Is intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) for long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEATs) more useful in children?-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The utility of intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG)-guided resective surgery for pediatric long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEATs) with antiseizure medication (ASM) resistant epilepsy is not supported by robust evidence. As epilepsy networks and their ramifications are different in children from those in adults, the impact of intraoperative ECoG-based tailored resections in predicting prognosis and influencing outcomes may also differ. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing the outcomes of resections with and without the use of ECoG in children and adults by a randomized study. METHODS: From June 2020 to January 2022, 42 patients (17 children and 25 adults) with LEATs and antiseizure medication (ASM)-resistant epilepsy were randomly assigned to one of the 2 groups (ECoG or no ECoG), prior to surgical resection. The 'no ECoG' arm underwent gross total lesion resection (GTR) without ECoG guidance and the ECoG arm underwent GTR with ECoG guidance and further additional tailored resections, as necessary. Factors evaluated were tumor location, size, lateralization, seizure duration, preoperative antiepileptic drug therapy, pre- and postresection ECoG patterns and tumor histology. Postoperative Engel score and adverse event rates were compared in the pediatric and adult groups of both arms. Eloquent cortex lesions and re-explorations were excluded to avoid confounders. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in the study of which 17 patients were in the pediatric cohort (age < 18 years) and 25 in the adult cohort. The mean age in the pediatric group was 11.11 years (SD 4.72) and in the adult group was 29.56 years (SD 9.29). The mean duration of epilepsy was 9.7 years (SD 4.8) in the pediatric group and 10.96 (SD 8.8) in the adult group. The ECoG arm of LEAT resections had 23 patients (9 children and 14 adults) and the non-ECoG arm had 19 patients (8 children and 11 adults). Three children and 3 adults from the ECoG group further underwent ECoG-guided tailored resections (average 1.33 additional tailored resections/per patient.).The histology of the tailored resection specimen was unremarkable in 3/6 (50%).Overall, the commonest histology in both groups was ganglioglioma and the temporal lobe, the commonest site of the lesion. 88.23% of pediatric cases (n = 15/17) had an excellent outcome (Engel Ia) following resection, compared to 84% of adult cases (n = 21/25) at a mean duration of follow-up of 25.76 months in children and 26.72 months in adults (p = 0.405).There was no significant difference in seizure outcomes between the ECoG and no ECoG groups both in children and adults, respectively (p > 0.05). Additional tailored resection did not offer any seizure outcome benefit when compared to the non-tailored resections. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intraoperative electrocorticography in LEATs did not contribute to postoperative seizure outcome benefit in children and adults. No additional advantage or utility was offered by ECoG in children when compared to its use in adults. ECoG-guided additional tailored resections did not offer any additional seizure outcome benefit both in children and adults.

Endoscopic Endonasal Excision of a Meckel's Cave Dermoid Cyst.

Background: Meckel's cave dermoid cyst is an extremely rare and a technically challenging lesion. The objective of the study is to show that endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has recently emerged as a better alternative to transcranial approach for this formidable tumor, owing to minimal retraction-related morbidity. Method: A 52-year-old male presented with numbness over the right side of the face and temporal area for the last 3 years. On examination, there was decreased sensation to touch, pain, and temperature over the right V1, V2, and V3 areas with an absent right corneal reflex. Imaging revealed a heterogenous extra-axial lesion in the right Meckel's cave. The tumor was resected by an extended endonasal transpterygoid approach. Results: The patient had improvement in his symptoms with no endocrine complication. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the surgical techniquenof endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid resection of a Meckel's cave dermoid cyst.

Endoscopic Endonasal Excision of a Complex Craniopharyngioma Operated Multiple Times by Transcranial Route.

Background: Complex craniopharyngiomas pose a significant surgical challenge owing to its proximity to critical structures and its intrinsic nature to resist radical excision. Objective: To show that endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is potentially a better alternative to transcranial approach in tumors that have been operated multiple times by transcranial route for achieving radical excision with minimal morbidity. Materials and Methods: A 32-year-old male previously operated twice through interhemispheric approach for craniopharyngioma presented with blurring of vision accompanied by headache and intermittent diplopia. Imaging revealed a large lobulated suprasellar recurrence with a large calcified part adjacent to left internal carotid artery. The tumor was resected by an extended endonasal approach. The patient experienced improvement in his vision with no significant endocrine complication. Results and Conclusion: This case demonstrates the surgical technique and various operative nuances of endoscopic endonasal resection of a complex craniopharyngioma.

Simultaneous trigonal and spinal meningioma with varied histology: A rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Meningioma is one of the most common neoplasms of the central nervous system. Multiple meningiomas without neurofibromatosis are not a usual occurrence. Intraventricular meningioma with spinal meningioma is rare and not been reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 63-year-old male with the left trigonal and spinal meningioma. Both the meningiomas were resected in different settings. The histological examination of tumors revealed to be of varied histology, that is, meningothelial and atypical meningioma, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although various cases with multiple cranial and spinal meningiomas are described, this is the first case of an intraventricular and spinal meningioma. With varied histology, the case also reaffirms the theory of polyclonal origin of multiple meningiomas.