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Journal of Neuro-oncology May 2024Clival metastatic cancer is rare and has limited literature to guide management. We describe management of clival metastasis with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). We...
PURPOSE
Clival metastatic cancer is rare and has limited literature to guide management. We describe management of clival metastasis with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). We augment our findings with a systematic review of all forms of radiation therapy for clival metastasis.
METHODS
Records of 14 patients with clival metastasis who underwent GKRS at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2002 to 2023 were reviewed. Treatment parameters and clinical outcomes were assessed. A systematic review was conducted using evidence-based guidelines.
RESULTS
The average age was 61 years with male predominance (n = 10) and average follow-up of 12.4 months. The most common primary cancers were prostate (n = 3) and lung (n = 3). The average time from cancer diagnosis to clival metastasis was 34 months. The most common presenting symptoms were headache (n = 9) and diplopia (n = 7). Five patients presented with abducens nerve palsies, and two presented with oculomotor nerve palsies. The median tumor volume was 9.3 cc, and the median margin dose was 15 Gy. Eleven patients achieved tumor control after one procedure, and three with progression obtained tumor control after repeat GKRS. One patient recovered abducens nerve function. The median survival from cancer diagnosis and GKRS were 49.7 and 15.3 months, respectively. The cause of death was progression of systemic cancer in six patients, clival metastasis in one, and unknown in four. The systematic review included 31 studies with heterogeneous descriptions of treatment and outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Clival metastasis is rare and associated with poor prognosis. GKRS is a safe, effective treatment for clival metastasis.
Topics: Humans; Radiosurgery; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Aged; Skull Base Neoplasms; Adult
PubMed: 38598088
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04648-9 -
Child's Nervous System : ChNS :... May 2024To investigate the treatment plan and prognosis of children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the treatment plan and prognosis of children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle.
METHODS
In this retrospective study, the clinical information of 10 consecutively collected children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle was analyzed. All 10 children underwent pontine tumour resection through a trans-cerebellomedullary fissure approach; 4 children underwent preoperative diffusion tensor imaging scans to determine the relationship between the tumour and facial nerve nucleus, and the other 6 children underwent intraoperative deep electroencephalography (EEG) tumour monitoring, in which the tumour electrical discharge activity of the tumour was recorded. A voxel distribution map was established to describe the distribution of the tumour location, and patient prognosis was evaluated through clinical and imaging follow-up.
RESULTS
All 10 children achieved total tumour resection; 9 tumours were pathologically suggested to be ganglioglioma (WHO grade I), and 1 was a hamartoma. The symptoms of the original ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm disappeared immediately after the operation. The children were followed up for 4-75 months, and none of the symptoms recurred; four cases with preoperative diffusion tensor imaging showed that the tumour was close to the facial nerve. Four in six intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring showed that the tumour had electrical discharge behaviour, and the tumour distribution map indicates a high density of tumour presence in the facial nerve nucleus and the nucleus of the abducens nerve.
CONCLUSIONS
In paediatric patients, the facial symptoms are related to the location and abnormal electrical discharge of the tumour. There is no significant correlation between ocular dyskinesia and the location of the tumour. Conventional antiepileptic therapy for this disease is ineffective, and early surgical intervention for total tumour resection can achieve a clinical curative effect.
Topics: Humans; Child; Hemifacial Spasm; Retrospective Studies; Fourth Ventricle; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Facial Nerve; Brain Stem Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38227027
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06280-4 -
World Neurosurgery Nov 2023Abducens nerve (AN) schwannomas are extremely rare tumors. Clinical characteristics and factors that influence postoperative outcomes are not well defined. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Abducens nerve (AN) schwannomas are extremely rare tumors. Clinical characteristics and factors that influence postoperative outcomes are not well defined.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize clinical features of AN schwannomas and predictors of surgical outcomes.
METHODS
PRISMA-guided systematic review of the literature on AN schwannomas was performed. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the predictive value of variables that influence postoperative outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 42 studies with 55 patients were evaluated. The mean age at presentation was 43.9 ± 14.6 years. The most common presenting symptom was cranial nerve VI palsy (69.1%). Cavernous sinus (49.1%) and prepontine cistern (36.3%) were the most commonly involved locations. Complete recovery after surgery was seen in 36.3% at a median follow-up of 28.4 ± 25.8 months. Preoperative AN palsy (P < 0.001), suboccipital approach (P = 0.007), and subtotal resection of tumor (P = 0.044) were significant protective factors for postoperative complications. Prepontine location and postoperative complications were poor prognostic indicators of AN recovery (odds ratio [OR], 0.10, P = 0.030 and OR, 0.10, P = 0.028, respectively). Subtotal resection was significantly correlated with higher odds of AN recovery (OR, 6.06; P = 0.040).
