To scan or not to scan? A retrospective cohort study analysing the efficacy of routine post-operative CT after brain biopsy.

PURPOSE: Postoperative management following elective cranial surgery, particularly after biopsy procedures, varies significantly across neurosurgical centres. Routine postoperative head CT scans, traditionally performed to detect complications such as intracranial bleeding or cerebral oedema, lack substantial evidence supporting their necessity. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis conducted at a regional neurosurgical department of 236 patients who underwent brain biopsies between 2018 and 2022. Patient data, including demographics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes, were collected and analysed. The outcomes investigated were the incidence and impact of postoperative CT scans on time to discharge, management changes, and the influence of preoperative anticoagulation. RESULTS: Out of 236 patients, 205 (86.86%) underwent postoperative CT scans. There was no significant relationship between postoperative hematoma, as detected on a CT scan, and neurological deficit (p = 0.443), or between preoperative anticoagulation and postoperative bleeding on CT scans (p = 0.464). Patients who had postoperative CT scans had a significantly longer length of stay (LOS) compared to those who did not (p < 0.001). Intraoperative bleeding was a predictor of hematoma on postoperative CT (p = 0.017) but not of postoperative neurological deficit. The routine postoperative CT scan showed limited predictive value for symptomatic deficits, with a positive predictive value of 6.67% and a negative predictive value of 96.88%. CONCLUSIONS: Routine postoperative CT scans after brain biopsies do not significantly impact management or improve patient outcomes but are associated with longer hospital stays. CT scans should be reserved for patients showing clinical signs of complications rather than used as a routine procedure after a brain biopsy.

Tau protein quantification in skin biopsies differentiates tauopathies from alpha-synucleinopathies.

Abnormal accumulation of microtubule-associated protein tau (τ) is a characteristic feature of atypical parkinsonisms with tauopathies, such as progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. However, pathological τ has also been observed in α-synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. Based on the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in several neurodegenerative diseases, we characterized and compared τ expression in skin biopsies of patients clinically diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration and in healthy control subjects. In all groups, τ protein was detected along both somatosensory and autonomic nerve fibres in the epidermis and dermis by immunofluorescence. We found by western blot the presence of mainly two different bands at 55 and 70 kDa, co-migrating with 0N4R/1N3R and 2N4R isoforms, respectively. At the RNA level, the main transcript variants were 2N and 4R, and both were more expressed in progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration by real-time PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated significantly higher levels of total τ protein in skin lysates of progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration compared to the other groups. Multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics curve analysis of τ amount at both sites showed a clinical association with tauopathies diagnosis and high diagnostic value for progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration versus Parkinson's disease (sensitivity 90%, specificity 69%) and progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration versus multiple system atrophy (sensitivity 90%, specificity 86%). τ protein increase correlated with cognitive impairment in progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration. This study is a comprehensive characterization of τ in the human cutaneous peripheral nervous system in physiological and pathological conditions. The differential expression of τ, both at transcript and protein levels, suggests that skin biopsy, an easily accessible and minimally invasive exam, can help in discriminating among different neurodegenerative diseases.

ß-blockers and ACE inhibitors are not a risk factor for severe systemic sting reactions and adverse events during venom immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy whether taking ß-blockers or ACE inhibitors (ACEI) is a risk factor for more severe systemic insect sting reactions (SSR) and whether it increases the number or severity of adverse events (AE) during venom immunotherapy (VIT). METHODS: In this open, prospective, observational, multicenter trial, we recruited patients with a history of a SSR and indication for VIT. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether patients taking ß-blockers or ACEI show more systemic AE during VIT compared to patients without such treatment. RESULTS: In total, 1,425 patients were enrolled and VIT was performed in 1,342 patients. Of all patients included, 388 (27.2%) took antihypertensive (AHT) drugs (10.4% took ß-blockers, 11.9% ACEI, 5.0% ß-blockers and ACEI). Only 5.6% of patients under AHT treatment experienced systemic AE during VIT as compared with 7.4% of patients without these drugs (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.43-1.22, p = 0.25). The severity of the initial sting reaction was not affected by the intake of ß-blockers or ACEI (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.89-1.46, p = 0.29). In total, 210 (17.7%) patients were re-stung during VIT and 191 (91.0%) tolerated the sting without systemic symptoms. Of the 19 patients with VIT treatment failure, 4 took ß-blockers, none an ACEI. CONCLUSIONS: This trial provides robust evidence that taking ß-blockers or ACEI does neither increase the frequency of systemic AE during VIT nor aggravate SSR. Moreover, results suggest that these drugs do not impair effectiveness of VIT. (Funded by Medical University of Graz, Austria; Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT04269629).

