Ewing sarcoma of the posterior fossa in an adolescent girl.

Medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, and ependymoma represent the most common infratentorial tumors in childhood, while Ewing sarcomas in that localization are extremely rare. A large left infratentorial space-occupying lesion was diagnosed in a 12-year-old girl with signs of increased intracranial pressure. Following total tumor resection, histological and molecular examination revealed Ewing sarcoma with rearranged EWSR-1 gene.

Expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 in recurrent glioblastoma.

Objectives: Methylated O6-methylguanin-DNA-methytransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation is associated with survival in patients with glioblastoma. Current evidence suggests that further mismatch repair genes play a pivotal role in the tumor response to treatment. Candidate genes are MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6.

Neuroendoscopy and high-field intraoperative MRI: first experience.

Background: To date, information about the use of intraoperative MRI (iMRI) in patients undergoing neuroendoscopic procedures is sparse. The benefit may be (re)definition of neuronavigation, confirmation of fenestrations and biopsies, detection of complications, and redefinition of anatomical changes during the operation.

Material And Methods: Our setting consists of a fully integrated high-field 1.

Leptomeningeal metastasis of an intradural malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are defined as any malignant tumor arising from or differentiating towards the peripheral nerve sheath. Intradural MPNST metastases are very rare. We report, to our knowledge, the first case of leptomeningeal metastasis of a MPNST to the spine and intracranial space.

Glioblastoma: clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and survival in 492 patients.

Objective: Glioblastoma is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The only overall accepted independent prognostic factors are patient age and performance. We present a large single institution patient series examined for prognostic factors using uni- and multivariate survival analysis.

Glioblastoma multiforme in children: report of 13 cases and review of the literature.

We present clinical and histopathologic data from 13 children who underwent craniotomy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Clinical characteristics were compared to those in adult patients (n = 403). The mean age of the children was 10.

Neurosurgical treatment of breast cancer metastases to the neurocranium.

Breast cancer metastases to the neurocranium might involve the bone, the dura, or the brain parenchyma. The latter location is the far most common. The annual incidence of brain metastases in patients with breast cancer is in the range of 4-11 per 100.

Glioblastoma of the cerebellum and brainstem.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) is the most common and most malignant primary intracranial tumor. Of the 577 patients who underwent surgery for newly diagnosed GB (World Health Organization grade IV) between January 1991 and March 2008 at our department, seven had infratentorial GB (iGB) (incidence 1.2%).

The expression of mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 correlates with the Ki67 proliferation index and survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Objectives: There is a growing body of evidence that deficiency of DNA mismatch repair proteins other than O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) also contributes to glioblastoma recurrence. We examined the protein expression of MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 in paired initial and recurrent glioblastoma and compared the results to the Ki67 proliferation index and patient survival.

Methods: Forty-two patients were included who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) histologically confirmed primary glioblastoma; (2) total tumour resection at initial craniotomy; (3) re-craniotomy for recurrence.

Acute Hydrocephalus due to Secondary Leptomeningeal Dissemination of an Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma.

Secondary leptomeningeal dissemination of oligodendroglioma is very rare. We report the case of a 38-year-old Caucasian male who presented with acute hydrocephalus. 8 months before, the patient had undergone craniotomy for right frontal anaplastic oligodendroglioma, WHO grade III.

Expression of metastasis suppressor gene maspin is reduced in breast cancer brain metastases and correlates with the estrogen receptor status.

Objectives: The suppressor gene maspin (Serpin B5) is a promising candidate for future treatment. We have examined the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of maspin in normal breast tissue, breast cancer primaries, brain metastases and breast cancer cell lines. Results were compared to hormone receptor expression and proliferation index.

Papillary Ependymoma WHO Grade II of the Aqueduct Treated by Endoscopic Tumor Resection.

Papillary ependymoma is a rare tumor that may be located along the ventricular walls or within the spinal cord. We report the case of a 54-year-old patient with a papillary ependymoma WHO grade II arising at the entrance of the aqueduct. The tumor caused hydrocephalus.

Analyses of resected human brain metastases of breast cancer reveal the association between up-regulation of hexokinase 2 and poor prognosis.

Brain metastases of breast cancer seem to be increasingin incidence as systemic therapy improves. Metastatic disease in the brain is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We present the first gene expression analysis of laser-captured epithelial cells from resected human brain metastases of breast cancer compared with unlinked primary breast tumors.

Intraoperative MRI with 1.5 Tesla in neurosurgery.

1.5 Tesla High-field MRI has been successfully integrated into operating theatres. State-of-the-art microneurosurgical equipment and computer-assisted navigation are merged with the MR to form a comprehensive unit.

Gliosarcoma: clinical experiences and additional information with MR spectroscopy.

Gliosarcomas represent about 2% of glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). They have mixed features of glial and sarcomatous components. The clinical presentation and prognosis are similar to glioblastoma.

Reactive glia are recruited by highly proliferative brain metastases of breast cancer and promote tumor cell colonization.

Interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment are crucial to tumor formation and metastasis. The central nervous system serves as a "sanctuary" site for metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis in diagnosed patients. The incidence of brain metastasis is increasing; however, little is known about interactions between the brain and metastatic cells.

p53, BCL-2 and BAX in non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases: a comparison of real-time RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemical techniques.

Objectives: Metastasis to the brain is a severe and common complication in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The examination of cell cycle associated genes in these lesions may contribute to the understanding of metastatic growths in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the p53, BCL-2 and BAX mRNA and protein expression in NSCLC brain metastases in comparison with matched primary tumors.

Her-2 overexpression increases the metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer cells in the brain.

Retrospective studies of breast cancer patients suggest that primary tumor Her-2 overexpression or trastuzumab therapy is associated with a devastating complication: the development of central nervous system (brain) metastases. Herein, we present Her-2 expression trends from resected human brain metastases and data from an experimental brain metastasis assay, both indicative of a functional contribution of Her-2 to brain metastatic colonization. Of 124 archival resected brain metastases from breast cancer patients, 36.

Posterior fossa tumors in children: how long does it take to establish the diagnosis?

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate, for our patient population, the time interval from the first chart-documented symptom to the radiological diagnosis in children and infants with posterior fossa tumors.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 50 consecutive children (36 men, 14 women) with posterior fossa tumor treated at our department between January 1999 and December 2003. The mean age at time of diagnosis was 98 months (6 months-16 years).

Reduced mRNA and protein expression of BCL-2 versus decreased mRNA and increased protein expression of BAX in breast cancer brain metastases: a real-time PCR and immunohistochemical evaluation.

Objectives: Brain metastases are an increasingly common complication in breast cancer patients. Apoptosis regulating genes are promising candidates for further treatment options. We examined the mRNA and protein expression of p53, BCL-2 and BAX in breast cancer brain metastases versus primary tumors.

Glioblastoma--the consequences of advanced patient age on treatment and survival.

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor. Recent evidence suggests that aggressive treatment is also effective in elderly patients. However, large patient series are missing.

Chronic recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage from a trigeminal nerve malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: case report.

Objective: Clinically significant intratumoral or peritumoral bleeding from trigeminal nerve tumors is very rare.

Clinical Presentation: We report the case of a 59-year-old man who presented with recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage from a left trigeminal nerve malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. He presented with decreased consciousness, left facial hypesthesia, and left facial weakness.