Johanna Quick-Weller1, Stephanie Tritt2, Bedjan Behmanesh3, Michel Mittelbronn4, Andrea Spyrantis3, Nazife Dinc3, Lutz Weise5, Volker Seifert3, Gerhard Marquardt3, Thomas M Freiman3. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. Electronic address: Johanna.quick@kgu.de. 2. Institute for Neuroradiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. 4. Luxembourg Centre of Neuropathology (LCNP), Luxembourg; Laboratoire National de Santè, Department of Pathology, Dudelange, Luxembourg; Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg; Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The course of malignant brain stem gliomas in childhood is rarely positive. Because of limited therapeutic options and potentially hazardous biopsies oncologist often relay on MRI diagnoses only for further therapy decisions. In this study we show that brain stem biopsies display a low morbidity rate and neuropathological assessment has a considerable impact on further treatment decision. METHODS: Within 18-months five children with brainstem symptoms and the radiological diagnosis of a malignant brainstem glioma, were identified. From this time point it was possible to analyze all samples with the 450K methylome analysis. Other neuropathological techniques included classical histology with immunohistochemistry. Surgery was performed as biopsy, either microsurgical, frame-guided (Leksell), robot-assisted (ROSA) or navigated (BrainLab, two children). RESULTS: Mean age of the children was 7.5years (range: newborn to 12years). There was no biopsy-related morbidity or mortality. The mean number of taken samples was 12 (range: 1-25). Histologic diagnosis could be established in all children, however, 450K methylome diagnosis was positive in only two out of five patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the technically difficult biopsies, all specimens were sufficient for immunohistochemical diagnosis, however, 450K methylome analysis could only be better established where multiple small samples were taken, instead of few larger ones. Based on the preoperative radiological diagnosis suggesting malignant brainstem glioma, all children would have been treated with combined radiation and temozolomid chemotherapy. Nevertheless, due to the availability of histology and molecular diagnostics, individualized therapy could be performed, preventing in two out of five children from unnecessary radiation and chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: The course of malignant brain stem gliomas in childhood is rarely positive. Because of limited therapeutic options and potentially hazardous biopsies oncologist often relay on MRI diagnoses only for further therapy decisions. In this study we show that brain stem biopsies display a low morbidity rate and neuropathological assessment has a considerable impact on further treatment decision. METHODS: Within 18-months five children with brainstem symptoms and the radiological diagnosis of a malignant brainstem glioma, were identified. From this time point it was possible to analyze all samples with the 450K methylome analysis. Other neuropathological techniques included classical histology with immunohistochemistry. Surgery was performed as biopsy, either microsurgical, frame-guided (Leksell), robot-assisted (ROSA) or navigated (BrainLab, two children). RESULTS: Mean age of the children was 7.5years (range: newborn to 12years). There was no biopsy-related morbidity or mortality. The mean number of taken samples was 12 (range: 1-25). Histologic diagnosis could be established in all children, however, 450K methylome diagnosis was positive in only two out of five patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the technically difficult biopsies, all specimens were sufficient for immunohistochemical diagnosis, however, 450K methylome analysis could only be better established where multiple small samples were taken, instead of few larger ones. Based on the preoperative radiological diagnosis suggesting malignant brainstem glioma, all children would have been treated with combined radiation and temozolomid chemotherapy. Nevertheless, due to the availability of histology and molecular diagnostics, individualized therapy could be performed, preventing in two out of five children from unnecessary radiation and chemotherapy.
Authors: Hani J Marcus; Vejay N Vakharia; Sebastien Ourselin; John Duncan; Martin Tisdall; Kristian Aquilina Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2018-05-10 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Rouzbeh Banan; Arash Akbarian; Majid Samii; Amir Samii; Helmut Bertalanffy; Ulrich Lehmann; Christian Hartmann; Roland Brüning Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-08-04 Impact factor: 3.240