Computed tomography-guided frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy of non-enhancing lesions using indirect evidence of target selection, technical consideration, and early clinical experience.

Background: The objective was to study the effectiveness and diagnostic outcome of frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy (STB) done for contrast non-enhancing lesions using indirect evidence of target selection observed in a plain computed tomography (CT) scan of the head. Methods: Data of patients with contrast non-enhancing brain lesions who underwent STB are collected retrospectively from NIMHANS Bangalore, hospital neurosurgery database from January 2021 to March 2023. Those cases subjected to plain CT scans after fixing the stereotactic frame to the head were included in the study. A final histopathological report analysis of these cases was done to assess the diagnostic accuracy. Results: A total of 27 such cases were biopsied. The mean age of subjects was 44.04 ± 17.812 years. Most subjects were in the age group 31-40 years (29.6%). About 55.6% were male and 44.4% were female. The most common site of biopsy was the frontal lobe. The most common indirect evidence on CT was perilesional edema at 33.3% and periventricular location at 33.3%, followed by intralesional calcification at 11.1%. Our diagnostic accuracy was 92.59%. The asymptomatic hemorrhage rate was 2%, and an increase in perilesional edema was seen in 2% of cases. Conclusion: Indirect targeting is a safe and intuitive method for biopsy of contrast non-enhancing lesions. Due consideration is to be given to various findings visible in non-contrast CT scans of the head as indirect evidence of target selection while performing frame-based STB of contrast non-enhancing lesions. This method will also be helpful in resource-limited centers, especially in low-income countries.

Facial Nerve Preserving Subtotal Excision for Large Vestibular Schwannoma: An Institution-Based Functional Outcome Study.

BACKGROUND: The ideal goal of treatment for medium to large vestibular schwannoma is complete tumor removal with preservation of all cranial nerves. However, despite the advancements in microsurgery and intraoperative monitoring, the risk of facial nerve dysfunction following total resection varies between 31% and 57%. Currently, the goal of treatment for large tumors is shifting from total excision to facial nerve preservation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the facial nerve outcome in patients who underwent subtotal excision with or without subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery for large vestibular schwannomas in our institute. METHODS AND MATERIAL: All patients who underwent primary surgery for large vestibular schwannomas between January 2012 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Cases where total excision was not done and a residue was left behind to prevent facial nerve injury during surgery were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. At final follow-up, 70% of patients had good facial nerve function (H-B grade 1 and 2). In patients with normal facial nerve function preoperatively, 81% (25/31) of them had good facial nerve outcomes (H-B grade 1 and 2), whereas in patients with preexisting facial nerve deficits, nearly 62% (13/21) of them either maintained or had improvement in their facial nerve grades. CONCLUSION: Good facial nerve outcomes and tumor control rate is obtained by subtotal excision of VS followed by upfront or delayed GKRS; however, there is a need for long-term follow-up to detect recurrences in these slow-growing tumors.

Surgical outcome of sinodural meningiomas.

INTRODUCTION: Meningiomas located in the posterior fossa and involving the sinodural angle at the junction of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses are uncommon and present unique challenges due to their complex anatomical location. Despite their distinctive features, they are frequently categorized with tentorial meningiomas in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care center involved 64 patients with sinodural meningiomas who underwent surgical treatment between 2010 and 2023. The analysis covered demographics, clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, surgical approaches, histopathological findings, and outcomes. RESULTS: The cohort predominantly comprised females (83 %) with a mean age of 47.64 years. Headache (92.2 %) and gait disturbances (62.5 %) were the most common presenting symptoms. Preoperative imaging showed sinus involvement in 57.8 % of cases, predominating Sindou's type 1 and type 6. Gross total resection (Simpson grades 1-2) was achieved in 40.6 % of cases. Postoperative complications included pseudomeningocele (9.4 %), especially in patients with hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: Sinodural meningiomas represent a distinct subset of posterior fossa tumors, necessitating meticulous preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making regarding sinus management. The study underscores the importance of individualized surgical strategies and highlights the role of radiosurgery in managing residual disease effectively.

