C. Plets

Surgery and adjuvant dendritic cell-based tumour vaccination for patients with relapsed malignant glioma, a feasibility study.

Patients with relapsed malignant glioma have a poor prognosis. We developed a strategy of vaccination using autologous mature dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumour homogenate. In total, 12 patients with a median age of 36 years (range: 11–78) were treated. All had relapsing malignant glioma. After surgery, vaccines were given at weeks 1 and 3, and later every 4 weeks. A median of 5 (range: 2–7) vaccines was given. There were no serious adverse events except in one patient with gross residual tumour prior to vaccination, who repetitively developed vaccine-related peritumoral oedema. Minor toxicities were recorded in four out of 12 patients. In six patients with postoperative residual tumour, vaccination induced one stable disease during 8 weeks, and one partial response. Two of six patients with complete resection are in CCR for 3 years. Tumour vaccination for patients with relapsed malignant glioma is feasible and likely beneficial for patients with minimal residual tumour burden.

Localized 1H NMR spectroscopy in fifty cases of newly diagnosed intracranial tumors

Fifty patients with newly diagnosed, untreated intracranial tumors were examined with 1H nuclear magnetic resonance single-volume spectroscopy (MRS) using a 1.5 T whole-body MR system. Prior to the MRS, contrast enhanced MR and/or CT imaging studies were carried out. Histological verification was obtained in all patients except one. All tumor spectra revealed distinct abnormalities as compared with the normal brain spectra. Although most meningiomas showed a rather characteristic spectral pattern, generally features specific for the various tumor types were not observed. For instance, though a strong lactic acid signal was seen in most malignant tumors, this signal was also evident in five benign neoplasms.

Controversies in the Management of Spontaneous Cerebellar Haemorrhage A Consecutive Series of 49 Cases and Review of the Literature

SummaryWe have reviewed our experience with a series of 49 consecutive patients with spontaneous cerebellar haematoma, treated according to a standardized management protocol. Seventeen patients were managed conservatively, 30 underwent ventricular drainage, and in six patients the haematoma was evacuated. The indications for the different modes of treatment are discussed. The most significant prognostic factors determining the outcome at one month were the grade of quadrigeminal cistern obliteration on the initial CT scan and the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission. Patients with normal cisterns had a good outcome, and only needed (temporary) ventricular drainage in case of hydrocephalus. Patients with totally obliterated cisterns had a bad outcome irrespective of treatment. In the patients with compressed cisterns, it is suggested that evacuation of the haematoma might improve outcome; treatment of hydrocephalus alone is insufficient in many cases in this group.

Anatomy of the Anterior Temporal Lobe and the Frontotemporal Region Demonstrated by Fiber Dissection

OBJECTIVE: The white matter structure of the anterior temporal lobe and the frontotemporal region is complex and not well appreciated from the available neurosurgical literature. The fiber dissection method is an excellent means of attaining a thorough knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of the white matter tracts. This study was performed to demonstrate the usefulness of the dissection technique in understanding the white matter anatomy and the effects of current surgical approaches on the subcortical structure of the region. METHODS: Seventeen brain specimens obtained at routine autopsy were dissected by use of Klinglers fiber dissection technique after preparation by fixation and freezing. The dissections were performed with an operating microscope and followed a stepwise pattern of progressive white matter dissection. RESULTS: The dissection is described in an orderly fashion showing the white matter tracts of the anterior temporal lobe and the frontotemporal region. An insight is gained into the three-dimensional course of the anterior loop of the optic radiation, the temporal stem, the anterior commissure, and the ansa peduncularis. CONCLUSION: The anterior temporal lobe and the frontotemporal region contain several important white matter tracts that can be uniquely understood by performing a white matter dissection of the region. Surgical procedures on the anterior temporal lobe differ substantially as to their repercussions on the subcortical white matter tract anatomy, as shown by the findings in this study.

Tethered cord syndrome in occult spinal dysraphism Timing and outcome of surgical release

Objective To investigate the influence of neurosurgical intervention on the appearance of upper motor neuron (UMN) signs in newborns diagnosed with occult spinal dysraphism and tethered cord (TC) during the first month of life. Methods A prospective study (1990 to 1996) of 22 consecutive newborns with occult spinal dysraphism monitored for the appearance of UMN signs. Untethering was performed when neurologic or urodynamic investigation indicated the presence of UMN dysfunction. Results Of 22 patients, 10 remained free of UMN symptoms during follow-up (mean, 67 ± 22 months). Untethering was performed in 12 of 22 patients because of the presence of UMN symptoms. In 7 of these 12 patients, there was a documented asymptomatic period of 13 ± 11 months before the onset of UMN symptoms. Untethering at a mean age of 18 ± 17 months restored normal neurologic and urinary function in all patients (mean postoperative follow-up, 25 ± 16 months). Of the 12 children, 5 presented with UMN signs at birth. In these children, untethering was performed at a mean age of 9 ± 5 months. In two of these five patients, UMN symptoms did not resolve after surgery, and ongoing conservative bladder treatment was required (mean follow-up, 37 ± 14 months). In none of the 12 operated children did signs of retethering occur. Conclusions A significant number (10/22) of children born with occult spinal dysraphism and TC did not develop UMN symptoms during follow-up; neurosurgical correction after the appearance of an UMN sign restored normal neurologic and urinary function in all children; and untethering in children presenting at birth with UMN symptoms resulted in poorer outcome.

Early endovascular treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms in patients in very poor neurological condition.

