Comprehensive reporting of clinical trial activity is essential, guided by the SPIRIT 2013 and CONSORT 2010 statements, which outline what should be included in protocols and result articles.
A review analyzed the reporting quality of 9 trial protocols and 76 trial result articles related to pediatric brain tumors, revealing an average adherence of 76.8% for protocols and around 67-71% for result articles to established reporting standards.
The findings suggest a need for improved reporting quality in pediatric neuro-oncology, especially regarding randomization and blinding, echoing similar issues previously identified in adult trials.
A systematic review was conducted to analyze how outcomes of meningioma clinical trials are measured and reported, addressing the lack of agreement on these measures.
The study reviewed 30 published articles and 18 ongoing trials, resulting in 47 clinical trials and 659 reported outcomes, which were grouped into unique terms using a standardized classification system.
The findings highlight the need for a more consistent approach to outcome measurement, leading to plans for a consensus meeting to create a core outcome set to guide future trials.
A systematic review was conducted to analyze how outcomes are measured in studies of patients with incidental intracranial meningioma, as inconsistent practices have hindered comparative research.
The review included 33 published articles, resulting in 268 reported outcomes, which were refined to 178 unique outcomes categorized into 53 standardized terms and classified into 9 outcome domains.
The goal is to create a Core Outcome Set through stakeholder consensus, improving the consistency of outcome measurements in future studies.
* A study analyzing 39 adult patients with TPGs from 1993 to 2021 found that about 20% experienced tumor progression over a median follow-up of 10 years, with a high overall survival rate of 86.5%.
* The study highlights the importance of identifying risk factors for TPG progression and suggests that future research should focus on larger cohorts for more definitive conclusions about long-term outcomes.
Meningioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor, and while volumetric MRI is the gold standard for measuring its size, the process can be time-consuming due to manual segmentation.
This study explored the effectiveness of a mathematical model for segmenting meningiomas by comparing its results to manual analyses done by a neuroradiologist, using various evaluation metrics.
Results showed that the mathematical model performed well, accurately segmenting 48 out of 49 cases with high reliability, suggesting it could help reduce the workload for neuroradiologists in diagnosing meningiomas.
* Recent research is focusing on the molecular biology of meningiomas, using various profiling techniques to improve how these tumors are understood and predicted in terms of prognosis.
* While detailed molecular analysis of tumors is not yet routine in clinical practice, its increasing availability may lead to better treatment options and overall patient care in the future.
- The review evaluated the quality of reporting in adult neuro-oncology clinical trial protocols and result articles, using the SPIRIT 2013 and CONSORT 2010 guidelines as benchmarks.
- Researchers identified 7 trial protocols and 36 result articles, finding that trial protocols adhered to SPIRIT guidelines by an average of 79.4%, while trial abstracts and articles followed CONSORT guidelines at 75.3% and 74.5%, respectively.
- The study concluded that there is a need for better reporting practices in neuro-oncology trials, suggesting that improved awareness among researchers and journal requirements could enhance the transparency and communication of trial results.
Over the last 30 years, care for meningioma patients has improved due to advancements in understanding the tumors' biology, history, and classification, leading to better management options and outcomes.
The growing body of research has enhanced our knowledge of molecular factors, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies for patients.
There is a shift towards more patient-centered measures in evaluating treatment outcomes, recognizing the significant impact even mild symptoms of meningiomas can have on a patient’s quality of life.
NF2-schwannomatosis is the leading genetic syndrome linked to meningioma, causing significant health issues due to the presence of multiple tumors like schwannomas and ependymomas.
Managing meningiomas in NF2-schwannomatosis is complex, requiring careful consideration of treatment options and their risks, focusing on conservative management until patients become symptomatic.
Effective treatment involves surgery for symptomatic tumors and collaboration with specialized teams, while approaches like radiotherapy and medications (e.g., bevacizumab) have specific roles and limitations in this context.
More people are finding out they have small brain tumors called meningiomas because of advanced imaging technology like MRIs and CT scans.
Most of these meningiomas don’t grow fast or cause problems, so they might not need treatment.
Doctors are trying to figure out the best way to manage these tumors since sometimes they can grow and cause issues, but deciding when to treat can be tricky.*
* A systematic review was conducted to analyze patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after cranioplasty, with 25 studies included in the review.
* Results showed improvements in physical and social functioning, cosmetic outcomes, and overall HRQoL, highlighting the need for more longitudinal studies using validated tools to better assess these effects.
A systematic review was conducted to identify definitions of cauda equina syndrome (CES) and analyze the time to surgery for patients diagnosed with CES from literature dating back to 1990.
Out of 110 studies involving over 52,000 patients, only 14.5% adhered to established definitions for CES, with urinary dysfunction being the most reported symptom.
The findings highlight a growing trend in definition consistency over the past five years but stress the need for a standardized definition and guidelines for reporting and analyzing surgery timing to improve clarity in future research.
Intracranial meningiomas involving bones and primary intraosseous meningiomas are rare, with no clear guidelines for treatment; this study reviews strategies and outcomes over a decade.
