Surgical treatment of superior sulcus tumors with spinal and brachial plexus involvement

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H. Bilsky ◽  
Todd W. Vitaz ◽  
Patrick J. Boland ◽  
Manjit S. Bains ◽  
Viswanathan Rajaraman ◽  
...  

Object. Non—small cell lung carcinomas with spinal and brachial plexus involvement have traditionally been considered to be Stage IIIb lesions and therefore unresectable. Advances in spinal surgery, the application of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and improvements in neoadjuvant therapy require a reassessment of the potential for complete resection. Methods. The authors conducted a retrospective review of all procedures involving the resection of superior sulcus tumors with spinal or brachial plexus involvement performed between 1985 and 1999. Assessment or resectability and operative planning were based on an MR imaging classification scheme in which the extent of spinal involvement was considered. Class A tumors involved the periosteum of the vertebral body (VB) (16 patients); Class B, distal neural foramen without epidural compression (eight patients); Class C, proximal neural foramen with epidural compression (four patients); and Class D, bone involvement (VB or posterior elements) with or without epidural involvement (14 patients). Brachial plexus involvement was present in 21 patients, including 17 with T-1 nerve root only and four with C-8 or lower-trunk infiltration. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 27 patients and incomplete resection in 15. Complications occurred in 14 patients, two of which were related to instrumentation failures. The overall median survival was 1.44 years. The median survival for the complete and incomplete resection groups were 2.84 and 0.79 years, respectively (p = 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in survival among classification groups. Conclusions. Complete tumor resection of superior sulcus tumors is possible in selected patients in whom involvement of the spinal column and/or brachial plexus is present. Preoperative MR imaging is essential for evaluation of the spine and surgical planning. Survival and cure are dependent on complete resection, regardless of the extent of spinal involvement.

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudolf Fahlbusch ◽  
Oliver Ganslandt ◽  
Michael Buchfelder ◽  
Werner Schott ◽  
Christopher Nimsky

Object. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can increase the efficacy of transsphenoidal microsurgery, primarily in non—hormone-secreting intra- and suprasellar pituitary macroadenomas. Methods. Intraoperative imaging was performed using a 0.2-tesla MR imager, which was located in a specially designed operating room. The patient was placed supine on the sliding table of the MR imager, with the head placed near the 5-gauss line. A standard flexible coil was placed around the patient's forehead. Microsurgery was performed using MR-compatible instruments. Image acquisition was started after the sliding table had been moved into the center of the magnet. Coronal and sagittal T1-weighted images each required over 8 minutes to acquire, and T2-weighted images were obtained optionally. To assess the reliability of intraoperative evaluation of tumor resection, the intraoperative findings were compared with those on conventional postoperative 1.5-tesla MR images, which were obtained 2 to 3 months after surgery. Among 44 patients with large intra- and suprasellar pituitary adenomas that were mainly hormonally inactive, intraoperative MR imaging allowed an ultra-early evaluation of tumor resection in 73% of cases; such an evaluation is normally only possible 2 to 3 months after surgery. A second intraoperative examination of 24 patients for suspected tumor remnants led to additional resection in 15 patients (34%). Conclusions. Intraoperative MR imaging undoubtedly offers the option of a second look within the same surgical procedure, if incomplete tumor resection is suspected. Thus, the rate of procedures during which complete tumor removal is achieved can be improved. Furthermore, additional treatments for those patients in whom tumor removal was incomplete can be planned at an early stage, namely just after surgery.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1003-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Stummer ◽  
Alexander Novotny ◽  
Herbert Stepp ◽  
Claudia Goetz ◽  
Karl Bise ◽  
...  

Object. It has been established that 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) induces the accumulation of fluorescent porphyrins in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a phenomenon potentially exploitable to guide tumor resection. In this study the authors analyze the influence of fluorescence-guided resection on postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and survival in a series of patients who underwent surgery in the authors' department.Methods. Fifty-two consecutive patients with GBM received oral doses of 5-ALA (20 mg/kg body weight) 3 hours before induction of anesthesia. Intraoperatively, tumor fluorescence was visualized using a modified operating microscope. Fluorescing tissue was removed whenever it was considered safely possible. Residual enhancement on early postoperative MR imaging was quantified and related to each patient's characteristics to determine which factors influenced resection. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan—Meier method and multivariate analysis was performed in which the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, residual fluorescence, patient age, and residual enhancement on MR images were considered.Intraoperatively, two fluorescence qualities were perceived: solid fluorescence generally reflected coalescent tumor, whereas vague fluorescence mostly corresponded to infiltrative tumor. Complete resection of contrast-enhancing tumor was accomplished in 33 patients (63%). Residual intraoperative tissue fluorescence left unresected for safety reasons predicted residual enhancement on MR images in 18 of the 19 remaining patients. Age, residual solid fluorescence, and absence of contrast enhancement in MR imaging were independent explanatory factors for survival, whereas the KPS score was significant only in univariate analysis. No perioperative deaths and one case of permanent morbidity were encountered.Conclusions. The observations in this study indicate the usefulness of 5-ALA—induced tumor fluorescence for guiding tumor resection. The completeness of resection, as determined intraoperatively from residual tissue fluorescence, was related to postoperative MR imaging findings and to survival in patients suffering from GBM.