Thalamic H3K27M altered diffuse midline gliomas: Clinicopathological and outcome analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a relatively new entity which was introduced in the fourth edition of the WHO classification of CNS tumours in 2016 and later underwent revision in 2021. It is an infiltrative glioma arising from midline structures, viz., thalamus, spine, and brainstem. Current literature on DMG is based majorly on brainstem lesions, and DMGs arising elsewhere remain unexplored. In our study, we have discussed our experience with thalamic DMGs. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective observational study of all patients with histopathologically proven DMG H3K27M altered, arising in the thalamus from 2018 to 2022. Clinical, neuroimaging, and pathology were re-reviewed, and prognostic factors for 3 months, 6 months, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed for all patients. RESULTS: There were 89 patients- 64 adults and 25 pediatric patients with thalamic DMG. The median age at presentation was 24 years. Raised ICP followed by limb weakness were the most common presenting complaints. Stereotactic biopsy was performed in 64 (71.9 %) patients and surgical decompression in 25 (28.1 %) patients. CSF diversion was required in 53 (59.6 %) patients. Median survival was 8 months in adults and 7 months in pediatric (p-value: 0.51). Raised ICP and TP53 mutation were prognostic factors in pediatric population. Radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy improved survival (p-value- <0.01). CONCLUSION: Thalamic DMGs have a poor prognosis which is comparable to brainstem DMGs. Radiotherapy improves survival in these patients. However, the disease remains an enigma and further work delving into its molecular characterization should be encouraged.

Management of intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease: An institutional experience.

OBJECTIVE: Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign proliferative disorder of histiocytes. The study discusses the intracranial RDD approach, its management, and its outcome. METHODS: It is a retrospective study performed in a tertiary center, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bangalore, from January 2010 to December 2022. The biopsy-proven patients of RDD were recruited in the present cohort. Demographic and surgical details were collected from the record section, and radiology was collected from the internal storage system. Follow-up assessments were done clinically and telephonically. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients matched the criteria. The mean age was 32 ± 13.4 years, with male predominance. We have included only cranial cases (N=25). Among the intracranial lesions, 5/25 (20 %) patients had multicentric lesions. All the lesions were avidly enhancing on contrast, and 16 (64 %) lesions were hypointense on T2. Perilesional edema (T2/Flair hyperintensities in the surrounding white matter) was seen in 12 (48 %) patients. Gross total resection (GTR) was carried out in six (24 %) cases. Sub-total resection was in 14 (56 %), and biopsy was in five cases (20 %). Nineteen patients received adjuvant therapy, either only steroid (40 %), only low-dose radiotherapy (16 %), only Chemotherapy (4 %), or a combination of both. At follow-up,44 % of patients had stable disease,28 % had primary disease or recurrence growth, and regression in 12 % of cases. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that surgical resection is an effective therapy for treating isolated intracranial RDD. Adjuvant therapy is an add-on treatment for skull base locations in multicentric locations or surgically inaccessible locations.

Huge hydrocephalus: a rare case series with insights into management and outcomes of this neglected cohort.

PURPOSE: This study aims to discuss the management challenges of huge hydrocephalus (HH), a severe subset of hydrocephalus, presenting predominantly in underprivileged backgrounds. Insights into the condition's characteristics, factors affecting outcomes, and associated morbidity are discussed. METHODS: A retrospective review of all operated cases of hydrocephalus with head circumference greater than body length (HC>L) was conducted (January 2019-January 2023). Data on epidemiological parameters, associated cranial abnormalities, cortical mantle thickness, peri-conceptional folic acid intake, surgical interventions, age-appropriate milestones, and complications were collected. Follow-up was conducted for at least 12 months or until expiration. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 7 males and 5 females with age ranging from 3 to 48 months. 33% of them had associated neurological abnormalities, and 18 surgical interventions were needed for these 12 cases, including ventriculoperitoneal shunt or endoscopic diversion. A 17% wound breakdown rate requiring re-suturing was present, and 33% of cases had postoperative CSF infection, with 33% mortality, with only one case having age-appropriate development seen. The average hospital stay was 11.9 days, six times our center's average. All cases with an Evans index with an average of 0.7 expired within 12 months. None of the 12 mothers took peri-conceptional folic acid, and no case agreed to reduction cranioplasty. CONCLUSION: Huge hydrocephalus is a rare cohort with significant management challenges and poor prognosis even after treatment. Factors such as delayed intervention and low socioeconomic status contribute to adverse outcomes. Prevention through peri-conceptual folic acid intake and addressing socioeconomic disparities is crucial in reducing disease burden and improving prognosis.

