... Herausgeber, Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da USP. Mitarbeiter, Paulo Henrique P... more ... Herausgeber, Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da USP. Mitarbeiter, Paulo Henrique Pires de Aguiar, Paulo Henrique Pires de Aguiar, Venâncio Pereira Dantas Filho, Antonio Joao Tedesco Marchese, Flávio Key Miura, José Carlos Esteves Veiga. ...
The object of this study was to describe the experience of combining awake craniotomy techniques ... more The object of this study was to describe the experience of combining awake craniotomy techniques with high-field (1.5 T) intraoperative MRI (iMRI) for tumors adjacent to eloquent cortex. From a prospective database the authors obtained and evaluated the records of all patients who had undergone awake craniotomy procedures with cortical and subcortical mapping in the iMRI suite. The integration of these two modalities was assessed with respect to safety, operative times, workflow, extent of resection (EOR), and neurological outcome. Between February 2010 and December 2011, 42 awake craniotomy procedures using iMRI were performed in 41 patients for the removal of intraaxial tumors. There were 31 left-sided and 11 right-sided tumors. In half of the cases (21 [50%] of 42), the patient was kept awake for both motor and speech mapping. The mean duration of surgery overall was 7.3 hours (range 4.0-13.9 hours). The median EOR overall was 90%, and gross-total resection (EOR ≥ 95%) was achieved in 17 cases (40.5%). After viewing the first MR images after initial resection, further resection was performed in 17 cases (40.5%); the mean EOR in these cases increased from 56% to 67% after further resection. No deficits were observed preoperatively in 33 cases (78.5%), and worsening neurological deficits were noted immediately after surgery in 11 cases (26.2%). At 1 month after surgery, however, worsened neurological function was observed in only 1 case (2.3%). There was a learning curve with regard to patient positioning and setup times, although it did not adversely affect patient outcomes. Awake craniotomy can be safely performed in a high-field (1.5 T) iMRI suite to maximize tumor resection in eloquent brain areas with an acceptable morbidity profile at 1 month.
We wanted to study the role of functional MRI (fMRI) in preventing neurological injury in awake c... more We wanted to study the role of functional MRI (fMRI) in preventing neurological injury in awake craniotomy patients as this has not been previously studied. To examine the role of fMRI as an intraoperative adjunct during awake craniotomy procedures. Preoperative fMRI was carried out routinely in 214 patients undergoing awake craniotomy with direct cortical stimulation (DCS). In 40% of our cases (n = 85) fMRI was utilized for the intraoperative localization of the eloquent cortex. In the other 129 cases significant noise distortion, poor task performance and nonspecific BOLD activation precluded the surgeon from using the fMRI data. Compared with DCS, fMRI had a sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 91 and 64% in Broca's area, 93 and 18% in Wernicke's area and 100 and 100% in motor areas. A new intraoperative neurological deficit during subcortical dissection was predictive of a worsened deficit following surgery (p < 0.001). The use of fMRI for intraoperative localization was, however, not significant in preventing worsened neurological deficits, both in the immediate postoperative period (p = 1.00) and at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.42). The routine use of fMRI was not useful in identifying language sites as performed and, more importantly, practiced tasks failed to prevent neurological deficits following awake craniotomy procedures.
ABSTRACT Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is an extremely rare cerebellar neoplasm of adults, which is ... more ABSTRACT Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is an extremely rare cerebellar neoplasm of adults, which is characterized by astrocytic and lipomatous differentiation, with a low proliferative potential. Until now, there are only 31 reports of cerebellar liponeurocytoma. Neurosurgeons are not familiarized with this entity. It is not a part of the tumor repertoire that is dealt with in daily practice. Despite its rarity, it is mandatory to distinguish it from medulloblastomas. Cerebellar liponeurocytoma usually has a more favorable prognosis and does not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this study, we describe a 62-year-old woman harboring cerebellar liponeurocytoma, and briefly review the existing literature.
