open access

Vol 52, No 5 (2018)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2016-11-21
Published online: 2018-09-05
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Surgical treatment and prognosis of adult patients with brainstem gliomas

Krzysztof Majchrzak1, Barbara Bobek-Billewicz2, Anna Hebda2, Henryk Majchrzak1, Piotr Ładziński1, Lech Krawczyk3
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.08.008
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018;52(5):623-633.
Affiliations
  1. Department and Clinical Ward of Neurosurgery in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
  2. Department of Radio-diagnostics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland
  3. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

open access

Vol 52, No 5 (2018)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2016-11-21
Published online: 2018-09-05

Abstract

The paper presents 47 adult patients who were surgically treated due to brainstem gliomas. Thirteen patients presented with contrast-enhancing Grades III and IV gliomas, according to the WHO classification, 13 patients with contrast-enhancing tumours originating from the glial cells (Grade I; WHO classification), 9 patients with diffuse gliomas, 5 patients with tectal brainstem gliomas and 7 patients with exophytic brainstem gliomas. During the surgical procedure, neuronavigation and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTI) of the corticospinal tract were used with the examination of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) with direct stimulation of the fundus of the fourth brain ventricle in order to define the localization of the nuclei of nerves VII, IX, X and XII. Cerebellar dysfunction, damage to cranial nerves and dysphagia were the most frequent postoperative sequelae which were also the most difficult to resolve. The Karnofsky score established preoperatively and the extent of tumour resection were the factors affecting the prognosis. The mean time of progression-free survival (14 months) and the mean survival time after surgery (20 months) were the shortest for malignant brainstem gliomas. In the group with tectal brainstem gliomas, no cases of progression were found and none of the patients died during the follow-up. Some patients were professionally active. Partial resection of diffuse brainstem gliomas did not prolong the mean survival above 5 years. However, some patients survived over 5 years in good condition.

Abstract

The paper presents 47 adult patients who were surgically treated due to brainstem gliomas. Thirteen patients presented with contrast-enhancing Grades III and IV gliomas, according to the WHO classification, 13 patients with contrast-enhancing tumours originating from the glial cells (Grade I; WHO classification), 9 patients with diffuse gliomas, 5 patients with tectal brainstem gliomas and 7 patients with exophytic brainstem gliomas. During the surgical procedure, neuronavigation and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTI) of the corticospinal tract were used with the examination of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) with direct stimulation of the fundus of the fourth brain ventricle in order to define the localization of the nuclei of nerves VII, IX, X and XII. Cerebellar dysfunction, damage to cranial nerves and dysphagia were the most frequent postoperative sequelae which were also the most difficult to resolve. The Karnofsky score established preoperatively and the extent of tumour resection were the factors affecting the prognosis. The mean time of progression-free survival (14 months) and the mean survival time after surgery (20 months) were the shortest for malignant brainstem gliomas. In the group with tectal brainstem gliomas, no cases of progression were found and none of the patients died during the follow-up. Some patients were professionally active. Partial resection of diffuse brainstem gliomas did not prolong the mean survival above 5 years. However, some patients survived over 5 years in good condition.

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Keywords

Brainstem glioma, Surgical treatment, Prognosis, MEP, DTI

About this article
Title

Surgical treatment and prognosis of adult patients with brainstem gliomas

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 52, No 5 (2018)

Pages

623-633

Published online

2018-09-05

Page views

355

Article views/downloads

628

DOI

10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.08.008

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018;52(5):623-633.

Keywords

Brainstem glioma
Surgical treatment
Prognosis
MEP
DTI

Authors

Krzysztof Majchrzak
Barbara Bobek-Billewicz
Anna Hebda
Henryk Majchrzak
Piotr Ładziński
Lech Krawczyk

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