Radiation necrosis or glioma recurrence: is computer-assisted stereotactic biopsy useful?

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Forsyth ◽  
Patrick J. Kelly ◽  
Terrence L. Cascino ◽  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
Edward G. Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Progression ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Stereotactic Biopsy ◽  
Radiation Necrosis ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Fifty-one patients with supratentorial glioma treated with external beam radiotherapy (median dose 59.5 Gy) who then demonstrated clinical or radiographic evidence of disease progression underwent stereotactic biopsy to differentiate tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis. The original tumor histological type was diffuse or fibrillary astrocytoma in 21 patients (41%), oligodendroglioma in 13 (26%), and oligoastrocytoma in 17 (33%); 40 tumors (78%) were low-grade (Kernohan Grade 1 or 2). The median time to suspected disease progression was 28 months. Stereotactic biopsy showed tumor recurrence in 30 patients (59%), radiation necrosis in three (6%), and a mixture of both in 17 (33%); one patient (2%) had a parenchymal radiation-induced chondroblastic osteosarcoma. The tumor type at stereotactic biopsy was similar to the original tumor type and was astrocytoma in 24 patients (47%), oligodendroglioma in eight (16%), oligoastrocytoma in 16 (31%), unclassifiable in two (4%), and chondroblastic osteosarcoma in one patient (2%). At biopsy, however, only 19 tumors (37%) were low grade (Kernohan Grade 1 or 2). Subsequent surgery confirmed the stereotactic biopsy histological findings in eight patients. Follow-up examination showed 14 patients alive with a median survival of 1 year for the entire group. Median survival times after biopsy were 0.83 year for patients with tumor recurrence and 1.86 years for patients with both tumor recurrence and radionecrosis; these findings were significantly different (p = 0.008, log-rank test). No patient with radiation necrosis alone died. Other factors associated with reduced survival were a high proportion of residual tumor (p = 0.024), a low proportion of radionecrosis (p < 0.001), and a Kernohan Grade of × or 4 (p = 0.005). In conclusion, in patients with previously irradiated supratentorial gliomas in whom radionecrosis or tumor recurrence was clinically or radiographically suspected, results of stereotactic biopsy could be used to differentiate tumor recurrence, radiation necrosis, a mixture of both lesions, or radiation-induced neoplasm. In addition, biopsy results could predict survival rates.

Combined stereotactic split-course fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery and conventional radiation therapy for unfavorable gliomas: a phase I study

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Regine ◽  
Roy A. Patchell ◽  
James M. Strottmann ◽  
Ali Meigooni ◽  
Michael Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

Object. This investigation was performed to determine the tolerance and toxicities of split-course fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery (FSRS) given in combination with conventional external-beam radiation therapy (CEBRT). Methods. Eighteen patients with previously unirradiated, gliomas treated between March 1995 and January 2000 form the substrate of this report. These included 11 patients with malignant gliomas, six with low-grade gliomas, and one with a recurrent glioma. They were stratified into three groups according to tumor volume (TV). Fifteen were treated using the initial FSRS dose schedule and form the subject of this report. Group A (four patients), had TV of 5 cm3 or less (7 Gy twice pre- and twice post-CEBRT); Group B (six patients), TV greater than 5 cm3 but less than or equal to 15 cm3 (7 Gy twice pre-CEBRT and once post-CEBRT); and Group C (five patients), TV greater than 15 cm3 but less than or equal to 30 cm3 (7 Gy once pre- and once post-CEBRT). All patients received CEBRT to 59.4 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions. Dose escalation was planned, provided the level of toxicity was acceptable. All patients were able to complete CEBRT without interruption or experiencing disease progression. Unacceptable toxicity was observed in two Grade 4/Group B patients and two Grade 4/Group C patients. Eight patients required reoperation. In three (38%) there was necrosis without evidence of tumor. Neuroimaging studies were available for evaluation in 14 patients. Two had a partial (≥ 50%) reduction in volume and nine had a minor (> 20%) reduction in size. The median follow-up period was 15 months (range 9–60 months). Six patients remained alive for 3 to 60 months. Conclusions. The imaging responses and the ability of these patients with intracranial gliomas to complete therapy without interruption or experiencing disease progression is encouraging. Excessive toxicity derived from combined FSRS and CEBRT treatment, as evaluated thus far in this study, was seen in patients with Group B and C lesions at the 7-Gy dose level. Evaluation of this novel treatment strategy with dose modification is ongoing.