2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1014-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hischam Bassiouni ◽  
Anja Hunold ◽  
Siamak Asgari ◽  
Dietmar Stolke

Object. The aim of this study was to analyze a subgroup of patients harboring cerebellopontine angle meningiomas originating from the posterior petrous bone in regard to clinical presentation, surgical anatomy, complications, and long-term functional postoperative results. Methods. Data in a series of 51 patients with meningiomas of the posterior petrous bone who had undergone microsurgical treatment at the authors' institution between 1989 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. The patient population consisted of 46 women and five men with a mean age of 53 years (range 22–70 years). The main symptom on first admission was impaired hearing in 41%, dizziness in 20%, and tinnitus in 18% of the patients. Results of physical examination and audiological testing revealed hypacusis in 65% of patients, cerebellar ataxia in 31%, and impairment of the fifth cranial nerve in 26%. All patients underwent surgical treatment via a lateral suboccipital approach. Intraoperatively, the tumor was found to be attached to the postmeatal dura in 37%, the premeatal dura in 27.5%, the suprameatal dura in 19.6%, the inframeatal dura in 7.8%, and centered on the porus acusticus in 5.9% of cases. Tumor extension into the internal acoustic meatus was present in seven patients. Tumor resection was categorized as Grade I in 14 patients, Grade II in 29, Grade III in six, and Grade IV in two patients, according to the Simpson classification system. The site of displacement of the cranial nerves was predictable in up to 84% of patients, depending on the dural origin of the tumor as depicted on preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. Postoperatively, a new and permanent facial paresis was observed in five patients (9.8%). In 38 patients in whom both pre- and postoperative audiological data were available, hearing function deteriorated after surgery in 18.4% and improved in 7.9%. Clinical and MR imaging postsurgical data from a mean period of 5.8 years (range 13 months–13 years) were available in all patients. Forty-four patients (86%) resumed normal daily activity. Tumor recurrence was observed in two patients (3.9%), and both underwent a second surgery. Conclusions. Preoperative detailed analysis of MR imaging data gives the surgeon a clue about the dislocation of critical neurovascular structures, particularly the cranial nerves. Nonetheless, the exact relationship of the cranial nerves to the tumor (dislocation, adherence, infiltration, and splaying of nerves) can only be fully appreciated during surgery.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian F. Parney ◽  
Sandeep Kunwar ◽  
Michael McDermott ◽  
Mitchel Berger ◽  
Michael Prados ◽  
...  

Object. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a novel method for delivering therapeutic agents to infiltrative brain tumor cells. For agents administered by CED, changes on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging directly resulting from catheter placement, infusion, and the therapeutic compound may confound any interpretation of tumor progression. As part of an ongoing multiinstitutional Phase I study, 14 patients with recurrent malignant glioma underwent CED of interleukin (IL) 13—PE38QQR, a recombinant cytotoxin consisting of human IL-13 conjugated with a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin. Serial neuroradiographic changes were assessed in this cohort of patients. Methods. Patients were treated in two groups: Group 1 patients received IL13—PE38QQR before and after tumor resection; Group 2 patients received infusion only after tumor resection. Preoperative and postinfusion MR images were obtained prospectively at specified regular intervals. Changes were noted along catheter tracks on postresection MR images obtained in all patients. A simple grading system was developed to describe these changes. When MR imaging changes appeared to be related to IL13—PE38QQR, patients were followed up without instituting new antitumor therapy. Conclusions. As CED of therapeutic agents becomes more common, clinicians and investigators must become aware of associated neuroimaging changes that should be incorporated into toxicity assessment. We have developed a simple grading system to facilitate communication about these changes among investigators. Biological imaging modalities that could possibly distinguish these changes from recurrent tumor should be evaluated. In this study the authors demonstrate the challenges in determining efficacy when surrogate end points such as time to tumor progression as defined by new or progressive contrast enhancement on MR imaging are used with this treatment modality.


