Outcome Features Analysis in Intramedullary Tumors of the Cervicomedullary Junction: A Surgical Series.

OBJECT: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of surgery for different cervicomedullary lesions on symptomatic pattern expression and postoperative outcome. We focused on specific outcome features of the early and late postoperative assessments. The former relies on surgery-related transient and permanent morbidity and feasibility of radicality in eloquent areas, whereas the latter on long-term course in lower grade tumors and benign tumorlike lesions (cavernomas, etc.). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 28 cases of intramedullary tumors of the cervicomedullary junction surgically treated at our institution between 1990 and 2018. All cases were stratified for gender, histology, macroscopic appearance, location, surgical approach, and presence of a plane of dissection (POD). Mean follow-up was 5.6 years and it was performed via periodic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional assessments (Karnofsky Performance Scale [KPS] and modified McCormick [MC] grading system). RESULTS: In all, 78.5% were low-grade tumors (or benign lesions) and 21.5% were high-grade tumors. Sixty-one percent underwent median suboccipital approach, 18% a posterolateral approach, and 21% a posterior cervical approach. Gross total resection was achieved in 54% of cases, near-total resection (>90%) in 14%, and subtotal resection (50-90%) in 32% of cases. Early postoperative morbidity was 25%, but late functional evaluation in 79% of the patients showed KPS > 70 and MC grade I; only 21% of cases showed KPS < 70 and MC grades II and III at late follow-up. Mean overall survival was 7 years in low-grade tumors or cavernomas and 11.7 months in high-grade tumors. Progression-free survival at the end of follow-up was 71% (evaluated mainly on low-grade tumors). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical goal should be to achieve maximal cytoreduction and minimal postoperative neurologic damage. Functional outcome is influenced by the presence of a POD, radicality, histology, preoperative status, and employment of advanced neuroimaging planning and intraoperative monitoring.

Transoral Endoscopic Approach to Repair Early Pharyngeal Perforations After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery without Failure of Instrumentation: Our Experience and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngoesophageal injury during anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication; generally it is the result of intraoperative manipulation or hardware erosion and sometimes may be due to weakness of the pharyngoesophageal wall from pre-existing pathologic conditions, such as diabetes, gastritis, or obesity. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the management strategies in patients with an early postoperative hypopharyngeal perforation that occurred after anterior cervical spine surgery without failure of instrumentation, and we present a case treated endoscopically at our institution. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate treatment for pharyngoesophageal perforations is controversial and not investigated in detail. There is a lack of prospective studies comparing initial conservative versus surgical approaches to treatment. In addition, endoscopic management is growing as a therapeutic option, but no consensus concerning the indications for an endoscopic approach in the treatment of pharyngoesophageal injury in anterior cervical spine surgery is currently reached. A common theme proposed in the literature is that early recognition and aggressive investigation and treatment are essential to ensure a good outcome. A customized interdisciplinary surgical approach is essential for successful treatment. Use of the transoral endoscopic approach is a useful noninvasive method to treat this rare but potentially devastating complication.

Extra central nervous system metastases from cerebral glioblastoma multiforme in elderly patients. Clinico-pathological remarks on our series of seven cases and critical review of the literature.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment of the extracranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme in the elderly, discussing their uncommon occurrence and their pathogenesis. METHODS: The authors report seven cases of elderly patients (mean age, 69 years), with an initial diagnosis of cerebral glioblastoma multiforme, treated by a grossly total surgical removal and followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (64 Gy in 6 weeks, using Linac) and adjuvant chemotherapy (temozolomide both concomitant and sequential to radiotherapy). RESULTS: All patients presented a postoperative course characterized by good functional and clinical conditions (Karnofsky performance scale > or =70), which remained unchanged for a mean period of about 21 months (range, 16-23), with no neuroradiological signs of lesion regrowth. After this interval, new clinical signs occurred, and their clinical and radiological investigation showed metastatic repetitions in different sites: lung, liver, humerus and lymph nodes. All the metastases were surgically treated, but regrowth of the brain tumor and progression to deep important neural structures caused the patients' exitus after a mean interval of about 10 months (range, 8-12) from the diagnosis of metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: We found 128 cases of extra CNS metastases in the English literature. The main features of the patients of the previous reports and of those of the present series were analyzed. The main modalities of glioblastoma multiforme spread, the few theories about the rarity of metastasis, and the probable biological, histological and immunogenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis are described. Although several studies have reported a poor outcome in elderly patients, they affirm that the treatment of those with a Karnofsky performance status >60 should be just as aggressive as in younger patients. This allows them to obtain a longer survival time and to also treat metastases, which are uncommon particularly in the elderly.

Intramedullary cavernous angioma of the spinal cord in a pediatric patient, with multiple cavernomas, familial occurrence and partial spontaneous regression: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECT: The authors present their experience with the 17th pediatric intramedullary cavernoma reported in English literature. METHODS: The patient firstly underwent surgery for a left frontal cavernoma when he was 2 years old. Also the child's mother was operated for a C2-C3 intramedullary cavernoma. He grew up normally and the radiological follow-up was negative for other brainstem cavernous malformations. When he was 11 years old he complained a worsening tetraparesis. A cerebral and spinal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed the presence of a C1 intramedullary cavernoma and a pontine cavernoma. He underwent surgery for the cervical lesion, which was completely removed. The postoperative course was regular with a total recovery from the neurological deficit. The boy underwent a radiological follow-up, monitoring the pontine lesion, which spontaneously regressed when he was 19 years old. CONCLUSION: The rarity of the pediatric intramedullary cavernoma, the familial occurrence, and the spontaneous regression of the pontine cavernoma make this case very peculiar.