ABSTRACT Cavernous malformations are cerebrovascular anomalies that may be observed throughout th... more ABSTRACT Cavernous malformations are cerebrovascular anomalies that may be observed throughout the central nervous system, mainly in the supratentorial location, comprising about 10% of all cerebrovascular lesions. They frequently affect young patients, and may be observed as sporadic form or familial (hereditary) form. They may appear as single or multiple lesions. Most patients who present with the multiple lesions are likely to harbor the hereditary form of the disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is the standard imaging to diagnose the cavernous malformation, as they are angiographically occult. An autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance with variable penetrance is responsible to the familial form of the disease. There are 4 types of clinical presentation of the cavernous malformation: seizures, headaches, neurologic deficits, and asymptomatic presentation. The treatment consists of microscopic surgical resection assisted by intraoperative neuronavigation, stereotaxy, or ultrasound, with minimal morbidity. Radiosurgery may be considered for patient with multiple hemorrhages from a surgically inaccessible lesion, or in clinically ill patients without health for surgery. We report a series of 29 patients harboring supratentorial cavernous malformations surgically removed, operated from 1999 to 2009, at São Paulo, Brazil, by the same surgical crew, to verify surgery as the primary management strategy.
Analysis of 52 pediatric patients with head trauma assisted at Intensive Care Unit; to present co... more Analysis of 52 pediatric patients with head trauma assisted at Intensive Care Unit; to present considerations about epidemiologic factors of trauma, clinical presentation, tomografic aspects, hemodynamic changes and treatment options of intracranial hypertension; to present considerations about the intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Retrospective study involving 52 patients with head trauma and 17 patients submitted to a ICP monitoring. We found a male predominance, mean age 7.75 years-old, main cause was run over (38.5%); 21.2% patients presentd arterial hypotension; 67.3% were considered severe head trauma. According to Marshall tomografic grading we had 19.2% type I, 65.4% type II, 3.8% type III, 3.8% type IV and 7.7% type V. Seizures occurred in 25% children ICP monitoring was made in 32.7% of all patients. Mortality rate was 11.5%. In 58% the maximum ICP level occured at the second day of trauma. Prognosis was related to severity of trauma, arterial hypotension, Marshall&#...
There is a widely held assumption that morbidity associated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) ... more There is a widely held assumption that morbidity associated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is less common than that associated with its neurosurgical counterpart, and that SRS can be performed in any brain location regardless of depth or regional function. A literature review revealed an inadequate representation, description, and analysis of brain metastasis locations, including eloquent or deep-seated ones as a
Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical chall... more Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical challenge for the neurosurgeon. The authors discuss the new aspects of surgical details that may avoid complications and determine the prognosis. We retrospectively evaluated our surgical experience from June 2004 to January 2010. Seventy patients harboring falcine meningiomas were included and submitted for surgical resection. All historical records, office charts and images were reviewed in order to sample the most important data regarding epidemiology, clinical pictures, radiological findings and surgical results, as well as the main complications. The patients were divided into three main groups: anterior third 32 patients (Group A), middle third 15 patients (Group B), 23 patients in the posterior third of falx (Group C). In Group A, total macroscopic resection was achieved in 31 out of 32 cases (96.87%). Twenty five patients had Rankin 0, five patients had Rankin 1-2, two patients had Rankin 6. In Group B (15 patients), 10 patients had gross resection and Rankin 0, four patients had Rankin 1-2 and one patient had Rankin 6. In Group C (23 patients), 20 patients were absolutely able, Rankin score 0, after six months postoperative period (83.3% had excellent results) and no mortality. Four cases had Rankin score 1 - 2 (16.6%). Ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson I resection and ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson II. Despite larger lesion volumes, Group A meningiomas had a better outcome due to the position they were in, the tumor and surrounding structures. The preoperative preparation and surgical planning can preserve sagittal sinus; but in some cases, this is not possible. Sagittal sinus resection, as proven by this paper, is still a factor of bad surgical outcome. In the middle and posterior third, resection of sagittal sinus is a factor of a bad outcome, due to cerebral infartion.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been described as an effective treatment option for brain met... more Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been described as an effective treatment option for brain metastases. In general, SRS has been indicated for the treatment of lesions smaller than 3 cm in maximum diameter and for lesions considered not surgically treatable, owing to the patient's clinical status or because the lesion was located in or near eloquent brain areas. In several studies, SRS has been associated with clinical and radiographic improvement of the lesions and has been compared with surgery as the modality of choice for brain metastases. Beyond the high rate of local disease control with SRS, the few complications that have been described occurred mainly in the acute post treatment period. Most publications have addressed the outcome and effectiveness of this treatment modality but have not critically analyzed long-term complications, steroid dependency, or results relating to specific brain locations. It is important to understand the radiobiologic effects of a well-demarcated high dose of radiation on the brain lesion, controlling the tumor growth and not causing significant alteration of the related brain region, especially in an area controlling eloquent function.
