Comparative analysis of intraoperative and imaging features of invasive growth in pituitary adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Most pituitary adenomas, also termed pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), are benign in nature and can be treated effectively by surgical resection, medical treatment and in special cases by radiotherapy. However, invasive growth can be an important feature of a more aggressive behavior and adverse prognosis. Extension of pituitary adenomas into the cavernous sinus can be categorized according to the Knosp criteria on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Comparative analyses of MRI features and intraoperative findings of invasive growth regarding different clinical factors are still scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of 764 pituitary adenomas that were surgically treated between October 2004 and April 2018. Invasive growth was assessed according to the surgical reports and preoperative MR imaging (Knosp criteria). Clinical data such as patient age at diagnosis and gender, histopathological adenoma type as well as extent of resection were collected. RESULTS: Invasive features on MRI were seen in 24.4% (Knosp grade 3A - 4, 186/764) of cases. Intraoperatively, invasion was present in 42.4% (324/764). Complete resection was achieved in 80.0% of adenomas and subtotal resection in 20.1%. By multivariate analysis, invasion according to intraoperative findings was associated with the sparsely granulated corticotroph (SGCA, p=0.0026) and sparsely granulated somatotroph (SGSA, p=0.0103) adenoma type as well as age (p=0.0287). Radiographic invasion according to Knosp grades 3A-4 correlated with age (p=0.0098), SGCAs (p=0.0005), SGSAs (p=0.0351) and gonadotroph adenomas (p=0.0478).Both criteria of invasion correlated with subtotal resection (p=0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both intraoperative and radiographic signs of invasive growth are high-risk lesions for incomplete extent of resection and occur more frequently in older patients. A particularly high prevalence of invasion can be found in the sparsely granulated corticotroph and somatotroph adenoma types. Cavernous sinus invasion is also more common in gonadotroph adenomas. Usage of the Knosp classification is a valuable preoperative estimation tool.

Percutaneous transcatheter aspiration of pulmonary embolism leading to diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma tumor embolus and change in systemic chemotherapy.

The management of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex, particularly when complicated by pulmonary embolism. In these cases, atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy is contraindicated due to an elevated risk of thromboembolic events. Differentiating pulmonary tumor embolism from thromboembolic disease is diagnostically challenging. This report outlines the benefit of transcatheter aspiration to obtain pathological evidence of pulmonary artery tumor embolus in an HCC patient. The intervention enabled a significant shift in the management strategy, leading to an escalation of systemic HCC therapy. This case underscores the importance of precise diagnostic techniques such as transcatheter aspiration in guiding treatment decisions, particularly in cases where pulmonary embolism may signify an underlying malignancy-driven process.

Case Report: Posterolateral Epidural Supra-C2-Root Approach (PESCA) for Biopsy of a Retro-Odontoid Lesions in Same Sitting After Occipitocervical Fixation and Decompression in a Case of Crowned Dens Syndrome With Brainstem Compression and Displacement.

Background: 'Crowned dens syndrome' (CDS) is a special form of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease which is characterized radiologically by a halo-like or crown-like distribution in the periodontoid region and clinically by cervical pain. Herein, we will describe our experience of posterolateral epidural supra-C2-root approach (PESCA) for biopsy of retro-odontoid lesions in one surgical session after occipitocervical fixation and decompression in a patient with CDS and massive brainstem compression. Case Presentation: A 70-year-old woman presented to our department with a 4-week history of progressive walking impairment, neck pain, neck rigidity, fever, dizziness, slight palsy of the left hand, and multiple fall episodes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and cervical spine revealed a lesion of the odontoid process and the retro-odontoid region with mainly solid components, as well as small cystic components, and brainstem compression and displacement. In first step, fusion surgery of the CVJ C0-C4 was performed with occiptocervical decompression. After fusion and decompression the lower lateral part of the C1 arc and the lateral superior part of the left side of the C2 arc were removed. The entry point was located directly above the superior part of the C2 root. A biopsy of the lateral portions of the lesions was obtained by bioptic forceps under microscope guidance. Pathologic examination of the mass revealed deposition of birefringent crystals compatible with calcium pyrophosphate. In addition to the clinical symptoms (especially neck pain), the diagnosis of CDS was made. Non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine (and later magnesium) were started. At follow-up examination 6 months after surgery, an MRI scan of the cervical spine revealed regression of the pannus and the cyst with replacement of the brainstem, clinical improvement of walking, and increased strength of the left hand. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PESCA can be used to obtain tissue for pathological analysis in one surgical sitting after fusion and decompression and that fusion, decompression, and PESCA (in the same session) together with subsequent conservative management could be a good alternative for the treatment of CDS.

