Clinical and immunohistochemical prognostic factors in adult glioblastoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Glioblastomas are the commonest and the most malignant of all adult brain tumors, characterized by genetic instability, intratumoral histopathological variability, and unpredictable clinical behavior. The utility of tumor markers that reflect their underlying biology is becoming increasingly important with respect to patient prognostication and their potential role as molecular targets of therapy is being recognized. In this study, we aimed to identify the clinical factors and some immunohistochemical markers that could have an effect on patient survival in supratentorial glioblastomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 54 cases of adult supratentorial glioblastomas operated over a span of 1 year, with respect to clinical features such as age, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), extent of resection, adjuvant therapy, and immunohistochemical expression of p53, EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homolog). RESULTS: Radiotherapy and KPS at presentation were significant predictors of outcome in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Among immunohistochemical variables; loss of PTEN expression in association with over-expression of EGFR showed a trend towards poorer survival, in univariate analysis. Over-expression of EGFR and/or p53 emerged as significant predictors of poor outcome on multivariate analysis, despite failing to prognosticate on univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that EGFR and p53 overexpression along with loss of PTEN expression are important adjuncts to clinical variables in prognosticating glioblastoma patients.

Efficacy of stereotactic aspiration in deep-seated and eloquent-region intracranial pyogenic abscesses.

OBJECT: Intracranial abscesses located deep in the cerebral parenchyma and in eloquent regions are often difficult to manage surgically. The authors have attempted to analyze the efficacy of stereotactic aspiration in the management of these abscesses. METHODS: Cases involving 22 patients (including 9 children) with deep-seated and/or eloquent-region intracranial abscesses who underwent CT- or MR imaging-guided stereotactic aspiration between January 1995 and July 2001 were analyzed. RESULTS: A definite source of infection could be identified only in 9 of the cases. In 18 patients, the abscess was deep seated, whereas in the rest it was located in the eloquent cortex. Five patients had abscesses located in multiple sites. In 17 patients only 1 aspiration was required; in 5 others subsequent procedures were required. In the initial postaspiration CT, minor hemorrhage was noted in 3 patients not requiring further intervention. Antibiotics were administered for a period varying from 4 to 8 weeks following aspiration. An early recurrence (within 2 weeks of initial aspiration) was evident in 5 patients. All recurrent abscesses were reaspirated. In 2 patients new abscesses developed while the patients were still receiving antibiotic therapy. There were no late recurrences. In 1 patient ventriculitis developed, with subsequent hydrocephalus requiring a shunt insertion. Follow-up CT scans showed complete resolution of the abscess in all patients. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic aspiration is a useful management option for abscesses located in eloquent or inaccessible regions. Repeated aspiration should be considered in patients in whom the initial aspiration proves ineffective or partially effective. Complete resolution may require repeated stereotactic aspirations and continued antibiotic therapy.

Third ventricular colloid cysts in children.

INTRODUCTION: Colloid cysts of the 3rd ventricle are relatively rare intracranial tumours, more so in children. They are benign tumours with excellent prognosis if diagnosed and treated early. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 18 cases of colloid cysts in children below 18 years, operated in our institution between September 1998 and November 2003 (5 years) was made. Clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical approaches and outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Age ranged from 7 to 18 years. The male-to-female ratio was 12:6. Headache and vomiting were the most common symptoms. Papilloedema was the most common clinical sign. Pre-operative CT showed a hyperdense non-enhancing lesion in the majority. Twelve patients underwent a transcallosal, 2 a transcortical and 4 an endoscopic approach. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were done in 5 patients. Postoperatively 2 patients developed epidural haemorrhage which required evacuation. One patient was re-explored for symptomatic residue. A mean follow-up of 10.2 months was available in 9 patients; the majority were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Colloid cysts though rare are increasingly detected in children. Their early recognition and treatment give excellent results.

