scholarly journals Surgical considerations for maximal safe resection of exophytic brainstem glioma in the pediatric age group

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Ayman Tarek Mahmoud ◽  
Abdelrhman Enayet ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Alselisly

Background: Brainstem glioma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all central nervous system tumors, especially in childhood as it represents about 20% of all pediatric brain tumors. Therefore, this study aimed to present our experience in a tertiary center in a developing country with limited resources for the surgical management of exophytic brainstem gliomas. Methods: This retrospective study included pediatric patients with brainstem (midbrain, pontine, or medullary) focal or diffuse gliomas whether low or high grade that had dorsal, ventral, or lateral exophytic component who were presented to our hospitals from January 2019 to January 2021. The patients’ data were collected, such as age, sex, preoperative and postoperative clinical condition, radiological data, surgical approach, extent of tumor removal, histopathology, follow-up period, and adjuvant therapy. Results: A total of 23 patients were included in this study. The telovelar approach was used in 17 patients, the supracerebellar infratentorial approach in three patients, and the retrosigmoid, transcerebellar, and occipital transtentorial approach once for each patient. Twenty patients underwent near-total excision, and three underwent subtotal excision. Two-thirds of our cases (17 patients) were low-grade gliomas, with the remaining one-third comprising entirely of either anaplastic astrocytoma (five patients) or glioblastoma multiforme (one patient). The follow-up period of the patients extended from 3 months to 24 months. Conclusion: Exophytic brainstem glioma surgery can result in good outcomes with minimal complications when near-total excision is attempted through a properly chosen approach and adherence to some surgical techniques and considerations.

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1077
Author(s):  
Gabriele Capo ◽  
Miran Skrap ◽  
Ilaria Guarracino ◽  
Miriam Isola ◽  
Claudio Battistella ◽  
...  

Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are slow-growing brain tumors infiltrating the central nervous system which tend to recur, often with malignant degeneration after primary treatment. Re-operations are not always recommended due to an assumed higher risk of neurological and cognitive deficits. However, this assumption is relatively ungrounded due to a lack of extensive neuropsychological testing. We retrospectively examined a series of 40 patients with recurrent glioma in eloquent areas of the left hemisphere, who all completed comprehensive pre- (T3) and post-surgical (T4) neuropsychological assessments after a second surgery (4-month follow up). The lesions were most frequent in the left insular cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus. Among this series, in 17 patients the cognitive outcomes were compared before the first surgery (T1), 4 months after the first surgery (T2), and at T3 and T4. There was no significant difference either in the number of patients scoring within the normal range between T3 and T4, or in their level of performance. Further addressing the T1–T4 evolution, there was no significant difference in the number of patients scoring within the normal range. As to their level of performance, the only significant change was in phonological fluency. This longitudinal follow-up study showed that repeated glioma surgery is possible without major damage to cognitive functions in the short-term period (4 months) after surgery.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 20023-20023
Author(s):  
M. M. Abdel Wahab ◽  
H. Hussien ◽  
K. M. Maher

