Abstract
BACKGROUND
Resection is a critical component in the initial treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Often GBMs are resected using an intralesional method. Circumferential perilesional resection of ...GBMs has been described, but with limited data.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct an observational retrospective analysis to test whether perilesional resection produced a greater extent of resection.
METHODS
We identified all patients with newly diagnosed GBM who underwent resection at our institution from June 1, 1993 to December 31, 2015. Demographics, presenting symptoms, intraoperative data, method of resection (perilesional or intralesional), volumetric imaging data, and postoperative outcomes were obtained. Complete resection (CR) was defined as 100% resection of all contrast-enhancing disease. Univariate analyses employed analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's exact test. Multivariate analyses used propensity score-weighted multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
Newly diagnosed GBMs were resected in 1204 patients, 436 tumors (36%) perilesionally and 766 (64%) intralesionally. Radiographic CR was achieved in 69% of cases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that perilesional tumor resection was associated with a significantly higher rate of CR than intralesional resection (81% vs 62%, multivariate odds ratio = 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.8-3.4, P < .001). Among tumors in eloquent cortex, multivariate analysis showed that patients who underwent perilesional resection had a higher rate of CR (79% vs 58%, respectively, P < .001) and a lower rate of neurological complications (11% vs 20%, respectively, P = .018) than those who underwent intralesional resection.
CONCLUSION
Circumferential perilesional resection of GBM is associated with significantly higher rates of CR and lower rates of neurological complications than intralesional resection, even for tumors arising in eloquent locations. Perilesional resection, when feasible, should be considered as a preferred option.
Video Abstract
10.1093/neuros/nyz008
Video Abstract
Summary Video of Perilesional Resection of Glioblastoma Is Independently Associated With Improved Outcomes.
10.1093.neuros.nyz008
6005686384001
Many neurosurgeons resect nonenhancing low-grade gliomas (LGGs) by using an inside-out piecemeal resection (PMR) technique. At the authors' institution they have increasingly used a circumferential, ...perilesional, sulcus-guided resection (SGR) technique. This technique has not been well described and there are limited data on its effectiveness. The authors describe the SGR technique and assess the extent to which SGR correlates with extent of resection and neurological outcome.
The authors identified all patients with newly diagnosed LGGs who underwent resection at their institution over a 22-year period. Demographics, presenting symptoms, intraoperative data, method of resection (SGR or PMR), volumetric imaging data, and postoperative outcomes were obtained. Univariate analyses used ANOVA and Fisher's exact test. Multivariate analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression.
Newly diagnosed LGGs were resected in 519 patients, 208 (40%) using an SGR technique and 311 (60%) using a PMR technique. The median extent of resection in the SGR group was 84%, compared with 77% in the PMR group (p = 0.019). In multivariate analysis, SGR was independently associated with a higher rate of complete (100%) resection (27% vs 18%) (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6; p = 0.03). SGR was also associated with a statistical trend toward lower rates of postoperative neurological complications (11% vs 16%, p = 0.09). A subset analysis of tumors located specifically in eloquent brain demonstrated SGR to be as safe as PMR.
The authors describe the SGR technique used to resect LGGs and show that SGR is independently associated with statistically significantly higher rates of complete resection, without an increase in neurological complications, than with PMR. SGR technique should be considered when resecting LGGs.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens occur in glioblastoma but not in normal brains, making them desirable immunologic targets.
Highly functional autologous polyclonal CMV pp65-specific T cells from ...patients with glioblastoma were numerically expanded under good manufacturing practice compliant conditions and administered after 3 weeks of lymphodepleting dose-dense temozolomide (100 mg/m
) treatment. The phase I component used a 3+3 design, ascending through four dose levels (5 × 10
-1 × 10
cells). Treatment occurred every 6 weeks for four cycles.
persistence and effector function of CMV-specific T cells was determined by dextramer staining and multiparameter flow cytometry in serially sampled peripheral blood and in the tumor microenvironment.
We screened 65 patients; 41 were seropositive for CMV; 25 underwent leukapheresis; and 20 completed ≥1 cycle. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Radiographic response was complete in 1 patient, partial in 2. Median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 1.3 months 95% confidence interval (CI), 0-8.3 months; 6-month PFS was 19% (95% CI, 7%-52%); and median overall survival time was 12 months (95% CI, 6 months to not reached). Repeated infusions of CMV-T cells paralleled significant increases in circulating CMV
CD8
T cells, but cytokine production showing effector activity was suppressed, especially from T cells obtained directly from glioblastomas.
Adoptive infusion of CMV-specific T cells after lymphodepletion with dose-dense temozolomide was well tolerated. But apparently CMV seropositivity does not guarantee tumor susceptibility to CMV-specific T cells, suggesting heterogeneity in CMV antigen expression. Moreover, effector function of these T cells was attenuated, indicating a requirement for further T-cell modulation to prevent their dysfunction before conducting large-scale clinical studies.
