Journal of neuro-oncology
-
Journal of neuro-oncology · May 2017
Preoperative grading of supratentorial nonenhancing gliomas by high b-value diffusion-weighted 3 T magnetic resonance imaging.
The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in discrimination between high- and low-grade supratentorial nonenhancing gliomas (HGGs and LGGs, respectively) when using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with high or standard b-value. Thirty-nine patients underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with standard and high b-values (b = 1000 and 3000 s/mm2, respectively). Minimum, maximum, and mean ADC values (ADCMIN, ADCMAX, and ADCMEAN, respectively) were measured from ADC maps with both b-values. ⋯ Discriminant analysis indicated that the greatest likelihood for discriminating HGGs and LGGs when ADCMEAN was obtained with a high b-value, with cutoff value of 0.814 × 10-3 mm2/s. ADC values obtained with a high b-value can be useful for grading and surgical management of nonenhancing HGGs and LGGs. The lowest degree of overlap was obtained when ADCMEAN was determined with a b-value of 3000 s/mm2.
-
Journal of neuro-oncology · May 2017
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of select chemotherapeutic agents following intranasal delivery in a non-human primate model.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits entry of most chemotherapeutic agents into the CNS, resulting in inadequate exposure within CNS tumor tissue. Intranasal administration is a proposed means of delivery that can bypass the BBB, potentially resulting in more effective chemotherapeutic exposure at the tumor site. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and pharmacokinetics (plasma and CSF) of intranasal delivery using select chemotherapeutic agents in a non-human primate (NHP) model. ⋯ This was associated with lower systemic exposure, suggesting increased efficiency and potentially lower toxicities of TMZ after intranasal delivery. For valproic acid and perifosine, CSF penetration after intranasal delivery was similar to systemic administration. Although this study demonstrates feasibility and safety of intranasal drug administration, further agent-specific studies are necessary to optimize agent selection and dosing to achieve clinically-relevant CSF exposures.
-
Journal of neuro-oncology · Mar 2017
Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary metastases.
Pituitary metastases (PMs) are uncommon, representing only 1% of pituitary lesions. The diagnosis of PMs can be challenging and an optimal management remains to be determined. Here, we present a pilot clinical study on the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with an optimized dosimetric plan in treating PMs. ⋯ DI and visual dysfunction improved in all patients, although anterior pituitary dysfunction did not recover. No patients experienced any deterioration in visual, pituitary, or other cranial nerve functions. These results suggest a promising role of hypofractionated SRS in treating PMs in terms of both tumor control and functional outcomes.
-
In 2007, extraventricular neurocytoma was classified as a separate entity among glioneuronal tumors. However, extraventricular neurocytoma is not fully understood and may be misdiagnosed. Here, we describe the clinical and pathological features, prognoses, and treatments of 13 extraventricular neurocytoma cases, and compare their immunophenotypes with those of oligodendroglioma, diffuse astrocytoma, and ependymoma. ⋯ In conclusion, the present study identified morphological and immunohistochemical features that would aid the differential diagnosis of extraventricular neurocytoma. In addition, radiotherapy with subtotal resection could be considered an effective treatment for extraventricular neurocytoma, but because a pediatric patient died of intracranial hemorrhage during radiotherapy, radiotherapy-related side effects should be considered, especially when treating children. Additional cases with long-term follow-up are needed to develop optimal management protocols for extraventricular neurocytoma.
-
Journal of neuro-oncology · Mar 2017
11C-Methionine positron emission tomography delineates non-contrast enhancing tumor regions at high risk for recurrence in pediatric high-grade glioma.
We assessed the prognostic utility of 11C-Methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) in pediatric high-grade glioma (HGG). Thirty-one children had 62 MET-PET studies. Segmented tumor volumes from co-registered magnetic resonance studies were assessed for concordance with MET-PET uptake using Boolean operations. ⋯ The initial MET-PET region overlapped with recurrent tumor in 90% of the cases. When the proportion of tumor which was NCET was >10%, an earlier time to progression (5.8 months; 95% CI, 1-8.2 vs. 10.5 months; 95% CI, 0.9-NR; p = 0.035) was noted. MET-PET delineates regions at increased risk for recurrence and may improve the definition of failure, prognostic assessment, and target definition for radiotherapy.