Factors predicting recurrence in benign spinal nerve sheath tumors: A retrospective study of 457 patients from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Benign Nerve sheath tumors (NST) comprise almost one-third of primary spinal tumours. The majority are sporadic. They have low rates of recurrence but an occasional recurrence may need re-surgery. The present study was designed to identify the variables that can predict the risk of their recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done including all the histologically proven benign spinal NSTs operated between 2001 and 2019 in our institute. Demographic, operative and postoperative follow-up data were recorded. Recurrence was defined as local reappearance after definite surgical excision or symptomatic increase in size of a residual tumour on follow-up imaging studies. Statistical analysis was done to determine the significant variables associated with local recurrence. RESULTS: 457 patients with a median age of 38 years operated for 459 NSTs qualified for the study. The most frequent location of occurrence of tumours was found to be Low Cervical level (C3-C7 levels). Majority of Schwannoma were located intradurally while Neurofibroma were dumb-bell shaped and extradural. Most of the tumours had solid consistency. Post operatively, 7.7% patients developed complications. 7.8% tumours developed local recurrence after median period of 12 months. The patients developing recurrence were younger compared to nonrecurring tumors. On univariate analysis, male gender, Low cervical and Cervicothoracic junction location were associated with higher recurrence. On multivariate analysis, location at Cervicothoracic junction reached significance. CONCLUSION: Overall recurrence risk among all NST was 7.8% with a median progression free survival of 36 months. The location of tumour at cervicothoracic location was the significant risk factors for recurrence of tumour in our study.

The Use of Retraction Sutures in End-To-Side Microvascular Anastomosis-A Novel Technical Innovation in Experimental Rat Femoral Model with Successful Use in STA-MCA Bypass in Moyamoya Disease.

BACKGROUND: A narrow working space, small diameters, and the tendency to collapse with clamps make cerebral microvascular anastomosis challenging. A retraction suture (RS) is a novel technique to keep the recipient vessel lumen open during the bypass. OBJECTIVE: To provide a step-by-step overview of RS for end-to-side (ES) microvascular anastomosis on rat femoral vessels and successful use for superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass in Moyamoya disease patients. METHODS: A prospective experimental study with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Femoral vessels ES anastomoses were performed on Sprague Daley rats. The rat model used 3 types of RS (adventitial, luminal, and flap RSs). An ES-interrupted anastomosis was done. The rats were observed for an average period of 16.18 ± 5.65 days; the patency was assessed by reexploration. The immediate patency on the STA-MCA bypasses was confirmed with intraoperative indocyanine green angiography and micro-Doppler; delayed patency with magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography after 3-6 months. RESULTS: In the rat model, 45 anastomoses were performed, 15 each using the 3 subtypes. The immediate patency was 100%. Delayed patency was 42/43 (97.67%), and 2 rats died during observation. In the clinical series, 59 STA-MCA bypasses were done in 44 patients (average age, 18.14 ± 11.09 years) using RS. The follow-up imaging was available for 41/59 patients. Both immediate patency and delayed patency (41/41 at 6 months) were 100%. CONCLUSION: The RS allows continuous visualization of the vessel lumen, reduces the handling of intimal edges, and avoids incorporating the back wall in sutures, thus improving anastomosis patency.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Partially Embolised Arteriovenous Malformations: Management Dilemmas and Outcomes.