Radiation-induced intracranial malignant gliomas

1989 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Shapiro ◽  
John Mealey ◽  
Carl Sartorius
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Radiation Necrosis ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Malignant Gliomas ◽  
Interstitial Brachytherapy ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Glial Tumor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors present seven cases of malignant gliomas that occurred after radiation therapy administered for diseases different from the subsequent glial tumor. Included among these seven are three patients who were treated with interstitial brachytherapy. Previously reported cases of radiation-induced glioma are reviewed and analyzed for common characteristics. Children receiving central nervous system irradiation appear particularly susceptible to induction of malignant gliomas by radiation. Interstitial brachytherapy may be used successfully instead of external beam radiotherapy in previously irradiated, tumor-free brain, and thus may reduce the risk of radiation necrosis.

Interstitial radiosurgery of low-grade gliomas

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich W. Kreth ◽  
Michael Faist ◽  
Peter C. Warnke ◽  
Reinhard Roβner ◽  
Benedikt Volk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Grade Gliomas ◽  
Interstitial Radiosurgery ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The treatment of patients with low-grade gliomas remains a subject of controversy, especially with respect to new treatment modalities such as interstitial radiosurgery (brachytherapy), radiosurgery, and stereotactic radiotherapy. In a retrospective analysis conducted between 1979 and 1991, the authors studied the results of interstitial radiosurgery in 455 patients with low-grade gliomas (World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I + WHO Grade II) with regard to survival time, quality of life, the risk of malignant transformation, and the risk profile of the treatment concept. Interstitial radiosurgery with iodine-125 was performed using permanent (1979–1985) or temporary implants (after 1985) with low-dose rates (≤ 10 cGy/hr) and a reference dose of 60 to 100 Gy calculated to the outer rim of the tumor. The 5- and 10-year survival rates in patients with pilocytic astrocytomas (97 patients) were 84.9% and 83%, and in patients with WHO Grade II astrocytomas (250 patients) 61% and 51%, respectively. Five-year survival rates for patients with oligoastrocytomas (60 patients), oligodendrogliomas (27 patients), and gemistocytic astrocytomas (21 patients) were 49%, 50%, and 32%, respectively. In the group with WHO Grade II gliomas, young age and a good performance status were associated with a better prognosis. Unfavorable factors were midline shift, enhancement on computerized tomography (CT) scan, and tumor recurrence after previous radiotherapy or surgery. Tumor location had no influence on the prognosis (247 patients in this series had deep-seated tumors). Malignant transformation was the major cause of death. Important risk factors for malignancy were the patient's age, tumor enhancement in CT scan, and tumor recurrence after previous surgery or radiotherapy. Perioperative mortality was 0.9% and perioperative morbidity was 1.7%. Radiogenic complications were observed in 2.7% of all patients, most often in larger tumors and after using permanent implants. The authors conclude that interstitial radiosurgery represents a specific treatment modality for selected patients with unifocal circumscribed low-grade gliomas with a diameter of less than 4 cm in any location. The efficacy of this treatment lies in the same range as the best results after surgery and radiotherapy.

Survival after stereotactic biopsy and irradiation of cerebral nonanaplastic, nonpilocytic astrocytoma

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Dade Lunsford ◽  
Salvador Somaza ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
John C. Flickinger
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Stereotactic Biopsy ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Initial Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Colloidal Phosphorus ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors investigated the outcome of stereotactic biopsy and radiotherapy in 35 consecutive adult patients with nonanaplastic, nonpilocytic astrocytomas who were diagnosed between 1982 and 1992. The median patient age at presentation was 32 years. All received fractionated external-beam radiation therapy (median dose 56 Gy) as the initial management strategy. Additional treatment in two patients included intracavitary irradiation with colloidal phosphorus-32. Six patients (17%) had documented tumor progression during the follow-up interval and died. Three others died of causes unrelated to their tumor. Median survival after stereotactic biopsy and irradiation was 118 months (9.8 years). Median survival from the time of onset of neurological symptoms was 148 months (12.3 years). Only three patients required delayed cytoreductive surgery. The outcome of brain astrocytomas, although improved because of earlier diagnosis and therapy, does not substantiate this tumor as having benign behavior; early recognition with neuroimaging, immediate histological diagnosis via stereotactic biopsy, and initial fractionated radiation therapy may provide the potential for longer survival for patients with low-grade astrocytomas. The majority of such surviving patients have a satisfactory quality of life, which is manifested by prolonged normal functional and employment status. The survival data reported in this prospective Phase I–II clinical trial suggest that stereotactic biopsy and radiation therapy are appropriate initial management strategies for astrocytomas.

