Aberrant Arterial Anatomy at the Floor of the Third Ventricle: Video Case Report.

A 65-year-old woman presented with a 2-month progressive history of forgetfulness, headaches, and decline in mobility. Imaging showed a large, enhancing pineal region tumor with triventricular hydrocephalus. She underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy after appropriate consent was gained. Video 1 demonstrates the endoscopic procedure during which 2 aberrant arteries were identified at the floor of the third ventricle. The endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed between these 2 arteries with great care to preserve them. The patient improved postoperatively with resolution of the hydrocephalus. Histology showed a metastatic malignant melanoma. To the best of our knowledge, no similar anatomy has been shown in an endoscopic procedure. We speculate that these are perforating arteries from the posterior communicating artery (premamillary artery) or a branch from the first part of the posterior cerebral artery P1 (thalamoperforators). Other options include perforators from the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery, the communicating segment of the internal carotid artery, the superior hypophyseal artery, or a branch of the medial posterior choroidal arteries. We look at each in turn.

Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans for the Surgical Resection of Cranial Glial Tumors According to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines: A Single-Center Experience.

Background Glial tumours are the most common central nervous system (CNS) neoplastic lesions. They occur in 7 per 100,000 individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) and are categorized into astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas in the adult population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a classification system in order to better categorise these lesions, placing them in a range from grade I to grade IV. The higher the grade, the poorer the prognosis. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom recommends that all surgical resections of glial brain tumours are followed by a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan within a 72-hour to establish a baseline for further management. Objective We present a retrospective analysis that assessed the compliance rate with NICE guidelines among patients who underwent surgical resection of glial lesions at the Department of Neurosurgery, Queens Hospital Romford, between January 2022 and September 2023. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 136 glial tumour resections that were performed during the period between January 2022 and September 2023. The total time between the end of the operation and the MRI scan was calculated in hours for each procedure. This was analyzed into two groups with respect to compliance with the NICE guidelines, which are within 72 hours and after 72 hours. The non-compliant group was then further investigated regarding the reason for the delay. The cost related to delays was also determined by discussion with the hospital's finance department. Results All of the procedures were followed by a post-operative MRI scan but only 88% were within the timeframe recommended by NICE guidelines. The amount of delay was calculated in hours and the reasons for these delays were identified. We created two categories for delay: requesting delays and radiology department-related delays with an almost equivalent number of delays resulting from each category. This delay has resulted in approximately £19,845 of extra costs for inpatient stays. Conclusion A retrospective analysis at Queens Hospital, Romford, found good compliance with NICE guidelines for post-operative MRI scans in glial lesion resections from January 2022 to September 2023. Eighty-eight per cent of patients received scans within 72 hours, crucial for baseline assessment. A 12% non-compliance rate revealed areas for improvement, causing £19,845 in extra costs due to longer inpatient stays. Expediting scans to 36 hours could save around £30,876 annually and reduce complications like infections and thromboembolism. Proposed strategies include dedicated MRI slots and policy adjustments for MRI requests.

Scrotal migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in an adult. A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Scrotal migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) catheter is a rare complication of VPS. Scrotal migrations usually manifest in the first year post-operatively, usually in the pediatric population, due to processus vaginalis patency and increased abdominal pressure. Research question: To review cases of scrotal migration of a VPS catheter that occur in the adult population, and its recommended management. Material and methods: A case report and review of the literature. Results: A 75-year-old male with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for normal pressure hydrocephalus, presented with testicular swelling. Imaging revealed that the distal shunt catheter had migrated into his scrotum. He required an emergency shunt revision, with a truncation of the catheter, and involvement of the general surgical team for hernia management. He remained well at one year follow-up. Discussion and conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the fifth case in an adult. This case serves as a reminder to take a thorough clinical history, imaging of the entire VPS pathway, and to consider unusual reasons for VPS failures. Emergency intervention for distal shunt revision is required to prevent further neurological or urological morbidity. Treatment includes not only catheter revision and reinsertion, but the catheter should be truncated, to avoid testicular migration recurrence. Hernia repair can be done either as an emergency or elective case, depending on the patient's clinical status and presentation.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Adults Undergoing Surgery for Brain Tumors.

