Diffusion and perfusion imaging biomarkers of H3 K27M mutation status in diffuse midline gliomas.

PURPOSE: H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (M-DMGs) exhibit a clinically aggressive course. We studied diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion (PWI) MRI features of DMG with the hypothesis that DWI-PWI metrics can serve as biomarkers for the prediction of the H3K27M mutation status in DMGs. METHODS: A retrospective review of the institutional database (imaging and histopathology) of patients with DMG (July 2016 to July 2020) was performed. Tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and peritumoral ADC (PT ADC) values and their normalized values (nADC and nPT ADC) were computed. Perfusion data were analyzed with manual arterial input function (AIF) and leakage correction (LC) Boxerman-Weiskoff models. Normalized maximum relative CBV (rCBV) was evaluated. Intergroup analysis of the imaging variables was done between M-DMGs and wild-type (WT-DMGs) groups. RESULTS: Ninety-four cases (M-DMGs-n = 48 (51%) and WT-DMGs-n = 46(49%)) were included. Significantly lower PT ADC (mutant-1.1 ± 0.33, WT-1.23 ± 0.34; P = 0.033) and nPT ADC (mutant-1.64 ± 0.48, WT-1.83 ± 0.54; P = 0.040) were noted in the M-DMGs. The rCBV (mutant-25.17 ± 27.76, WT-13.73 ± 14.83; P = 0.018) and nrCBV (mutant-3.44 ± 2.16, WT-2.39 ± 1.25; P = 0.049) were significantly higher in the M-DMGs group. Among thalamic DMGs, the min ADC, PT ADC, and nADC and nPT ADC were lower in M-DMGs while nrCBV (corrected and uncorrected) was significantly higher. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that PT ADC (cut-off-1.245), nPT ADC (cut-off-1.853), and nrCBV (cut-off-1.83) were significant independent predictors of H3K27M mutational status in DMGs. CONCLUSION: DWI and PWI features hold value in preoperative prediction of H3K27M-mutation status in DMGs.

Prediction of H3K27M mutation status of diffuse midline gliomas using MRI features.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Presurgical prediction of H3K27M mutation in diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) on MRI is desirable. The purpose of this study is to elaborate conventional MRI (cMRI) features of H3K27M-mutant DMGs and identify features that could discriminate them from wild-type (WT) DMGs. METHODS: CMRI features of 123 patients with DMG were evaluated conforming to the institutional research protocols. Multimodality MRI was performed on 1.5 or 3.0 Tesla MR Scanners with imaging protocol, including T1-weighted (w), T2w, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted, susceptibility-weighted, and postcontrast T1w sequences. Pertinent cMRI features were annotated along the lines of Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images features, and Intra Tumoral Susceptibility Signal score (ITSS) was evaluated. R software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-one DMGs were H3K27M-mutant (mutant DMGs). The patients in the H3K27M-mutant DMG group were younger compared to the WT-DMG group (mean age 24.13 ± 13.13 years vs. 35.79±18.74 years) (p = 0.016). The two groups differed on five cMRI features--(1) enhancement quality (p = 0.032), (2) thickness of enhancing margin (p = 0.05), (3) proportion of edema (p = 0.002), (4) definition of noncontrast-enhancing tumor (NCET) margin (p = 0.001), and (5) cortical invasion (p = 0.037). The mutant DMGs showed greater enhancement and greater thickness of enhancing margin, while the WT DMGs exhibited significantly larger edema proportion with poorly defined NCET margins and cortical invasion. ITSS was not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSION: CMRI features like enhancement quality, the thickness of the enhancing margin, proportion of edema, definition of NCET margin, and cortical invasion can discriminate between the H3K27M-mutant and WT DMGs.

Embolectomy by SOLUMBRA Technique for Nontarget Intracranial Glue Migration- Complication and Bailout after Percutaneous Embolization of Orbital Meningioma.

Presurgical devascularization of neoplasms of the head and neck can be achieved by endovascular as well as direct percutaneous embolization techniques. We report a case of percutaneous glue embolization of an orbital meningioma, complicated by delayed acute stroke due to the distal migration of polymerized glue in the left middle cerebral artery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to discuss the percutaneous embolization of orbital meningioma complicated by stroke due to intracranial glue migration.

