scholarly journals Intraoperative mapping and monitoring of brain functions for the resection of low-grade gliomas: technical considerations

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. E4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Bertani ◽  
Enrica Fava ◽  
Giuseppe Casaceli ◽  
Giorgio Carrabba ◽  
Alessandra Casarotti ◽  
...  

Low-grade gliomas ([LGGs] WHO Grade II) are slow-growing intrinsic cerebral lesions that diffusely infiltrate the brain parenchyma along white matter tracts and almost invariably show a progression toward malignancy. The treatment of these tumors forces the neurosurgeon to face uncommon difficulties and is still a subject of debate. At the authors' institution, resection is the first option in the treatment of LGGs. It requires the combined efforts of a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists, and neurophysiologists, who together contribute to the definition of the location, extension, and extent of functional involvement that a specific lesion has caused in a particular patient. In fact, each tumor induces specific modifications of the brain functional network, with high interindividual variability. This requires that each treatment plan is tailored to the characteristics of the tumor and of the patient. Consequently, surgery is performed according to functional and anatomical boundaries to achieve the maximal resection with maximal functional preservation. The identification of eloquent cerebral areas, which are involved in motor, language, memory, and visuospatial functions and have to be preserved during surgery, is performed through the intraoperative use of brain mapping techniques. The use of these techniques extends surgical indications and improves the extent of resection, while minimizing the postoperative morbidity and safeguarding the patient's quality of life. In this paper the authors present their paradigm for the surgical treatment of LGGs, focusing on the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring protocol as well as on the brain mapping technique. They briefly discuss the results that have been obtained at their institution since 2005 as well as the main critical points they have encountered when using this approach.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii375-iii376
Author(s):  
Uri Tabori ◽  
Scott Ryall ◽  
Michal Zapotocky ◽  
Julie Bennett ◽  
Liana Nobre ◽  
...  

Abstract Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) are primarily driven by genetic alterations in the RAS/MAPK pathway, most commonly involving BRAF of NF1. Despite their molecular convergence, pLGG often show unexplained variability in their clinical outcome. To address this, we molecularly characterized a cohort of >1,000 clinically annotated pLGG. 84% of cases harbored a detectable driver mutation. The remaining 16% of patients nonetheless showed RAS/MAPK pathway up-regulation at the RNA level. The clinical presentation and outcome of pLGG appeared highly variable and linked to the alteration type: re-arrangement or SNV. Re-arrangement-driven tumors were diagnosed at a younger age (6.6 versus 10.9 years, p<0.0001), enriched for WHO grade I histology (88% versus 66%, p<0.0001), infrequently progressed (27% versus 46%, p<0.0001), and rarely resulted in death (3 versus 13%, p<0.0001) as compared to SNV-driven tumors. These included the rarest molecular drivers of pLGG, for which we now have the clinicopathologic features of including MYB, MYBL1, FGFR2 fusions, FGFR1-TACC1, FGFR1 SNVs, IDH1 p.R132H, and H3.3 p.K27M. Utilizing this information, we suggest novel risk categories of pLGG that effectively predicted patient outcome. Low-risk tumors progressed infrequently and rarely succumbed to their disease (10-year PFS of 71% and OS of 98%). Intermediate-risk pLGG had a 10-year PFS and OS of 35% and 90%, respectively. High risk pLGG almost invariably progressed (10-year PFS of 0%) and these patients often succumbed to their disease (10-year OS of 41%). These data highlight the biological and clinical differences between pLGG subtypes and offers molecular based risk stratification to these cancers.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toral Patel ◽  
Evan D Bander ◽  
Rachael A Venn ◽  
Tiffany Powell ◽  
Gustav Young-Min Cederquist ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Maximizing extent of resection (EOR) improves outcomes in adults with World Health Organization (WHO) grade II low-grade gliomas (LGG). However, recent studies demonstrate that LGGs bearing a mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene are a distinct molecular and clinical entity. It remains unclear whether maximizing EOR confers an equivalent clinical benefit in IDH mutated (mtIDH) and IDH wild-type (wtIDH) LGGs. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of EOR on malignant progression-free survival (MPFS) and overall survival (OS) in mtIDH and wtIDH LGGs. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of 74 patients with WHO grade II gliomas and known IDH mutational status undergoing resection at a single institution. EOR was assessed with quantitative 3-dimensional volumetric analysis. The effect of predictor variables on MPFS and OS was analyzed with Cox regression models and the Kaplan–Meier method. RESULTS Fifty-two (70%) mtIDH patients and 22 (30%) wtIDH patients were included. Median preoperative tumor volume was 37.4 cm3; median EOR of 57.6% was achieved. Univariate Cox regression analysis confirmed EOR as a prognostic factor for the entire cohort. However, stratifying by IDH status demonstrates that greater EOR independently prolonged MPFS and OS for wtIDH patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.002 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.000-0.074] and HR = 0.001 [95% CI 0.00-0.108], respectively), but not for mtIDH patients (HR = 0.84 [95% CI 0.17-4.13] and HR = 2.99 [95% CI 0.15-61.66], respectively). CONCLUSION Increasing EOR confers oncologic and survival benefits in IDH1 wtLGGs, but the impact on IDH1 mtLGGs requires further study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv16-iv16
Author(s):  
Alastair Kirby ◽  
Jose Pedro Lavrador ◽  
Christian Brogna ◽  
Francesco Vergani ◽  
Bassel Zebian ◽  
...  

