The RAPID Consortium: A Platform for Clinical and Translational Pituitary Tumor Research

Objectives  Pituitary tumor treatment is hampered by the relative rarity of the disease, absence of a multicenter collaborative platform, and limited translational-clinical research partnerships. Prior studies offer limited insight into the formation of a multicenter consortium. Design  The authors describe the establishment of a multicenter research initiative, Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID), to encourage quality improvement and research, promote scholarship, and apply innovative solutions in outcomes research. Methods  The challenges encountered during the formation of other research registries were reviewed with those lessons applied to the development of RAPID. Setting/Participants  RAPID was formed by 11 academic U.S. pituitary centers. Results  A Steering Committee, bylaws, data coordination center, and leadership team have been established. Clinical modules with standardized data fields for nonfunctioning adenoma, prolactinoma, acromegaly, Cushing's disease, craniopharyngioma, and Rathke's cleft cyst were created using a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant cloud-based platform. Currently, RAPID has received institutional review board approval at all centers, compiled retrospective data and agreements from most centers, and begun prospective data collection at one site. Existing institutional databases are being mapped to one central repository. Conclusion  The RAPID consortium has laid the foundation for a multicenter collaboration to facilitate pituitary tumor and surgical research. We sought to share our experiences so that other groups also contemplating this approach may benefit. Future studies may include outcomes benchmarking, clinically annotated biobank tissue, multicenter outcomes studies, prospective intervention studies, translational research, and health economics studies focused on value-based care questions.

Intraoperative MRI use in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors: Trends and healthcare utilization

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) use in transsphenoidal approach (TSA) for pituitary tumors (PTs) has been reported to improve the extent of resection (EOR). The aim of this study is to report the trends and the impact of iMRI on healthcare utilization in patients who underwent TSA for PTs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MarketScan database were queried using the ICD-9/10 and CPT-4, from 2004 to 2020. We included patients ≥ 18 years of age PTs with > 1 year follow-up. Outcomes were length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, hospital/emergency room (ER) re-admissions, outpatient services, medication refills and corresponding payments.

RESULTS

A cohort of 10,192 patients were identified from the database, of these 141 patients (1.4%) had iMRI used during the procedure. Use of iMRI for PTs remained stable (2004-2007: 0.85%; 2008-2011: 1.6%; 2012-2015:1.4% and 2016-2019: 1.46%). No differences in LOS (median 3 days each), discharge to home (93% vs. 94%), complication rates (7% vs. 13%) and payments ($34604 vs. $33050) at index hospitalization were noted. Post-discharge payments were not significantly different without and with iMRI use at 6-months ($8315 vs. $ 7577, p = 0.7) and 1-year ($13,654 vs. $ 14,054, p = 0.70), following the index procedure.

CONCLUSION

iMRI use during TSA for PTs remained stable with no impact on LOS, complications, discharge disposition and index payments. Also, there was no difference in combined index payments at 6-months, and 1-year after the index procedure in patients with and without iMRI use for PTs.

Neoadjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases: a new paradigm

OBJECTIVE

For patients with surgically accessible solitary metastases or oligometastatic disease, treatment often involves resection followed by postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This strategy has several potential drawbacks, including irregular target delineation for SRS and potential tumor "seeding" away from the resection cavity during surgery. A neoadjuvant (preoperative) approach to radiation therapy avoids these limitations and offers improved patient convenience. This study assessed the efficacy of neoadjuvant SRS as a new treatment paradigm for patients with brain metastases.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed at a single institution to identify patients who had undergone neoadjuvant SRS (specifically, Gamma Knife radiosurgery) followed by resection of a brain metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival and log-rank analyses were used to evaluate risks of progression and death. Assessments were made of local recurrence and leptomeningeal spread. Additionally, an analysis of the contemporary literature of postoperative and neoadjuvant SRS for metastatic disease was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients who had undergone neoadjuvant SRS followed by resection of a brain metastasis were identified in the single-institution cohort. The median age was 64 years (range 32-84 years), and the median follow-up time was 16.5 months (range 1 month to 5.7 years). The median radiation dose was 17 Gy prescribed to the 50% isodose. Rates of local disease control were 100% at 6 months, 87.6% at 12 months, and 73.5% at 24 months. In 4 patients who had local treatment failure, salvage therapy included repeat resection, laser interstitial thermal therapy, or repeat SRS. One hundred thirty patients (including the current cohort) were identified in the literature who had been treated with neoadjuvant SRS prior to resection. Overall rates of local control at 1 year after neoadjuvant SRS treatment ranged from 49% to 91%, and rates of leptomeningeal dissemination from 0% to 16%. In comparison, rates of local control 1 year after postoperative SRS ranged from 27% to 91%, with 7% to 28% developing leptomeningeal disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant SRS for the treatment of brain metastases is a novel approach that mitigates the shortcomings of postoperative SRS. While additional prospective studies are needed, the current study of 130 patients including the summary of 106 previously published cases supports the safety and potential efficacy of preoperative SRS with potential for improved outcomes compared with postoperative SRS.

