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), was not upregulated. These results strongly support the hypothesis that Akt pathway contributes to chromatin remodeling disruption, promoting malignant transformation of AT/RT.

• Heterozygous germ-line mutations in the NBN gene predispose to medulloblastoma in pediatric patients.

  Authors: Elżbieta Ciara, Dorota Piekutowska-Abramczuk, Ewa Popowska, Wiesława Grajkowska, Sławomir Barszcz, Danuta Perek, Bożenna Dembowska-Bagińska, Marta Perek-Polnik, Ewa Kowalewska, Aneta Czajńska, Małgorzata Syczewska, Kamila Czornak, Małgorzata Krajewska-Walasek, Marcin Roszkowski, Krystyna Chrzanowska

  Acta neuropathologica. 11/2009;

  The NBN (NBS1) gene belongs to a group of double-strand break repair genes. Mutations in any of these genes cause genome instability syndromes and contribute to carcinogenesis. NBN gene mutationsThe NBN (NBS1) gene belongs to a group of double-strand break repair genes. Mutations in any of these genes cause genome instability syndromes and contribute to carcinogenesis. NBN gene mutations cause increased tumor risk in Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) homozygotes as well as in NBN heterozygotes. NBS patients develop different types of malignancies; among solid tumors, medulloblastoma (MB), an embryonal tumor of the cerebellum, has been reported most frequently. The majority of medulloblastomas occur sporadically, some of them manifest within familial cancer syndromes. Several signaling pathways are known to be engaged in hereditary and sporadic MB. The aim of our study was to identify mutations in selected exons of the NBN gene and to determine the frequency of the most common NBN gene mutations in pediatric patients with different types of medulloblastoma. We screened a total of 104 patients with MB and identified 7 heterozygous carriers (6.7%) of two different germ-line mutations of NBN gene; all of them had classic MB. Our results indicate that heterozygous carriers of the germ-line NBN gene mutations (c.511A>G and c.657_661del5) may exhibit increased susceptibility to developing MB. The risk of medulloblastoma is estimated to be 3.0 (for c.511A>G) and 4.86 (for c.657_661del5) times higher than in the general Polish population (p < 0.05). These results suggest that heterozygous NBN germ-line mutations may contribute to the etiology of medulloblastoma.

• Neuronavigation-guided implantation of foramen ovale electrodes in a child.

  Authors: Paweł Daszkiewicz, Piotr Zwoliński, Marcin Roszkowski

  Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics. 08/2009; 4(1):47-9.

  The purpose of this paper is to present a novel technique of implantation of foramen ovale electrodes under neuronavigation guidance. The technique is simple, safe, and effective, greatly reducingThe purpose of this paper is to present a novel technique of implantation of foramen ovale electrodes under neuronavigation guidance. The technique is simple, safe, and effective, greatly reducing the patient's trauma, the operating time, and the surgeon's stress.

• The frequency of NBN molecular variants in pediatric astrocytic tumors.

  Authors: Dorota Piekutowska-Abramczuk, Elżbieta Ciara, Ewa Popowska, Wiesława Grajkowska, Bożenna Dembowska-Bagińska, Ewa Kowalewska, Aneta Czajńska, Marta Perek-Polnik, Marcin Roszkowski, Małgorzata Syczewska, Małgorzata Krajewska-Walasek, Danuta Perek, Krystyna Chrzanowska

  Journal of neuro-oncology. 08/2009;

  Gliomas, particularly those of astrocytic origin, are the most frequent primary central nervous system tumors that develop in children. The majority of them are benign and slow growing, withGliomas, particularly those of astrocytic origin, are the most frequent primary central nervous system tumors that develop in children. The majority of them are benign and slow growing, with relatively good prognosis. Several genomic and gene alterations are known to be involved in astrocytoma development, but the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. The NBN gene, which participates in DNA double-strand break repair and maintenance of genome stability, has been postulated to be a susceptibility factor for a number of cancers. Here we report the results of NBN gene analyses performed in 127 children with various astrocytic tumors. PCR-SSCP analysis followed by DNA sequencing was used for molecular variant screening. Three carriers (2.37%) of different germline mutations on one NBN allele were found. The common Slavic deletion c.657_661del5 (p.K219fsX19) was detected in a patient with pilocytic astrocytoma; a known mutation, c.643C>T (p.R215W), and a new substitution, c.565C>G (p.Q189E), were identified in two patients with primary glioblastoma. The risk of developing astrocytic malignancies is estimated to be 1.33 times higher for c.657_661del5 and 3.2 times higher for c.643C>T than in the general Polish population (P > 0.05). Because of the low frequency of the mutations identified in the studied group, we were unable to determine the exact role of NBN in the development of astrocytoma in children. The presence of two potentially pathogenic NBN molecular variants among 16 glioblastoma cases (12.5%) could be a remarkable finding in our study. We thus cannot exclude a possible role of NBN in the tumorigenesis of a certain type of astrocytic tumors.

