Search Results

BACKGROUND

Spine fractures are frequently associated with additional injuries in the trauma setting, with chest wall trauma being particularly common. Limited literature exists on the management of flail chest physiology with concurrent unstable spinal injury. The authors present a case in which flail chest physiology precluded safe prone surgery and after rib fixation the patient tolerated spinal fixation without further issue.

OBSERVATIONS

Flail chest physiology can cause cardiovascular decompensation in the prone position. Stabilization of the chest wall addresses this instability allowing for safe prone spinal surgery.

LESSONS

Chest wall fixation should be considered in select cases of flail chest physiology prior to stabilization of the spinal column in the prone position. Further research is necessary to identify patients that are at highest risk to not tolerate prone surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Although most patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) present after a seizure, a small proportion is diagnosed after neuroimaging is performed for a sign or symptom unrelated to the tumor. While these tumors invariably grow, some surgeons argue for a watchful waiting approach. Here, the authors report on their experience in the surgical treatment of patients with incidental LGG (iLGG) and describe the neurological outcomes, survival, and complications.

METHODS

Relevant cases were identified from a prospective registry of patients undergoing glioma resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 1997 and 2019. Cases were considered iLGG when the lesion was noted on imaging performed for a reason unrelated to the tumor. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and imaging data were extracted from the electronic medical record. Tumor volumes, growth, and extent of resection were calculated from pre- and postoperative volumetric FLAIR sequences.

RESULTS

One hundred thirteen of 657 (17.2%) first-time resections for LGG were for incidental lesions. The most common reasons for the discovery of an iLGG were headaches (without mass effect, 34.5%) or trauma (16.8%). Incidental tumors were no different from symptomatic lesions in terms of laterality or location, but they were significantly smaller (22.5 vs 57.5 cm³, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in diagnosis between patients with iLGG and those with symptomatic LGG (sLGG), incorporating both molecular and pathological data. The median preoperative observation time for iLGG was 3.1 months (range 1 month–12 years), and there was a median growth rate of 3.9 cm³/year. Complete resection of the FLAIR abnormality was achieved in 57% of patients with incidental lesions but only 23.8% of symptomatic lesions (p < 0.001), and the residual volumes were smaller for iLGGs (2.9 vs 13.5 cm³, p < 0.0001). Overall survival was significantly longer for patients with incidental tumors (median survival not reached for patients with iLGG vs 14.6 years for those with sLGG, p < 0.0001). There was a 4.4% rate of neurological deficits at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors present the largest cohort of iLGGs. Patient age, tumor location, and molecular genetics were not different between iLGGs and sLGGs. Incidental tumors were smaller, a greater extent of resection could be achieved, and overall survival was improved compared to those for patients with sLGG. Operative morbidity and rates of neurological deficit were acceptably low; thus, the authors advocate upfront surgical intervention aimed at maximal safe resection for these incidentally discovered lesions.

OBJECTIVE

Tumor proximity to the ventricle and ventricular entry (VE) during surgery have both been associated with worse prognoses; however, the interaction between these two factors is poorly understood. Given the benefit of maximal tumor resection, it is imperative for surgical planning and technique to know if VE has negative consequences for patient survival and tumor dissemination.

METHODS

The University of California, San Francisco tumor registry was searched for patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent supratentorial glioblastoma (GBM) who underwent resection by the senior author between 2013 and 2018. Tumor location with respect to the subventricular zone (SVZ), size, and extent of resection were assessed using pre- and postoperative imaging. VE was determined by postoperative imaging and/or the operative report.

RESULTS

In this 200-patient cohort of newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM, 26.5% of patients had VE during resection. Patients with VE were more likely to have preexisting subependymal disease (41.5% vs 15.0%, p < 0.001). Comparing patients with VE to those without VE, there was no difference in the rates of postoperative hydrocephalus (1.9% vs 4.8%, p = 0.36), ventriculoperitoneal shunting (0% vs 3.4%, p = 0.17), pseudomeningoceles (7.5% vs 5.4%, p = 0.58), or subdural hematomas (11.3% vs 3.4%, p = 0.07). Importantly, rates of subsequent leptomeningeal disease (7.5% vs 10.2%, p = 0.57) and distant parenchymal recurrence (17.0% vs 23.1%, p = 0.35) were not different between the groups. Newly diagnosed patients with tumors contacting the SVZ (type I or II) had worse survival than patients with tumors that did not contact the SVZ (type III or IV) (1.27 vs 1.84 years, p = 0.014, HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.08–3.03), but VE was not associated with worse survival in these patients with high-risk SVZ type I and II tumors (1.15 vs 1.68 years, p = 0.151, HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.26–1.34).