Introduction: The role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in partially embolized arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has always remained a subject of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of GKRS in partially embolized AVMs and to analyze factor that influence its obliteration. Methods: This was a retrospective study from a single institute performed over a period of 12 years (2005-2017). It included all patients who underwent GKRS for partially embolized AVMs. Demographic characteristics, treatment profiles, and clinical and radiological data were obtained during treatment and follow-up. Obliteration rates and factors affecting the same were sought and analyzed. Results: A total of 46 patients with a mean age of 30 years (range: 9-60 years) were included in the study. Follow-up imaging was available for 35 patients either by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We found complete AVM obliteration in 21 patients (60%): one had near total obliteration (>90% obliteration), 12 had subtotal obliteration (<90%), and one had no change in the volume following GKRS. Following embolization alone, an average of 67% of the AVM volume was obliterated which resulted in an average 79% final obliteration rate after Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Mean duration to complete obliteration was found to be 3.45 years (range: 1-10 years). There was a significant difference (P = 0.04) in the mean interval between embolization and GKRS among cases with complete obliteration (12 months) and those with incomplete obliteration (36 months). There was no significant difference (P = 0.49) in the average obliteration rate between the ARUBA-eligible unruptured AVMs (79.22%) and ruptured AVMs (79.04%). Bleeding after GKRS during the latency period had a negative impact on obliteration (P = 0.05). Other factors like age, sex, Spetzler-Martin (SM)-grade, Pollock Flickinger score (PF-score), nidus volume, radiation dose, or presentation before embolization had no significant influence on obliteration. Three patients had permanent neurological deficits after embolization and none after radiosurgery. Six out of nine patients (66%) presenting with seizures were seizure-free after the treatment. Hemorrhage was noted in three patients following combined treatment and were managed non-surgically. Conclusion: Obliteration rates in partially embolized AVM after Gamma Knife are inferior when compared to Gamma Knife alone; moreover with volume staging and/or dose staging being increasingly plausible due to the new ICON machine, embolization may be completely replaced. However we have shown that in complicated and carefully chosen AVMs, embolization followed by GKRS is a valid modality of management. This study represents a real-world picture of individualized AVM treatment depending on patient choices and resources available.

Histopathological Validation of Microvascular Anastomosis using Two-Throw Reef Knots - An Experimental Study.

Background: Knot configuration is an important but relatively neglected topic in microvascular anastomosis literature. Objective: To study the differences between end-to-end microvascular anastomosis performed with two-throw reef knots as compared to traditional three-throw knots in a rat femoral artery model at the histological level. Material and Methods: Sprague Dawley rats underwent end-to-end microvascular anastomosis of the right femoral artery (one-way-up method). The rats were divided into two groups: two-throw reef knots versus traditional three-throw knots. The patency was checked by the standard empty refill method. After 2 weeks, the rats underwent re-exploration. An anastomotic segment was sent for histological analysis. Histological alterations including luminal patency and changes in Tunica intima, Tunica media, and Tunica adventitia were compared between the two groups. Results: Twenty-nine rats were operated on by the senior author (17 by three-throw and 12 by two-throw reef knots). In the two-throw reef knot group versus the traditional three-throw knot group, the immediate patency rates were 100% versus 82.4%, and the delayed patency rates were 90.9% versus 62.5%, respectively. The histopathological patency rates were concordant with delayed patency rates. Subintimal proliferation and fibrosis were comparable in both groups. Adventitial granulomas were noted in all, irrespective of the knotting technique. Tunica media preservation rates for the two-throw reef knot versus the traditional three-throw knot group were 63.6% versus 0%. Five rats were operated by the beginner in the field, all by two-throw reef knots (to assess the safety of this new method in the hands of a beginner). Conclusion: Microvascular anastomosis performed with two-throw reef knots appears not only feasible but better in terms of anastomosis patency. Histological superiority in terms of Tunica media preservation further validates the technique.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Large Vestibular Schwannoma More Than 10 cm 3 : A Single-Center Indian Study.