2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 783-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Ammerman ◽  
Russell R. Lonser ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield

Object. To overcome the limitations associated with surgical approaches that have been described for accessing intraparenchymal lesions of the anteromedial region of the superior cerebellum, the authors used a posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach to remove tumors in this region. In this paper they describe the surgical technique that they used as well as the operative findings and clinical outcomes observed in patients who underwent resection of tumors in the anteromedial superior cerebellum. Methods. The consecutive patients with anteromedial superior cerebellar tumors who underwent resection performed using the posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach at the National Institutes of Health were included in this study. Clinical, neuroimaging, and operative results were analyzed. Three patients (two men and one woman) with anteromedial superior cerebellar tumors (two hemangioblastomas and one pilocytic astrocytoma) underwent resection via this approach. All the tumors were larger than 3 cm in diameter (range 3.1–3.5 cm). This approach provided excellent surgical access and permitted complete tumor resection in each case. The patients remained neurologically unchanged compared with preoperative baseline findings at the last follow-up examination (conducted at 4, 18, and 42 months postoperatively). One patient displayed a mild transient confusion immediately after surgery, but it resolved within 6 days. Conclusions. The posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach provides excellent access to the anteromedial superior cerebellar region. This approach permits resection of large lesions in this location, while avoiding many of the limitations associated with other approaches to this site.


1997 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Adolpho Carvalho ◽  
Guido Nikkhah ◽  
Cordula Matthies ◽  
Götz Penkert ◽  
Madjid Samii

✓ Surgical management and prognosis of traction injuries of the brachial plexus depend on the accurate diagnosis of root avulsion from the spinal cord. Myelography, computerized tomography (CT) myelography, and recently magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have become the main radiological methods for preoperative diagnosis of cervical root avulsions. Most of the previous studies on the accuracy of CT myelography and MR imaging studies have correlated the radiological findings with the extraspinal surgical findings at brachial plexus surgery. Surgical experience shows that in many cases extraspinal findings diverge from intradural determinations. Consequently, only correlation with the intradural surgical findings will allow assessment of the factual accuracy of CT myelography and MR imaging studies. In a prospective study, 135 cervical roots (C5–8) were evaluated by CT myelography and/or MR imaging and further explored intradurally via a hemilaminectomy. The accuracy of the preoperative CT myelography—based diagnosis in relation to the intraoperative findings was 85%. On the other hand, MR imaging demonstrated an accuracy of only 52%. The most common reasons for false-positive or false-negative findings were: 1) partial rootlet avulsion; 2) intradural fibrosis; and 3) dural cystic lesions. Computerized tomography myelography scans using 1- to 3-mm axial slices prove to be the most reliable method to evaluate preoperatively the presence of complete or partial root avulsion in traumatic brachial plexus injuries. Because extradural judgment of cervical root avulsion can be unreliable, accurate assessment of intraspinal root avulsion enormously simplifies the decision concerning the choice of donor nerves for transplantation and/or neurotization during brachial plexus surgery.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. York ◽  
Garrett L. Walsh ◽  
Frederick F. Lang ◽  
Joe B. Putnam ◽  
Ian E. McCutcheon ◽  
...  

Object. Traditionally, superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column have been considered to be unresectable, and historically, patients harboring these tumors have been treated with local radiation therapy with, at best, modest results. The value of gross-total resection remains unclear in this patient population; however, with the recent advances in surgical technique and spinal instrumentation, procedures involving more radical removal of such tumors are now possible. At The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the authors have developed a new technique for resecting superior sulcus tumors that invade the chest wall and spinal column. They present a technical description of this procedure and results in nine patients in whom stage IIIb superior sulcus tumors extensively invaded the vertebral column. Methods. These patients underwent gross-total tumor resection via a combined approach that included posterolateral thoracotomy, apical lobectomy, chest wall resection, laminectomy, vertebrectomy, anterior spinal column reconstruction with methylmethacrylate, and placement of spinal instrumentation. There were six men and three women, with a mean age of 55 years (range 36–72 years). Histological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma (three patients), adenocarcinoma (four patients), and large cell carcinoma (two patients). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 16 months. All patients are currently ambulatory or remained ambulatory until they died. Pain related to tumor invasion improved in four patients and remained unchanged in five. In three patients instrumentation failed and required revision. There was one case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage that was treated with lumbar drainage and one case of wound breakdown that required revision. Two patients experienced local tumor recurrence, and one patient developed a second primary lung tumor. Conclusions. The authors conclude that in selected patients, combined radical resection of superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column may represent an acceptable treatment modality that can offer a potential cure while preserving neurological function and providing pain control.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Lacroix ◽  
Dima Abi-Said ◽  
Daryl R. Fourney ◽  
Ziya L. Gokaslan ◽  
Weiming Shi ◽  
...  

