Craniofacial approaches to large juvenile angiofibromas

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yashar S. Kalani ◽  
Maziyar A. Kalani ◽  
Samuel Kalb ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
...  

Object Craniofacial approaches provide excellent exposure to lesions in the anterior and middle cranial fossae. The authors review their experience with craniofacial approaches for resection of large juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. Methods Between 1992 and 2009, 22 patients (all male, mean age 15 years, range 9–27 years) underwent 30 procedures. These cases were reviewed retrospectively. Results Gross-total resection of 17 (77%) of the 22 lesions was achieved. The average duration of hospitalization was 8.2 days (range 3–20 days). The rate of recurrence and/or progression was 4 (18%) of 22, with recurrences occurring a mean of 21 months after the first resection. All patients underwent preoperative embolization. Nine patients (41%) developed complications, the most common of which was CSF leakage (23%). The average follow-up was 27.7 months (range 2–144 months). The surgery-related mortality rate was 0%. Based on their mean preoperative (90) and postoperative (90) Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, 100% of patients improved or remained the same. Conclusions The authors' experience shows that craniofacial approaches provide an excellent avenue for the resection of large juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, with acceptable rates of morbidity and no deaths.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjan Sarma ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
David A. Schessel

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Nonvestibular schwannomas are uncommon tumors of the brain. Trigeminal nerve schwannomas are the most common of this group, followed by glossopharyngeal, vagal, facial, accessory, hypoglossal, oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerve schwannomas, in descending order of frequency. We present a series of nonvestibular schwannomas that were surgically treated during a 7-year period. METHODS: Forty-six patients with schwannomas of Cranial Nerves V (26 cases), VII (7 cases), IX, X, and XI (9 cases), XII (3 cases), and III (1 case) were microsurgically treated by the senior author (LNS) during a 7-year period, from 1993 to 2000. The clinical presentations, operative approaches, complications, and results were studied. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent gross total tumor resection in the first operation. One patient who had undergone subtotal tumor resection in the initial operation experienced a large recurrence after 4 years, and gross total tumor resection was achieved in the second operation. There were no postoperative deaths. Postoperative morbidity consisted of cerebrospinal fluid leaks for 5 patients (3 patients required a second operation to repair the leak, and 2 patients responded to lumbar drain placement), meningitis for 3 patients (2 cases were aseptic and 1 involved bacterial meningitis, which resolved with antibiotic therapy), vasospasm requiring angioplasty for 1 patient, temporary hemiparesis for 2 patients (who experienced good recoveries), and permanent hemiparesis for 1 patient. New cranial nerve deficits were observed for 24% of patients but were usually partial. The mean follow-up period was 33.3 months (range, 0.2–93 mo). No patient experienced tumor recurrence after complete tumor removal. The patient who experienced regrowth of the tumor did not exhibit recurrence after the second operation. The Karnofsky Performance Scale scores at the latest follow-up examination were 80 or more for 45 patients (98%) and 70 for 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Nonvestibular schwannomas can be treated via microsurgical excision, with excellent functional results. Recurrence is rare after total tumor excision, although much longer follow-up monitoring is required.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Or Cohen-Inbar ◽  
Cheng-chia Lee ◽  
David Schlesinger ◽  
Zhiyuan Xu ◽  
Jason P. Sheehan

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is well established in the management of inaccessible, recurrent, or residual benign skull base meningiomas. Most series report clinical outcome parameters and complications in the short intermediate period after radiosurgery. Reports of long-term tumor control and neurological status are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To report the presentation, treatment, and long-term outcome of skull base meningiomas after GKRS. METHODS: From a prospectively collected institutional review board-approved database, we selected patients with a World Health Organization grade I skull base meningioma treated with a single-session GKRS and a minimum of 60 months follow-up. One hundred thirty-five patients, 54.1% males (n = 73), form the cohort. Median age was 54 years (19–80). Median tumor volume was 4.7 cm3 (0.5–23). Median margin dose was 15 Gy (7.5–36). Median follow-up was 102.5 months (60.1–235.4). Patient and tumor characteristics were assessed to determine the predictors of neurological function and tumor progression. RESULTS: At last follow-up, tumor volume control was achieved in 88.1% (n = 119). Post-GKRS clinical improvement or stability was reported in 61.5%. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year actuarial progression-free survival rates were 100%, 95.4%, and 68.8%, respectively. Favorable outcome (both tumor control and clinical preservation/improvement) was attained in 60.8% (n = 79). Pre-GKRS performance status (Karnofsky Performance Scale) was shown to influence tumor progression (P = .001) and post-GKRS clinical improvement/preservation (P = .003). CONCLUSION: GKRS offers a highly durable rate of tumor control for World Health Organization grade I skull base meningiomas, with an acceptably low incidence of neurological deficits. The Karnofsky Performance Scale at the time of radiosurgery serves as a reliable long-term predictor of overall outcome.