... Suki, Dima PhD*; Lang, Frederick F. MD*; Maldaun, Marcos VC MD; Abouassi, Hiba MD*; Chang, E... more ... Suki, Dima PhD*; Lang, Frederick F. MD*; Maldaun, Marcos VC MD; Abouassi, Hiba MD*; Chang, Eric L. MD; de Aguiar, Paulo HP MD; Sawaya, Raymond MD*. Article Outline. Collapse Box Author Information. Departments of * Neurosurgery. ...
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases. Complications associa... more Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases. Complications associated with this treatment are underreported. The authors reviewed a large series of patients who underwent SRS for brain metastases to identify complications and factors predicting their occurrence. Prospectively collected clinical data from 273 patients undergoing SRS for 1 or 2 brain metastases at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between June 1993 and December 2004 were reviewed. Patients who had received prior treatment for their tumor, including whole-brain radiation, SRS, or surgery, were excluded from the study. Data on adverse neurological and nonneurological outcomes following treatment were collected. Three hundred sixteen lesions were treated. Complications were associated with 127 (40%) of 316 treated lesions. New neurological complications were associated with 101 (32%) of 316 lesions. The onset of seizure was the most common complication, occurring in 41 (13%) of 316 SRS cases. On multivariate analysis, progressing primary cancer (hazard ratio [HR]=2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.6, p<0.001), tumor location in eloquent cortex (HR=2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4, p<0.001), and lower (<15 Gy) SRS dose (HR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.2, p=0.04) were significantly associated with new complications. On multivariate analysis, a tumor location in the eloquent cortex (HR=2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.8, p<0.001) and progressing primary cancer (HR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.03) were significantly associated with new neurological complications. The authors showed that new neurological and nonneurological complications were associated with 40% of SRS treatments for brain metastases. Patients with lesions in functional brain regions have a significantly increased risk of treatment-related complications.
The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of a large tumor cyst was associated... more The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of a large tumor cyst was associated with improved outcome in patients undergoing surgery for newly diagnosed glioblastomas multiforme (GBMs) by comparing these patients with a matched cohort of patients with noncystic GBMs in clinical features, tumor imaging characteristics, survival, and time to tumor recurrence after surgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 22 patients by using imaging information and chart reviews of operative reports of GBMs with large cysts (> or = 50% of tumor volume) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1993 and 2002. Clinical and neurosurgical outcomes and recurrence rates were studied. A statistical comparison was made with a matching cohort of 22 patients with noncystic GBMs. No significant differences in clinical variables were found between the cohort with cystic GBMs and the matched cohort with noncystic GBMs. To avoid bias in preoperative assessment of tumor volume, the tumor burden was compared in patients whose tumors had cysts (excluding the cystic mass) and in patients whose tumors did not contain cysts. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.8). In patients with cystic GBMs the median survival time after surgery was 18.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.9-24.5 months) and at 2 years 43% of the patients were still alive. In comparison, in patients with noncystic GBMs, the median survival time was 14.3 months (95% CI 12.1-16.4 months) and only 16% of patients were alive at 2 years. The median time to tumor recurrence was 7.6 months (95% CI 0.01-18 months) in patients harboring cystic GBMs and 4.2 months (95% CI 1.8-6.6 months) in the matched cohort (log-rank test, p = 0.04). In the cystic GBM group, no recurrence was observed in 53% of patients at 6 months, 45% at 1 year, and 38% at 2 years after surgery, whereas the corresponding numbers for the noncystic group were 36, 14, and 9%, respectively. The results indicate that patients harboring a GBM that contains a large cyst survive longer and have a longer time to recurrence than those who lack such a cyst. This is the first such observation in the literature.