• Long-term functional outcome of surgical treatment of juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellum in children.

  Authors: Paweł Daszkiewicz, Agnieszka Maryniak, Marcin Roszkowski, Sławomir Barszcz

  Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. 06/2009;

  PURPOSE: Increasing incidence of pediatric brain tumors and improving survival rates encouraged us to assess long-term functional outcome of patients with cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytomaPURPOSE: Increasing incidence of pediatric brain tumors and improving survival rates encouraged us to assess long-term functional outcome of patients with cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study encompassed 105 children treated since 1980-2005 and consisted in analysis of mailed, custom-designed questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 8.3 years. Sixty out of 104 patients presented permanent neurological deficits and 47/104 presented significant behavioral disorders. Eighty-nine children continued their education at primary, secondary or high school level. Most patients and their parents were satisfied with treatment outcome. Patients' and parents' notes were usually concordant. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term functional treatment outcome of cerebellar JPA is relatively favorable, in spite of permanent neurological deficits and emotional disorders in over half of the patients. Vermian tumors are associated with worse long-term functional outcome. Neurological deficits and emotional disorders do not preclude further education and independent functioning.

• Ganglioglioma associated with alterations of NBN gene. A case report.

  Authors: Wiesława Grajkowska, Dorota Piekutowska-Abramczuk, Elzbieta Ciara, Bozena Dembowska-Baginska, Danuta Perek, Marcin Roszkowski, Paweł Daszkiewicz, Ewa Matyja, Maciej Pronicki, Krystyna H Chrzanowska

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 01/2009; 47(3):278-83.

  We report a case of a 13-year-old girl with a tumour of the right fronto-parietal region of the brain. The tumour consisted of two components: a well-differentiated astroglial component withWe report a case of a 13-year-old girl with a tumour of the right fronto-parietal region of the brain. The tumour consisted of two components: a well-differentiated astroglial component with Rosenthal fibres and a neoplastic neuronal component. The final histopathology established diagnosis of ganglioglioma WHO grade I. The patient was selected from a group of children with central nervous system (CNS) tumours screened for the most common molecular variants in the NBN gene (exons 5 and 6). Molecular analysis revealed the presence of c.511A>G (p.Ile171Val) substitution on one allele. This is the first patient with ganglioglioma and confirmed mutation in the NBN gene.

• An open database of EEG data from child epilepsy with postoperational foci localization at eeg.pl/epi

  Authors: Piotr Durka, Marcin Roszkowski, Jaroslav Zygierewicz, Stefan Haufe, Guido Nolte, Piotr Zwolinski

  01/2009

• Papillary ependymoma with unique superficial cortical location: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. A case report.

  Authors: Wiesława Grajkowska, Ewa Matyja, Maciej Pronicki, Paweł Daszkiewicz, Marcin Roszkowski, Danuta Perek, Monika Drogosiewicz

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 01/2009; 47(4):354-61.

  Ependymomas are relatively rare neoplasms of the central nervous system that typically develop along cerebral ventricles and central canal of spinal cord. Occasionally, the tumours of ependymalEpendymomas are relatively rare neoplasms of the central nervous system that typically develop along cerebral ventricles and central canal of spinal cord. Occasionally, the tumours of ependymal origin arise supratentorially in brain parenchyma as ectopic cortical mass without any connection to the ventricular system. Ependymomas are heterogeneous group of tumours including cellular, papillary, clear cell and tanacytic histology. The papillary ependymoma is an unusual variant of ependymoma characterized by distinct morphology resembling other papillary tumours and corresponding to WHO grade II malignancy. We present an unique case of ependymoma with distinctive papillary morphology at ectopic superficial cortical localization. The tumour occurred in eleven-years-old girl as a large, well-circumscribed mass in the left parietal lobe without continuity with the ventricular system. The patient presented with severe headache, vomiting and sudden-onset right hemiparesis. Histopathologically, the tumour revealed distinct papillary pattern with numerous pseudorosettes. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells of both papillary structures and pseudorosettes were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin, whereas they were only slightly immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen and negative for cytokeratins. Ultrastructural findings revealed the presence of cilia usually located in the neoplastic cell bodies and intermediate glial-like filaments. The final diagnosis of papillary ependymoma at ectopic superficial localization was based on both, immunophenotypic profile and ultrastructural features that confirmed ependymal nature of neoplastic cells.

