Differential Susceptibility of Ex Vivo Primary Glioblastoma Tumors to Oncolytic Effect of Modified Zika Virus.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor, is a highly lethal form of cancer with a very limited set of treatment options. High heterogeneity in the tumor cell population and the invasive nature of these cells decrease the likely efficacy of traditional cancer treatments, thus requiring research into novel treatment options. The use of oncolytic viruses as potential therapeutics has been researched for some time. Zika virus (ZIKV) has demonstrated oncotropism and oncolytic effects on GBM stem cells (GSCs). To address the need for safe and effective GBM treatments, we designed an attenuated ZIKV strain (ZOL-1) that does not cause paralytic or neurological diseases in mouse models compared with unmodified ZIKV. Importantly, we found that patient-derived GBM tumors exhibited susceptibility (responders) and non-susceptibility (non-responders) to ZOL-1-mediated tumor cell killing, as evidenced by differential apoptotic cell death and cell viability upon ZOL-1 treatment. The oncolytic effect observed in responder cells was seen both in vitro in neurosphere models and in vivo upon xenograft. Finally, we observed that the use of ZOL-1 as combination therapy with multiple PI3K-AKT inhibitors in non-responder GBM resulted in enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy. Altogether, this study establishes ZOL-1 as a safe and effective treatment against GBM and provides a foundation to conduct further studies evaluating its potential as an effective adjuvant with other chemotherapies and kinase inhibitors.

Primary Human Herpes Virus-6 Causing Recalcitrant Pyrexia after Pilocytic Astrocytoma Resection.

INTRODUCTION: Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) is a ubiquitous virus but can lead to deleterious clinical manifestations due to its predilection for the pediatric central nervous system. Despite significant literature describing its common clinical course, it is rarely considered as a causative agent in CSF pleocytosis in the setting of craniotomy and external ventricular drainage device. Identification of a primary HHV-6 infection allowed for timely treatment with an antiviral agent along with earlier discontinuation of antibiotic regimen and expedited placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CASE PRESENTATION: A two-year-old girl presented with 3 months of progressive gait disturbance and intranuclear ophthalmoplegia. Following craniotomy for removal of 4th ventricular pilocytic astrocytoma and decompression of hydrocephalus, she suffered a prolonged clinical course due to persistent fevers and worsening CSF leukocytosis despite multiple antibiotic regimens. The patient was admitted to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and isolated with her parents in the intensive care unit with strict infection control measures. FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (FAME) panel ultimately detected HHV-6. Clinical confirmation of HHV-6-induced meningitis was proposed given improvement in CSF leukocytosis and fever reduction following the initiation of antiviral medications. Pathologic analysis of brain tumor tissue failed to show HHV-6 genome positivity, suggesting a primary peripheral etiology of infection. CONCLUSION: Here, we present the first known case of HHV-6 infection detected by FAME following intracranial tumor resection. We propose a modified algorithm for persistent fever of unknown origin which may decrease symptomatic sequelae, minimize additional procedures, and shorten length of ICU stay.

Perioperative Complications Following Spine Surgery in Adult Patients with Achondroplasia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the common types of complications and their risk factors during spine surgery in patients with achondroplasia. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of medical records of adult achondroplasia patients who underwent spine surgery at our institution between 2007 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were achondroplasia and age >16 years. Surgical encounters were evaluated for durotomy, postoperative neurologic deficit, wound compromise, medical complications, and return to the operating room. Statistical analysis included evaluation of relationships across complications and fisher exact test applied to bivariate/categorical variables and t-test/ANOVA for continuous variables. Multivariable analysis using logistic regression was performed to account for patient characteristics. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with achondroplasia underwent 95 surgeries. Forty-nine percent of the surgeries involved a complication. These included durotomy (33.7%), neurologic deficit (11.6%), wound compromise (6.3%), and other medical complications (6.3%). Thirteen percent of surgeries required return to the operating room. The greatest number of complications occurred in thoracolumbar region (60.0%) compared to cervicothoracic (18.2%) and craniocervical junction (33.3%). Chronologically later surgical encounters had decreased complications and durotomies only occurred in thoracolumbar surgeries (45.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with achondroplasia undergoing surgery chronologically later in this set of consecutive patients were at a decreased risk for complications. Thoracolumbar surgeries were at the greatest risk for durotomies. Male sex was a risk factor for durotomy, while age was a risk factor for neurologic deficit. The potential for adverse surgical events should be considered when evaluating patients with achondroplasia for spine surgery. .

Is the Choroid Plexus Needed?