OBJECTIVE In patients in very poor neurological condition (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V) with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, early surgery to prevent rebleeding and to allow appropriate treatment of complications is often difficult. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether early endovascular treatment followed by aggressive proactive treatment of complications (prophylactic hypervolemic hemodilution, hypertensive treatment in the event of systemic hypotension, and appropriate treatment of intracranial hypertension) is an acceptable management strategy for these patients. METHODS We prospectively studied 11 consecutive patients who presented with acutely ruptured aneurysms and were in very poor neurological condition after resuscitation (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V) but did not have a significant intracerebral hemorrhage. These patients received endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA). Follow-up consisted of a clinical evaluation based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. A control angiogram was obtained after 6 months in patients with favorable outcomes to evaluate the occlusion of the aneurysm. RESULTS There were no deaths or complications directly related to the procedure. Two patients died as a consequence of increased intracranial pressure. The mean follow-up of the surviving patients was 12 months. Two patients had early rebleeding after the coiling and required further treatment. Four patients had good outcomes, two patients were moderately disabled, and three patients were severely disabled. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that early endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysms in patients evaluated as World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V allows for aggressive treatment of intracranial hypertension and vasospasm. More than half of the patients had favorable outcomes. Therefore, early endovascular treatment seems to be a valuable alternative to early surgery in patients who present with a very poor clinical grade after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The results of this study are promising but must be interpreted with caution, because a small number of patients were studied.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease is a clinical manifestation of Cowden's syndrome.

BACKGROUND Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) is a hamartomatous overgrowth of cerebellar ganglion cells, which replace granular cells and Purkinje cells. In recent years several cases involving the association between LDD and Cowdens syndrome (CS), an autosomal dominant condition characterized by multiple hamartomas and neoplastic lesions in skin and internal organs, have been reported. METHODS We reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of six patients with LDD who were treated at our institution, and we looked at other possible symptoms of CS. RESULTS Other clinical findings suggestive of CS were apparent in five patients: These included mucocutaneous lesions, acral keratosis, thyroid adenoma, fibrocystic disease, ovarian cyst, intestinal polyposis, and arteriovenous malformation. Only in the youngest patient, a 5-year-old boy, were no cutaneous or other signs found, despite extensive clinical and ultrasound examination. CONCLUSION Our observations strengthen the hypothesis that LDD is a neurological manifestation of CS. Patients with LDD should receive a thorough dermatological and systemic screening, because some of the lesions (breast, etc...) can develop into malignant tumors.

Outcome of chronic subdural haematoma: analysis of prognostic factors

Prognostic factors for the outcome of patients with a chronic subdural haematoma were analysed in a consecutive study of 260 patients, regardless of the method of neurosurgical treatment. CT findings such as haematoma volume, midline shift and residual subdural collections had no influence on the outcome. The only statistically significant factor of importance for the outcome of patients with chronic subdural haematoma was the neurological condition at the time of treatment. Early diagnosis is therefore of major importance.

Risk analysis of thrombo-embolic and recurrent bleeding events in the management of intracranial haemorrhage due to oral anticoagulation

Abstract Purposes : Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of oral anticoagulants (OAC). This raises the difficult clinical choice between either permanent cessation of OAC, or continuing OAC and if so, when to restart. To make this choice, one needs to balance the thrombo-embolic risk after cessation of OAC against the risk of recurrent intracranial haemorrhage when OAC are restarted. There are few published data to base this difficult clinical decision on. Methods : We present an observational study of a consecutive series of 108 patients, collected prospectively and admitted to our department, with an OAC-related intracranial haemorrhage, in whom we assessed the thrombotic event rate and the recurrent intracranial bleeding rate during follow-up. Results : In the 25 patients in whom OAC were reinstituted no new thrombo-embolic events occurred (0/506 unprotected patient-days). In the group of patients in whom OAC were not restarted (n = 81), the thrombo-embolic event rate was 8/11590 unprotected patient-days, of which only 2 were cerebrovascular thrombo-embolisms. The overall risk of a thrombo-embolic complication can be estimated to be 0.66 events/1000 patient-days at risk (95% exact confidence limits of 0.3 to 1.3 events/1000 patient-days at risk). In three patients the thrombo-embolic event was fatal. We saw recurrent intracranial bleeding in eight patients, 2 of which were fatal. Seven of these occurred before the restarting of the OAC. Conclusions : In OAC-related intracranial haemorrhages, OAC can be stopped safely for a considerable period, with a very low overall thrombotic event rate. The recurrent bleeding risk after restarting OAC is low. Recurrent bleeding mostly occurred before restarting OAC and is probably caused by insufficient or unsustained correction of the initial coagulation deficit. Immediate reversal of anticoagulation provides the patient with the best possible treatment options including surgery. OAC-related intracranial haemorrhages can therefore be actively treated.

Functional MRI of the brain: localisation of eloquent cortex in focal brain lesion therapy.

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of functional MRI (fMRI) in a clinical environment on a large patient group, and to evaluate the pretherapeutic value of localisation of eloquent cortex. Forty patients with focal brain lesions of different origin were studied using fMRI. Functional information was obtained using motor, somatosensory, auditory and phonological stimuli depending on the localisation of the lesions. To obtain information about the spatial accuracy of fMRI, the results were compared with postoperative electrocortical stimulation. Two patients with secondary trigeminal neuralgia were scanned using a motor protocol and were implanted with an extradural plate electrode. Imaging was successful in 40 of 42 patients (including the 2 with trigeminal neuralgia). These patients were analysed for strength of activation, the relation of the lesion to activation sites and the presence of mass effect. The correlation between these data and surgical findings provided significant additional clinical information. Functional MRI can be accurately performed in patients with focal brain lesions using a dedicated approach. Functional MRI offers important clinical information as a contribution to a decrease in posttherapeutic morbidity. The accuracy of the technique can be confirmed by other modalities, including invasive cortical electrostimulation.