CONCLUSIONS

VE was well tolerated, with postoperative complications being rare events. There was no increase in leptomeningeal spread or distant parenchymal recurrence in patients with VE. Finally, although survival was worse for patients with preoperative subependymal disease, VE did not change survival for patients with tumors contacting the ventricle. Therefore, VE during GBM resection is not associated with adverse patient outcomes and should be used by surgeons to enhance extent of resection.

■ CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Type of question: therapeutic; study design: retrospective cohort; evidence: class II.

OBJECTIVE

Although most patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) present after a seizure, a small proportion is diagnosed after neuroimaging is performed for a sign or symptom unrelated to the tumor. While these tumors invariably grow, some surgeons argue for a watchful waiting approach. Here, the authors report on their experience in the surgical treatment of patients with incidental LGG (iLGG) and describe the neurological outcomes, survival, and complications.

METHODS

Relevant cases were identified from a prospective registry of patients undergoing glioma resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 1997 and 2019. Cases were considered iLGG when the lesion was noted on imaging performed for a reason unrelated to the tumor. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and imaging data were extracted from the electronic medical record. Tumor volumes, growth, and extent of resection were calculated from pre- and postoperative volumetric FLAIR sequences.

RESULTS

One hundred thirteen of 657 (17.2%) first-time resections for LGG were for incidental lesions. The most common reasons for the discovery of an iLGG were headaches (without mass effect, 34.5%) or trauma (16.8%). Incidental tumors were no different from symptomatic lesions in terms of laterality or location, but they were significantly smaller (22.5 vs 57.5 cm³, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in diagnosis between patients with iLGG and those with symptomatic LGG (sLGG), incorporating both molecular and pathological data. The median preoperative observation time for iLGG was 3.1 months (range 1 month–12 years), and there was a median growth rate of 3.9 cm³/year. Complete resection of the FLAIR abnormality was achieved in 57% of patients with incidental lesions but only 23.8% of symptomatic lesions (p < 0.001), and the residual volumes were smaller for iLGGs (2.9 vs 13.5 cm³, p < 0.0001). Overall survival was significantly longer for patients with incidental tumors (median survival not reached for patients with iLGG vs 14.6 years for those with sLGG, p < 0.0001). There was a 4.4% rate of neurological deficits at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors present the largest cohort of iLGGs. Patient age, tumor location, and molecular genetics were not different between iLGGs and sLGGs. Incidental tumors were smaller, a greater extent of resection could be achieved, and overall survival was improved compared to those for patients with sLGG. Operative morbidity and rates of neurological deficit were acceptably low; thus, the authors advocate upfront surgical intervention aimed at maximal safe resection for these incidentally discovered lesions.

OBJECTIVE

Spinal meningiomas pose unique challenges based on the location of their dural attachment. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating the role of dural attachment location on outcomes after posterior-based approach for spinal meningioma resection. The aim of this study was to investigate any differences in outcomes between dural attachment location subgroups in spinal meningioma patients who underwent posterior-based resection.

METHODS

This was a single-institution review of patients who underwent resection of a spinal meningioma from 1997 to 2017. Surgical, oncological, and neurological outcomes were compared between patients with varying dural attachments. Multivariate analysis was utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 141 patients were identified. The mean age was 62 years, and 110 women were included. The sites of dural attachments were as follows: 16 (11.3%) dorsal, 31 (22.0%) dorsolateral, 17 (12.1%) lateral, 40 (28.4%) ventral, and 37 (26.2%) ventrolateral. Most meningiomas were WHO grade I (92.2%) and in the thoracic spine (61.0%). All patients underwent a posterior approach for tumor resection. There were no differences between subgroups in terms of largest diameter of tumor resected (p = 0.201), gross-total resection (GTR) or subtotal resection (p = 0.362), Simpson grade of resection, perioperative complications (p = 0.116), long-term neurological deficit (p = 0.100), or postoperative radiation therapy (p = 0.971). Cervical spine location was associated with reduced incidence of GTR (OR 0.271, 95% CI 0.108–0.684, p = 0.006) on multivariate analysis. The overall incidence of recurrence/progression was 4.6%, with no difference (p = 0.800) between subgroups. Similarly, the average length of follow-up was 28.1 months, with no difference between subgroups (p = 0.413).

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior-based approaches for resection of spinal meningiomas are safe and effective, regardless of dural attachment location, with similar surgical, oncological, and neurological outcomes. Comparison of long-term recurrence rates between dural attachment subgroups is required.