Tectal gliomas (TGs) are rare tumors that involve critical locations in the brainstem, including the superior and inferior colliculi and the Sylvian aqueduct. The rarity of these tumors and the lack ...of large clinical studies have hindered adequate understanding of this disease. We sought to determine the association between imaging characteristics of TG and progression-free survival (PFS).
In this retrospective cohort study, impact of imaging characteristics (contrast enhancement, calcifications, cystic changes, presence of hydrocephalus) on survival was analyzed for 39 patients with TG. We used the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method for determining the association between imaging characteristics and PFS. Progression-free survival was measured from time of diagnosis to radiographic or pathological disease progression during observation period. Progression was defined as more than 25% increase of the lesion in size, per response assessment in neuro-oncology, together with clinical deterioration and/or a need for intervention. Progression-free survival differences by various imaging characteristics were assessed using the log-rank test and univariable Cox proportional hazard regression. Because most of the studies in the current literature tend to overrepresent pediatric patients, we aimed to determine the association between TG tumors' imaging characteristics and PFS in both adult and pediatric patients. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 16.1 (Stata Corp, College Station, Tex).
Of the 39 patients, radiographic tumor progression was observed in 15 cases (38.5%). Median PFS for 39 patients during observation was 21.8 years. Tectal gliomas that showed contrast enhancement initially or developed contrast enhancement during surveillance on magnetic resonance imaging had significantly lower PFS than those without (hazard ratio, 3.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-11.58; log-rank P value, 0.02).
Analysis of this patient population showed that contrast-enhancing TGs should not be categorically defined as benign lesions. This subgroup of patients should be followed closely for signs of progression.
OBJECTIVE Fourth ventricle tumors are rare, and surgical series are typically small, comprising a single pathology, or focused exclusively on pediatric populations. This study investigated surgical ...outcome and complications following fourth ventricle tumor resection in a diverse patient population. This is the largest cohort of fourth ventricle tumors described in the literature to date. METHODS This is an 18-year (1993-2010) retrospective review of 55 cases involving patients undergoing surgery for tumors of the fourth ventricle. Data included patient demographic characteristics, pathological and radiographic tumor characteristics, and surgical factors (approach, surgical adjuncts, extent of resection, etc.). The neurological and medical complications following resection were collected and outcomes at 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and 1 year were reviewed to determine patient recovery. Patient, tumor, and surgical factors were analyzed to determine factors associated with the frequently encountered postoperative neurological complications. RESULTS There were no postoperative deaths. Gross-total resection was achieved in 75% of cases. Forty-five percent of patients experienced at least 1 major neurological complication, while 31% had minor complications only. New or worsening gait/focal motor disturbance (56%), speech/swallowing deficits (38%), and cranial nerve deficits (31%) were the most common neurological deficits in the immediate postoperative period. Of these, cranial nerve deficits were the least likely to resolve at follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that patients undergoing a transvermian approach had a higher incidence of postoperative cranial nerve deficits, gait disturbance, and speech/swallowing deficits than those treated with a telovelar approach. The use of surgical adjuncts (intraoperative navigation, neurophysiological monitoring) did not significantly affect neurological outcome. Twenty-two percent of patients required postoperative CSF diversion following tumor resection. Patients who required intraoperative ventriculostomy, those undergoing a transvermian approach, and pediatric patients (< 18 years old) were all more likely to require postoperative CSF diversion. Twenty percent of patients suffered at least 1 medical complication following tumor resection. Most complications were respiratory, with the most common being postoperative respiratory failure (14%), followed by pneumonia (13%). CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of complications after fourth ventricle tumor surgery is not rare. Postoperative neurological sequelae were frequent, but a substantial number of patients had neurological improvement at long-term followup. Of the neurological complications analyzed, postoperative cranial nerve deficits were the least likely to completely resolve at follow-up. Of all the patient, tumor, and surgical variables included in the analysis, surgical approach had the most significant impact on neurological morbidity, with the telovelar approach being associated with less morbidity.
Abstract
Background
Undersampling of gliomas at first biopsy is a major clinical problem, as accurate grading determines all subsequent treatment. We submit a technological solution to reduce the ...problem of undersampling by estimating a marker of tumor proliferation (Ki-67) using MR imaging data as inputs, against a stereotactic histopathology gold standard.
Methods
MR imaging was performed with anatomic, diffusion, permeability, and perfusion sequences, in untreated glioma patients in a prospective clinical trial. Stereotactic biopsies were harvested from each patient immediately prior to surgical resection. For each biopsy, an imaging description (23 parameters) was developed, and the Ki-67 index was recorded. Machine learning models were built to estimate Ki-67 from imaging inputs, and cross validation was undertaken to determine the error in estimates. The best model was used to generate graphical maps of Ki-67 estimates across the whole brain.