Treatment options for Dandy-Walker malformation.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of various treatment options available for children with Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) and to evaluate the role of endoscopic procedures in the treatment of this disorder. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of 72 children who underwent surgical treatment for DWM during a 16-year period. All patients underwent computed tomography scanning, and 26 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The initial surgical treatment included ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement in 21 patients, cystoperitoneal (CP) shunt placement in 24, and combined VP and CP shunt insertion in three. Twenty-one patients underwent endoscopic procedures (endoscopic third ventriculostomy [ETV] alone in 16 patients, ETV with aqueductal stent placement in three, and ETV with fenestration of the occluding membrane in two). Three patients underwent membrane excision via a posterior fossa craniectomy. In the 26 patients who had undergone preoperative MR imaging, aqueductal patency was noted in 23 and aqueductal obstruction in three. These three patients underwent placement of a stent from the third ventricle to the posterior fossa cyst in addition to the ETV procedure. During the follow-up period, 12 patients with a CP shunt and four with a VP shunt experienced shunt malfunctions that required revision. Four patients with a CP shunt also required placement of a VP shunt. In addition, five of the 21 ETVs failed, requiring VP shunt insertion. A reduction in ventricle size noted on postoperative images occurred more frequently in patients with a VP shunt, whereas a reduction in cyst size was more appreciable in patients with a CP shunt. Successful ETV resulted in a slight decrease in ventricle size and varying degrees of reduction in cyst size. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic procedures may be considered an acceptable alternative in children with DWM. The authors propose a treatment protocol based on preoperative MR imaging findings of associated aqueductal stenosis.

Pediatric infratentorial subdural empyema: analysis of 14 cases.

OBJECT: Pediatric cases of infratentorial subdural empyema (SDE) are both rare and associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to report patient characteristics, treatment, and outcome in an exclusively pediatric series of SDE cases. METHODS: A series of 14 pediatric cases of infratentorial SDE was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated between 1994 and 2004. Sixty-four percent of the patients were boys; the majority of cases occurred during the summer months. Clinical features included headache, fever, vomiting, meningism, and otorrhea. Cerebellar signs were found only in 21% of patients. In 85.7% of the cases, the patients presented with a depressed level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale Scores 11-15). In 79.6%, pus collection was seen over the cerebellar convexity; interhemispheric and tentorial collections were also observed in some cases. Hydrocephalus was present in 92.9% of patients. Five patients required external ventricular drainage during surgery or postoperatively. Shunt placement was required in 21% of cases. All patients were treated with antibiotic therapy and surgery (bur holes in 21% of the cases, craniectomy in 79%). Pus cultures demonstrated microbial infection in 71.4%, and polymicrobial infection in 21%. Four patients required repeated surgery for reaccumulation of pus. Minor postoperative complications developed in three patients. All 14 patients survived. At follow up, the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were 4 or 5 in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are crucial in cases of SDE. With appropriate surgery, antibiotic therapy, and management of hydrocephalus, good outcome can be expected.

Expression of p53, EGFR, pRb and bcl-2 proteins in pediatric glioblastoma multiforme: a study of 54 patients.

Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors, which have been established as 'de novo' neoplasms, are known to differ from their adult counterparts in terms of biology, genetics and ultimately survival of patients. In order to evaluate the utility of markers of tumor biology for refining prognostic assessment, we retrospectively analyzed 54 pediatric GBMs (age range 9 months to 15 years) occurring at different anatomical sites in the brain, operated at our institute between 1995 and 2001. The expression of p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), bcl-2 and retinoblastoma proteins (pRb) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the results were compared with the clinical profile, MIB-1 labeling index (LI) and patient survival. p53 immunoreactivity was noted in 53.7% of cases, predominantly in thalamic (75%) and cerebral lobar (62.2%), followed by brainstem tumors (30%). It was absent in cerebellar tumors. p53-positive tumors had a higher MIB-1 LI, compared to p53-negative tumors (p=0.003). EGFR and bcl-2 overexpression was observed in 25.9% and 33.3% of cases, respectively, and loss of pRb expression was evident in only 7.4% of cases, indicating that loss of this gene function is not significantly involved in pediatric GBMs. p53 and bcl-2 expression were maximally noted in patients with poorer outcome. Our results indicate that p53 expression status is noted in a significant number of pediatric supratentorial neoplasms. p53 with bcl-2 overexpression is more often associated with ominous prognosis. Further molecular characterization would provide newer insights into the biology of these neoplasms and form a basis for future therapeutic decision making.

Prognosis in children with head injury: an analysis of 340 patients.

