1,721,148 research outputs found
Normal-appearing naming-related functional activation in incidentally discovered lowgrade gliomas: a single institution study
No full textBackground: Incidentally discovered low-grade gliomas (iLGGs) represent a rare neurological condition, which is associated with a good clinical status and usually preserved - or borderline - cognitive functions; only recently, knowledge has increased on their development and clinical features. Better understanding these aspects is fundamental to set up the most appropriate clinical protocol.
Methods: We used fMRI to conduct an exploratory investigation of the effects of iLGG growth on the brain and the potential occurrence of early rearrangement in the functional network associated with object naming. We compared this group of 13 patients with an iLGG in the left hemisphere (maximum lesion overlap in the left inferior frontal gyrus and median tumor volume 12 cm3) and with preserved naming skills with that of a healthy control group.
Results: No significant differences were observed in the functional activations between the two groups, but a cluster in the controls vs. patients contrast mainly located in the right lateral visual cortex. As this region is unspecific for object naming and no significant changes emerged in the affected hemisphere nor in naming-specific homologues of the contralesional hemisphere, we concluded that iLGG growth did not affect the functional network and plasticity-related reorganization did not occur yet. We attributed this finding to iLGG features, such as small tumor size at the diagnosis and lack or minimal infiltration.
Conclusions: These findings are preliminary and we recommend future investigation to replicate them and test generalizability to other functional networks. Understanding the potential functional effects of iLGG growth is fundamental for the choice of the most appropriate treatment
Cervical intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from colon cancer: a systematic review and report of an illustrative case
No full textBackground: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is rare and affects 0.9-2.1% of all cancer patients. Colorectal cancer accounts for about 3% of all ISCMs.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature in the most common electronic database (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid EMBASE) on cervical ISCM from colon cancer, according with "PRISMA statement" criteria, was done. In addition, we present a 76-year-old man with progressive paraparesis and negative anamnesis for primary tumors, who underwent surgical and complete resection of a C5-C6 intramedullary spinal cord colon metastasis.
Results: From a systematic review of the literature, only 8 previous cases of cervical ISCM from colon cancer were reported. The mean age at presentation was 68.3 years. Surgery was performed in 6 patients, including our case, whereas 1 patient was treated with radiotherapy and two patients were untreated. Survival time ranges from 2 weeks to 14 months (mean 3.8 months). The survival rates at 60 days and 120 days are 50% and 12.5%, respectively.
Conclusion: Cervical ISCM from colon cancer is rare and is usually detected at an advanced stage of primary tumor disease. The prognosis is poor and definitive recommendations cannot be made due to the lack of controlled comparative clinical studies
Relation Between Reading Performance and White-Matter Alteration and Reorganization in Neurosurgical Patients
No full textReading abilities and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters were retrospectively analyzed in a group of neurosurgical patients to investigate (Study 1) the role of white matter-in particular the arcuate fasciculus (AF)-in preserved vs. impaired reading; 4 months after surgery, we explored the plasticity processes (Study 2). Study 1 involved 40 patients with brain glioma (23 low-grade and 17 high-grade gliomas). We compared preoperative DTI parameters of language-related fascicles between patients who developed a reading impairment after surgery (n = 23) and patients with preserved reading (n = 17). Besides lower fractional anisotropy (FA), patients with impaired reading also displayed lower number and density of streamlines of a direct (i.e., directly connecting temporal and frontal lobes) AF segment. In Study 2, we longitudinally tested at follow-up-when reading performance had generally improved-13 patients diagnosed with low-grade glioma. The most relevant finding was a significant increase in length of streamlines of the direct AF segments in both hemispheres. From a neurosurgical perspective, our preliminary findings suggest the clinical importance of sparing direct AF segments for the involvement they showed in reading; however, the results also suggest the reorganization potential of these segments, possibly compensating of the right homologs as well
A multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum (MVNT) with glioma-like appearance
No full textBrain mapping. a novel intraoperative neuropsychological approach
