Infra-tentorial brain tumor subtypes in children and adults-surgical outcome in an ethnic population with a single regional tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: To analyze clinically and radiologically the surgical outcome like residual disease, progression of disease, recurrence, disabilities, event-free survival (EFS), and mortality of different infra-tentorial tumor subtypes in children and adults of a strictly non-migratory and ethnic population. METHODS: The 410 histologically proved, out of 589, infra-tentorial brain tumor patients were analyzed clinically and by the imaging post-surgically in a single tertiary center for an ethnic region. In this analytico-observational study, retrospectively postoperative records of 589 infra-tentorial brain tumors from November 1998 to December 2018 (20 years) were retrieved, scrutinized, and compiled. The post-operative clinic-radiological records of 410 patients with proved histopathological examination results were included. Statistical law of variance was applied where-ever necessary. RESULTS: The 63.2% of the all 410 operated infra-tentorial brain tumors were males while females predominated in meningiomas and pineoblastomas. About 31.7% infra-tentorial tumors were children (below 18 years). About 54.1% cases were histologically malignant. The residual tumors comprised 40.2% and symptoms of disease-progression occurred in 10.9%. The tumor recurrence occurred in 14.3% while 6.0% patients developed severe disability. The overall mortality was 11.4% but 18.9% in malignant tumors. The event-free survival (EFS) for all the patients was 66.0%, patients with malignancies had 47.7% and benign group had 87.7%. CONCLUSION: The study, surgical outcome of infra-tentorial brain tumor subtypes in children and adults (approx. 1/3rd of patients being children), conducted in a tertiary center at a remote land-locked location with non-migratory ethnic population as its catchment area, has a significant epidemiological value for the community and the region.

Histopathological Pattern and Outcome of Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children and Adults - A 20-Year Experience.

CONTEXT: The postoperative quality and span of life in posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) is complicated by the residual disease, progression, recurrence, disabilities, and mortality. AIMS: The aim of this study is to analyze the link between histopathological type of tumor and outcome in an ethnic Himalayan population of India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The histopathological records of 410 out of 589 patients were compared with their clinical outcome up to the 1st postoperative year in a single center which amounts to regional epidemiological value of PFTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observational study, retrospectively postoperative records of 589 PFTs from November 1990 to December 2010 (20 years) were retrieved, scrutinized, and observed. The postoperative records of 410 patients with proved histopathological examination results were included. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical law of variance was applied wherever necessary. RESULTS: About 63.2% of 410 operated PTFs were males while females predominated in meningiomas and pineoblastomas. About 31.7% of PFTs were children (below 18 years.). About 54.1% of the cases were histologically malignant. The residual tumors comprised 40.2%, and symptoms of disease progression occurred in 10.9%. The tumor recurrence occurred in 14.3% while 6.0% of the patients developed severe disability. The overall mortality was 11.4% up to the 1st postoperative year, with 18.9% in malignant patients. The first 1-year event-free survival (EFS) for all the patients was 66.0%. While the patients with malignancies had the first 1-year EFS of 47.7%, the histologically benign group had 87.7%. CONCLUSION: The first 1-year postoperative EFS of histologically benign and some malignant PFTs both in children and adults such as pilocytic astrocytomas, ependymomas, and pineoblastomas was much better (87.7%) than other malignant PTFs.

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma Metastasizing to the Brain: A Rare Entity Revisited with Review of Recent Literature.

