Harvey Cushing's Meningiomas text and the historical origin of resectability criteria for the anterior one third of the superior sagittal sinus

Hemorrhagic cerebral venous infarction after vein injury during intraoperative lesion resection: incidence, hemorrhagic stages, risk factors and prognosis

Objective

Cerebral venous infarction (CVI) after vein injury during intraoperative lesion resection is associated with intracranial hemorrhage. We conducted this study to identify the incidence, clinical and imaging features, and prognosis of hemorrhage CVI.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with confirmed CVI after vein injury who underwent craniotomy in our hospital. Postoperative clinical symptoms were observed, and imaging features were compared between patients with and without intracranial hemorrhages through CT examination. Variables were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Among 2,767 patients who underwent craniotomy, 93 cases of injured veins were identified intraoperatively. Hemorrhagic CVI was found in 38% (35/93). Multivariate analysis revealed that midline approach, meningioma, postoperative seizures, disorders of consciousness and interval in hours < 72 h were identified as predictors of hemorrhagic CVI. After 3 months of follow-up, the prognosis was poor in 15 cases (16%, 15/93), including death (two cases), vegetative survival (four cases), and severe disability (nine cases).

Conclusions

Hemorrhagic CVI, as a critical complication after venous injury, can have disastrous consequences. Do not injure known veins intraoperatively. In case of injury, requisite remedial measures should be adopted during and after surgery.

Deep Sylvian fissure meningiomas: A case report

BACKGROUND

Deep Sylvian meningiomas are rare and difficult to diagnose when small tumours lead to various symptoms. The difficulty associated with surgery is underestimated. Our case involved a mass (11 mm × 12 mm × 12 mm in size) in the right Sylvian fissure. It is the smallest deep Sylvian meningioma known and might be more easily misdiagnosed than previous examples.

CASE SUMMARY

A well-enhanced mass in the right Sylvian fissure of a 26-year-old male with a three-month history of seizure was identified via magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent operations twice for seizure control. During the first operation, the tumour was surrounded by the second segment of the middle cerebral artery and its numerous perforators. Partial resection had to be selected due to mild arterial damage. After the first operation, the patient presented with simple partial seizure. During reoperation, we isolated the anatomical structure near the tumour and the tumour over and removed it from its dorsal side by piecemeal resection.

CONCLUSION

This case reported the smallest deep Sylvian meningioma according to a literature review. Preoperative diagnosis is a crucial step due to deep Sylvian meningioma firmly adhering to the middle cerebral artery and its perforators. Adequate preparation is crucial to ensure the success of surgery.

Hyperostosing sphenoid wing meningiomas: surgical outcomes and strategy for bone resection and multidisciplinary orbital reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

Hyperostosing sphenoid wing meningiomas cause bony hyperostosis that may extend into the orbit, resulting in proptosis, restriction of extraocular movements, and/or compressive optic neuropathy. The extent of bony removal necessary and the optimal reconstruction strategy to prevent enophthalmos is debated. Herein, the authors present their surgical outcomes and reconstruction results.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 54 consecutive patients undergoing resection of sphenoid wing meningiomas associated with bony hyperostosis. The majority of cases were operated on by the senior author. Extent of tumor resection, volumetric bone resection, radiographic exophthalmos index, complications, and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of the cohort was 52.1 years, with women comprising 83% of patients. Proptosis was a presenting symptom in 74%, and 52% had decreased visual acuity. The WHO grade was I (85%) or II (15%). The median follow-up was 2.6 years. On volumetric analysis, a median 86% of hyperostotic bone was resected. Gross-total resection of the intracranial tumor was achieved in 43% and the orbital tumor in 27%, and of all intracranial and orbital components in 20%. Orbital reconstruction was performed in 96% of patients. Postoperative vision was stable or improved in 98% of patients and diplopia improved in 89%. Postoperative complications occurred in 44% of patients, and 26% of patients underwent additional surgery for complication management. The most frequent complications were medical complications and extraocular movement deficits. The median preoperative exophthalmos index was 1.26, which improved to 1.12 immediately postoperatively and to 1.09 at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, 18 patients (33%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy after subtotal resection. Tumors recurred/progressed in 12 patients (22%).

CONCLUSIONS

Resection of hyperostosing sphenoid wing meningiomas, particularly achieving gross-total resection of hyperostotic bone with a good aesthetic result, is challenging and associated with notable medical and ocular morbidity. Recurrence rates in this series are higher than previously reported. Nevertheless, the authors were able to attain improvement in proptosis and visual symptoms in the majority of patients by using a multidisciplinary approach.

