Central nervous system

An audit of the Shrewsbury and Telford two week wait CNS malignancy pathway referrals over six months (2015)

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Type of publication:
Poster presentation

Author(s):
*Metcalfe R, *Bowen J

Citation:
West Midlands Regional Neuroscience Meeting, 13 Nov 2015

Abstract:

An audit of the Shrewsbury and Telford two week wait CNS malignancy pathway referrals
over six months. By Metcalfe R*, Bowen J**
*Final year medical student, Keele University Medical School.
**Consultant Neurologist, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS trust (SaTH).
Word Count: 232 words.

Introduction:

  • The overall incidence of brain tumours in the U.K. is around 7/100,001
  • To promote early diagnosis a fast track “2 week wait” pathway exists for prompt diagnosis and initiation of management of brain/CNS tumours
  • In SaTH standardised suspected CNS malignancy referral proformas2 are faxed to meet 2 week targets appointments

Aim:

To undertake an audit to address the following:

  • Did referrals adhere to proforma criteria?
  • What proportion was seen within two weeks?
  • Is the process fit for purpose?

Methodology:

  • Case note review of all patients referred via the two week CNS Cancer pathway over a sixth month period from 1st July 2014 to 1st January 2015

Results:

  • Over the 6 months >98 % (120/122) referred via the two week wait pathway fulfilled the
    criteria on the proforma
  • Only 5.7% (7/122) were not seen within two weeks
  • 2 patients were diagnosed with brain metastases
  • No patients were diagnosed with a primary brain tumour

Conclusions:

  • Despite adherence of over 98% no case of primary brain tumour was detected over the six month period and 2 (1.6%) of patients referred had brain metastases
  • The current system is not effective at picking up brain tumours

Suggestions:

  • These results will be shared with local primary care groups and the referral criteria refined
  • A reaudit to assess impact of changes will be undertaken

References:
1. McKinney PA. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2004;75:ii12-ii17
2. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS trust. Brain and CNS Cancer Two Week Wait
Referral Proforma. [internet] 2012 [Cited 6th October 2015] Available from:
www.sath.nhs.uk/Library/Documents/gpconnect/gpinfo/Brain%20and%20CNS
%20Cancer%20TWW%20Referral%20Proforma%20_V1_.pdf

Posaconazole responsive cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompetent adult (2014)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Ellenbogen J.R., Waqar M., Denning D.W., Cooke R.P.D., *Skinner D.W., Lesser T., Javadpour M.

Citation:
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, October 2014, vol./is. 21/10(1825-1827), 0967-5868;1532-2653 (01 Oct 2014)

Abstract:
Cerebral aspergillosis is a rare manifestation of invasive aspergillosis that usually affects immunocompromised patients. There are few treatment options for recurrent disease and experiences with immunocompetent patients are lacking. We report the clinical course of an immunocompetent patient with recurrent cerebral aspergillosis, following initial treatment with burr hole aspiration and voriconazole, who showed remarkable response to posaconazole. The patient remains clinically well with no evidence of recurrence on MRI 7 years following diagnosis. To our knowledge this is the first reported experience with posaconazole in an immunocompetent patient with cerebral aspergillosis.

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