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Supplementary Table S1 from Loss of prostaglandin D2 synthase: a key molecular event in the transition of a low-grade astrocytoma to an anaplastic astrocytoma

Reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of lipocalin-like prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) synthase (PGDS), the main arachidonic acid metabolite produced in neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system, is a significant biological event involved in the malignant progression of astrocytomas and is predictive of poor survival. In vitro, the addition of the main PGDS metabolite, PGD2, to A172 glioblastoma cells devoid of PGDS resulted in antiproliferative activity and cell death. In vitro PGD2 substitution also enhanced the efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors. This finding has exciting implications for early interventional efforts for the grade 2 and 3 astrocytomas. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(10):3420–8]

Background To examine published data and assess evidence relating to safety and efficacy of surgical management of symptomatic pineal cysts without hydrocephalus (nhSPC), we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched Pubmed and SCOPUS for all reports with the query ‘Pineal Cyst’ AND ‘Surgery’ as of March 2021, without constraints on study design, publication year or status (PROSPERO_CRD:42,021,242,517). Assessment of 1537 hits identified 26 reports that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results All 26 input studies were either case reports or single-centre retrospective cohorts. The majority of outcome data were derived from routine physician-recorded notes. A total of 294 patients with surgically managed nhSPC were identified. Demographics: Mean age was 29 (range: 4–63) with 77% females. Mean cyst size was 15 mm (5–35). Supracerebellar-infratentorial approach was adopted in 90% of cases, occipital-transtentorial in 9%, and was not reported in 1%. Most patients were managed by cyst resection (96%), and the remainder by fenestration. Mean post-operative follow-up was 35 months (0–228). Presentation: Headache was the commonest symptom (87%), followed by visual (54%), nausea/vomit (34%) and vertigo/dizziness (31%). Other symptoms included focal neurology (25%), sleep disturbance (17%), cognitive impairment (16%), loss of consciousness (11%), gait disturbance (11%), fatigue (10%), ‘psychiatric’ (2%) and seizures (1%). Mean number of symptoms reported at presentation was 3 (0–9). Outcomes: Improvement rate was 93% (to minimise reporting bias only consecutive cases from cohort studies were considered, N = 280) and was independent of presentation. Predictors of better outcomes were large cyst size (OR = 5.76; 95% CI: 1.74–19.02) and resection over fenestration (OR = 12.64; 3.07–52.01). Age predicted worse outcomes (OR = 0.95; 0.91–0.99). Overall complication rate was 17% and this was independent of any patient characteristics. Complications with long-term consequences occurred in 10 cases (3.6%): visual disturbance (3), chronic incisional pain (2), sensory disturbance (1), fatigue (1), cervicalgia (1), cerebellar stroke (1) and mortality due to myocardial infarction (1). Conclusions Although the results support the role of surgery in the management of nhSPCs, they have to be interpreted with a great deal of caution as the current evidence is limited, consisting only of case reports and retrospective surgical series. Inherent to such studies are inhomogeneity and incompleteness of data, selection bias and bias related to assessment of outcome carried out by the treating surgeon in the majority of cases. Prospective studies with patient-reported and objective outcome assessment are needed to provide higher level of evidence.

Background Neurosurgeons have limited tools in their armamentarium to visualize critical brain networks during surgical planning. Quicktome was designed using machine-learning to generate robust visualization of important brain networks that can be used with standard neuronavigation to minimize those deficits. We sought to see whether Quicktome could help localize important cerebral networks and tracts during intracerebral surgery. Methods We report on all patients who underwent keyhole intracranial surgery with available Quicktome-enabled neuronavigation. We retrospectively analyzed the locations of the lesions and determined functional networks at risks, including chief executive network, default mode network, salience, corticospinal/sensorimotor, language, neglect, and visual networks. We report on the postoperative neurologic outcomes of the patients and retrospectively determined whether the outcomes could be explained by Quicktome’s functional localizations. Results Fifteen high-risk patients underwent craniotomies for intra-axial tumors, with the exception of one meningioma and one case of leukoencephalopathy. Eight patients were male. The median age was 49.6 years. Quicktome was readily integrated in our existing navigation system in every case. New postoperative neurologic deficits occurred in 8 patients. All new deficits, except for one resulting from a postoperative stroke, were expected and could be explained by preoperative findings by Quicktome. In addition, in those who did not have new neurologic deficits, Quicktome offered explanations for their outcomes. Conclusions Quicktome helps to visualize complex functional connectomic networks and tracts by seamlessly integrating into existing neuronavigation platforms. The added information may assist in reducing neurological deficits and offer explanations for postsurgical outcomes.