To date, no report has been published on outcomes of patients undergoing resection for brain meta... more To date, no report has been published on outcomes of patients undergoing resection for brain metastases who were previously treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Consequently, the authors reviewed their institutional experience with this clinical scenario to assess the efficacy of surgical intervention. Sixty-one patients (each harboring three or fewer brain lesions), who were treated at a single institution between June 1993 and August 2002 were identified. Patient charts and their neuroimaging and pathological reports were retrospectively reviewed to determine overall survival rates, surgical complications, and recurrence rates. A univariate analysis revealed that patient preoperative recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification, primary disease status, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score, type of focal treatment undergone for nonindex lesions, and major postoperative surgical complications were factors that significantly affected survival (p < or = 0.05). In contrast, only the RPA class and focal (conventional surgery or SRS) treatment of nonindex lesions significantly (or nearly significantly) affected survival in the multivariate analysis. Major neurological complications occurred in only 2% of patients. The median time to distant recurrence after resection was 8.4 months; that to local recurrence was not reached. The overall median survival time was 11.1 months, with 25% of patients surviving 2 or more years. Conventional surgery facilitated tapering of steroid administration. Conclusions. The complication, morbidity, survival, and recurrence rates are consistent with those seen after conventional surgery for recurrent brain metastases. Our results indicate that in selected patients with a favorable RPA class in whom nonindex lesions are treated with focal modalities, surgery can provide long-term control of SRS-treated lesions and positively affect overall survival.
... Herausgeber, Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da USP. Mitarbeiter, Paulo Henrique P... more ... Herausgeber, Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da USP. Mitarbeiter, Paulo Henrique Pires de Aguiar, Paulo Henrique Pires de Aguiar, Venâncio Pereira Dantas Filho, Antonio Joao Tedesco Marchese, Flávio Key Miura, José Carlos Esteves Veiga. ...
The object of this study was to describe the experience of combining awake craniotomy techniques ... more The object of this study was to describe the experience of combining awake craniotomy techniques with high-field (1.5 T) intraoperative MRI (iMRI) for tumors adjacent to eloquent cortex. From a prospective database the authors obtained and evaluated the records of all patients who had undergone awake craniotomy procedures with cortical and subcortical mapping in the iMRI suite. The integration of these two modalities was assessed with respect to safety, operative times, workflow, extent of resection (EOR), and neurological outcome. Between February 2010 and December 2011, 42 awake craniotomy procedures using iMRI were performed in 41 patients for the removal of intraaxial tumors. There were 31 left-sided and 11 right-sided tumors. In half of the cases (21 [50%] of 42), the patient was kept awake for both motor and speech mapping. The mean duration of surgery overall was 7.3 hours (range 4.0-13.9 hours). The median EOR overall was 90%, and gross-total resection (EOR ≥ 95%) was achieved in 17 cases (40.5%). After viewing the first MR images after initial resection, further resection was performed in 17 cases (40.5%); the mean EOR in these cases increased from 56% to 67% after further resection. No deficits were observed preoperatively in 33 cases (78.5%), and worsening neurological deficits were noted immediately after surgery in 11 cases (26.2%). At 1 month after surgery, however, worsened neurological function was observed in only 1 case (2.3%). There was a learning curve with regard to patient positioning and setup times, although it did not adversely affect patient outcomes. Awake craniotomy can be safely performed in a high-field (1.5 T) iMRI suite to maximize tumor resection in eloquent brain areas with an acceptable morbidity profile at 1 month.
