Surgical treatment and prognosis of adult patients with brainstem gliomas

The paper presents 47 adult patients who were surgically treated due to brainstem gliomas. Thirteen patients presented with contrast-enhancing Grades III and IV gliomas, according to the WHO classification, 13 patients with contrast-enhancing tumours originating from the glial cells (Grade I; WHO classification), 9 patients with diffuse gliomas, 5 patients with tectal brainstem gliomas and 7 patients with exophytic brainstem gliomas. During the surgical procedure, neuronavigation and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTI) of the corticospinal tract were used with the examination of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) with direct stimulation of the fundus of the fourth brain ventricle in order to define the localization of the nuclei of nerves VII, IX, X and XII. Cerebellar dysfunction, damage to cranial nerves and dysphagia were the most frequent postoperative sequelae which were also the most difficult to resolve. The Karnofsky score established preoperatively and the extent of tumour resection were the factors affecting the prognosis. The mean time of progression-free survival (14 months) and the mean survival time after surgery (20 months) were the shortest for malignant brainstem gliomas. In the group with tectal brainstem gliomas, no cases of progression were found and none of the patients died during the follow-up. Some patients were professionally active. Partial resection of diffuse brainstem gliomas did not prolong the mean survival above 5 years. However, some patients survived over 5 years in good condition.     

Surgical technique in operations for brainstem gliomas

The article presents an MRI-based classification of brainstem gliomas into focal, cervicomedullary, dorsal exophytic and diffuse ones. This classification provides the basis for specifying indications for surgical treatment and outcome. The article also presents the most frequent approaches to the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. These approaches include the pterional, orbito-zygomatic, subtemporal transtentorial and supracerebellar approaches to the midbrain. Suboccipital, trans fourth ventricle, subtonsillar, retrosigmoid and anterior petrosal approaches were used in the case of the pons. Suboccipital, trans fourth ventricle and transcondylar approaches were applied for the removal of tumors of medulla oblongata. This paper elaborates on rare approaches: transcondylar, paramedian-supracerebellar, subtonsillar and anterior petrosal ones effectively applied in our clinic. The resection of brain stem tumors is performed by piecemeal resection and not by removal en bloc. We stress the significance of safe entry zones to the brain stem and places at the fossa rhomboidea whose impairment may cause severe disability. Lesion of trigonum nervi hypoglossi, trigonum nervi vagi, colliculus facialis and fasciculus longitudinalis medialis leads to severe disability or death of the patient.     

Natural history and management of brainstem gliomas in adults

Brainstem gliomas in adults are rare tumors, with heterogeneous clinical course; only a few studies in the MRI era describe the features in consistent groups of patients. In this retrospective study, we report clinical features at onset, imaging characteristics and subsequent course in a group of 34 adult patients with either histologically proven or clinico-radiologically diagnosed brainstem gliomas followed at two centers in Northern Italy. Of the patients 18 were male, 14 female, with a median age of 31. In 21 of the patients histology was obtained and in 20 it was informative (2 pilocytic astrocytoma, 9 low-grade astrocytoma, 8 anaplastic astrocytoma and 1 glioblastoma). Contrast enhancement at MRI was present in 14 patients. In all of the 9 patients who were investigated with MR spectroscopy, the Cho/NAA ratio was elevated at diagnosis. In 8 of the patients, an initial watch and wait policy was adopted, while 24 were treated shortly after diagnosis with either radiotherapy alone [4] or radiotherapy and chemotherapy [20] (mostly temozolomide). Only minor radiological responses were observed after treatments; in a significant proportion of patients (9 out of 15) clinical improvement during therapy occurred in the context of radiologically (MRI) stable disease. Grade III or IV myelotoxicity was observed in 6 patients.After a follow-up ranging from 9 to 180 months, all but 2 patients have progressed and 14 have died (12 for disease progression, 2 for pulmonary embolism). Median overall survival time was of 59 months. Investigation of putative prognostically relevant parameters showed that a short time between disease onset and diagnosis was related to a shorter survival. Compared with literature data, our study confirms the clinical and radiological heterogeneity of adult brainstem gliomas and underscores the need for multicenter trials in order to assess the efficacy of treatments in these tumors.     

