Tae Hoon Roh1,2, Kyoung Su Sung3,4, Seok-Gu Kang3,4,5, Ju Hyung Moon3,4, Eui Hyun Kim3,4,5, Sun Ho Kim3,4,5, Jong Hee Chang6,7,8. 1. Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea. 4. Brain Tumor Center, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Department of Neurosurgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea. changjh@yuhs.ac. 7. Brain Tumor Center, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. changjh@yuhs.ac. 8. Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. changjh@yuhs.ac.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Resection of tumors close to the corticospinal tract (CST) carries a high risk of damage to the CST. For cystic tumors, aspirating the cyst before resection may reduce the risk of damage to vital structures. This study evaluated the effectiveness of cyst aspiration, by comparing the results before and after aspiration of diffusion tensor image (DTI) tractography. METHODS: This study enrolled 23 patients with large cystic brain tumors (>20 cm3) between 2012 and 2016. All underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including DTI tractography, followed by navigation-guided aspiration of the cyst and subsequent tumor resection via craniotomy. Distances between the tumor margin and CST before and after cyst aspiration, volume reduction, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Median tumor volume decreased from 88 cm3 (range, 25-153) to 29 cm3 (range, 20-80) and distances between tumor margins and the CST increased from 5.7 mm (range, 0.6-22.0) to 14.8 mm (range, 0.6-41.4) after aspiration. Neurological symptoms of patients immediately improved after cyst aspiration. All patients, except for one with a secondary glioblastoma, underwent gross total resection of the tumor. No neurological deterioration was observed after tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation-guided cyst aspiration followed by resection is a useful and safe procedure for brain tumors with large cystic components. Cyst aspiration resulted in expansion of the compressed brain tissue between the tumor margins and vital structures, making maximal safe resection possible.
BACKGROUND: Resection of tumors close to the corticospinal tract (CST) carries a high risk of damage to the CST. For cystic tumors, aspirating the cyst before resection may reduce the risk of damage to vital structures. This study evaluated the effectiveness of cyst aspiration, by comparing the results before and after aspiration of diffusion tensor image (DTI) tractography. METHODS: This study enrolled 23 patients with large cystic brain tumors (>20 cm3) between 2012 and 2016. All underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including DTI tractography, followed by navigation-guided aspiration of the cyst and subsequent tumor resection via craniotomy. Distances between the tumor margin and CST before and after cyst aspiration, volume reduction, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Median tumor volume decreased from 88 cm3 (range, 25-153) to 29 cm3 (range, 20-80) and distances between tumor margins and the CST increased from 5.7 mm (range, 0.6-22.0) to 14.8 mm (range, 0.6-41.4) after aspiration. Neurological symptoms of patients immediately improved after cyst aspiration. All patients, except for one with a secondary glioblastoma, underwent gross total resection of the tumor. No neurological deterioration was observed after tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation-guided cyst aspiration followed by resection is a useful and safe procedure for brain tumors with large cystic components. Cyst aspiration resulted in expansion of the compressed brain tissue between the tumor margins and vital structures, making maximal safe resection possible.