PURPOSE: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and simultaneously having brain metastases at the initial diagnosis, presenting symptoms related brain metastasis, survived shorter duration and showed poor quality of life. We analyzed our experiences on surgical treatment of brain metastasis in patients with NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective review of 36 patients with NSCLC and synchronous brain metastases between April 2006 and December 2011. Patients were categorized according to the presence of neurological symptoms and having a brain surgery. As a result, 14 patients did not show neurological symptoms and 22 patients presented neurological symptoms. Symptomatic 22 patients were divided into two groups according to undergoing brain surgery (neurosurgery group; n=11, non-neurosurgery group; n=11). We analyzed overall surgery (OS), intracranial progression-free survival (PFS), and quality of life. RESULTS: Survival analysis showed there was no difference between patients with neurosurgery (OS, 12.1 months) and non-neurosurgery (OS, 10.2 months; p=0.550). Likewise for intracranial PFS, there was no significant difference between patients with neurosurgery (PFS, 6.3 months) and non-neurosurgery (PFS, 5.3 months; p=0.666). Reliable neurological one month follow up by the Medical Research Council neurological function evaluation scale were performed in symptomatic 22 patients. The scale improved in eight (73%) patients in the neurosurgery group, but only in three (27%) patients in the non-neurosurgery group (p=0.0495). CONCLUSION: Patients with NSCLC and synchronous brain metastases, presenting neurological symptoms showed no survival benefit from neurosurgical resection, although quality of life was improved due to early control of neurological symptoms.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Neoplasms/physiopathology/*secondary/*surgery ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality/*pathology ; Demography ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cardioprotective effects of dexrazoxane (DEX) on breast cancer patients who received anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.

METHODSA total of 122 breast cancer patients after operation were randomly divided into two groups: The experimental group of 61 cases treated with EPI plus DEX (DEX:EPI = 10:1) as adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, and the control group of 61 cases treated with EPI but without DEX. All patients received four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy and their changes of specific cardiac functional status and hematology status before and after chemotherapy, as well as non-cardiac toxicity were observed and analyzed.

RESULTSBrain natriuretic peptide (BNP) before chemotherapy and after four cycles of chemotherapy in the control group was (106.78 ± 4.52)×10(-6) µg/ml and (187.19 ± 8.71)×10(-6) µg/ml, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). It in the experimental group was (102.34 ± 8.76)×10(-6) µg/ml and (105.29 ± 7.21)×10(-6) µg/ml, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) before chemotherapy and after four cycles of chemotherapy in the control group was (12.55 ± 2.73)×10(-3) µg/ml and ( 31.05 ± 7.10 )×10(-3) µg/ml, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). It in the experimental group was (12.70 ± 2.15)×10(-3) µg/ml and (13.65 ± 7.82)×10(-3) µg/ml, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The hart rate (HR) before chemotherapy and after four cycles of chemotherapy in the control group, was 75.32 ± 7.14 bpm and 89.60 ± 9.21 bpm, respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). It in the experimental group was 78.60 ± 6.29 bpm and 83.10 ± 7.56 bpm, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before chemotherapy and after four cycles of chemotherapy in the control group was (65.23 ± 7.82)% and (55.21 ± 7.23)%, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). It in the experimental group was (64.12 ± 6.25)% and (59.6 ± 4.72)%, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The absolute neutrophil count before chemotherapy and after four cycles of chemotherapy in the control group was (3.95 ± 1.36)×10(9)/L and (3.50 ± 1.52)×10(9)/L, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). It in the experimental group, was (4.96 ± 1.41)×10(9)/L and (3.10 ± 1.26)×10(9)/L, respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The incidence of grade I-IV bone marrow suppression in the experimental group was 21.3%, 16.4%, 24.6%, and 4.9%, respectively. It in the control group was 16.4%, 11.5%, 9.8%, and 5.5%, respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCardiac toxicity after anthracycline treatment in breast cancer patients may be significantly reduced by DEX, without increase of non-cardiac and and non-hematologic toxicity. DEX combined with anthracycline increases the risk of bone marrow suppression, therefore, peripheral blood picture should be monitored or routine bone marrow support may be needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Cardiovascular Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Epirubicin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; metabolism ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; Razoxane ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Stroke Volume ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of subarachnoid space protection in intracranial operation. METHODS: Data collected from 156 consecutive cranial operations, in which subarachnoid space protective technology was prophylacticly used, were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had a postoperative fever for more than 1 week and 16 patients who required lumbar puncture to release blood contaminated cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) or exclude meningitis. All except 3 patients were discharged as expected. No patients had symptomatic vasospasm and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION The subarachnoid space protective technology has good effect on preventing postoperative fever and improving the outcome of patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniotomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Subarachnoid Space ; physiopathology ; Vasospasm, Intracranial ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the serum level of S100 calcium-binding protein beta (S100beta) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients undergoing craniocerebral tumor operation.