Introduction Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is an effective treatment for benign vestibular schwannomas (VSs). The established cutoffs have recently been challenged, as recent literature expanded the horizon of GKRS to larger tumors. Even though microsurgery remains the primary option for large VS, GKRS can provide reasonable tumor control and is more likely to avoid cranial neuropathies associated with open surgery. Methods We analyzed patients with VS with volume exceeding 10 cm 3 who underwent GKRS at our center from January 2006 to December 2016. Clinicoradiological and radiosurgical data were collected from medical records for statistical analysis. Follow-up was performed every 6 months with a clinical assessment along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and audiometric evaluation in patients with serviceable hearing. Results The study included 34 patients (18 males and 16 females) with an average age of 45.5 years. The mean tumor volume was 10.9 cm 3 (standard deviation [SD], ± 0.83), with a median tumor dose of 12 Gy (interquartile range, 11.5-12) and a mean follow-up of 34.7 months (SD, ± 23.8). Tumor response was graded as regression in 50%, stable in 44.1%, and increase or GKRS failure in 2 cases (5.8%). Treatment failure was noted in five cases (14.7%), requiring microsurgical excision and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt post-GKRS. The tumor control rate for the cohort is 85.3%, with a facial preservation rate of 96% (24/25) and hearing loss in all (5/5), while three patients developed new-onset hypoesthesia. We noted that gait ataxia and involvement of cranial nerve V or VII at initial presentation were associated with GKRS failure in univariate analysis. Conclusion Microsurgery should remain the first-choice treatment option for large VSs. GKRS is a viable alternative with good tumor control and improved or stabilized cranial neuropathies with a low complication rate.

What Happens after Therapy? Quality of Life and Neurocognitive Functions of Children with Malignant Posterior Fossa Tumors after Adjuvant Therapy.

PURPOSE: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important endpoint in modern clinical practice with improved survival of pediatric posterior fossa malignant brain tumors (PFMBTs). We evaluated the effect of environmental and psychosocial milieu on QoL and cognitive functioning (CF) of Indian children with PFMBT. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 47 children <18 years of age with medulloblastoma or anaplastic ependymoma were evaluated ≥6 months after completion of adjuvant therapy. All clinical and socioeconomic details, educational status of child and family members, socioeconomic status, environmental factors affecting QoL were documented. Children underwent HRQoL evaluation using Pediatric quality of life Inventory (PedsQL) questionnaire and neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS: The median age of the cohort at presentation was 7 years (1-18) and median duration of evaluation after adjuvant therapy was 16 months. In 47 families, 72.34% had low monthly income and 76.6% of mothers took formal education. QoL scores were above median values. Parents reported scores highlighted that Lansky performance score (P = 0.001) and maternal education (P = 0.043) significantly influenced the cognitive component of QoL. Twenty-seven children had below-average IQ. Young age at presentation (P = 0.020), maternal education (P = 0.032), high socioeconomic status (P = 0.001) influenced the IQ score. Even though the majority of children (57.44%) had below-average IQ, they had a score of more than 50 on the cognitive functioning scale. A total of 72.5% of the eligible children in our cohort went back to school following therapy, though often with a delay of one academic year. CONCLUSIONS: Overall cognitive functioning scores of these children are good, but they are not representative of actual neurocognitive tasks based performance or IQ scores. Children should remain under regular follow-up with a neurocognitive assessment and psychological counseling at regular intervals.

Toe-First Technique for End to Side Microvascular Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: The use of the classic 2-ends anchoring technique is common in end-to side (ES) microvascular anastomosis. The literature on the toe-first (TF) technique is limited. In the current study we present the successful outcomes with the TF technique in ES anastomoses in rat femoral vessels model. METHODS: ES microvascular anastomosis with the tf technique was performed in the femoral vessels of 10 Sprague Dawley rats. Two-throw reef knot interrupted sutures were used in all cases. Individual parameters during the procedure were recorded for analysis. The immediate and delayed (cut open technique after 2 weeks) patencies were confirmed. An illustrative case showing the use of this technique in superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass in a pediatric moyamoya disease case is included. RESULTS: The average suturing time was 40.14 ± 5.30 minutes, the procedures were completed with an average of 14.57 ± 1.90 sutures. The average time per suture was 2.78 ± 0.43 minutes. The immediate patency was 100% (10 of 10 cases). Two rats died of unknown cause in the observation period. The delayed patency was 100% in the remaining 8 cases (average observation: 29.6 days). CONCLUSIONS: The TF interrupted suture technique of ES microvascular anastomosis with 2-throw reef knots is feasible with excellent immediate and delayed patency rates. The distinct advantages of the TF are the continuous visualization of the recipient lumen during anastomoses, avoiding back-wall bites, and the ability to correct any discrepancy in the recipient-donor lumens during the procedure.