No full textOBJECTIVE Awake surgery and mapping are performed in patients with low-grade tumors infiltrating functional brain areas for which the greater the resection, the longer the patient survival. However, the extent of resection is subject to preservation of cognitive functions, and in the absence of proper feedback during mapping, the surgeon may be less prone to perform an extensive resection. The object of this study was to perform real-time continuous assessment of cognitive function during the resection of tumor tissue that could infiltrate eloquent tissue. METHODS The authors evaluated the use of new, complex real-time neuropsychological testing (RTNT) in a series of 92 patients. They reported normal scoring and decrements in patient performance as well as reversible intraoperative neuropsychological dysfunctions in tasks (for example, naming) associated with different cognitive abilities. RESULTS RTNT allowed one to obtain a more defined neuropsychological picture of the impact of surgery. The influence of this monitoring on surgical strategy was expressed as the mean extent of resection: 95% (range 73%-100%). At 1 week postsurgery, the neuropsychological scores were very similar to those detected with RTNT, revealing the validity of the RTNT technique as a predictive tool. At the follow-up, the majority of neuropsychological scores were still > 70%, indicating a decrease of < 30%. CONCLUSIONS RTNT enables continuous enriched intraoperative feedback, allowing the surgeon to increase the extent of resection. In sharp contrast to classic mapping techniques, RTNT allows testing of several cognitive functions for one brain area under surgery
Continuous Real-Time Neuropsychological Testing during Resection Phase in Left and Right Prefrontal Brain Tumors
No full textBackground: Executive functions are multi-component and are based on large-scale brain networks. For patients undergoing brain surgery in the prefrontal cortex, resection in the anterior prefrontal sites is assisted by continuous monitoring of their performance on several tasks measuring components of executive functions. In this study, we did not test patients during direct cortical stimulation, but during resection itself. We chose tests routinely used to assess executive functions and included them in a protocol for left (LH) and right (RH) hemisphere prefrontal resections. This protocol is meant to be used during real-time neuropsychological testing (RTNT)-an already established monitoring technique. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 29 adult patients with glioma in the superior and middle frontal areas who performed the RTNT sequence throughout the resection phase. The testing protocol comprised 10 tests for LH frontal resections and 9 tests for RH frontal resections. Results: RH patients showed a median performance on RTNT with significantly lower scores for visuo-spatial attention and emotion processing (95% Confidence Interval Lower bound of 66.55 and 82.57, respectively, chi 2 (7) = 32.8, p 0.05, n.s.; LH patients: chi 2 (5) = 3.35, p > 0.05, n.s.). Mean extent of resection was 95.33% +/- 9.72 for the RH group and 94.64% +/- 6.74 for the LH group. Patients showed good performance post- vs. pre-surgery. The greater difference in the number of LH patients scoring within the normal range was found for the symbol-digit modality test (83.3% to 62%), Stroop test (100% to 77%) and short-term memory (84.61% to 72.72%) and working memory (92.3% to 63.63%). For RH patients, the main changes were observed on the clock drawing test (100% to 77.7%) and cognitive estimation (100% to 72.7%). Conclusions: Frontal RTNT offers continuous and reliable feedback on the patients' cognitive status during resection in frontal areas
Real-time neuropsychological testing during endovascular occlusion of a fusiform aneurysm in the left middle cerebral artery
Full text linkReal-time neuropsychological testing (RTNT) was used to test whether permanent endovascular occlusion of the insular branch of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) helped avoid cognitive and neurological complications following the procedure. This patient suffered from a fusiform aneurysm along the insular branch of the MCA in the territory supplied in the left inferior frontal gyrus, around Broca's area. Pre-intervention neuropsychological testing was normal. During temporary occlusion lasting 25 min, the patient continuously performed at ceiling on the RTNT neuropsychological and language tasks. Thus, permanent occlusion followed. In addition, fMRI was used to investigate changes induced by the procedure. In the language domain, rearrangements in activation in Broca's area and in the left insula were detected by silent and overt production tasks. In the motor domain, decreased activation in the sensorimotor cortex during right-hand movement control was reported along with decreased right-hand sensibility. Post-intervention neuropsychological testing was normal. Results showed that RTNT can be used reliably during temporary occlusion in the specific case of a quite small branch of the MCA to provide continuous feedback on the patient's cognitive and language status and is predictive of post-intervention functioning. In addition, the study enabled us to detect changes in functional organization triggered by temporary occlusion of a branch of the left middle cerebral artery