OBJECTIVE

The supplementary motor area (SMA) is an eloquent region that is frequently a site for glioma, or the region is included in the resection trajectory to deeper lesions. Although the clinical relevance of SMA syndrome has been well described, it is still difficult to predict who will become symptomatic. The object of this study was to define which patients with SMA gliomas would go on to develop a postoperative SMA syndrome.

METHODS

The University of California, San Francisco, tumor registry was searched for patients who, between 2010 and 2019, had undergone resection for newly diagnosed supratentorial diffuse glioma (WHO grades II–IV) performed by the senior author and who had at least 3 months of follow-up. Pre- and postoperative MRI studies were reviewed to confirm the tumor was located in the SMA region, and the extent of SMA resection was determined by volumetric assessment. Patient, tumor, and outcome data were collected retrospectively from documents available in the electronic medical record. Tumors were registered to a standard brain atlas to create a frequency heatmap of tumor volumes and resection cavities.

RESULTS

During the study period, 56 patients (64.3% male, 35.7% female) underwent resection of a newly diagnosed glioma in the SMA region. Postoperatively, 60.7% developed an SMA syndrome. Although the volume of tumor within the SMA region did not correlate with the development of SMA syndrome, patients with the syndrome had larger resection cavities in the SMA region (25.4% vs 14.2% SMA resection, p = 0.039). The size of the resection cavity in the SMA region did not correlate with the severity of the SMA syndrome. Patients who developed the syndrome had cavities that were located more posteriorly in the SMA region and in the cingulate gyrus. When the frontal aslant tract (FAT) was preserved, 50% of patients developed the SMA syndrome postoperatively, whereas 100% of the patients with disruption of the FAT during surgery developed the SMA syndrome (p = 0.06). Patients with SMA syndrome had longer lengths of stay (5.6 vs 4.1 days, p = 0.027) and were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility (41.9% vs 0%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in overall survival for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with SMA syndrome compared to those without SMA syndrome (1.6 vs 3.0 years, p = 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with SMA glioma, more extensive resections and resections involving the posterior SMA region and posterior cingulate gyrus increased the likelihood of a postoperative SMA syndrome. Although SMA syndrome occurred in all cases in which the FAT was resected, FAT preservation does not reliably avoid SMA syndrome postoperatively.

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes insipidus (DI) following transsphenoidal surgery can adversely impact quality of life and be difficult to manage. This study sought to characterize pre- and perioperative risk factors that may predispose patients to DI after pituitary surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated at a single institution from 2007 to 2019 was conducted. DI was defined as postoperative sodium > 145 mEq/L and urine output > 300 ml/hr and/or postoperative desmopressin (ddAVP) use. DI was further characterized as transient or permanent. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to determine variables associated with postoperative DI.

RESULTS

The authors identified 2529 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery at their institution. Overall, DI was observed in 270 (10.7%) of the 2529 patients, with 114 (4.5%) having permanent DI and 156 (6.2%) with transient symptoms. By pathology type, DI occurred in 31 (46.3%) of 67 craniopharyngiomas, 10 (14.3%) of 70 apoplexies, 46 (14.3%) of 322 Rathke’s cleft cysts, 77 (7.7%) of 1004 nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs), and 62 (7.6%) of 811 functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs). Final lesion pathology significantly affected DI rates (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis across pathologies showed that younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, p < 0.001), intraoperative CSF encounter (OR 2.74, p < 0.001), craniopharyngioma diagnosis (OR 8.22, p = 0.007), and postoperative hyponatremia (OR 1.50, p = 0.049) increased the risk of DI. Because surgery for each pathology created specific risk factors for DI, the analysis was then limited to the 1815 pituitary adenomas (PAs) in the series, comprising 1004 NFPAs and 811 FPAs. For PAs, younger age (PA: OR 0.97, p < 0.001; NFPA: OR 0.97, p < 0.001; FPA: OR 0.97, p = 0.028) and intraoperative CSF encounter (PA: OR 2.99, p < 0.001; NFPA: OR 2.93, p < 0.001; FPA: OR 3.06, p < 0.001) increased DI rates in multivariate analysis. Among all PAs, patients with DI experienced peak sodium levels later than those without DI (postoperative day 11 vs 2). Increasing tumor diameter increased the risk of DI in FPAs (OR 1.52, p = 0.008), but not in NFPAs (p = 0.564).