Results
Fifty-two image-guided biopsies were collected from 23 evaluable patients. The random forest algorithm best modeled Ki-67 with 4 imaging inputs (T2-weighted, fractional anisotropy, cerebral blood flow, Ktrans). It predicted the Ki-67 expression levels with a root mean square (RMS) error of 3.5% (R2 = 0.75). A less accurate predictive result (RMS error 5.4%, R2 = 0.50) was found using conventional imaging only.
Conclusion
Ki-67 can be predicted to clinically useful accuracies using clinical imaging data. Advanced imaging (diffusion, perfusion, and permeability) improves predictive accuracy over conventional imaging alone. Ki-67 predictions, displayed as graphical maps, could be used to guide biopsy, resection, and/or radiation in the care of glioma patients.
Surgical evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) in cancer patients is often contraindicated owing to refractory thrombocytopenia. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) recently emerged ...as a potential alternative to surgical evacuation for patients with chronic SDH. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MMAE for chronic SDH in cancer patients with refractory thrombocytopenia.
A multiinstitutional registry was reviewed for clinical and radiographic outcomes of cancer patients with transfusion-refractory thrombocytopenia and baseline platelet count < 75 K/µl, who underwent MMAE for chronic SDH.
MMAE was performed on a total of 31 SDHs in 22 patients, with a mean ± SD (range) platelet count of 42.1 ± 18.3 (9-74) K/µl. At the longest follow-up, 24 SDHs (77%) had reduced in size, with 15 (48%) showing > 50% reduction. Two patients required surgical evacuation after MMAE. There was only 1 procedural complication; however, 16 patients (73%) ultimately died of cancer-related complications. Median survival was significantly longer in the 16 patients with improved SDH than the 6 patients with worsened SDH after MMAE (185 vs 24 days, p = 0.029). Length of procedure, technical success rate, SDH size reduction, and complication rate were not significantly differ between patients who underwent transfemoral and transradial approaches.
Transfemoral or transradial MMAE is a potential therapeutic option for thrombocytopenic cancer patients with SDH. However, treatment benefit may be marginal for patients with high disease burden and limited life expectancy. A prospective trial is warranted to address these questions.
OBJECTIVE:To review efficiency metrics and patient safety data before and after implementation of a structured review process for surgical innovations.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:Surgical innovation ...ranges from minor incremental improvement to radical experimentation. Although innovation paradigms have been described, these are not widely adopted or enforced in the surgical community.
METHODS:A Continuous Quality Improvement Team (CQIT) of surgical quality officers and perioperative nurses was organized to perform structured reviews of proposed new surgical devices and procedures at a large quaternary cancer care center. The CQIT process was placed to precede an established Value Analysis Team business evaluation. Pre- and post-CQIT implementation metrics of approval process efficiency and patient safety data were compared. Seven novel procedures were also vetted by the CQIT.
RESULTS:Forty-six product requests were evaluated after CQIT implementation. Compared with 34 products evaluated prior to CQIT establishment, the total mean evaluation time decreased from 124 to 51 days (P= 0.007). For new devices requiring intraoperative trial, the time between product proposal and trial decreased from a mean of 260 to 99 days (P= 0.014). The rate of device-related complications in the pre-CQIT group was 10% compared with 0% post-CQIT. Two devices, which administratively bypassed CQIT review, had both minor and major complications, including a mortality. Five novel procedures approved by CQIT with simulation were performed without complications.
CONCLUSIONS:Using novel algorithms, the addition of a dedicated team of surgical quality officers to the surgical innovation evaluation process improved both the efficiency and the safety associated with introducing new devices and procedures into practice.
Purpose
Pineal region tumors are surgically demanding tumors to resect. Long term neuro-oncologic outcomes following surgical excision of tumors from this region have been underreported. We sought to ...define the long term outcomes of patients undergoing resection of pineal region tumors.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed on patients who underwent intended surgical excision of pineal region tumors. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were the primary endpoints of this study. Factors associated with OS, PFS and the degree of resection were analyzed, along with 30-day complication rates and dependence on CSF diversion.
Results
Sixty-eight patients with a mean age of 30.9 ± 15.3 years were analyzed. The median clinical and radiographic follow-up was 95.7 and 48.2 months, respectively. The supracerebellar infratentorial and the occipital transtentorial corridors were utilized in the majority of cases (80.9%). The gross total resection (GTR) rate was 52.9% (n=36). The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 70.2% and 58.5%, respectively. Achieving GTR was associated with improved OS (HR 0.39,
p
= 0.03) and PFS (HR 0.4,
p
= 0.006). The 30-day mortality rate was 5.9%. The need for CSF diversion was high with 77.9% of patients requiring a shunt or ETV by last follow-up.
Conclusions
This is the first modern surgical series providing long term follow-up for patients undergoing surgical resection of pineal region tumors. Obtaining a GTR of these challenging tumors is beneficial with regards to PFS/OS. Higher grade tumors have diminished PFS/OS and are treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.