What do we know about pre- and postoperative plasticity in patients with glioma? A review of neuroimaging and intraoperative mapping studies
Full text linkBrain plasticity potential is a central theme in neuro-oncology and is currently receiving increased attention. Advances in treatment have prolonged life expectancy in neuro-oncological patients and the long-term preservation of their quality of life is, therefore, a new challenge. To this end, a better understanding of brain plasticity mechanisms is vital as it can help prevent permanent deficits following neurosurgery. Indeed, reorganization processes can be fundamental to prevent or recover neurological and cognitive deficits by reallocating brain functions outside the lesioned areas. According to more recent studies in the literature, brain reorganization taking place following neurosurgery is associated with good neurofunctioning at follow-up. Interestingly, in the last few years, the number of reports on plasticity has notably increased. Aim of the current review was to provide a comprehensive overview of pre- and postoperative neuroplasticity patterns. Within this framework, we aimed to shed light on some tricky issues, including i) involvement of the contralateral healthy hemisphere, ii) role and potential changes of white matter and connectivity patterns, and iii) reorganization in low- versus high-grade gliomas. We finally discussed the practical implications of these aspects and role of additional potentially relevant factors to be explored. Final purpose was to provide a guideline helpful in promoting increase in the extent of tumor resection while preserving the patients' neurological and cognitive functioning
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Patients with Secondary Triventricular Hydrocephalus from a Haemorrhage or Ischaemia in the Posterior Cranial Fossa
No full textBackground: The aim of this project was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in the treatment of acute hydrocephalus caused by a haemorrhage or ischaemia in the posterior cranial fossa. Methods: 21 patients who had acute triventricular hydrocephalus resulting from ischaemia in 8 cases, and from cerebellar haemorrhage in 13 cases were treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy. This series was compared with a control group of 30 patients, with clinical neuroradiological characteristics comparable to the preceding group (18 acute post-haemorrhage hydrocephalus and 12 post-ischaemia in the posterior cranial fossa), treated by external ventricular drainage (EVD). All patients were monitored clinically and by brain computed axial tomography (CT) to measure the dimensions of the lateral and third ventricles. The criteria used to define efficacy were based on the image of the postoperative cerebral CT scan. Results: No patient suffered haemorrhagic complications from surgical procedures or additional neurological deficits. There was no postoperative mortality or added morbidity. In all cases there was an improvement of intracranial hypertension. Clinical improvement was associated with a reduction of the ventricular dimensions documented by serial CT scans. Conclusions: We consider that, in selected cases, ETV can be suggested as the first choice treatment instead of the classic EVD. In the overall management of such patients, ETV has no or a very low rate of complications and allows shorter hospitalisation and earlier transfer to rehabilitative structures
Acute effects of surgery on emotion and personality of brain tumor patients: surgery impact, histological aspects, and recovery
No full textBackground. Cognitive effects of brain surgery for the removal of intracranial tumors are still under investigation. For many basic sensory/motor or language-based functions, focal, albeit transient, cognitive deficits have been reported low-grade gliomas (LGGs); however, the effects of surgery on higher-level cognitive functions are still largely unknown. It has recently been shown that, following brain tumors, damage to different brain regions causes a variety of deficits at different levels in the perception and interpretation of emotions and intentions. However, the effects of different tumor histologies and, more importantly, the effects of surgery on these functions have not been examined. Methods. The performance of 66 patients affected by high-grade glioma (HGG), LGG, and meningioma on 4 tasks tapping different levels of perception and interpretations of emotion and intentions was assessed before, immediately after, and (for LGG patients) 4 months following surgery. Results. Results showed that HGG patients were generally already impaired in the more perceptual tasks before surgery and did not show surgery effects. Conversely, LGG patients, who were unimpaired before surgery, showed a significant deficit in perceptual tasks immediately after surgery that was recovered within few months. Meningioma patients were substantially unimpaired in all tasks. Conclusions. These results show that surgery can be relatively safe for LGG patients with regard to the higher-level, more complex cognitive functions and can provide further useful information to the neurosurgeon and improve communication with both the patient and the relatives about possible changes that can occur immediately after surgery
- …