Supraorbital approach through eyebrow skin incision for aneurysm clipping: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: Surgery has been in a huge development where the aim is to achieve same or better results with less complication in a less invasive way; these minimal approaches can be applied in a very safe way to aneurysmal neurosurgery. METHOD: Images are studied to optimize the patient positioning and the surgical roadmap. After the positioning, the skin incision, craniotomy, and dura incision are performed and intradural lesion is reached. A watertight closure is performed under the microscope. CONCLUSION: The keyhole approach requires some adaption from the side of the surgeon and can be performed only in cases envisioned to have no increased risk for the patient.

Epithelial growth factor receptor expression influences 5-ALA induced glioblastoma fluorescence.

The extent of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) guided tumor resection has a determining impact in high-grade glioma and glioblastoma surgery. Yet the intensity of the 5-ALA induced fluorescence may vary within the tumor. We aimed to correlate 5-ALA induced fluorescence with the expression of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its constitutively active version EGFRvIII in different glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. To elucidate the role of EGFR in the metabolism of 5-ALA in GBM cell lines with variable EGFR expression status, we analyzed the activation of EGFR by its primary ligand EGF, and its downstream effect on Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a key enzyme regulating the metabolism of Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), the fluorescent metabolite of 5-ALA. Effects of direct pharmacological inhibition by Tin(IV)-Protoporphyrin (SnPP) or gene knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on HO-1 enzyme were analyzed in respect to 5-ALA induced fluorescence. Furthermore, inhibition of EGFR by Gefitinib was tested. A significant difference in 5-ALA induced fluorescence was obtained in U87MG (low EGFR expression) and LN229EGFR cells (EGFR overexpression) compared to BS153 (EGFR overexpression/EGFRvIII+). Treatment of U87MG and LN229EGFR cells with EGF significantly reduced cellular fluorescence, by promoting HO-1 transcription and expression in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect could be reversed by EGFR-specific siRNA treatment, which reduced protein expression of about 80% in U87MG. Remarkably, inhibition of HO-1 activity by SnPP or reduction of HO-1 protein levels by siHO-1 treatment restored fluorescence in all cell lines, independently of EGFR quantitative and qualitative expression. Gefitinib treatment was able to restore fluorescence after EGF stimulation in U87MG cells but not in BS153 cells, overexpressing EGFR/EGFRvIII. In GBM cell lines, 5-ALA induced fluorescence is variable and influenced by EGF-induced downstream activation of HO-1. HO-1 protein expression was identified as a negative regulator of 5-ALA induced fluorescence in GBM cells. We further propose that co-expression of EGFRvIII but not quantitative EGFR expression influence HO-1 activity and therefore cellular fluorescence.

Attention and cognitive penetrability: The epistemic consequences of attention as a form of metacognitive regulation.

A recent approach to the cognitive penetrability of perception, i.e. the possibility that perception is shaped top-down by high-level cognitive states such as beliefs and desires, proposes to understand the phenomenon on the basis of its consequences, among which there is a challenge for the epistemic role of perceptual experience in justifying beliefs (Stokes, 2015). In this paper, I argue that some attentional phenomena qualify as cases of cognitive penetrability under this consequentialist approach. I present a popular theory of attention, the biased-competition theory, on which basis I establish that attention is a form of metacognitive regulation. I argue that attention (as metacognitive regulation) involves the right kind of cognitive-perceptual relation and leads to the same epistemic consequences as other more traditional versions of cognitive penetrability.

