BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with glioma experience a high symptom burden and have diverse palliative care needs. However, the assessment scales used in palliative care remain non-standardized and highly heterogeneous. To evaluate the application patterns of the current scales used in palliative care for glioma, we aim to identify gaps and assess the need for disease-specific scales in glioma palliative care. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of five databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL for quantitative studies that reported scale-based assessments in glioma palliative care. We extracted data on scale characteristics, domains, frequency, and psychometric properties. Quality assessments were performed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. RESULTS: Of the 3,405 records initially identified, 72 studies were included. These studies contained 75 distinct scales that were used 193 times. Mood (21.7%), quality of life (24.4%), and supportive care needs (5.2%) assessments were the most frequently assessed items, exceeding half of all scale applications. Among the various assessment dimensions, the Distress Thermometer (DT) was the most frequently used tool for assessing mood, while the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was the most frequently used tool for assessing quality of life. The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was the most common tool for cognitive assessment. Performance status (5.2%) and social support (6.8%) were underrepresented. Only three brain tumor-specific scales were identified. Caregiver-focused scales were limited and predominantly burden-oriented. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant heterogeneity, domain imbalances, and validation gaps in the current use of assessment scales for patients with glioma receiving palliative care. The scale selected for use should be comprehensive and user-friendly.
Humans ; Glioma/psychology* ; Palliative Care/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Psychometrics ; Brain Neoplasms/psychology*

Gliomas are malignant primary brain tumors and yet incurable. Palliation and the maintenance or improvement of the patient's quality of life is therefore of main importance. For that reason, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important outcome measure in clinical trials, next to traditional outcome measures such as overall and progression-free survivals, and radiological response to treatment. HRQoL is a multidimensional concept covering physical, psychological, and social domains, as well as symptoms induced by the disease and its treatment. HRQoL is assessed by using self-reported, validated questionnaires. Various generic HRQoL questionnaires, which can be supplemented with a brain tumor- specific module, are available. Both the tumor and its treatment can have a negative effect on HRQoL. However, treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and supportive treatment may also improve patients' HRQoL, in addition to extending survival. It is expected that the impact of HRQoL measurements in both clinical trials and clinical practice will increase. Hence, it is important that HRQoL data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted correctly. Methodological issues such as selection bias and missing data may hamper the interpretation of HRQoL data and should therefore be accounted. In clinical trials, HRQoL can be used to assess the benefits of a new treatment strategy, which should be weighed carefully against the adverse effects of that treatment. In daily clinical practice, HRQoL assessments of an individual patient can be used to inform physicians about the impact of a specific treatment strategy, and it may facilitate the communication between the physicians and the patients.
Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Glioma ; pathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Health Status ; Humans ; Neoplasm Grading ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDTumor surgery in brain motor functional areas remains challenging. Novel techniques are being developed to gain maximal and safe resection for brain tumor surgery. Herein, we assessed the magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) and fluorescein sodium dyeing (FLS) guiding technique for surgery of glioma located in brain motor functional areas.

METHODSTotally 83 patients were enrolled according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria (56 patients in experimental group, 27 patients in control group). In the experimental group, the surgical approach was designed by DTI imaging, which showed the relationship between the tumor and motor tract. The range of resection in the operation was determined using the FLS-stained area, which recognized the tumor and its infiltrated tissue. The traditional routine method was used in the control group. Postoperatively, all patients underwent enhanced brain MRI within 72 hours to ascertain the extent of resection. Patients were followed in our outpatient clinic over 6 - 24 months. Neurological deficits and Karnofsky scoring (KPS) were evaluated.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in balance test indexes of preoperative data (sex, age, lesion location and volume, and neurological deficits before operation) and diagnosis of histopathology between the two groups. There was a trend in the experimental group for greater rates of gross total resection (80.4% vs. 40.7%), and the paralysis rate caused by surgery was lower in experimental (25.0%) vs. control (66.7%) groups (P < 0.05). The 6-month KPS in the low-grade and high-grade gliomas was 91 ± 11 and 73 ± 26, respectively, in the experimental group vs. 82 ± 9 and 43 ± 27, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONSMR-DTI and FLS dye guiding for surgery of glioma located in brain motor functional areas can increase the gross total resection rate, decrease the paralysis rate caused by surgery, and improve patient quality of life compared with traditional glioma surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Glioma ; pathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Cortex ; pathology ; Muscle Strength ; Prognosis

BACKGROUNDRecent advances on functional mapping have enabled us to conduct surgery on gliomas within the eloquent area. The objective of the article is to discuss the feasibility of a planned fractionated strategy of resection on low-grade gliomas (LGGs) involving Broca's area. We report the first surgical series of planned fractionated resections on LGGs within Broca's area, focusing on language functional reshaping.

METHODSFour patients were treated with fractionated operations for LGGs involving Broca's area. All cases underwent conventional magnetic resonance (MR) scanning, language functional MR and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) before operation. The resections were then performed on patients under awake anesthesia using intraoperative electrical stimulation (IES) for functional mapping. Pre- and post-operative neuro-psychological examinations were evaluated.

RESULTSTotal resections were achieved in all cases as confirmed by the postoperative control MR. After transient language worsening, all patients recovered to normal 3-6 months later. Language functional MR scannings have shown language functional cortical and subcortical pathway reorganization (in the perilesion or contra-lateral hemisphere) after the operation. All patients returned to a normal socioprofessional life.

