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Applied Neuropsychology. Child Oct 2023Continued advancements in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors have resulted in a growing proportion of children surviving previously incurable diagnoses. However,... (Review)
Review
Continued advancements in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors have resulted in a growing proportion of children surviving previously incurable diagnoses. However, survivors of pediatric brain tumors show reduced Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) compared to healthy populations and non-CNS childhood cancer survivors. This review systematically evaluates the existing literature on the influence of supratentorial and infratentorial brain tumor locations on Health-Related Quality of Life outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Five electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published between their inception and January 2022. A purpose-developed evaluative tool was constructed to assess the quality of eligible studies. 16 of the 5270 identified articles were included in this review ( = 1391). This review found little evidence relating to the impact of brain tumor location on HRQoL, with only one study finding a significant difference between supratentorial and infratentorial tumor survivors. Key limitations of the current evidence include poor statistical reporting, ambiguous construct definitions, and insufficient adjustment for confounds. Findings from this review show that recovery from a pediatric brain tumor extends beyond recovery post-treatment and that further study into the factors influencing survivor HRQoL, including the influence of tumor location, is necessary.
PubMed: 37851360
DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2023.2268776 -
Journal of Neuro-oncology Sep 2023Primary brain neoplasms are the most common solid tumors in pediatric patients and seizures are a common presenting symptom. Surgical intervention improves oncologic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Primary brain neoplasms are the most common solid tumors in pediatric patients and seizures are a common presenting symptom. Surgical intervention improves oncologic outcomes and seizure burden. A better understanding of factors that influence seizure outcomes in the surgical management of primary brain tumors of childhood can guide treatment approach thereby improving patient quality of life.
METHODS
We performed a systematic analysis using articles queried from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane published from January 1990 to August 2022 to determine predictors of seizure outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing resection of primary brain tumors.
RESULTS
We identified 24 retrospective cohort studies, one prospective cohort study, and one mixed retrospective and prospective study for the systematic analysis. A total of 831 pediatric patients were available for analysis. 668 (80.4%) patients achieved seizure freedom after surgery. Complete tumor resection increased the likelihood of a seizure-free (Engel I) outcome compared to subtotal resection (OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.3-21.9). Rates of Engel I seizure outcomes did not significantly differ based on factors such as age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, gender, tumor laterality, or age at surgery, but trended towards significance for improved outcomes in temporal lobe tumors.
CONCLUSION
Primary brain tumors in the pediatric population are commonly associated with seizures. Resection of these lesions reduces seizure burden and is associated with high rates of seizure freedom. Complete resection, compared to subtotal resection, significantly increases the likelihood of seizure-free outcomes.
Topics: Child; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Electroencephalography; Treatment Outcome; Seizures; Supratentorial Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms
PubMed: 37707753
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04446-9 -
Journal of Neuroradiology = Journal de... Nov 2023Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS) is most commonly defined as the onset of the disease's presentations at age 50 or older. There is still much to discover about the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS) is most commonly defined as the onset of the disease's presentations at age 50 or older. There is still much to discover about the radiological features of LOMS. The current study aims to assess the imaging features of LOMS, as well as the correlation between these findings and the clinical characteristics of these patients.
METHOD
This study was conducted following the PRISMA statement. A systematic search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases to identify the studies that have applied magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging methods to investigate the radiological findings, as well as the relationship between them and clinical findings of LOMS patients. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists. Meta-analysis was conducted using the third version of the compressive meta-analysis software (CMA3).
RESULTS
Our search identified 753 unique titles. Among them, 15 studies, including seven case-control, five case-series, and three cross-sectional studies, met the eligibility criteria. According to the quantitative synthesis, brain lesions were detected among 72.2% of LOMS patients (4 studies; 95% CI: 67.0% - 93.1%). In the context of spinal lesions, overall spinal cord involvement was 64.0% (8 studies; 95% CI: 42.5% - 81.1%). Based on the available evidence, supratentorial involvement was found in 82.7% of cases (3 studies; 95% CI: 17.4% - 99.1%), juxtacortical involvement in 34.1% (3 studies; 95% CI: 26.4% - 42.7%), infratentorial involvement in 51.3% (4 studies; 95% CI: 32.1% - 70.1%), and cerebellar involvement in 18.5% (3 studies; 95% CI: 13.9% - 24.1%).
CONCLUSION
Based on the neuroimaging findings, we found that, given the heterogeneity of MS, LOMS patients have a high rate of spinal cord lesions and supratentorial involvement. The limited available evidence suggests that Barkhof criteria are the best compromise for the diagnosis of LOMS. There is still a need for future studies.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Progression; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multiple Sclerosis; Radiography; Age of Onset
PubMed: 37558179
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2023.08.002 -
Neurosurgical Review Aug 2023The current knowledge regarding the prevalence and persistence of edematous changes postmeningioma surgery is limited. Our hypothesis was that peritumoral edema is... (Review)
Review
The current knowledge regarding the prevalence and persistence of edematous changes postmeningioma surgery is limited. Our hypothesis was that peritumoral edema is frequently irreversible gliosis, potentially influencing long-term postoperative epilepsy. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. We included studies with adult patients undergoing first supratentorial meningioma surgery, which reported pre- and postoperative peritumoral brain edema (T2WI and FLAIR hyperintensity on MRI). Risk of bias was assessed based on detailed reporting of five domains: (1) meningioma characteristics, (2) extent of resection, (3) postoperative radiation therapy, (4) neurological outcome, and (5) used MRI sequence. Our loose search strategy yielded 1714 articles, of which 164 were reviewed and seven met inclusion criteria. Persistent edema rates ranged from 39% to 83% with final follow-up occurring between 0, 14, and 157 months. Among patient cohorts exhibiting persistent edema, a smaller portion achieved seizure resolution compared to a cohort without persistent edema. Relatively reliable assessment of persistent T2/FLAIR hyperintensity changes can be made earliest at one year following surgery. All studies were classified as low quality of evidence, and therefore, quantitative analyses were not conducted. Persistent T2/FLAIR hyperintensity changes are frequently observed in MRI imaging following meningioma surgery. The term "edema," which is reversible, does not fully capture pre- and postoperative T2WI and FLAIR hyperintensity changes. Future studies focusing on peritumoral meningioma-related edema, its etiology, its persistence, and its impact on postoperative epilepsy are needed.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Meningioma; Meningeal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain Edema; Edema; Epilepsy
PubMed: 37541985
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02094-1 -
Cerebellum (London, England) Apr 2024The term Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH) was initially used to designate a heterogeneous group of fetal-onset genetic neurodegenerative disorders. As a descriptive...