The Preferred Locations of Meningioma According to Different Biological Characteristics Based on Voxel-Wise Analysis

Objective: Meningiomas presented preferred intracranial distribution, which may reflect potential biological natures. This study aimed to analyze the preferred locations of meningioma according to different biological characteristics. Method: A total of 1,107 patients pathologically diagnosed with meningiomas between January 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative MRI were normalized, and lesions were semiautomatically segmented. The stereospecific frequency and p value heatmaps were constructed to compare two biological phenotypes using two-tailed Fisher's exact test. Age, sex, WHO grades, extent of resection (EOR), recurrence, and immunohistochemical markers including p53, Ki67, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), progesterone receptor (PR), and CD34 were statistically analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Result: Of 1,107 cases, convexity (20.8%), parasagittal (16.1%), and falx (11.4%) were the most predominant loci of meningiomas. The p-value heatmap suggested lesion predominance in the left frontal and occipital convexity among older patients while in the left sphenoid wing, and right falx, parasellar/cavernous sinus, and middle fossa among younger patients. Lesions located at anterior fossa and frontal structures were more frequently seen in the male while left parietal falx and tentorial regions, and right cerebellopontine angle in the female. Grades II and III lesions presented predominance in the frontal structures compared with grade I ones. Meningiomas at the left parasagittal sinus and falx, tentorium, intraventricular regions, and skull-base structures were significantly to receive subtotal resection. Lesions with p53 positivity were statistically located at the left frontal regions and parasellar/cavernous sinus, higher Ki67 index at the left frontal and bilateral parietal convexity and right parasellar/cavernous sinus, EMA negativity at the right olfactory groove and left middle fossa, and CD34 positivity at the sellar regions and right sphenoid wing. Tumor recurrence rates for grades I, II, and III were 2.8, 7.9, and 53.8%, respectively. Inferior RFS, higher Ki67 index, grades II and III, and a larger preoperative volume were observed in older patients. Recurrent meningiomas were more frequently found at the occipital convexity, tentorium, sellar regions, parasagittal sinus, and left sphenoid wing. Conclusion: The preferred locations of meningioma could be observed according to different biological characteristics, which might be helpful for clinical decisions.

Venous anatomy of the supratentorial compartment

The cerebral venous drainage system in humans has several unique characteristics that set it apart from its arterial counterpart. The intracranial drainage system can be broadly divided into supra- and infratentorial components. The supratentorial venous drainage is further subclassified into superficial and deep systems, each with a unique set of features. A thorough knowledge of the normal and variant venous drainage pathways is important to understand the different pathologic processes involving the venous vasculature, to identify and anticipate the different venous channels encountered during surgery and also to predict the possible sequelae of intentional or inadvertent venous sacrifice during surgery. This chapter summarizes the anatomic and radiologic characteristics of the venous supply of the supratentorial compartment of the brain, reviews its general characteristics, sheds light on the different classifications and nomenclature used for its descriptions, and briefly discusses its embryologic development.

Clinical potential of meningioma genomic insights: a practical review for neurosurgeons

Meningiomas are among the most common intracranial pathological conditions, accounting for 36% of intracranial lesions treated by neurosurgeons. Although the majority of these lesions are benign, the classical categorization of tumors by histological type or World Health Organization (WHO) grade has not fully captured the potential for meningioma progression and recurrence. Many targeted treatments have failed to generate a long-lasting effect on these tumors. Recently, several seminal studies evaluating the genomics of intracranial meningiomas have rapidly changed the understanding of the disease. The importance of NF2 (neurofibromin 2), TRAF7 (tumor necrosis factor [TNF] receptor-associated factor 7), KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4), AKT1, SMO (smoothened), PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha), and POLR2 (RNA polymerase II subunit A) demonstrates that there are at least 6 distinct mutational classes of meningiomas. In addition, 6 methylation classes of meningioma have been appreciated, enabling improved prediction of prognosis compared with traditional WHO grades. Genomic studies have shed light on the nature of recurrent meningioma, distinct intracranial locations and mutational patterns, and a potential embryonic cancer stem cell-like origin. However, despite these exciting findings, the clinical relevance of these findings remains elusive. The authors review the key findings from recent genomic studies in meningiomas, specifically focusing on how these findings relate to clinical insights for the practicing neurosurgeon.

Petroclival meningiomas: radiological features essential for surgeons

Petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) have always been a challenge for surgeons because of their difficult anatomical location. The role of radiology in providing precise indications regarding the tumour site and aggressiveness plays a major part in guiding the subsequent therapeutic process. The purpose of this review is to provide a set of the main radiological features helpful in the management of PCMs towards the most correct therapeutic approach.

