Epidemiological features of meningiomas: a single Brazilian center’s experience with 993 cases

ABSTRACT Background: Meningiomas are the most frequent primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Their geographical and ethnic characteristics need to be known, in order to enable rational treatment. Objective: To investigate clinical and epidemiological aspects in a series of patients with meningiomas. Methods: Retrospective analysis on the demographic profile, location and histopathology of 993 patients with meningiomas (768 operated and 225 not operated). Results: Meningiomas represented 43.8% of the primary CNS tumors; 6.8% were multiple tumors (14.7% with neurofibromatosis 2) and 0.6% were radiation-induced tumors. The mean ages were 53.0 and 63.9 years for operated and non-operated patients and the female/male ratios were 3.2:1 and 6.3:1. Diagnosis was made later among females. The peak incidences were in the 6th and 7th decades respectively for operated and non-operated patients. The incidence was low at early ages and higher among patients aged 70+ years. The meningiomas were intracranial in 96.5% and most were WHO grade I (88.9%) and transitional. In the spinal canal (3.5%), they occurred mainly in the dorsal region (all grade I; mostly transitional). The racial distribution was 1.0% in Asian-Brazilians, 87% in Caucasians and 12% in African-Brazilians. 83.4% and 51.6% of the patients were estimated to be recurrence-free at 10 and 20 years, and the mortality rate was 3%. Conclusions: Most of the demographic data were similar to what has been observed in other western centers. Differences were higher incidence of meningiomas, female and older predominance in non-operated patients, predominance in Caucasian, and higher association with neurofibromatosis 2.

Neurofibromatosis 2: new perspectives in treatment (case report)

Neurofibromatosis 2 is one of the most prevalence disease among phakomatoses characterized by appearance of new central and peripheral nerve system tumors. The main treatment for this patient is a surgery, but in real time we observe the significant changes in treatment and rehabilitation in this patients including radiation therapy and pharmacotherapy. In this paper, we present the case of a different treatment options in young female with neurofibromatosis. She completed surgical treatment, Gamma Knife radiosurgery and bevacizumab on different stage of disease. Development of genetic and molecular methods and appearance of new way for treatment could help to achieve a good functional result and stable local control but new clinical and fundamental research are needed.

Biphasic Hyalinizing Psammomatous Renal Cell Carcinoma: Another Provisional Entity Emerging From the Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Pandora's Box

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (especially type 2) is a Pandora's box with many newly described renal cell carcinomas emerging from it as a result of enhanced molecular techniques. Biphasic hyalinizing psammomatous renal cell carcinoma (BHPRCC) is the latest addition, which was first described a few months ago. Here, we report a case of BHPRCC to supplement the very limited literature available about this entity, and to highlight the characteristic morphology as well as the recurring molecular alterations in the neurofibromatosis 2 gene.

Optical coherence tomography significance in managing complex neurofibromatosis 2-related papilledema: Report of a case

This case describes the strong utility of optical coherence tomography in multidisciplinary management of a complex case of type 2 neurofibromatosis.

Extratemporal intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma

Schwannomas of the eighth nerve are common, usually found in syndromic association with neurofibromatosis-2. The occurrence of seventh nerve schwannoma, especially in its extratemporal course, is very rare. Here, we present a case report of an extratemporal facial nerve schwannoma diagnosed preoperatively with cytopathology and postoperative histopathologic confirmation. Histopathology provides the confirmatory diagnosis in such cases. An atypical diagnosis of neural schwannomas should be kept in mind when facial palsy is clinically encountered in the absence of any other aetiological factors.

Bilateral Auditory Brainstem Implants in Patients With Neurofibromatosis 2

Objective To discuss indications for bilateral auditory brainstem implants (ABIs), compare audiometric outcomes of unilateral vs bilateral ABIs, and determine if patients have improved outcomes with addition of a second-side implant. Study Design Retrospective review of 24 patients with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) who underwent sequential placement of ABIs from 1989 to 2019. Setting Tertiary referral center. Methods Charts were reviewed for indication for second-side surgery, use of implants, and audiometric outcomes. Implants placed in the past 30 years were included in the study. Northwestern University Children’s Perception of Speech (NU-CHIPS) and/or City University of New York (CUNY) sentence scores were compared in unilateral and bilateral conditions. Results Indications for a second-side implant included first-side implants with severe nonauditory symptoms (11), marginal audiometric results (9), outdated technology (2), or deterioration of first side (2). Seven patients are bilateral users and 1 patient discontinued bilateral use after a year due to no significant improvement over unilateral use. One patient with initial bilateral use was lost to follow-up. Thirteen patients are unilateral users due to nonaudiometric side effects or poor audiometric outcomes with the first side. Two patients are complete nonusers. Seventy-five percent had improved audiometric outcomes after the second-side implant, and 20% had stable findings. Conclusions Second-side ABIs should be consider in patients with poor performance from a first-side implant. Most patients demonstrate subjective improvement with the second ABI. More research is needed for better objective assessments of improvements.

