Reirradiation with radiosurgery or stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy in association with regorafenib in recurrent glioblastoma.

PURPOSE: No standard treatment has yet been established for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). In this context, the aim of the current study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of reirradiation (re-RT) by radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/FSRT) in association with regorafenib. METHODS: Patients with a histological or radiological diagnosis of recurrent GBM who received re-RT by SRS/FSRT and regorafenib as second-line systemic therapy were included in the analysis. RESULTS: From January 2020 to December 2022, 21 patients were evaluated. The median time between primary/adjuvant RT and disease recurrence was 8 months (range 5-20). Median re-RT dose was 24 Gy (range 18-36 Gy) for a median number of 5 fractions (range 1-6). Median regorafenib treatment duration was 12 weeks (range 3-26). Re-RT was administered before starting regorafenib or in the week off regorafenib during the course of chemotherapy. The median and the 6­month overall survival (OS) from recurrence were 8.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9-12.7 months) and 75% (95% CI 50.9-89.1%), respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) from recurrence was 6 months (95% CI 3.7-8.5 months). The most frequent side effects were asthenia that occurred in 10 patients (8 cases of grade 2 and 2 cases of grade 3), and hand-foot skin reaction (2 patients grade 3, 3 patients grade 2). Adverse events led to permanent regorafenib discontinuation in 2 cases, while in 5/21 cases (23.8%), a dose reduction was administered. One patient experienced dehiscence of the surgical wound after reintervention and during regorafenib treatment, while another patient reported intestinal perforation that required hospitalization. CONCLUSION: For recurrent GBM, re-RT with SRT/FSRT plus regorafenib is a safe treatment. Prospective trials are necessary.

Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Versus Microdiscectomy Without Fusion for Recurrent Lumbar Disk Herniation: A Prospective Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) versus standard revision diskectomy for recurrent lumbar disk herniation (RLDH). BACKGROUND: RLDH is the most common cause of redo surgery after a microdiscectomy. Commonly, in patients without evidence of spinal instability, many surgeons would simply redo microdiscectomy, while others proceed to a redo microdiscectomy with arthrodesis. According to the literature, there is no evidence of what the best management of an RLDH would be. METHODS: This study involved 90 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy in the past and were now experiencing a new lumbar disk herniation for the first time. The patients were divided into two groups, each with 45 patients: group A received standard revision microdiscectomy, whereas group B received revision microdiscectomy with MIS TLIF.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, operating time, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, costs, and complications were all prospectively recorded in a database and examined. Back and leg discomfort were measured using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: The mean total postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score across the groups exhibited no statistically significant difference, nor did the preoperative clinical and epidemiological data. Although postoperative leg pain was comparable in both groups, postoperative lower back pain in group A was much worse than that in group B. Additional revision surgery was necessary for six individuals in group A. Group A had higher rates of dural rupture and postoperative neurological impairment. Group A experienced much less intraoperative blood loss, longer operation times, and postoperative hospital stays. CONCLUSION: In patients with RLDH, revision microdiscectomy is effective. In comparison with conventional microdiscectomy, MIS TLIF reduces intraoperative risk of dural rupture or neural injury, postoperative incidence of mechanical instability or recurrence, and postoperative lower back pain. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter, comparative study.

Sporadic hemangioblastoma of cauda equina: A case-report and brief literature review / Hemangioblastoma esporádico de cauda equina: aporte de un caso y breve revisión de la literatura

Hemangioblastomas are rare lesions accounting for 1–5% of all spinal cord tumors and are mostly associated with von Hippel–Lindau syndrome. Localization in the cauda equina is uncommon. In this manuscript we aim to describe a rare case of sporadic intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina and present a literature review. A systematic research was performed on Pubmed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, using as keywords “spinal hemangioblastoma” and “cauda equina tumors”. The previous literature is integrated by the description of the present case. A 49 year-old female, presented on August 2020 to our institution suffering from claudication neurogena, right sciatica and paraesthesia in right L5 radicular dermatome for more than 3 months. Neurological examination revealed hypoesthesia on right L5 dermatome and weakness of right anterior tibialis muscle. An MRI which showed an intradural mass at L1/2 level and an angiography that showing a nidus of serpiginous vessels inside the lesion. Microsurgical en bloc resection of lesion was performed with adjuvant neurophisological intra operative monitorings. Histological examination provided the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma. After surgery symptoms and neurological impairment gradually improved. A 10 months post-operative MRI showed no residual tumor. Although intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina without von Hippel–Lindau syndrome it is a rare pathological entity, this diagnosis must be taken in for cauda equina masses. Preoperative embolization is an option to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Radiosurgery seems to prevent recurrences when the tumor is not completely excised. Complete surgical removal of the lesion is usually possible and lead to a low likelihood of recurrence (AU)