METHODSA total of 32 patients, who would go through craniocerebral tumor resection under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to two groups, 16 in each group. Patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received electroacupuncture on Fengfu acupoint (Du16) and Fengchi acupoint (GB20) for 30 min, 2 h before operation. The stimulus is 1-4 mA with a density wave frequency of 2/15 Hz. Patients in the control group received no pretreatment. Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil at the dose of 4-8 mg/kg per hour, pumped intravenous drip of vecuronium at 1.0-2.0 microg/kg each hour, and discontinuous intravenous dripped with vecuronium bromide at 0.5-1 mg. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE were measured with ELISA before operation, before skin incision, after tumor removal, at the end of operation, and at 24 h after operation.

RESULTSThe serum level of S100beta and NSE did not change before skin incision. The serum level of NSE increased significantly and the level of S100beta increased insignificantly after the tumor resection. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group and the control group were 1.16+/-0.28 microg/L vs 1.47+/- 0.33 microg/L, 24.7+/-13.3 microg/L vs 31.4+/-14.1 microg/L at the end of the operation, respectively. Twenty-four h after operation, the correspondence indices were 1.18+/-0.31 microg/L vs 1.55+/-0.26 microg/L, and 25.5+/-12.4 microg/L vs 32.4+/- 11.7 microg/L. The two indices at these two time points were significantly increased than those before operation, respectively (P<0.05). At the end of the operation and 24 h post-operation, the serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture Fengchi and Fengfu for 30 min before craniocerbral tumor operation could decrease the serum level of S100beta and NSE, thus may have potential protective effect on brain damage, which needs to be further studied.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Demography ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Time Factors

We report a case of acute comitant esotropia in a child with a cerebellar tumor. A 3-year-old boy was referred for management of a 9 month history of acute acquired comitant esotropia. On first presentation, the patient's angle of esodeviation was 50 prism-diopters (PD) at distance and near fixation without any lateral incomitance. The cycloplegic refraction revealed +0.75 diopters in both eyes. Very mild bilateral papilledema was found on the fundus examination, but the neurological examination did not reveal any other pathological findings. Brain MRI showed a 5 cm mass located in the midline of the cerebellum as well as hydrocephalus. The mass was completely excised and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pilocytic astrocytoma. Despite neurosurgery, the patient's strabismus remained unresolved. One year after neurosurgery, both medial rectus muscles were surgically recessed by 6 mm, resulting in esotropia of 8PD at distant and near fixation without restoration of bifoveal fusion at follow-up 2 years after the eye muscle surgery. Therefore, acute onset comitant esotropia in a child can be the first sign of a cerebellar tumor, even without any other neurological signs and symptoms.
Acute Disease ; Astrocytoma/*complications/surgery ; Brain/pathology ; Cerebellar Neoplasms/*complications/diagnosis/surgery ; Child, Preschool ; Esotropia/*etiology/pathology/physiopathology/surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Oculomotor Muscles/surgery ; Refraction, Ocular ; Time Factors