We aim to offer a radiological overview to allow the patient to be directed to surgery with the least possible risk of complications.

Superior Sagittal Sinus: A Review of the History, Surgical Considerations, and Pathology

A systematic PubMed and Google Scholar search for studies related to the anatomy, history, surgical approaches, complications, and diseases of the superior sagittal sinus was performed. The purpose of this review is to elucidate some of the more recent advances of our understanding of this structure. One of the earliest anatomical landmarks to be described, the superior sagittal sinus (SSS, sinus sagittalis superior (Latin); "sagittalis" Latin for 'arrow' and "sinus" Latin for 'recess, bend, or bay') has been defined and redefined by the likes of Vesalius and Cushing. A review of the various methods of approaching pathology of the SSS is discussed, as well as the historical discovery of these methods. Disease states that were emphasized include invasion of the SSS by meningioma, as well as thrombosis and vascular malformations.

Voxel-based lesion mapping of meningioma: a comprehensive lesion location mapping of 260 lesions

OBJECTIVE In the present study the authors aimed to determine preferred locations of meningiomas by avoiding descriptive analysis and instead using voxel-based lesion mapping and 3D image-rendering techniques. METHODS Magnetic resonance images obtained in 248 treatment-naïve meningioma patients with 260 lesions were retrospectively and consecutively collected. All images were registered to a 1-mm isotropic, high-resolution, T1-weighted brain atlas provided by the Montreal Neurological Institute (the MNI152), and a lesion frequency map was created, followed by 3D volume rendering to visualize the preferred locations of meningiomas in 3D. RESULTS The 3D lesion frequency map clearly showed that skull base structures such as parasellar, sphenoid wing, and petroclival regions were commonly affected by the tumor. The middle one-third of the superior sagittal sinus was most commonly affected in parasagittal tumors. Substantial lesion accumulation was observed around the leptomeninges covering the central sulcus and the sylvian fissure, with very few lesions observed at the frontal, parietal, and occipital convexities. CONCLUSIONS Using an objective visualization method, meningiomas were shown to be located around the middle third of the superior sagittal sinus, the perisylvian convexity, and the skull base. These observations, which are in line with previous descriptive analyses, justify further use of voxel-based lesion mapping techniques to help understand the biological nature of this disease.

Evaluation of anterior third of superior sagittal sinus in normal population: Identifying the subgroup with dominant drainage

BACKGROUND/OBJECT

The ligation and transection of anterior third of superior sagittal sinus (AT-SSS) is an important step to approach anterior skull base lesions. Some clinical studies have shown frontal lobe venous infarct following such surgical procedures questioning the safety of its ligation. We have studied the variations in venous drainage patterns to AT-SSS in the normal population using postcontrast magnetic resonance venogram (MRV). A novel scoring system to recognize the subgroup with dominant venous drainage from frontal lobes has been described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 60 three-dimensional contrast-enhanced (CE) MRVs were obtained from those cases being evaluated for a headache not harboring any intracranial mass lesion. The AT-SSS with all its draining veins was studied in detail. Morphology of individual veins such as length, caliber, tributaries, and angulation with AT-SSS was studied, and a numerical value of 0 or 1 was assigned for each of the above parameters. Summing up these scores derived from the individual cortical veins quantified the drainage of AT-SSS.

RESULTS

There are 3-4 veins on either side draining to AT-SSS. Barely, 3% of the veins had > 3 tributaries. Only 6.6% of veins had a caliber >3 mm, and 16.5% drained at acute angles to AT-SSS. About 26% of the veins did cross at least half of the lateral frontal lobe. We found in 26 individuals the AT-SSS score was 0-2, in 22 it was 3-5 and, in only in 12 (20%) the score was 6 or more (dominant drainage).

CONCLUSION

There are anatomical variations in venous drainage of frontal lobes into AT-SSS. Those with dominant drainage are likely to develop venous congestion and complications if sacrificed. It is possible to identify these individuals on the basis of venous drainage pattern as shown in CE-MRV.