Los hemangioblastomas son lesiones raras que representan del 1 al 5% de todos los tumores de la médula espinal y se asocian principalmente al síndrome de von Hippel-Lindau. La localización en la cauda equine es infrecuente. En este manuscrito nuestro objetivo es describir un caso raro de hemangioblastoma intradural extramedular esporádico de la cauda equina y presentar una revisión de la literatura. Se realizó una bùsqueda sistemática en Pubmed, MEDLINE y Google Scholar, utilizando como palabras clave «spinal hemangioblastoma» y «cauda equina tumors». Presentamos el caso clínico y se discute, y se compara con la literatura previamente publicada al respecto. Mujer de 49 años, se presentó en agosto del 2020 a nuestra institución. Los síntomas fueron claudicatio neurogena, ciática derecha y parestesia en dermatoma radicular L5 derecho durante más de 3 meses. El examen neurológico reveló hipoestesia en el dermatoma L5 derecho y debilidad del músculo tibial anterior derecho. La resonancia magnética mostró una masa intradural a nivel L1/2 y la angiografía mostró un nido de vasos serpiginosos dentro de la lesión. Se realizó una resección microquirúrgica en bloque de la lesión con monitorización intraoperatoria neurofisiológica adyuvante. El examen histológico proporcionó el diagnóstico de hemangioblastoma. Después de la cirugía, los síntomas y el deterioro neurológico mejoraron gradualmente. Una resonancia magnética 10 meses después de la operación no mostró tumor residual. Aunque el hemangioblastoma intradural extramedular de la cauda equine sin síndrome de von Hippel-Lindau es una entidad patológica poco frecuente, este diagnóstico debe tenerse en cuenta cuando una masa afecta a la cola de caballo. La embolización preoperatoria es una opción para minimizar el sangrado intraoperatorio. La radiocirugía parece prevenir las recurrencias cuando el tumor no se extirpa por completo (AU)

Sporadic hemangioblastoma of cauda equina: A case-report and brief literature review.

Hemangioblastomas are rare lesions accounting for 1-5% of all spinal cord tumors and are mostly associated with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Localization in the cauda equina is uncommon. In this manuscript we aim to describe a rare case of sporadic intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina and present a literature review. A systematic research was performed on Pubmed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, using as keywords "spinal hemangioblastoma" and "cauda equina tumors". The previous literature is integrated by the description of the present case. A 49 year-old female, presented on August 2020 to our institution suffering from claudication neurogena, right sciatica and paraesthesia in right L5 radicular dermatome for more than 3 months. Neurological examination revealed hypoesthesia on right L5 dermatome and weakness of right anterior tibialis muscle. An MRI which showed an intradural mass at L1/2 level and an angiography that showing a nidus of serpiginous vessels inside the lesion. Microsurgical en bloc resection of lesion was performed with adjuvant neurophisological intra operative monitorings. Histological examination provided the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma. After surgery symptoms and neurological impairment gradually improved. A 10 months post-operative MRI showed no residual tumor. Although intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina without von Hippel-Lindau syndrome it is a rare pathological entity, this diagnosis must be taken in for cauda equina masses. Preoperative embolization is an option to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Radiosurgery seems to prevent recurrences when the tumor is not completely excised. Complete surgical removal of the lesion is usually possible and lead to a low likelihood of recurrence.

Sporadic hemangioblastoma of cauda equina: A case report and brief literature review.

