Epigenetic Characteristics in Primary and Recurrent Glioblastoma-Influence on the Clinical Course.

Objective: Epigenetic tumor characteristics are in focus for glioblastoma prognosis. This raises the question if these characteristics present with stable expression during the progression of the disease, and if potential temporal instability might influence their prognostic value.

Methods: A total of 44 patients suffering from glioblastoma who were treated for their primary and relapse tumors were included in the study.

Considerations on surgical strategies and associated risk profiles for endoscopic tumor biopsies within the third ventricle and periaqueductal region.

Introduction: Neuroendoscopic techniques have proven to be a successful and minimally-invasive technique for tumor biopsies within the third ventricle in pediatric patients. However, a comprehensive assessment of associated surgical strategies, techniques, and morbidity is essential to optimize patient outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed full endoscopic tumor biopsies in pediatric patients with tumors in the third ventricle and periaqueductal region.

Image Quality and Related Outcomes of the ShuntScope-Guided Catheter Implantation in Adult Hydrocephalus: Experience of 63 Procedures.

Background:  Ventricular catheter (VC) placement in the selected subset of adult hydrocephalus can be highly challenging due to abnormal anatomical configuration or the need for trans-aqueductal stent placement. Transluminal endoscopy with the ShuntScope has been invented to increase the success rate of catheter placement. This study evaluates the image qualities of ShuntScope and related surgical outcomes in adults.

The minimally invasive transventricular endoscopic approach to third ventricular lesions in pediatric patients-all-rounder with limitations?

Introduction: The surgical management of third ventricular lesions poses unique challenges, requiring careful consideration of various approaches and techniques. This study focuses on the transventricular transforaminal endoscopic approach and aims to provide insights into its indications, limitations, technical nuances, and potential complications in pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from a 13-year period on pediatric patients who were subjected to transforaminal endoscopic surgery for third ventricular lesions.

The intra-tumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma - a limitation for prognostic value of epigenetic markers?

Objective: Epigenetic tumor features are getting into focus as prognostic markers in glioblastoma. Whether intra-tumoral heterogeneity in these epigenetic characteristics may influence prognostic value remains unclear.

Methods: Of 154 patients suffering from glioblastoma, 120 patients served as reference collective, while 34 patients were compiled as test collective.

From fixed-pressure paediGAV to programmable proGAV/proSA serial valves for pediatric hydrocephalus within the 1st year of life: a technical single-center analysis.

Objective: Programmable valves have gained increasing popularity in the complex treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus. Over the last decade, adjustable serial valves have gradually replaced fixed-pressure valves in the authors' department. The present study investigates this development by analyzing shunt- and valve-related outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Image quality and related outcomes of the ShuntScope for catheter implantation in pediatric hydrocephalus-experience of 65 procedures.

Purpose: Ventricular catheter implantation in pediatric hydrocephalus can become a highly challenging task due to abnormal anatomical configuration or the need for trans-aqueductal stent placement. Transluminal endoscopy with the ShuntScope has been invented to increase the rate of successful catheter placements. This study aims to evaluate ShuntScope's image qualities and related surgical outcomes in the pediatric population.

Endoscope-assisted resection of brainstem cavernous malformations.

Targeted surgical precision and minimally invasive techniques are of utmost importance for resectioning cavernous malformations involving the brainstem region. Minimisation of the surgical corridor is desirable but should not compromise the extent of resection. This study provides detailed information on the role of endoscopy in this challenging surgical task.

MiRNA-181d Expression Correlates in Tumor versus Plasma of Glioblastoma Patients-the Base of a Preoperative Stratification Tool for Local Carmustine Wafer Use.

Objective: Patients with a low micro-RNA-181d (miRNA-181d) level in glioblastoma tissue benefit most of carmustine wafer use. The study compares preoperative miRNA-181d plasma and tumor expression. This may form the base to decide, from a preoperative blood test, if carmustine wafer implantation is recommendable.

The semisitting position in pediatric neurosurgery: pearls and pitfalls of a 10-year experience.

Objective: The authors sought to investigate the pearls and pitfalls of using the semisitting position in pediatric neurosurgery, with special focus on related morbidity and surgical practicability.

Methods: All pediatric cases at a single institution were evaluated retrospectively. Those patients who underwent procedures in the semisitting position between December 2010 and December 2020 were included in the final analysis.

miRNA-26a expression influences the therapy response to carmustine wafer implantation in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in adults being marked with a very poor prognosis. Therapy concept implies concomitant radio-chemotherapy and facultative implantation of carmustine-eluted wafer. Current literature suggests microRNA 26a expression in glioblastoma to interact with alkylating chemotherapy.

The Influence of Distinct Regulatory miRNAs of the p15/p16/RB1/E2F Pathway on the Clinical Progression of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Objective: The microRNAs (miRNAs) -26a, -24, and -21 have been reported as regulators of the P15/P16/RB1/E2F pathway, which plays a major role in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) progression. In the present study, their predictive marker for the progression of GBMs is evaluated and described.

Methods: The expression of miRNA-21, -24, and -26a was analyzed as fold change (FC) in tumor specimens of 104 patients with GBM and 8 specimen of non-neoplastic brain tissue as control group.

A New Clip Generation for Microsurgical Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms-The First Case Series.

Objective: Considerable effort has been made in order to reduce surgical invasiveness while maintaining optimal exploiting of the operative space in aneurysm surgery. One aspect of this evolution is represented by the Lazic (Peter Lazic GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) aneurysm clip system. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the new generation clip system in practiced aneurysm surgery.