成人单侧丘脑胶质瘤手术技术探讨

目的 明确如何根据单侧丘脑胶质瘤的解剖位置及生长方向指导手术入路的制定,并探讨相应手术技巧及辅助技术.方法 回顾性分析2004年1月至2012年6月于我院手术治疗的98例成人单侧丘脑胶质瘤病例资料.53例为低级别胶质瘤,45例为高级别胶质瘤.其中主体基本位于单侧丘脑的胶质瘤81例;主体位于单侧丘脑并向中脑生长的胶质瘤17例.全部病人均行手术切除.结果 肿瘤全切为62例(63％),次全切为26例(27％),大部切除为10例(10％).肿瘤切除术后短期症状明显改善61例(62％),症状无变化29例(30％),症状恶化6例(6％),死亡2例(2％).结论 对于单侧丘脑胶质瘤,选择适合的手术入路、正确的手术技巧,并使用相应术中辅助技术,多数病人能获得显微镜下手术全部切除或次全切除以及良好的手术质量.     

海马胶质瘤的手术治疗

海马胶质瘤位置深,周围毗邻重要的神经血管,既往曾被视为手术的难题,随着显微神经外科技术的发展,该部位肿瘤手术已取得了良好的效果,现将我科近年来经手术和病理证实的11例海马胶质瘤的治疗体会报告如下.     

复发性脑胶质瘤的手术治疗

目的探讨复发性脑胶质瘤的手术特点。方法回顾性分析86例复发性脑胶质瘤手术患者的临床资料,归纳其临床、影像学、病理学的特点、分析其手术治疗效果。结果复发性脑胶质瘤的诊断并不困难,再次手术全切除率较高,无死亡率。但是判断手术效果的关键是观察患者手术后是否会改善症状或者是延长生命。结论复发性脑胶质瘤的其生物学行为常常发生明显的变化,多呈浸润性生长,而且生长迅速。病人的生存时间与肿瘤复发后的分级,第一次手术到复发的时间,颅内的部位,肿瘤的形态学的特点和病人的年龄与全身情况有关。但目前对复发性脑胶质瘤通常采用的治疗方案仍以手术为主结合放疗和化疗的综合治疗。精确的手术治疗虽然不能显著提高生存时间,但是可有效地减少死亡率和致残率。     

Calcification in brainstem gliomas

Calcification in brainstem gliomas is an unusual histologic and and radiologic finding. To date, radiologic evidence of calcification in these tumors has not been reported. The two patients described here had evidence of calcification on either computerized tomography (CT) or plain skull films. Increasing availability of CT scans may provide a more accurate estimate of the incidence of calcification in these tumors.     

Clinical characteristics and treatment of malignant brainstem gliomas in elderly patients

Adult brainstem gliomas (BSG) are uncommon tumors that constitute only 2% of all brain tumors. Due to its rare occurrence in the elderly (60 years and older), there is no literature discussing the natural history, prognosis, and best treatment strategy for malignant BSG in this population to our knowledge. We report seven elderly patients with malignant BSG and propose treatment strategies to manage these aggressive tumors. The median age at onset in this cohort was 65 years, with the majority of patients being male (71.4%) and Caucasian (85.7%). The median duration of symptoms prior to presentation was 0.5 months, with the most common symptoms being facial weakness, blurry vision, headache, and extremity weakness. Tumors were most commonly located in the pons (85.7%), with one tumor being located in the tectal plate. Five of seven (71.4%) patients underwent biopsies, with two patients undergoing partial resections. Following tissue diagnosis, patients received radiation therapy and concurrent temozolomide, followed by additional chemotherapeutics upon progression. Side effects as a result of treatment were seen in three patients and all involved reversible hematological complications such as neutropenia and thrombopenia. The median time to progression was 6.7 months and the median overall survival was 13.5 months. While malignant BSG in elderly patients are aggressive gliomas with an overall poor prognosis, these patients are able to safely undergo aggressive chemoradiotherapy, resulting in improved survival. Resection may be considered for select patients in which the tumor is mostly exophytic, near the brainstem surface, and easily accessible.     

