Rate Of Gross Total Resection Research Articles

Midterm Outcomes of the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Treating Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas: The Impact of Malleable Forceps and Predictors of Surgical Success

Abstract Objective To evaluate the midterm surgical outcomes and factors associated with the extent of resection (EOR), postoperative visual improvement, and risk factors for postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in cases of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs), including cases utilizing the malleable forceps. Design Retrospective clinical study. Setting Single-center tertiary referral hospital. Participants Twenty-two patients who underwent the EEA for TSMs between November 2013 and April 2024. Main Outcome Measures Patient characteristics, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Predictors of the EOR, postoperative visual improvement, and postoperative CSF leaks were investigated. Results The median age was 58 years, with 77.2% being women. The median follow-up was 70.5 months, and the mean tumor size was 23.5 mm. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 18 patients (81.8%), with no recurrence. Adhesion to the optic nerve was significantly associated with the EOR (p = 0.001). The malleable forceps were used in 14 out of 22 cases, and the GTR rate increased to 92.8% (13 out of 14 cases) with this instrument._Postoperative visual improvement was achieved in 16 of 19 patients (84.2%) and was significantly associated with tumor size (p = 0.02) and the duration of preoperative visual disturbances (p = 0.002). Two patients (9.0%) experienced postoperative CSF leaks, significantly associated with sex (p = 0.04) and Simpson grade (p = 0.032). Conclusion The EEA yielded favorable outcomes and significant postoperative visual improvement for TSMs, supporting early intervention for symptomatic TSMs and radical treatment for GTR. The malleable forceps can enhance the management of complex procedures.

Association between meningioma consistency and surgical outcomes.

Tumor consistency, or fibrosity, affects the ability to optimally resect meningiomas, especially with recent trends evolving toward minimally invasive approaches. The authors' team previously validated a practical 5-point scale for intraoperative grading of meningioma consistency. The impact of meningioma consistency on surgical management and outcomes, however, has yet to be explored. This study aimed to determine associations between meningioma consistency and presenting symptoms, tumor characteristics, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 209 surgically resected meningiomas were intraoperatively assigned a consistency grade according to a previously validated 5-point scale, ranging from extremely soft, suctionable tumors (grade 1) to firm/calcified tumors (grade 5). Presenting symptoms, tumor characteristics, postoperative complications, and surgical outcomes for these patients were prospectively collected. Tumor consistency was analyzed in three categories (grades 1 and 2, grade 3, and grades 4 and 5), using ANOVA, chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, and univariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between consistency and perioperative characteristics. The study cohort included 209 patients, of whom 48 (23%) were males with a mean age of 55.0 ± 13.7 years. Meningioma consistency distribution was as follows: grades 1 and 2 (n = 23, 11.0%), grade 3 (n = 88, 42.1%), and grades 4 and 5 (n = 98, 46.9%). The majority of meningiomas were skull base tumors (n = 144, 68.9%). Higher-consistency tumors were associated with lower rates of gross-total resection (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13-0.46; p < 0.001), increased invasiveness (OR 4.73, 95% CI 1.53-14.60; p = 0.007), tumor recurrence following resection (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.25-8.66; p = 0.016), reoperation (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.16-8.14; p = 0.024), and increased complication rates (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.05-4.15; p = 0.037). No significant associations were identified with preoperative symptoms, tumor size (mean 4.04 ± 1.50 cm), or duration of surgery (mean 4.26 ± 1.60 hours) (all p > 0.05). Tumor consistency is associated with important meningioma characteristics and perioperative outcomes. A prior knowledge pertaining to meningioma consistency and tumor characteristics using advanced imaging is a priority and may provide surgeons with meaningful data to guide resection strategy and anticipate postoperative outcomes and complications.

Predictive Modeling of Non-functioning Giant Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection: A Multi-Planar Perspective.

Giant pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (GPitNET) are challenging tumors with low rates of gross total resection (GTR) and high morbidity. Previously reported machine-learning (ML) models for prediction of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor extent of resection (EOR) using preoperative imaging included a heterogenous dataset of functional and non-functional pituitary neuroendocrine tumors of various sizes leading to variability in results. The aim of this pilot study is to construct a ML model based on the multi-dimensional geometry of tumor to accurately predict the EOR of non-functioning GPitNET. A retrospective study of 100 large non-functioning GPitNETs (≥3 cm diameter, >10 cm³ volume) was conducted to develop predictive models for GTR or EOR based on 5 variables: tumor diameter, shape, revised Knosp grade, and modified Hardy classifications for sellar and extrasellar invasion. Model performance was assessed using ROC-AUC and confusion matrix metrics. The median pre-operative tumor volume was 17.35 cm3(IQR: 12.4-27.0).The median EOR was 97.6% (IQR: 84.9-100), and GTR was achieved in 49% of patients. The most predictive variables were the modified Hardy classification for extrasellar extension and Knosp Grade (AUC of 0.771 and 0.713,respectively). Among the constructed ML models, the XGBoost algorithm had the highest predictive capability, with an internal validation AUC of 0.86,while the external validation sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were 84%, 77%, 78% and 82%, respectively. Utilizing preoperative imaging parameters in a 3-dimensional manner proves highly valuable in predicting the EOR for non-functioning GPitNETs.These predictions can be easily calculated using an online open-access application: https://anonymousforreview.shinyapps.io/predicted_giant_pituitary_adenoma_resection/.

