Supramaximal resection: retrospective study on IDH-wildtype Glioblastomas based on the new RANO-Resect classification.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of the extent of resection in the management of Glioblastoma is a long-debated topic, recently widened by the 2022 RANO-Resect Classification, which advocates for the resection of the non-enhancing disease surrounding the main core of tumors (supramaximal resection, SUPR) to achieve additional survival benefits. We conducted a retrospective analysis to corroborate the role of SUPR by the RANO-Resect Classification in a single center, homogenous cohort of patients. METHODS: Records of patients operated for WHO-2021 Glioblastomas at our institution between 2007 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed; volumetric data of resected lesions were computed and classified by RANO-Resect criteria. Survival and correlation analyses were conducted excluding patients below near-total resection. RESULTS: 117 patients met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 45 near-total resections (NTR), 31 complete resections (CR), and 41 SUPR. Median progression-free and overall survival were 11 and 15 months for NTR, 13 and 17 months or CR, 20 and 24 months for SUPR, respectively (p < 0.001), with inverse correlation observed between survival and FLAIR residual volume (r -0.28). SUPR was not significantly associated with larger preoperative volumes or higher rates of postoperative deficits, although it was less associated with preoperative neurological deficits (OR 3.37, p = 0.003). The impact of SUPR on OS varied between MGMT unmethylated (HR 0.606, p = 0.044) and methylated (HR 0.273, p = 0.002) patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study support the validity of supramaximal resection by the new RANO-Resect classification, also highlighting a possible surgical difference between tumors with methylated and unmethylated MGMT promoter.

The prognostic power of [11C]methionine PET in IDH-wildtype diffuse gliomas with lower-grade histological features: venturing beyond WHO classification.

PURPOSE: IDH-wildtype (IDH-wt) diffuse gliomas with histological features of lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) are rare and heterogeneous primary brain tumours. [11C]Methionine (MET) positron emission tomography (PET) is commonly used to evaluate glial neoplasms at diagnosis. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic value of MET PET in newly diagnosed, treatment naïve IDH-wt gliomas with histological features of LGGs. METHODS: Patients with a histological diagnosis of IDH-wt LGG who underwent preoperative (< 100 days) MET PET/CT and surgery were retrospectively included. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of MET PET images were performed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to test the association of imaging and clinical data to PFS and OS. RESULTS: We included 48 patients (M:F = 25:23; median age 55). 39 lesions were positive and 9 negative at MET PET. Positive MET PET was significantly associated with shorter median PFS (15.7 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0146) and OS time (32.6 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0253). Incomplete surgical resection and higher TBRmean values were independent predictors of shorter PFS on multivariate analysis (p < 0.001 for both). Higher tumour grade and incomplete surgical resection were independent predictors of OS at multivariate analysis (p = 0.027 and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: MET PET is useful for the prognostic stratification of patients with IDH-wt glial neoplasms with histological LGGs features. Considering their huge biological heterogeneity, the combination of MET PET and molecular analyses may help to improve the prognostic accuracy in these diffuse gliomas subset and influence therapeutic choices accordingly.

Microsurgical resection of a right dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen schwannoma through a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of dumbbell jugular foramen schwannomas can be challenging. The main goals of surgery are maximal resection with preservation of function and overall patient quality of life. METHODS: In this paper, we present a step-by-step technical description of a microsurgical resection of dumbbell-shaped JF schwannoma using a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach. CONCLUSION: The modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular is a safe and suitable approach in selected cases. This technique, however, must be limited only to those tumors with minimal extension into the jugular foramen.