2013 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Koltz ◽  
Adam J. Polifka ◽  
Andreas Saltos ◽  
Robert G. Slawson ◽  
Young Kwok ◽  
...  

Object The object of this study was to assess outcomes in patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS); lesions were stratified by size, symptomatology, and Spetzler-Martin (S-M) grade. Methods The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 102 patients treated for an AVM with single-dose or staged-dose SRS between 1993 and 2004. Lesions were grouped by S-M grade, as hemorrhagic or nonhemorrhagic, and as small (< 3 cm) or large (≥ 3 cm). Outcomes included death, morbidity (new neurological deficit, new-onset seizure, or hemorrhage/rehemorrhage), nidus obliteration, and Karnofsky Performance Scale score. Results The mean follow-up was 8.5 years (range 5–16 years). Overall nidus obliteration (achieved in 75% of patients) and morbidity (19%) correlated with lesion size and S-M grade. For S-M Grade I–III AVMs, nonhemorrhagic and hemorrhagic combined, treatment yielded obliteration rates of 100%, 89%, and 86%, respectively; high functional status (Karnofsky Performance Scale Score ≥ 80); and 1% mortality. For S-M Grade IV and V AVMs, outcomes were less favorable, with obliteration rates of 54% and 0%, respectively. The AVMs that were not obliterated had a mean reduction in nidus volume of 69% (range 35%–96%). On long-term follow-up, 10% of patients experienced hemorrhage/rehemorrhage (6% mortality rate), which correlated with lesion size and S-M grade; the mean interval to hemorrhage was 81 months. Conclusions For patients with S-M Grade I–III AVMs, SRS offers outcomes that are favorable and that, except for the timing of obliteration, appear to be comparable to surgical outcomes reported for the same S-M grades. Staged-dose SRS results in lesion obliteration in half of patients with S-M Grade IV lesions.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1355-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Di Maio ◽  
Robert Rostomily ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chordomas of the skull base are locally aggressive neoplasms for which maximal surgical resection confers prolonged survival. OBJECTIVE: To present the largest consecutive surgical series of cranial base chordomas to date, including complications, functional outcome, and overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in early and late eras of our experience. METHODS: From 1988 to 2011, 95 patients with cranial base chordomas were treated, including 56 patients from 1988 to 1999 and 39 from 2000 to 2011. Mean age and average follow-up were 42.6 ± 16.8 years and 38.3 ± 38.5 months, respectively. A historically controlled study design was implemented comparing both eras with respect to 5-year OS, RFS, Karnofsky performance scale at last-follow-up, and complications. RESULTS: Mean 5-year OS and RFS for the entire cohort was 74% ± 6% and 56% ± 8%, respectively. Complete resection rates were similar between groups (68% and 74%, respectively; P = .494). In the 2000 to 2011 era, overall (26%), cranial nerve (10%), vascular (3%), and systemic (0%) complications were less frequent than in the 1988 to 1999 era. Patients in the 2000 to 2011 era were 1.50 times more likely to have a Karnofsky performance scale ≥70 than in the 1988 to 1999 era (95% confidence interval 1.15-1.94; P = .003). There was no significant difference in 5-year RFS between the 1988 to 1999 and 2000 to 2011 eras. Five-year OS was higher in the 2000 to 2011 era (93% ± 6% vs 64% ± 8% for the 1988-1999 era; P = .012). CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical resection implementing contemporary skull base approaches can be performed with an acceptable complication profile with preservation of functional status, while conferring a similar OS and RFS.


2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Safavi-Abbasi ◽  
Mehmet Senoglu ◽  
Nicholas Theodore ◽  
Ryan K. Workman ◽  
Alireza Gharabaghi ◽  
...  