We wanted to study the role of functional MRI (fMRI) in preventing neurological injury in awake c... more We wanted to study the role of functional MRI (fMRI) in preventing neurological injury in awake craniotomy patients as this has not been previously studied. To examine the role of fMRI as an intraoperative adjunct during awake craniotomy procedures. Preoperative fMRI was carried out routinely in 214 patients undergoing awake craniotomy with direct cortical stimulation (DCS). In 40% of our cases (n = 85) fMRI was utilized for the intraoperative localization of the eloquent cortex. In the other 129 cases significant noise distortion, poor task performance and nonspecific BOLD activation precluded the surgeon from using the fMRI data. Compared with DCS, fMRI had a sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 91 and 64% in Broca's area, 93 and 18% in Wernicke's area and 100 and 100% in motor areas. A new intraoperative neurological deficit during subcortical dissection was predictive of a worsened deficit following surgery (p < 0.001). The use of fMRI for intraoperative localization was, however, not significant in preventing worsened neurological deficits, both in the immediate postoperative period (p = 1.00) and at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.42). The routine use of fMRI was not useful in identifying language sites as performed and, more importantly, practiced tasks failed to prevent neurological deficits following awake craniotomy procedures.
ABSTRACT Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is an extremely rare cerebellar neoplasm of adults, which is ... more ABSTRACT Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is an extremely rare cerebellar neoplasm of adults, which is characterized by astrocytic and lipomatous differentiation, with a low proliferative potential. Until now, there are only 31 reports of cerebellar liponeurocytoma. Neurosurgeons are not familiarized with this entity. It is not a part of the tumor repertoire that is dealt with in daily practice. Despite its rarity, it is mandatory to distinguish it from medulloblastomas. Cerebellar liponeurocytoma usually has a more favorable prognosis and does not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this study, we describe a 62-year-old woman harboring cerebellar liponeurocytoma, and briefly review the existing literature.
ABSTRACT Cavernous malformations are cerebrovascular anomalies that may be observed throughout th... more ABSTRACT Cavernous malformations are cerebrovascular anomalies that may be observed throughout the central nervous system, mainly in the supratentorial location, comprising about 10% of all cerebrovascular lesions. They frequently affect young patients, and may be observed as sporadic form or familial (hereditary) form. They may appear as single or multiple lesions. Most patients who present with the multiple lesions are likely to harbor the hereditary form of the disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is the standard imaging to diagnose the cavernous malformation, as they are angiographically occult. An autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance with variable penetrance is responsible to the familial form of the disease. There are 4 types of clinical presentation of the cavernous malformation: seizures, headaches, neurologic deficits, and asymptomatic presentation. The treatment consists of microscopic surgical resection assisted by intraoperative neuronavigation, stereotaxy, or ultrasound, with minimal morbidity. Radiosurgery may be considered for patient with multiple hemorrhages from a surgically inaccessible lesion, or in clinically ill patients without health for surgery. We report a series of 29 patients harboring supratentorial cavernous malformations surgically removed, operated from 1999 to 2009, at São Paulo, Brazil, by the same surgical crew, to verify surgery as the primary management strategy.
Analysis of 52 pediatric patients with head trauma assisted at Intensive Care Unit; to present co... more Analysis of 52 pediatric patients with head trauma assisted at Intensive Care Unit; to present considerations about epidemiologic factors of trauma, clinical presentation, tomografic aspects, hemodynamic changes and treatment options of intracranial hypertension; to present considerations about the intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Retrospective study involving 52 patients with head trauma and 17 patients submitted to a ICP monitoring. We found a male predominance, mean age 7.75 years-old, main cause was run over (38.5%); 21.2% patients presentd arterial hypotension; 67.3% were considered severe head trauma. According to Marshall tomografic grading we had 19.2% type I, 65.4% type II, 3.8% type III, 3.8% type IV and 7.7% type V. Seizures occurred in 25% children ICP monitoring was made in 32.7% of all patients. Mortality rate was 11.5%. In 58% the maximum ICP level occured at the second day of trauma. Prognosis was related to severity of trauma, arterial hypotension, Marshall&#...