Fatal late-onset CAR T-cell-mediated encephalitis after axicabtagene-ciloleucel in a patient with large B-cell lymphoma.

Treatment with CD19-directed (CAR) T cells has evolved as a standard of care for multiply relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL). A common side effect of this treatment is the immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Severe ICANS can occur in up to 30% to 40% of patients treated with axicabtagene-ciloleucel (axi-cel), usually within the first 4 weeks after administration of the dose and usually responding well to steroids. We describe a case of progressive central neurotoxicity occurring 9 months after axi-cel infusion in a patient with r/r LBCL who had undergone a prior allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Despite extensive systemic and intrathecal immunosuppression, neurological deterioration was inexorable and eventually fatal within 5 months. High CAR T-cell DNA copy numbers and elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 were found in the cerebral spinal fluid as clinical symptoms emerged, and CAR T-cell brain infiltration was observed on autopsy, suggesting that CAR T cells played a major pathogenetic role. This case of unexpected, devastating, late neurotoxicity warrants intensified investigation of neurological off-target effects of CD19-directed CAR T cells and highlights the need for continuous monitoring for late toxicities in this vulnerable patient population.

Posterolateral epidural supra-C2-root approach (PESCA) for biopsy of lesions of the odontoid process in same sitting after occipitocervical fixation and decompression-perioperative management and how to avoid vertebral artery injury.

This study aims to describe the posterolateral epidural supra-C2-root approach (PESCA), which might be a good alternative to the transoral, anterolateral, and other posterolateral approaches for biopsy of lesions of the odontoid process (OP). The preoperative planning of PESCA included computerized tomography (CT), CT-angiography, and three-dimensional reconstruction (if possible, even with three-dimensional print) to analyze the angle of the trajectory and the anatomy of the vertebral artery (VA). For PESCA, the patient is positioned under general anesthesia in prone position. In case of an osteolytic lesion with fracture of the OP, an X-ray is performed after positioning to verify anatomic alignment. In the first step, in case of instability and compression of the spinal cord, a craniocervical fusion and decompression is performed (laminectomy of the middle part of the C1 arc and removal of the lower part of the lateral C1 arc). The trajectory is immediately above the C2 root (and under the upper rest of the lateral part of C1 arc). Even if the trajectory is narrowed, it is possible to perform PESCA without relevant traction of the spinal cord. The vertical segment of V3 of the VA at the level of C2 is protected by the vertebral foramen, and the horizontal part of V3 is protected by the remnant upper lateral part of the C1 arc (in case of normal variants). PESCA might be a good choice for biopsy of selected lesions of the OP in same sitting procedure after craniocervical stabilization and decompression.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the oesophagus Review of the literature and report of a case with lymph node and distant metastases.

Oesophageal sarcomas are very rare while various histological types have occasionally been reported. Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour (MPNST) of the oesophagus is an exceedingly rare type of oesophageal sarcoma with only thirteen cases previously reported in the world literature. However, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of oesophageal neoplasias. Due to the small number of reported cases, the information about the biological behaviour of this entity is still insufficient. While MPNST is generally considered an aggressive type of tumour with high recurrence rates after surgical treatment and poor prognosis, previous reports of cases with oesophageal localization have recorded satisfactory outcomes overall even with less aggressive therapeutic approaches, although a long-term follow-up is lacking. Herein, we present the case of a 76-year-old female patient with oesophageal MPNST who presented with lymph node and distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, accounting for the second time only that this unusual presentation of this extremely uncommon disease has been reported. In our case, the course of disease was extremely aggressive which resulted in the second recorded death from this entity in the literature. The case presentation is followed by an extensive review of the world literature for the so far reported cases, aiming to highlight all relevant aspects such as demographics, clinical features, diagnostic assessment and findings, histological parameters, treatment and prognosis, and extract valuable previously unpublished conclusions for this rare entity. KEY WORDS: Lymph node metastasis, Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour, Malignant schwannoma, Neurogenic sarcoma, Oesophagus, S100.

Glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) expression in renal cell carcinoma.

Multidrug resistance correlates with unfavourable treatment outcomes in numerous cancers including renal cell carcinoma. The expression and clinical relevance of Glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), a multidrug resistance factor, in kidney tumors remain controversial. We analyzed the expression of GST-pi in 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded renal cell carcinoma samples by immunohistochemistry and compared them with matched normal regions of the kidney. A significantly higher expression of GST-pi was observed in 87% of clear cell carcinoma and 50% of papillary subtypes. GST-pi expression did not correlate with tumor grade or patient survival. GST-pi is unlikely to be a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma. However, further studies with large number of samples are warranted to establish the role of GST-pi, if any, in intrinsic or acquired resistance of renal cell carcinoma to conventional treatments.