CONCLUSIONSBy utilizing the dynamic interaction between brain plasticity and fractionated resections, we can totally remove the tumor involving Broca's structure without inducing permanent postoperative deficits and even improve the quality of life.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Glioma ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neuropsychological Tests

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance(MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) map in the evaluation of brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed perfusion MR imaging preoperatively in the consecutive 15 patients with intracranial masses (3 meningiomas, 2 glioblastoma multiformes, 3 low grade gliomas, 1 lymphoma, 1 germinoma, 1 neurcyotma, 1 metastasis, 2 abscesses, 1 radionecrosis ). The averages age of the patients was 42 years (22yr-68yr), composed of 10 males and 5 females. All MR images were obtained at 1.5T imager(Signa, GE Medical systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The regional CBV map was obtained on the theoretical basis of susceptibility difference induced by first pass circulation of contrast media.(contrast media: 15cc of gadopentate dimeglumine, about 2ml/sec by hand, staring at 10 second after first baseline scan). For each patient, a total of 480 images (6 slices, 80 images/slice in 160 sec) were obtained by using gradient echo(GE) single shot echo-planar image(EPI) sequence (TR 2000ms, TE 50ms, flip angle 90degree, FOV 240x240, matrix 128x128, slice-thick/gap 5/2.5). After data collection, the raw data were transferred to GE workstation and rCBV maps were generated from the numerical integration of deltaR2* on a voxel by voxel basis, with home made software(deltaR2*=-ln(S/S0/TE). For easy visual interpretation, relative RGB color coding with reference to the normal white matter was applied and color rCBV maps were obtained. The findings of perfusion MR image were retrospectively correlated with Gd-enhanced images with focus on the degree and extent of perfusin and contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Two cases of glioblastoma multiforme with rim enhancement on Gd-enhanced T1 weighed image showed increased perfusion in the peripheral rim and decreased perfusion in the central necrosis portion. The low grade gliomas appeared as a low perfusion area with poorly defined margin, In 2 cases of brain abscess, the degree of perfusion was similar to that of the normal white matter in the peripheral enhancing rim and was low in the central portion. All meningiomas showed diffuse homogeneous increased perfusion moderate or high degree. One each of lymphoma and germinoma showed homogenously decreased perfusion with well defined margin. The central neurocytoma showed multifocal increased perfusion areas of moderate or high degree. A few nodules of the multiple metastasis showed increased perfusion of moderate degree. One radionecrosis revealed multiple foci of increased perfusion within the area of decreased perfusion. CONCLUSION: The rCBV map appears to correlate well with the perfusion state of brain tumor, and may be helpful in discrimination between low grade and high grade glioma. The further study is needed to clarify the role of perfusion MR image in the evaluation of brain tumor.
Abscess ; Blood Volume ; Brain Abscess ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Clinical Coding ; Data Collection ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Germinoma ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma ; Hand ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Meningioma ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neurocytoma ; Perfusion* ; Retrospective Studies

We present 10 patients who underwent temporal lobe surgery for seizure control on our institution between December, 1992 and October, 1994. Preoperative neuroimaging studies of all 10 patients showed calcified mass lesions within the temporal lobe. Among them, 5 cases had mesial temporal calcified mass close to the hippocampus, 3 diffuse mass in the temporal lobe or multilobes and 2 in the temporal tip. All patients presented with complex partial seizure and seven had secondary generalization from their seizures. The duration of epileptic seizure varied between 4 and 23 years(mean 13 year). The patients were refractory to therapeutic levels of anticonvulsant medication. Presurgical evaluations of epilepsy included a detailed clinical history, multiple scalp/shenoidal EEG, prolonged Video-EEG monitoring, neuroimaging, neuropsychological test, WADA test and invasive study with subdural strip electrodes. Anterior temporal lobectomy with lesionectomy were performed in six cases and anterior temporal lobectomy in four cases using intraoperative electrocorticography(EcoG) and/or functional mapping under local or general anesthesia. The extent of resection of amygdala and hippocampus were determined according to electrocorticographic findings. The verified histopathology of the calcified lesions revealed 1 oligodendroglioma, 1 mixed glioma, 1 arterioveous malformation, 1 paragonimiasis, 2 neurocysticercosis, 1 other parasitic granuloma and 3 calcified fibrous nodule. In four patients, severe hippocampal sclerosis with neuronal cell loss and gliosis were observed. After a mean postoperative follow-up of 9 months, 9 patients showed a seizure-free outcome and one patient a significant reduction in seizure activity. We conclude from our studies that temporal lobe surgery for patients refractory to therapeutic levels of long-term anticonvulsant medication can result in excellent postoperative seizure-free outcome in the majority of the patients, and that brain tumors, vascular malformations, and parasitic infections may be considered as etiologic factors of calcified mass lesions in the temporal lobe of such patients.
Amygdala ; Anesthesia, General ; Anterior Temporal Lobectomy ; Brain Neoplasms ; Electrodes ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Glioma ; Gliosis ; Granuloma ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Neurocysticercosis ; Neuroimaging ; Neurons ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Oligodendroglioma ; Paragonimiasis ; Sclerosis ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe* ; Vascular Malformations