Surgery in multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Outcome analysis in a series of 65 patients

Background: Multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MS-CSM) can be dealt with by either anterior or posterior approaches. The aim of study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of MS-CSM treated by either anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and cervical plating (ACDF) or cervical laminoplasty (LP). Materials and Methods: Sixty-five patients with MS-CSM (two or more levels) underwent either ACDF (n=13) or LP (n=52). ACDF was performed in patients having these criteria: (i) three or less levels involved, (ii) myeloradiculopathy, (iii) pre-dominant anterior compression radiologically, (iv) <50 years age. LP was chosen in: (i) more than three levels involved (ii) posterior compression radiologically, (iii) >50 years age. Patients were evaluated pre- and post-operatively on the basis of modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scoring and Hirabayashi formula. Thirty-five patients were followed up (8 in ACDF group and 27 in LP group). The mean follow-up period was 37.5 months (12.5-54 months). Results: The mean pre-operative mJOA score in the ACDF group and the LP group was 11±2.62 and 10.6±2.04, respectively. The mean final post-operative mJOA score in the ACDF group (n=8) in follow-up was 14.12±2.36 (P<0.05) and in the LP group (n=27) was 14.63±1.64 (P<0.05). 86% had good-to-excellent outcome while 8.5% had poor outcome. Overall, the mean recovery was 64.73±18.9%. On analyzing two groups separately, the mean recovery in the ACDF group was 59.62±24.2, while in the LP group was 66.25±17.3 (P<0.05). Conclusions: The choice of ACDF and LP in MS-CSM depends on pre-operative clinical and radiological parameters. If the surgical approach is chosen correctly, the surgery in MS-CSM can result in significant improvement in the clinical outcome of these patients

A comparative study of early and late extubation following transoral odontoidectomy and posterior fixation

Background and Aims: Elective ventilation is the usual practice after transoral odontoidectomy (TOO) and posterior fixation. This practice of elective ventilation is not based on any evidence. The primary objective of our study was to find out the difference in oxygenation and ventilation in patients extubated early compared to those extubated late after TOO and posterior fixation. The secondary objectives were to compare the length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/hospital stay and pulmonary complications between the two groups. Material and Methods: After TOO and posterior fixation, patients were either extubated in the operating room (Group E) or extubated next day (Group D). The oxygenation (PaO 2 :FiO 2 ratio) and ventilation (PaCO 2 ) of the two groups before surgery, at 30 min and at 6/12/24 and 48 h after extubation were compared. Complications, durations of ICU and hospital stay were noted. Results: The base-line PaO 2 :FiO 2 and PaCO 2 was comparable between the groups. No significant change in the PaO 2 : FiO 2 was noted in the postoperative period in either group as compared to the preoperative values. Except for at 12 h after surgery, there was no significant difference between the two groups at various time intervals. No significant change in the PaCO 2 level was seen during the study period in either group. PaCO 2 measured at 30 min after surgery was more in Group E (37.5 ± 3.2 mmHg in Group E vs. 34.6 ± 2.9 mmHg in Group D), otherwise there was no significant difference between the two groups at various time intervals. One patient in Group E (7.1%) and two patients in Group D (13%) developed postoperative respiratory complication, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean ICU stay (Group D = 42 ± 25 h vs. Group E = 25.1 ± 16.9 h) and mean hospital stay (Group D = 9.9 ± 4 days vs. Group E = 7.6 ± 2.2 days) were longer in Group D patients. Conclusion: Ventilation and oxygenation in the postoperative period in patients undergoing TOO and posterior fixation are not different between the two groups. However, the duration of ICU and hospital stay was prolonged in group D

Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years

Background: Although gamma knife has been advocated for hemangioblastomas, it is not used widely by neurosurgeons. Objective: We review our experience over 14 years in an attempt to define the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of hemangioblastomas. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients of hemangioblastoma who underwent SRS at our institute over a period of 14 years (1998–2011). Gamma knife plans, clinical history, and radiology were reviewed for all patients. Results: A total of 2767 patients underwent gamma knife during the study period. Of these, 10 (0.36%) patients were treated for 24 hemangioblastomas. Eight patients (80%) had von Hippel-Lindau disease while two had sporadic hemangioblastomas. The median peripheral dose (50% isodose) delivered to the tumors was 29.9 Gy. Clinical and radiological follow-up data were available for eight patients. Of these, two were re-operated for persisting cerebellar symptoms. The remaining six patients were recurrence-free at a mean follow-up of 48 months (range 19–108 months). One patient had an increase in cyst volume along with a decrease in the size of the mural nodule. Conclusions: SRS should be the first option for asymptomatic hemangioblastomas. Despite the obvious advantages, gamma knife is not widely used as an option for hemangioblastomas

Outcome Measures and Variables Affecting Prognosis of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

