Neurosurgery
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Brain metastases (BM) are the most common type of brain tumor malignancy in the US. They are also the most common indication for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). However, the incidence of both local recurrence and radiation necrosis (RN) is increasing as treatments improve. MRI imagery often fails to differentiate BM from RN; thus, patients must often undergo surgical biopsy or resection to obtain a definitive diagnosis. ⋯ These results suggest that DVI could be a useful diagnostic tool to differentiate recurrent BM from RN using a minimally invasive blood sample.
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In the setting of intracranial neoplasms, EWSR1-cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein (CREB) transcription factor family fusions have been described in myxoid mesenchymal tumors, extremely rare entities with a close histopathologic and immunologic resemblance to myxoid subtype angiomatoid fibrous histiocytomas (AFH). Controversy exists on whether these central nervous system lesions are a subtype of myxoid AFH or a completely separate entity, which entitles a distinct clinical behavior and, consequently, a different approach to management. Upon review of the literature, only 14 cases of intracranial tumors harboring an EWSR1-CREB family fusion were identified, with only 3 cases presenting in middle-aged adults, none of which reported an EWSR1-CREM fusion mutation. Significant variability in reported radiographic and histopathological characteristics, as well as in clinical outcomes, was noted. Their similarity with other soft tissue tumors, added to the scarce information on its clinical behavior, represents a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the treating physician. ⋯ This represents a unique case of EWSR1-CREM mutated intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor presenting in adulthood, with evidence of aggressive behavior.
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Although multilobar resections correspond to one-fifth of pediatric epilepsy surgery, there are little data on long-term seizure control. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that multilobar epilepsy surgery is effective regarding long-term seizure freedom and antiepileptic drug withdrawal in selected pediatric candidates. Epileptogenic zones-and lesions-localized distant from eloquent cortex and, thus, fully resectable predispose for seizure control. Acute postsurgical seizures are critical markers of seizure recurrence that should lead to prompt reevaluation.
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Meningiomas are the most common tumors occurring in the central nervous system, with variable recurrence rates depending on World Health Organization grading. Atypical (Grade II) meningioma has a higher rate of recurrence than benign (Grade I) meningioma. The efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) to improve tumor control has been questioned. ⋯ The combination of necrosis and brain invasion is a strong predictor of tumor recurrence and radio-resistance in meningioma, regardless of EOR or adjuvant RT. Our findings question the sensibility of brain invasion as an absolute criterion for Grade II status.