Efficacy and safety of intraoperative MRI in glioma surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials.

Maximum extent of resection in glioma yields enhanced survival outcomes. The contemporary literature presents contradictory results regarding the benefit of intraoperative MRI (iMRI). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of iMRI-guided surgery. The authors searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Reviews databases for eligible prospective randomized controlled trials through the end of February 2024. Endpoints were extent of resection, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, neurological functioning, and surgical complications. Individual patient data regarding PFS were reconstructed using the R package IPDfromKM. From 1923 identified results, 3 randomized controlled trials with 384 patients met the inclusion criteria. Extended resections after iMRI were performed in 29.2% of the iMRI cases. Intraoperative MRI-guided glioma surgery (OR 5.40, 95% CI 3.25-8.98; p < 0.00001) outperformed conventional navigation-guided surgery in attaining gross-total resection (GTR). In patients in whom a GTR was achieved, the median time to progression was 16.0 months (95% CI 12.3-19.7 months), while the median PFS in patients with a subtotal resection was 9.7 months (95% CI 6.9-12.5 months) (p < 0.001). Despite increased GTR rates, postoperative neurological deterioration was equal among the iMRI and control groups (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.6-1.7; p = 0.91, I2 = 0%). Intraoperative MRI use prolongs surgery by 42 minutes on average (95% CI 3.3-80.7 minutes; p = 0.03, I2 = 56%). The risk of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.2-16.9; p = 0.55, I2 = 0%) was not increased, while in one study significantly increased infections were observed in the iMRI arm. Intraoperative MRI outperforms conventional surgery in achieving complete glioma resections of all contrast-enhancing tumor portions, enhancing PFS without added risk. Intraoperative MRI is a tool that facilitates these aims without reducing safety in terms of neurological deficits and surgical complications.

Surgical Management and Prognostic Factors for Endolymphatic Sac Tumor: A Single-Institute Experience with a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical features, surgical outcomes, and predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with Endolymphatic Sac Tumors (ELSTs). METHODSThis retrospective study analyzed 15 cases from Beijing Tiantan Hospital and 237 from literature (1988-2023), focusing on patients with pathologically confirmed intracranial or skull ELSTs who had comprehensive treatment and follow-up records. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to identify factors influencing PFS. RESULTSCases from our institute comprised 10 males and 5 females with an average age of 39.1 years. Among these, 86.7% underwent gross total resection (GTR). During the follow-up period, two patients (13.3%) were lost to follow-up. After a mean follow-up of 74.9 months, one patient experienced recurrence and another died from unrelated causes. A review of literature identified 237 additional patients, including 134 females (56.5%), with an average age of 39.8 years; 22.8% of these patients had von Hippel-Lindau disease. The GTR rate was 69.2%. After a mean follow up of 53.2 months, 33 recurrences occurred, and the median PFS was 48 months. Additionally, eight patients died during the follow-up period, none of the deaths were attributed to ELSTs. Multivariate analysis identified GTR (HR 0.279, 95% CI 0.086-0.903, p = 0.033) as a significant protective factor against recurrence among the pooled cases. CONCLUSIONSGTR is crucial for improving PFS in ELST patients, emphasizing the need for advanced surgical techniques and long-term follow-up due to potential recurrences.

Safety, efficacy, and side effects of sodium fluorescein-aided resection of glioblastoma: a quasi-experimental study.