Abstract Gliomas often present clinically with seizures. Tumour-associated seizures can be difficult to control with medication. A deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying tumour-associated seizures would provide a basis for developing new treatments. Here, we investigate epileptic discharges in peritumoral cortex using living human brain tissue donated by people having a craniotomy for glioma resection (REC approval, 18/SW/002). The brain tissue was cut into thin slices, which preserved the architecture of the glioma and the adjacent healthy brain. The brain slices were incubated in 5-aminolevulinic acid to make the glioma cells fluorescent. This enabled us to make electrophysiological recordings of brain activity across the boundary between glioma and brain. We recorded from brain slices of 5 participants with glioblastoma and 4 participants with oligodendroglioma (WHO grade II – III). Spontaneous “seizure-like” discharges were recorded in brain slices from 5/8 participants (3 GBM, 2 oligodendroglioma) who reported seizures and from one participant (GBM) who had not had any clinical seizures. Further analysis of the seizure-like discharges revealed that they could be subdivided into two distinct types based on the major frequencies in the discharge. We concluded that human brain slices from people with either a low-grade or a high-grade glioma can generate spontaneous seizure-like discharges. The living human brain tissue preparation gives us a platform to study the mechanisms of tumour-associated seizures and how abnormal neural activity affects glioma growth.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (34) ◽  
pp. 8863-8869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E. Combs ◽  
Christoph Thilmann ◽  
Lutz Edler ◽  
Jürgen Debus ◽  
Daniela Schulz-Ertner

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) performed as reirradiation in 172 patients with recurrent low- and high-grade gliomas. Patients and Methods Between 1990 and 2004, 172 patients with recurrent gliomas were treated with FSRT as reirradiation in a single institution. Seventy-one patients suffered from WHO grade 2 gliomas. WHO grade 3 gliomas were diagnosed in 42 patients, and 59 patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The median time between primary radiotherapy and reirradiation was 10 months for GBM, 32 months for WHO grade 3 tumors, and 48 months for grade 2 astrocytomas. FSRT was performed with a median dose of 36 Gy in a median fractionation of 5 × 2 Gy/wk. Results Median overall survival after primary diagnosis was 21 months for patients with GBM, 50 months for patients with WHO grade 3 gliomas, and 111 months for patients with WHO grade 2 gliomas. Histologic grading was the strongest predictor for overall survival, together with the extent of neurosurgical resection and age at primary diagnosis. Median survival after reirradiation was 8 months for patients with GBM, 16 months for patients with grade 3 tumors, and 22 months for patients with low-grade gliomas. Only time to progression and histology were significant in influencing survival after reirradiation. Progression-free survival after FSRT was 5 months for GBM, 8 months for WHO grade 3 tumors, and 12 months for low-grade gliomas. Conclusion FSRT is well tolerated and may be effective in patients with recurrent gliomas. Prospective studies are warranted for further evaluation.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael N. Bucci ◽  
William F. Chandler ◽  
Stephen S. Gebarski ◽  
Paul E. McKeever

Abstract Thrombosed arteriovenous malformations initially diagnosed as low-grade gliomas in a child and her maternal uncle are presented. In both patients, there was progression of the disease as evidenced by the formation of new lesions at distant sites in the brain.


1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich W. Kreth ◽  
Michael Faist ◽  
Peter C. Warnke ◽  
Reinhard Roβner ◽  
Benedikt Volk ◽  
...  

