GammaTile® brachytherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioblastomas

Background GammaTile® (GT) is a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared brachytherapy platform. Here, we report clinical outcomes for recurrent glioblastoma patients after GT treatment following maximal safe resection. Methods We prospectively followed twenty-two consecutive Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastoma patients (6 O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase methylated (MGMTm); sixteen MGMT unmethylated (MGMTu)) who underwent maximal safe resection of recurrent tumor followed by GT placement. Results The cohort consisted of 14 second and eight third recurrences. In terms of procedural safety, there was one 30-day re-admission (4.5%) for an incisional cerebrospinal fluid leak, which resolved with lumbar drainage. No other wound complications were observed. Six patients (27.2%) declined in Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) after surgery due to worsening existing deficits. One patient suffered a new-onset seizure post-surgery (4.5%). There was one (4.5%) 30-day mortality from intracranial hemorrhage secondary to heparinization for an ischemic limb. The mean follow-up was 733 days (range 279-1775) from the time of initial diagnosis. Six-month local control (LC6) and twelve-month local control (LC12) were 86 and 81%, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was comparable for MGMTu and MGMTm patients (~8.0 months). Median overall survival (OS) was 20.0 months for the MGMTu patients and 37.4 months for MGMTm patients. These outcomes compared favorably to data in the published literature and an independent glioblastoma cohort of comparable patients without GT treatment. Conclusions This clinical experience supports GT brachytherapy as a treatment option in a multi-modality treatment strategy for recurrent glioblastomas.

Sinonasal Packing is Not a Requisite for Successful Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair

Background Numerous methods have been described to repair nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Most studies have focused on optimizing CSF leak repair success, leading to closure rates of 90 to 95%. Objective This study aimed to determine if excellent reconstruction rates could be achieved without using sinonasal packing. Methods A prospective case series of 73 consecutive patients with various CSF leak etiologies and skull base defects was conducted to evaluate reconstruction success without sinonasal packing. The primary outcome measure was postoperative CSF leak. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative epistaxis requiring intervention in operating room or emergency department, infectious sinusitis, and 22-item sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22) changes. Results Mean age was 54.5 years and 64% were female. Multilayered reconstructions were performed in 55.3% of cases, with collagen or bone epidural inlay grafts, and nasal mucosal grafts or nasoseptal flaps for onlay layers. Onlay-only reconstructions with mucosal grafts or nasoseptal flaps were performed in 44.7% of cases. Tissue sealants were used in all cases, and lumbar drains were used in 40.8% of cases. There were two initial failures (97.4% initial success), but both resolved with lumbar drains alone (no revision surgeries). There were no instances of postoperative epistaxis requiring intervention in the operating room or emergency department. Infectious sinusitis occurred in 2.7% of patients in the first 3 months postoperatively. SNOT-22 did not change significantly from preoperatively to first postoperative visits, then improved over time. Conclusion Nasal CSF leaks from various etiologies and defect sites were successfully repaired without using sinonasal packing, and patients experienced minimal sinonasal morbidity.

Cerebrospinal fluid leak as a driving factor in chronic subdural hematoma formation: A histological study

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) represents the most common neurosurgical disease. Given the demographic shift toward an aging population, the overall incidence of this condition is increasing. Nevertheless, clarity in the pathophysiological process is yet to be made. Several etiological mechanisms have been proposed to initiate and consequently promote fluid collection in the subdural space. Traumatic injury of the bridging veins has long been considered the primum movens of the pathology but increasing evidence shows that trauma is not the only factor involved. Along with recent advances we sought to understand the role of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the buildup of the intense inflammatory reaction that characterizes CSDH. Methods: In the present study, we examined histological features of reactive membranes secondary to extracranial CSF leakage with CSDH-related membranes. Similarity and differences between the specimens were examined by means of light microscopy. Results: Histological similarities were consistently found between CSDH membranes and reactive membranes secondary to CSF leakage in the extracranial space. Activated histiocytes were highlighted in all specimens along with an intense inflammatory reaction. Conclusion: CSDH is most likely the result of a complex interaction among different pathophysiological events resulting from both traumatic and inflammatory etiologies. In the present work, we highlight how CSF leakage could be an early factor that leads to a cascade of events that culminates in CSDH formation.