20023 Purpose: To evaluate the delayed adverse changes in neuro-cognitive functions as well as white matter damage in radiated survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Methods: Forty two children (22 males) with primary brain tumors who were only treated with cranial radiation, were recruited. 28 patients were treated for low risk medulloblastoma, 10 patients for low grade astrocytoma, 3 patients for low grade ependymoma, and 1 patient for craniopharyngioma. Their ages ranged from 3 to 18 years (mean 10.3±3.98 years).They were subjected, initially just before radiotherapy and at follow-up 1–2 year after completion of cranial radiation, to serial clinical and neuropsychological assessments including Wechseler Intelligence Scale for Children, Vineland social maturity test, Benton Visual Memory Test, and Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. Magnetic resonance scans were also performed to detect the presence of white matter damage before radiotherapy and at follow up. Results: Initially, after surgery and before radiation, intelligence test scores were below normal scores for age and this was of high statistical significance (Total IQ: t= -3.02, P= 0.006). Visual memory test showed evidence of organicity in all cases. Social maturity showed a statistically significant decline as well (t= -2.11, P= 0.04). Follow-up after radiotherapy showed further decline with high statistical significance (Total IQ t= 3.228, P=0.003; visual memory t= 4.08, P= 0.001); An attentional problem has emerged (t= -6.12, P= 0.00). Both radiation dose and volume of radiation showed negative and statistically significant correlation with IQ. Age at diagnosis correlated positively and significantly with IQ ( r= 0.601, P=0.001). Multiple linear regression showed impaired neurocognitive function which was correlated with the degree of white matter damage. (standardized B= -0.577, P= 0.001) and young age at diagnosis (standardized B= -0.427, P= 0.014). Conclusions: Cranial radiation in pediatric brain tumors is associated with a decline in multiple neurocognitive functions including total IQ, visual memory, and attention; which are related to the toxic effect of cranial radiation on white matter of the brain especially in young age of childhood with high dose and whole cranial radiation. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (08) ◽  
pp. 730-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyal Nachum ◽  
Leonid Sternik ◽  
Yigal Kassif ◽  
Ehud Raanani ◽  
Ilan Hay ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although surgery is the sole therapeutic option for patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP), reports on high postoperative mortality rates have led to hesitant surgery referral. The aim of this study was to report the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical pericardiectomy (SP) from a large tertiary center. Methods Between January 2005 and January 2017, 55 consecutive patients underwent SP after comprehensive echocardiography, computed tomography, and hemodynamic studies. Detailed clinical, imaging, surgical techniques and follow-up outcomes were recorded. Results The most common etiology was idiopathic (n = 27, 49%) and 33 patients (60%) were in functional class 3/4. Sixteen patients (29%) underwent concomitant interventions during SP, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in these, as well as in four additional cases. Complete resection, independent of CPB, was achieved in 96%. One patient died during the index hospitalization, and four (7%) needed re-explorations due to bleeding. While 12 patients (22%) died during a mean follow-up of 52 ± 39 months, only 1 death was due to right heart failure. Functional class significantly improved (with a p-value < 0.001), diuretics were discontinued in all, and significant reductions of right atrial pressures were recorded. None of these outcomes differed as a result of concomitant interventions at the time of SP. Conclusion Short- and long-term outcomes of SP, performed either alone or concomitantly with other procedures, indicate high safety and favorable clinical and hemodynamic efficacy for the treatment of CP.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fareed Jumah ◽  
Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar ◽  
Arka N. Mallela ◽  
Clayton A. Wiley ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford

Background Optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas are rare pediatric brain tumors. The management paradigm for these challenging tumors includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical resection, but the optimal management strategy remains elusive. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has emerged as a promising treatment for such lesions as documented by a small number of cases in the literature. Case Presentation Herein, we present a rare case of hypothalamic glioma in a 13-year-old girl who was referred to our service due to growth of a an incidentally diagnosed hypothalamic lesion following head injury at the age of 8 years. The lesion demonstrated hypointensity on T1 and hyperintensity on T2 without enhancement. Given the growth of the lesion on serial imaging, a stereotactic biopsy was performed demonstrating low-grade glioma. The patient underwent GKRS treatment with a marginal dose of 15 Gy at 50% isodose line for a tumor volume of 2.2 ml. Annual radiological surveillance over the next 17 years demonstrated a gradual shrinkage of the lesion until it completely disappeared. The patient is currently a healthy 31-year-old female without any visual, endocrine, or neurocognitive complaints. Conclusion The outcome obtained after extended follow-up in our patient highlights the safety and efficacy of GKRS in the management of hypothalamic gliomas in pediatrics, which in turn can avoid potentially serious complications of surgery in this vulnerable patient population in this sensitive location.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Ius ◽  
Edoardo Mazzucchi ◽  
Barbara Tomasino ◽  
Giada Pauletto ◽  
Giovanni Sabatino ◽  
...  