Diffusion-tensor imaging of white matter tracts in patients with cerebral neoplasm

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Witwer ◽  
Roham Moftakhar ◽  
Khader M. Hasan ◽  
Praveen Deshmukh ◽  
Victor Haughton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
White Matter Tract ◽  
White Matter Tracts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Preserving vital cerebral function while maximizing tumor resection is a principal goal in surgical neurooncology. Although functional magnetic resonance imaging has been useful in the localization of eloquent cerebral cortex, this method does not provide information about the white matter tracts that may be involved in invasive, intrinsic brain tumors. Recently, diffusion-tensor (DT) imaging techniques have been used to map white matter tracts in the normal brain. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of DT imaging in preoperative mapping of white matter tracts in relation to cerebral neoplasms. Methods. Nine patients with brain malignancies (one pilocytic astrocytoma, five oligodendrogliomas, one low-grade oligoastrocytoma, one Grade 4 astrocytoma, and one metastatic adenocarcinoma) underwent DT imaging examinations prior to tumor excision. Anatomical information about white matter tract location, orientation, and projections was obtained in every patient. Depending on the tumor type and location, evidence of white matter tract edema (two patients), infiltration (two patients), displacement (five patients), and disruption (two patients) could be assessed with the aid of DT imaging in each case. Conclusions. Diffusion-tensor imaging allowed for visualization of white matter tracts and was found to be beneficial in the surgical planning for patients with intrinsic brain tumors. The authors' experience with DT imaging indicates that anatomically intact fibers may be present in abnormal-appearing areas of the brain. Whether resection of these involved fibers results in subtle postoperative neurological deficits requires further systematic study.

Characterization of astrocytomas, meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy

1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas L. Arnold ◽  
Joseph F. Emrich ◽  
Eric A. Shoubridge ◽  
Jean-Guy Villemure ◽  
William Feindel
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tumor Types ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Phosphorus magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy allows noninvasive measurement of phosphate-containing compounds and pH within brain cells. The authors obtained localized phosphorus MR spectra from 10 normal brains, four low-grade astrocytomas, six glioblastomas, four meningiomas, and three pituitary adenomas and found differences in the spectra of each tumor type. Compared to normal brain, the spectra from low-grade astrocytomas showed a significant reduction of the phosphodiester (PDE) peak. Glioblastomas were characterized by a significant reduction of the PDE peak, elevation of the phosphomonoester (PME) peak, and a relatively alkaline intracellular pH. The spectra from meningiomas and pituitary adenomas were markedly different from the glial tumors. Meningiomas showed significant reductions in phosphocreatine, PDE, and inorganic phosphate, as well as a relatively alkaline pH. Pituitary adenomas resembled meningiomas, but had a much higher PME peak. Although the number of tumors studied was small, there appears to be a characteristic spectrum associated with these different tumor types. The present findings can be useful in the preoperative identification of these tumors and in furthering understanding of their growth and metabolism in vivo.

Stereotactic biopsy guidance in adults with supratentorial nonenhancing gliomas: role of perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 970-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio C. M. Maia ◽  
Suzana M. F. Malheiros ◽  
Antonio J. da Rocha ◽  
João N. Stávale ◽  
Iara F. Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Stereotactic Biopsy ◽  
The Other ◽  
World Health ◽  
Histopathological Diagnosis ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perfusion Weighted Imaging ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The diagnosis of low-grade glioma (LGG) cannot be based exclusively on conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies, and target selection for stereotactic biopsy is a crucial issue given the high risk of sampling errors. The authors hypothesized that perfusion-weighted imaging could provide information on the microcirculation in presumed supratentorial LGGs. Methods. All adult patients with suspected (nonenhancing) supratentorial LGGs on conventional MR imaging between February 2001 and February 2004 were included in this study. Preoperative MR imaging was performed using a dynamic first-pass gadopentate dimeglumine—enhanced spin echo—echo planar perfusion-weighted sequence, and the tumors' relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements were expressed in relation to the values observed in contralateral white matter. In patients with heterogeneous tumors a stereotactic biopsy was performed in the higher perfusion areas before resection. Among 21 patients (16 men and five women with a mean age of 36 years, range 23–60 years), 10 had diffuse astrocytomas (World Health Organization Grade II) and 11 had other LGGs and anaplastic gliomas. On perfusion-weighted images demonstrating heterogeneous tumors, areas of higher rCBV focus were found to be oligodendrogliomas or anaplastic astrocytomas on stereotactic biopsy; during tumor resection, however, specimens were characterized predominantly as astrocytomas. Diffuse astrocytomas were associated with significantly lower mean rCBV values compared with those in the other two lesion groups (p < 0.01). The rCBV ratio cutoff value that permitted better discrimination between diffuse astrocytomas and the other lesion groups was 1.2 (80% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Conclusions. Perfusion-weighted imaging is a feasible method of reducing the sampling error in the histopathological diagnosis of a presumed LGG, particularly by improving the selection of targets for stereotactic biopsy.