BACKGROUND: Choroid plexectomy was first performed around 1910. Later, the technique evolved into subtotal choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) but was largely abandoned following the invention of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Over time, with improved understanding of the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus and improvement in endoscopic techniques and equipment, the procedure of CPC was reintroduced. However, little is known about the biomolecular consequences of ablation of a significant portion of the choroid plexus on metabolic brain homeostasis, neurogenesis, and neuroimmunology. SUMMARY: The physiological functions of choroid plexus in neurogenesis and neuroimmunology and its role in diseases, such as AD and MS, should alert to possible as yet to be determined consequences. Studies, both in children and in adults, are needed not only on the success in hydrodynamic stabilization of hydrocephalus but also on the long-term outcome, especially premature neurodegeneration and inflammatory changes and on compensatory metabolic mechanisms. KEY MESSAGES: The value of CPC for treatment of hydrocephalus in medically underserved areas should be remembered, yet when alternative treatment options are available, we cannot responsibly advocate against or for the use of CPC. Therefore, perhaps a more detailed discussion of risks and benefits of a CPC with parents would be best to include the possible implications in brain development and function.

Neurosurgery at the crossroads of immunology and nanotechnology. New reality in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurosurgery as one of the most technologically demanding medical fields rapidly adapts the newest developments from multiple scientific disciplines for treating brain tumors. Despite half a century of clinical trials, survival for brain primary tumors such as glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain cancer, or rare ones including primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), is dismal. Cancer therapy and research have currently shifted toward targeted approaches, and personalized therapies. The orchestration of novel and effective blood-brain barrier (BBB) drug delivery approaches, targeting of cancer cells and regulating tumor microenvironment including the immune system are the key themes of this review. As the global pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 virus continues, neurosurgery and neuro-oncology must wrestle with the issues related to treatment-related immune dysfunction. The selection of chemotherapeutic treatments, even rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) that occur among immunocompromised people, and number of vaccinations they have to get are emerging as a new chapter for modern Nano neurosurgery.

Neurosurgical Evaluation and Management of Adults with Achondroplasia.

Much of the current medical discussion for within centers for skeletal dysplasia and specifically patients with achondroplasia focuses on infancy and early childhood. Most neurosurgical concerns arise due to a defect in the endochondral ossification, resulting on early fusion of the synchondrosis. As patients age, the neurosurgical focus shifts from primarily cranial to spinal concerns. Often pediatric neurosurgeons may continue to follow their patients with skeletal dysplasia. However, general adult neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons may see these graduated adults in their practice. This article provides a review of the common neurosurgical concerns for patients with achondroplasia.

Neurosurgical Evaluation and Management of Children with Achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is the most common of skeletal dysplasias and is caused by a defect in endochondral bone formation. In addition to skeletal deformities, patients with achondroplasia possess significant abnormalities of the axial skeleton, including small skull base with a narrowed foramen magnum and small vertebral bodies with shortened pedicles. Consequently, patients with achondroplasia are at risk of several severe neurologic conditions, such as cervicomedullary compression, spinal stenosis, and hydrocephalus, which frequently require the attention of a neurosurgeon. This article provides an updated review on the neurosurgical evaluation and care of children with Achondroplasia.

A standard of care for individuals with PIK3CA-related disorders: An international expert consensus statement.

Growth promoting variants in PIK3CA cause a spectrum of developmental disorders, depending on the developmental timing of the mutation and tissues involved. These phenotypically heterogeneous entities have been grouped as PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum disorders (PROS). Deep sequencing technologies have facilitated detection of low-level mosaic, often necessitating testing of tissues other than blood. Since clinical management practices vary considerably among healthcare professionals and services across different countries, a consensus on management guidelines is needed. Clinical heterogeneity within this spectrum leads to challenges in establishing management recommendations, which must be based on patient-specific considerations. Moreover, as most of these conditions are rare, affected families may lack access to the medical expertise that is needed to help address the multi-system and often complex medical issues seen with PROS. In March 2019, macrocephaly-capillary malformation (M-CM) patient organizations hosted an expert meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, to help address these challenges with regards to M-CM syndrome. We have expanded the scope of this project to cover PROS and developed this consensus statement on the preferred approach for managing affected individuals based on our current knowledge.

Utility of True Fast Imaging with Steady-State Precession in Detecting Arachnoid Veils of the Posterior Fossa.