CONCLUSIONS
AN schwannomas are rare but serious tumors that can cause significant morbidity, with only approximately one third of patients showing complete recovery after surgery. The suboccipital approach was a protective factor for postoperative complications, especially when combined with subtotal resection. Knowledge of these factors along with tumor characteristics helps optimize surgical planning and preoperative counseling.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Abducens Nerve; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms; Abducens Nerve Diseases; Neurilemmoma; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37652133
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.08.100 -
Strabismus Jun 2023The aim of this systematic review is to identify cases of neurogenic ocular palsy in the presence of COVID-19 and to document patient characteristics, type of palsy and...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this systematic review is to identify cases of neurogenic ocular palsy in the presence of COVID-19 and to document patient characteristics, type of palsy and possible aetiologies.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Medline and CINAHL databases was conducted on the 6th of January 2023 to identify cases of neurogenic ocular palsy in patients with current or previous COVID-19 infection. Data were pooled to summarise the neurogenic palsy, patient clinical characteristics and proposed palsy mechanisms.
RESULTS
The combined database search yielded 1197 articles. Of these, 23 publications consisting of 25 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most patients were male (68%) and ranged in age from 2 to 71 years (median=32.7, SD=21.4). Seven patients (28%) were children aged 2 to 10 years old. Abducens palsies were most common (68%) and the most common ocular presentation was diplopia (76%) with an average time of onset 15 days from testing positive to COVID-19 or having symptoms of the virus. Proposed mechanism of development of a neurogenic palsy secondary to COVID-19 infection was classified into one of three categories: vascular/thrombotic, a viral neuro-invasive or inflammatory virus-mediated immune response.
DISCUSSION
This study suggests that COVID-19 infection may be linked to oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerve palsies and the underlying mechanisms may vary but are difficult to definitively establish. Further studies investigating the onset of neurogenic palsy secondary to COVID-19 infection is required.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Female; COVID-19; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases; Abducens Nerve Diseases; Diplopia; Paralysis
PubMed: 37448224
DOI: 10.1080/09273972.2023.2232419 -
Medicine Dec 2022Covid-19 has serious sequelae that may be poorly understood, underreported, and, as a result, not diagnosed promptly, such as variations in clinical manifestations of...
BACKGROUND
Covid-19 has serious sequelae that may be poorly understood, underreported, and, as a result, not diagnosed promptly, such as variations in clinical manifestations of hyperinflammation among people infected with SARS-CoV-2. ophthalmoplegia can be one of these manifestations.
METHODS
We are reporting a 55-year-old male patient with unilateral diplopia considering it as a case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults. We also reviewed the literature systematically for the previously reported studies/cases with third, fourth and sixth cranial nerve palsies due to or after Covid-19.
RESULTS
The literature search yielded 17 studies reporting 29 patients. 71.4% of the patients were males with a mean age of 42.23 years. Ophthalmological symptoms took 9.7 days to appear after the respiratory involvement. All patients had diplopia as part of their visual symptoms. 41.4% of the patients had unilateral sixth nerve palsy, 24% had bilateral sixth nerve involvement, 17% had fourth nerve involvement, and 27.6% had third nerve involvement.
CONCLUSION
Ophthalmoplegia is considered presenting symptom of Covid-19. Further research is needed to detect all neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of Covid-19.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Abducens Nerve Diseases; COVID-19; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Diplopia; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases; Ophthalmoplegia; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 36626529
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032023 -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Aug 2022Petrous apicitis (PA) is a rare but dangerous complication of acute otitis media. The objective of this study is to present a case of PA and systematically review the...
INTRODUCTION
Petrous apicitis (PA) is a rare but dangerous complication of acute otitis media. The objective of this study is to present a case of PA and systematically review the existing literature on PA to characterize clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes in the antibiotic era.
METHODS
A comprehensive search from 1983 to June 1, 2020, of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EmBase databases was conducted. Studies with clinical data regarding patients with PA were included. Non-English literature or studies with insufficient individual patient data were excluded. Sixty-seven studies were included with a total of 134 patients.