Survival After Resection of Newly-Diagnosed Intracranial Grade II Ependymomas: An Initial Multicenter Analysis and the Logistics of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors, including the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), impacting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after resections of newly diagnosed intracranial grade II ependymomas performed across 4 different institutions.

METHODS

Analyses of a multicenter mixed retrospective/prospective database assessed the impact of patient, treatment, and tumor characteristics on OS and PFS. iMRI workflow and logistics were also outlined.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were identified (mean age 25.4 years, mean follow-up 52.8 months). The mean OS was 52.8 ± 44.7 months. Univariate analyses failed to identify prognostic factors associated with OS, likely due to relatively shorter follow-up time for this less aggressive glioma subtype. The mean PFS was 43.7 ± 39.8 months. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that gross-total resection was associated with prolonged PFS compared to both subtotal resection (STR) (P = 0.005) and near-total resection (P = 0.01). Infratentorial location was associated with improved PFS compared to supratentorial location (P = 0.04). Log-rank analyses of Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that increasing extent of resection (EOR) led to improved OS specifically for supratentorial tumors (P = 0.02) and improved PFS for all tumors (P < 0.001). Thirty cases (69.8%) utilized iMRI, of which 12 (27.9%) involved additional resection after iMRI. Of these, 8/12 (66.7%) resulted in gross-total resection, while 2/12 (16.7%) were near-total resection and 2/12 (16.7%) were subtotal resection. iMRI was not an independent prognosticator of PFS (P = 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater EOR and infratentorial location were associated with increased PFS for grade II ependymomas. Greater EOR was associated with longer OS only for supratentorial tumors. A longer follow-up is needed to establish prognostic factors for this cohort, including use of iMRI.

A Low Subfrontal Dural Opening for Operative Management of Anterior Skull Base Lesions

Introduction A low subfrontal dural opening technique that limits brain manipulation was assessed in patients that underwent frontotemporal approaches for anterior fossa lesions. Methods A retrospective review was performed for cases using a low subfrontal dural opening including characterization of demographics, lesion size and location, neurological and ophthalmological assessments, clinical course, and imaging findings. Results A low subfrontal dural opening was performed in 23 patients (17F, 6M), median age of 53 years (range 23-81) with median follow-up duration of 21.9 months (range 6.2-67.1). Lesions included 22 meningiomas (9 anterior clinoid, 12 tuberculum sellae, and 1 sphenoid wing), 1 unruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm clipped during a meningioma resection, and 1 optic nerve cavernous malformation. Maximal possible resection was achieved in all cases including gross total resection in 16/22 (72.7%), near total in 1/22 (4.5%), and subtotal in 5/22 (22.7%) in which tumor involvement of critical structures limited complete resection. Eighteen patients presented with vision loss; 11 (61%) improved postoperatively, 3 (17%) were stable, and 4 (22%) worsened. The mean ICU stay and time to discharge was 1.3 days (range 0-3) and 3.8 days (range 2-8). Conclusions A low subfrontal dural opening for approaches to the anterior fossa can be performed with minimal brain exposure, early visualization of the optico-carotid cistern for cerebrospinal fluid release, minimizing need for fixed brain retraction and Sylvian fissure dissection. This technique can potentially reduce surgical risk and provide excellent exposure for anterior skull base lesions with favorable extent of resection, visual recovery, and complication rates.

