The prognostic value of tumor markers in patients with glioblastoma multiforme: analysis of 32 patients and review of the literature

Although several studies have examined brain tumor markers for prognostic value, few investigations have stratified analysis based on specific histologic grade. The objective of this study was to evaluate a single histologic grade of glioma, the grade IV glioma or glioblastoma (World Health Organization Classification), with a comprehensive panel of tumor markers in an attempt to identify those with prognostic significance. Tumor samples from a cohort of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (n = 32) were examined for tumor markers, DNA analysis, and clinical variables in an attempt to determine a 'profile' for this tumor. We used univariate and multivariate statistical analysis to determine the prognostic value of tumor cell ploidy, percent S-phase, DNA index, p53, and Ki-67 labeling index, as well as the variables of gender, race, age, location of tumor, history of chemotherapy, and primary versus recurrent tumor. Two additional tumor markers, multidrug resistance gene 1 and glutathione-S-transferase subtype pi, were included in the sample testing, but were not analyzed statistically. Univariate analysis indicated that increasing age had a strong association with decreased survival. Female gender, increasing Ki-67, no chemotherapy before sample collection, and primary glioblastoma showed some association with decreased survival in the univariate model. The univariate results indicated that race, side of tumor, ploidy, S-phase, DNA index, and p53 had no prognostic value. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that age, gender, and Ki-67 were the strongest factors associated with survival. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Superficial siderosis associated with multiple cavernous malformations: report of three cases

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Superficial siderosis is a rare but potentially devastating syndrome caused by recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present three cases of superficial siderosis associated with multiple cavernous malformations, and we review previous reports of superficial siderosis attributable to vascular malformations.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Patients most commonly present with progressive sensorineural hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, and pyramidal signs. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis may precede symptom development, however. In two of our cases, superficial siderosis was identified on magnetic resonance imaging scans in the absence of clinical symptoms.

INTERVENTION

Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed hemosiderin deposition, characteristic of superficial siderosis, and multiple cavernous malformations in all three cases. Surgical intervention was not pursued.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that patients with multiple cavernous malformations and those with perisubarachnoid lesions are at risk for the development of superficial siderosis. Clinicians should recognize the radiographic appearance of superficial siderosis and its clinical presentation in patients with vascular malformations.

Current opinions for the treatment of syringomyelia and chiari malformations: survey of the Pediatric Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons

INTRODUCTION

A variety of surgical interventions have been recommended for patients with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation. To obtain a better understanding of currently used management strategies and surgical interventions, this study evaluates current opinions in the treatment of these entities.

METHODS

Members of the Pediatric Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) were surveyed in July of 1998. A questionnaire was designed to assess (1) management of asymptomatic and symptomatic cases; (2) signs and symptoms that warrant surgical intervention, and (3) surgical strategies. Seventy-seven of 234 surveys (33%) were returned. Responses were entered in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for data analysis.

RESULTS

Each year, respondents evaluated on average 10 patients with confirmed syringomyelia and operated on 7. There was substantial agreement to operate on patients with syringomyelia who had progressive scoliosis or progressive motor/sensory loss. For isolated syringomyelia without a Chiari malformation, the majority of respondents recommended shunting of the syrinx. Opinion was mixed concerning physical restrictions for asymptomatic patients with syringomyelia and Chiari malformations. For Chiari malformations, the majority of respondents recommended a minimum cervicomedullary decompression with dural patch grafting. No consensus was obtained on whether dural patch grafting should be done alone or in combination with intradural dissection or manipulation of the tonsils.

CONCLUSION

Although many respondents agreed on the management and surgical treatment of symptomatic patients with syringomyelia and/or Chiari malformations, there was disagreement with regard to the optimal surgical procedure. Respondents rejected prophylactic surgery for their asymptomatic patients, choosing to follow them conservatively with serial imaging and neurological examinations.

Recurrent artery of Heubner: Otto Heubner's description of the artery and his influence on pediatrics in Germany

Although the recurrent artery of Heubner is one of the best known cerebral arteries, little has been written in the neurosurgical or anatomical literature about its discovery. The artery is of primary importance to cerebrovascular surgeons, who identify it during clipping of anterior communicating artery aneurysms. Johann Otto Leonhardt Heubner (1843-1926), who described this artery in 1872, is better known as the father of German pediatrics. He was appointed to the first professorship in Germany exclusively devoted to pediatrics at the Charité Children's Clinic of Berlin University. Although he initially studied internal medicine in Leipzig under Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich and Ernst Leberecht Wagner, his early research involved anatomical studies of the circulation of the brain, from which he described syphilitic endarteritis (Heubner's disease). Finding morphological studies inconclusive, he turned to more physiological experiments. Together with the physiologist Max Rubner, Heubner performed important studies on energy metabolism in infancy, creating the notion of the nutrition quotient. In this article the authors review Heubner's life and scientific discoveries.