The term Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH) was initially used to designate a heterogeneous group of fetal-onset genetic neurodegenerative disorders. As a descriptive term, PCH refers to pons and cerebellum of reduced volume. In addition to the classic PCH types described in OMIM, many other disorders can result in a similar imaging appearance. This study aims to review imaging, clinical and genetic features and underlying etiologies of a cohort of children with PCH on imaging. We systematically reviewed brain images and clinical charts of 38 patients with radiologic evidence of PCH. Our cohort included 21 males and 17 females, with ages ranging between 8 days to 15 years. All individuals had pons and cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, and 63% had cerebellar hemisphere hypoplasia. Supratentorial anomalies were found in 71%. An underlying etiology was identified in 68% and included chromosomal (21%), monogenic (34%) and acquired (13%) causes. Only one patient had pathogenic variants in an OMIM listed PCH gene. Outcomes were poor regardless of etiology, though no one had regression. Approximately one third of patients deceased at a median age of 8 months. All individuals had global developmental delay, 50% were non-verbal, 64% were non-ambulatory and 45% required gastrostomy feeding. This cohort demonstrates that radiologic PCH has heterogenous etiologies and the "classic" OMIM-listed PCH genes underlie only a minority of cases. Broad genetic testing, including chromosomal microarray and exome or multigene panels, is recommended in individuals with PCH-like imaging appearance. Our results strongly suggest that the term PCH should be used to designate radiologic findings, and not to imply neurogenerative disorders.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Cerebellar Diseases; Cerebellum; Pons; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Developmental Disabilities; Nervous System Malformations
PubMed: 36971923
DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01544-2 -
Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology Jan 2024Desflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent with an appealing recovery profile. The present systematic review investigates the clinical effects and adverse events...
Desflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent with an appealing recovery profile. The present systematic review investigates the clinical effects and adverse events associated with desflurane use during supratentorial craniotomy for brain tumor resection in adults in comparison with other inhalational and intravenous anesthetic agents. A literature search was conducted across the MEDLINE, Library of Congress and LISTA (EBSCO) databases from January 2001 to January 2021. Twelve studies published between 2003 and 2020 were included in this systematic review. Desflurane was compared with either isoflurane, sevoflurane, or propofol for anesthesia maintenance. Brain relaxation scores showed no statistically significant difference between desflurane and the other anesthetic agents. Recovery timepoints, such as time to recovery, time to eye opening, time to extubation, time to follow commands, and time to reach a modified Aldrete score ≥9 were significantly shorter with desflurane in the majority of studies. Systemic hemodynamic variables (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) and cerebral hemodynamics (intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure) were comparable between desflurane and other anesthetic agents in each study. The results of this systematic review demonstrate that desflurane is associated with few adverse events when used for anesthesia maintenance in adult patients undergoing supratentorial brain tumor surgery. Large, prospective, comprehensive studies, utilizing standardized parameter evaluation could provide higher levels of evidence to support these findings.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Desflurane; Prospective Studies; Isoflurane; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Craniotomy; Methyl Ethers; Anesthesia Recovery Period
PubMed: 36706431
DOI: 10.1097/ANA.0000000000000905 -
Cerebellum (London, England) Dec 2023To date, cerebellar contribution to language is well established via clinical and neuroimaging studies. However, the particular functional role of the cerebellum in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
To date, cerebellar contribution to language is well established via clinical and neuroimaging studies. However, the particular functional role of the cerebellum in language remains to be clarified. In this study, we present the first systematic review of the diverse language symptoms in spoken language after cerebellar lesion that were reported in case studies for the last 30 years (18 clinical cases from 13 papers), and meta-analysis using cluster analysis with bootstrap and symptom co-occurrence analysis. Seven clusters of patients with similar language symptoms after cerebellar lesions were found. Co-occurrence analysis revealed pairs of symptoms that tend to be comorbid. Our results imply that the "linguistic cerebellum" has a multiform contribution to language function. The most possible mechanism of such contribution is the cerebellar reciprocal connectivity with supratentorial brain regions, where the cerebellar level of the language network has a general modulation function and the supratentorial level is more functionally specified. Based on cerebellar connectivity with supratentorial components of the language network, the "linguistic cerebellum" might be further functionally segregated.
Topics: Humans; Language; Cerebellum; Language Disorders; Linguistics; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36205825
DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01482-5