"Neuroimaging in ethambutol induced optic neuropathy: MRI in time can save the vision".

Ethambutol is an integral part of Antitubercular therapy (ATT) and is often associated with optic neuropathy, However, neuroimaging of ethambutol induced optic neuropathy has been sparsely reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 45-year male patient, diagnosed as Tuberculous spondylodiscitis and was on ATT. Four months after ATT initiation, he presented with visual blurring in both the eyes with bitemporal hemianopia and central scotomas. Visual evoked potential (VEP) revealed prolonged latencies in N75 and P100 waveforms bilaterally. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed optic chiasma and bilateral optic tract hyperintensities on 3D Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) and 3D Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) sequences. Ethambutol was discontinued immediately. On follow-up after 8 weeks, visual acuity reversed back to normal in both eyes.

Endoscopic intervention for intraventricular neurocysticercal cyst: Challenges and outcome analysis from a single institute experience.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic intervention is presently proposed as standard approach for the treatment of Intraventricular neurocysticercal cyst (IVNCC) as it helps to retrieve the cyst as well as CSF diversion. We present our series of 61 patients with IVNCC managed by endoscopic intervention and analyze the outcome. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 61 patients with IVNCC managed between 1998-2019 at our institute was performed. We reviewed the clinical details of consecutive patients, management, and outcome. RESULTS: There were 61 patients with 34 males and 27 females. The mean age was 25 years. Fourth ventricular location is the most common (n = 34) followed by third ventricle(n = 14) and lateral ventricle (n = 13). Cyst retrieval could be done in 43 cases, while the cyst could not be retrieved in 18 cases due to intraventricular bleed, CSF turbidity, adhesion of cyst wall etc. Along with cyst retrieval, some patients underwent Endoscopic Third ventriculostomy, septostomy, foraminotomy for internal CSF diversion. Seven patients had a preoperative VP shunt surgery. The median follow-up was 12 months. Preoperative shunt (CI:1.33-62, P = 0.02) was associated with failure of cyst retrieval in univariate analysis as well as in multivariate regression analysis (CI: 0.02-0.94, P = 0.04). Two patients underwent shunt surgery at follow-up period due to the failure of endoscopic CSF diversion. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic management of IVNCC is a safe and effective management option, avoiding an indwelling shunt system. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy should be considered for patients with IVNCC and hydrocephalus.

Ozagrel for Postoperative Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhages.

BACKGROUND: A number of pharmacological agents have been tried to circumvent the problem of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) with ozagrel sodium being one such agent aimed at the prevention of DCI. Ozagrel is an inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase. It has anti-platelet aggregation action and it dilates vessels. Ozagrel was not available outside Japan till recently. It is available now in India and we had the opportunity to use it among patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). AIMS: To analyse the results of ozagrel administration for patients with aneurysmal SAH. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Tertiary care neurosurgical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the outcomes of patients who received ozagrel after microsurgical cllipping of aneurysm and comparison with a control grpup who received treatment as usual. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The t-test (two-tailed), Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U-test asymptomatic significance (two-tailed), were used respectively for continuous, categorical, and ordinal variables. The significance was determined at P = 0.05 level. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients underwent surgical clipping of their ruptured intracranial aneurysms over a period of 22 months. Forty two (39.6%) patients received ozagrel, and 62 (60.4%) received the standard treatment. Ozagrel was started at a median of one [interquartile range (IQR) 0.75] day after the surgery, and was given for a median of five (IQR 5) days after the surgery. There was no difference in age, postictal days, World Federation Neurosurgical Society grade, Fisher grade, and the size of ruptured aneurysm in patients who received ozagrel compared to the patients who did not receive ozagrel. Of the 42 patients who received ozagrel, 30 patients (71.4%) had preoperative angiographic vasospasm which improved after the administration of ozagrel. Fifteen (35.5%) patients who received ozagrel developed delayed cerebral ischemia compared to only 11 (17.2%) patients who did not receive ozagrel. Thirty-six (85.7%) patients who received ozagrel had favorable outcome at discharge compared to 52 (81.3%) patients who did not receive ozagrel. No adverse event was observed with ozagrel therapy. At 3-month follow-up, 37 patients (88.1%) who received ozagrel had favorable outcomes against 53 patients (82.8%) who did not receive ozagrel. CONCLUSION: Ozagrel may be a useful drug in the armamentarium to treat vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH. A future multicenter large cohort study may validate the findings of our study.

