Effect of radiochemotherapy on peripheral immune response in glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary brain tumor with a dismal prognosis, often resistant to immunotherapy and associated with immune suppression. This study aimed to assess the impact of steroids and Stupp-regimen treatment on peripheral blood immune parameters in GBM patients and their association with outcomes. METHODS: Using cytometry panels and bioplex assays, we analyzed the immune phenotype and serum cytokines of 54 GBM patients and 21 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: GBM patients exhibited decreased lymphoid cell numbers (CD4, CD8 T cells, NKT cells) with heightened immune checkpoint expression and increased myeloid cell numbers (especially neutrophils), along with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Steroid use decreased T and NK cell numbers, while radio-chemotherapy led to decreased lymphoid cell numbers, increased myeloid cell numbers, and heightened immune checkpoint expression. Certain immune cell subsets were identified as potential outcome predictors. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings shed light on the peripheral immune landscape in GBM, emphasizing the immunosuppressive effects of treatment. Baseline immune parameters may serve as prognostic indicators for treatment response.

Intradural extramedullary metastasis of oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland: A first case report and review of the literature.

We present an extremely infrequent case of intradural metastasis of a parotid tumour, responsible for motor deficit in legs. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an intradural metastasis of a malignant and rare parotid tumour, oncocytic carcinoma. It accounts for less than 1% of salivary gland tumours. Its management is not codified and its prognosis seems to be poor. Local recurrences are common, as are regional metastases. Distant metastases are present in less than 30% of cases and are poorly described, mainly involving the lung. Thanks to the surgical treatment, our patient has partially recovered his motor and sensory functions.

Efficacy of Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab in Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiform: A Real-life Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bevacizumab and chemotherapy are used in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) relapse. However, the choice of chemotherapeutic agent remains an open question and this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different combinations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2005 and August 2020, all patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (BVZ) for recurrent glioblastoma in the Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France were included in this retrospective comparative study. The primary objective was progression-free survival (PFS) and as secondary objectives, overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), and safety were investigated. Factors associated with response were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were screened: 100 received fotemustine plus BVZ (62%) and 62 (38%) received another cytotoxic agent plus BVZ: 35 (22%) irinotecan (IRI), 18 (11%) temozolomide (TEM), and 7 (4%) lomustine (LOM). In the whole population, median PFS was 4.47 months, median OS was 9 months, and 3-month DCR was 51%. Regarding survival according to treatment, median OS was significantly lower in the fotemustine group compared to that in other cytotoxic agents: 7.3 vs. 19.9 months. In the fotemustine group, steroids use at baseline and low Karnofsky performance status were associated with poor median OS. Grade 3-4 adverse events were found in 21.9%, with no difference between groups, but 7 patients had grade 5 adverse events in the fotemustine group. CONCLUSION: Using real-life data, this study showed lower efficacy of fotemustine and bevacizumab, as compared to IRI or TEM or LOM-BVZ combinations.

Peripapillary Microvascularization Analysis Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Optic Chiasmal Compression.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vessel density (VD) of the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) "en face" images of eyes with chiasmal compression caused by brain tumors before and after decompressive surgery compared with healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 patients with chiasmal compression confirmed by neuroimaging. Sixteen healthy participants were also included. All patients with chiasmal compression underwent a neuro-ophthalmological examination one week before and 6 months after brain surgery, including static automated perimetry as well as measurement of the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell complex (GCC) with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Based on this neuro-ophthalmological examination, the presence of an optic neuropathy (ON) was evaluated. Peripapillary VD was obtained in four sectors on a 6 × 6 mm SS-OCTA image using the Cirrus Plex Elite 9000. RESULTS: Baseline average VD was significantly lower in patients with chiasmal compression and ON than in controls (median: 55.62; interquartile range (IQR): 2.96 vs. 58.53; IQR: 2.02; p=0.003). This decrease was also found in the temporal, superior, and nasal sectors. Average postoperative VD was decreased in patients with chiasmal compression compared with average preoperative VD (median: 56.16; IQR: 4.07 vs. 57.48; IQR: 3.83; p=0.004). Preoperative VD was significantly correlated with RNFL, GCC thickness, and visual field defects. CONCLUSIONS: The VD of the RPC network was decreased in chiasmal compressive ON, and it was further decreased at 6 months after decompressive surgery.