There is a widely held assumption that morbidity associated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) ... more There is a widely held assumption that morbidity associated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is less common than that associated with its neurosurgical counterpart, and that SRS can be performed in any brain location regardless of depth or regional function. A literature review revealed an inadequate representation, description, and analysis of brain metastasis locations, including eloquent or deep-seated ones as a
Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical chall... more Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical challenge for the neurosurgeon. The authors discuss the new aspects of surgical details that may avoid complications and determine the prognosis. We retrospectively evaluated our surgical experience from June 2004 to January 2010. Seventy patients harboring falcine meningiomas were included and submitted for surgical resection. All historical records, office charts and images were reviewed in order to sample the most important data regarding epidemiology, clinical pictures, radiological findings and surgical results, as well as the main complications. The patients were divided into three main groups: anterior third 32 patients (Group A), middle third 15 patients (Group B), 23 patients in the posterior third of falx (Group C). In Group A, total macroscopic resection was achieved in 31 out of 32 cases (96.87%). Twenty five patients had Rankin 0, five patients had Rankin 1-2, two patients had Rankin 6. In Group B (15 patients), 10 patients had gross resection and Rankin 0, four patients had Rankin 1-2 and one patient had Rankin 6. In Group C (23 patients), 20 patients were absolutely able, Rankin score 0, after six months postoperative period (83.3% had excellent results) and no mortality. Four cases had Rankin score 1 - 2 (16.6%). Ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson I resection and ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson II. Despite larger lesion volumes, Group A meningiomas had a better outcome due to the position they were in, the tumor and surrounding structures. The preoperative preparation and surgical planning can preserve sagittal sinus; but in some cases, this is not possible. Sagittal sinus resection, as proven by this paper, is still a factor of bad surgical outcome. In the middle and posterior third, resection of sagittal sinus is a factor of a bad outcome, due to cerebral infartion.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been described as an effective treatment option for brain met... more Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been described as an effective treatment option for brain metastases. In general, SRS has been indicated for the treatment of lesions smaller than 3 cm in maximum diameter and for lesions considered not surgically treatable, owing to the patient's clinical status or because the lesion was located in or near eloquent brain areas. In several studies, SRS has been associated with clinical and radiographic improvement of the lesions and has been compared with surgery as the modality of choice for brain metastases. Beyond the high rate of local disease control with SRS, the few complications that have been described occurred mainly in the acute post treatment period. Most publications have addressed the outcome and effectiveness of this treatment modality but have not critically analyzed long-term complications, steroid dependency, or results relating to specific brain locations. It is important to understand the radiobiologic effects of a well-demarcated high dose of radiation on the brain lesion, controlling the tumor growth and not causing significant alteration of the related brain region, especially in an area controlling eloquent function.
... Suki, Dima PhD*; Lang, Frederick F. MD*; Maldaun, Marcos VC MD; Abouassi, Hiba MD*; Chang, E... more ... Suki, Dima PhD*; Lang, Frederick F. MD*; Maldaun, Marcos VC MD; Abouassi, Hiba MD*; Chang, Eric L. MD; de Aguiar, Paulo HP MD; Sawaya, Raymond MD*. Article Outline. Collapse Box Author Information. Departments of * Neurosurgery. ...