AbstractSurgical management of Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas (DLGGs) has radically changed in the last 20 years. Awake surgery (AS) in combination with Direct Electrical Stimulation (DES) and real-time neuropsychological testing (RTNT) permits continuous intraoperative feedback, thus allowing to increase the extent of resection (EOR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the technological advancements and integration of multidisciplinary techniques on EOR. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients affected by DLGG were enrolled. Cases were stratified according to the surgical protocol that changed over time: 1. DES; 2. DES plus functional MRI/DTI images fused on a NeuroNavigation system; 3. Protocol 2 plus RTNT. Patients belonging to Protocol 1 had a median EOR of 83% (28–100), while those belonging to Protocol 2 and 3 had a median EOR of 88% (34–100) and 98% (50–100) respectively (p = 0.0001). New transient deficits with Protocol 1, 2 and 3 were noted in 38.96%, 34.31% and 31,08% of cases, and permanent deficits in 6.49%, 3.65% and 2.7% respectively. The average follow-up period was 6.8 years. OS was influenced by molecular class (p = 0.028), EOR (p = 0.018) and preoperative tumor growing pattern (p = 0.004). Multimodal surgical approach can provide a safer and wider removal of DLGG with potential subsequent benefits on OS. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Blauwblomme ◽  
Pascale Varlet ◽  
John R. Goodden ◽  
Marie Laure Cuny ◽  
Helene Piana ◽  
...  

Object Five to ten percent of pediatric brain tumors are located in the ventricles. Among them, forniceal lesions are rare and their management has not often been described. The aim of this study was to review the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features as well as the feasibility of surgical excision and the outcomes in these patients. Methods From a retrospective analysis of 250 cases of supratentorial pediatric glioma, the records of 8 children presenting with forniceal lesions were selected and reviewed. Results The median age of patients in the cohort was 13.5 years. Presenting features included intracranial hypertension (7 cases), hypothalamic dysfunction (2), and memory dysfunction (3). Complete resection was possible in only 1 case, where the lesion was mainly exophytic; the remaining patients had either a partial resection or biopsy. On histological review, the tumors were confirmed as pilocytic astrocytoma (4 lesions), WHO Grade II astrocytoma (3), and ganglioglioma (1). Postoperatively, working and retrograde memory was normal for all patients, but the authors found a mild alteration in verbal episodic memory in 5 patients. Despite fatigability for 5 patients, academic achievement was normal for all but 2, both of whom had preoperative school difficulties. Additional treatment was required for 5 patients for tumor progression, with a median interval of 19 months from surgery. At a median follow-up duration of 4.9 years, all patients had stable disease. Conclusions In this series, forniceal gliomas were found to be low-grade gliomas. They are surgically challenging, and only exophytic lesions may be cured surgically. Due to the high rate of progression of residual disease, adjuvant therapy is recommended for infiltrative tumors, and it yielded excellent results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Elsa V. Arocho-Quinones ◽  
Sean M. Lew ◽  
Michael H. Handler ◽  
Zulma Tovar-Spinoza ◽  
Matthew Smyth ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of MR-guided stereotactic laser ablation (SLA) therapy in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors.METHODSData from 17 North American centers were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, technical, and radiographic data for pediatric patients treated with SLA for a diagnosis of brain tumor from 2008 to 2016 were collected and analyzed.RESULTSA total of 86 patients (mean age 12.2 ± 4.5 years) with 76 low-grade (I or II) and 10 high-grade (III or IV) tumors were included. Tumor location included lobar (38.4%), deep (45.3%), and cerebellar (16.3%) compartments. The mean follow-up time was 24 months (median 18 months, range 3–72 months). At the last follow-up, the volume of SLA-treated tumors had decreased in 80.6% of patients with follow-up data. Patients with high-grade tumors were more likely to have an unchanged or larger tumor size after SLA treatment than those with low-grade tumors (OR 7.49, p = 0.0364). Subsequent surgery and adjuvant treatment were not required after SLA treatment in 90.4% and 86.7% of patients, respectively. Patients with high-grade tumors were more likely to receive subsequent surgery (OR 2.25, p = 0.4957) and adjuvant treatment (OR 3.77, p = 0.1711) after SLA therapy, without reaching significance. A total of 29 acute complications in 23 patients were reported and included malpositioned catheters (n = 3), intracranial hemorrhages (n = 2), transient neurological deficits (n = 11), permanent neurological deficits (n = 5), symptomatic perilesional edema (n = 2), hydrocephalus (n = 4), and death (n = 2). On long-term follow-up, 3 patients were reported to have worsened neuropsychological test results. Pre-SLA tumor volume, tumor location, number of laser trajectories, and number of lesions created did not result in a significantly increased risk of complications; however, the odds of complications increased by 14% (OR 1.14, p = 0.0159) with every 1-cm3 increase in the volume of the lesion created.CONCLUSIONSSLA is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for pediatric brain tumors, although it is not without risks. Limiting the volume of the generated thermal lesion may help decrease the incidence of complications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Jaideep Chandra ◽  
Santosh Shah