The use of fluorescein sodium (FS) as a surgical adjunct in glioblastoma resection has shown promise in improving tumor visualization and resection outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and side effects of FS-aided resection in patients with glioblastoma. This is a prospective, single-center cohort study conducted at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute from September 2021 to November 2023. Twelve patients with histologically confirmed glioblastoma underwent FS-guided resection. All participants received an intravenous dose of FS (5mg/kg body weight) ~30min before surgery. The study follows a quasi-experimental design, focusing on the outcomes of FS-aided surgery without a control group. Patients were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, and all surgeries were performed by a single experienced neurosurgeon. The extent of tumor resection was classified as gross total resection (GTR), near-total resection (NTR), or partial resection (PR). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 66.6% of patients, near total resection (NTR) in 16.6%, and subtotal resection (STR) in 16.6%. No significant adverse effects were observed except for a single case of postoperative seizure, which was managed without long-term consequences. All patients showed normal liver and kidney function tests postoperatively. The low-dose FS protocol demonstrated both a high rate of GTR and a favorable safety profile, with only minor, transient side effects such as temporary yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, and urine. No severe or long-term complications related to FS were observed during the follow-up period, which had a median duration of 13.4 months. FS appears to be a safe and effective aid in glioblastoma resection, achieving high rates of GTR with minimal side effects. The findings suggest that FS, particularly at a low dose, is a viable, cost-effective alternative to other fluorescent markers, especially in settings where resource constraints may limit the use of more expensive options like 5-ALA.

Mixed Gangliocytoma-Pituitary Adenoma: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Features, Clinical Management, and Surgical Outcomes

ObjectiveMixed gangliocytoma-pituitary adenomas (MGPAs) are very rare sellar neoplasms. Contemporary understanding of their natural history, clinical characteristics, optimal management strategies, and prototypical outcomes remains poorly understood. MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched to include studies of patients with histologically confirmed Mixed Gangliocytomas (MGPAs). Clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes were analyzed. Results33 studies reporting 78 patients met study criteria and were included. Median age at diagnosis was 47 years, with a female predominance (71%). Common presenting symptoms included headache (49%), acromegaly (43%), and visual disturbance (20%). Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin were the most commonly elevated hormones. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified local infiltration in 86% of patients, most frequently in the cavernous sinus. Transsphenoidal resection was the primary treatment strategy, which achieved a gross total resection (GTR) in 43%. Postoperative pituitary function was normal in 92%. Median follow-up was 21 months, during which time 14% of patients required secondary intervention for persistent hormonal hypersecretion. Following these secondary interventions and as of last follow-up, radiographic and/or biochemical control was confirmed in all patients, with an overall survival rate of 97%. ConclusionMGPAs are rare, slow-growing tumors that present with a combination of endocrinological and neurological symptoms. MGPAs are optimally managed with transsphenoidal resection, which appears to achieve favorable rates of symptomatic relief and local control, despite the high incidence of local infiltration and relatively low attendant GTR rate.

Neuronavigation Combined With Intraoperative Ultrasound and Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Neuronavigation Alone in Diffuse Glioma Surgery

This study aimed to integrate intraoperative ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (IMRI) with neuronavigation (NN) to create a multimodal surgical protocol for diffuse gliomas. Clinical outcomes were compared to the standard NN-guided protocol. Adult patients with diffuse gliomas scheduled for gross total resection (GTR) were consecutively enrolled to undergo either NN-guided surgery (80 patients, July 2019-January 2022) or multimodal-integrated surgery (80 patients, February 2022-August 2023). The primary outcomes were the extent of resection (EOR) and GTR. Additional outcomes included operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and patient survival. GTR was achieved in 69% of patients who underwent multimodal-integrated surgery, compared to 43% of those who received NN-guided surgery (P= 0.002). Residual tumor was detected by IMRI in 53 patients (66%), and further GTR was achieved in 28 of these cases. The median EOR was 100% for the multimodal group and 95% for the NN-guided group (P= 0.001), while the median operative time was 8hours versus 5hours (P < 0.001). Neurological deficits, blood loss, and hospital stay durations were comparable between 2 groups. Multimodal-integrated surgery resulted in greater EOR and higher GTR rates in contrast-enhancing gliomas, gliomas in eloquent regions, and large gliomas (≥50mm). GTR in glioblastomas and other contrast-enhancing gliomas contributed to improved overall survival. Compared to standard NN-guided surgery, multimodal-integrated surgery using NN, IMRI, and intraoperative ultrasound significantly increased the EOR and GTR rates for diffuse gliomas.

Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing reoperation with solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas and malignant progression of tumors.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes and malignant progression of tumors in patients who underwent reoperation for recurrent solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) and hemangiopericytomas (HPCs). We identified 48 patients who underwent reoperation because of tumor recurrence at Tangdu Hospital between January 2010 and December 2021 and analyzed the clinical outcomes, namely, the rate of gross total resection (GTR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), malignant progression of tumors and radiotherapy. The survival curves for each group were plotted using the Kaplan‒Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Of the 48 patients (25 men and 23 women, mean age 49.5 ± 14.3 years), 25 experienced a second recurrence or metastasis, 15 of whom underwent a third surgery, and the remaining 10 patients who did not undergo surgery ultimately died after tumor progression. The median time (95% CI) to tumor recurrence was 40.0 (32.3-47.7) months after reoperation, with 3-, 5- and 10-year PFS rates of 54.6%, 29.5% and 14.8%, respectively. The median (95% CI) survival time was 70.0 (46.6-93.4) months, with 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates of 67.9%, 55.1% and 36.7%, respectively. Among the 48 patients who underwent reoperation, 27 (56.3%) achieved GTR, and 21 (43.8%) achieved STR. Twelve patients in the GTR group (12/27, 44.4%) received radiotherapy after surgery, and 18 patients in the STR group (18/21, 85.7%) received radiotherapy. Of the 48 recurrent SFTs, 24 were classified as WHO grade 1, 14 were classified as WHO grade 2, and 10 were classified as WHO grade 3 based on 2021 WHO classification after the primary operation. After reoperation, 9 tumors developed malignant progression, including 4 WHO grade 1 tumors progressing to WHO grade 2 tumors, 1 WHO grade 1 tumor progressing to a WHO grade 3 tumor and 4 WHO grade 2 tumors progressing to WHO grade 3 tumors. GTR after reoperation was associated with better PFS and OS compared to STR. However, the PFS after the third surgery was significantly shorter than that after the second surgery, and the rate of GTR also decreased. Malignant progression may occur after second or third tumor recurrence. Furthermore, compared with WHO grade 1 SFTs, WHO grade 2 and grade 3 SFTs significantly decreased PFS, but OS did not differ among the three groups. Radiotherapy did not prolong PFS or OS in patients who underwent reoperation.

Impact on natural history of atypical meningioma after changes in 2016 edition of the world health organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors: a literature review.

Meningiomas and their WHO histological diagnostic criteria is complex, especially for grade 2 tumors presenting a interobserverdiscordance as high as 12.2%. The 2016 edition of the WHO Classification of CNS tumors recommended brain invasion as a stand-alone grading criterion for diagnosing an atypical grade 2 meningioma (AM). To provide an overview of the classification of 2016 WHO impact on the natural history of atypical meningioma (AM) relative to previous classification. To achieve this goal, we selected articles from the period 2017-2024 in Medline search on atypical meningiomas and analyzed them after following the following criteria: 1) reports with confirmed histopathological diagnosis according to WHO 2016 and or 2021 criteria; 2) series and case reports; 3) detailed and individualized clinical outcomes for AM; and 4) papers written in English; after that a total of 3445 patients reported in 67 manuscripts from worldwide centers from 2017 to March 2024 were analyzed. The patient's age at the time of surgery ranged from 1month to 97years (mean 52.28 ± 18.7years). The most common tumor site was the convexity, accounting for 67.8%, followed by the skull base in 30.6%, ventricle in 1%, and spine in 0.6%; Gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 71.25% and subtotal resection (STR) in 28.75%; 1021 patients (29.63%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, and 22 patients (0.6%) were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy; tumor recurrence was reported in 1221 patients (35.44%) and 859 deaths (24.93%). 1) AM prevalence in females; 2) AM age distribution similar to the distribution of meningiomas in general; 3) AM recurrence rate of 35.44%, despite the high rate of GTR, which was higher than previously reported; 4) deepening knowledge in molecular mechanism of tumor progression will provide alternative therapeutic approaches for AM.

A retrospective analysis of spinal teratomas and spinal lipomas: overlaps and differences in presentation, surgical treatments, and outcomes

BACKGROUNDSpinal teratomas and lipomas, both adult and pediatric cases, are rare diseases with many similarities, but have yet to be systematically compared. PURPOSETo systematically compare spinal teratomas and lipomas to optimize management. STUDY DESIGNRetrospective. PATIENT SAMPLESymptomatic spinal teratoma and lipoma patients surgically treated at our center. OUTCOME MEASURESAnatomical distribution, clinical manifestations, resection status, and outcomes. METHODSSpinal teratoma and lipoma patients with complete data treated during 2008 to 2023 in our center were enrolled. Electrophysiological monitoring was routinely performed after 2012. Patient characteristics, anatomical distribution, clinical manifestations, surgical resection, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTSWe enrolled 86 teratoma patients (71 adults) and 51 lipoma patients (39 adults). Most tumors were lumbosacral lesions; cervical/thoracic involvement was more common with lipomas. Pain, the most frequent manifestation, was more common in teratomas. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 51.1% and 49% of teratomas and lipomas, respectively. Electrophysiological monitoring increased the GTR rate from 38.8% to 48.6%. Age independently predicted (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.008–1.078) GTR/near-total resection (NTR). Symptom relief occurred in 81.4% teratoma patients and 64.7% lipoma patients. Recurrence/symptomatic progression occurred in 19 teratomas and 7 lipomas after a median of 95 and 115 months, respectively. Adult lipoma patients without spinal dysraphism had lower recurrence rates. GTR (HR: 0.172, 95% CI: 0.02557–0.7028) and lesion length (HR: 1.351, 95% CI: 1.138–1.607) independently predicted recurrence/progression. CONCLUSIONSGTR should be pursued for adult/pediatric spinal teratomas and pediatric spinal lipomas. For adult spinal lipoma patients without dysraphism, conservative surgery could be considered.