• Implication of active Erk in the classic type of human medulloblastoma.

  Authors: Pawel K Wlodarski, Anna Boszczyk, Wieslawa Grajkowska, Marcin Roszkowski, Jaroslaw Jozwiak

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 02/2008; 46(2):117-22.

  Molecular pathways underlying medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumour in children, are still under scrutiny. The mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is one of theMolecular pathways underlying medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumour in children, are still under scrutiny. The mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is one of the kinases that was recently found to be implicated in a number of human tumours. Also in the case of MB it is suspected that mTOR dysregulation may play an important role in pathogenesis. Active mTOR leads to translation of several proteins, some of which affect cellular proliferation. On the other hand, Akt/PKB (protein kinase B) and Erk (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, also called mitogen-activated protein kinase, MAPK) are two protein kinases whose hyperactivity leads to a number of downstream effects, including activation of mTOR. In our previous report we found that indeed Akt and Erk are variably activated in human MBs. However, because MBs are a highly heterogeneous group of tumours, we were unable to associate Akt or Erk activation with all the cases of MB. In this paper we evaluated six cases of MB, only of the classic subtype. We found that elements of the Erk pathway are hyperactive in all six tumours. Thus, we postulate that in classic type of MB, growth factor stimulation may lead to Erk upregulation and mTOR-dependent protein translation, causing malignant growth.

• Expression of tuberin and hamartin in tuberous sclerosis complex-associated and sporadic cortical dysplasia of Taylor's balloon cell type.

  Authors: Wiesława Grajkowska, Katarzyna Kotulska, Ewa Matyja, Magdalena Larysz-Brysz, Marek Mandera, Marcin Roszkowski, Dorota Domańska-Pakieła, Joanna Lewik-Kowalik, Sergiusz Jóźwiak

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 02/2008; 46(1):43-8.

  Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIB is a malformation of cortical development characterized by presence of balloon cells. These cells share phenotypic features of giant cells found in tuberousFocal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIB is a malformation of cortical development characterized by presence of balloon cells. These cells share phenotypic features of giant cells found in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), but the relationship between FCD type IIB and TSC is not well established. TSC is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutation in either of two genes: TSC1, encoding hamartin, and TSC2, encoding tuberin. Both proteins form a complex inhibiting mTOR signalling pathway and thus regulate cell size and proliferation. In this study, tuberin and hamartin expression was evaluated under a confocal microscope in six cases of Taylor's balloon cell type FCD. Three patients met the clinical criteria for TSC. In three other patients, TSC was excluded based on a panel of clinical and radiological examinations. Additionally, two cases of FCD type I and 3 samples of normal brain tissue were used as a reference group. We found loss of tuberin and hamartin expression in FCD type IIB lesions from patients with TSC. In sporadic FCD type IIB cases, only a few tuberin and hamartin positive cells were detected in the white-grey matter junction and in deeper parts of the white matter. Cortical balloon cells showed loss of both tuberin and hamartin. In contrast, the expression of tuberin and hamartin in FCD type I samples was strong, similarly to normal brain tissue. In conclusion, loss of TSC1 and TSC2 products expression in balloon cells of both cortical dysplasia type IIB in TSC-related and sporadic patients suggests that FCD type IIB may represent the focal form of TSC.

• Papillary pineocytoma in child: a case report.

  Authors: Wiesław Marcol, Katarzyna Kotulska, Wiesława Grajkowska, Dariusz Gołka, Paweł Właszczuk, Monika Drogosiewicz, Marek Mandera, Joanna Lewin-Kowalik, Marcin Roszkowski

  Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacký, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia. 07/2007; 151(1):121-3.

  BACKGROUND: Papillary pineocytoma is an extremely rare tumor usually with a poor outcome. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 10-year-old-girl with pineal gland tumor and obstructive hydrocephalusBACKGROUND: Papillary pineocytoma is an extremely rare tumor usually with a poor outcome. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 10-year-old-girl with pineal gland tumor and obstructive hydrocephalus diagnosed using MRI. The child was successful treated by insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and consecutive tumor resection by supracerebellar-infratentorial approach. Histopathological examination showed a papillary structure of the pineocytoma. As such, tumors are considered to be aggressive the child was subjected to radio- and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: At six year follow-up after surgery, the patient is symptom-free and the MRI shows no tumor recurrence.