The Utility of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Resection of Cerebellar Hemispheric Pilocytic Astrocytomas: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The mainstay of treatment for cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas in the pediatric population is surgery. The use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) as a surgical adjunct may lower the likelihood of reoperation. Studies have examined iMRI in heterogenous tumor populations, but few have looked at single pathologies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare iMRI vs non-iMRI for hemispheric cerebellar pilocystic astrocytomas, specifically looking at revision surgeries and residual disease in follow-up.

METHODS

Retrospective review of medical records for 60 sequential patients with cerebellar hemispheric pilocytic astrocytoma at a single institution was conducted. Thirty-two patients with cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma underwent surgery without iMRI, whereas 28 patients underwent surgical resection with iMRI. All patients had at least 3-year follow-up.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the patient populations in age, tumor size, or need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion between groups. Operative time was shorter without iMRI (without iMRI 4.4 ± 1.3 hours, iMRI 6.1 ± 1.5, P = .0001). There was no significant difference in the patients who had repeat surgery within 30 days (9% without iMRI, 0% iMRI, P = .25), residual disease at 3 months (19% without iMRI, 14% iMRI, P = .78), or underwent a second resection beyond 30 days (9% without iMRI, 4% iMRI, P = .61). There were more total reoperations in the group without iMRI, although this did not reach significance (19% vs 4%, P = .11).

CONCLUSION

For hemispheric cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas, iMRI tended to leave less residual and fewer reoperations; however, neither of these outcomes achieved statistical significance leaving utilization to be determined by the surgeon.

Intraoperative Cochlear Nerve Monitoring for Vestibular Schwannoma Resection and Simultaneous Cochlear Implantation in Neurofibromatosis Type 2: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) often results in profound hearing loss and cochlear implantation is an emerging hearing rehabilitation option. However, cochlear implant (CI) outcomes in this population vary, and intraoperative monitoring to predict cochlear nerve viability and subsequent outcomes is not well-established.

OBJECTIVE

To review the use of intraoperative electrically evoked cochlear nerve monitoring in patients with NF2 simultaneous translabyrinthine (TL) vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection and cochlear implantation.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of 3 patients with NF2 that underwent simultaneous TL VS resection and cochlear implantation with electrical auditory brainstem response (eABR) measured throughout tumor resection. Patient demographics, preoperative assessments, surgical procedures, and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Patients 1 and 3 had a reliable eABR throughout tumor removal. Patient 2 had eABR pretumor removal, but post-tumor removal eABR presence could not be reliably determined because of electrical artifact interference. All patients achieved auditory percepts upon CI activation. Patients 1 and 2 experienced a decline in CI performance after 1 yr and after 3 mo, respectively. Patient 3 continues to perform well at 9 mo. Patients 2 and 3 are daily users of their CI.

CONCLUSION

Cochlear implantation is attainable in cases of NF2-associated VS resection. Intraoperative eABR may facilitate cochlear nerve preservation during tumor removal, though more data and long-term outcomes are needed to refine eABR methodology and predictive value for this population.

Observation of the impact of the eight-step process combined with the four-track crossover quality control applied to patients with glioma surgery: a randomised trial

Background

At present, surgery is the main treatment for patients with glioma, but there are certain risks in the operation. The traction and stress reaction of related brain tissue during surgery can cause complications such as cerebral edema, which adversely affects the prognosis of patients. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effect of an eight-step process combined with four-track quality control applied to patients undergoing glioma surgery.

Methods

A total of 122 patients undergoing glioma surgery admitted to our hospital from March 2017 to March 2020 were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table method, each with 61 cases. The control group underwent routine intervention after surgery and the observation group underwent an eight-step process combined with four-track cross-over quality control intervention after surgery. The postoperative rehabilitation effects, cancer-related fatigue, changes in quality of life, and the incidence of complications before and after intervention were compared between the two groups.