'Armed kyphoplasty' with posterior stabilization avoids corpectomy in complex thoracolumbar spine fractures: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Complex thoracolumbar fractures require reduction and stabilization. Posterior instrumentation alone and standard cement augmentation may represent undertreatment, while corpectomy has significant morbidity. In a series of unstable thoracolumbar fractures, we assessed the feasibility, safety, and results of 'armed kyphoplasty' (AKP) and surgical posterior stabilization (PS). METHODS: A total of 24 consecutive patients were treated with combined AKP and PS. Minimally invasive and open surgery techniques were used for PS. AKP was performed with C-arm or biplane fluoroscopic guidance, and screws were placed under navigation or fluoroscopic guidance. A postoperative CT scan and standing plain films were obtained. Patients were followed up according to clinical standards. Kyphosis correction (measured with regional Cobb angle), pain (measured with the Numeric Rating Scale), neurological status (measured with Frankel grade) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 25 fractures of neoplastic (40%), traumatic (32%), and osteoporotic (28%) nature were treated. Open surgery and minimally invasive techniques were applied in 16/24 and 8/24 patients, respectively. Decompressive laminectomy was performed in 13 cases. No intraprocedural complications occurred. Two patients (8%) died due to underlying disease complications and three complications (12%) required re-intervention (one surgical site infection, one adjacent fracture, and one screw pull-out) in the first month. The mean Cobb angle was 20.14±6.19° before treatment and 11.66±5.24° after treatment (P<0.0001). No re-fractures occurred at the treated levels. CONCLUSIONS: Combined AKP and PS is feasible and effective in the treatment of complex thoracolumbar fractures of all etiologies. AKP avoided highly invasive corpectomy. Anterior and posterior support ensured stability, preventing implant failure and re-fracture. The complication rate was low compared with more invasive traditional 360° open surgical approaches.

Post-craniotomy coronal suture diastases in a transformed lower grade glioma.

Cranial suture diastases are an uncommon clinical entity, with post craniotomy diastases being a previously undescribed finding in literature to our best knowledge. Herein, we report a case of a 28-year-old adult who underwent a second-stage low-grade glioma surgery 7 months after initial surgery. This study presents coronal suture diastases adjacent to the previously performed craniotomy. After literature and pathophysiology review, we found it to be unique and that the craniotomy can resemble the mechanical stress of trauma.

Defining the Learning Curve of the Exoscope in Spine Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, introduction of the exoscope system has been responsible for a new era of optics in surgery. Such a system has started to be widely used in neurosurgery. More recently, the exoscope has also been increasingly used for spinal procedures. Thus, we aimed to explore the potential for exoscope-assisted spinal procedures and define the advantages and drawbacks of implementing the system into our daily routine. METHODS: To achieve the aim of the study, we retrospectively reviewed the case series of patients treated by a senior surgeon and analyzed the results, complications, and operative time. The operating times were compared between the exoscope-assisted procedures and microscope-assisted procedures. RESULTS: A total of 24 spinal procedure were performed with the exoscope in a 2-month period. In this first patient series performed by a single surgeon without experience with the exoscope, the learning curve seemed to be relatively low, with mastery of the instrument achieved after the performance of only a few cases. Comparing the cases after the plateau of the learning curve had been reached with those performed during the still active phase of the learning curve, a significant difference was found in the operative times. No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of blood loss or intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our first experience, use of the exoscope shows promising potential for opening up new frontiers in spinal microsurgery. In addition, it has a low learning curve for experienced surgeons.

Automated online safety margin (GLIOVIS) for glioma surgery model.