✓ The treatment of patients with low-grade gliomas remains a subject of controversy, especially with respect to new treatment modalities such as interstitial radiosurgery (brachytherapy), radiosurgery, and stereotactic radiotherapy. In a retrospective analysis conducted between 1979 and 1991, the authors studied the results of interstitial radiosurgery in 455 patients with low-grade gliomas (World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I + WHO Grade II) with regard to survival time, quality of life, the risk of malignant transformation, and the risk profile of the treatment concept. Interstitial radiosurgery with iodine-125 was performed using permanent (1979–1985) or temporary implants (after 1985) with low-dose rates (≤ 10 cGy/hr) and a reference dose of 60 to 100 Gy calculated to the outer rim of the tumor. The 5- and 10-year survival rates in patients with pilocytic astrocytomas (97 patients) were 84.9% and 83%, and in patients with WHO Grade II astrocytomas (250 patients) 61% and 51%, respectively. Five-year survival rates for patients with oligoastrocytomas (60 patients), oligodendrogliomas (27 patients), and gemistocytic astrocytomas (21 patients) were 49%, 50%, and 32%, respectively. In the group with WHO Grade II gliomas, young age and a good performance status were associated with a better prognosis. Unfavorable factors were midline shift, enhancement on computerized tomography (CT) scan, and tumor recurrence after previous radiotherapy or surgery. Tumor location had no influence on the prognosis (247 patients in this series had deep-seated tumors). Malignant transformation was the major cause of death. Important risk factors for malignancy were the patient's age, tumor enhancement in CT scan, and tumor recurrence after previous surgery or radiotherapy. Perioperative mortality was 0.9% and perioperative morbidity was 1.7%. Radiogenic complications were observed in 2.7% of all patients, most often in larger tumors and after using permanent implants. The authors conclude that interstitial radiosurgery represents a specific treatment modality for selected patients with unifocal circumscribed low-grade gliomas with a diameter of less than 4 cm in any location. The efficacy of this treatment lies in the same range as the best results after surgery and radiotherapy.


2020 ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
Milos Jokovic ◽  
Radovan Mijalcic ◽  
Vladimir Bascarevic ◽  
Nemanja Jovanovic

Introduction/Objective. Low-grade gliomas (LGG) affect younger adults and carry a favorable prognosis. We aim to describe clinical patterns of low-grade gliomas as well as prognosis in different groups of patients. Our intention was to determine clinical parameters that may affect prognosis, and whether a greater extent of resection would increase the long-term progression-free or overall survival of patients with low-grade gliomas. Methods. We analyzed data obtained from the files of the patients with a diagnosis of WHO grade II gliomas. The relationships among categorical variables were analyzed using standard statistical tools and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. We analyzed 118 patients with median age of 34 years. Over 57% were male and the primary site location was the cerebrum. All these patients were operated on and some of them received radiation and/or chemotherapy. Median overall survival was 9.6 years and better prognosis is associated with younger age, frontal and noneloquent zone location, seizures as the first symptom of disease and gross total resection of the tumor. Indications for early surgery are increased intracranial pressure, preoperative neurologic deficit, tumor size larger than 6 cm with contrast enhancement and older age. Conclusion. Tumor location, 1p/19q co-deletion and age were the main determinants of treatment received and overall survival, likely reflecting tumor biology differences. Any form of treatment was preferred over watchful waiting. This study found that a greater extent of resection could significantly increase the overall survival of patients with low-grade gliomas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Watson ◽  
Alexander Romagna ◽  
Hendrik Ballhausen ◽  
Maximilian Niyazi ◽  
Stefanie Lietke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This long-term retrospective analysis aimed to investigate the outcome and toxicity profile of stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) in selected low-grade gliomas WHO grade II (LGGII) in a large patient series. Methods This analysis comprised 106 consecutive patients who received SBT with temporary Iodine-125 seeds for histologically verified LGGII at the University of Munich between March 1997 and July 2011. Investigation included clinical characteristics, technical aspects of SBT, the application of other treatments, outcome analyses including malignization rates, and prognostic factors with special focus on molecular biomarkers. Results For the entire study population, the 5- and 10-years overall survival (OS) rates were 79% and 62%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 115.9 months. No prognostic factors could be identified. Interstitial radiotherapy was applied in 51 cases as first-line treatment with a median number of two seeds (range 1–5), and a median total implanted activity of 21.8 mCi (range 4.2–43.4). The reference dose average was 54.0 Gy. Five- and ten-years OS and progression-free survival rates after SBT were 72% and 43%, and 40% and 23%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 86.7 months. The procedure-related mortality rate was zero, although an overall complication rate of 16% was registered. Patients with complications had a significantly larger tumor volume (p = 0.029). Conclusion SBT is a minimally invasive treatment modality with a favorable outcome and toxicity profile. It is both an alternative primary treatment method as well as an adjunct to open tumor resection in selected low-grade gliomas.


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