H3K27M, IDH1, and ATRX expression in pediatric GBM and their clinical and prognostic significance.

PURPOSE: Pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) tumors have been identified as an entity distinct and different from the adult variety of GBM not only with respect to pathogenesis, genetics, and molecular alterations but also in clinical outcomes and overall survival. This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical profile of molecular markers in pediatric GBM and correlate them with clinical features and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 29 pGBMs (age range 3 to 18 years), operated at our institute between 2009 and 2014, and evaluated their clinical and histopathological features along with the immunohistochemical expression of clinically relevant molecular markers: H3K27M, p53, ATRX, and IDH1 (R132H), and correlated their expression with clinical features. We further assessed the prognostic value of these markers in our cohort of patients. RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) of the cohort was 6.00 ± 0.882 months. The mean overall survival was 7.571 ± 1.118 months which was lower than in most studies. Preoperative Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), extent of surgical resection, and adjuvant radiotherapy were found to be the clinical factors strongly influencing median survival (p < 0.05). Loss of ATRX expression was predominantly noted in hemispheric tumors (84%), while p53 staining was maximum in thalamic tumors (8 out of 9 cases). H3K27M mutant protein expression was noted in 8/9 thalamic tumors and 5/7 tumors in the brain stem-cerebellar-peduncular region. Patients with tumors showing H3K27M immunopositivity had the worst prognosis with a mean OS of 5 months ± 0.832 months, as against patients with H3K27M-immunonegative tumors, which was 10.143 ± 1.866 months(p = 0.006). Other markers like p53, ATRX, and IDH1 did not influence the prognosis in this patient cohort. ATRX loss of expression was associated with a better OS, with a trend to significance, and such an association has not been reported earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Ours is one among the few studies from India describing the clinical parameters and evaluating the key immunohistochemical markers in pGBM and deriving their prognostic significance. The study reiterates the poor prognostic significance of H3K27M immunopositivity.

Cosmetic Outcome of Cranioplasty After Decompressive Craniectomy-An Overlooked Aspect.

BACKGROUND: Cranioplasty (CP) is an obligatory surgery after decompressive craniectomy (DC). The primary objective is to protect the brain from external injury and prevent syndrome of trephined. In a government hospital, such cases pose a significant burden to a trauma center. Because of this reason, cosmetic outcome is never taken into account for the CP. We present results of CP performed at our hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the cases of CP performed over the past 3 years at our hospital. The cosmetic outcome was divided into 3 grades: 1-good symmetrical, 2-irregularities, 2a-elevated and 2b depressed, and 3-bad cosmetic outcome requiring reoperation. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients with acute brain injury underwent CP during the study period. The outcome was good in 74 (55.6%) and bad, requiring reoperation, in 2 (1.5%) cases. Various types of the CP materials like autologous bone flap, titanium mesh, and customized titanium plates were used. Methods of fixation were threads or miniplates and screws. In univariate analysis, cerebral venous thrombosis as an indication for DC, use of autologous bone flap, and fixation with thread were associated with poor outcome. However, in multivariate analysis only the method of implant fixation was associated with poor outcome. It was found that if screws and plates are used for fixation of bone flap, the chances of bad outcome are reduced by 74.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The cosmetic outcome is overlooked for CP. The bone flap fixation has to be rigid for a good outcome.