Purpose Deficits in neuro-cognitive function is not uncommon for patients who have undergone surgical removal of brain tumors. Our goal is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a non-invasive tool for the treatment of neuro-cognitive dysfunction following craniotomy. Methods We present a retrospective review of individualized rTMS in twelve patients from Cingulum Health from December 2019 to July 2021 who presented with new onset neuro-cognitive deficits following craniotomy. Multiple cortical targets were selected based on the patient’s neurological disorder, associated networks, and anomalies in the functional connectivity of the brain as determined by machine-learning. TMS treatment was performed for 5 consecutive days. EuroQol quality of life (EQ-5D), functional extremity scales, and neuropsychiatric questionnaires related to the patient’s deficit were assessed prior to, after, and during two-month follow-up of rTMS treatment. Results Nine patients had unilateral functional deficits in either upper, lower, or both limbs. One patient reported post-operative depression, another experienced short term memory difficulties, and a third reported hypobulia. All twelve patients reported significantly improved EQ5D after rTMS treatment and during follow-up. More than half of the patients with lower and upper functional deficits had a 9-point improvement during follow-up. In the patient who developed depression, an 88% reduction in depressive symptoms based on the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) was observed during follow-up. No adverse events, such as seizures, occurred. Conclusion The personalized functional connectivity approach to rTMS treatment may be effective and safe for patients with post-craniotomy neuro-cognitive dysfunction.

Background The role of surgery is not well defined in locally advanced sinonasal cancers with intracranial involvement after all medical options have been exhausted. We hypothesize that patients whose tumors are deemed unresectable and referred to palliative care may benefit from radical salvage surgery. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective review of patients with malignant, locally advanced (stage T4b) sinonasal cancers with intracranial involvement from 2000 to 2020, inclusive. Data were collected on the patient demographics, details of chemotherapy, radiation, histology, perioperative complications, surgical approaches, and survival. We compared the survival outcomes of patients with different duration of disease before presentation. Results We identified 17 patients who had undergone salvage surgical resection of treatment-recalcitrant, locally advanced sinonasal tumors. Almost all patients had undergone prior surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Perioperative complications occurred in 6 of 17 patients with 1 death. Patients with clinically less aggressive disease had significantly longer progression-free and overall survival compared with the more aggressive group. Conclusions Salvage surgery for locally advanced sinonasal cancers with intracranial invasion that is recalcitrant to all other therapies should be considered for patients who otherwise have no other treatment options.

Background Surgical resection of symptomatic pineal cysts without hydrocephalus remains controversial because patients can present with variable symptoms. Hesitancies in surgical decision-making include determining surgical candidacy and whether results would be durable. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on patients who underwent resection of their pineal cysts in our practice. We examined the presenting symptomology and investigated the radiographic changes to the morphology of the cerebral aqueduct found on follow-up imaging. We examined the clinical outcomes and complications following surgical resection of symptomatic pineal cysts. Results A total of 97 patients underwent resection of pineal cysts, with 84 patients who had adequate follow-up (mean: 30.5 months). The patient population were predominantly female (76%) presenting at a mean of 24 years of age. Almost half of the patients had headaches that were positional, with 82% being bilateral; 39% and 19% of patients presented with photophobia and sonophobia, respectively, concurrent with their headaches. Many patients presented with visual disturbance (73%) along with other non-headache symptoms. Surgery resulted in 89% of patients with clinical improvements of their headaches. Conclusions Pineal cysts can present with variable headache symptomatology. Surgical resection of pineal cysts in carefully selected symptomatic patients after exhaustive conservative management can be performed safely and result in durable symptomatic relief.