Robotic Resection of Spinal and Paraspinal Tumors.

Robotic arm surgical systems provide minimally invasive access and are commonly used in multiple surgical fields, with limited application in neurosurgery. Our institutional experience has led us to explore the benefits of a neurosurgeon trained to perform robotic surgery as part of a multidisciplinary team. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of robotic resection for spinal nerve sheath tumors (NST). Retrospective case series of robotic-assisted intracavitary approaches and resection of NSTs including thoracic, retroperitoneal, and transperitoneal. Surgical outcomes are compared to a historical cohort of open surgical resection of NSTs. Nineteen cases presented, of which 2 were combined posterior spinal followed by robotic tumor resection. One of 19 cases was converted to an open surgery. Gross total resection was achieved in all cases. There were 2 cases of postoperative Horner's syndrome, and 1 case with an intraoperative durotomy that was repaired primarily with no postoperative sequelae. Median estimated blood loss was 50 cc (range: 5-650) and median length of stay was 1 day (range: 0-6), with 9 (47.4%) patients discharged on postoperative day 1 and 3 (15.8%) patients discharged on an outpatient basis. Compared with our previously reported institutional outcomes for open resection of 25 tumors, there was a significant increase in rates of gross total resection (100 vs 60%, P = .002) and decrease in length of stay (median 1 vs 5 days, P < .0001). Robotic resection of complex paraspinal tumors appears safe and effective including for preservation of neurological function and may reduce surgical morbidity. Integration of robotic surgical platforms holds the potential to significantly affect neurological surgery.

Neuronavigation in glioma resection: current applications, challenges, and clinical outcomes.

Glioma resection aims for maximal tumor removal while preserving neurological function. Neuronavigation systems (NS), with intraoperative imaging, have revolutionized this process through precise tumor localization and detailed anatomical navigation. To assess the efficacy and breadth of neuronavigation and intraoperative imaging in glioma resections, identify operational challenges, and provide educational insights to medical students and non-neurosurgeons regarding their practical applications. This systematic review analyzed studies from 2012 to 2023 on glioma patients undergoing surgical resection with neuronavigation, sourced from MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science. A database-specific search strategy was employed, with independent reviewers screening for eligibility using Rayyan and extracting data using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. The integration of neuronavigation systems with intraoperative imaging modalities such as iMRI, iUS, and 5-ALA significantly enhances gross total resection (GTR) rates and extent of resection (EOR). While advanced technology improves surgical outcomes, it does not universally reduce operative times, and its impact on long-term survival varies. Combinations like NS + iMRI and NS + 5-ALA + iMRI achieve higher GTR rates compared to NS alone, indicating that advanced imaging adjuncts enhance tumor resection accuracy and success. The results underscore the multifaceted nature of successful surgical outcomes. Integrating intraoperative imaging with neuronavigation improves glioma resection. Ongoing research is vital to refine technology, enhance accuracy, reduce costs, and improve training, considering various factors impacting patient survival.

Comparison of Surgical Modalities for Giant Pituitary Adenoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 1413 Patients.

Giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) are a challenging clinical entity, composing 5% to 15% of all pituitary adenomas. While the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (EET) approach has surpassed the microsurgical transsphenoidal (MT) and transcranial (TC) approaches as the first-line surgical modality in most institutions, a systematic review comparing the 3 approaches has not been undertaken since 2012. Given growing adoption of EET and development of novel operative techniques over the past decade, an updated comparison of GPA surgical modalities is warranted. We identified all studies related to the surgical management of GPAs in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to December 31, 2021. End points assessed included gross total resection (GTR) rates, postoperative visual improvement, mortality, and perioperative complications. After screening of 1701 studies, we identified 45 studies on the surgical management of GPAs for meta-analysis. Thirty-one used the EET approach (n = 1413), 11 studies used the MT approach (n = 601), and 10 used the TC approach (n = 416). The cumulative number of patients treated by EET did not exceed that of patients treated by the TC or MT approaches until 2014 and 2015, respectively. Despite patients undergoing EET having the highest average tumor diameter, pooled rates for GTR were significantly higher for EET (42%) than MT (33%, P < .001) and TC (8%, P < .001) and EET similarly exhibited superior rates of visual improvement (85%) than MT (73%, P < .001) and TC (56%, P < .001). Mortality rates were comparable between EET (0.6%) and MT (1.6%), but EET had significantly lower mortality than TC (2.7%, P < .001). Compared with MT, EET had lower rates of hypopituitarism (8.5% vs 14.9%, P = .012) but higher rates of diabetes insipidus (3.1% vs 0.5%, P = .001). In an updated meta-analysis of 1413 patients with GPA, EET resection conferred significantly higher rates of visual improvement and GTR, when compared with the MT and TC approaches.

