Andrea Talacchi

Microsurgical removal of petroclival meningiomas: a report of 33 patients

This is a report of 33 consecutive cases of petroclival meningioma treated surgically at our institution over the last 10 years; there were 21 women and 12 men between the ages of 27 and 68 (mean age, 52). All patients were assessed by computed tomographic scans including coronal sections and bone algorithm studies; in most cases, digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance imaging were also done. The largest tumor diameter was between 2 and 3.5 cm in 14 cases, 3.5 to 6 cm in 15 cases, and over 6 cm in 4 cases. Dural attachment predominantly involved the clivus and apical petrous bone on one side only; in 14 cases, however, the tumor grew over the clivus midline or crossed the tentorial notch. Cranial nerve deficit was extant in all cases and was commensurate with tumor size. Cerebellar signs and somatic motor deficits were present in 60 and 30% of cases, respectively. The surgical approaches used were the retromastoid-retrosigmoid in 23 cases, subtemporal in 5 cases, and combined retromastoid subtemporal presigmoid in the remaining 5. Total removal was achieved in 26 cases (79%); incomplete removal occurred in 7 cases (21%). The extent of tumor removal and operative morbidity were not significantly related to tumor size. Brain stem indentation, arterial and cranial nerve encasement, and epidural invasion were the main factors that prevented total tumor removal and influenced operative morbidity. There was no intraoperative mortality, but three patients (9%) died perioperatively. In the postoperative period, most patients went through momentary neurological deterioration, chiefly due to new cranial nerve deficits. The average follow-up was 4.3 years in 27 patients; of these 17 were unchanged and 10 were improved. Before surgery, only 13 patients were self-sufficient; at long-term follow-up, another 6 had achieved independence. Our experience suggests that, even though real petroclival meningiomas still represent a formidable surgical challenge, such tumors can in most cases be removed completely with low attendant mortality and acceptable morbidity.

Microsurgical Removal of Petroclival MeningiomasA Report of 33 Patients Clinical Study

: This is a report of 33 consecutive cases of petroclival meningioma treated surgically at our institution over the last 10 years; there were 21 women and 12 men between the ages of 27 and 68 (mean age, 52). All patients were assessed by computed tomographic scans including coronal sections and bone algorithm studies; in most cases, digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance imaging were also done. The largest tumor diameter was between 2 and 3.5 cm in 14 cases, 3.5 to 6 cm in 15 cases, and over 6 cm in 4 cases. Dural attachment predominantly involved the clivus and apical petrous bone on one side only; in 14 cases, however, the tumor grew over the clivus midline or crossed the tentorial notch. Cranial nerve deficit was extant in all cases and was commensurate with tumor size. Cerebellar signs and somatic motor deficits were present in 60 and 30% of cases, respectively. The surgical approaches used were the retromastoid-retrosigmoid in 23 cases, subtemporal in 5 cases, and combined retromastoid subtemporal presigmoid in the remaining 5. Total removal was achieved in 26 cases (79%); incomplete removal occurred in 7 cases (21%). The extent of tumor removal and operative morbidity were not significantly related to tumor size. Brain stem indentation, arterial and cranial nerve encasement, and epidural invasion were the main factors that prevented total tumor removal and influenced operative morbidity. There was no intraoperative mortality, but three patients (9%) died perioperatively. In the postoperative period, most patients went through momentary neurological deterioration, chiefly due to new cranial nerve deficits. The average follow-up was 4.3 years in 27 patients; of these 17 were unchanged and 10 were improved. Before surgery, only 13 patients were self-sufficient; at long-term follow-up, another 6 had achieved independence. Our experience suggests that, even though real petroclival meningiomas still represent a formidable surgical challenge, such tumors can in most cases be removed completely with low attendant mortality and acceptable morbidity.

O6-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase methylation status can change between first surgery for newly diagnosed glioblastoma and second surgery for recurrence: clinical implications