Background The parahippocampal gyrus is understood to have a role in high cognitive functions including memory encoding and retrieval and visuospatial processing. A detailed understanding of the exact location and nature of associated white tracts could significantly improve postoperative morbidity related to declining capacity. Through diffusion tensor imaging−based fiber tracking validated by gross anatomic dissection as ground truth, we have characterized these connections based on relationships to other well-known structures. Methods Diffusion imaging from the Human Connectome Project for 10 healthy adult controls was used for tractography analysis. We evaluated the parahippocampal gyrus as a whole based on connectivity with other regions. All parahippocampal gyrus tracts were mapped in both hemispheres, and a lateralization index was calculated with resultant tract volumes. Results We identified 2 connections of the parahippocampal gyrus: inferior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulum. Lateralization of the cingulum was detected (P Conclusions The parahippocampal gyrus is an important center for memory processing. Subtle differences in executive functioning following surgery for limbic tumors may be better understood in the context of the fiber-bundle anatomy highlighted by this study.

Background The management of brainstem glioma remains controversial, with increasing evidence supporting surgical resection as the primary treatment for a select subgroup of tumors. However, there remains no consensus on the specific benefits and risks, the selection of surgical candidates, and prognostic factors that may further refine surgical indications. Methods A retrospective single-surgeon chart review was performed for all patients who underwent surgical treatment for radiographically suspected brainstem glioma between 2000 and 2017. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic evaluations on magnetic resonance imaging were conducted. Survival outcomes were collected, and machine-learning techniques were used for multivariate analysis. Results Seventy-seven patients with surgical treatment of brainstem glioma were identified, with a median age of 9 years (range, 0–58 years). The cohort included 64% low-grade (I and II) and 36% high-grade (III and IV) tumors. For all patients, the 1-year and 5-year overall survival were 76.4% and 62.3%, respectively. Transient neurologic deficit was present in 34% of cases, and permanent deficit in a further 29%. Conclusions The radical surgical resection of brainstem gliomas can be performed with acceptable risk in well-selected cases and likely confers survival advantage for what is otherwise a rapidly and universally fatal disease. Various radiographic features are useful during patient selection and may guide treatment selection.

Deficits in neurological and psychocognitive function are common for patients who have undergone surgical removal of primary tumors. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging non-invasive tool used for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. We present a retrospective review of individualized, targeted rTMS in thirteen patients who presented with post-operative neurological deficits following craniotomy for tumor resection. Multiple cortical targets were selected based on the patient’s neurological disorder, the networks associated with the deficit, and anomalies in the functional connectivity of the patient’s brain as determined by machine-learning. TMS treatment was performed for 5 consecutive days. EuroQol quality of life (EQ-5D), functional extremity scales, and neuropsychiatric questionnaires related to the patient’s deficit were assessed prior to rTMS treatment, after treatment, and during follow-up. Five patients (38.5%) had glioblastomas; four patients (30.8%) had oligodendrogliomas; two patients (15.4%) had astrocytoma; one patient (7.7%) had ganglioglioma; and one patient (7.7%) had a pineal cyst. All thirteen patients reported significantly improved quality of life after rTMS treatment (p = 0.0065) and during follow-up (p = 0.0038) as compared to baseline. For patients with functional deficits, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was significantly improved one week after rTMS treatment (p = 0.0205). Upper extremity function scale (UEFS) showed non-significant trend in improvement after rTMS treatment (p = 0.0777). In the two patients who developed post-craniotomy depression, they showed a 26% and 88% reduction in depressive symptoms based on the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) at two-month follow-up. These results suggest that the personalized, functional connectivity approach to rTMS target and treatment may be effective for patients with post-craniotomy functional impairments and neuropsychiatric disorders. This method of post-operative interventional neuro-rehabilitation is safe, noninvasive, and allows for the simultaneous treatment of multiple symptoms.