A 20-year-old male patient presented with a recent history of two episodes of seizures and Glasgow Coma Scale of E3V3M6. He was drowsy at presentation with bradycardia. On further examination, he was found to be having a 10 × 6cm well-circumscribed mass in the right medial thigh whose fine needle aspiration cytology was suggestive of soft tissue sarcoma. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging brain showed enhancing lobulated lesions in bilateral hemispheres with significant edema. A decision to decompress the intracranial space occupying lesion was taken. Left-sided larger brain lesions underwent total gross excision followed by excision of the thigh mass. Histopathology of brain lesion was suggestive of metastatic deposits of alveolar soft part sarcoma, whereas the thigh mass was suggestive of alveolar soft part sarcoma grade 2 according to Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre Le Cancer grading system. Postoperative course of the patient was unremarkable and his general condition improved remarkably (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain version 4 score improvement >50% at 1 month). He is in follow-up for the last 12 months and currently has completed chemoradiotherapy and is living a self-sufficient life. Though patients with aforementioned rare diagnosis have overall poor prognosis, decompressive craniotomy with metastasectomy may improve the overall quality of life of such young patients, and further chemoradiotherapy may help in prolonging life with acceptable level of comorbidity. This case is being discussed here in terms of the rarity of the final diagnosis, the management strategy used, and the quality of life improvement.

Clinicopathological Characteristics of Meningiomas: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Kashmir Valley.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas comprise 15%-20% of all primary intracranial tumors. They are generally benign tumors, and most patients are cured after surgery and remain free of recurrence. However, some tumors behave in an aggressive manner, and patients develop local recurrence or metastasis. Overall prognosis is good. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an 11-year retrospective study conducted in the Departments of Pathology and Neurosurgery at Sheri-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Kashmir, India. Besides the demographic profile, the parameters analyzed were location of tumor on imaging, histopathological subtype, and grade of tumor according to the 2007 WHO classification and recurrence at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients were included in our study, of which 205 (80.7%) were brain meningiomas and 49 (19.3%) were spinal, with an overall female: male ratio of 2:1. Female: male ratio was more in spinal meningiomas, 15.3:1. Most of our patients were in the 4-6th decade of life with a mean age of 48 years (range: 5-73 years). Meningothelial meningioma was the most common histological type. Of ten patients who showed recurrence, seven cases showed only recurrence, but no progression to higher grade and three cases showed recurrence with progression by one WHO-grade. We also noticed that recurrence was higher in Simpson Grades II and III. CONCLUSION: Meningiomas are common in females and most of the meningiomas do well after surgery. The recurrence rate was 3.93% in our study and Simpson grade of tumor excision and histopathological grade contribute significantly to the recurrence of the tumor.

Evaluation of Role of Electrophysiological Studies in Patients with Lumbar Disc Disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of the electrophysiologic studies in peripheral nerves and muscles of lower limbs (including paraspinal muscles) in prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs has been studied with equivocal results. Pre- and post-operative electrodiagnostic studies have not been compared much. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the role of the electrophysiologic studies in prolapsed lumbar/lumbosacral intervertebral discs for finding the association between clinical findings and electrophysiological changes and to compare the electrophysiologic studies pre- and post-operatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted from July 2014 to June 2016 on fifty patients who were admitted in the department of neurological surgery with lumbar disc prolapse and all these patients were subjected to surgery. Both pre- and post-operative (from 1 to 6 months after surgery) electrophysiological studies were conducted and compared. RESULTS: As per the electromyographic (EMG) abnormalities, the most common levels of intervertebral disc prolapse were L4-L5 and L5-S1 accounting for 32% of cases each followed by L5-S1 level which was seen in 28% of patients with L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 prolapsed intervertebral disc (PIVD) and L3-L4 and L4-L5 PIVD were seen in 4% of cases each. Of the 50 patients, EMG findings correlated with operative findings in 37 (74%) patients, however operative findings did not correlate with EMG findings in 13 (26%) patients. CONCLUSION: In compressive lesions of nerve roots (due to disc prolapsed), the EMG method has a high degree of accuracy in determining not only the presence of such lesions but also their exact location. EMG is accurate when correlated with the operative findings.

Osteoporosis Presenting as Low Backache: An Entity not Uncommon to be Missed.