中脑顶盖部胶质瘤的外科治疗

目的探讨中脑顶盖部胶质瘤的外科手术治疗方法及结果。方法回顾性分析9例中脑顶盖部胶质瘤病人的临床资料。均采用显微外科手术切除,其中枕部经小脑幕入路8例,经幕下小脑上入路1例。结果肿瘤均全切除,病理均为低级别胶质瘤,术后并发双眼上视困难1例,无其他手术并发症,无死亡病例。脑积水完全缓解8例,1例仍有头痛、呕吐症状,再次行内镜下第三脑室底造瘘术。所有病人随访1～5年,MRI未见肿瘤复发,眼球运动障碍有不同程度恢复,KPS评分90～100分。结论中脑顶盖部胶质瘤临床罕见,病理级别相对良性,进行积极的显微外科治疗能取得较好的效果。     

Prognostic factors in brainstem gliomas

Although brainstem gliomas carry the worst prognosis of any brain tumor in children, with median survivals of 9 to 12 months, there may be a subgroup of long-term survivors. We have identified 12 children with brainstem gliomas, 5 of whom have survived greater than 6 years and 6 less than or equal to 12 months. Another child, alive and well 3 years following diagnosis, was considered in the long-term survivor group. Favorable prognostic factors included neurofibromatosis, symptoms greater than or equal to 12 months before diagnosis, calcification on CT, exophytic location, and pathology suggesting a low-grade tumor. Recognition that certain patients with brainstem gliomas may have prolonged survivals even in the absence of definitive treatment must be taken into consideration when new treatment regimens are being formulated.     

Neurological update: gliomas and other primary brain tumours in adults

Journal of Neurology - The emerging understanding of molecular changes in a wide range of brain tumours has led to a significant shift in how these tumours are diagnosed, managed and treated. This...     

Glial fibrillary acidic protein in giant cell tumors of brain and other gliomas

Summary The giant cell tumor of brain (glioblastoma/sarcoma) has been considered a glioma by some and a sarcoma by others. This study shows that glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a specific marker for astrocytes, is present in the tumor cells, thus indicating that the cell of origin is the astrocyte and that the tumor should be called a giant cell glioblastoma. GFAP is present in the smaller cells of this tumor and in larger mononucleated cells, but little if any is detectable in multinucleated giant cells.In a different kind of tumor, the giant cell astrocytoma assonciated with tuberosclerosis, GFAP is restricted in most cells to a narrow peripheral zone.Immunocytochemical localization of GFAP is superior to special stains to differentiate giant cell glioblastomas from true sarcomas and giant cell bone tumors, since the latter are both negative for GFAP.Comparison of GFAP in all tumors of astrocyte origin shows that the cells that appear to contain the most GFAP include low grade well differentiated stellate cells, elongated piloid cells, and gemistocytic astrocytoma cells. Highly malignant undifferentiated cells, with less well developed processes, are less densely positive.Although there is in general an inverse relationship between GFAP content and degree of tumor malignancy, a more complex relationship exists with respect to individual cells; more GFAP is present in well differentiated cells with well-developed processes and filaments than in undifferentiated cells and large multinucleated cells. It is suggested that the pleomorphism of more malignant cells may relate to their relatively low GFAP content and perhaps to the disassembly of their glial filaments.Supported in part by the American Cancer Society, Inc., Grant No. PDT-162     

Surgical treatment of intraventricular tumors

In the last 11 years we operated on 20 patients (1.03% of all operated brain tumors) with lateral ventricular masses. Anamnesis lasted from 6 months in the case of epileptic seizures to 6 years when headache was the main symptom of disease only. Tumor was located in the anterior cornu and pars centralis in 15, in the trigonum of lateral ventricle in 2, and in the posterior cornu of the lateral ventricle in 3 cases. 13 tumors were large and in MRI the largest diameter was above 5 cm. Tumors located in the anterior cornu and pars centralis were removed using transcortical (10 cases) or transcallosal approaches (5 times). The tumor of the trigonum of ventricle was removed twice through superior parietal lobulus. Tumors of the posterior cornu were operated on via precuneus in order to save visual fields or through the occipital cortex. In 4 cases after removal of tumor the orifice in the frontal lobe was closed with fibrine glue. We totally removed tumors from lateral ventricles in 85% and subtotally in 15% of all cases. Histopathological examination revealed: astrocytoma anaplasticum in 5 cases, astrocytoma pilocyticum 4, oligodendroglioma 2, oligodendroglioma mixtum 1, papilloma plexus chorioidei 2, cystis epidermalis 2, subependymoma 1, ependymoma 1, pineocytoma 1 and haemangiona arterio-venosum 1. Two patients (10%) with diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma died after the operation as a result of ischemia and edema cerebri. During the follow-up examination, where the average time of observation was 3.7 years, 15 patients were found to be in a good condition (GR+MD), 1 patient was severely disabled (SD), 2 patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and pineocytoma died because of enlargement of the remnants of tumors left at first operation in spite of reoperation. Tumors of the lateral ventricle grow slowly and often achieve a large size before their clinical appearance. Most of tumors are accessible for a total or subtotal removal with acceptable morbidity and mortality rate after the operation. Long-term results depend on the size of resection and histopathological investigation.     