Single Center Neurosurgical Outcomes and Trends in Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of 297 Sellar/Suprasellar Tumors Stratified by Duration of Neurosurgical Career

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) is a common treatment for sellar and suprasellar tumors. While endoscopic training has improved over the years and formal fellowship training is now broadly available, the operative nuances of EETS conjectures the existence a learning curve as a neurosurgeon matures with experience. We aim to evaluate operative outcomes of three different experience levels of neurosurgeons over time at a single institution. We reviewed all adult patients who underwent EETS at Loyola University Medical Center by three early career, one mid-career, and two late career neurosurgeons from 2007 to 2023. A comparative assessment of patient demographics, tumor features, and surgical outcomes was done using metrics such as length of surgery, rates of gross total resection (GTR) and symptomatic improvement (SI), new postoperative steroid dependence, and development of diabetes insipidus (DI). T-tests and Chi-Square were used to statistically evaluate the study cohorts. A total of 297 patients underwent EETS. One hundred and three (35%) were operated on by an early career, 122 (41%) by a mid-career, and 72 (24%) by a late career neurosurgeon. Late-career surgeons had shorter operation times (144 vs. 180 minutes with early and mid-career, p=0.029) and increased GTR rates (p=0.008). There were no significant differences between the SI rates amongst various surgeon experience levels. Although not statistically significant, early-career neurosurgeons had lower rates of new postoperative steroid dependence. Patients of early career surgeons experienced significantly less DI (15% vs 40%, p=0.004). Late-career neurosurgeons had shorter operation lengths, achieved higher rates of GTR, and their patients experienced significantly higher rates of DI. Overall outcomes remained stable throughout the course of 16 years between different surgeon experience levels.

Anterior transpetrosal approach and the tumor removal rate, postoperative neurological changes, and complications: experience in 274 cases over 33 years.

The authors report on the anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) and the results of surgeries performed over a 33-year period for petroclival tumors, including meningioma, trigeminal schwannoma, chordoma, and epidermoid tumor. They analyze early postoperative neurological changes, surgical complications, and trends over the decades. A retrospective analysis of 274 surgical cases that had undergone the ATPA from January 1984 to March 2017 was conducted. Data were collected from charts, clinical summaries, operative records, and operative videos. The analyzed parameters included patient diagnosis, tumor size, disease location, operation date, tumor removal rate, pre- and postoperative neurological symptoms (consciousness level, motor and sensory deficits of the limbs, sensory aphasia, and cranial nerve III-VIII injuries), surgical deaths, and radiologically recognized brain injuries after the operation (contusion, infarction, hemorrhage). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 53.5% of the 243 tumors with available data. The GTR rate for meningiomas (148 cases) was 54.1%. Trigeminal schwannomas had a high GTR rate of 87.1%, whereas chordomas had a low GTR rate of 14.3%. The rate of early neurological deterioration immediately after the ATPA, referred to as "early neurological change," was as follows: consciousness disturbance in 1.9% of cases (5 cases), improvement of hemiparesis in 45.0% of cases but deterioration in 8.1% of cases, sensory aphasia in 2.3% of cases due to temporal lobe injury, improvement of cerebellar symptoms in 39.3% of cases with rare deterioration (1.9% of cases), worsening of preoperative diplopia in 49.4% of patients and rarely improving, improvement of trigeminal symptoms in 19.1% of cases (mostly trigeminal neuralgia) among the 43.7% of patients who had them preoperatively, and deterioration of facial hypesthesia and/or paresthesia in 27.4% of cases. Early neurological deterioration was monitored in 183 patients for 6 months to determine the surgical complications of ATPA. Consciousness disturbance recovered in half of the cases but persisted in 3 (1.5%). Hemiparesis fully recovered in 63.2% of cases, resulting in a complication rate of 3.0%. The most frequent complication was diplopia (36.4%), with a complete remission rate of 26.4%. The second most frequent complication was facial hypesthesia (24.0%), with a recovery rate of 16.1%. Facial nerve palsy improved in 63.0% of cases and had a complication rate of 4.9%. Cerebellar symptoms showed complete recovery in all cases. The ATPA allows the removal of petroclival tumors extending into Meckel's cave and the middle fossa, making it preferred for dumbbell trigeminal schwannomas and meningiomas. However, the ATPA's aggressive tumor removal can risk a lower recovery of cranial nerve IV-VI deficits. For benign meningiomas, initial observation with regular follow-up is recommended. Surgery is appropriate for high-growth cases aiming for total removal, accompanied by a thorough explanation of the risks. If the risks are not accepted, subtotal removal can be considered, and radiosurgery is suggested for residual tumor.