INTRODUCTION: Low backache (LBA) is highly prevalent in osteoporotic patients and affects their quality of life. Overall, osteoporosis incidence is greater in females than in males, and osteoporotic fractures typically occur with only modest or moderate trauma. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate osteoporosis as a cause of LBA in patients attending a neurosurgical outpatient department and to study various risk factors associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study entitled "Osteoporosis presenting as LBA: An entity not uncommon to be missed" was a 2-year hospital-based study conducted from August 2014 to July 2016 in a prospective manner and included 100 patients of osteoporosis with LBA. Analysis of records included their chief complaints, signs and symptoms, diagnostic investigations performed, treatment modalities they underwent, and further recommended management carried on them. RESULTS: Out of total 100 patients evaluated, 33 (33%) were male and 67 (67%) were female; the age of patients was in the range of 35-70 years (mean 56.54 ± 91). The number of patients with a significant medical or surgical history was 31 (31%). The history of drug intake such as thyroxine, steroids, and antiepileptics was present in a total of 11 patients out of which 10 were female and one was male. Regarding lifestyle characteristics of studied patients, a total number of 72 (72%) were having sedentary habits with 15 (45.5%) males and 57 (85.1) females, the total number of moderate workers was 19 (27.3) males and 10 (14.9%) females, and heavy workers were 9 (9%) with 9 (27.3) males and 0 (0%) female. CONCLUSION: LBA is highly prevalent in osteoporotic patients especially in women. The incidence of osteoporosis and LBA increased with low body mass index, increasing age, and duration of menopause. The various risk factors for osteoporosis include smoking, history of medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus, history of hysterectomy, and history of antiepileptic, thyroxine, and steroid intake.

Role of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan in the Diagnosis of Chronic Low Back Pain - a Prospective Randomized Controlled Study in Osteoporotic Patients Hospitalized in a Tertiary Care Institute.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mass, with accompanying microarchitectural damage that increases the risk of bone fracture. The aim of this study is to evaluate various risk factors for osteoporosis and the role of DEXA scan in diagnosing the problem in an earlier stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 100 patients who presented with complaint of low back pain in our outpatient department were studied and subjected to a DEXA scan. RESULTS: The age range of patients included in this study was between 35 and 70 years. Of all subjects, 85.10% (n=57) were females and 78.80% (n=26) males. The number of those with significant medical or surgical history was 31% (n=31). The anthropometric characteristics of the studied group included weight, height, and also BMI in kg/m2, which was 20.23, 21.06 in male subjects and 19.343, 20.42 in female ones. Regarding DEXA measurements, the bone mineral density was 0.97±0.27 (0.48, 1.96) for males and 0.83±0.21(0.01, 1.60) for females, with a total of 0.88±0.24 (0.01, 1.96). CONCLUSION: Low back pain is highly prevalent in postmenopausal women. DEXA is a widely accepted radiological tool used to detect osteoporotic changes in bones earlier, with a higher accuracy than plain radiographs of skeletal system. It is relatively cheap, needs no special preparation and involves less radiation hazard.

Pediatric Intracranial Hydatid Cyst: A Case Series with Literature Review.

Hydatid disease is an endemic zoonotic disease in many areas of the world. An intracranial hydatid cyst is a relatively rare entity, accounting for only 1-2% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions. Most commonly they are seen in children and young adults. Here, we present 9 cases of pediatric intracranial hydatid cyst operated at Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India, between 2009 and 2015. The mean age of presentation was 11.5 years. The male to female ratio was 5: 4. In 7 cases, a history of contact with pet dogs was present. Seizure was the most common finding, present in 7 cases. Seven patients had solitary cysts and 2 had multiple cysts on presentation. All patients were operated on, and recurrence was observed in 2 patients. The features of this rare disease are retrospectively analyzed in this presentation and the literature is reviewed.

A review on current status of antiviral siRNA.