Extreme Lateral Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach: Surgical Anatomy and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: The extreme lateral supracerebellar infratentorial (ELSI) approach has the potential to access several distinct anatomical regions that are otherwise difficult to reach. We have illustrated the surgical anatomy through cadaveric dissections and provided an extensive review of the literature to highlight the versatility of this approach, its limits, and comparisons with alternative approaches. METHODS: The surgical anatomy of the ELSI has been described using 1 adult-injected cadaveric head. Formalized noninjected brain specimens were also dissected to describe the brain parenchymal anatomy of the region. An extensive review of the literature was performed according to each targeted anatomical region. Illustrative cases are also presented. RESULTS: The ELSI approach allows for wide exposure of the middle and posterolateral incisural spaces with direct access to centrally located intra-axial structures such as the splenium, pulvinar, brainstem, and mesial temporal lobe. In addition, for skull base extra-axial tumors such as petroclival meningiomas, the ELSI approach represents a rapid and adequate method of access without the use of extensive skull base approaches. CONCLUSIONS: The ELSI approach represents one of the most versatile approaches with respect to its ability to address several anatomical regions centered at the posterior and middle incisural spaces. For intra-axial pathologies, the approach allows for access to the central core of the brain with several advantages compared with alternate approaches that frequently involve significant brain retraction and cortical incisions. In specific cases of skull base lesions, the ELSI approach is an elegant alternative to traditionally used skull base approaches, thereby avoiding approach-related morbidity.

One-year follow-up for type II odontoid process fractures in octogenarians: Is there a place for surgical management?

BACKGROUND: Type II odontoid fractures are becoming one of the most common injuries among elderly patients and are associated with increased morbidity rates. Here, we compared the safety/efficacy of conservative versus surgical treatment for type II C2 fractures and, in particular, evaluated the complications, hospital lengths of stay, and mortality rates for patients over 80 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 63 nonsurgically versus 18 surgically treated C2 fractures in patients over 80 years of age (2003-2018). Cervical computed tomography images, X-rays, and magnetic resonance images were reviewed by both a neurosurgeon and a neuroradiologist. The following patient data were included in the analysis; Glasgow Coma Scale score, injury severity score, the abbreviated injury scale scores, their comorbidities (e.g., utilizing the Charlson comorbidity index), their primary outcomes, and mortality rates (e.g., at 6 weeks and 1 year after treatment). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included in the study; 63 were treated conservatively and 18 underwent surgical management of type II C2 fractures. Patients averaged 87.0 ± 5.0 years of age, and their combined mortality rates were 13.6% at 6 weeks and 25.9% at 1 year. Notably, at 1 year, the mortality rates were not statistically different between the two groups: 18 (30.0%) patients from the conservatively treated group versus 3 (16.7%) patients from the surgically managed patients died indicating (e.g., using the Kaplan-Meier analysis) no survival advantage for either treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: Surgical versus conservative management of type II odontoid fractures were associated with comparable high mortality rates at 1 year.

Cisternostomy for Refractory Posttraumatic Intracranial Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The current surgical treatment of choice for refractory intracranial hypertension after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is decompressive craniectomy. Despite efficacy in control of intracranial pressure (ICP), its contribution to an improved outcome is debatable. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a case of refractory intracranial hypertension successfully managed with cisternostomy. The rationale for this surgical technique is discussed, with a focus on the pathophysiologic processes underlying elevated ICP and its improvement after surgery. CONCLUSION: Cisternostomy proved to have an immediate effect in controlling ICP and improving brain oxygenation and metabolism.