O(6)-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status is a prognostic factor in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. However, it is not yet clear whether, and if so how, MGMT methylation status may change. Moreover, it is unknown whether the prognostic role of this epigenetic feature is retained during the disease course. A retrospective analysis was made using a database of 614 glioblastoma patients treated prospectively from January 2000 to August 2008. We evaluated only patients who met the following inclusion criteria: age > or = 18 years; performance status 0-2; histological diagnosis of glioblastoma at both first and second surgery for recurrence; postoperative treatment consisting of: (i) radiotherapy (RT) followed by adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) until 2005 and (ii) TMZ concurrent with and adjuvant to RT after 2005; a time interval > or = 3 months between first and second surgery. MGMT status was evaluated at first and second surgery in all 44 patients (M:F 32:12, median age: 49 years, range: 27-67 years). In 38 patients (86.4%), MGMT promoter status was assessable at both first and second surgery. MGMT methylation status, changed in 14 patients (37%) of second surgery samples and more frequently in methylated than in unmethylated patients (61.5% vs 24%, P = .03). The median survival was significantly influenced only by MGMT methylation status determined at first surgery (P = .04). Significant changes in MGMT methylation status during the course of GBM occur more frequently in MGMT methylated than unmethylated cases. MGMT methylation status determined at first surgery appears to be of prognostic value; however, it is not predictive of outcome following second surgery.

Assessment and surgical management of posterior fossa epidermoid tumors: report of 28 cases.

OBJECTIVE The management of a series of 28 patients operated on for posterior fossa epidermoids is reviewed, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up. We discuss the rationale for a comprehensive classification system that may allow the comparison of results from homogeneous series. METHODS We grouped the tumors to differentiate the surgical management according to various tumor sites and the degree of extension. Twenty patients harbored tumors located in the cerebellopontine angle, five patients harbored tumors in the fourth ventricle, and three patients harbored tumors in the posterior fossa basal. In 17 patients, extensions of tumors outside the posterior fossa included the following regions: the suprasellar/ chiasmatic (n = 5), the parasellar/temporobasal (n = 5), and the mesencephalic/pineal (n = 7). Tumor extension was also defined by the number of regions involved. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic findings collected in 17 and 28 patients, respectively, were carefully evaluated. RESULTS Clinical features and surgical approaches varied according to location and growth pattern. Fifty-seven percent of the tumors were completely removed. A higher total removal rate was achieved in patients with tumors confined to the primary location. One patient (3%) died in the perioperative period. Approximately half of the patients presented with transient mild focal deficit impairments resulting from the manipulation of the nervous structure over a wide area. There was a higher rate of surgical complications with fourth ventricle and mesencephalic extended cerebellopontine angle tumors. The mean follow-up period was 8.6 years. Thirty percent of the patients with subtotal removal experienced symptomatic recurrences after 8.1 years, whereas all patients with total removal were still asymptomatic. The recurrence-free survival rate was 95% at 13 years for patients with total removal compared with 65% for patients with subtotal removal. Problems of identification of tumor regrowth are discussed. CONCLUSION By assessing posterior fossa epidermoids, we determined that location and extension play a major role in the prognosis. Our data suggest that more aggressive surgery is called for at first operation, and that a second operation should be planned when regrowth becomes symptomatic and/or tends to extend outside its original site.

Direct Surgery for Brainstem Tumours

Updating a previous report, the authors offer a review of 45 patients between age 2 and 63 treated by direct surgical excision for brainstem tumours of various description. Since 1986 all candidate patients were examined by NMR imaging in addition to CT scanning, sometimes with the further addition of digital-subtraction vertebral angiography. By Epstein and McLearys criteria, 24 of the tumours were focal, 12 were cervicomedullary and 9 were diffuse. The most frequent histological diagnosis was glioma (36 cases between low-grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma); the balance was provided by cavernoma (6 cases), haemangioblastoma (2 cases), and lipoma (2 cases). Gross total resection was achieved in 28 patients, namely all those with ependymoma or vascular tumours and 14 of 17 with low-grade astrocytoma. Resection was subtotal in 16 cases and confined to a generous biopsy in one. There was no operative mortality, but 2 deaths occurred in the early postoperative period. At discharge, neurological status was unchanged or improved in 35 cases. At 3-month follow-up examination, 12 patients were improved, 27 were unchanged and 3 were worsened. By January 1990 (6 to 72 months postoperatively) 27 of the first 40 patients treated were alive: 13 had resumed normal life, 6 were self-sufficient and 8 were disabled. The authors conclude that present-day microsurgical resection of intra-axial brainstem tumours is associated with low mortality and morbidity and affords favourable results for which they credit high-quality NMR imaging, efficient microsurgery, adequate anesthesia, and competent postoperative intensive care.