Viral diseases like influenza, AIDS, hepatitis, and Ebola cause severe epidemics worldwide. Along with their resistant strains, new pathogenic viruses continue to be discovered so creating an ongoing need for new antiviral treatments. RNA interference is a cellular gene-silencing phenomenon in which sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA is achieved by means of complementary short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules. Short interfering RNA technology affords a potential tractable strategy to combat viral pathogenesis because siRNAs are specific, easy to design, and can be directed against multiple strains of a virus by targeting their conserved gene regions. In this review, we briefly summarize the current status of siRNA therapy for representative examples from different virus families. In addition, other aspects like their design, delivery, medical significance, bioinformatics resources, and limitations are also discussed.

Coccygectomy for Coccygodynia: A Single Center Experience Over 5 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Coccygodynia refers to a pathological condition in which pain occurs in the coccyx or its immediate vicinity. The pain is usually provoked by sitting or rising from sitting. Several studies have reported good or excellent results after coccygectomy especially in patients who are refractory to conservative treatment. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the role and effectiveness of coccygectomy in chronic refractory coccygodynia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2015, 16 consecutive patients (4 males and 12 females) who underwent surgical coccygectomy were enrolled prospectively in the study. All patients suffered from treatment-resistant coccygodynia and had exhausted conservative therapeutic options for at least 6 months before undergoing surgery. The same surgeon performed a complete coccygectomy on all patients. Postoperative outcomes included measurements of pain relief and degree of patient satisfaction with the procedure's results. RESULTS: The average age of patient was 37.93 years (range: 25-53 years), and the male to female ratio was 1:3. The median duration of patient-reported symptoms prior to surgery was 24 months. The most common cause of coccygodynia was direct or indirect trauma, recorded in 11 patients (68.75%). Idiopathic coccygodynia was five cases (31.25%). The number of patients with outcomes rated as "excellent," "good," "fair," and "poor" were 12, 2, 1, and 1, respectively. The favorable result (excellent or good) was 87.5%. The self-reported visual analog scale (VAS) was significantly improved by surgery. The mean VAS preoperatively was 9.62, and postoperatively it was 2.25 (P < 0.001). There were two infections (12.5%) among the 16 patients which were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Coccygectomy for chronic intractable coccygodynia is simple and effective, with a low complication rate.

Disappearance of Intracranial Extradural Hematomas: Role of Diastatic Cranial Fracture and Intracranial Pressure - An Institutional Experience.

CONTEXT: The intracranial extradural hematoma (EDH) occupies space and creates a mass effect on the brain but the tenacious-adhesions of dura to the inner table of skull counters this effect. The intracranial pressure also pushes the hematoma back while it is held by dural tensile-force. AIMS: The exploitation of a diastatic fracture, overlying an EDH, by the intracranial pressures to decompress a hematoma out of extradural space into subgaleal/subperiosteal space without surgical intervention. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: In a period of 15 years, a group of 11 patients among 729 EDHs were managed conservatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study of 11 EDH patients was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery from January 2000 to December 2014 in 15 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical law of variance was used as applicable. RESULTS: Analysis of spontaneous disappearance of intracranial EDH among 11 patients revealed that only 1.5% (11/729) EDHs resolved conservatively. The most cases (63.6%) were children and the youngest being 9 months old. All the patients had a diastatic fracture overlying-EDH and were fully conscious. The cause of head injury in most was the fall from height. The hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 days. All the patients had a good recovery at the time of discharging. CONCLUSION: The trial of the conservative or spontaneous disappearance of an EDH through a diastatic fracture into the subgaleal space is similar to burr-hole drainage without surgical intervention but depends upon the neurological status, the intracranial pressure of the patient, and the availability of all the modern neurosurgical gadgets.