A retrospective analysis of 33 adult patients reveals that most had secondary bone involvement, with many undergoing cranioplasty using various materials like polymethyl methacrylate and titanium mesh, showing a high success rate.
The findings suggest that while different cranioplasty materials were effective, those that are pre-fabricated may lead to fewer complications, indicating the need for further research in this area.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is used to reduce bleeding during meningioma surgery, with a systematic review showing it significantly decreases intraoperative blood loss by about 316 mls.
The analysis included four studies with 281 patients, but found no significant impact of TXA on transfusion needs, operation time, postoperative seizures, hospital stay duration, or long-term disability outcomes.
Limitations of the review include a small sample size, insufficient data on secondary outcomes, and lack of a standardized blood loss measurement method, suggesting the need for larger trials to assess the full impact of TXA.
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) have a low long-term hemorrhage rate, with this study aiming to identify risk factors for future hemorrhages in patients.
Conducted from 2007 to 2019, the study analyzed 545 patients and found that 52.5% presented with symptoms, and the annual hemorrhage rate was 1% per lesion-year, particularly higher for symptomatic patients.
Key predictive factors for symptomatic hemorrhage included cavernoma size, location in eloquent brain areas, and previous symptomatic hemorrhage, which could aid in patient management strategies.
After meningioma surgery, about one-third of patients have leftover tumors that need regular monitoring, but their growth rates are not well understood.
The study focused on measuring the volumetric growth rates of these residual tumors in patients treated at a neurosurgery center from 2004 to 2020, using MRI scans and specific growth models.
Results showed that most tumors grew slowly over time, with factors like tumor location and Ki-67 index helping to predict the likelihood of progression, which is important for determining treatment strategies.
Gender-affirming hormone therapy is important for managing transgender individuals, particularly with the use of cyproterone acetate (CPA) in transgender women, but high doses of CPA have been linked to the development of intracranial meningiomas.
A systematic review identified 12 case reports involving 35 meningiomas in patients who had utilized CPA, noting a median patient age of 48 years and common daily doses of 50mg and 100mg.
Most cases were managed surgically, although some improved with cessation of CPA, highlighting the need for alternative hormone treatments when necessary.
* A total of 23 patients participated, with data showing significant challenges in social and cognitive functioning compared to the general population, as well as increased rates of loss of appetite and nausea.
* The findings emphasize the importance of early healthcare interventions and specialized services for young adults transitioning from paediatric care to improve education and overall quality of life among childhood brain tumour survivors.
The study investigates long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in meningioma patients, particularly those with tumors that are monitored but not surgically treated.
Using patient-reported outcome measures, significant HRQoL impairments were found in various areas, especially for those with lower education levels, unemployment, or who faced postoperative complications.
The findings emphasize the ongoing burden meningioma has on patients nearly a decade post-diagnosis, suggesting healthcare providers should pay attention to HRQoL and offer support resources accordingly.
Sporadic multiple meningiomas are rare and associated with lower overall survival compared to solitary meningiomas, but this study explores their clinical outcomes.
A matched cohort study analyzed 34 patients with multiple meningiomas and found similar intervention rates, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival when compared to those with solitary meningiomas.
The findings suggest that sporadic multiple meningiomas may not lead to worse outcomes, indicating that treatment should focus on symptomatic or high-risk asymptomatic cases.
Systematic reviews (SR) and systematic reviews with meta-analysis (SRMA) are vital for guiding clinical practice related to meningioma, yet their overall quality and reporting standards were found to be lacking.
A search of eight databases identified 116 eligible SRs published between 1990 and 2020, with most studies scoring low on various quality assessment tools like PRISMA and AMSTAR 2.
The findings suggest that improvements in methodological practices and adherence to established guidelines are necessary to enhance the validity and transparency of research in this area.
The study aimed to investigate current practices for radiological follow-up of intracranial aneurysms (IA) treated with endovascular treatment (EVT) in neurosurgical units across the UK and Ireland.
A survey was conducted, and 94% of the targeted departments responded, revealing significant variations in follow-up duration and frequency, particularly for ruptured IA.
The findings suggest a need for standardization in follow-up care, as existing practices differ widely and more evidence is needed to guide effective monitoring of IA post-EVT.
Glioblastoma is a serious brain tumor with a low survival rate (12-15 months) even with aggressive treatment, highlighting the need for effective follow-up imaging practices post-surgery.
This study aims to analyze current MRI monitoring routines after glioblastoma surgery in the UK and Ireland and see how following NICE guidelines impacts patient outcomes.
A total of 450 patients will be included in this retrospective study, with data on treatment and follow-up collected to evaluate survival outcomes, while ethical approval for data collection is managed at each institution.
Long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) involves various conditions with different symptoms, and there's limited research on the effectiveness of surgical treatments like endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS).
In a study involving 127 adults with LOVA, most patients experienced symptoms such as gait issues, headaches, and cognitive decline, with many undergoing surgical treatment.
Results showed that 82.4% of those who had surgery experienced clinical improvement, with ETV leading to fewer complications compared to VPS, indicating that ETV is an effective first-line treatment option for LOVA.