Microsurgical anatomy and approaches to thalamic gliomas. Part 2: Maximal safe resection of thalamic gliomas improves outcomes. A single-center experience.

As presented in Part 1 of this series, thalamic gliomas (TGs) are deep-seated, difficult-to-access tumors surrounded by vital neurovascular structures. Given their high operative morbidity, TGs have historically been considered inoperable lesions. Although maximal safe resection (MSR) has become the treatment standard for lobar and even deep-seated mediobasal temporal and insular gliomas, the eloquent location of TGs has precluded this management strategy, with biopsy and adjuvant treatment being the mainstay. The authors hypothesized that MSR can be achieved with low morbidity and mortality for TGs, thus resulting in improved outcomes. A retrospective single-center study was performed on all TG patients from 2006 to 2020. Clinical, imaging, and pathology reports were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prognostic variables. Case examples illustrate various approaches and the rationale for staging resections of more complex TGs. A total of 42 patients (26 males, 16 females), among them 12 pediatric (29%) cases, were included. Their mean age was 36.0 ± 21.4 (median 30, range 3-73) years. The median maximal tumor diameter was 45 (range 19-70) mm. Eighteen patients (43%) had a prior stereotactic needle tumor biopsy, with the ultimate diagnosis changed for 7 patients (39%) following microsurgical resection. The most common surgical approaches were transtemporal (29%), anterior interhemispheric transcallosal (29%), and superior parietal lobule (25%). Overall, the combined subtotal and gross-total resection rate was 95% (n = 40). Low-grade gliomas (LGGs; grades I and II) comprised one-third of the group, whereas half of the patients had glioblastoma multiforme. There were no operative mortalities. Although temporary postoperative motor deficits were observed in 12 patients (28.6%), all improved during the early postoperative period except 1 (2.4%), who had mild residual hemiparesis. Two patients required CSF diversion for hydrocephalus. The 2-year overall survival rate was 90% for LGG patients and 15% for high-grade glioma (HGG) patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that histological grade, age, and extent of resection were independent prognostic factors associated with survival. Management of TGs is challenging, with resection avoided by many, if not most, neurosurgeons, especially for HGGs. The results reported here demonstrate improved outcomes with resection, particularly in younger LGG patients. The authors therefore advocate for MSR for a select cohort of TG patients using carefully planned surgical approaches, contemporary intraoperative adjuncts, and meticulous microsurgical techniques.

Neuronavigation-assisted pituitary neuroendocrine tumor resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The advancement of pituitary surgery has rendered it a secure and efficient treatment method; nevertheless, the potential for incomplete tumor removal and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains. Neuronavigation-assisted pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) resections have been driving a rising number of attentions in recent years. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of neuronavigation-assisted pituitary tumor resection. We aimed to assess the curative effects and complications with or without the use of an image-based neuronavigation in PitNET resection. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception until May 1, 2024 in English to identify any studies reporting gross total resection (GTR) or postoperative complications in patients who underwent neuronavigation-assisted PitNET resection, excluding conference abstracts and studies with fewer than five subjects. We also searched the reference lists of previous systematic reviews and other relevant publications in databases. We reviewed and analyzed the studies that investigated the operative effects and complications of neuronavigation in PitNET resection. Study quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot. Review manager 5.3 was employed for meta-analysis. The results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of image-assisted techniques for the incidence of GTR and complications. A total of 42 publications that fulfilled the established searching criteria were obtained from the above-mentioned databases, all of which with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scores ≥ six ★. Among the included publications, 37 studies indicated that the OR of image-based neuronavigation was 2.29 (95% CI: 2.02-2.60, P<0.00001, I2=24%) for GTR. The other five studies compared the neuronavigation group (experimental group) and non-neuronavigation group (control group), exhibiting high heterogeneity (I2=91%). After sensitivity analysis, the results showed that the rate of the CSF leak of the neuronavigation group was slightly lower than that of the non-neuronavigation group (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97, P=0.01, I2=43%). According to the existing data, neuronavigation-assisted PitNET resection can increase the rates of GTR and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. Our results provide a reference for the selection of surgical methods for PitNET resection in future clinical practice.