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

Acupuncture Analgesia ; methods ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; methods ; Brain Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glioma ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONResection or even biopsy of an intra-axial mass lesion in close relationship to eloquent cortex carries a major risk of neurological deficit. We review the safety and effectiveness of craniotomy under local anaesthesia and monitored conscious sedation for resection of mass lesions involving eloquent cortex.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe performed a 3-year retrospective review of patients who underwent awake craniotomy under local anaesthesia at the National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore. All patients had tumours in close proximity to eloquent cortex, including speech areas in the dominant hemisphere as well as primary sensory and motor cortex in either hemisphere. Brain mapping was performed by direct cortical stimulation using the Ojemann stimulator to identify a safe corridor for surgical approach to the tumour. Intraoperative physiological monitoring was carried out by assessment of speech, motor and sensory functions during the process of surgical resection. All resections were evaluated and verified by postoperative imaging and reviewed by an independent assessor. Postoperative complications and neurological deficits, as well as extent of tumour resection, were evaluated.

RESULTSA total of 20 patients underwent stereotactic resection over a period of 3 years from July 2003 to August 2006. There were 7 male patients and 13 female patients, with a mean age of 39.8 years. The average length of stay was 5.5 days. There were no major anaesthetic complications and no perioperative deaths. Postoperative neurological deficits were seen in 6 patients (30%) and this was permanent in only 1 patient (5%). The degree of cytoreduction achieved was greater than 90% in 58% of patients and a further 21% had greater than 80% cytoreduction.

CONCLUSIONTumour surgery with conscious sedation in combination with frameless computer stereotactic guidance is a safe technique that allows maximal resection of lesions in close relationship to eloquent cortex and has a low risk of neurological deficit.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Child ; Conscious Sedation ; Craniotomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Perioperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore

Brain ; physiopathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Cognition Disorders ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Oxygen ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of preoperative blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) to identify the relationship between motor cortical area, pyramidal tracts with brain gliomas in neurosurgical treatment of intraoperative electrical stimulation for gliomas involving motor areas at 3T.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with brain gliomas involving motor areas were included. They underwent MRI examination, which included conventional T1WI, T2WI, BOLD-fMRI of bilateral hands movement paradigm and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The data of BOLD-fMRI and DTI were transferred to the workstation (Leonardo syngo 2003A, Siemens) and analyzed. Activation mapping of hands movement, fractional Anisotropy (FA) Color and three dimensional pyramidal tracts were produced. The relationship between motor cortical area, pyramidal tracts and brain gliomas was demonstrated, which was used to optimize the pre-surgical planning. With guidance of the result of BOLD-fMRI and DTT, all patients received microsurgery under anaesthesia retaining consciousness using intraoperative motor functional brain mapping with the method of direct electrical stimulations. The brain lesions were removed as far as possible in the case of eloquent areas and sub-cortical important white matters preservation. The preoperative and postoperative KPS of all patients were operated to evaluate the state of patients.

RESULTSBOLD-fMRI, DTI were performed successfully in 28 patients. The relationship between the primary motor cortex, premotor area, supplementary motor area, pyramidal tracts and brain gliomas localized by preoperative fMRI and DTI. Under anaesthesia retaining consciousness, the primary motor area was monitored by the method of direct electrical stimulations with the guidance of preoperative BOLD-fMRI. There was good correlation between preoperative fMRI and intraoperative cortical stimulation. Furthermore, the preoperative mappings and DTT could make up for the un-monitored motor areas and pyramidal tracts during operative cortical stimulation. Comparing the preoperative KPS, the postoperative KPS was advanced.

CONCLUSIONSBOLD-fMRI and DTT could non-invasively localize the relationship between brain motor cortex, pyramidal tracts and brain gliomas in vivo to optimize the surgical planning, guide the microsurgery under anaesthesia retaining consciousness using intraoperative motor functional brain mapping with the method of direct electrical stimulations and remove brain tumors as far as possible in the case of eloquent areas and sub-cortical important white matters preservation.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Glioma ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; methods