Skull base surgery for malignant tumors: The 2nd international collaborative study (1995-2015).

BACKGROUND: The current study presents the effort of a global collaborative group to review the management and outcomes of malignant tumors of the skull base worldwide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 28 institutions contributed data on 3061 patients. Analysis evaluated clinical variables, survival outcomes, and multivariable factors associated with outcomes. RESULTS: The median age was 56 years (IQR 44-67). The open surgical approach was used in 55% (n = 1680) of cases, endoscopic resection was performed in 36% (n = 1087), and the combined approach in 9.6% (n = 294). With a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the 5-year OS DSS and RFS were 65%, 71.7% and 53%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, older age, comorbidities, histology, dural/intracranial involvement, positive margins, advanced stage, and primary site were independent prognostic factors for OS, DSS, and RFS. Adjuvant RT was a protective prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: The progress across various disciplines may have contributed to improved OS and DSS in this study compared to previous reports.

The volume-outcome relationship for endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for benign neoplasm: analysis of an administrative dataset for England.

BACKGROUND: Setting minimum annual volume thresholds for pituitary surgery in England is seen as one way of improving outcomes for patients and service efficiency. However, there are few recent studies from the UK on whether a volume-outcome effect exists, particularly in the era of endoscopic surgery. Such data are needed to allow evidence-based decision making. The aim of this study was to use administrative data to investigate volume-outcome effects for endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in England. METHODS: Data from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for adult endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for benign neoplasm conducted in England from April 2013 to March 2019 (inclusive) were extracted. Annual surgeon and trust volume was defined as the number of procedures conducted in the 12 months prior to the index procedure. Volume was categorised as < 10, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39 and ≥40 procedures for surgeon volume and < 20, 20-39, 40-59, 60-79 and ≥80 procedures for trust volume. The primary outcome was repeat ETSPS during the index procedure or during a hospital admission within one-year of discharge from the index procedure. RESULTS: Data were available for 4590 endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary procedures. After adjustment for covariates, higher surgeon volume was significantly associated with reduced risk of repeat surgery within one year (odds ratio (OR) 0.991 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.982-1.000)), post-procedural haemorrhage (OR 0.977 (95% CI 0.967-0.987)) and length of stay greater than the median (0.716 (0.597-0.859)). A higher trust volume was associated with reduced risk of post-procedural haemorrhage (OR 0.992 (95% CI 0.985-0.999)), but with none of the other patient outcomes studied. CONCLUSIONS: A surgeon volume-outcome relationship exists for endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in England.

A novel technique to repair orbital roof defects: irradiated homologous cadaveric rib (Tutoplast ®) graft in a recurrent frontal sinus ossifying fibroma.

Ossifying fibroma in the fronto-ethmoidal sinuses is a rare, benign condition. In symptomatic cases, surgical excision is often undertaken and bony defects may be repaired using alloplastic grafts. We present a novel method of repairing an orbital roof defect using irradiated homologous cadaveric rib (Tutoplast ®) graft, overlaid with a pericranial flap. The patient made an excellent recovery, concluding that it is a viable and safe option with lower morbidity.

European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) position statement on cerebral screening in adults and children with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a multisystemic vascular dysplasia inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Approximately 10 % of patients have cerebral vascular malformations, a proportion being cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and fistulae that may lead to potentially devastating consequences in case of rupture. On the other hand, detection and treatment related-risks are not negligible, and immediate. While successful treatment can be undertaken in individual cases, current data do not support the treatment of unruptured AVMs, which also present a low risk of bleeding in HHT patients. Screening for these AVMs is therefore controversial.Structured discussions, distinctions of different cerebrovascular abnormalities commonly grouped into an "AVM" bracket, and clear guidance by neurosurgical and neurointerventional radiology colleagues enabled the European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Disorders (VASCERN-HHT) to develop the following agreed Position Statement on cerebral screening:1) First, we emphasise that neurological symptoms suggestive of cerebral AVMs in HHT patients should be investigated as in general neurological and emergency care practice. Similarly, if an AVM is found accidentally, management approaches should rely on expert discussions on a case-by-case basis and individual risk-benefit evaluation of all therapeutic possibilities for a specific lesion.2) The current evidence base does not favour the treatment of unruptured cerebral AVMs, and therefore cannot be used to support widespread screening of asymptomatic HHT patients.3) Individual situations encompass a wide range of personal, cultural and clinical states. In order to enable informed patient choice, and avoid conflicting advice, particularly arising from non-neurovascular interpretations of the evidence base, we suggest that all HHT patients should have the opportunity to discuss knowingly brain screening issues with their healthcare provider.4) Any screening discussions in asymptomatic individuals should be preceded by informed pre-test review of the latest evidence regarding preventative and therapeutic efficacies of any interventions. The possibility of harm due to detection of, or intervention on, a vascular malformation that would not have necessarily caused any consequence in later life should be stated explicitly.We consider this nuanced Position Statement provides a helpful, evidence-based framework for informed discussions between healthcare providers and patients in an emotionally charged area.

Comprehensive review of small bowel metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Secondary tumours of small intestine account for 10% of all small bowel cancers. The most common sites of primary tumour metastasizing to small bowel are uterus, cervix, colon, lung, breast and melanoma. The majority of these metastatic tumours come from adenocarcinoma primaries; squamous cell carcinoma constitutes a very small proportion of all metastatic small intestinal lesions. Metastasis to small bowel by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is extremely rare and carries an unfavourable prognosis. Owing to the limited number of published studies, its characteristic features, clinical presentation and outcomes are poorly described. This work aims at specifying these characteristics by reviewing, compiling, analysing and reporting all published cases in the published literature on small bowel metastasis secondary to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review article on the small intestinal metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Inhibition of in vitro angiogenesis by 2-methoxy- and 2-ethyl-estrogen sulfamates.

Sulfamoylation of 2-methoxyestrone (2-MeOE1) was shown previously to enhance its potency as an anti-proliferative agent against breast cancer cells. We have examined the ability of a series of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE2) and 2-ethylestradiol (2-EtE2) sulfamates to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro. 2-MeOE2 bis-sulfamate and 2-EtE2 sulfamate were potent inhibitors of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation with IC(50) values of 0.05 microM and 0.01 microM, respectively. A novel co-culture system, in which endothelial cells were cultured in a matrix of human dermal fibroblasts, was also used to assess the anti-angiogenic potential of these drugs. In this system endothelial cells proliferate and migrate through the culture matrix to form tubule structures. Whereas 2-MeOE2 (1.0 microM) caused a small reduction in tubule formation, both 2-MeOE2 bis-sulfamate (0.1 microM) and 2-EtE2 sulfamate (0.1 microM) almost completely abolished tubule formation. 2-MeOE2 bis-sulfamate and 2-EtE2 sulfamate both induced BCL-2 phosphorylation, p53 protein expression and apoptosis in HUVECs. Microarray analysis of a limited number of genes known to be involved in the angiogenic process did not show any gross changes in cells treated with the 2-substituted estrogens. The sulfamoylated derivatives of 2-MeOE2 and 2-EtE2 are potent inhibitors of in vitro angiogenesis and both compounds should have therapeutic potential.