Cavernous carotid artery large aneurysm treated with a new flow diverter - Xcalibur aneurysm occlusion device (AOD).

We report a case of an unruptured, symptomatic, large right cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm successfully treated with a new balloon-expandable flow diverter - Xcalibur Aneurysm Occlusion Device (AOD). Follow up imaging performed at six months demonstrated complete exclusion of the aneurysm and regression in dimensions, resulting in resolution of mass effect and clinical improvement.

Pediatric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the trachea: Imaging spectrum and review of literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the airway is a very uncommon benign primary neoplasm in pediatric age group with increased local recurrence rate and potential metastatic spread. We describe a case of a 6-year boy who was brought to the pediatric emergency with severe respiratory distress, dry cough, and stridor. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck showed a polypoidal mass lesion in the right anterolateral trachea causing significant airway narrowing. Bronchoscopic findings correlated with the imaging. The lesion was confirmed at surgery and was completely removed by surgical excision. Histopathology revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. MRI findings of this entity in a child have not been reported before.

A prospective pilot study on serum cleaved tau protein as a neurological marker in severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: Neurotrauma has been labelled as a "silent epidemic" affecting both the developed and the developing nations. To date, no single brain-specific biomarker has been unanimously accepted for routine clinical use in TBI. Our study aims to determine the correlation of "cleaved-tau protein" in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the time of admission, mode of injury, CT findings and outcome at discharge. METHODS: The study has been approved by the institutional ethical committee. 40 cases with severe TBI and 40 randomly selected healthy controls were included in this prospective study. Venous blood samples were collected and serum cleaved tau protein levels were measured and correlated with gender, mode of injury, CT findings GCS score and GOS score at discharge. RESULTS: In the severe TBI group, the mean serum cleaved tau protein levels in males were 91.65 ± 41.34 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), and females were 104.43 ± 53.08 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), (p = 0.27). Mean serum C-tau level in study group was 95.48 ± 44.87 pg/ml (range 36.44-192.34), 95% C.I. (81.13-109.83) and in controls was 33.82 ± 13.65 pg/ml (range 2.48-66.54), 95% C.I. (29.46-38.19) (p < 0.001). The distribution of serum C-tau was in severe TBI group varied in all categories of GCS at 0th day (p < 0.001). Serum cleaved tau protein levels in the good outcome group were 74.26 ± 25.43 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), range 36.44-144.54, 95% C.I. (63.52-85.00) and the poor-outcome group were 127.32 ± 49.40 pg/ml, range 66.65-192.34, 95% C.I. (100.99-153.64) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In severe TBI, serum cleaved tau protein levels were significantly higher as compared to the controls in this prospective study. However, results of this study are preliminary in nature and there is a need to undertake larger prospective studies to reach a definitive conclusion.

Bilateral Traumatic Intracranial Hematomas and its Outcome: a Retrospective Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the age distribution, mode of injury, type of hematomas, and their surgical outcome in patients with bilateral traumatic head injuries. The present study included 669 cases of traumatic head injury who presented at the neurosurgery emergency out of which 94 cases had bilateral head injuries from the period of August 2009 to April 2014. The data from the hospital computerized database were retrospectively analysed. Cases of bilateral traumatic head injury included 94 patients out of which 88.29 % (n = 83) were males and 11.70 % (n = 11) were females. Commonest mode of injury was road traffic accident in 56.38 % (n = 53) followed by fall from height in 29.78 % (n = 28). In our study, 25.53 % patients had epidural hematoma (EDH) with intracerebral hematoma (ICH) or contusion (n = 24), followed by EDH with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 18.08 % (n = 17). At the time of discharge, all those patients managed conservatively had good Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) while with surgical intervention 58 % patients had good GOS, 19 % had moderate disability, and 9 % remained with severe disability. In cases of bilateral hematomas, EDH is most common and should be managed in neurosurgical emergency. Other combinations of bilateral intracranial hematomas should be managed according to the surgical indication and serial CT imaging.