RESULTS
A total of 67 articles were found to meet criteria for inclusion. The mean age of presentation was 33 years. Recent acute otitis media was reported in 78 patients (58.2%). Only 3 patients (2.2%) were immunocompromised, and 8 patients (6.0%) had a history of diabetes. Gradenigo's triad of abducens palsy, otorrhea, and retro-orbital or facial pain was reported in 28 patients (20.9%); however, these presenting symptoms were common individually (51.5%, 48.5%, and 64.2%, respectively). Hearing loss (35.8%), facial weakness (17.9%), and vertigo (7.5%) were also reported.The most frequently cultured pathogen was Pseudomonas (34.2%), followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. All 134 patients underwent imaging, with computed tomography being the most frequently used modality (56.0%). Nearly all patients received antibiotic therapy (95.6%), with 91 (67.9%) undergoing surgery ranging from myringotomy (26.9%) to petrosectomy (25.4%). Five patients (5.7%) died because of complications related to PA. Mean follow-up was 11.0 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Petrous apicitis has a variable presentation with potential for severe morbidity. Mortality rates are low, and presentation with Gradenigo's triad is uncommon. Appropriate medical management with surgical drainage can avoid long-term sequelae.
Topics: Abducens Nerve Diseases; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Middle Ear Ventilation; Otitis Media; Petrositis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35878630
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003600 -
Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology : the... Jun 2022A worldwide mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently underway. Although the safety data of the clinical trials did...
BACKGROUND
A worldwide mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently underway. Although the safety data of the clinical trials did not report specific concerns regarding neuro-ophthalmological adverse events, they involved a limited number of individuals and were conducted over a relatively short time. The aim of the current review is to summarize the available postmarketing data regarding the occurrence of neuro-ophthalmological and other ocular complications of the COVID-19 vaccines.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Electronic searches for published literature were conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The search strategy incorporated controlled vocabulary and free-text synonyms for the concepts of COVID, vaccines, and visual and neuro-ophthalmologic diseases and symptoms.
RESULTS
A total of 14 case reports and 2 case series have been selected for inclusion in the final report, reporting 76 cases of post-COVID-vaccination adverse events. The most common adverse event was optic neuritis (n = 61), followed by uveitis (n = 3), herpes zoster ophthalmicus (n = 2), acute macular neuroretinopathy (n = 2), optic disc edema as an atypical presentation of Guillain-Barré syndrome (n = 1), (arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; n = 1), abducens nerve palsy (n = 1), oculomotor nerve palsy (n = 1), Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (n = 1), central serous retinopathy (n = 1), acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (n = 1), and bilateral choroiditis (n = 1). Most cases were treated with high-dose steroids and had a favorable clinical outcome.
CONCLUSION
Since the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the past year, several post-COVID-vaccination neuro-ophthalmological complications have been described. However, considering the number of individuals that have been exposed to the vaccines, the risk seems very low, and the clinical outcome in most cases is favorable. Therefore, on a population level, the benefits of the vaccines far outweigh the risk of neuro-ophthalmological complications.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Humans; Pandemics
PubMed: 35427282
DOI: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001537 -
World Neurosurgery Feb 2022Metastatic lesions of the clivus are extremely rare, having previously been estimated as representing 0.02% of all intracranial tumors. Owing to its close intracranial... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Metastatic lesions of the clivus are extremely rare, having previously been estimated as representing 0.02% of all intracranial tumors. Owing to its close intracranial relationship with the clivus before entering the cavernous sinus, clinical palsies of the sixth cranial nerve have been classically associated with destructive lesions of this structure.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted for studies of patients with metastasis to the clivus from primary cancer at any site. Studies reported in English in the past 20 years from our last search on April 12, 2021 were included. The data collected included patient age, sex, symptoms at presentation, histopathology and treatment timeline of the primary tumor, treatment, follow-up, and mortality.
RESULTS
After the literature review, 46 studies reporting on 58 patients with clivus metastasis were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the patients was 57.5 years, and 39 were male (67.2%). The most common sites of the primary tumor were the prostate (22%), gastrointestinal tract (15%), lung (13%), and kidney (11%). In 43% of patients, symptoms of clivus metastasis had presented before the diagnosis of primary cancer was known, and 71% of the patients had presented with sixth nerve palsy. Of the 58 patients, 53% had undergone surgery, and 37% had received adjuvant radiotherapy. Of the 58 patients, 25% had received radiotherapy alone. The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to the clivus was almost uniquely used for surgical management. Survival data were available for 31 patients. Death had occurred at a mean of 9.4 months after the presentation of clivus metastasis. A strong correlation was found between the interval from primary cancer to the presentation of clivus metastasis and mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Although an extremely rare occurrence, clivus metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of malignancy, in particular, prostate malignancy, presenting with new-onset isolated sixth nerve palsy.