Introduction Early diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can improve outcomes. HIV prevalence in brain tumor patients and the impact of an HIV diagnosis on patient outcomes are poorly understood. Materials and methods This was a prospective study of 100 consecutive brain tumor patients admitted to a Greater London Tertiary Neurosurgical center for surgery between January 2021 and October 2021. All brain tumors were included. All patients have appropriately consented. Blood was tested to detect HIV antibodies and p24 antigen. Outcomes were noted at 30-day postoperative follow-up. Results In 100 patients, there was one case of a known HIV-positive, seronegative patient, and no new diagnosis was made, giving a prevalence of 1%. The mean age of patients included was 61.7 ± 13.3, with 57% female. The patient with HIV suffered a postoperative pseudomonas infection, requiring intensive care, additional surgery, and antibiotics. This resulted in an inpatient stay of 55 days - an increase of 274% compared to patients without HIV. Conclusion Literature regarding the prevalence of HIV in glioma patients is inconclusive, of low quality, and primarily out-of-date. Our literature search found no similar study of rates of HIV in brain tumor patients in the United Kingdom. The incidence of both HIV and brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas, is low.

Global Landscape of Glioblastoma Multiforme Management in the Stupp Protocol Era: Systematic Review Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive primary adult brain neoplasm. The current standard of care is maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, followed by adjuvant temozolomide according to the Stupp protocol. Although the protocol is well adopted in high-income countries (HICs), little is known about its adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study is to describe a protocol design for a systematic review of published studies outlining the differences in GBM management between HICs and LMICs. METHODS: A systematic review will be conducted. MedLine via Ovid, Embase and Global Index Medicus will be searched from inception to date in order to identify the relevant studies. Adult patients (>18 years) with histologically confirmed primary unifocal GBM will be included. Surgical and chemoradiation management of GBM tumours will be considered. Commentaries, original research, non-peer reviewed pieces, opinion pieces, editorials and case reports will be included. RESULTS: Primary outcomes will include rates of complications, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prognosis, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) as well as rate of care abandonment and delay. Secondary outcomes will include the presence of neuro-oncology subspecialty training programs. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will be the first to compare the current landscape of GBM management in HICs and LMICs, highlighting pertinent themes that may be used to optimise treatment in both financial brackets. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42020215843). HIGHLIGHTS: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the most common primary adult cerebral neoplasm, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 3.22 per 100,000 population and a 5-year survival rate of 6.8%Despite the well-evidenced efficacy of Stupp protocol, the implementation of this approach bears an institutional and individual financial burden that is particularly notable in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)This systematic review will be the first to compare the current landscape of GBM management in HICs and LMICs, highlighting pertinent themes that may be used to optimise treatment in both financial brackets.

Imaging and Tissue Biomarkers of Choline Metabolism in Diffuse Adult Glioma: 18F-Fluoromethylcholine PET/CT, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Choline Kinase α.

The cellular and molecular basis of choline uptake on PET imaging and MRS-visible choline-containing compounds is not well understood. Choline kinase alpha (ChoKα) is an enzyme that phosphorylates choline, an essential step in membrane synthesis. We investigate choline metabolism through 18F-fluoromethylcholine (18F-FMC) PET, MRS, and tissue ChoKα in human glioma. Fourteen patients with a suspected diffuse glioma underwent multimodal 3T MRI and dynamic 18F-FMC PET/CT prior to surgery. Co-registered PET and MRI data were used to target biopsies to regions of high and low choline signal, and immunohistochemistry for ChoKα expression was performed. The 18F-FMC/PET differentiated WHO (World Health Organization) grade IV from grade II and III tumours, whereas MRS differentiated grade III/IV from grade II tumours. Tumoural 18F-FMC/PET uptake was higher than in normal-appearing white matter across all grades and markedly elevated within regions of contrast enhancement. The 18F-FMC/PET correlated weakly with MRS Cho ratios. ChoKα expression on IHC was negative or weak in all but one glioblastoma sample, and did not correlate with tumour grade or imaging choline markers. MRS and 18F-FMC/PET provide complimentary information on glioma choline metabolism. Tracer uptake is, however, potentially confounded by blood-brain barrier permeability. ChoKα overexpression does not appear to be a common feature in diffuse glioma.

