Variations in the genomic profiles and clinical behavior of meningioma by racial and ethnic group.

Objective: The influence of socioeconomic factors on racial disparities among patients with sporadic meningiomas is well established, yet other potential causative factors warrant further exploration. The authors of this study aimed to determine whether there is significant variation in the genomic profile of meningiomas among patients of different races and ethnicities and its correlation with clinical outcomes.

Methods: The demographic, genomic, and clinical data of patients aged 18 years and older who had undergone surgery for sporadic meningioma between September 2008 and November 2021 were analyzed.

Application of novel PACS-based informatics platform to identify imaging based predictors of CDKN2A allelic status in glioblastomas.

Gliomas with CDKN2A mutations are known to have worse prognosis but imaging features of these gliomas are unknown. Our goal is to identify CDKN2A specific qualitative imaging biomarkers in glioblastomas using a new informatics workflow that enables rapid analysis of qualitative imaging features with Visually AcceSAble Rembrandtr Images (VASARI) for large datasets in PACS. Sixty nine patients undergoing GBM resection with CDKN2A status determined by whole-exome sequencing were included.

Frailty and postoperative outcomes in brain tumor patients: a systematic review subdivided by tumor etiology.

Purpose: Frailty has gained prominence in neurosurgical oncology, with more studies exploring its relationship to postoperative outcomes in brain tumor patients. As this body of literature continues to grow, concisely reviewing recent developments in the field is necessary. Here we provide a systematic review of frailty in brain tumor patients subdivided by tumor type, incorporating both modern frailty indices and traditional Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) metrics.

Cell-type-specific disruption of cortico-striatal circuitry drives repetitive patterns of behavior in fragile X syndrome model mice.

Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are frequently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including increased risk for restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Consistent with observations in humans, FXS model mice display distinct RRBs and hyperactivity that are consistent with dysfunctional cortico-striatal circuits, an area relatively unexplored in FXS. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we dissect the contribution of two populations of striatal medium spiny neurons (SPNs) in the expression of RRBs in FXS model mice.

Brain metastasis screening in the molecular age.

The incidence of brain metastases (BM) amongst cancer patients has been increasing due to improvements in therapeutic options and an increase in overall survival. Molecular characterization of tumors has provided insights into the biology and oncogenic drivers of BM and molecular subtype-based screening. Though there are currently some screening and surveillance guidelines for BM, they remain limited.

Associations of race and socioeconomic status with outcomes after intracranial meningioma resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Social determinants of health broadly affect healthcare access and outcomes. Studies report that minorities and low socioeconomic status (SES) patients undergoing intracranial meningioma resection demonstrate worse outcomes and higher mortality rates. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the available research reporting racial and SES disparities in intracranial meningioma resection outcomes.

Clinical and genomic differences in supratentorial versus infratentorial NF2 mutant meningiomas.

Objective: Mutations in NF2 are the most common somatic driver mutation in sporadic meningiomas. NF2 mutant meningiomas preferentially arise along the cerebral convexities-however, they can also be found in the posterior fossa. The authors investigated whether NF2 mutant meningiomas differ in clinical and genomic features based on their location relative to the tentorium.

Surgical strategies for intracranial meningioma in the molecular era.

Introduction: Surgical resection has long been the treatment of choice for meningiomas and is considered curative in many cases. Indeed, the extent of resection (EOR) remains a significant factor in determining disease recurrence and outcome optimization for patients undergoing surgery. Although the Simpson Grading Scale continues to be widely accepted as the measure of EOR and is used to predict symptomatic recurrence, its utility is under increasing scrutiny.

Vascular steal and associated intratumoral aneurysms in highly vascular brain tumors: illustrative case.

Background: Intratumoral aneurysms in highly vascular brain tumors can complicate resection depending on their location and feasibility of proximal control. Seemingly unrelated neurological symptoms may be from vascular steal that can help alert the need for additional vascular imaging and augmenting surgical strategies.

Observations: A 29-year-old female presented with headaches and unilateral blurred vision, secondary to a large right frontal dural-based lesion with hypointense signal thought to represent calcifications.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated primary intracranial leiomyosarcoma in an immunocompetent patient: illustrative case.

Background: Primary intracranial leiomyosarcomas (PILMSs) are extremely rare tumors arising from smooth muscle connective tissue. PILMSs have been shown to be associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Thus far, EBV-associated PILMS has been exclusively described in immunocompromised patients.

Multifocal lumbar myxopapillary ependymoma presenting with drop metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Spinal myxopapillary ependymomas (SME) are rare WHO grade II neoplasms of the spinal cord. Despite their good prognosis, they have a high propensity for metastasis and recurrence, although the presentation of SME as multifocal is uncommon.

Case Presentation: Here we describe a rare case of a 34-year-old man who presented with painful bilateral radiculopathy with sexual dysfunction and altered sensation with defecation.

Postoperative Focal Lower Extremity Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome refers to varying degrees of transient hemiparesis and mutism following insult to the medial posterior frontal lobe. We describe a rare case of an isolated lower limb SMA deficit with associated pre- and post-operative multimodality neurophysiological monitoring data. We review the literature on SMA somatotopy and the prognostic abilities of intraoperative motor evoked potentials in suspected SMA dysfunction.

Intradural Extramedullary Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Thoracic Spinal Cord.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare soft tissue neoplasms that can impact the central nervous system (CNS). SFTs comprise <1% of all primary CNS tumors. Here, we describe a rare case of intradural, extramedullary SFT arising within the thoracic spine that was treated with surgical resection.

Neuropsychological outcomes following supratotal resection for high-grade glioma: a review.

Purpose: Supratotal resection (SpTR) of high-grade glioma (HGG), in which surgical removal of the tumor is extended outside the margins of the preoperative radiographic abnormality, has been suggested to improve overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients harboring tumors of non-eloquent cortex when compared to gross total resection (GTR). While current literature demonstrates these findings without an increase in post-operative complications or neurological deficits, there remains a paucity of data examining the neuropsychological outcomes of SpTR for HGG. As quality of life dramatically influences survival rates in these patients, it is crucial for neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, and neuropsychiatrists to understand the behavioral and cognitive outcomes following SpTR, such that optimal treatment strategies can be tailored for each patient.