Single-Stage Posterior Transpedicular Corpectomy and 360-Degree Reconstruction for Thoracic and Lumbar Burst Fractures: Technical Nuances and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the feasibility of a single-stage posterior corpectomy and circumferential arthrodesis with the aid of spinal navigation for the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Demographics, clinical, and radiologic data of 19 patients who underwent surgery at our institution for thoracolumbar burst fractures between 2016 and 2019 were collected. All patients enrolled in the present study underwent surgery by means of posterior fixation and transpedicular corpectomy with the aid of an intraoperative image-guided neuronavigation system. RESULTS: Postoperative correction of the vertebral height ratio was achieved in all cases, with an average increase of 23.6% (p = 0.0005). No statistical differences (p = 0.9) were found comparing 1- and 3-month postoperative CT scans, in relation to vertebral height ratio. A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and postoperative kyphotic angles for the thoracolumbar and lumbar segments (p = 0.0018 and 0.005, respectively), but no difference was found between kyphotic angles at the 3-month follow-up. A unilateral approach was performed on 15 patients (79%), while 4 cases (21%) required a bilateral laminectomy. We did not observe any significant intraoperative complication. CONCLUSION: Single-stage posterior corpectomy and fixation is a safe and effective approach for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures. It provides excellent 360-degree reconstruction in a single surgical stage with satisfactory results in terms of kyphosis reduction, biomechanical stability, and reduced invasiveness. Spinal navigation represents a fundamental tool to overcome some anatomical limits of the presented technique.

Spinal ependymoma in adults: from molecular advances to new treatment perspectives.

Ependymomas are rare glial tumors with clinical and biological heterogeneity, categorized into supratentorial ependymoma, posterior fossa ependymoma, and spinal cord ependymoma, according to anatomical localization. Spinal ependymoma comprises four different types: spinal ependymoma, spinal ependymoma MYCN-amplified, myxopapillary ependymoma, and subependymoma. The clinical onset largely depends on the spinal location of the tumor. Both non-specific and specific sensory and/or motor symptoms can be present. Owing to diverse features and the low incidence of spinal ependymomas, most of the current clinical management is derived from small retrospective studies, particularly in adults. Treatment involves primarily surgical resection, aiming at maximal safe resection. The use of radiotherapy remains controversial and the optimal dose has not been established; it is usually considered after subtotal resection for WHO grade 2 ependymoma and for WHO grade 3 ependymoma regardless of the extent of resection. There are limited systemic treatments available, with limited durable results and modest improvement in progression-free survival. Thus, chemotherapy is usually reserved for recurrent cases where resection and/or radiation is not feasible. Recently, a combination of temozolomide and lapatinib has shown modest results with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 7.8 months in recurrent spinal ependymomas. Other studies have explored the use of temozolomide, platinum compounds, etoposide, and bevacizumab, but standard treatment options have not yet been defined. New treatment options with targeted treatments and immunotherapy are being investigated. Neurological and supportive care are crucial, even in the early stages. Post-surgical rehabilitation can improve the consequences of surgery and maintain a good quality of life, especially in young patients with long life expectancy. Here, we focus on the diagnosis and treatment recommendations for adults with spinal ependymoma, and discuss recent molecular advances and new treatment perspectives.

Intraoperative ultrasonography (ioUS) characteristics of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II b.

PURPOSE: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the major causes of drug-resistant epilepsy. Surgery has proved to be the treatment of choice, however up to a third of patients experience only partial resection. Ill-defined borders and lesions embedded in eloquent areas are two of the main drawbacks of FCD surgery. Preliminary experiences with intraoperative ultrasound (ioUS) have proved its feasibility and potential. We analyzed FCD' ioUS findings in our patients with FCD and compared them with magnetic resonance (MRI) ones. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all records of patients with focal medically refractory epilepsy who underwent ioUS guided surgery between November 2014 and October 2017. Lesions other than FCD or FCD associated with other pathological entities were not considered. Patients' preoperative MRI and ioUS features were analyzed according to up-to-date literature and than compared. RESULTS: A homogeneous population of five patients with type IIb FCD was evaluated. Focal cortical thickening and cortical ribbon hyper-intensity, blurring of the grey-white matter junction and hyper-intensity of the subcortical white matter on T2-weighted/FLAIR images were present in all patients. Cortical features had a complete concordance between ioUS and MRI. In particular ioUS thickening and hyper-echogenicity of cortical ribbon were identified in all cases (100%). Contrary, hyper-echoic subcortical white matter was detected in 60% of the patients. IoUS images resulted in clearer lesion borders than MRI images. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the potentials of ioUS as a valuable diagnostic tool to guide FCD surgeries.