Object The authors conducted a study to evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with spinal schwannomas and without neurofibromatosis (NF). Methods The data obtained in 128 patients who underwent resection of spinal schwannomas were analyzed. All cases with neurofibromas and those with a known diagnosis of NF Type 1 or 2 were excluded. Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores were used to compare patient outcomes when examining the anatomical location and spinal level of the tumor. The neurological outcome was further assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle testing scale. Results Altogether, 131 schwannomas were treated in 128 patients (76 males and 52 females; mean age 47.7 years). The peak prevalence is seen between the 3rd and 6th decades. Pain was the most common presenting symptom. Gross-total resection was achieved in 127 (97.0%) of the 131 lesions. The nerve root had to be sacrificed in 34 cases and resulted in minor sensory deficits in 16 patients (12.5%) and slight motor weakness (MRC Grade 3/5) in 3 (2.3%). The KPS scores and MRC grades were significantly higher at the time of last follow-up in all patient groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Spinal schwannomas may occur at any level of the spinal axis and are most commonly intradural. The most frequent clinical presentation is pain. Most spinal schwannomas in non-NF cases can be resected totally without or with minor postoperative deficits. Preoperative autonomic dysfunction does not improve significantly after surgical management.


2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Jagannathan ◽  
Chun-Po Yen ◽  
Dibyendu Kumar Ray ◽  
David Schlesinger ◽  
Rod J. Oskouian ◽  
...  

Object This study evaluated the efficacy of postoperative Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) to the tumor cavity following gross-total resection of a brain metastasis. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 700 patients who were treated for brain metastases using GKS. Forty-seven patients with pathologically confirmed metastatic disease underwent GKS to the postoperative resection cavity following gross-total resection of the tumor. Patients who underwent subtotal resection or who had visible tumor in the resection cavity on the postresection neuroimaging study (either CT or MR imaging with and without contrast administration) were excluded. Radiographic and clinical follow-up was assessed using clinic visits and MR imaging. The radiographic end point was defined as tumor growth control (no tumor growth regarding the resection cavity, and stable or decreasing tumor size for the other metastatic targets). Clinical end points were defined as functional status (assessed prospectively using the Karnofsky Performance Scale) and survival. Primary tumor pathology was consistent with lung cancer in 19 cases (40%), melanoma in 10 cases (21%), renal cell carcinoma in 7 cases (15%), breast cancer in 7 cases (15%), and gastrointestinal malignancies in 4 cases (9%). The mean duration between resection and radiosurgery was 15 days (range 2–115 days). The mean volume of the treated cavity was 10.5 cm3 (range 1.75–35.45 cm3), and the mean dose to the cavity margin was 19 Gy. In addition to the resection cavity, 34 patients (72%) underwent GKS for 116 synchronous metastases observed at the time of the initial radiosurgery. Results The mean radiographic follow-up duration was 14 months (median 10 months, range 4–37 months). Local tumor control at the site of the surgical cavity was achieved in 44 patients (94%), and tumor recurrence at the surgical site was statistically related to the volume of the surgical cavity (p = 0.04). During follow-up, 34 patients (72%) underwent additional radiosurgery for 140 new (metachronous) metastases. At the most recent follow-up evaluation, 11 patients (23%) were alive, whereas 36 patients had died (mean duration until death 12 months, median 10 months). Patients who showed good systemic control of their primary tumor tended to have longer survival durations than those who did not (p = 0.004). At the last clinical follow-up evaluation, the mean Karnofsky Performance Scale score for the overall group was 78 (median 80, range 40–100). Conclusion: Radiosurgery appears to be effective in terms of providing local tumor control at the resection cavity following resection of a brain metastasis, and in the treatment of synchronous and metachronous tumors. These data suggest that radiosurgery can be used to prevent recurrence following gross-total resection of a brain metastasis.


Haematologica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Lin ◽  
Colette N. Owens ◽  
Esther Drill ◽  
Augustine Iannotta ◽  
Mayan Oliveros ◽  
...  

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) predominantly affects older adults with suboptimal therapeutic outcomes due to increased treatment-related mortality and toxicities in vulnerable patients, clinically defined by geriatric impairments such as functional limitation, multimorbidity, or cognitive deficits. In this prospective pilot study, we evaluated a rituximab/prednisone prephase treatment strategy in 33 older, vulnerable patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL, defined by either age ≥70 years or age 60-70 years with Karnofsky performance scale (KPS)


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 620-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Puvanesarajah ◽  
Sheng-fu Larry Lo ◽  
Nafi Aygun ◽  
Jason A. Liauw ◽  
Ignacio Jusué-Torres ◽  
...  