Further investigation of the lateral approach for the resection of Knosp grade 4 pituitary adenomas in endoscopic endonasal surgery.

The authors performed a further in-depth study of the lateral compartment of the cavernous sinus (LCCS) by the endoscopic endonasal approach to improve the safety and efficacy of the lateral approach for the removal of Knosp grade 4 pituitary adenomas (KG4PAs). Twenty-three cadaveric specimens were used for endoscopic endonasal dissection, and the LCCS was exposed to observe the neurovascular and fibrous structures within. A subclassification of the lateral approach based on further knowledge of the LCCS was proposed and used to resect 86 KG4PAs, and the surgical outcomes of these cases were reviewed. Type A KG4PAs represent tumor that was mainly distributed in the posterosuperior and superolateral compartments, type B KG4PAs represent tumor that was mainly distributed in the anteroinferior compartments, and type AB KG4PAs represent tumor that extended into each compartment with characteristics of types 4A and 4B. The authors identified multiple fibers that anchored the horizontal segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) to the abducens nerve. The fibers, the sympathetic nerve, and the inferior lateral trunk form a partition-like structure in the LCCS named the abducens nerve-ICA complex (AIC), and the LCCS can be divided into the superolateral and inferolateral compartments by the AIC. Accordingly, the lateral approach was subclassified into the lateral superior (LS) approach and the anterior inferior (AI) approach. The LS approach was mainly used to resect type A KG4PAs, whereas the AI approach was used to resect type B KG4PAs, and a combination of the two was used to resect type AB KG4PAs. The gross-total, subtotal, and partial resection rates were 81.4%, 12.8%, and 5.8%, respectively. The numbers of cases of postoperative transient cranial nerve palsy, postoperative permanent cranial nerve palsy, ICA injury, and CSF leakage were 6 (6.9%), 2 (2.3%), 1 (1.2%), and 1 (1.2%), respectively. This study revealed that the LCCS is divided by the AIC into the superolateral and inferolateral compartments, avoiding the misconception that the LCCS has vertical communication. Therefore, the lateral approach was subclassified into the LS approach and the AI approach for the resection of KG4PAs, which allowed a high gross-total resection rate with acceptable safety in the surgical treatment of KG4PAs.

EPEN-05. SURGERY FOR CHILDHOOD EPENDYMOMA: THE EPENDYMOMA MULTIDISCIPLINARY ADVISORY GROUP (EMAG) CLINICAL TRIAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract INTRODUCTION The National Ependymoma Multidisciplinary Advisory Group (EMAG) is the central review mechanism for the SIOP Ependymoma II clinical trial in the UK. EMAG is a multiprofessional group which meets weekly to support decision making. We report detailed surgical outcomes for children with confirmed intracranial ependymoma, discussed through EMAG between January 2020 and November 2022. METHODS Data was collected on resection status, surgical outcomes, reasons for not achieving Gross Total Resection (GTR), number of surgeries and adjuvant therapies. Data was analysed descriptively. RESULTS After first surgery, GTR or near total resection (NTR) rate was 69/105 (66%) rising to 83/105 (79%) following repeated surgeries. 17 patients underwent second-look surgery prior to further therapy, whilst 9 underwent second-look surgery after chemotherapy but before radiotherapy. Eight (17%) posterior fossa (PF) surgeries were not completed due to factors including patient instability and tumour attachments. Most post-operative problems were seen in PF tumours with 26/60 (43%) bulbar palsy, 13/60 (22%) focal weakness and 12/60 (20%) cerebellar mutism. Incomplete PF resections were associated with increased bulbar palsy risk (p=0.02, Chi-Square test). 73% of PF patients required hydrocephalus management with external ventricular drainage, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or shunt. Longer term hydrocephalus management with ETV or shunt was required in 29% and was more common in those with subtotal resection (R3-RX, 8/16, 50%) compared to GTR or NTR (R0-R2, 9/43, 21%, p=0.03). 27/60 (45%) received post-op NG feeding and 2/60 (3%) needed tracheostomies. Second surgery was associated with lower complication rates. DISCUSSION Our National MDT approach supports collaborative surgical decision making without a need for centralisation of the surgery itself. There was no evidence of increased complication rates compared to historical trials despite a more aggressive surgical approach. We argue for continued centralisation of EPN evaluation to support optimal care for children with this devastating disease.