Fatores de prognóstico favorável em pacientes com glioblastoma / Favorable prognostic factors in patients with glioblastoma

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, os fatores que contribuem para o prognóstico favorável em pacientes com glioblastoma, de modo a fornecer dados que possam auxiliar no manejo desses pacientes. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica, dos últimos nove anos, nas bases de dados PubMed e Web of Science, utilizando os descritores "glioblastoma and prognostic factors". Aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 23 artigos, os quais foram utilizados no desenvolvimento do trabalho. As variáveis mais estudadas foram idade, Karnofsky Perfomance Scale pré-operatório tratamento cirúrgico, terapia adjuvante, extensão da doença, alterações genéticas e moleculares. Fatores clínicos, genéticos, aspectos do tumor e tratamento mostraram ser importantes para o melhor prognóstico desses pacientes. Dentre esses, apresentam maiores chances de melhoria os mais jovens, com bom estado de performance inicial Karnofsky Performance Scale pré-operatório, tumor único, unilateral, tratado com cirurgia de ressecção extensa e radioterapia e quimioterapia adjuvantes (inclusive se for idoso), e panorama genético molecular favorável (aumento da expressão de N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 em glioma em comparação com os tecidos normais do cérebro; hipermetilação do gene O6-metilguanina-metiltransferase; mutação Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 e ausência de expressão de Single-Stranded Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Binding Protein-2.

This review aims to identify protective factors that contribute to a favorable prognosis in patients with glioblastoma, and thereby provide data to best manage these patients. This is a systematic review of scientific articles published in the last nine years indexed in the databases PubMed and Web of Science, using the keywords "glioblastoma and prognostic factors". Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. The most studied variables were age, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale, surgical treatment, adjuvant therapy, extent of disease, and molecular/genetic changes. Tumor clinical, genetic, and treatment aspects proved to be important for a better prognosis. Patients with the best prognosis are young, have the best preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale, have a single unilateral tumor, are treated with surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy (even older people); and have favorable molecular/genetic features (high N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 expression in glioma compared with normal brain tissues; hypermethylation of O6-metilguaninametiltransferase gene; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 mutation; and absence of SingleStranded Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Binding Protein-2 expression).

Carotid siphon geometry and variants of the circle of Willis in the origin of carotid aneurysms / Geometria do sifão carotídeo e variantes do polígono de Willis na origem de aneurismas da carótida

This study evaluated anatomical variants in the carotid siphon and of the circle of Willis in patients with aneurysms. We performed a retrospective analysis of cerebral angiographies. The Control Group was composed of patients without aneurysms. Posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms were more common in women (p<0.05), and the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms in men (p<0.1). The incidence of fetal-type PcomA was higher in cases with co-occurring PcomA aneurysm (24 versus 8%, p<0.05). Patients with AcomA aneurysm had higher incidence of A1 hypoplasia (p<0.0001, OR=32.13, 95%CI 12.95-79.71) and lower frequency of fetal-type PcomA compared to their control counterparts (p=0.0125). The angle of carotid siphon was narrower in patients with PcomA aneurysm (27.3±19.1 versus 34.8±22.6, p=0.028). In conclusion, a narrower carotid siphon or the presence of fetal-type PcomA or A1 hypoplasia may cause hemodynamic stress, thereby promoting the formation of aneurysms in susceptible individuals.

O presente estudo avaliou as variantes anatômicas do sifão carotídeo e da parte posterior do polígono de Willis em pacientes com aneurismas. Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva de angiografias cerebrais. O Grupo Controle foi composto por pacientes sem aneurismas. Aneurismas da artéria comunicante posterior (ACP) foram mais frequentes em mulheres (p<0,05), e aqueles da anterior (ACA) em homens (p<0,1). A incidência do tipo fetal da ACP foi maior nos casos com co-ocorrência de aneurisma da ACP (24 versus 8%, p<0,05). Pacientes com aneurisma da ACA tiveram maior incidência de hipoplasia A1 (p<0,0001, OR=32,13, IC95% 12,95-79,71) e menor frequência do da ACP fetal comparados com os controles (p=0,0125). O ângulo do sifão carotídeo era mais estreito em pacientes com aneurismas da ACP (27,3±19,1 versus 34,8±22,6, p=0,028). Em conclusão, um sifão carotídeo estreito e a presença de ACP fetal ou hipoplasia A1 podem causar estresse hemodinâmico, promovendo a formação de aneurismas em indivíduos suscetíveis.

Combined pre- and subtemporal transtentorial approach for epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle.

OBJECTIVE: Epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) can be a surgical challenge for the pediatric neurosurgeon. Ideally, total removal must be achieved; however, occasional adhesions of these tumors to vital neurovascular structures and extension far beyond the midline may preclude their total removal. The aims of this article are to present an alternative surgical approach to these lesions and to provide the rationale for this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 16-year-old boy was admitted to our pediatric neurosurgery department with a 1-year history of nonspecific headaches. His neurological examination showed right-sided dysmetria and gait ataxia. Magnetic resonance scans showed a space-occupying lesion on the right CPA with low intensity on T(1)-weighted images and high intensity on T(2)-weighted images. RESULTS: Craniotomy for tumor excision via pre- and subtemporal transtentorial approach was performed disclosing a 3.5 × 3 × 2.8-cm(3) well-encapsulated tumor, which was confirmed to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: A combined pre- and subtemporal approach utilizes a wide opening of the tentorium and the option of supratentorial retraction of the cerebellum to provide an excellent angle of approach to CPA lesions involving the anterolateral aspect of the brain stem in children.

Carotid siphon geometry and variants of the circle of Willis in the origin of carotid aneurysms.

This study evaluated anatomical variants in the carotid siphon and of the circle of Willis in patients with aneurysms. We performed a retrospective analysis of cerebral angiographies. The Control Group was composed of patients without aneurysms. Posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms were more common in women (p<0.05), and the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms in men (p<0.1). The incidence of fetal-type PcomA was higher in cases with co-occurring PcomA aneurysm (24 versus 8%, p<0.05). Patients with AcomA aneurysm had higher incidence of A1 hypoplasia (p<0.0001, OR=32.13, 95%CI 12.95-79.71) and lower frequency of fetal-type PcomA compared to their control counterparts (p=0.0125). The angle of carotid siphon was narrower in patients with PcomA aneurysm (27.3±19.1 versus 34.8±22.6, p=0.028). In conclusion, a narrower carotid siphon or the presence of fetal-type PcomA or A1 hypoplasia may cause hemodynamic stress, thereby promoting the formation of aneurysms in susceptible individuals.