Surgical resection of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation for treatment of superficial siderosis: case report

BACKGROUND

To our knowledge, there are only two reported cases of cerebral arteriovenous malformation associated with superficial siderosis. In both cases, the patients were asymptomatic and were discovered on retrospective review of magnetic resonance imaging.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We describe a case of superficial siderosis in a 47-year-old male with a remote history of closed head injury that presented with progressive hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, and urinary incontinence. Lumbar puncture was indicative of active subarachnoid bleeding. Cerebral angiography revealed a small vascular malformation that was resected.

RESULTS

Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of the arteriovenous malformation. Six months after surgery the patient is neurologically stable with no further progression of clinical signs or symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first case of surgical resection of an intracranial arteriovenous malformation for the treatment of superficial siderosis. We emphasize the necessity of a detailed evaluation when superficial siderosis is suspected to localize and resect potential bleeding sources, because the disease is progressive and often irreversible.

Asymptomatic Chiari Type I malformations identified on magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECT

Chiari Type I malformation (CMI) is a congenital disorder recognized by caudal displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum and into the cervical canal. Frequently, associated findings include abnormalities of nearby bony and neural elements as well as syringomyelia. Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia is generally considered pathological when greater than 5 mm below the foramen magnum. However, asymptomatic tonsillar ectopia is an increasingly recognized phenomenon, the significance of which is poorly understood.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all brain magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained at our hospital over a 43-month period in an attempt to ascertain the relative prevalence and MR imaging characteristics of asymptomatic CMIs. Of 22,591 patients who underwent MR imaging of the head and cervical spine, 175 were found to have CMIs with tonsillar herniation extending more than 5 mm below the foramen magnum. Of these, 25 (14%) were found to be clinically asymptomatic. The average extent of ectopia in this population was 11.4 +/- 4.86 mm, and was significantly associated with a smaller cisterna magna. Syringomyelia and osseous anomalies were found in only one asymptomatic patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors suggest that the isolated finding of tonsillar herniation is of limited prognostic utility and must be considered in the context of all available clinical and radiographic data. Strategies for treating patients with asymptomatic CMIs are discussed.

Local drug delivery

Intensive research efforts are now focused on the development of new strategies for more effective delivery of drugs to the central nervous system. These strategies include chemical modification of drugs, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and utilization of alternative routes for drug delivery. This paper focuses on local drug delivery for the treatment of brain tumors. It reviews papers published in the past year on local chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Other aspects of local drug delivery are discussed, including convection-enhanced delivery and drug delivery via a controlled-release microchip.

Regulation of heat shock factor trimer formation: role of a conserved leucine zipper

The human and Drosophila heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are multi-zipper proteins with high-affinity binding to DNA that is regulated by heat shock-induced trimerization. Formation of HSF trimers is dependent on hydrophobic heptad repeats located in the amino-terminal region of the protein. Two subregions at the carboxyl-terminal end of human HSF1 were identified that maintain the monomeric form of the protein under normal conditions. One of these contains a leucine zipper motif that is conserved between vertebrate and insect HSFs. These results suggest that the carboxyl-terminal zipper may suppress formation of trimers by the amino-terminal HSF zipper elements by means of intramolecular coiled-coil interactions that are sensitive to heat shock.

Semipermeable polymer tubes provide a microenvironment for in vivo analysis of dorsal root regeneration

The regeneration of lesioned axons is critically influenced by the local microenvironment. In this study, semipermeable polymer tubes were used to provide a defined microenvironment in vivo to analyze the regeneration of dorsal root axons under various conditions in the adult rat. Cut dorsal root fibers grew across a 2.7 mm gap within enclosed polymer tubes by 4 weeks. The pattern of axonal outgrowth was dramatically influenced by mechanical factors such as the inner surface topography of the polymer tube. Tubes containing various molecular and cellular substrates were also used to study their effect on dorsal root regeneration.