Combined Fluorescence-Guided Resection and Intracavitary Thermotherapy with Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles for Recurrent High-Grade Glioma: Case Series with Emphasis on Complication Management.

BACKGROUND: Concepts improving local tumor control in high-grade glioma (HGG) are desperately needed. The aim of this study is to report an extended series of cases treated with a combination of 5-ALA-fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) and intracavitary thermotherapy with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION). METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all recurrent HGG treated with FGR and intracavitary thermotherapy (n = 18). Patients underwent six hyperthermia sessions in an alternating magnetic field and received additional adjuvant therapies on a case-by-case basis. RESULTS: Nine patients were treated for first tumor recurrence; all other patients had suffered at least two recurrences. Nine patients received combined radiotherapy and thermotherapy. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 (95% CI: 4.67-6.13) months and median overall survival was 9.5 (95% CI: 7.12-11.79) months. No major side effects were observed during active treatment. Thirteen patients (72%) developed cerebral edema and more clinical symptoms during follow-up and were initially treated with dexamethasone. Six (33%) of these patients underwent surgical removal of nanoparticles due to refractory edema. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of FGR and intracavitary thermotherapy with SPION provides a new treatment option for improving local tumor control in recurrent HGG. The development of cerebral edema is a major issue requiring further refinements of the treatment protocol.

Heterotopic Neuroglial Tissue in Sphenoid Ridge.

BACKGROUND: Extracerebral neuroglial heterotopias are rare manifestations of cerebral tissue outside the brain whose most common form is the so-called nasal glioma. In this case report we illustrate the first case of heterotopic neuroglial tissue within the bone of the skull. CASE DESCRIPTION: Our patient underwent surgery for a sphenoid ridge meningioma. Aside from the expected meningioma, histopathologic examination showed a small amount of intraosseous heterotopic neuroglial tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenesis of cerebral heterotopias is diverse. Most of the midline lesions are probably residuals of former meningoencephaloceles. The pathogenesis of extracranial nonmidline lesions is more questionable. Their cause might be a former trauma, inflammatory disease, or surgery. Another option is that they represent primary neuroglial heterotopias, as it is supposed for manifestations of the lung. The coexistence of a heterotopia and a meningioma in this case is probably a coincidence. It is also debatable whether the broad tumor extension within the bone and/or the heterotopia might go back to alterations of the bone structure.