Objective
To prospectively assess mortality, morbidity and the functional and symptomatic outcome following intracranial surgery for meningiomas in elderly patients at two neurosurgical institutions ...in Norway.
Methods
Patients ≥60 years who underwent craniotomies for intracranial meningiomas at Oslo University Hospital and Haukeland University Hospital in 2008 and 2009 were included (n = 54). Outcome was assessed at 6 months.
Results
Thirty‐five females and 19 males of median age 70 (60–84) years were assessed pre‐ and post‐operatively, 87% attended follow‐up at 6 months. The surgical mortality rate was 5.6% at 30 days and 7.4% at 3 and 6 months. The rates of complications were: post‐operative hematomas 5.6%, deep venous thrombosis 1.9%, osteitis 1.9%, cerebrospinal fluid disturbances 13.0% and neurological sequelae 13.0%. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in the MMSE score, with a further 14.9% obtaining scores of ≥25 without a significant change in the level of independence according to the Karnofsky performance scale. QoL assessments showed good functioning post‐operatively compared to other cancer patient groups, yet slightly reduced when compared to data from the general population.
Conclusion
In our series, we found that meningioma surgery in the aging patient carries a higher risk of mortality and morbidity compared to intracranial tumor surgery in general. Our findings indicate, however, that the survivors have improved cognitive function and acceptable QoL, and we did not see any significant decrease in the proportion of independent patients according to the KPS.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSERecent concerns relating to tissue deposition of gadolinium are favoring the use of noncontrast MR imaging whenever possible. The purpose of this study was to assess the ...necessity of gadolinium contrast for follow-up MR imaging of untreated intracranial meningiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODSOne-hundred twenty-two patients (35 men, 87 women) with meningiomas who underwent brain MR imaging between May 2007 and May 2019 in our institution were included in this retrospective cohort study. We analyzed 132 meningiomas: 73 non-skull base (55%) versus 59 skull base (45%), 93 symptomatic (70%) versus 39 asymptomatic (30%). Fifty-nine meningiomas underwent an operation: 54 World Health Organization grade I (92%) and 5 World Health Organization grade II (8%). All meningiomas were segmented on T1 3D-gadolinium and 2D-T2WI. Agreement between T1 3D-gadolinium and 2D-T2WI segmentations was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTSThe mean time between MR images was 1485 days (range, 760-3810 days). There was excellent agreement between T1 3D-gadolinium and T2WI segmentations (P < .001): mean tumor volume (T1 3D-gadolinium: 9012.15 SD, 19,223.03 mm3; T2WI: 8528.45 SD, 18,368.18 mm3; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.996), surface area (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.989), surface/volume ratio (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.924), maximum 3D diameter (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.986), maximum 2D diameter in the axial (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.990), coronal (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.982), and sagittal planes (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.985), major axis length (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.989), minor axis length (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.992), and least axis length (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.988). Tumor growth also showed good agreement (P < .001), estimated as a mean of 461.87 SD, 2704.1 mm3/year on T1 3D-gadolinium and 556.64 SD, 2624.02 mm3/year on T2WI. CONCLUSIONSOur results show excellent agreement between the size and growth of meningiomas derived from T1 3D-gadolinium and 2D-T2WI, suggesting that the use of noncontrast MR imaging may be appropriate for the follow-up of untreated meningiomas, which would be cost-effective and avert risks associated with contrast media.
Chiari malformations are a diverse group of abnormalities of the brain, craniovertebral junction, and the spine. Chiari 0, I, and 1.5 malformations, likely a spectrum of the same malformation with ...increasing severity, are due to the inadequacy of the para-axial mesoderm, which leads to insufficient development of occipital somites. Chiari II malformation is possibly due to nonclosure of the caudal end of the neuropore, with similar pathogenesis in the rostral end, which causes a Chiari III malformation. There have been significant developments in the understanding of this complex entity owing to insights into the pathogenesis and advancements in imaging modalities and neurosurgical techniques. This article aims to review the different types and pathophysiology of the Chiari malformations, along with a description of the various associated abnormalities. We also highlight the role of ante- and postnatal imaging, with a focus on the newer techniques in the presurgical evaluation, with a brief mention of the surgical procedures and the associated postsurgical complications.
This review will discuss conventional and advanced magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging techniques used to study the spine and spinal cord according to the anatomical structures and clinical indications. ...Clinical challenges that neuroradiologists may face are also discussed, such as the “when” and “where” concerning the use of each technique, and in which pathology or clinical scenario each technique is useful. Finally, some “tips and tricks” to overcome the challenges are provided with clinical examples.
An atypical femoral fracture (AFF), with a transverse fracture radiologically through the lateral cortex is a rare but serious condition. In order to improve our ability to identify patients with ...this condition, we retrospectively surveyed all subtrochanteric, peri-implant and diaphyseal femoral fractures in patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between 2004 and 2011. We describe the incidence of atypical fractures and their characteristics, with observational data including a review of the hospital and general practitioner records. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. Atypical fractures only occurred in women with an incidence of 9.8 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence in those who were treated with bisphosphonates was 79.0 per 100,000 person-years; eight of 17 fractures occurred around metal implants. There was a high incidence of delayed union and revision surgery. A total of nine patients (ten AFFs) were available for review at a mean follow-up of 36.5 months (10 to 104). The clinical outcome was poor with a mean HHS of 58.9 (95% CI 47.4 to 70.4) and a mean TUG test of 25.7 s (95% CI 12.7 to 38.8). The delay in diagnosis and treatment of AFF may result from a lack of knowledge of this condition.
Objective: This study examined the effects of chronic focal lesions to the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) on neuropsychological test performance and self-reported ...executive functioning in everyday living.
Methods: Fourteen adults with OFC lesions were compared to 10 patients with LPFC injuries and 21 healthy controls. Neuropsychological tests with emphasis on measures of cognitive executive function were administered along with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF-A) and a psychiatric screening instrument.
Results: The LPFC group differed from healthy controls on neuropsychological tests of sustained mental effort, response inhibition, working memory and mental switching, while the BRIEF-A provided more clinically important information on deficits in everyday life in the OFC group compared to the LPFC group. Correlations between neuropsychological test results and BRIEF-A were weak, while the BRIEF-A correlated strongly with emotional distress.
Conclusions: It was demonstrated that LPFC damage is particularly prone to cause cognitive executive deficit, while OFC injury is more strongly associated with self-reported dysexecutive symptoms in everyday living. The study illustrates the challenge of identifying executive deficit in individual patients and the lack of strong anatomical specificity of the currently employed methods. There is a need for an integrative methodological approach where standard testing batteries are supplemented with neuropsychiatric and frontal-specific rating scales.
Background
The optimal management of petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) continues to be debated along with several controversies that persist.
Methods
A task force was created by the EANS skull base ...section along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the management of these tumors. To achieve this, the task force reviewed in detail the literature in this field and had formal discussions within the group.
Results
The constituted task force dealt with the existing definitions and classifications, pre-operative radiological investigations, management of small and asymptomatic PCMs, radiosurgery, optimal surgical strategies, multimodal treatment, decision-making, and patient’s counselling.
Conclusion
This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the management of PCMs.
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