INNV-20. ELEVATED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE WITHOUT HYDROCEPHALUS IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 2

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis 2 is a tumor predisposition syndrome associated with multiple tumors of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Schwannomas and meningiomas are commonly observed. The occurrence of communicating hydrocephalus in this population has been observed clinically but not characterized in the literature. METHODS We present a retrospective case series of patients with NF2 and communicating hydrocephalus followed in the Neurofibromatosis clinic at MD Anderson Cancer Center. RESULTS We identified 11 patients in our Neurofibromatosis clinic with symptomatic elevation in intracranial pressure (ICP). All patients presented with worsening headaches, while six patients also presented with visual complaints leading to the diagnosis of elevated ICP. Dedicated venous imaging with either MRV or CTV was available for review in five patients. Occlusion or stenosis of the venous system (dural venous sinuses or internal jugular vein) was seen in nine patients. All patients had evidence of plaque-like meningiomas, and two patients had cervical schwannomas. Only one patient had radiographic evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus. All patients were treated for symptomatic elevated ICP with placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Three patients received acetazolamide prior to shunting, while one patient received acetazolamide after shunt placement. Seven (7/11) patients had documented improvement or resolution of headache after VP shunt placement. Two (2/6) patients had documented improvement or resolution of visual complaints. CONCLUSIONS We present 11 patients with NF2 who developed symptomatic elevation in ICP, ten patients without evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus and one with obstructive hydrocephalus. We hope to raise awareness of this clinical phenomena, previously uncharacterized in the literature. We propose a multifactorial mechanism involving plaque-like meningiomas, venous sinus stenosis, obstruction of cerebral venous outflow and cervical/jugular schwannomas in the development of symptomatic elevated ICP without evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus in patients with NF2.

CTNI-10. MAINTENANCE CHEMOTHERAPY USING BEVACIZUMAB FOR NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 2 PATIENTS WITH HEARING LOSS AND PROGRESSIVE VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS: AN NF CLINICAL TRIALS CONSORTIUM STUDY (NF104)

BACKGROUND Bevacizumab treatment at 2.5–5 mg/kg/week is associated with hearing improvement and tumor shrinkage in about 40% of patients with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and progressive vestibular schwannomas (VS). Treatment-emergent hypertension and proteinuria are common with prolonged treatment, and data supporting strategies to maintain hearing and minimize toxicity are lacking. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, phase II, open-label study of bevacizumab for subjects (≥6 years old) with NF2, hearing loss, and progressive VS. After 6 months of induction therapy (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks), subjects received low dose bevacizumab at 5 mg/kg every 3 weeks during maintenance therapy (18 months). Hearing decline was defined as a significant decrease in word recognition score below baseline. Progressive disease was defined as ≥20% increase in tumor volume from baseline. RESULTS Twenty of 22 subjects (median age=23 years) were treated with maintenance bevacizumab. The proportion of subjects free from hearing decline at 6, 12, and 18 months was 88%, 94%, and 85%, respectively; the proportion free from tumor progression at 6, 12, and 18 months from baseline was 88%, 94%, and 85%, respectively. Three subjects (15%) experienced hearing loss during maintenance and required dose escalation. Maintenance chemotherapy with bevacizumab was well tolerated: 1 subject discontinued due to perirectal abscess and 2 discontinued by choice. Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 2 subjects (10%). Adverse events of interest included hypertension (55%), proteinuria (20%), and irregular menstruation (6/13, 46%). CONCLUSIONS Maintenance chemotherapy with bevacizumab at 5 mg/kg every 3 weeks is associated with prolonged hearing and tumor stability that surpasses historical controls. A minority of subjects require dose escalation during low dose bevacizumab treatment.