CONCLUSIONS

In more than 2500 patients treated at a single institution, intraoperative CSF encounter, craniopharyngioma diagnosis, and young age all increased the risk of postoperative DI. Patients with postoperative hyponatremia exhibited higher rates of DI, suggesting possible bi- or triphasic patterns to DI. Greater vigilance should be maintained in patients meeting these criteria following transsphenoidal surgery to ensure early recognition and treatment of DI.

OBJECTIVE

Life expectancy has increased over the past century, causing a shift in the demographic distribution toward older age groups. Elderly patients comprise up to 14% of all patients with pituitary tumors, with most lesions being nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). Here, the authors evaluated demographics, outcomes, and postoperative complications between nonelderly adult and elderly NFPA patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 908 patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for NFPA at a single institution from 2007 to 2019 was conducted. Clinical and surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between nonelderly adult (age ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years) and elderly patients (age > 65 years).

RESULTS

There were 614 and 294 patients in the nonelderly and elderly groups, respectively. Both groups were similar in sex (57.3% vs 60.5% males; p = 0.4), tumor size (2.56 vs 2.46 cm; p = 0.2), and cavernous sinus invasion (35.8% vs 33.7%; p = 0.6). Regarding postoperative outcomes, length of stay (1 vs 2 days; p = 0.5), extent of resection (59.8% vs 64.8% gross-total resection; p = 0.2), CSF leak requiring surgical revision (4.3% vs 1.4%; p = 0.06), 30-day readmission (8.1% vs 7.3%; p = 0.7), infection (3.1% vs 2.0%; p = 0.5), and new hypopituitarism (13.9% vs 12.0%; p = 0.3) were similar between both groups. Elderly patients were less likely to receive adjuvant radiation (8.7% vs 16.3%; p = 0.009), undergo future reoperation (3.8% vs 9.5%; p = 0.003), and experience postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) (3.7% vs 9.4%; p = 0.002), and more likely to have postoperative hyponatremia (26.7% vs 16.4%; p < 0.001) and new cranial nerve deficit (1.9% vs 0.0%; p = 0.01). Subanalysis of elderly patients showed that patients with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores had comparable outcomes other than higher DI rates (8.1% vs 0.0%; p = 0.006). Elderly patients’ postoperative sodium peaked and troughed on postoperative day 3 (POD3) (mean 138.7 mEq/L) and POD9 (mean 130.8 mEq/L), respectively, compared with nonelderly patients (peak POD2: mean 139.9 mEq/L; trough POD8: mean 131.3 mEq/L).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors’ analysis revealed that TSS for NFPA in elderly patients is safe with low complication rates. In this cohort, more elderly patients experienced postoperative hyponatremia, while more nonelderly patients experienced postoperative DI. These findings, combined with the observation of higher DI in patients with more comorbidities and elderly patients experiencing later peaks and troughs in serum sodium, suggest age-related differences in sodium regulation after NFPA resection. The authors hope that their results will help guide discussions with elderly patients regarding risks and outcomes of TSS.

OBJECTIVE

Clinical presentations and outcomes of nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (NFPA) resections can vary widely, and very little prior research has analyzed this variance through a socioeconomic lens. This study sought to determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) influences NFPA presentations and postoperative outcomes, as these associations could aid physicians in understanding case prognoses and complications.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed 225 NFPA resections from 2012 to 2019 at their institution. Race, ethnicity, insurance status, estimated income, and having a primary care provider (PCP) were collected as 5 markers of SES. These markers were correlated with presenting tumor burden, presenting symptoms, surgical outcomes, and long-term clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

All 5 examined SES markers influenced variance in patient presentation or outcome. Insurance status’s effects on patient presentations disappeared when examining only patients with PCPs. Having a PCP was associated with significantly smaller tumor size at diagnosis (effect size = 0.404, p < 0.0001). After surgery, patients with PCPs had shorter postoperative hospital lengths of stay (p = 0.043) and lower rates of readmission within 30 days of discharge (OR 0.256, p = 0.047). Despite continuing follow-up for longer durations (p = 0.0004), patients with PCPs also had lower rates of tumor recurrence (p < 0.0001). Higher estimated income was similarly associated with longer follow-up (p = 0.002) and lower rates of tumor recurrence (p = 0.013). Among patients with PCPs, income was not associated with recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that while all 5 variables (race, ethnicity, insurance, PCP status, and estimated income) affected NFPA presentations and outcomes, having a PCP was the single most important of these socioeconomic factors, impacting hospital lengths of stay, readmission rates, follow-up adherence, and tumor recurrence. Having a PCP even protected low-income patients from experiencing increased rates of tumor recurrence. These protective findings suggest that addressing socioeconomic disparities may lead to better NFPA presentations and outcomes.