Purpose: Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain malignancy and has a poor prognosis. The standard treatment strategy is based on maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgical resection can be optimized by using 5-delta-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence, which is the current mainstay. Although 5-ALA-induced fluorescence has gained general acceptance, it is also limited by inter-observer variability and non-standardized fluorescence parameters. We present a new software for processing images analysis to better recognize the tumor infiltration margins using an intraoperative immediate safety map of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence. We tested this in a brain model using a commercial surgical exoscope. Methods: A dedicated software GLIOVIS (ACQuF-II, Advanced Colorimetry-based Quantification of Fluorescence) was designed for processing analysis of images taken on the Intraoperative Orbital Camera Olympus Orbeye (IOC) to determine the relative quantification of Protoporphyrin IX (5-ALA metabolite) fluorescence. The software allows to superpose the new fluorescence intensity map and the safety margins over the original images. The software was tested on gel-based brain models. Results: Two surrogate models were developed: PpIX agarose gel-integrated in gelatin-based brain model at different scales (1:25 and 1:1). The images taken with the IOC were then processed using GLIOVIS. The intensity map and safety margins could be obtained for all available models. Conclusions: GLIOVIS for 5-ALA-guided surgery image processing was validated on various gelatin-based brain models. Different levels of fluorescence could be qualitatively digitalized using this technique. These results need to be further confirmed and corroborated in vivo and validated clinically in order to define a new standard of care for glioblastoma resection.

Clinical Relevance and Interplay between miRNAs in Influencing Glioblastoma Multiforme Prognosis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is usually treated with surgery followed by adjuvant partial radiotherapy combined with temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Recent studies demonstrated a better survival and good response to TMZ in methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-methylated GBM cases. However, approximately 20% of patients with MGMT-unmethylated GBM display an unexpectedly favorable outcome. Therefore, additional mechanisms related to the TMZ response need to be investigated. As such, we decided to investigate the clinical relevance of six miRNAs involved in brain tumorigenesis (miR-181c, miR-181d, miR-21, miR-195, miR-196b, miR-648) as additional markers of response and survival in patients receiving TMZ for GBM. We evaluated miRNA expression and the interplay between miRNAs in 112 IDH wt GBMs by applying commercial assays. Then, we correlated the miRNA expression with patients' clinical outcomes. Upon bivariate analyses, we found a significant association between the expression levels of the miRNAs analyzed, but, more interestingly, the OS curves show that the combination of low miR-648 and miR-181c or miR-181d expressions is associated with a worse prognosis than cases with other low-expression miRNA pairs. To conclude, we found how specific miRNA pairs can influence survival in GBM cases treated with TMZ.

Local excision after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer: results of a multicenter phase II clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Transanal local excision has been suggested as an attractive approach for patients with rectal cancer who show a major clinical response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of transanal local excision on the local recurrence of rectal cancer in patients who had a major clinical response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. DESIGN: Sequential 2-stage phase II study for early efficacy. SETTING: Multicenter study. PATIENTS: Patients with clinical T3 or low-lying T2 rectal adenocarcinoma that showed a major clinical response after a preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Eligible patients underwent a full-thickness transanal local excision. According to their histopathology, the patients staged as ypT0-1 were observed, while the remaining patients were recommended to undergo a subsequent total mesorectal excision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A local recurrence rate of ≤5% was set as a successful rate for stopping the trial early after the first stage. RESULTS: The study group included 63 patients. Before chemoradiotherapy, patients were staged as clinical T3 (n = 42) and T2 (n = 21). After the local excision, 43 patients fulfilled the criteria to be observed with no further treatment. Nine of the remaining 20 patients for whom a subsequent total mesorectal excision was recommended refused surgery. Two of these patients who refused surgery had intraluminal local recurrence; both had a ypT2 tumor and underwent salvage surgery. The estimated cumulative 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival and local disease-free survival were 91.5% (95% CI: 75.9-97.2), 91.0% (95% CI: 77.0-96.6) and 96.9% (95% CI: 80.3-99.5), respectively. LIMITATIONS: The time of follow-up is still short and the sample size is limited. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that local excision is a good option for patients with a major clinical response after chemoradiotherapy. A longer period of follow-up is required to confirm these findings.