The Gerstmann syndrome is a constellation of neurological deficits that include agraphia, acalculia, left–right discrimination and finger agnosia. Despite a growing interest in this clinical phenomenon, there remains controversy regarding the specific neuroanatomic substrates involved. Advancements in data-driven, computational modelling provides an opportunity to create a unified cortical model with greater anatomic precision based on underlying structural and functional connectivity across complex cognitive domains. A literature search was conducted for healthy task-based functional MRI and PET studies for the four cognitive domains underlying Gerstmann’s tetrad using the electronic databases PubMed, Medline, and BrainMap Sleuth (2.4). Coordinate-based, meta-analytic software was utilized to gather relevant regions of interest from included studies to create an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) map for each cognitive domain. Machine-learning was used to match activated regions of the ALE to the corresponding parcel from the cortical parcellation scheme previously published under the Human Connectome Project (HCP). Diffusion spectrum imaging-based tractography was performed to determine the structural connectivity between relevant parcels in each domain on 51 healthy subjects from the HCP database. Ultimately 102 functional MRI studies met our inclusion criteria. A frontoparietal network was found to be involved in the four cognitive domains: calculation, writing, finger gnosis, and left–right orientation. There were three parcels in the left hemisphere, where the ALE of at least three cognitive domains were found to be overlapping, specifically the anterior intraparietal area, area 7 postcentral (7PC) and the medial intraparietal sulcus. These parcels surround the anteromedial portion of the intraparietal sulcus. Area 7PC was found to be involved in all four domains. These regions were extensively connected in the intraparietal sulcus, as well as with a number of surrounding large-scale brain networks involved in higher-order functions. We present a tractographic model of the four neural networks involved in the functions which are impaired in Gerstmann syndrome. We identified a ‘Gerstmann Core’ of extensively connected functional regions where at least three of the four networks overlap. These results provide clinically actionable and precise anatomic information which may help guide clinical translation in this region, such as during resective brain surgery in or near the intraparietal sulcus, and provides an empiric basis for future study.

Lower-grade glioma (LGG) is a diffuse infiltrative tumor of the central nervous system, which lacks targeted therapy. We investigated the role of Podocan-like 1 (PODNL1) methylation in LGG clinical outcomes using the TCGA-LGG transcriptomics dataset. We identified four PODNL1 CpG sites, cg07425555, cg26969888, cg18547299, and cg24354933, which were associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in univariate and multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, gender, tumor-grade, and IDH1-mutation. In multivariate analysis, the OS and DFS hazard ratios ranged from 0.44 to 0.58 (p < 0.001) and 0.62 to 0.72 (p < 0.001), respectively, for the four PODNL1 CpGs. Enrichment analysis of differential gene and protein expression and analysis of 24 infiltrating immune cell types showed significantly increased infiltration in LGGs and its histological subtypes with low-methylation levels of the PODNL1 CpGs. High PODNL1 expression and low-methylation subgroups of the PODNL1 CpG sites were associated with significantly increased PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA4 expressions. PODNL1 methylation may thus be a potential indicator of immune checkpoint blockade response, and serve as a biomarker for determining prognosis and immune subtypes in LGG.

Gliomas that spread along the white matter tracts of the corpus callosum to both hemispheres have traditionally been considered surgically challenging largely due to the relative complexity of safely achieving complete resections. We present a series of endoscopic-assisted resections of butterfly gliomas with post-operative radiological assessment of EOR and clinical outcome data.Retrospective review of patients who underwent surgical resection of a butterfly glioma from 2007 to 2020. Butterfly gliomas were defined as gliomas, which appeared to arise from the corpus callosum with significant bilateral extension. All records were retrospectively reviewed with operative/clinical outcomes and complications recorded.70 patients who underwent an endoscopic-assisted transcortical or interhemispheric approach for butterfly glioma resection met inclusion criteria. A unilateral transcortical approach was used in 86% of cases and an interhemispheric approach in 14%. The endoscope enhanced the visualization of the contralateral hemisphere and allowed for resection of tumor, not reached by standard microscopic visualization, in 100% of cases. 90% of resections resulted in greater than a 95% resection rate. Neurological deficits mostly consisted of motor (10%) and memory (6%) deficits and were most common with posterior tumors of the splenium.The endoscopic-assisted transcortical or interhemispheric approach for butterfly glioma resection is effective in achieving a greater than 95% resection with minimal complications. An angled approach allows careful maneuvering around complex anatomic structures and difficult corners, and should be examined further for its clinical benefits in a prospective manner.

In this video, the authors present a connectome-guided surgical resection of an insular glioma in a 39-year-old woman. Preoperative study with constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD)–based tractography revealed the surrounding brain connectome architecture around the tumor relevant for safe surgical resection. Connectomic information provided detailed maps of the surrounding language and salience networks, including eloquent white matter fibers and cortical regions, which were visualized intraoperatively with image guidance and artificial intelligence (AI)–based brain mapping software. Microsurgical dissection is presented with detailed discussion of the safe boundaries and angles of resection when entering the insular operculum defined by connectomic information. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID21194