INTRODUCTION: Arachnoid membranes are well recognized as a cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow impairment in disorders such as obstructive hydrocephalus and syringohydromyelia, but can be difficult to detect with standard noninvasive imaging techniques. True fast imaging with steady-state precession (TrueFISP) can exhibit brain pulsations and CSF dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we demonstrate the utility of this technique in the diagnosis and management of arachnoid membranes in the posterior fossa. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Three symptomatic children underwent cine TrueFISP imaging for suspicion of CSF membranous obstruction. Whereas standard imaging failed to or did not clearly visualize the site of an obstructive lesion, preoperative TrueFISP identified a membrane in all 3 cases. The membranes were confirmed intraoperatively, and postoperative TrueFISP helped verify adequate marsupialization and recommunication of CSF flow. Two out of the 3 cases showed a decrease in cerebellar tonsillar pulsatility following surgery. All children showed symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: TrueFISP is able to detect pulsatile arachnoid membranes responsible for CSF outflow obstruction that are otherwise difficult to visualize using standard imaging techniques. We advocate use of this technology in pre- and postsurgical decision-making as it provides a more representative image of posterior fossa pathology and contributes to our understanding of CSF flow dynamics. There is potential to use this technology to establish prognostic biomarkers for disorders of CSF hydrodynamics.

RELA Fusion-Positive Ependymoma in a Child with Down Syndrome: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common multiple malformation syndrome in humans and is associated with an increased risk of childhood malignancy, particularly leukemia. Incidence of brain tumors in patients with DS is limited to sporadic cases. We report the first case of a RELA fusion-positive ependymoma in a 3-year-old boy with DS. CASE PRESENTATION: Imaging prompted by new left-sided hemiparesis demonstrated an 8-cm hemorrhagic right temporal-parietal mass. Subsequent image-complete resection confirmed a RELA fusion-positive anaplastic ependymoma with 90% OLIG2 staining. Postoperatively, the patient, unfortunately, experienced fatal recurrence and drop metastases with leptomeningeal involvement. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a confirmed RELA fusion-positive ependymoma in a child with DS. We discuss this finding in the context of intracranial tumors in children with DS, as well as the finding of 90% positive OLIG2 expression and its potential as a prognostic marker.

Improvement in ventriculomegaly following cervicomedullary decompressive surgery in children with achondroplasia and foramen magnum stenosis.

The role of cervicomedullary decompression (CMD) in the care of hydrocephalic achondroplastic children who present with simultaneous foramen magnum stenosis is not well understood. We sought to determine the percentage of symptomatic achondroplastic children with foramen magnum stenosis who had stabilization or improvement in ventriculomegaly following CMD. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of pediatric patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with achondroplasia and signs of progressive ventriculomegaly who underwent CMD for symptomatic foramen magnum stenosis between the years 2000 and 2018. Clinical outcomes included changes in fontanelle characteristics, head circumference (HC) percentile, and incidence of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. Radiographic outcomes measured included changes in Evans ratio. We excluded individuals who were shunted before CMD from our study. Sixteen children presented with symptomatic foramen magnum stenosis and full anterior fontanelle or jump in the HC percentiles. Two children underwent placement of a VP shunt before decompressive surgery and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 14 children who underwent CMD, 13 (93%) showed softening or flattening of their fontanelles post-operatively. Ten of these 14 children had both pre- and post-operative HC percentile records available, with 8 showing increasing HC percentiles before surgery. Seven of those eight children (88%) showed a deceleration or stabilization of HC growth velocity following decompression of the foramen magnum. Among 10 children with available pre- and post-operative brain imaging, ventricular size improved in 5 (50%), stabilized in 2 (20%), and slightly increased in 3 (30%) children after decompression. Two children (14%) required a shunt despite decompression of the foramen magnum. A significant proportion of children with concomitant signs of raised intracranial pressure or findings of progressive ventriculomegaly and foramen magnum stenosis may have improvement or stabilization of these findings following CMD. CMD may decrease the need for VP shunting and its associated complications in the select group of hydrocephalic children with achondroplasia presenting with symptomatic foramen magnum stenosis.

Myxoid glioneuronal tumor, PDGFRA p.K385-mutant: clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features.

"Myxoid glioneuronal tumor, PDGFRA p.K385-mutant" is a recently described tumor entity of the central nervous system with a predilection for origin in the septum pellucidum and a defining dinucleotide mutation at codon 385 of the PDGFRA oncogene replacing lysine with either leucine or isoleucine (p.K385L/I). Clinical outcomes and optimal treatment for this new tumor entity have yet to be defined. Here, we report a comprehensive clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic assessment of eight cases. In addition to its stereotypic location in the septum pellucidum, we identify that this tumor can also occur in the corpus callosum and periventricular white matter of the lateral ventricle. Tumors centered in the septum pellucidum uniformly were associated with obstructive hydrocephalus, whereas tumors centered in the corpus callosum and periventricular white matter did not demonstrate hydrocephalus. While multiple patients were found to have ventricular dissemination or local recurrence/progression, all patients in this series remain alive at last clinical follow-up despite only biopsy or subtotal resection without adjuvant therapy in most cases. Our study further supports "myxoid glioneuronal tumor, PDGFRA p.K385-mutant" as a distinct CNS tumor entity and expands the spectrum of clinicopathologic and radiologic features of this neoplasm.