Role of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Protocol in the Management of Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Among the already difficult management of neuro-oncological patients, the elderly population remains vulnerable. Because of the pathology and the comorbidities, they present a significantly higher rate of medical issues related to surgical management. Despite this, the surgical option, if feasible, remains the gold standard in these patients, and an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol could improve the postoperative safety of the patients. With this purpose, we prepared this study with the aim of defining the postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS), but also of evaluating the postoperative morbidity, perioperative complications, and postoperative pain scores. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-cohort study performed at an academic hospital (Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter of South Switzerland, Switzerland) on elderly patients who underwent craniotomy for glioblastoma. Patients were enrolled in a novel ERAS protocol from January 2022 to December 2022. Since this is a feasibility study and a direct comparison was not possible, we used a historical cohort of elderly patients who had undergone elective craniotomy surgery for glioblastoma as a control group. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients treated in our center for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who were aged over 75 years were included in this study. Among those, seven were newly recruited patients included in the ERAS protocol, while the remaining twelve were part of a historical cohort of previously treated patients. From a statistical point of view, the two cohorts were comparable in terms of baseline demographics. In the follow-up, it was shown that in the ERAS group, there was a reduction in the use of opioids after the surgical procedures that could be seen at 30 days (36.2% vs. 71.7%, p < 0.001), but also at 3 months, after surgery (33.0% vs. 80.0%, p < 0.001). A significant difference has also been documented in terms of mobilization and ambulation: compared to the historical cohort, in the ERAS group, there was a higher rate of mobilization (60.0% vs. 10.0%, p < 0.001), but also of ambulation (36.1% vs. 10.0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS protocol for the management of glioblastoma in elderly patients seems to be an effective option for reducing LOS in the hospital, as well as for reducing the number of days spent in the ICU, improving the general recovery of the patient, and reducing the costs associated with hospitalization.

Middle column Stent-screw Assisted Internal Fixation (SAIF): a modified minimally-invasive approach to rescue vertebral middle column re-fractures.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature regarding the re-fracture of a previously augmented vertebral compression fracture (VCF). These re-fractures may present as an asymptomatic remodeling of the vertebral body around the cement cast while in other cases they involve the middle column, at the transition zone between the cement-augmented and non-augmented vertebral body. In the latter, a posterior wall retropulsion is possible and, if left untreated, might progress to vertebral body splitting, central canal stenosis, and kyphotic deformity. There is no consensus regarding the best treatment for these re-fractures. There are cases in which a repeated augmentation relieves the pain, but this is considered an undertreatment in cases with middle column involvement, posterior wall retropulsion, and kyphosis. METHODS: We report four cases of re-fracture with middle column collapse of a previously augmented VCF, treated with the stent-screw assisted internal fixation (SAIF) technique. A modified more postero-medial deployment of the anterior metallic implants was applied, to target the middle column fracture. This modified SAIF allowed the reduction and stabilization of the middle column collapse as well as the partial correction of the posterior wall retropulsion and kyphosis. RESULTS: Complete relief of back pain with stable clinical and radiographic findings at follow-up was obtained in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, the middle column SAIF technique is safe and effective for the treatment of the re-fracture with middle column collapse of a previously cement-augmented VCF. This technique requires precision in trocar placement and could represent a useful addition to the technical armamentarium for VCF treatment.

A qPCR technology for direct quantification of methylation in untreated DNA.

DNA methylation is important for gene expression and alterations in DNA methylation are involved in the development and progression of cancer and other major diseases. Analysis of DNA methylation patterns has until now been dependent on either a chemical or an enzymatic pre-treatment, which are both time consuming procedures and potentially biased due to incomplete treatment. We present a qPCR technology, EpiDirect®, that allows for direct PCR quantification of DNA methylations using untreated DNA. EpiDirect® is based on the ability of Intercalating Nucleic Acids (INA®) to differentiate between methylated and unmethylated cytosines in a special primer design. With this technology, we develop an assay to analyze the methylation status of a region of the MGMT promoter used in treatment selection and prognosis of glioblastoma patients. We compare the assay to two bisulfite-relying, methyl-specific PCR assays in a study involving 42 brain tumor FFPE samples, revealing high sensitivity, specificity, and the clinical utility of the method.

