Spinal astroblastoma: a rare tumour in an unusual location.

Astroblastomas are central nervous system tumours with unknown cell of origin and clinical behaviour. These tumours occur most commonly in cerebral hemispheres with spinal astroblastomas being very rare. We report a case of spinal astroblastoma which harboured MN1 alteration.

Pineal Parenchymal Tumor of Intermediate Differentiation (PPTID) and Papillary Tumor of Pineal Region (PTPR): A Review.

BACKGROUND: Pineal parenchymal tumors account for less than 0.3% of all CNS tumors and "Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation" (PPTID; World Health Organization (WHO) grades II and III) exhibit intermediary differentiation and prognosis. However "Papillary tumor of the pineal region" (PTPR; WHO grades II and III) is a distinct entity. OBJECTIVES: This combination of rarity and apparent similarity often leads to perplexity regarding the treatment and prognosis among neurosurgeons. In this review, we have tried to elucidate the differences in clinical as well as treatment modalities and outcomes of these two entities. METHODS: We used the PubMed Database to search for all relevant articles using the keywords "pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation" and "Papillary tumor of the pineal region." Articles having details regarding demographic and clinical variables along with treatment and outcomes were chosen for this study. Full text of these articles was analyzed, and data tabulated. RESULTS: A total of 25 articles for PPTID and 45 for PTPR were found suitable for inclusion in this study. The studies were either case reports or small retrospective series with only one systemic review for each pathology. Despite the poor quality of data, some trends were apparent. Surgical resection offered a survival benefit in both pathologies. Radiotherapy was effective in increasing the survival in PPTID, while there was little to no effect in PPTR. Chemotherapy was not found to be beneficial in either. CONCLUSION: Both of these tumors have moderate growth rate and potential for malignant behavior. This continuum of characteristics makes their optimal treatment strategy difficult and confusing. The discussion on comprehensive literature review should give information for neurosurgeons to decide on optimal treatment strategies.

Bone Wax as an Intra-Cavitary Fiducial for Intra-Operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Resections of Eloquent Cortex Glioma.

BACKGROUND: The extent of resection of eloquent cortex low-grade glioma is improved by intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (IOMRI) which is faced with challenges such as difficulty in automated registration after the MRI and prolongation of operative time. OBJECTIVE: We describe an easier and foolproof method of resection using bone wax as fiducial. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: A young male with right-frontal low-grade glioma anterior and superficial to the motor fibers was operated using IOMRI and awake craniotomy under neuromonitoring. Motor cortex mapping using phase reversal and continuous motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring was used initially followed by continuous sub-cortical suction stimulation for deeper decompression until stimulation was seen. Bone wax in a triangular shape was placed at the suspicious margin and IOMRI was done. RESULTS: The tumor residue was seen anterior and deeper to the bone wax and removed subsequently. CONCLUSION: The use of bone wax as a fiducial can aid in IOMRI-guided resection of eloquent cortex glioma in awake patients.

Anterior Approach to the Cervical Spine: Elegance Lies in Its Simplicity.

INTRODUCTION: Since the landmark publication by Smith and Robinson, approaches to the cervical spine anteriorly have undergone many modifications and even additions. Nevertheless, at its core, the anterior approach remains an elegant and efficient approach to deal with majority of cervical spine pathologies including the degenerative cervical spine. METHODOLOGY: For this review, we searched for all major cases series and randomized control trials of anterior cervical approaches using the PubMed databases. Articles having the details of clinical variables and outcomes were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 9 case series for transoral, 7 case series for transmanubrial, 19 case series for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), 6 studies for ACDF versus posterior cervical foraminotomy, 37 case series for ACDF versus arthroplasty, and 7 studies for ACDF versus anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion have been included. The majority of the case series suggested that the anterior cervical procedures have good clinical outcomes. The upper cervical spine approached by the transoral route had good outcomes in ventral compressive pathologies, with morbidity of cerebrospinal fluid leak in 7% of patients. The midcervical spine approached by ACDF had better clinical outcomes equivalent to the majority of modifications even in multiple-level pathologies. The transsternal approach had provided greater access and stability to the cervicothoracic junction with minimal morbidity. CONCLUSION: The anterior cervical approach can address the majority of cervical pathologies. They provide adequate corridor from craniovertebral junction to T4 with minimal morbidity, thus providing a good clinical outcome.

