Meningiomas in dogs

Background: Meningiomas and gliomas are the two most common types of human intracranial tumors. However, meningiomas are not exclusively human tumors and are often seen in dogs and cats. Methods: To present meningioma surgery in dogs and compare the surgical possibilities, tumor location, and to show the differences between human and veterinary approaches to tumor profiling. Eleven dogs with meningiomas were treated surgically for 5 years. All tumors except one were resected radically (Simpson 2). Localization of tumors mirrored that of human meningiomas. Results: Two dogs died in direct relation to surgery. One died 14 months after surgery due to tumor regrowth. Three dogs died of unrelated causes 10–36 months after tumor resection and five dogs are alive and tumor-free 2–42 months after surgery. Conclusion: Radical surgery in dogs is as effective as in humans. Thus, we propose that it should be implemented as first-line treatment. The article is meant to please all those overly curious neurosurgeons in the world.

Risks and neurological benefits of meningioma surgery in elderly patients compared to young patients

Introduction While surgery is the primary treatment choice for intracranial meningiomas in young patients, surgery in elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing comorbidities, has been the subject of repeated discussion. This study investigated the postoperative risks and neurological benefits of meningioma surgery in elderly patients compared to young patients. Methods In total, 768 patients were included and divided into two main groups: group I (age: ≤ 64 years; 484 young patients) and group II (age: ≥ 65 years; 284 elderly patients). Group II was subdivided into: IIa (age: 65–69 years), IIb (age: 70–79 years); and IIc (age: ≥ 80 years). Results The total tumor resection rate was higher in the elderly cohort than in the young cohort (84.5 and 76.2%, respectively). 154 young patients (31.8%) and 132 elderly patients (46.5%) developed postoperative morbidities, with the three most common being bleeding (12.9%), cranial nerve disorder (10%) and CSF fistula (8.1%). Postoperative bleeding, palsy, speech disorder, pneumonia and renal insufficiency were dependent on age (r = 0.123, p = 0.001; r = 0.089, p = 0.014; r = 0.100, p = 0.006; r = 0.098, p = 0.007 and r = 0.084, p = 0.020) and presented more often in elderly patients. 6 young and 15 elderly patients died during the 17.4-year observation period. Most patients showed a significant improvement in postoperative KPS (p < 0.001), except those over 80 years old (p = 0.753). The KPS at the last follow-up was significantly improved in all patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion Meningioma surgery is associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications in elderly patients than in young patients. Most elderly patients, similar to young patients, show a significant improvement in neurological status postoperatively.

Case report: Rare convexity meningeal chondroma mimicking a meningioma

Background: Intracranial chondromas account for 0.2–0.3% of all intracranial neoplastic lesions and less than a quarter arise in the convexity or falx. Despite its benign nature, exceedingly rare malignant transformations exist. The misdiagnosis with meningiomas is frequent and may be related with chondromas’ similar insidious clinical presentation and imaging features. Standalone surgery is advised and complete resection provides the definitive treatment. Case Description: A 44-year-old female presents with insidious headache, visual disturbances, and papilledema. The imaging studies were compatible with frontal parasagittal meningioma. Surgery revealed a meningeal based mass, mostly avascular and with a well-demarked surgical plane from the brain parenchyma. Complete resection with meningeal margins was achieved and the histopathologic examination revealed a chondroma. The patient symptoms subsided and no surgical complications existed. Conclusion: Intracranial convexity chondromas constitute a rare differential diagnosis for meningiomas. The present case reinforces the current scarce data and serves as reminder for clinicians diagnosing and treating intracranial tumors.

