Are the Radiological and Molecular Features of Pediatric Medulloblastomas Valuable Prognostic Indicators? A 10-Year Retrospective Review in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in the pediatric population. Based on the idea that tumors with identical radio-genomic features should behave similarly, the 4 molecular subtypes are now widely accepted as a guide for the management and prognosis. The radiological features of medulloblastomas can predict the molecular subtype; thus, anticipating the subsequent disease progression. However, this has not been evaluated comprehensively. We aim to thoroughly study the association between the molecular subtypes and radiological features of medulloblastomas. Moreover, we aim to investigate the efficacy of this correlation with the use of progression-free survival and 5-year survival rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for all histopathological confirmed medulloblastomas in pediatric patients (<16 years old) that were operated on in Kuwait over the past ten years (n = 44). The radiological, histological, and molecular characteristics were justifiably evaluated and analyzed in our sample. RESULTS: The overall progression-free survival after one year was noticed among 27 cases (≈44%) and the nonspecific 5-year survival was seen in 31 cases (≈70%) after a 5-year follow-up. Sonic Hedgehog and Wingless had the best outcomes, while group 3 showed the worst outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings did not support the association between most of the typical magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and survival rate. We further established that Sonic Hedgehog and Wingless biological types have a better prognosis. There was no association observed between the radiographic features, specifically the location, and the molecular subtype.

Progress in neurosurgery: Contributions of women neurosurgeons in the Middle East.

The Middle East is known for its complex history and rich environment and culture. The region is home to a wide variety of traditions, cultures and religions, which have made the area vulnerable to political conflicts. Despite these difficulties, science and medicine have always thrived in the region, with many medical practices and principles established by physicians and scholars living in the Middle East. The first academic neurosurgical activity in the region started in the 1950s. The first women neurosurgeons in the Middle East started training in the 1970s, and were from Iran, Palestine, followed by Saudi Arabia in the 1970s. These pioneers have encountered serious challenges, yet have become role models for the next generation. These women have paved the way and facilitated neurosurgical training and practice for more women surgeons. The gradual increase in the number of women neurosurgical residents in the region leads to the expectation that women will play a more prominent role in the future as leaders in neurosurgery in the Middle East. This collaborative study, which identifies the known women neurosurgeons in the Middle East for the first time, may serve to provide background and context for further contributions of women neurosurgeons for our profession and our patients.

A case of a spinal epidural capillary hemangioma: case report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Spinal hemangiomas usually arise from the vertebral body. Epidural hemangiomas are rare lesions, and most reported cases are cavernous. We report a case of a capillary hemangioma in the thoracic epidural space. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The 57-year-old male patient initially presented with low thoracic spine pain. A magnetic resonance image of the thoracolumbar spine demonstrated an avidly enhancing epidural mass lesion in the lower thoracic spine with extension into the adjacent foramina at 2 levels on the right side. The patient developed progressive myelopathy over the course of 2.5 years despite minimal radiological changes. Surgical treatment resulted in good recovery. Histopathologically, the lesion corresponded to a vascular tumor composed of vessels of various calibers with fibrous septa between them. CONCLUSION: Early treatment of this type of lesion should be advocated to prevent deterioration and permanent neurological deficits. Appropriate treatment appears to be gross total resection.

Memory outcome after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: corticoamygdalohippocampectomy versus selective amygdalohippocampectomy.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to compare IQ and memory outcomes at the 1-year follow-up in patients with medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis. All patients were treated using a corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH) or a selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH). METHODS: The data of 256 patients who underwent surgery for MTLE were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred twenty-three patients underwent a CAH (63 [right side] and 60 [left side]), and 133 underwent an SelAH (61 [right side] and 72 [left side]). A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was assessed before and 1 year after surgery, and the results were compared between the surgical procedures. Furthermore, seizure outcome was compared using the Engel classification scheme. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference between the surgical approaches with respect to seizure outcome. Overall, IQ scores showed improvement, but verbal IQ decreased after left SelAH. Verbal memory impairment was seen after left-sided resections especially in cases of SelAH, and nonverbal memory decreased after right-sided resection, especially for CAH. Left-sided resections produced some improvement in nonverbal memory. Older age at surgery, longer duration of seizures, greater seizure frequency before surgery, and poor seizure control after surgery were associated with poorer memory. CONCLUSIONS: Both CAH and SelAH can lead to several cognitive impairments depending on the side of the surgery. The authors suggest that the optimal type of surgical approach should be decided on a case-by-case basis.