Topics: Abducens Nerve Diseases; Cavernous Sinus; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Endoscopy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skull Base Neoplasms
PubMed: 34861450
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.105 -
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery 2021Epidermoid cysts are extra-axial, pearly white avascular lesions mostly found in the cerebellopontine region. They are slow-growing and mostly become symptomatic when... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Epidermoid cysts are extra-axial, pearly white avascular lesions mostly found in the cerebellopontine region. They are slow-growing and mostly become symptomatic when they attain significant size. They do occur at other anatomical locations, but fourth ventricle is a rare location. Three representative cases with their outcomes are described here.
METHODS
The systematic review was done with adherence to predefined criteria. The studied variables were age, gender, duration of symptoms (DOS), clinical features, hydrocephalus (HCP), extent of resection, postoperative complications, outcome, follow-up, and recurrence. Statistical analysis was done to identify predictive factors for outcome.
RESULTS
Final analysis included 58 studies containing 131 patients. The most common clinical feature was cerebellar dysfunction (93%). The most common cranial nerve involved was the abducens nerve ( = 37, 28.46%). Preoperative HCP was present in nearly a third (35%) of patients. The outcomes were not different with age ( = 0.23), gender ( = 0.74), DOS ( = 0.09), and HCP ( = 0.50). Improved outcomes were associated with total resections ( = 0.001), absence of preoperative cranial nerve dysfunctions ( = 0.004), and presentation with features of raised intracranial pressure ( = 0.005). Longer DOS (mean 76.74 months) was associated with significantly increased cranial nerve nuclei involvement ( = 0.03). Aseptic meningitis was reported in 14.5% of cases. Recurrences were infrequently reported ( = 9).
CONCLUSIONS
Although the fourth ventricular epidermoid lesions are difficult to detect in an innocuous stage, when found, they should be extirpated early and totally, as a longer DOS leads to cranial nerve dysfunctions and suboptimal outcomes.
PubMed: 34660356
DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_539_20 -
Neurology Feb 2021To describe the spectrum, treatment, and outcome of cranial nerve disorders associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (Cn-ICI).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the spectrum, treatment, and outcome of cranial nerve disorders associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (Cn-ICI).
METHODS
This nationwide retrospective cohort study on Cn-ICI (2015-2019) was conducted using the database of the French Refence Center. In addition, a systematic review of the literature (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) for records published between 2010 and 2019 was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the search terms cranial nerve or neuropathy or palsy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
RESULTS
Among 67 cases with ICI-related neurologic toxicities diagnosed in our reference center, 9 patients with Cn-ICI were identified (7 men, 78%, median age 62 years [range 26-82 years]). Patients were receiving a combination of anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 and anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand (n = 5, 56%) or anti-PD-1 antibodies alone (n = 4, 44%). Cn-ICI involved optic (n = 3), vestibulocochlear (n = 3), abducens (n = 2), facial (n = 2), and oculomotor (n = 1) nerves. Two patients had involvement of 2 different cranial nerves. Treatment comprised corticosteroids (n = 8, 89%), ICI permanent discontinuation (n = 7, 78%), plasma exchange (n = 2, 22%), and IV immunoglobulin (n = 1, 11%). Median follow-up was 11 months (range 1-41 months). In 3 cases (33%), neurologic deficit persisted/worsened despite treatment: 2 optic and 1 vestibulocochlear. Among cases from the literature and the present series combined (n = 39), the most commonly affected cranial nerves were facial (n = 13, 33%), vestibulocochlear (n = 8, 21%), optic (n = 7, 18%), and abducens (n = 4, 10%). Trigeminal, oculomotor, and glossopharyngeal nerves were less frequently affected (total n = 7).
CONCLUSION
Cranial nerve disorders can complicate treatment with ICIs. Approximately one-third of the patients had persisting deficits, most frequently involving hearing and vision loss.
Topics: Abducens Nerve Diseases; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Facial Nerve Diseases; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases; Optic Neuritis; Retrospective Studies; Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases
PubMed: 33318162
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011340