Preoperative risk factors associated with new focal neurological deficit and other major adverse events in first-time intracranial meningioma neurosurgery

Background Neurosurgical resection is the mainstay of meningioma treatment. Adverse event (AE) rates of meningioma resections are significant, but preoperative risk factors for major AEs in patients undergoing first-time meningioma surgery are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore major AEs and identify preoperative risk factors in patients undergoing first-time meningioma surgery. Methods Data on all meningioma resections performed at the University Hospital Zurich from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2018 were collected in a prospective registry. All AEs that occurred within 3 months of surgery were documented in detail and classified as “minor” or “major.” Statistical analysis included initial individual bivariate analyses of all preoperative factors and the occurrence of major AEs. Statistically significant variables were then included in a logistic regression model to identify predictors. Results Three hundred forty-five patients were included in the study. Mean age was 58.1 years, and 77.1% of patients were female. The overall major AE rate was 20.6%; the most common of which was a new focal neurological deficit (12.8% of patients). Six preoperative factors showed a significant association with the occurrence of major AEs in bivariate analysis. All variables included in the logistic regression model showed increased odds of occurrence of major AE, but only tumor complexity as measured by the Milan Complexity Scale was a statistically significant predictor, with a score of 4 or more having twice the odds of major AEs (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.15–3.48). Conclusion High tumor complexity is an independent predictor of the occurrence of major AEs following meningioma resection. Preoperative assessment of tumor complexity using the Milan Complexity Scale is warranted and can aid communication with patients about AE rates and surgical decision-making.

Age at Diagnosis and Baseline Myelomalacia Sign Predict Functional Outcome After Spinal Meningioma Surgery

Objective: Spinal meningioma (SM) accounts for 12% of all meningiomas. Clinical and immunohistochemical factors were analyzed with regard to functional outcome, surgical adverse events, and tumor recurrence.Methods: One-hundred and twenty-three consecutive SM patients underwent surgery and were retrospectively reviewed with regard to demographic parameters, imaging features, neurological function, and immunohistochemical items. Neurological function was graded according to the Modified McCormick Scale (MMS) and dichotomized as “good (grade I + II)” and “poor (grade III–V)” function.Results: One-hundred and fourteen (92.7%) WHO grade I and 9 (7.3%) WHO grade II SM were included in this study. Univariate analysis identified a baseline T2 hyperintensity of the spinal cord, baseline symptom duration ≥4 weeks, age ≥66 years, and dural tail sign as predictors of poor MMS. Baseline T2 hyperintensity of the spinal cord [Odds ratio (OR) = 13.3, 95% CI = 3.4–52.1, p &lt; 0.001] and age ≥66 years (OR = 10.3, 95% CI = 2.6–41.1, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of a poor MMS grade at discharge after SM surgery in the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The 12- and 24-month recurrence-free survival rates were 98.7 % (1/80) and 94.7% (2/38), respectively. In those patients with tumor recurrence of the SM, highly increased MIB-1 (≥5%) labeling indices were observed.Conclusion: Baseline T2 hyperintensity, especially in the elderly patients, is a strong predictor of poorer recovery after spinal meningioma surgery. SMs with high proliferative activity should be followed-up closely despite maximal safe resection.

Nuances of Olfactory Groove Meningioma Surgery: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Olfactory groove meningiomas frequently present as large or giant-size tumors associated with marked frontal lobe edema and significant frontal lobe dysfunction. Simpson grade I removal was rare in early reports due to their invasion of the ethmoid sinuses and skull base bone,1 which resulted in high recurrence rates.2,3 Indeed, recurrence occurred in the most celebrated case of olfactory groove meningioma.4,5 To achieve Simpson grade I removal (tumor, dura, bone), protect the frontal lobes from additional injury, and provide the best chance for recovery, we demonstrate a few nuances for olfactory groove meningioma surgery: Utilizing a skull base approach with a low dural opening, the frontal veins are preserved, and the frontal lobe is protected from retraction, manipulation, and venous injury. By the time of diagnosis, although the patient's olfaction is often absent, there still remains a role to preserve at least 1 olfactory tract, which might yield some preservation in a limited number of patients. Emphasis has been rightly made on the preservation of the A2 segments, which can be dissected using microsurgical technique. Lastly, multilayer reconstruction of the skull base is required, using an inlay graft, resting on a vascularized pericranial flap, and occlusion of the sinuses with a fat graft. The endonasal endoscopic approach has fallen out of favor due to limitations for complete tumor resection and higher complication rates.6 We present a case of a relatively small olfactory groove meningioma in a 36-yr-old male with partial olfactory loss. The patient consented for surgery. Images at 2:07, 2:29, and 2:54 from Al-Mefty O, Operative Atlas of Meningiomas, © LWW, 1997, with permission. Image at 8:31 public domain by age.