Background Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive treatment used to modulate cortical excitability. Its use over the last two decades has expanded, ranging from psychiatric disorders to traumatic brain injury and poststroke rehabilitation. Objectives We present the case of a 59‐year‐old male patient who presented in a decreased state of consciousness due to a right frontal glioblastoma, wherein his state was not improved by a successful surgery and could not be explained by any other condition. Due to his poor prognosis, we examine the benefits of receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment to improve his akinetic mutism. Methods We utilized independent component analysis with resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) to better understand his cortical functionality. The imaging suggested absence of the default mode network (DMN). The patient underwent five sessions of navigated intermittent theta burst stimulation to the ipsilesional inferior parietal lobule and inferior frontal gyrus, with the aim of improving his default mode network functionality. Results No other treatments resulted in an improvement of this patient's condition; however, 3 weeks following transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, the patient was more alert and interactive, and his follow‐up rsfMRI scan demonstrated a partially intact default mode network. Conclusion This case raises important questions regarding the clinical utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve the connectivity of important cerebral networks and subsequent related functional recovery., We present the case of a 59‐year‐old male patient who presented in a decreased state of consciousness due to a right frontal glioblastoma, wherein his state was not improved by a successful surgery and could not be explained by any other condition. Due to his poor prognosis, we utilized independent component analysis with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging to better understand his cortical functionality which suggested an absence of a default mode network. The patient underwent five sessions of navigated intermittent theta burst stimulation to the ipsilesional inferior parietal lobule and inferior frontal gyrus, with the aim of improving his default mode network functionality, within 3 weeks of treatment, the patient was more alert and interactive, and his follow‐up scan demonstrated a partially intact default mode network.

PurposeThe human brain is a highly plastic ‘complex’ network –it is highly resilient to damage and capable of self-reorganisation after a large perturbation. Clinically, neurological deficits secondary to iatrogenic injury have very few active treatments. New imaging and stimulation technologies, though, offer promising therapeutic avenues to accelerate post-operative recovery trajectories. In this study, we sought to establish the safety profile for ‘interventional neurorehabilitation’: connectome-based therapeutic brain stimulation to drive cortical reorganisation and promote functional recovery post-craniotomy.MethodsIn n=34 glioma patients who experienced post-operative motor or language deficits, we used connectomics to construct single-subject cortical networks. Based on their clinical and connectivity deficit, patients underwent network-specific Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) sessions daily over five consecutive days. Patients were then assessed for TMS-related side effects and improvements.Results31/34 (91%) patients were successfully recruited and enrolled for TMS treatment within two weeks of glioma surgery. No seizures or serious complications occurred during TMS rehabilitation and one-week post-stimulation. Transient headaches were reported in 4/31 patients but improved after a single session. No neurological worsening was observed while a benefit was noted in 28/31 patients post-TMS. We present two clinical vignettes and a video demonstration of interventional neurorehabilitation.ConclusionsFor the first time, we demonstrate the safety profile and ability to recruit, enrol, and complete TMS acutely post-craniotomy in a high seizure risk population. Given the lack of randomisation and controls in this study, prospective randomised sham-controlled stimulation trials are now warranted to establish the efficacy of interventional neurorehabilitation following craniotomy.

Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: "When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session-all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience." It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us.

Introduction: Atypical meningiomas are aggressive tumors associated with high rates of recurrence and mortality. Current therapy is surgical resection followed by radiotherapy which has reasonable success rates. However, there are cases where surgical resection is not possible, and radiotherapy is not advisable. Areas covered: In this short review, the authors have searched the current literature for explorations of adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy and pharmaceutical agents. Most current chemotherapeutic agents have been unsuccessful in producing radiographic reduction or disease stabilization, although drugs like somatostatin analogs and plant-derived chemotherapeutics have shown some promise. The authors note that most of the studies in this field have been case series with a few randomized trials present. This makes it hard to ascertain the effectiveness of the drugs and so further research is required in the field. Expert opinion: Finding pharmacotherapies to combat atypical meningiomas needs Big data genomic analysis. This will assist in generating drug candidates and a multidrug approach to therapy that will exploit several of the pathological pathways of atypical meningiomas. Using multidrug therapy that affects several pathways also addresses the issue of meningioma heterogeneity and adaptability.