BACKGROUND: The outcome in children with head injury is distinctive because of the different biophysical properties of the child's skull and brain, and their reaction to injury. METHODS: In this retrospective study of three hundred and forty children with head injury, managed from January 1993 to December 1998, at NIMHANS, the factors influencing outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: On admission there were 40 children in GCS 3-5, 55 children in GCS 6-8, 96 in GCS 9-12 and 152 children in GCS 13-15. Eleven patients were under 2 years of age, 53 were between 3-5 years, 140 were between 6-10 years and 156 were between 11-15 years of age. The prognosis in various intracranial pathologies due to head injury was evaluated and outcome assessed at discharge. There were 95 children with EDH and 8.4% had poor outcome (vegetative state or death). There were 85 patients with contusion and poor outcome was noted in 18.8%. One hundred patients had diffuse cerebral oedema on CT scan and outcome was poor in 25% of these patients. The clinical features associated with poor prognosis were, absence of ocular movements (50%), abnormal pupillary size and reaction (49%) and age less than 2 years (27%).

Failed endoscopic third ventriculostomy in children: management options.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephalus has a failure rate of 20-50% in various series. The present study analyzes ETV failures in 72 patients over a 2-year period and attempts to outline a management plan. Of the 72 patients who underwent ETV, it failed in 13. Seven of these failures occurred within 1 month, and in 5 others, ETV failed after 1-2 months. Another patient had a delayed failure 2 years after the initial surgery. Upon clinical failure, MRI scans were performed in all patients using either T2 fast spin echo or two-dimensional phase contrast MRI techniques. Of these, no flow could be demonstrated in 12 patients, whereas in 1 patient, good flow was observed. Endoscopic exploration was undertaken in the 12 patients in whom flow could not be demonstrated. Of the 12 who underwent endoscopic exploration, a patent stoma was observed in 7, necessitating insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). In the other 5, the stoma had closed by gliosis and a repeat ETV was performed. In 3 of these patients, in addition to the ETV, a VPS was also inserted in accordance with the family's wishes. VPS insertion was carried out in the patient with suggestion of good flow through the stoma. In failed ETV, MRI with flow studies is essential to identify the possible cause of failure. Endoscopic exploration is indicated for patients with no evidence of flow. A repeat ETV is indicated in patients with a closed stoma. Patients with a patent stoma could require insertion of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt.

Neuro-endoscopic fenestration of occluded foramen of Monro causing unilateral hydrocephalus.

An uncommon case of unilateral hydrocephalus due to membranous occlusion of the ipsilateral foramen of Monro is presented. The patient successfully underwent neuroendoscopic fenestration of the occluded foramen of Monro along with septum pellucidum fenestration.

Prognosis in contre-coup intracranial haematomas--a clinical and radiological study of 63 patients.

The clinical and radiological profiles of 63 patients with contre-coup haematomas were studied. The overall mortality was 53%. The mortality in patients with contre-coup haematomas alone was only half of that found in patients with associated coup injury (80%).

Recurrences in meningioma after surgery.

123 cases of meningioma operated upon between 1975 and 1984 were reviewed. There were 13 cases of symptomatic tumour recurrence and 15 cases of tumour progression. Both, recurrence and progression of the tumour were seen twice as often in males. They were not related to any particular age group or site of origin. Recurrence was more common in the angioblastic type of meningioma. In the majority, progression of the tumour was seen within two years of the initial operation, while recurrence of the tumour was distributed evenly over time.

[Fluorotic cervical spinal cord disease]. / Myélopathie cervicale fluorosique.

Skeletal fluorosis was reported as a disease endemic to an area in the Madras Presidency of Indian in 1937 and prior to this, it was known as an occasional disease. There are two endemic areas in India, one in Punjab and the other in Andhra Pradesh State. This disease is also endemic in some parts of China and Africa. The manual labourers are more frequently affected as they consume huge quantities of water with high fluoride levels. The cervical spine is often affected, manifesting as cord compression. Forty cases of fluorotic cervical cord compression, who underwent surgery are studied regarding their clinical features, radiological aspects and outcome following surgery. In selected cases of cervical fluorotic myelopathy, surgical decompression appears to be necessary and also rewarding.