Rapid Generation of Somatic Mouse Mosaics with Locus-Specific, Stably Integrated Transgenic Elements.

In situ transgenesis methods such as viruses and electroporation can rapidly create somatic transgenic mice but lack control over copy number, zygosity, and locus specificity. Here we establish mosaic analysis by dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (MADR), which permits stable labeling of mutant cells expressing transgenic elements from precisely defined chromosomal loci. We provide a toolkit of MADR elements for combination labeling, inducible and reversible transgene manipulation, VCre recombinase expression, and transgenesis of human cells. Further, we demonstrate the versatility of MADR by creating glioma models with mixed reporter-identified zygosity or with "personalized" driver mutations from pediatric glioma. MADR is extensible to thousands of existing mouse lines, providing a flexible platform to democratize the generation of somatic mosaic mice. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Clinical and radiographic delineation of Bent Bone Dysplasia-FGFR2 type or Bent Bone Dysplasia with Distinctive Clavicles and Angel-shaped Phalanges.

Bent Bone Dysplasia-FGFR2 type is a relatively recently described bent bone phenotype with diagnostic clinical, radiographic, and molecular characteristics. Here we report on 11 individuals, including the original four patients plus seven new individuals with three longer-term survivors. The prenatal phenotype included stillbirth, bending of the femora, and a high incidence of polyhydramnios, prematurity, and perinatal death in three of 11 patients in the series. The survivors presented with characteristic radiographic findings that were observed among those with lethality, including bent bones, distinctive (moustache-shaped) small clavicles, angel-shaped metacarpals and phalanges, poor mineralization of the calvarium, and craniosynostosis. Craniofacial abnormalities, hirsutism, hepatic abnormalities, and genitourinary abnormalities were noted as well. Longer-term survivors all needed ventilator support. Heterozygosity for mutations in the gene that encodes Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) was identified in the nine individuals with available DNA. Description of these patients expands the prenatal and postnatal findings of Bent Bone Dysplasia-FGFR2 type and adds to the phenotypic spectrum among all FGFR2 disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ets Factors Regulate Neural Stem Cell Depletion and Gliogenesis in Ras Pathway Glioma.

As the list of putative driver mutations in glioma grows, we are just beginning to elucidate the effects of dysregulated developmental signaling pathways on the transformation of neural cells. We have employed a postnatal, mosaic, autochthonous glioma model that captures the first hours and days of gliomagenesis in more resolution than conventional genetically engineered mouse models of cancer. We provide evidence that disruption of the Nf1-Ras pathway in the ventricular zone at multiple signaling nodes uniformly results in rapid neural stem cell depletion, progenitor hyperproliferation, and gliogenic lineage restriction. Abolishing Ets subfamily activity, which is upregulated downstream of Ras, rescues these phenotypes and blocks glioma initiation. Thus, the Nf1-Ras-Ets axis might be one of the select molecular pathways that are perturbed for initiation and maintenance in glioma.

Characterization of cancer stem cells and primary cilia in medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma, a tumor of the cerebellum, is the most common pediatric central nervous system malignancy. These tumors are etiologically linked to mutations in the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway, which signals through the primary, non-motile cilium. The growth of these aggressive tumors relies on self-renewal of tumor-propagating cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Previous reports have implicated CD133-expressing cells as CSCs in brain tumors, while those expressing CD15 have been shown to propagate medulloblastoma. Here, we demonstrate that CD133+ and CD15+ cells are distinct medulloblastoma populations. CD15+ cells comprise approximately 0.5-1% of total human medulloblastoma cells, display CSC properties in culture and are detected in the Smoothened A1 transgenic mouse model of medulloblastoma. Additionally, we report on a medulloblastoma patient with enriched CD15+ cells in recurrent vs primary medulloblastoma. We also demonstrate that human medulloblastoma cells critically rely on establishment of primary cilia to drive Shh-mediated cell division. Primary cilia are found in external granule cells of human fetal cerebellum and in 12/14 medulloblastoma samples. Yet, CD15+ medulloblastoma cells lack primary cilia, suggesting that this CSC population signals independently of Shh. These results are important when considering the effects of current and prospective treatment modalities on medulloblastoma CSC populations.