Introduction The semantic network is an important mediator of language, enabling both speech production and the comprehension of multimodal stimuli. A major challenge in the field of neurosurgery is preventing semantic deficits. Multiple cortical areas have been linked to semantic processing, though knowledge of network connectivity has lacked anatomic specificity. Using attentional task‐based fMRI studies, we built a neuroanatomical model of this network. Methods One hundred and fifty‐five task‐based fMRI studies related to categorization of visual words and objects, and auditory words and stories were used to generate an activation likelihood estimation (ALE). Cortical parcellations overlapping the ALE were used to construct a preliminary model of the semantic network based on the cortical parcellation scheme previously published under the Human Connectome Project. Deterministic fiber tractography was performed on 25 randomly chosen subjects from the Human Connectome Project, to determine the connectivity of the cortical parcellations comprising the network. Results The ALE analysis demonstrated fourteen left hemisphere cortical regions to be a part of the semantic network: 44, 45, 55b, IFJa, 8C, p32pr, SFL, SCEF, 8BM, STSdp, STSvp, TE1p, PHT, and PBelt. These regions showed consistent interconnections between parcellations. Notably, the anterior temporal pole, a region often implicated in semantic function, was absent from our model. Conclusions We describe a preliminary cortical model for the underlying structural connectivity of the semantic network. Future studies will further characterize the neurotractographic details of the semantic network in the context of medical application., Using 155 attentional task‐based fMRI studies, we built a neuroanatomical model of the semantic network described in the HCP parcellation scheme. Fourteen left hemisphere cortical regions were found to be part of the semantic network: 44, 45, 55b, IFJa, 8C, p32pr, SFL, SCEF, 8BM, STSdp, STSvp, TE1p, PHT, and PBelt. Notably, the anterior temporal pole, a region often implicated in semantic function, was absent from our model.

Connectomics is the use of big data to map the brain’s neural infrastructure, employing such technology to improve surgical planning may improve neuro-oncological outcomes. Supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome is a well-known complication of medial frontal lobe surgery. The ‘localizationist’ view posits that damage to the posteromedial bank of the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) is the basis of SMA syndrome. However, surgical experience within the frontal lobe suggests that this is not entirely true. In a study on n = 45 patients undergoing frontal lobe glioma surgery, we sought to determine if a ‘connectomic’ or network-based approach can decrease the likelihood of SMA syndrome. The control group (n = 23) underwent surgery avoiding the posterior bank of the SFG while the treatment group (n = 22) underwent mapping of the SMA network and Frontal Aslant Tract (FAT) using network analysis and DTI tractography. Patient outcomes were assessed post operatively and in subsequent follow-ups. Fewer patients (8.3%) in the treatment group experienced transient SMA syndrome compared to the control group (47%) (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference found between the occurrence of permanent SMA syndrome between control and treatment groups. We demonstrate how utilizing tractography and a network-based approach decreases the likelihood of transient SMA syndrome during medial frontal glioma surgery. We found that not transecting the FAT and the SMA system improved outcomes which may be important for functional outcomes and patient quality of life.

Benign, small, and asymptomatic World Health Organization grade I meningiomas are usually managed expectantly with surveillance imaging with the assumption that they are predictably slowing growing. In this paper, we report the case of an incidentally discovered small, right-sided posterior clinoid meningioma in a 53-year-old female. The tumor was managed conservatively but an annual surveillance magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that the meningioma had an unexpected significant growth impinging on the brainstem, requiring surgical resection and radiosurgery for residual tumor. Despite histopathological confirmation of a grade I meningioma, the tumor recurred significantly and incurred substantial neurological deficits, requiring further surgery and radiotherapy. This report illustrates the potential pitfall for expectant management of small meningiomas in anatomically precarious locations and draws attention to the need for detailed informed discussions with patients regarding the management of these tumors.

Current anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) management strategies involve surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. We investigated a subset of patients at our institution with AO, who, based on their treatment preferences, received surgery without any form of adjuvant therapy. This subset of patients was compared to a cohort with AO who received adjuvant therapy in order to investigate any differences in clinical and survival outcomes.A retrospective review of all AO patients treated by the senior author was undertaken between 1994 and 2018. A total of thirty-three cases were identified. Eleven had surgery alone, and twenty-two had surgery with adjuvant therapy. Progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between cohorts and potential confounders were addressed.Gross total resection was achieved in 29 patients, and near total resection in 4 patients. PFS was not statistically different between patients treated with surgery alone versus patients receiving surgery plus adjuvant therapy (surgery alone: 84 ± 16 months; surgery with radiotherapy: 60 ± 9 months; p = 0.08). In addition, OS was also not statistically different between these groups (surgery alone: 215 ± 17 months; surgery with therapy: 241 ± 22 months; p = 0.44).It is reasonable to consider a "watch and monitor" surveillance strategy in patients who decline adjuvant radiotherapy following surgical resection of their AO. Patients should be made aware that this treatment plan is not standard within current models of care for AO.