Introduction: Removal of intracranial supra-sellar masses continues to be a surgical challenge. Various approaches have been used by different authors with varying results. Anterior basal interhemispheric approach is most suitable with better results than other approaches for craniopharyngiomas Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with large craniopharyngiomas having third ventricular and or retro or supra-sellar extensions or reaching the interpeduncular cisterns were operated by this approach, over a period of seven years since the first use of this approach at our institute. The data of patients opearated by this approach were then retrospectively analysed. There were eleven males and four females with five patients in the pediatric age group. Follow up range was from 2 to 83 months with a mean of 21.6 months. Results: Total excision was achieved in seven (46.6%) and near total excision in another seven (46.6%), partial excision was done in only one (6.66%). Seven patients with total excision were disease free at mean follow up of 6.8 months. There was asymptomatic recurrence in two (13.33%) patient with near total excision at 11 and 63 months respectively and were given radiotherapy post-operatively. All patients were symptom free except one with diabetes insipidus (DI) and one mortality, and one with post operative visual deterioration. Conclusion: Anterior basal interhemispheric approach is a useful alternative to other transcranial approaches in the management of the craniopharyngiomas. It has the advantage of being a midline approach and displays the tumour brain interface better. 


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Bonnie L. Cole ◽  
Christina M. Lockwood ◽  
Shannon Stasi ◽  
Jeffrey Stevens ◽  
Amy Lee ◽  
...  

Purpose Next-generation sequencing is gaining acceptance as a clinical tool to aid diagnosis and guide treatment of pediatric cancer. Prior pilot studies have evaluated the feasibility and utility of clinical genomic profiling in a subset of selected patients with brain tumors. Here, we report an unselected prospective cohort study to evaluate the clinical use of universal targeted sequencing in pediatric patients with brain tumors. Methods We applied a universal sequencing protocol for all tumors of the CNS undergoing diagnostic workup at Seattle Children’s Hospital during the study period of November 2015 to November 2016. All tumors were sequenced using the UW-OncoPlex platform, which is a multiplexed targeted deep gene sequencing panel that detects genetic alterations in 262 cancer-related genes performed in a College of American Pathologists–accredited Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments–certified laboratory. Results Eighty-eight patients underwent diagnostic evaluation during the study period, of which 85 tumors (95%) yielded sufficient DNA for sequencing, including 59 newly diagnosed and 26 relapsed. Clinically relevant genetic alterations were identified in 68 of 85 patients (80%). Of these, 57 (67%) had disease-defining or disease-modifying mutations, 44 (52%) had potentially targetable mutations, and 31 (36%) had mutations requiring germline follow-up. As of the last follow-up, seven patients had been prescribed targeted agents on the basis of sequencing results, and nine had confirmed deleterious germline mutations. Conclusion Clinically validated molecular profiling of pediatric brain tumors aids diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of high- and low-grade primary and relapsed pediatric brain tumors.


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