Identification of MGMT Downregulation Induced by miRNA in Glioblastoma and Possible Effect on Temozolomide Sensitivity.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains one of the tumors with the worst prognosis. In recent years, a better overall survival (OS) has been described in cases subjected to Gross Total Resection (GTR) that were presenting hypermethylation of Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter. Recently, also the expression of specific miRNAs involved in MGMT silencing has been related to survival. In this study, we evaluate MGMT expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), MGMT promoter methylation and miRNA expression in 112 GBMs and correlate the data to patients' clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses demonstrate a significant association between positive MGMT IHC and the expression of miR-181c, miR-195, miR-648 and miR-767.3p between unmethylated cases and the low expression of miR-181d and miR-648 and between methylated cases and the low expression of miR-196b. Addressing the concerns of clinical associations, a better OS has been described in presence of negative MGMT IHC, in methylated patients and in the cases with miR-21, miR-196b overexpression or miR-767.3 downregulation. In addition, a better progression-free survival (PFS) is associated with MGMT methylation and GTR but not with MGMT IHC and miRNA expression. In conclusion, our data reinforce the clinical relevance of miRNA expression as an additional marker to predict efficacy of chemoradiation in GBM.

Prevalence of amyloid in ligamentum flavum of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is often diagnosed in an advanced stage, when irreversible cardiac damage has occurred. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) may precede cardiac ATTR amyloidosis by many years, offering the opportunity to detect ATTR already at the time of LSS surgery. We prospectively assessed the prevalence of ATTR in the ligamentum flavum by tissue biopsy in patients aged >50 years undergoing surgery for LSS. METHODS: Ligamentum flavum thickness was assessed pre-operatively on axial T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices. Tissue samples from ligamentum flavum were screened centrally by Congo red staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Amyloid in the ligamentum flavum was detected in 74/94 patients (78.7%). IHC revealed ATTR in 61 (64.9%), whereas amyloid subtyping was inconclusive in 13 (13.8%). Mean thickness of ligamentum flavum was significantly higher at all levels in patients with amyloid (p < .05). Patients with amyloid deposits were older (73.1 ± 9.2 vs. 64.6 ± 10.1 years, p = .01). No differences in sex, comorbidities, previous surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome or LSS were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Amyloid, mostly of the ATTR subtype, was found in four out of five patients with LSS and is associated with age and ligamentum flavum thickness. Histopathological work-up of ligamentum flavum might inform future decision making.

Long-term outcome of patients with complete pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for cT3 rectal cancer: implications for local excision surgical strategies.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by radical surgery including total mesorectal excision (TME) is standard treatment in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Emerging data indicate that patients with complete pathologic response (ypCR) after CRT have favorable outcome, suggesting the possibility of less invasive surgical treatment. We analyzed long-term outcome of cT3 rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant CRT in relation to ypCR and type of surgery. METHODS: The study population comprised 139 patients (93 men, 46 women; median age 62 years) with cT3N0-1M0 mid and distal rectal adenocarcinoma treated by CRT and surgery (110 TME and 29 local excision) at our institution between 1996 and 2008. At pathology, ypCR was defined as no residual cancer cells in the primary tumor. RESULTS: Tumors of 42 patients (30.2%) were classified as ypCR. After a median follow-up of 55.4 months, comparing patients with ypCR to patients with no ypCR, 5-year disease-specific survival was 95.8% versus 78.0% (P = 0.004), and 5-year disease-free survival was 90.1% vs. 64.0% (P = 0.004). In patients with ypCR, no statistically significant outcome difference was observed between TME and local excision. In patients treated by local excision, comparing patients with ypCR to patients with no ypCR, 5-year disease-free survival was 100% vs. 65.5% (P = 0.024), and 5-year local recurrence-free survival was 92.9% vs. 66.7% (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: With retrospective analysis limitations, our data confirm favorable long-term outcome of cT3 rectal cancer with ypCR after CRT and warrant clinical trials exploring local excision surgical strategies.