Ahead of Print: Colloid Cyst Remnants

Background: Controversy surrounds the fate of cyst remnants following endoscopic colloid cyst resection.

Objective: Our study evaluated recurrence rates in patients with total endoscopic resection of colloid cysts versus those with coagulated cyst remnants.

Methods: Sixty-five consecutive patients and 67 procedures for endoscopic resection of colloid cysts from 1995 to 2011 were reviewed. Degree of resection was based upon intra-operative assessment and post-operative MRI. Recurrence rates were compared between patients with complete resection versus coagulated cyst remnants.

Ahead of Print: Comparison of Silent Corticotrophic Adenomas to Hormone-Negative Adenomas

Background: Silent corticotrophic adenomas (SCAs) stain adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)+ without causing Cushing’s disease. SCAs are reportedly more aggressive, but information comes from small series.

Objective: To determine whether SCAs behave more aggressively than Hormone-Negative Adenomas (HNAs), and characterize SCA ACTH production alterations.

Methods: SCAs (n=75) and HNAs (n=1726) diagnosed at our institution from 1990-2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RT-PCR was used to compare expression of ACTH-producing factors.

Ahead of Print: Visual Outcomes After Craniopharyngioma Surgery

Background: Craniopharyngiomas (CRP) often cause visual deterioration (VD) due to the close vicinity of the optic apparatus.

Objective: To evaluate longitudinal visual outcomes after surgery of CRP and determine the prognostic factors thereof.

Methods: One hundred forty-six adult patients who underwent surgery for newly diagnosed CRP were retrospectively reviewed. There were 87 male patients (60%), and the median age was 41 years (range, 18 – 75). The mean follow-up duration was 88.7 months (range, 24 – 307). A visual impairment score (VIS) was used to assess the short-term (< 1 month) and long-term (> 2 years) visual outcomes.

Free CME Article: Meningioma Outcome Hypoxia Biomarkers

Background: The natural history of surgically treated intracranial meningiomas can be quite variable. Recurrence and patient outcome cannot currently be predicted with accuracy.

Objective: To explore the potential roles of tumor hypoxia-regulated biological markers, preoperative imaging, measures of proliferation, and angiogenesis in predicting patient outcome.

Methods: Tissue from 263 patients (average follow-up, 75 months) was examined for molecular markers hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX), and glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); proliferation (MIB-1); and microvascular density (MVD) (Factor VIII). Preoperative magnetic resonance images were also examined for tumor size and peritumoral brain edema (PTBE).

Editor Choice: Pediatric Benign Cerebellar Astrocytomas

Background: The long-term prognosis of cerebellar astrocytomas needs to be reviewed.

Objective: To elucidate the factors influencing tumor recurrence or progression and to determine how long these patient with cerebellar astrocytomas require surveillance with neuroimaging.

Methods: A retrospective review of 101 children surgically treated for a cerebellar astrocytoma and followed up for > 10 years was performed.