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We examined the growth potential of 17 medulloblastomas by single and double immunohistochemical staining with bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and MIB 1, a monoclonal antibody for Ki-67 protein, in serial sections of ethanol-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues; we also assessed the heterogeneity of the immunoreactivity in the tumors. In the most active areas, the BUdR labeling index (LI) was 6.8 to 26.9% (HCl hydrolysis) and 7.5 to 28.8% (microwave heating), and the MIB 1 proliferating cell index (PQ was 14.9 to 56.5%). Linear regression analysis showed that the BUdR LI correlated with the MIB 1 PCI (p < 0.001). The ratio of MIB 1-positive to BUdR-positive cells was 2.2 ± 0.4 by both single and double staining. BUdR-positive nuclei were heterogeneously distributed in all cases, especially in areas with scattered foci of necrosis. Three tumors had areas with many MIB 1-positive but few BUdR-positive nuclei; these areas were associated with recent tumor necrosis. However, in most of the tumors, the densities of BUdR-positive and MIB 1-positive cells changed concomitantly from area to area. These changes were clearly shown by double immunostaining. Thus, transcapillary passage of BUdR does not appear to be impeded in most medulloblastomas. This study suggests that MIB 1 immunostaining provides essentially the same data as BUdR labeling for assessing the proliferative potential of medulloblastomas.

Tissue diagnosis and tumor markers are essential for the effective management of pineal region tumors in children. There is no longer a role for a preoperative radiation test dose (2000 cGy) in the management of these tumors. Postoperative treatment including radiation or chemotherapy is based entirely on tumor histology and careful staging of disease. For nongerminoma malignant germ cell tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation appears to be more effective than radiation therapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

PurposeOur previous experience with early neurosurgery for lipomyelomeningocele revealed that patients undergoing repair before age 1.5 years were more likely to have normal bladder function. We evaluate the durability of the urological benefits in patients with lipomyelomeningocele with longer followup.Materials and MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent urodynamic testing before and after primary neurosurgical repair of lipomyelomeningocele. A total of 43 patients presented between 1983 and 1995 with at least 12 months of followup (median 68, range 15 to 167).ResultsOf the 43 patients 36 (84%) maintained stable clinical and urodynamic function, and 7 (16%) had late deterioration, which occurred between 9 months and 8 years postoperatively. Of 19 patients with normal urodynamic studies preoperatively 14 (74%) maintained normal function. Overall, 14 of 43 patients (33%) with lipomyelomeningocele had normal bladder and sphincter function during followup. The principal predictor of long-term normal bladder function was preoperative urodynamic status, since urodynamic studies were preoperatively normal in 13 of 14 patients (93%) who maintained normal bladder and sphincter function. Late neurosurgery was equally efficacious if urodynamic studies were normal.ConclusionsOur data continue to support early diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention in patients with lipomyelomeningocele, since there is a higher likelihood of normal preoperative function that can be preserved. Furthermore, the results are durable in 84% of cases. However, close followup is necessary, since deterioration can occur up to 8 years postoperatively.

We performed urological evaluations in 18 patients with the tethered spinal cord syndrome. Of the patients 4 had low grade vesicoureteral reflux but none had significant upper tract anomalies. Urodynamic studies documented a flaccid bladder in 9 patients (5 with supersensitivity to bethanechol), an uninhibited bladder in 5, mixed bladder dysfunction in 2 and normal function in 2. Repeat urodynamic studies were performed in 15 patients at least 6 months after release of the tethering. Of 8 patients with flaccid bladders studied postoperatively 6 had significant changes: 2 became normal, 2 had limited contractions and 2 had evidence of upper motor neuron abnormalities. Supersensitivity to bethanechol was of no predictive value. All 4 patients with uninhibited bladders who were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively had improved and 3 currently are entirely normal.

We evaluated preoperative and postoperative bladder function in 31 consecutive patients who underwent definitive operative correction of lipomyelomeningocele. Of 12 patients less than 1.5 years old at operation, bladder function was normal preoperatively and postoperatively in 5 (42%) and normalized postoperatively in 4 (33%). In 5 patients (42%) abnormal urodynamic findings were the only sign of neurological abnormality. Of the 19 patients older than 1.5 years at operation bladder function was normal preoperatively and postoperatively in only 4 (21%), and normalized postoperatively in none. We conclude that the majority of patients with lipomyelomeningocele have bladder dysfunction, and that in some cases this dysfunction can be prevented and/or reversed by early neurosurgical intervention. Urodynamic assessment is helpful as part of the neurological evaluation and in directing patient care. (J. Urol, 143: 984–986, 1990)