Correction to: Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Clinical, Biochemical, and Hormonal Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

In the original article the name of author Mohd Ashraf Ganie was presented incorrectly. It is correct here.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Clinical, Biochemical, and Hormonal Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

There is limited data on the impact of bariatric surgery on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) especially in the Indian population. BACKGROUND: To study the impact of bariatric surgery in women with PCOS in terms of clinical, hormonal, and radiological aspects of polycystic ovarian syndrome. METHODS: A prospective observational study of 50 women who underwent bariatric surgery at our tertiary care center. Evaluation of anthropometric data and menstrual cyclicity as well as markers of hyperandrogenism was done preoperatively and at 3- and 6-month and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen (36%) women were diagnosed to have PCOS. % EWL at 3-months (n = 14), 6-month (n = 14), and 1-year (n = 11) follow-up was 31%, 49%, and 63% respectively among women with PCOS. All females regained their normal menstrual cycle at 3 months of follow-up. Hirsutism resolved completely among 44% (5/11) with a decline in median hirsutism score from 11 to 9 at 1-year follow-up. Mean serum testosterone decreased from 0.83 ± 0.38 ng/ml preoperatively to 0.421 ± 0.25 ng/ml at 1-year follow-up (p Ë‚ 0.01), whereas changes in levels of serum LH and FSH were not significant. Seventy-seven percent of females (14/18) had polycystic ovaries preoperatively on USG; out of which, 55% (i.e., 4/7) showed complete resolution at 1-year follow-up. Metabolic syndrome resolved completely at 1-year follow-up in both PCOS and non PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery results in an effective and sustained weight loss with improvement in clinical, hormonal, and radiological parameters associated with PCOS.

Spinal extradural hemangioblastoma: A systematic review of characteristics and outcomes.

Extradural spinal nerve root hemangioblastoma is a rare entity with very few cases reported in the literature. A comprehensive picture of the treatments and outcomes of the same is thus not available. A systematic search was done according to PRISMA guidelines. Search criteria included terms: spinal extradural hemangioblastoma, extradural hemangioblastoma, and spinal root hemangioblastoma. The parameters considered were treatment, motor, and sensory outcome, association with von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Twenty-two studies (19 full text articles) were available for the review. A total of 39 cases of extradural spinal nerve root hemangioblastoma have been reported. These cases had a median age of 44 years with male predominance (2:1) and up to 48% occur in the thoracic level, similar to our case. Thirty-six percent of patients were associated with VHL syndrome. Surgical resection was the primary modality of treatment with embolization used in selected cases (20%). They had mean follow-up of 23 (±11) months. The prognosis was better than the intradural counterpart with no motor deficit and sensory deficit in only 9%. Preoperative identification of the extradural nature of this pathology and complete excision at the first surgery offers excellent outcomes compared to intradural lesion. Targeted embolization may be used in cases anticipated with high blood loss.

Outcomes in morbidly obese adolescent patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the Indian subcontinent: A retrospective review.

INTRODUCTION: There is a worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity among the adolescent population in India from 16.3% in 2001 to 19.3% in 2010. Recent evidence suggests that bariatric surgery leads to resolution of comorbidities and associated long-term complications in adolescent patients with morbid obesity. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on the weight loss and comorbidities of morbidly obese adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the data of 10 adolescent patients, who underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy at our institute (tertiary care hospital), from July 2009 to July 2016 was carried out. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, 4 patients had syndromic forms of obesity. The median age was 16.54 years. The median pre-operative weight and height were 112 kg and 154 cm, respectively, with a body mass index of 47.2 kg/m2. There was no intra-operative or post-operative complication except for suspected methylene blue toxicity in one patient which was treated conservatively. Median follow-up period was 1 year (0-5 years). The patients had an increase in excess weight loss (EWL) of 54.5% until the end of 1 year. There was a regain of weight between the 1st and 2nd year, followed by a sustained weight loss achieving 44.8% EWL at 3 years and 60% at the end of 5 years (only two patients followed up at 5 years). Similar results were found in syndromic patients. Among the four diabetic patients, three had complete resolution and one had improvement in diabetes status. Among the three patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, two patients had complete resolution, while one patient had improvement in symptoms. One patient with hypocortisolism improved after surgery with a decrease in the steroid requirement. Among the hypothyroid patients, one patient had a complete resolution, one patient had improvement in hypothyroid status while two patients had no change. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery is effective for morbidly obese adolescents, leading to significant resolutions of comorbid illness.