Profile of High Grade Gliomas - A Single Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The term high grade glioma (HGG), is usually used to describe WHO grade III and IV tumours. There has been a recent increase in incidence of HGGs in the Western world, particularly in the elderly population. This probably reflects the easy availability of vastly improved diagnostic imaging. A five year retroprospective study was planned to study demography, clinical presentation, imaging, surgical intervention, histopathological examination of specimens and postoperative outcome of patients of high grade gliomas. OBJECTIVES: To determine the demographic, clinical, histopathogical and radiological profile of patients of High Grade Gliomas (HGG) and to ascertain post-operative mortality at 24 hours and 7 days Material and Methods: The present study of 226 cases from our institute for the last 5 years (retrospective 3 years and prospective 2 years) extending from August 2010 to July 2015 is based on study about demography, clinical presentation, imaging, surgical intervention, histopathological examination of specimens and postoperative outcome. The clinic-pathological vis-a-vis imaging was also studied. The analyzed data from the results and observations of this study were compared with the previous studies. RESULTS: The study was retrospective as well as prospective. Total of 226 patients were registered. Out of these, 225 patients were operated (except one patient). The provisional diagnosis was based on the radio-imaging basis and the final diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination. Majority of patients operated for HGG, irrespective of the procedure or extent of resection had good surgical outcome after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The overall survival is multifactorial in HGGs. The surgical intervention particularly in patients with features of raised ICP due to mass lesion provides symptomatic relief and improves quality of life in majority of patients and are discharged reasonably in better state of health.

A Unique Case of Primary Intracranial Melanoma.

Primary intracranial melanoma is an uncommon entity and only case reports have been published in the literature. We report a case of an elderly male who was operated with a preliminary diagnosis of meningioma, but it proved to be a histological surprise as it came out to be melanoma with no primary anywhere in the body.

A Rare Case of Spinal Schwannoma in a Child Presenting with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report with Review of Literature.

Pediatric spinal schwannomas/neurofibromas constitute only 2.5%-4% of all pediatric spinal tumors. However, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) because of spinal pathologies is very rare, representing 1.5% of all cases of SAH. Spinal nerve sheath tumors such as schwannomas rarely present with SAH, especially before the appearance of overt signs of spinal cord or root compression. We report a case of dorsolumbar schwannoma in an 11-year-old girl presenting clinically with signs and symptoms mimicking meningitis, but meningeal signs later proved to be due to SAH associated with spinal (D12-L1) schwannoma and hydrocephalus. Mass was excised and ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. In our clinical practice, we may sometimes come across some uncommon diseases with even more uncommon presentations as happened with us at our institute. We must always consider that there is a possibility of SAH owing to silent spinal lesion in patients with angiographic negative intracranial SAH as in this case.

Cranioplasty: Indications, procedures, and outcome - An institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Cranioplasty, the repair of a skull vault defect by insertion of an object (bone or nonbiological materials such as metal or plastic plates), is a well-known procedure in modern neurosurgery. Brain protection and cosmetic aspects are the major indications of cranioplasty. A retroprospective study was conducted for evaluating the indications, materials used, complications, and outcome of cranioplasty. METHODS: This study was prospective from August 2013 to September 2015 and retrospective from August 2010 to July 2013. In the retrospective study, patients files were retrieved from the mentioned date (August 2010 to July 2013) from the medical records and the findings were recorded. Abstracted data included age at the time of cranioplasty (years), sex (male or female), medical comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes), indications for craniectomy [Road traffic accident (RTA), fall from height (FFH), hit by stone or cricket ball, physical assault, stroke, infection, shell injury, bullet injury, and intraoperative swelling], laterality of cranioplasty (bilateral, unilateral, or bifrontal), time between craniectomy and cranioplasty (weeks), type of graft (autologous or artificial), type of prosthesis if used (methylmethacrylate, titanium), storage of bone flap if used (subcutaneous or deep freezer), operative time (minutes), and complications fallowing cranioplasty. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients included in the study, maximum were in the age group of 21-30 years i.e., 30.93% (n = 73). Mean age of the patients was 33.44 years. A total of 196 (83.05%) were autologous and 40 (16.95%) were artificial. Out of the 40 patients who underwent artificial cranioplasty, 36 (15.25%) had methylmethacrylate graft and 4 (1.7%) had titanium mesh implant. Bone was not preserved in 16.95% (n = 40), preserved in subcutaneous tissue in abdominal wall in 2.54% (n = 6), and preserved in deep freezer in 80.51% (n = 190) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Cranioplasty as a procedure is not without complications; however, if performed properly and at proper time with an aseptic technique, good results are achieved.