Background: Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are rare lesions accounting for 1%-5% of all spinal cord tumors, and are mostly associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Localization in the cauda equina is uncommon. Aim: In this manuscript, we aimed to describe a rare case of sporadic intradural extramedullary HB of the cauda equina and present a literature review. Mathods: A systematic research was performed on PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, using the keywords "spinal HB" and "cauda equina tumors." The previous literature is integrated by the description of the present case. A 49-year-old female presented in August 2020 to our institution with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which showed an intradural mass at L1/2 level and angiography that showing a nidus of serpiginous vessels inside the lesion. Symptoms were right sciatica and paresthesia in right L5 radicular dermatome for more than 3 months. Neurological examination revealed claudicatio spinalis and hypoesthesia on right L5 dermatome and weakness of right anterior tibialis muscle. Microsurgical en bloc resection of lesion was performed with adjuvant neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring. The histological examination provided the diagnosis of HB. Results: After surgery, symptoms and neurological impairment gradually improved. Postoperative MRI showed no residual tumor. Conclusions: Although intradural extramedullary HB of the cauda equina without VHL syndrome is a rare pathological entity, this diagnosis must be taken in consideration when a mass affects cauda equina. Preoperative embolization is an option to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Radiosurgery seems to prevent recurrences when the tumor is not completely excised. A complete surgical removal of the lesion is usually possible and it leads to a low likelihood of recurrence.

Traumatic compression fractures in thoracic-lumbar junction: vertebroplasty vs conservative management in a prospective controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Both surgery and conservative management are well established treatments for compression fractures of the thoraco-lumbar spine without neurological compromise. This article aims to compare the outcomes of conservative management to those of vertebroplasty, a relatively safe and simple procedure. METHODS: 102 patients were admitted to our neurosurgical unit between January 2012 and February 2016, presenting with a single-level, post-traumatic A1 or A2 Mager l type fracture, affecting the thoracic-lumbar spine without any neurological deficits. After description of both treatment options, the patients were asked to choose between vertebroplasty or conservative treatment. Accordingly, the patients were allocated into two groups and a prospective non-randomized controlled trial was carried out. The first group (Group A) included 52 patients, treated with bed rest and an orthosis. The second group (Group B) of 50 patients underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty. Pain intensity (assessed via visual analog scale (VAS)), disability degree (assessed via Oswestry Disability Index), ability to resume work (assessed via Denis work Scale), vertebral body height loss rate, regional kyphosis angle (Cobb's angle), duration of hospitalization and treatment-associated complications, were prospectively recorded in a database and analyzed. Follow ups were planned at 1, 6, and 12 months after the injury. RESULTS: Group B, compared with group A, showed a faster improvement in VAS score as well as functional ability and return to work. Cobb's angle progression was significantly less in the surgical group. Morbidity, mortality, and complication rate were similar and comparable in both groups without a statistical difference (P<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty is a safe and effective treatment in post-traumatic thoracic-lumbar fractures compared with conservative management.

Poor-Prognosis Patients Affected by Glioblastoma: Retrospective Study of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy with Simultaneous Integrated Boost and Concurrent/Adjuvant Temozolomide.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a very poor-prognosis brain tumor. To date, maximal excision followed by radiochemotherapy, in 30 fractions, is the standard approach. Limited data are present in the literature about hypofractionated radiotherapy (hypo-RT) in GBM poor prognosis patients. Thus, this retrospective study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of hypo-RT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in association with temozolomide (TMZ) in this patient setting. METHODS: Poor-prognosis GBM patients underwent surgery (complete, subtotal or biopsy) followed by SIB-hypo-RT and concomitant/adjuvant TMZ. The prescription dose was 40.05 Gy (15 fractions) with a SIB of 52.5 Gy (3.5 Gy/fraction) on surgical cavity/residual/macroscopic disease. Volumetric modulated arc therapy was performed. RESULTS: From July 2019 to July 2021, 30 poor-prognosis patients affected by GBM were treated by SIB-hypo-RT; 25 were evaluated in the present analysis due to a minimum follow up of 6 months. The median age and KPS were 65 years and 60%, respectively. At the median follow-up time of 15 months (range 7-24), median and 1-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 13 months and 54%, and 8.4 months and 23%, respectively. No acute or late neurological side effects of grade ≥ 2 were reported. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred in three cases. CONCLUSION: SIB-hypo-RT associated with TMZ in poor-prognosis patients affected by GBM is an effective and safe treatment. Prospective studies could be warranted.