Health economic evaluation of a serum-based blood test for brain tumour diagnosis: exploration of two clinical scenarios.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the potential costs and health benefits of a serum-based spectroscopic triage tool for brain tumours, which could be developed to reduce diagnostic delays in the current clinical pathway. DESIGN: A model-based health pre-trial economic assessment. Decision tree models were constructed based on simplified diagnostic pathways. Models were populated with parameters identified from rapid reviews of the literature and clinical expert opinion. SETTING: Explored as a test in both primary and secondary care (neuroimaging) in the UK health service, as well as application to the USA. PARTICIPANTS: Calculations based on an initial cohort of 10 000 patients. In primary care, it is estimated that the volume of tests would approach 75 000 per annum. The volume of tests in secondary care is estimated at 53 000 per annum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), which were employed to derive incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) in a cost-effectiveness analysis. RESULTS: Results indicate that using a blood-based spectroscopic test in both scenarios has the potential to be highly cost-effective in a health technology assessment agency decision-making process, as ICERs were well below standard threshold values of £20 000-£30 000 per QALY. This test may be cost-effective in both scenarios with test sensitivities and specificities as low as 80%; however, the price of the test would need to be lower (less than approximately £40). CONCLUSION: Use of this test as triage tool in primary care has the potential to be both more effective and cost saving for the health service. In secondary care, this test would also be deemed more effective than the current diagnostic pathway.

Brain tumor research in the United Kingdom: current perspective and future challenges. A strategy document from the NCRI Brain Tumor CSG.

The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a partnership of charity and government research funders whose purpose is to improve health and quality of life by accelerating progress in cancer-related research through collaboration. Under this umbrella, the NCRI Brain Tumor Clinical Studies Group is focused on improving clinical outcomes for adult patients with brain and central nervous system tumors, including those with brain metastasis from other primary sites. This document discusses the current state of clinical brain tumor research in the United Kingdom and the challenges to increasing study and trial opportunities for patients. The clinical research priorities are defined along with a strategy to strengthen the existing brain tumor research network, improve access to tissue and imaging and to develop the future leadership for brain tumor research in the United Kingdom. This strategy document may serve as a framework for other organizations and countries.

An MRS- and PET-guided biopsy tool for intraoperative neuronavigational systems.

OBJECTIVE Glioma heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional structural MRI for identifying aggressive tumor components can limit the reliability of stereotactic biopsy and, hence, tumor characterization, which is a hurdle for developing and selecting effective treatment strategies. In vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) and PET enable noninvasive imaging of cellular metabolism relevant to proliferation and can detect regions of more highly active tumor. Here, the authors integrated presurgical PET and MRS with intraoperative neuronavigation to guide surgical biopsy and tumor sampling of brain gliomas with the aim of improving intraoperative tumor-tissue characterization and imaging biomarker validation. METHODS A novel intraoperative neuronavigation tool was developed as part of a study that aimed to sample high-choline tumor components identified by multivoxel MRS and 18F-methylcholine PET-CT. Spatially coregistered PET and MRS data were integrated into structural data sets and loaded onto an intraoperative neuronavigation system. High and low choline uptake/metabolite regions were represented as color-coded hollow spheres for targeted stereotactic biopsy and tumor sampling. RESULTS The neurosurgeons found the 3D spherical targets readily identifiable on the interactive neuronavigation system. In one case, areas of high mitotic activity were identified on the basis of high 18F-methylcholine uptake and elevated choline ratios found with MRS in an otherwise low-grade tumor, which revealed the possible use of this technique for tumor characterization. CONCLUSIONS These PET and MRI data can be combined and represented usefully for the surgeon in neuronavigation systems. This method enables neurosurgeons to sample tumor regions based on physiological and molecular imaging markers. The technique was applied for characterizing choline metabolism using MRS and 18F PET; however, this approach provides proof of principle for using different radionuclide tracers and other MRI methods, such as MR perfusion and diffusion.

Objective image analysis of real-time three-dimensional intraoperative ultrasound for intrinsic brain tumour surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that maximal surgical resection of primary intrinsic brain tumours is beneficial, both by improving progression free and overall survival and also by facilitating postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hence, there has been an increase in the popularity of real-time intraoperative imaging in brain tumour surgery. The complex theatre arrangements, prohibitive cost and prolonged theatre time of intraoperative MRI have restricted its application. By comparison, intraoperative three-dimensional ultrasound (i3DUS) is user friendly, cost-effective and portable and adds little to surgical time. However, operator-dependent image quality and image interpretation remain limiting factors to the wider application of this technique. The aim of this study was to explore objective i3DUS image analysis and its potential therapeutic role in brain tumour surgery. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was undertaken (approved by the local Research and Ethics Committee prior to recruitment). Biopsies were taken from the solid, necrotic, periphery and brain/tumour interface of intrinsic primary brain tumours. Digital i3DUS images were analysed to extract quantitative parameters from these regions of interest (ROI) in the i3DUS images. These were then correlated with the histology of the relevant specimens. The histopathologist was blinded to the imaging findings. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (62 males; mean 54 years) with varying gliomas (84 high grade) were included. Two hundred and ninety regions of interest were analysed. Mean pixel brightness (MPB) and standard deviation (SD) were correlated with histological features. Close correlations were noted between MPB and cellularity, and SD and intrinsic cellular diversity. CONCLUSIONS: MPB and SD are objective measures reflecting the sensitivity of i3DUS in detecting the presence and extent of intrinsic brain tumours. They indirectly suggest heterogeneity, cellularity and invasiveness, providing information of the nature of the tumour, and also reflect the sensitivity of intraoperative US to detect the presence of residual intrinsic brain tumours. Development of this paradigm will enhance i3DUS use as an adjunct in brain tumour surgery. Optimizing its intraoperative application will impact surgical resection and, hence, patient outcome.