Background Patients with ideomotor apraxia (IMA) present with selective impairments in higher-order motor cognition and execution without damage to any motor or sensory pathways. Although extensive research has been conducted to determine the regions of interest (ROIs) underlying these unique impairments, previous models are heterogeneous and may be further clarified based on their structural connectivity, which has been far less described. Objective The goal of this research is to propose an anatomically concise network model for the neurophysiologic basis of IMA, specific to the voluntary pantomime, imitation and tool execution, based on intrinsic white matter connectivity. Methods We utilized meta-analytic software to identify relevant ROIs in ideomotor apraxia as reported in the literature based on functional neuroimaging data with healthy participants. After generating an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) of relevant ROIs, cortical parcellations overlapping the ALE were used to construct an anatomically precise model of anatomic substrates using the parcellation scheme outlined by the Human Connectome Project (HCP). Deterministic tractography was then performed on 25 randomly selected, healthy HCP subjects to determine the structural connectivity underlying the identified ROIs. Results 10 task-based fMRI studies met our inclusion criteria and the ALE analysis demonstrated 6 ROIs to constitute the IMA network: SCEF, FOP4, MIP, AIP, 7AL, and 7PC. These parcellations represent a fronto-parietal network consisting mainly of intra-parietal, U-shaped association fibers (40%) and long-range inferior fronto-occipital fascicle (IFOF) fibers (50%). These findings support previous functional models based on dual-stream motor processing. Conclusion We constructed a preliminary model demonstrating the underlying structural interconnectedness of anatomic substrates involved in higher-order motor functioning which is seen impaired in IMA. Our model provides support for previous dual-stream processing frameworks discussed in the literature, but further clarification is necessary with voxel-based lesion studies of IMA to further refine these findings.

Purpose Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known problem in patients with intracranial tumors, especially high-grade gliomas. Optimal management of VTE complications is critical given that the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism can exacerbate medical comorbidities and increase mortality. However, little is known about the optimum time to initiate post-operative anticoagulant prophylaxis. Therefore, there is a keen interest amongst neurosurgeons to develop evidence-based protocols to prevent VTE in post-operative brain tumor patients. Methods We retrospectively identified adult patients who underwent elective craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection between 2012 and 2017. Patients were categorized according to the time at which they began receiving prophylactic enoxaparin in the immediate post-operative period, within one day (POD 1), two days (POD 2), three days (POD 3), five days (POD 5), or seven days (POD 7). Results A total of 1087 patients had a craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection between 2012 and 2017. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated that initiation of prophylactic enoxaparin within 72 h of surgery was protective against the likelihood of developing a lower extremity DVT (OR: 0.32; CI: 0.10–0.95; p = 0.049) while controlling for possible risk factors for DVTs identified on univariate analysis. Furthermore, complication rates between the anticoagulation and non-anticoagulation groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion Initiating anticoagulant prophylaxis with subcutaneous enoxaparin sodium 40 mg once per day within 72 h of surgery can be done safely while reducing the risk of developing lower extremity DVT.

BACKGROUND Evaluate survival of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) managed with adjuvant intensity modulated radiation therapy and temozolomide since the introduction of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (EORTC-NCIC) protocol. METHODS All patients with GBM managed between May 2007 and December 2014 with EORTC-NCIC protocol were entered into a prospective database. The primary endpoint was the median survival. Univariate predictors of survival were evaluated with respect to tumour resection, age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status using log-rank comparisons. RESULTS Two hundred and thirty-three patients were managed under the protocol and analysed for outcome. The median age was 57 years; the rate of gross total resection, subtotal resection and biopsy were 47.2%, 35.2% and 17.6%, respectively. At progression, 49 patients had re-resection, and in addition to second-line chemotherapy, 86 patients had Bevacizumab including 26 with re-irradiation. Median survival was 17.0 months (95% CI: 15.4-18.6). On univariate evaluation, extent of resection (P = 0.001), age, ECOG performance status and recursive partitioning analysis class III were shown to significantly improve survival (P < 0.0001). The median survival for gross total resection, age