Insular gliomas: a surgical reappraisal based on a systematic review of the literature.

Abstract

Insular gliomas are heterogeneous lesions whose management presents multiple challenges for their tendency to affect young patients in good neurological and cognitive conditions, their deep anatomic location and proximity with critical functional and vascular structures. The appropriate management of insular gliomas requires a multidisciplinary evidence-centred teamwork grounded on the best anatomic, neurophysiological and oncological knowledge. The present study provides a reappraisal of the management of insular gliomas based on a systematic review of the literature with the aim of guiding clinicians in the management of such tumors. A systematic review of the literature from the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central databases was performed. From 2006 to 2016, all articles meeting specific inclusion criteria were included. The present work summarizes the most relevant evidence about insular gliomas management. The anatomy and physiology of the insula, the new WHO 2016 classification and clinico-radiological presentation of insular gliomas are reviewed. Surgical pearls of insular gliomas resection as well as oncologic and functional outcomes after insular gliomas treatment are discussed. Management of insular gliomas remains challenging despite improvement in surgical and oncological techniques. However, the literature review supports a growing evidence that recent developments in the multidisciplinary care account for constant improvements of survival and quality of life.