Results

The time of catheter removal, the time of first eating, the time of getting out of bed, and the length of hospital stay of the observation group were shorter than those of the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group cognitive fatigue, physical fatigue, and emotional fatigue scores were lower than those of the control group after intervention (P<0.05) and the quality-of-life scores of the observation group after intervention were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The total incidence of complications in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The eight-step process combined with four-track quality control applied to patients undergoing glioma surgery can reduce cancer-related fatigue, improve quality of life, reduce complications, and promote speedy recovery.

IgG4-Related Disease of the Skull and Skull Base-A Systematic Review and Report of Two Cases

OBJECTIVE

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an inflammatory process that uncommonly can present in the skull base and calvarium and mimic a tumor but the nature of this condition is not well summarized in the neurosurgical literature.

METHODS

A review was performed of 2 cases of IgG4-RD in the skull base highlighting the diagnostic challenges with assessment of these skull base lesions, and a systematic review of relevant literature was carried out.

RESULTS

A systematic review of the literature conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines identified 113 articles, with 184 cases of IgG4-RD in the skull base or calvarium. The most commonly affected locations include the meninges, cavernous sinus, base of the posterior fossa, clivus, and mastoid bone. Headache, visual and auditory disturbances, cranial nerve dysfunction, and seizures were the most common presenting symptoms. Medical treatment was highly successful and most commonly consisted of corticosteroids coadministered with immunosuppressive agents such as rituximab. Prevalence seemed to be equal between sexes, and serum IgG4 levels were increased in 61% of patients. Delayed diagnosis and a need for multiple biopsies were reported in numerous cases. Two cases of skull base IgG4-RD from the authors' institution show the variable presentations of this disease. More invasive surgical biopsies were required in both cases, and corticosteroid treatment led to significant clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

IgG4-RD is an uncommon condition with an increasing body of reported cases that can affect the skull base and calvarium and should be in the differential diagnosis, because delay in diagnosis and treatment may be common.

Intraoperative MRI for Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery

Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) technology and its use in both adult and pediatric neurosurgery have advanced significantly over the past 2 decades, allowing neurosurgeons to account for brain shift and optimize resection of brain lesions. Combining the risks of the MR environment with those of the operating room creates a challenging, zero-tolerance environment for the anesthesiologist. This article provides an overview of the currently available iMRI systems, the neurosurgical evidence supporting iMRI use, and the anesthetic and safety considerations for iMRI procedures.

Chromatin-regulating genes are associated with postoperative prognosis and isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation in astrocytoma

Background

Abnormality in chromatin regulation is a major determinant in the progression of multiple neoplasms. Astrocytoma is a malignant histologic morphology of glioma that is commonly accompanied by chromatin dysregulation. However, the systemic interpretation of the expression characteristics of chromatin-regulating genes in astrocytoma is unclear.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the expression profile of chromatin regulation genes in 194 astrocytoma patients sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The relevance of gene expression and postoperative survival outcomes was assessed.

Results

Based on the expression patterns of chromatin regulation genes, two primary clusters and three subclusters with significantly different survival outcomes were identified. The patients in cluster_1 (or subcluster_1) had a poorer prognosis than the other groups, and this particular cohort were older, with a more advanced grade of tumor and isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype distribution. Detection of the differentially expressed genes revealed that the group with poor prognosis was characterized by downregulation of H2AFY2, WAC, HDAC5, ZMYND11, TET1, SATB1, and MYST4, and overexpression of EYA4. Moreover, all eight genes were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) in astrocytoma. Age-associated genes were investigated and the expression levels of EYA4, TET1, SATB1, WAC, ZMYND11, and H2AFY2 were found to be closely correlated with advanced age. Regression analysis suggested that the expression levels of H2AFY2, HILS1, EYA1, EYA4, and KDM5B were independently associated with IDH mutation status. The differential expressions of 34 common genes were significantly associated with age, grade, and IDH mutant.

Conclusions

The study revealed that the expression pattern of chromatin regulation genes was significantly associated with postoperative prognosis in astrocytoma. Moreover, the differential expression of particular genes was strongly associated with clinical characteristics such as age, grade, and IDH subtype. These results suggest that the genes involved in chromatin regulation play important roles in the biological process of astrocytoma progression, and these molecules could potentially serve as therapeutic targets in astrocytoma.