• Brain tumor formation in tuberous sclerosis depends on Erk activation.

  Authors: Jaroslaw Jozwiak, Wieslawa Grajkowska, Katarzyna Kotulska, Sergiusz Jozwiak, Wojciech Zalewski, Agnieszka Zajaczkowska, Marcin Roszkowski, Artur Slupianek, Pawel Wlodarski

  Neuromolecular medicine. 02/2007; 9(2):117-27.

  Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with the formation of usually benign tumors or hamartomas. The disease is connected with upregulation of mammalian target ofTuberous sclerosis (TS) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with the formation of usually benign tumors or hamartomas. The disease is connected with upregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin, central regulator of protein translation, which is usually regarded to be activated by Akt kinase. Here, we show for the first time that in all four brain lesions and one angiomyolipoma from TS patients both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 activation as well as Erk-dependent phosphorylation of p70 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 are markedly elevated whereas Akt, participating in the classical pathway of mammalian target of rapamycin activation is not always activated. Erk activation is also present in TS-derived cell lines. Importantly, Erk inhibition leads to the decrease of proliferation potential of such lines. These results show that Erk is specifically implicated in the pathogenesis of hamartomas.

• Teratoma or enterogenous cyst? The histopathological and clinical dilemma in co-existing occult neural tube dysraphism.

  Authors: Paweł Daszkiewicz, Marcin Roszkowski, Sławomir Przasnek, Wiesława Grajkowska, Elzbieta Jurkiewicz

  Folia neuropathologica / Association of Polish Neuropathologists and Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences. 02/2006; 44(1):24-33.

  BACKGROUND: Better understanding of embryology, histopathology and genetics of dysraphic conditions have lead to an expansion of this concept to entities with a similar microscopic appearance (e.g.BACKGROUND: Better understanding of embryology, histopathology and genetics of dysraphic conditions have lead to an expansion of this concept to entities with a similar microscopic appearance (e.g. enterogenous cysts, colloid cyst of the III-rd ventricle) or rated among neoplasms (e.g. mature teratoma), creating a certain conceptual confusion. Currently the diagnosis of "teratoma" is being substituted by "enterogenous cyst" or "teratomatous cyst". AIM OF PAPER: Clarification of concepts in this field and presentation of the experience of the Department of Neurosurgery of the Children's Memorial Health Institute associated therewith. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Since January 1990 through April 2005 we had treated 7 children with the final diagnosis of "an enterogenous cyst". The mean age of the children was 10.5 years and the mean follow-up time was 4.1 years. The study was performed by a retrospective analysis of medical records, imaging studies and histological preparations. RESULTS: the study group included: 3 cases of type I enterogenous cyst, 1 case of type II cyst and 3 cases of type III cyst (in 2 cases a former diagnosis of "mature teratoma" has been revised). Within this follow-up time, a good outcome was obtained in 3 cases, moderate disability - in 3 cases and severe disability - in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Enterogenous cyst often co-exists with other dysraphic features; (2) Clinical signs of an enterogenous cyst are non-typical and depend on location of the lesion. The presence of secreting gastric mucosa may lead to chemical myelitis; (3) Severity of the postoperative neurological deficit is due to the developmental nature of the lesion and common vascular supply; (4) Late results of treatment are satisfactory, provided the lesion is excised radically; (5) Enterogenous cyst may be diagnosed in the case of a tumor composed of tissues originating from 1, 2 or 3 embryonic layers coexisting with dysraphic stigmata, congenital vertebral abnormalities or a mediastinal tumor of the same type. Types II and III of enterogenous cyst were historically diagnosed as "adult teratoma".

• Time-frequency-space localization of epileptic EEG oscillations.

  Authors: Artur Matysiak, Piotr J Durka, Eduardo Martinez Montes, Marek Barwiński, Piotr Zwoliński, Marcin Roszkowski, Katarzyna J Blinowska

  Acta neurobiologiae experimentalis. 02/2005; 65(4):435-42.

  This paper presents a hybrid method for localization of oscillatory EEG activity. It consists of two steps: multichannel matching pursuit with complex Gabor dictionary, and LORETA inverse solution.This paper presents a hybrid method for localization of oscillatory EEG activity. It consists of two steps: multichannel matching pursuit with complex Gabor dictionary, and LORETA inverse solution. Proposed algorithm was successfully applied to the localization of epileptogenic EEG in a single patient.