1
RUDN University doctors named risk factors for death due to a cyst in the brain

RUDN University doctors named risk factors for death due to a cyst in the brain

RUDN University doctors examined known cases of sudden death from a colloid cyst. After analyzing the data, the authors named the main risk factors and told what to pay attention to.

The third ventricle of the brain is a cavity between the optic thalamus filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes a colloid cyst forms in it. This is a benign formation, but it can block the foramen of Monroe, through which the third ventricle communicates with other cavities of the brain. This leads to hydrocephalus, an excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. In extreme cases, acute deterioration may occur, leading to sudden death. Very little is known about such outcomes, but it is important to learn how to avoid them. RUDN University doctors analyzed data on all described fatal cases associated with a colloid cyst of the third ventricle.

“Colloid cysts are benign tumors that are found almost exclusively in the third ventricle. It can cause hydrocephalus and, less commonly, acute deterioration and even sudden death. Since very few cases of sudden death have been described in the literature, not much is known about the patients and the characteristics of the cyst in these patients,” Musa Gerald, assistant at the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery with a course of comprehensive rehabilitation at RUDN University.

Doctors were able to find 65 described cases in which the death of the patient occurred with a diagnosed colloid cyst. The authors analyzed the collected data using statistical methods. To find possible relationships, RUDN doctors paid attention to all previous syndromes, cyst size, hemorrhage into the cyst, and demographic indicators.

Of the 65 patients, there were 38 men and 27 women. The average age was 27.4 and 28.5, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between men and women for any of the clinical indicators. Most patients have a history of sudden and severe headaches accompanied by nausea. Almost all (97%) were diagnosed with ventriculomegaly, an abnormal increase in the volume of the ventricles of the brain, on radiological studies. Sudden death in most cases was preceded by hemorrhage into the cyst. The size of the cyst also likely plays a role—all of the patients who died had cysts larger than 1 cm in diameter.

“Sudden death in colloid cysts is a rare event, the pathophysiology and risk factors of which still need to be studied. All patients with acute headaches accompanied by nausea or vomiting should be carefully evaluated to rule out colloid cysts and other life-threatening conditions. Sudden deterioration and possible death should be discussed with all patients with cysts of all sizes. For colloid cysts larger than one centimeter, surgical treatment should be recommended regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms,” Musa Gerald.

The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

International scientific cooperation View all
12 Dec 2024
From 19 to 23 November 2024, RUDN hosted the III International Scientific Conference ‘For the Sustainable Development of Civilisation: Cooperation, Science, Education, Technology’. The event gathered more than 2000 participants from 72 countries.
1181
30 Jan 2018
The conference on international arbitration, where law students from European universities simulate court proceedings and alternately defend the interests of the respondent and the orator.
2033
Similar newsletter View all
21 Apr
Building a sustainable future: what are SDGs and how RUDN helps achieve them

Imagine a world where everyone has enough food, clean water, access to education, and decent work. A world where nature is protected and the future of our planet is cared for. These are the Sustainable Development Goals—to achieve a sustainable future for all! To this end, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global plan that helps countries and people work together towards a better future. All 193 UN member states have joined the plan.

15
21 Apr
Unfounded generalizations and false conclusions: RUDN scientists have identified AI “hallucinations” in the diagnosis of mental disorders

Researchers from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University conducted a large-scale study that revealed systemic errors in large language models (LLMs) when diagnosing depression based on text. This work, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from AIRI, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and MBZUAI, not only identifies the problem but also lays the foundation for the creation of more reliable and secure tools for detecting depression and anxiety.

13
21 Apr
Rats and neurodegenerative processes: a junior researcher at RUDN University wins Academician A. P. Avtsyn Award

Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the Russian University of People's Friendship, won the competition for young scientists at the All-Russian Scientific Conference “Topical Issues of Morphogenesis in Norm and Pathology.” She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.

13
Similar newsletter View all