The historical origin of the term "meningioma" and the rise of nationalistic neurosurgery

The historical origin of the meningioma nomenclature unravels interesting social and political aspects about the development of neurosurgery in the late 19th century. The meningioma terminology itself was the subject of nationalistic pride and coincided with the advancement in the rise of medicine in Continental Europe as a professional social enterprise. Progress in naming and understanding these types of tumor was most evident in the nations that successively assumed global leadership in medicine and biomedical science throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, that is, France, Germany, and the United States. In this vignette, the authors delineate the uniqueness of the term "meningioma" as it developed within the historical framework of Continental European concepts of tumor genesis, disease states, and neurosurgery as an emerging discipline culminating in Cushing's Meningiomas text. During the intellectual apogee of the French Enlightenment, Antoine Louis published the first known scientific treatise on meningiomas. Like his father, Jean-Baptiste Louis, Antoine Louis was a renowned military surgeon whose accomplishments were honored with an admission to the Académie royale de chirurgie in 1749. His treatise, Sur les tumeurs fongueuses de la duremère, appeared in 1774. Following this era, growing economic depression affecting a frustrated bourgeoisie triggered a tumultuous revolutionary period that destroyed France's Ancien Régime and abolished its university and medical systems. The resulting anarchy was eventually quelled through legislation aiming to satisfy Napoleon's need for qualified military professionals, including physicians and surgeons. These laws laid the foundations for the subsequent flourishing of French medicine throughout the mid-19th century. Subsequent changes to the meningioma nomenclature were authored by intellectual giants of this postrevolutionary period, for example, by the Limogesborn pathologist Jean Cruveilhier known for the term "tumeurs cancéreuses de la duremère," and the work of histopathologists, such as Hermann Lebert, who were influenced by Pasteur's germ theory and by Bernard's experimental medicine. The final development of the meningioma nomenclature corresponded to the rise of American neurosurgery as a formal academic discipline. This historical period of growth is chronicled in Cushing's text Meningiomas, and it set the scientific stage for the modern developments in meningioma research and surgery that are conducted and employed today.

Molecular biology of unreresectable meningiomas: implications for new treatments and review of the literature

Even though meningiomas are most often benign tumors, they can be locally invasive and can develop in locations that prevent surgical treatment. The molecular and biologic factors underlying meningioma development are only now beginning to be understood. Genetic factors such as mutations in the neurofibromatosis-2 gene and in chromosomes 1, 9, and 10 play important roles in meningioma development and may be responsible for atypical tumors in some cases. Cellular factors such as telomerase activation and tyrosine kinase receptor mutations may also play an important role. Finally, autocrine and paracrine factors including epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor-1, and fibroblast growth factor have been implicated in the development of some tumors. Although the relationship between the various factors implicated in tumor development is unknown, understanding these factors will be critical in the treatment of malignant or surgically inaccessible tumors.

"No performance in surgery more interesting and satisfactory": Harvey Cushing and his experience with spinal cord tumors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital

Although Harvey Cushing was a neurosurgical pioneer, his work on the spine remains largely unknown. In fact, other than his own publications, Cushing's patients with pathological lesions of the spine who were treated while he was at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, including those with spinal cord tumors, have never been previously described. The authors report on 7 patients with spinal cord tumors that Cushing treated surgically between 1898 and 1911: 2 extradural, 3 intradural extramedullary, and 2 intramedullary tumors. The authors also describe 10 patients in whom Cushing performed an "exploratory laminectomy" expecting to find a tumor, but in whom no oncological pathological entity was found. Cushing's spine surgeries were limited by challenges in making the correct diagnosis, lack of surgical precedent, and difficulty in achieving adequate intraoperative hemostasis. Other than briefly mentioning 2 of the 4 adult patients in his landmark monograph on meningiomas, these cases-both those involving tumors and those in which he performed exploratory laminectomies--have never been published before. Moreover, these cases illustrate the evolution that Harvey Cushing underwent as a spine surgeon.

"Fulfilling the chief of his duties as a physician": Harvey Cushing, selective dorsal rhizotomy and elective spine surgery for quality of life

At the beginning of the 20th century, the development of safer anesthesia, antiseptic techniques, and meticulous surgical dissection led to a substantial decrease in operative risk. In turn, the scope of surgery expanded to include elective procedures performed with the intention of improving the quality of life of patients. Between 1908 and 1912, Harvey Cushing performed 3 dorsal rhizotomies to improve the quality of life of 3 patients with debilitating neuralgia: a 54-year-old man with "lightning" radicular pain from tabes dorsalis, a 12-year-old boy cutaneous hyperesthesia and spasticity in his hemiplegic arm, and a 61-year-old man with postamputation neuropathic pain. Symptomatic improvement was seen postoperatively in the first 2 cases, although the third patient continued to have severe pain. Cushing also removed a prominent spinous process from each of 2 patients with debilitating headaches; both patients, however, experienced only minimal postoperative improvement. These cases, which have not been previously published, highlight Cushing's views on the role of surgery and illustrate the broader movement that occurred in surgery at the time, whereby elective procedures for quality of life became performed and accepted.