The integration of metabolic imaging in stereotactic procedures including radiosurgery: a review

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 542-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Levivier ◽  
David Wikler ◽  
Nicolas Massager ◽  
Philippe David ◽  
Daniel Devriendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Scanning ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors review their experience with the clinical development and routine use of positron emission tomography (PET) during stereotactic procedures, including the use of PET-guided gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). Methods. Techniques have been developed for the routine use of stereotactic PET, and accumulated experience using PET-guided stereotactic procedures over the past 10 years includes more than 150 stereotactic biopsies, 43 neuronavigation procedures, and 34 cases treated with GKS. Positron emission tomography—guided GKS was performed in 24 patients with primary brain tumors (four pilocytic astrocytomas, five low-grade astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas, seven anaplastic astrocytomas or ependymomas, five glioblastomas, and three neurocytomas), five patients with metastases (single or multiple lesions), and five patients with pituitary adenomas. Conclusions. Data obtained with PET scanning can be integrated with GKS treatment planning, enabling access to metabolic information with high spatial accuracy. Positron emission tomography data can be successfully combined with magnetic resonance imaging data to provide specific information for defining the target volume for the radiosurgical treatment in patients with recurrent brain tumors, such as glioma, metastasis, and pituitary adenoma. This approach is particularly useful for optimizing target selection for infiltrating or ill-defined brain lesions. The use of PET scanning contributed data in 31 cases (93%) and information that was specifically utilized to adapt the target volume in 25 cases (74%). It would seem that the integration of PET data into GKS treatment planning may represent an important step toward further developments in radiosurgery: this approach provides additional information that may open new perspectives for the optimization of the treatment of brain tumors.

Tumor recurrence and survival following gamma knife surgery for brain metastases

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 287-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Mindermann
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastasis ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors evaluated prognostic factors for tumor recurrence and patient survival following gamma knife surgery (GKS) for brain metastasis. Methods. A retrospective review of 101 patient charts was undertaken for those patients treated with GKS for brain metastases from 1994 to 2001. Recurrence rates of brain metastasis following GKS depended on the duration of patient survival. Long-term survival was associated with a higher risk of tumor recurrence and shorter-term survival was associated with a lower risk. The duration of survival following GKS for brain metastases seems to be characteristic of the primary disease rather than the cerebral disease. Conclusions. Recurrence rates of brain metastasis following GKS are related to duration of survival, which is in turn mostly dependent on the nature and course of the primary tumor.

Incidence of silent hemorrhage and delayed deterioration after stereotactic brain biopsy

1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhaya V. Kulkarni ◽  
Abhijit Guha ◽  
Andres Lozano ◽  
Mark Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Stereotactic Biopsy ◽  
Brain Biopsy ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Many neurosurgeons routinely obtain computerized tomography (CT) scans to rule out hemorrhage in patients after stereotactic procedures. In the present prospective study, the authors investigated the rate of silent hemorrhage and delayed deterioration after stereotactic biopsy sampling and the role of postbiopsy CT scanning. Methods. A subset of patients (the last 102 of approximately 800 patients) who underwent stereotactic brain biopsies at the Toronto Hospital prospectively underwent routine postoperative CT scanning within hours of the biopsy procedure. Their medical charts and CT scans were then reviewed. A postoperative CT scan was obtained in 102 patients (aged 17–87 years) who underwent stereotactic biopsy between June 1994 and September 1996. Sixty-one patients (59.8%) exhibited hemorrhages, mostly intracerebral (54.9%), on the immediate postoperative scan. Only six of these patients were clinically suspected to have suffered a hemorrhage based on immediate postoperative neurological deficit; in the remaining 55 (53.9%) of 102 patients, the hemorrhage was clinically silent and unsuspected. Among the clinically silent intracerebral hemorrhages, 22 measured less than 5 mm, 20 between 5 and 10 mm, five between 10 and 30 mm, and four between 30 and 40 mm. Of the 55 patients with clinically silent hemorrhages, only three demonstrated a delayed neurological deficit (one case of seizure and two cases of progressive loss of consciousness) and these all occurred within the first 2 postoperative days. Of the neurologically well patients in whom no hemorrhage was demonstrated on initial postoperative CT scan, none experienced delayed deterioration. Conclusions. Clinically silent hemorrhage after stereotactic biopsy is very common. However, the authors did not find that knowledge of its existence ultimately affected individual patient management or outcome. The authors, therefore, suggest that the most important role of postoperative CT scanning is to screen for those neurologically well patients with no hemorrhage. These patients could safely be discharged on the same day they underwent biopsy.

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