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases. Complications associa... more Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases. Complications associated with this treatment are underreported. The authors reviewed a large series of patients who underwent SRS for brain metastases to identify complications and factors predicting their occurrence. Prospectively collected clinical data from 273 patients undergoing SRS for 1 or 2 brain metastases at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between June 1993 and December 2004 were reviewed. Patients who had received prior treatment for their tumor, including whole-brain radiation, SRS, or surgery, were excluded from the study. Data on adverse neurological and nonneurological outcomes following treatment were collected. Three hundred sixteen lesions were treated. Complications were associated with 127 (40%) of 316 treated lesions. New neurological complications were associated with 101 (32%) of 316 lesions. The onset of seizure was the most common complication, occurring in 41 (13%) of 316 SRS cases. On multivariate analysis, progressing primary cancer (hazard ratio [HR]=2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.6, p<0.001), tumor location in eloquent cortex (HR=2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4, p<0.001), and lower (<15 Gy) SRS dose (HR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.2, p=0.04) were significantly associated with new complications. On multivariate analysis, a tumor location in the eloquent cortex (HR=2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.8, p<0.001) and progressing primary cancer (HR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.03) were significantly associated with new neurological complications. The authors showed that new neurological and nonneurological complications were associated with 40% of SRS treatments for brain metastases. Patients with lesions in functional brain regions have a significantly increased risk of treatment-related complications.
The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of a large tumor cyst was associated... more The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of a large tumor cyst was associated with improved outcome in patients undergoing surgery for newly diagnosed glioblastomas multiforme (GBMs) by comparing these patients with a matched cohort of patients with noncystic GBMs in clinical features, tumor imaging characteristics, survival, and time to tumor recurrence after surgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 22 patients by using imaging information and chart reviews of operative reports of GBMs with large cysts (> or = 50% of tumor volume) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1993 and 2002. Clinical and neurosurgical outcomes and recurrence rates were studied. A statistical comparison was made with a matching cohort of 22 patients with noncystic GBMs. No significant differences in clinical variables were found between the cohort with cystic GBMs and the matched cohort with noncystic GBMs. To avoid bias in preoperative assessment of tumor volume, the tumor burden was compared in patients whose tumors had cysts (excluding the cystic mass) and in patients whose tumors did not contain cysts. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.8). In patients with cystic GBMs the median survival time after surgery was 18.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.9-24.5 months) and at 2 years 43% of the patients were still alive. In comparison, in patients with noncystic GBMs, the median survival time was 14.3 months (95% CI 12.1-16.4 months) and only 16% of patients were alive at 2 years. The median time to tumor recurrence was 7.6 months (95% CI 0.01-18 months) in patients harboring cystic GBMs and 4.2 months (95% CI 1.8-6.6 months) in the matched cohort (log-rank test, p = 0.04). In the cystic GBM group, no recurrence was observed in 53% of patients at 6 months, 45% at 1 year, and 38% at 2 years after surgery, whereas the corresponding numbers for the noncystic group were 36, 14, and 9%, respectively. The results indicate that patients harboring a GBM that contains a large cyst survive longer and have a longer time to recurrence than those who lack such a cyst. This is the first such observation in the literature.
To date, no report has been published on outcomes of patients undergoing resection for brain meta... more To date, no report has been published on outcomes of patients undergoing resection for brain metastases who were previously treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Consequently, the authors reviewed their institutional experience with this clinical scenario to assess the efficacy of surgical intervention. Sixty-one patients (each harboring three or fewer brain lesions), who were treated at a single institution between June 1993 and August 2002 were identified. Patient charts and their neuroimaging and pathological reports were retrospectively reviewed to determine overall survival rates, surgical complications, and recurrence rates. A univariate analysis revealed that patient preoperative recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification, primary disease status, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score, type of focal treatment undergone for nonindex lesions, and major postoperative surgical complications were factors that significantly affected survival (p < or = 0.05). In contrast, only the RPA class and focal (conventional surgery or SRS) treatment of nonindex lesions significantly (or nearly significantly) affected survival in the multivariate analysis. Major neurological complications occurred in only 2% of patients. The median time to distant recurrence after resection was 8.4 months; that to local recurrence was not reached. The overall median survival time was 11.1 months, with 25% of patients surviving 2 or more years. Conventional surgery facilitated tapering of steroid administration. Conclusions. The complication, morbidity, survival, and recurrence rates are consistent with those seen after conventional surgery for recurrent brain metastases. Our results indicate that in selected patients with a favorable RPA class in whom nonindex lesions are treated with focal modalities, surgery can provide long-term control of SRS-treated lesions and positively affect overall survival.
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