OBJECT The number of patients with spinal tumors is rapidly increasing; spinal metastases develop in more than 30% of cancer patients during the course of their illness. Such lesions can significantly decrease quality of life, often necessitating treatment. Stereotactic radiosurgery has effectively achieved local control and symptomatic relief for these patients. The authors determined prognostic factors that predicted pain palliation and report overall institutional outcomes after spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). METHODS Records of patients who had undergone treatment with SBRT for either primary spinal tumors or spinal metastases from June 2008 through June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected at the initial visit just before treatment and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits. Collected clinical data included Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, pain status, presence of neurological deficits, and prior radiation exposure at the level of interest. Radiation treatment plan parameters (dose, fractionation, and target coverage) were recorded. To determine the initial extent of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC), the authors retrospectively reviewed MR images, assessed spinal instability according to the Bilsky scale, and evaluated lesion progression after treatment. RESULTS The study included 99 patients (mean age 60.4 years). The median survival time was 9.1 months (95% CI 6.9–17.2 months). Significant decreases in the proportion of patients reporting pain were observed at 3 months (p < 0.0001), 6 months (p = 0.0002), and 12 months (p = 0.0019) after treatment. Significant decreases in the number of patients reporting pain were also observed at the last follow-up visit (p = 0.00020) (median follow-up time 6.1 months, range 1.0–56.6 months). Univariate analyses revealed that significant predictors of persistent pain after intervention were initial ESCC grade, stratified by a Bilsky grade of 1c (p = 0.0058); initial American Spinal Injury Association grade of D (p = 0.011); initial Karnofsky Performance Scale score, stratified by a score of 80 (p = 0.002); the presence of multiple treated lesions (p = 0.044); and prior radiation at the site of interest (p < 0.0001). However, when multivariate analyses were performed on all variables with p values less than 0.05, the only predictor of pain at last follow-up visit was a prior history of radiation at the site of interest (p = 0.0038), although initial ESCC grade trended toward significance (p = 0.073). Using pain outcomes at 3 months, at this follow-up time point, pain could be predicted by receipt of radiation above a threshold biologically effective dose of 66.7 Gy. CONCLUSIONS Pain palliation occurs as early as 3 months after treatment; significant differences in pain reporting are also observed at 6 and 12 months. Pain palliation is limited for patients with spinal tumors with epidural extension that deforms the cord and for patients who have previously received radiation to the same site. Further investigation into the optimal dose and fractionation schedule are needed, but improved outcomes were observed in patients who received radiation at a biologically effective dose (with an a/b of 3.0) of 66.7 Gy or higher.


2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lola B. Chambless ◽  
Heather M. Kistka ◽  
Scott L. Parker ◽  
Laila Hassam-Malani ◽  
Matthew J. McGirt ◽  
...  

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 291-291
Author(s):  
Derek Southwell ◽  
Harjus Birk ◽  
Seunggu Jude Han ◽  
Mitchel S Berger

Abstract INTRODUCTION Surgeons and referring physicians may, on the basis of radiologic studies alone, assume a glioma to be unresectable. Because imaging studies, including functional MRI, may not localize eloquent areas with high fidelity, this simplistic approach excludes some patients from what could be a safe resection. Intraoperative direct electrical stimulation (DES) accurately localizes functional areas, thereby enabling maximal resection of tumors. Here we describe the extent of resection and functional outcomes following resections of tumors deemed inoperable at outside hospitals. METHODS We retrospectively examined the cases of 58 adult patients who underwent glioma resection within six months of undergoing a brain biopsy of the same lesion at an outside hospital. All patients exhibited unifocal, supratentorial disease, and pre-operative Karnofsky Performance Scale scores = 70. We characterized the extent of resection and six-month functional outcomes for this population. RESULTS >Intraoperative DES mapping was performed on 96.6% of patients (56 of 58). Overall, the mean extent of resection was 87.6% ± 13.6% (range, 39.0% to 100%). Gross total resection (resection of >99% of the pre-operative tumor volume) was achieved in 29.3% of patients (17 of 58). Sub-total resection (95-99% resection) and partial resection (<95% resection) were achieved in 12.1% (7 of 58) and 58.6% of patients (34 of 58), respectively. Six months after surgery, no patient exhibited a new post-operative neurologic deficit. Most patients (87.9%, 51 of 58) were free of neurologic deficits both pre- and post-operatively. The remainder of patients exhibited either residual but stable deficits (5.2%, 3 of 58), or complete correction of pre-operative deficits (6.9%, 4 of 58). CONCLUSION The use of DES enabled maximal safe resections of gliomas deemed inoperable by referring neurosurgeons. With rare exceptions, tumor resectability cannot be determined solely by radiologic studies.


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