Object. The extent of tumor resection that should be undertaken in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify significant independent predictors of survival in these patients and to determine whether the extent of resection was associated with increased survival time. Methods. The authors retrospectively analyzed 416 consecutive patients with histologically proven GBM who underwent tumor resection at the authors' institution between June 1993 and June 1999. Volumetric data and other tumor characteristics identified on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were collected prospectively. Conclusions. Five independent predictors of survival were identified: age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, extent of resection, and the degree of necrosis and enhancement on preoperative MR imaging studies. A significant survival advantage was associated with resection of 98% or more of the tumor volume (median survival 13 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4–14.6 months), compared with 8.8 months (95% CI 7.4–10.2 months; p < 0.0001) for resections of less than 98%. Using an outcome scale ranging from 0 to 5 based on age, KPS score, and tumor necrosis on MR imaging, we observed significantly longer survival in patients with lower scores (1–3) who underwent aggressive resections, and a trend toward slightly longer survival was found in patients with higher scores (4–5). Gross-total tumor resection is associated with longer survival in patients with GBM, especially when other predictive variables are favorable.


1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Crotty ◽  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
William F. Young ◽  
Dudley H. Davis ◽  
Edward G. Shaw ◽  
...  

✓ Two distinct clinicopathological variants of craniopharyngioma exist: the classic adamantinomatous type and a recently described papillary form that predominates in adults and reportedly behaves in a less aggressive manner. The present study describes the clinicopathological features of 48 patients with papillary craniopharyngioma treated at the Mayo Clinic between 1910 and 1994. An additional four tumors were found to have histological features of both adamantinomatous and papillary craniopharyngioma. Whereas adamantinomatous tumors typically occur in adolescent patients, the mean age of the 48 patients (23 males and 25 females) with papillary craniopharyngioma was 44.7 years (range 10 to 74 years). Presenting clinical features included visual impairment (84%), headache (68%), and pituitary insufficiency (anterior 42%; posterior 27%). Preoperative computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in 17 patients typically revealed a noncalcified, partially cystic mass that enhanced peripherally and contained mural nodules (67%). Many (41%) of the lesions involved or extended into the third ventricle on imaging. At first surgery, gross total tumor removal was achieved in 17 patients (36%) and subtotal resection in 30 patients (64%) in whom tumor resection was attempted. Tumor recurrence was noted in two patients who underwent gross total removal. Tumor-free survival rates of 100% and 78% were obtained in patients who underwent gross total and subtotal resection at initial surgery, respectively. Postoperative radiation therapy was beneficial to patients having undergone a subtotal resection, with an increase in tumor-free survival from 26% to 86%. Aside from well-documented morphological distinctions, papillary craniopharyngiomas differ from adamantinomatous tumors in several important respects. These include the almost exclusive occurrence of papillary tumors in adulthood and their more uniform appearance on both CT and MR imaging. However, a preliminary analysis of our data suggests there are no significant differences between the two lesions with respect to resectability, efficacy of radiation therapy, and overall survival.


2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Berman ◽  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Pratik Mukherjee ◽  
Roland G. Henry

Object. The goal of this study was to use diffusion-tensor (DT) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to track fibers combined with cortical stimulation mapping to delineate descending motor pathways. Subcortical localization of motor pathways in relation to a glioma may provide critical information to guide tumor resection and prevent surgical morbidity. Methods. Eleven adult patients harboring gliomas underwent MR imaging 1 day prior to image-guided intraoperative cortical motor mapping and tumor resection. Screens depicting 27 cortical motor sites on a surgical navigation system were saved to launch DT imaging of fiber tracks of descending motor pathways. The position and organization of motor tracts were visualized by fiber tracking. Tracks from 16 motor stimulation sites followed descending pathways from the precentral gyrus, through the corona radiata and internal capsule, and into the cerebral peduncle. These tracks were also observed on DT images to diverge along crossing white matter bundles (four patients) and to terminate or deviate in regions of peritumoral vasogenic edema (five patients). Conclusions. The use of precise intraoperative cortical mapping information and DT images of fiber tracks can reveal the course of motor pathways beneath the cortex. The subcortical fiber tracks generated are consistent with the known anatomical course and somatotopic organization of the motor tract in relation to its cortical origins. Tracking fibers by using DT imaging in combination with functional localization has the potential to reduce surgical morbidity by revealing subcortical connections of the functional cortex.


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