手术治疗松果体区肿瘤临床分析

目的观察松果体区肿瘤患者施行神经外科手术治疗的效果及其预后。方法对1985～2001年收治的30例松果体区肿瘤患者的病理类型、临床资料、治疗方法及预后进行回顾性分析。结果30例患者中,典型Parinaud综合征患者6例;X线检查显示颅内高压者3例;CT及MRI均示第三脑室后部占位性病变,两侧脑室及第三脑室扩大。全部患者均施行手术治疗,经枕下幕上入路者19例,幕下小脑上入路者11例;19例同时行第三脑室后部造瘘;肿瘤全切除11例,次全切除8例,部分切除8例,活检加内分流3例;病理检查结果显示,生殖细胞肿瘤15例,松果体实质肿瘤5例,脑膜瘤3例,室管膜瘤1例,星形细胞瘤2例,其它病变4例。随访11例(1～6年),其中生存5年以上者7例;复发4例,其中3例死亡。结论松果体区最常见的肿瘤是生殖细胞肿瘤,临床表现多无特异性。手术既可切除肿瘤,解除梗阻性脑积水,又可获得充足的组织标本明确肿瘤性质,以指导下一步的治疗。松果体区肿瘤患者的预后大多良好。     

成人低级别致痫性胶质瘤的手术治疗

目的探讨低级别伴发癫痫胶质瘤的处理方式。方法回顾分析2007年6月至2009年3月我科手术治疗的26例伴发癫痫的Ⅰ～Ⅱ级胶质瘤患者临床资料。术前结合磁共振和脑磁图定位癫痫起源部位。结果导航下手术切除肿瘤并处理癫痫起源部位后癫痫症状消失23例,缓解3例。结论低级别胶质瘤有较高的癫痫发生率,肿瘤切除的同时应重视癫痫起源部位的处理。     

Low-grade gliomas in adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper aims to summarize the current thinking about the management of adult supratentorial low-grade gliomas. These are well differentiated primary brain tumours that typically develop in young adults. Their biological behaviour is poorly understood but the majority of these tumours grow slowly, infiltrate surrounding normal brain, and show an intrinsic tendency to undergo malignant transformation to high-grade gliomas. Surgery and radiotherapy are the main treatment options, but their precise role and timing are controversial. RECENT FINDINGS: Resective surgery is at best regarded as a practice option because there is a paucity of good quality evidence to show that extent of resection correlates with survival. Radiotherapy prolongs progression-free survival but not overall survival and may lead to long-term cognitive deficits, although not as widespread as had previously been thought. A minority of tumours with oligodendroglial differentiation are chemosensitive and this correlates with allelic loss of chromosomes 1p and 19q. New imaging and molecular techniques, in particular gene microarray studies, are providing more information about these tumours, although they have yet to have a significant impact on clinical management. SUMMARY: The best management of low-grade gliomas is still unknown but advances in molecular genetics and imaging are improving our ability to prognosticate and follow the natural history of these tumours.     

脑干肿瘤的手术治疗

手术治疗6例脑干肿瘤病人,次全切除2例,大部切除1例,部分切除3例.术后临床表现明显改善1例,改善3例.无变化2例,无一例术后死亡.作者认为脑干肿瘤手术治疗成功的关键在于手术适应证的选择.弥漫性脑于肿瘤不适合手术治疗,局限性脑于肿瘤、囊性脑干肿瘤、颈髓延髓交界处脑于肿瘤及背侧外生性脑干肿瘤适合手术治疗.其中囊性脑干肿瘤、颈髓延髓交界处脑于肿瘤、背侧外生性脑干肿瘤常能做到肿瘤的全切除或次全切除.