"No clinical puzzles more interesting": Harvey Cushing and spinal trauma, the Johns Hopkins Hospital 1896-1912

Although Harvey Cushing played a central role in the establishment of neurosurgery in the United States, his work on the spine remains largely unknown. This article is not only the first time that Cushing's spinal cases while he was at Johns Hopkins have been reported, but also the first time his management of spinal trauma has been described. We report on 12 patients that Cushing treated from 1898 to 1911 who have never been reported before, including blunt and penetrating injuries, complete and incomplete spinal cord lesions, and both immediate and delayed presentations. Cushing performed laminectomies within 24 hours on patients with immediate presentations-both complete and incomplete spinal cord lesions. Among those with delayed presentations, Cushing did laminectomies on patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. By the end of his tenure at Hopkins, Cushing advocated nonoperative treatment for all patients with complete spinal cord lesions. Four patients died while an inpatient, with meningitis and cystitis leading to the death of 1 and 3 patients, respectively. Cystitis was treated with intravesicular irrigation; an indwelling catheter was placed by a suprapubic cystostomy in four. Cushing was one of the first to report the use of x-ray in a spine patient, in a case that may have been one factor leading to his interest in the nervous system; Cushing also routinely obtained radiographs in those with spinal trauma. These cases illustrate Cushing's dedication to and rapport with his patients, even in the face of a dismal prognosis.

Transient neurologic deterioration after total removal of parasagittal meningioma including completely occluding superior sagittal sinus

In surgical planning of the parasagittal meningioma, invasion and occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus are important factors. When tumor is located within anterior 1/3, or when angiographic finding shows total occlusion of superior sagittal sinus, it is regarded that the ligation of superior sagittal sinus is safe. We report a case of parasagittal meningioma in 59-year-old male patient with complete occlusion of superior sagittal sinus which was confirmed by preoperative angiography, who developed temporary neurologic deterioration after superior sagittal sinus ligation and resection.

Secretory meningioma of the middle ear: a light microscopic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of one case

A 66-year-old woman was referred with left hearing loss. A probable diagnosis of left secretory otitis media with effusion was formulated. A left myringotomy was performed to remove hyperplastic hard tissue from the tympanic cavity. A high resolution CT scan of the temporal bone disclosed a soft-tissue mass completely involving the mastoid and tympanic cavity, surrounding the ossicular chain which appeared spared with no signs of infiltration. The histopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural response was secretory meningioma, a rare variant of conventional meningothelial meningioma in atypical sites.

Sphenoorbital meningiomas: surgical limitations and lessons learned in their long-term management

OBJECT

Sphenoorbital meningiomas (SOMs) are complex tumors involving the sphenoid wing, orbit, and cavernous sinus, which makes their complete resection difficult or impossible. Sphenoidal hyperostosis that results in incomplete resection makes these tumors prone to high rates of recurrence with postoperative morbidity resulting in a nonfunctional globe. High-dose radiation therapy has often been described as the only treatment capable of achieving tumor control, although often at the expense of the patient's progressive visual deterioration.

METHODS

This series consisted of 25 patients who were retrospectively analyzed over a 12-year period. Visual function was evaluated pre- and postoperatively in all patients. A standardized surgical approach to a frontotemporal craniotomy and orbitozygomatic osteotomy with intra- and extradural drilling of the optic canal and all the hyperostotic bone was performed. Orbital and cranial reconstruction was performed in all patients. The follow-up period was 6 months to 12 years (average 5 years). The patients presented with the classic triad of SOM: proptosis (86%), visual impairment (78%), and ocular paresis (20%). A gross-total resection was achieved in 70% of patients with surgery limited by the superior orbital fissure and the cavernous sinus. Proptosis improved in 96% of patients with 87% improvement in visual function. Ocular paresis improved in 68%, although 20% of patients experienced a temporary ocular paresis postoperatively. There were no perioperative deaths or morbidity related to the surgical approach or reconstruction. Ninety-five percent of patients reported an improved functional orbit. There was tumor recurrence in 8% of patients; in one case recurrence was delayed for longer than 11 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Sphenoorbital meningiomas are a distinct category of tumors complicated by potentially extensive hyperostosis of the skull base. Successful resection requires extensive intra- and extradural surgery, necessitating drilling of the optic canal and an orbital osteotomy within anatomical limitations. The bone resection requires reconstruction with autograft, allografts, or alloplast for improved orbital function. All aspects of the clinical triad improved. A radical resection can be achieved with low morbidity, providing a significantly improved clinical outcome in the long-term period.