Radiologic and surgical aspects of pure spinal epidural cavernous angiomas: Report on 5 cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Cavernous angiomas (CAs) that are localized completely in the spinal epidural space are uncommon vascular malformations. Although they have increasingly been reported in the literature in recent years, diagnostic and surgical features are not clearly defined. METHODS We report five patients with pure spinal epidural cavernous angiomas (PSECAs) and review the literature, focusing on their radiologic and surgical characteristics. We also compare these tumors with other extra-axial CAs as well as with their intra-axial counterparts. RESULTS PSECAs, like all other extra-axial CAs, differ from intra-axial ones on MRI: the hemorrhagic variant is less frequent, hemosiderin rim is rare, the signal is different, and contrast enhancement is the rule. They are very similar to spinal meningiomas but they differ in their growth pattern and morphology, since they infiltrate intervertebral foramina and have an oval shape. In PSECA, intraoperative bleeding is rarely profuse, in contrast to other extra-axial CAs, especially those of the cavernous sinus. CONCLUSIONS On MRI, PSECAs and other extra-axial CAs constitute a homogeneous group since they enhance significantly. At operation, since there is rarely enough bleeding to limit removal, radical excision of PSECAs can be achieved with good results.

Dumbbell-shaped hypoglossal neurinoma: Surgical removal via a dorsolateral transcondylar approach. A case report and review of the literature

Summary A case of dumbbell-shaped hypoglossal neurinoma with intra- and extracranial extension is reported. The tumour was surgically completely removed in a one-stage operation via a dorsolateral suboccipital transcondylar approach. Clinical presentation and the role of high-resolution CT-scan, MRI and angio-MRI in diagnosis and surgical planning are discussed. We include a review of the literature concerning these rare tumours of the foramen magnum region.

Cognitive outcome as part and parcel of clinical outcome in brain tumor surgery

Although validated tools (neuropsychological tests, patient reported outcomes, mood and psychological profile) were first introduced many years ago in clinical practice, the impact of the tumor itself on patient cognition has not been extensively studied. Furthermore, while outcome research is evolving in an attempt to adapt the use of different tools to the preoperative and postoperative phases, the standard guidelines for evaluating outcome after brain surgery, by neurological examination and complication assessment, are frequently neglected in the current literature. This article attempts to provide an appraisal of the evidence for the impact of surgical treatment on cognitive function of brain tumor patients within the context of general outcome.

Awake surgery between art and science. Part II: language and cognitive mapping

Direct cortical and subcortical stimulation has been claimed to be the gold standard for exploring brain function. In this field, efforts are now being made to move from intraoperative naming-assisted surgical resection towards the use of other language and cognitive tasks. However, before relying on new protocols and new techniques, we need a multi-staged system of evidence (low and high) relating to each step of functional mapping and its clinical validity. In this article we examine the possibilities and limits of brain mapping with the aid of a visual object naming task and various other tasks used to date. The methodological aspects of intraoperative brain mapping, as well as the clinical and operative settings, were discussed in Part I of this review.

Eligibility criteria and psychological profiles in patient candidates for awake craniotomy: a pilot study.

Background: Although generally well tolerated, awake craniotomy is burdened by non-negligible failure rates. The aim of this pilot study was to verify the feasibility of a wider research scope to define objective criteria for patient exclusion and the risk of intraoperative mapping failures. Methods: Twenty-one patients with brain tumors were subjected to a procedure in 3 steps: neuropsychological criteria for both cognition and language; psychological questionnaires for anxiety, attitude to pain and depression, and psychophysiological monitoring for the candidate’s capacity for self-control; and an intraoperative interview for the patient’s perception during awake procedure. Outcome measures were as follows: (1) patient compliance, defined as patient response to the intraoperative procedure and measured by psychological scale scores for fear and pain, and (2) failure, defined as the impossibility to complete brain mapping (minor) or conversion to general anesthesia (major). Data analysis included the description of preoperative and intraoperative assessments and their evaluation (Spearman &rgr; test), and the prognostic factors for intraoperative compliance and procedure failure (Mann-Whitney test). Results: Three patients were considered ineligible after the first step. In the remaining 18, the responses of 10 patients fell within the normal range and 8 showed some degree of impairment on at least 1 preoperative evaluation, but not enough to be excluded from awake surgery. The data analysis also showed that fear of pain correlated with pain felt during the operation and preoperatively with depression and psychophysiological changes, the latter of which was associated with fear felt during craniotomy. Minor failures occurred in 2 patients. Conclusions: From these preliminary results, we observed that warning signs for minor failure were fear of pain and anxiety, as revealed by psychological questionnaire responses, and the incapability of self-control at psychophysiological monitoring. This assessment may serve to fit mapping modality to the single patient and to avoid complications.