A solitary osteochondroma of the cervical spine: a case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Osteochondromas are usually found in the extremities and are rarely seen in the spine. They are most commonly found in the posterior elements of the spine, and intraspinal extension is uncommon. Compressive myelopathy as a presentation of vertebral osteochondroma in a child is a rare entity. METHODS: We report a case of vertebral osteochondroma arising from the lamina of C3 vertebra, presenting with features of compressive myelopathyin a 15 year old boy.Total excision of the tumor was carried out along with lamina of C3 vertebra.Patient recovered significantly. CONCLUSION: Spinal osteochondromas must be considered as rare etiology of spinal cord or root compression in the pediatric age group and utmost care should be taken while excising these benign lesions.

Incidence, histopathology, and surgical outcome of tumors of spinal cord, nerve roots, meninges, and vertebral column - Data based on single institutional (Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences) experience.

CONTEXT: In the absence of a community-based study on the spinal tumors in the Valley, medical records of the only Regional Neurosurgical Center are available. AIM: The aim of this study is to establish a hospital-based regional epidemiology of spinal tumors in the Valley since the data are derived from a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 531 malignant and nonmalignant tumors of spinal cord, its coverings and vertebrae, which were managed in a Regional Neurosurgical Center under a standard and uniform medical-protocol over 30-year period from 1983 to 2014. RESULTS: The hospital-based incidence for all spinal tumors was 0.24/100,000 persons per year. The malignant spinal cord and vertebral tumors comprised 32.58% (173/531) of all tumors, and benign spinal cord and vertebral tumors comprised 67.42% (358/531). The extradural-intradural tumors such as metastatic lesions and primary malignant vertebral tumors were on rise with 16.38% (87/531) cases. The children below 18 years were 5.46% (29/531), of which 55.17% (16/29) were below 9 years. The most common primary bone malignancy was multiple myeloma (54.54% =12/22). Histopathologically, the most common metastatic deposit in the spinal canal was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (24.61% =16/65). A mortality of 3.20% (17/531) was noted. Recurrences were noted in 4.90% (26/531), and adjuvant therapies were given to 16.38% (87/531) patients. CONCLUSION: The malignant spinal cord and vertebral tumors, especially metastatic deposits, are on rise in elderly population. The surgical outcome, in terms of recovery and spinal stability, of benign tumors, is comparatively better than malignant ones. The study reveals a low regional incidence (hospital-based) of spinal tumors.

A unique case of calvarial hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: Calvarial hemangiomas are one of the rarest neoplasms affecting the skull, predominantly occurring in parietal and frontal bones. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a parietal hemangioma in a middle-aged female which presented as a painless swelling that was progressively increasing in size and was treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Although rare, calvarial hemangioma should be a part of the differential diagnosis of calvarial swellings.

Intracranial extradural hematoma: Spontaneous rapid decompression - not resolution.

The surgical option to evacuate an intracranial extradural hematoma (EDH) was postponed in a 2-year-old female child who appeared fully alert and active after a brief spell of unconsciousness following a fall from height. The child was received, with a swelling on and around the right parietal eminence, by the emergency staff just half an hour after the time of injury. The immediate X-ray skull and first computed tomography (CT) scan head showed a parietal bone fracture, EDH, and cephalhematoma. However, follow-up CT scan head after about 4½ h revealed the dramatic absence of EDH but increased size and bogginess of cephalhematoma. The EDH had transported into subgaleal space resulting in a decompression of intracranial compartment in <5 h, thereby preventing surgical intervention but necessitating monitoring, though there was no back flow intracranially.