An MRS- and PET-guided biopsy tool for intraoperative neuronavigational systems.

OBJECTIVE Glioma heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional structural MRI for identifying aggressive tumor components can limit the reliability of stereotactic biopsy and, hence, tumor characterization, which is a hurdle for developing and selecting effective treatment strategies. In vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) and PET enable noninvasive imaging of cellular metabolism relevant to proliferation and can detect regions of more highly active tumor. Here, the authors integrated presurgical PET and MRS with intraoperative neuronavigation to guide surgical biopsy and tumor sampling of brain gliomas with the aim of improving intraoperative tumor-tissue characterization and imaging biomarker validation. METHODS A novel intraoperative neuronavigation tool was developed as part of a study that aimed to sample high-choline tumor components identified by multivoxel MRS and 18F-methylcholine PET-CT. Spatially coregistered PET and MRS data were integrated into structural data sets and loaded onto an intraoperative neuronavigation system. High and low choline uptake/metabolite regions were represented as color-coded hollow spheres for targeted stereotactic biopsy and tumor sampling. RESULTS The neurosurgeons found the 3D spherical targets readily identifiable on the interactive neuronavigation system. In one case, areas of high mitotic activity were identified on the basis of high 18F-methylcholine uptake and elevated choline ratios found with MRS in an otherwise low-grade tumor, which revealed the possible use of this technique for tumor characterization. CONCLUSIONS These PET and MRI data can be combined and represented usefully for the surgeon in neuronavigation systems. This method enables neurosurgeons to sample tumor regions based on physiological and molecular imaging markers. The technique was applied for characterizing choline metabolism using MRS and 18F PET; however, this approach provides proof of principle for using different radionuclide tracers and other MRI methods, such as MR perfusion and diffusion.

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis with sarcoidosis: a rare cause of craniocervical compression.

We describe a case of a 58-year-old woman with a suspected dural tumour. She presented with progressive pyramidal weakness. MRI confirmed compression of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord at the level of C1-3. The localised dural mass lesion homogenously enhanced on T1 MRI and was considered most likely to be a meningioma. Incidentally, CT scan of the chest revealed peribronchial soft tissue thickening, suggestive of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Owing to the progressive nature of her weakness, she had a posterior occipitocervical decompression with a C1-3 laminectomy and resection of the thickened dura. Histology showed densely collagenous tissue with scanty psammoma bodies and multinucleate giant cells, consistent with hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP)-a rare, chronic inflammatory condition, characterised by thickening and fibrosis of the dura. This case demonstrates that masses in the craniocervical junction can be varied in pathology and when there is evidence of systemic inflammation, HP should be considered.

Lymphoedema: Pathophysiology and management in resource-poor settings - relevance for lymphatic filariasis control programmes.

Low cost reduction of morbidity in lymphoedema is an essential goal in the management of lymphatic filariasis. This review emphasises the role of movement and elevation, and refers to the literature on the effects of these on the venous and lymphatic system. The patient with lymphoedema becomes increasingly immobile and the affected limb is often in a permanently dependent position causing venous hypertension and resultant overloading of the failing lymphatics. The evidence that breathing exercises are important for reducing venous hypertension and inducing lymphatic flow is discussed.The contribution of a damaged epidermis to lymphatic failure is emphasised. Loss of barrier function encourages penetration of bacteria and stimulates repair mechanisms that generate cytokines, which, in turn lead to inflammation. Management programmes that improve the health of the epidermis play a part in reducing lymphatic load.In taking morbidity management of lymphoedema into the general health services there are benefits in promoting skin hygiene and self-help regimes that can ameliorate many diseases along with lymphoedema.