Glioblastoma and intracranial aneurysms: Case report and review of literature

Rushna Ali, Aqueel Pabaney, Adam Robin, Horia Marin, Mark Rosenblum

Date of publication: 23-Apr-2015

Background:There is a paucity of data on the association of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with intracranial aneurysms. It is an important clinical entity for physicians to be aware of and its presence illustrates several critical features of the pathophysiology of malignant glioma. In this article we present a case of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) pseudoaneurysm that occurred in a patient with recurrent GBM as well discuss the current literature relating to this unique combination of pathologies.

Meningioma of the superior leaflet of the velum interpositum: A case report

Pierre-Olivier Champagne, Michel W. Bojanowski

Date of publication: 22-Apr-2015

Background:Meningiomas of the velum interpositum in the roof of the third ventricle are rare. Knowing from which leaflet the meningioma originates and thus its relationships with the internal cerebral and Galen veins, may help in choosing the surgical approach.

Intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina: Case report and literature review

Jonathan J. Liu, Darrin J. Lee, Lee-Way Jin, Kee D. Kim

Date of publication: 22-Apr-2015

Background:Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that rarely occur in the neuraxis. When encountered in the spine, prompt diagnosis and complete resection is crucial. On rare instances, these lesions can acutely hemorrhage, leading to sudden neurological decline. To date, there are only 16 reported cases of intradural capillary hemangiomas in the cauda equina.

Retrograde cysto-myelogram: Case Report

Jayson A. Neil, Dimitri Laurent, Kaushik Das, Hasit Mehta

Date of publication: 22-Apr-2015

Background:In the scenario of blunt trauma with suspected bladder injury, conventional retrograde cystography is the gold standard for accurate diagnosis.

High risk of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in surgery of a rare primary intraosseous cavernous hemangioma of the clivus showing meningeal infiltration: A case report and review of the literature

Lucas Serrano, Eleftherios Archavlis, Elke Januschek, Peter T. Ulrich

Date of publication: 22-Apr-2015

Background:Primary intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas (PICH) of the skull represent an infrequent bone tumor. Although some rare cases of PICHs located in the skull base have been published, to our concern only three cases have been reported in the English literature of PICHs arising within the clivus.

Meningiomatosis restricted to the left cerebral hemisphere with acute clinical deterioration: Case presentation and discussion of treatment options

Victoria Ohla, Christian Scheiwe

Date of publication: 20-Apr-2015

Background:True multiple meningiomas are defined as meningiomas occurring at several intracranial locations simultaneously without the presence of neurofibromatosis. Though the prognosis does not differ from benign solitary meningiomas, the simultaneous occurrence of different grades of malignancy has been reported in one-third of patients with multiple meningiomas. Due to its rarity, unclear etiology, and questions related to proper management, we are presenting our case of meningiomatosis and discuss possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Intracranial chordoma presenting as acute hemorrhage in a child: Case report and literature review

Kenneth A. Moore, Bradley N. Bohnstedt, Sanket U. Shah, Marwah M. Abdulkader, Jose M. Bonnin, Laurie L. Ackerman, Kashif A. Shaikh, Stephen F. Kralik, Mitesh V. Shah

Date of publication: 20-Apr-2015

Background:Chordomas are rare, slow-growing malignant neoplasms derived from remnants of the embryological notochord. Pediatric cases comprise only 5% of all chordomas, but more than half of the reported pediatric chordomas are intracranial. For patients of all ages, intracranial chordomas typically present with symptoms such as headaches and progressive neurological deficits occurring over several weeks to many years as they compress or invade local structures. There are only reports of these tumors presenting acutely with intracranial hemorrhage in adult patients.

Meningiomatosis restricted to the left cerebral hemisphere with acute clinical deterioration: Case presentation and discussion of treatment options

Victoria Ohla, Christian Scheiwe

Date of publication: 20-Apr-2015

Background:True multiple meningiomas are defined as meningiomas occurring at several intracranial locations simultaneously without the presence of neurofibromatosis. Though the prognosis does not differ from benign solitary meningiomas, the simultaneous occurrence of different grades of malignancy has been reported in one-third of patients with multiple meningiomas. Due to its rarity, unclear etiology, and questions related to proper management, we are presenting our case of meningiomatosis and discuss possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Cavernous malformation of the optic chiasm: An uncommon location

Concetta Alafaci, Giovanni Grasso, Francesca Granata, Mariano Cutugno, Daniele Marino, Francesco M. Salpietro, Francesco Tomasello

Date of publication: 16-Apr-2015

Background:Cavernous malformations (CMs) of the optic chiasm are rare lesions often presenting with acute chiasmal syndrome or a progressive visual loss. The case of a 48-year-old female with an intrachiasmatic CM is presented.

The role of metabolic therapy in treating glioblastoma multiforme

Joseph C. Maroon, Thomas N. Seyfried, Joseph P. Donohue, Jeffrey Bost

Date of publication: 16-Apr-2015

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and nearly uniformly fatal malignancy of the central nervous system. Despite extensive research and clinical trials over the past 50 years, very little progress has been made to significantly alter its lethal prognosis. The current standard of care (SOC) includes maximal surgical resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ), including the selective use of glucocorticoids for symptom control. These same treatments, however, have the potential to create an environment that may actually facilitate tumor growth and survival. Research investigating the unique metabolic needs of tumor cells has led to the proposal of a new metabolic treatment for various cancers including GBMs that may enhance the effectiveness of the SOC. The goal of metabolic cancer therapy is to restrict GBM cells of glucose, their main energy substrate. By recognizing the underlying energy production requirements of cancer cells, newly proposed metabolic therapy is being used as an adjunct to standard GBM therapies. This review will discuss the calorie restricted ketogenic diet (CR-KD) as a promising potential adjunctive metabolic therapy for patients with GBMs. The effectiveness of the CR-KD is based on the “Warburg Effect” of cancer metabolism and the microenvironment of GBM tumors. We will review recent case reports, clinical studies, review articles, and animal model research using the CR-KD and explain the principles of the Warburg Effect as it relates to CR-KD and GBMs.