Surgical management and long-term outcome of intracranial subependymoma.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial subependymomas account for 0.2-0.7% of central nervous system tumours and are classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 tumours. They are typically located within the ventricular system and are detected incidentally or with symptoms of hydrocephalus. Due to paucity of studies exploring this tumour type, the objective was to determine the medium- to long-term outcome of intracranial subependymoma treated by surgical resection. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of adults with intracranial WHO grade 1 subependymoma diagnosed between 1990 and 2015 at the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was undertaken. Tumour location, extent of resection (defined as gross total resection (GTR), sub-total resection (STR) or biopsy) and the WHO performance status at presentation and through follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (7 males; 6 females) with a mean age of 47.6 years (range 33-58 years) and a median follow-up of 46 months (range 25-220 months) were studied. Eight patients had symptomatic tumours (headache, visual disturbance); five had incidental finding. Tumours were most commonly located in the fourth ventricle (n = 8). The performance status scores at diagnosis were 0 (n = 8) and 1 (n = 5). The early post-operative performance status scores at 6 months were 0 (n = 5) and 1 (n = 8) and at last follow-up were 0 (n = 11) and 1 (n = 2). There was no evidence of tumour re-growth following GTR or STR. The commonest complication was hydrocephalus (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Subependymoma are indolent tumours. No patients exhibited a worsening of performance status at medium- to long-term follow-up and there were no tumour recurrence suggesting a shorter follow-up time may be sufficient. Surgical resection is indicated for symptomatic tumours or those without a clear imaging diagnosis. Incidental intraventricular subependymoma can be managed conservatively through MRI surveillance.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring for intradural extramedullary tumors: why not?

BACKGROUND: While intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) for intramedullary tumors has become a standard in neurosurgical practice, IOM for intradural extramedullary tumors (IDEMs) is still under debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of IOM during surgery for IDEMs. METHODS: From March 2008 to March 2013, 68 patients had microsurgery with IOM for IDEMs (31 schwannomas, 25 meningiomas, 6 ependymomas of the cauda/filum terminalis, 4 dermoid cysts and 2 other lesions). The IOM included somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and--in selected cases--D-waves. Also preoperative and postoperative neurophysiological assessment was performed with SEPs and MEPs. All patients were evaluated at admission and at follow up (minimum 6 months) with the Modified McCormick Scale (mMCs). RESULTS: Three different IOM patterns were observed during surgery: no change in evoked potentials (63 cases), transitory evoked potentials change (3 cases) and loss of evoked potentials (2 cases). In the first setting surgery was never stopped and a radical tumor removal was achieved (no stop surgery group). In 3 cases of transitory evoked potentials change, surgery was temporarily halted but the tumors were at the end completely removed (stop and go surgery group). In 2 more patients the loss of evoked potentials led to an incomplete resection (stop surgery group). No patients presented a worsening of the pre-operative clinical conditions (at admission 47 patients presented mMCs 1-2 and 21 patients mMCs 3-5, while at follow up 62 patients are mMCS 1-2 and 6 patients mMCs 3-5). CONCLUSIONS: In our series significant IOM changes occurred in 5 out of 68 patients with IDEMs (7.35%), and it is conceivable that the modification of the surgical strategy - induced by IOM - prevented or mitigated neurological injury in these cases. Vice versa, in 63 patients (92.65%) IOM invariably predicted a good neurological outcome. Furthermore this technique allowed a safer tumor removal in IDEMs placed in difficult locations as cranio-vertebral junction or in antero/antero-lateral position (where rotation of spinal cord can be monitored) and even in case of tumor adherent to the spinal cord without a clear cleavage plane.

Recent developments in numerical modelling of subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

Numerical modelling of subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CWs) gained increasing interest during the last years. The main objective of the modelling work is, on the one hand, to increase the insight in dynamics and functioning of the complex CW system by using mechanistic or process based models that describe transformation and degradation processes in detail. As these mechanistic models are complex and therefore rather difficult to use there is, on the other hand, a need for simplified models for CW design. The design models should be premium to the currently used design guidelines that are mainly based on rules of thumb or simple first-order decay models. This paper presents an overview of the current developments on modelling of subsurface flow CWs based on the modelling work and model developments presented at the WETPOL 2007 symposium. Three kinds of models have been presented: simple transport and first-order decay models, complex mechanistic models, and a simplified model that has been developed for design of CWs. The models are presented and selected results are shown and discussed in relation to the available literature.