Assessment of Gliomas' Grade of Malignancy and Extent of Resection Using Intraoperative Flow Cytometry.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative Flow Cytometry (iFC) is a novel technique for the assessment of the grade of malignancy and the diagnosis of tumor type and resection margins during solid tumor surgery. Herein, we set out to analyze the role of iFC in the grading of gliomas and the evaluation of resection margins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: iFC uses a fast cell cycle analysis protocol (Ioannina Protocol) that permits the analysis of tissue samples within 5-6 min. Cell cycle analysis evaluated the G0/G1 phase, S-phase, mitosis, and tumor index (S + mitosis phase fraction) and ploidy status. In the current study, we evaluated tumor samples and samples from the peripheral borders from patients with gliomas who underwent surgery over an 8-year period. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included in the study. There were sixty-eight glioblastoma cases, five anaplastic astrocytomas, two anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, one pilocytic astrocytoma, three oligodendrogliomas and two diffuse astrocytomas. High-grade gliomas had a significantly higher tumor index than low grade gliomas (median value 22 vs. 7.5, respectively, p = 0.002). Using ROC curve analysis, a cut-off value of 17% in the tumor index could differentiate low- from high-grade gliomas with a 61.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity. All low-grade gliomas were diploid. From the high-grade gliomas, 22 tumors were aneuploid. In glioblastomas, aneuploid tumors had a significantly higher tumor index (p = 0.0018). Twenty-three samples from glioma margins were evaluated. iFC verified the presence of malignant tissue in every case, using histology as the gold standard. CONCLUSION: iFC constitutes a promising intraoperative technique for glioma grading and resection margin assessment. Comparative studies with additional intraoperative adjuncts are necessary.

Intraoperative Flow Cytometry for the Evaluation of Meningioma Grade.

Meningiomas are the most frequent central nervous system tumors in adults. The majority of these tumors are benign. Nevertheless, the intraoperative identification of meningioma grade is important for modifying surgical strategy in order to reduce postoperative complications. Here, we set out to investigate the role of intraoperative flow cytometry for the differentiation of low-grade (grade 1) from high-grade (grade 2-3) meningiomas. The study included 59 patients. Intraoperative flow cytometry analysis was performed using the 'Ioannina Protocol' which evaluates the G0/G1 phase, S-phase, mitosis and tumor index (S + mitosis phase fraction) of a tumor sample. The results are available within 5 min of sample receipt. There were 41 grade 1, 15 grade 2 and 3 grade 3 meningiomas. High-grade meningiomas had significantly higher S-phase fraction, mitosis fraction and tumor index compared to low-grade meningiomas. High-grade meningiomas had significantly lower G0/G1 phase fraction compared to low-grade meningiomas. Thirty-eight tumors were diploids and twenty-one were aneuploids. No significant difference was found between ploidy status and meningioma grade. ROC analysis indicated 11.4% of tumor index as the optimal cutoff value thresholding the discrimination between low- and high-grade meningiomas with 90.2% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity. In conclusion, intraoperative flow cytometry permits the detection of high-grade meningiomas within 5 min. Thus, surgeons may modify tumor removal strategy.

Spontaneous epidural hematoma of the cervical spine in two patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is correlated with hematological abnormalities that can result in spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas (EDH). As there is significant risk for permanent neurologic sequelae due to acute cord compression, these lesions often warrant emergent surgical intervention. CASE DESCRIPTION: Two females, 56 and 62 years of age, respectively, both with sarcoidosis on corticosteroids, presented with the spontaneous acute onset of cervical pain, and progressive myeloradiculopathy. Emergent MR scans revealed cervical EDHs with cord compression, respectively, from C5-T1, and C6-C7. Following emergent laminectomies in both cases, patients' neurological deficits resolved. CONCLUSION: Two patients with sarcoidosis at increased risk for spontaneous hemorrhages, presented with cervical EDHs warranting emergent decompressive laminectomies.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictive biomarker for computed tomography scan use in mild traumatic brain injury.

Aim: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health concern. We set out to investigate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) at admission for predicting the need for computed tomography (CT) in mild-TBI. Materials & methods: A retrospective study of adult patients who presented with mild-TBI Results: One hundred and thirty patients met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-four patients had positive CT-findings. The mean NLR-levels at presentations were 5.6 ± 4.8. Patients with positive CT-findings had significant higher NLR-levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted and the threshold of NLR-levels for detecting the cases with positive CT-findings was 2.5, with 78.1% sensitivity and 63% specificity Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge no previous study has assessed the value of NLR-levels for predicting the need for CT in mild-TBI.

Blood Glucose Levels May Aid the Decision for CT Scan in Minor Head Trauma.

Traumatic brain injury has been associated with increased blood glucose levels. In the present study, we set out to investigate if blood glucose level in mild head trauma could predict the need for CT. One hundred fifty-nine patients with minor TBI (GCS 13-15) and a mean age of 44.8 ± 23.8 years were included in the study. The most common mechanism of trauma was falls. Patients with positive CT findings had significantly higher glucose levels than patients with negative CT findings. Using ROC curve analysis, serum glucose levels higher than 120 mg dl-1 were the optimal cutoff value for the detection of patients with positive CT findings with a sensitivity of 74.4% and a specificity of 90.7%. Serum glucose level evaluation at presentation in the emergency department may aid CT decision-making in mild TBI.