Zileli, Mehmet/0000-0002-0448-3121WOS: 000488270600007PubMed: 31607075This study is conducted to review the literature systematically to determine most reliable outcome measures, important clinical and radiological variables affecting the prognosis in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients. A literature search was performed for articles published during the last 10 years. As functional outcome measures we recommend to use modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, Nurick's grade, and Myelopathy Disability Index. Three clinical variables that affect the outcomes are age, duration of symptoms, and severity of the myelopathy. Examination findings require more detailed study to validate their effect on the outcomes. the predictive variables affecting the outcomes are hand atrophy, leg spasticity, Bonus, and Babinski's sign. Among the radiological variables, the curvature of the cervical spine is the most important predictor of prognosis. Patients with instability are expected to have a poor surgical outcome. Spinal cord compression ratio is a critical factor for prognosis. High signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images is a negative predictor for prognosis. the most important predictors of outcome are preoperative severity and duration of symptoms. T2 hyperintensity and cord compression ratio can also predict outcomes. New radiological tests may give promising results in the future

Detection of allelic status of 1p and 19q by microsatellite-based PCR versus FISH: limitations and advantages in application to patient management

Combined loss of chromosome arms 1p and 19q in oligodendroglial tumors has become a powerful predictor of prognosis and treatment response, and hence clinical testing for their detection is widely used nowadays. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) are the 2 important relatively common clinical molecular diagnostic techniques used for this purpose and they have their unique advantages and limitations. The preference of methodology used depends on local expertise and existing laboratory capabilities. However, there is no consensus on which methodologic approach has a better potential. The objective of the study was to compare the accuracy, reliability, and feasibility of FISH and PCR in detecting the 1p and 19q LOH status. Using the PCR-based method, a LOH analysis was performed on 30 oligodendrogliomas and 10 glioblastomas using fresh-frozen tissue and peripheral blood as control. A FISH assay using paraffin blocks was performed on all the cases. Concordance for 1p and 19q was found in 92.5% (37 of 40) and 82.5% (33 of 40) cases, respectively. The relative advantages and limitations of both the techniques are analyzed and discussed. The main issue pertains to the use of the best technique in large clinical trials whose results are translated to patient care services. Unless the technique used is correct, the results of clinical trials and their correlations may be somewhat questionable

Molecular profile of oligodendrogliomas in young patients

Several studies on molecular profiling of oligodendrogliomas (OGs) in adults have shown a distinctive genetic pattern characterized by combined deletions of chromosome arms 1 p and 19q, O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation, which have potential diagnostic, prognostic, and even therapeutic relevance. OGs in pediatric and young adult patients are rare and have been poorly characterized on a molecular and biological basis, and it remains uncertain whether markers with prognostic significance in adults also have predictive value in these patients. Fourteen cases of OGs in young patients (age, <= 25 years) who received a diagnosis over 7 years were selected (7 pediatric patients age <= 18 years and 7 young adults aged 19-25 years). The cases were evaluated for 1p/19q status, MGMT promoter methylation, p53 mutation, and IDH1 mutation. None of the pediatric cases showed 1p/19q deletion. In young adults, combined 1p/19q loss was observed in 57% and isolated 1p loss in 14% of cases. The majority of cases in both subgroups (71% in each) harbored MGMT gene promoter methylation. TP53 and IDH1 mutations were not seen in any of the cases in both the groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that molecular profile of OGs in pediatric and young adult patients is distinct. Further large-scale studies are required to identify additional clinically relevant genetic alterations in this group of patients

IDH1 mutations in gliomas: first series from a tertiary care centre in India with comprehensive review of literature

Object: Mutations of the gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) have been shown in a significant proportion of diffuse gliomas. These mutations are specific to gliomas and their utility for diagnosis and prognostication of these tumors is being proclaimed. The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing frequency of IDH1 mutations in gliomas, their correlation with other molecular alterations along with a comprehensive review of available literature. Methods: A total of 100 gliomas of various grades and subtypes from Indian patients were screened for assessing frequency of IDH1 mutations. The findings were correlated with TP53 mutations, 1p/19q deletion, EGFR amplification and PTEN deletion status. The detailed comprehensive review of literature was performed comparing all studies available till date. Results: IDH1 mutations in codon 132 were observed in 46% cases. The frequency was 68.8% in grade II, 85.7% in grade III and 12.8% in GBMs. R132H mutation was most frequent (84.8%). Overall frequency of these mutations was relatively higher in oligodendroglial tumours as compared to astrocytic phenotype (66.7% versus 38.4%; p= 0.06). Primary GBMs showed IDH1 mutation in only 4.4% cases. In contrast, 66.7% of secondary GBMs harboured this alteration. Patients with IDH1 mutations were significantly younger as compared to those without mutation (p=0.001). There was a significant correlation between IDH1 mutation and TP53 mutation (p =0.004). Although IDH1 mutation showed a positive correlation with 1p/19q deletion, the association was not statistically significant (p=0.653). There was no correlation with EGFR amplification or PTEN deletion. Conclusion: IDH1 mutations are present in large proportion of Indian patients with diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial neoplasms similar to the reported literature form west. The frequency is lower in primary GBMs and as compared to secondary GBMs. Association with younger age and positive correlation with TP53 mutation and 1p/19q loss is observed. More importantly it is emerging as an independent prognostic marker. Hence the greatest challenge now is establishing a reliable user friendly test for incorporating this novel genetic alteration to routine clinical practice