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SUMMARYFocal symptomatic epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy that can often be cured with surgery. A small proportion of patients with focal symptomatic epilepsy do not have identifiable lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common pathology in this group is type II focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), which is a subtype of malformative brain lesion associated with medication-resistant epilepsy. We present a patient with MRI-negative focal symptomatic epilepsy who underwent invasive electrode recordings. At the time of surgery, a novel ultrasound-based technique called ShearWave Elastography (SWE) was performed. A 0.5 cc lesion was demonstrated on SWE but was absent on B-mode ultrasound and 3-T MRI. Electroencephalography (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) scans demonstrated an abnormality in the right frontal region. On the basis of this finding, a depth electrode was implanted into the lesion. Surgical resection and histology confirmed the lesion to be type IIb FCD.

ObjectivesPressures on healthcare systems due to COVID-19 has impacted patients without COVID-19 with surgery disproportionally affected. This study aims to understand the impact on the initial management of patients with brain tumours by measuring changes to normal multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision making.DesignA prospective survey performed in UK neurosurgical units performed from 23 March 2020 until 24 April 2020.SettingRegional neurosurgical units outside London (as the pandemic was more advanced at time of study).ParticipantsRepresentatives from all units were invited to collect data on new patients discussed at their MDT meetings during the study period. Each unit decided if management decision for each patient had changed due to COVID-19.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures included number of patients where the decision to undergo surgery changed compared with standard management usually offered by that MDT. Secondary outcome measures included changes in surgical extent, numbers referred to MDT, number of patients denied surgery not receiving any treatment and reasons for any variation across the UK.Results18 units (75%) provided information from 80 MDT meetings that discussed 1221 patients. 10.7% of patients had their management changed—the majority (68%) did not undergo surgery and more than half of this group not undergoing surgery had no active treatment. There was marked variation across the UK (0%–28% change in management). Units that did not change management could maintain capacity with dedicated oncology lists. Low volume units were less affected.ConclusionCOVID-19 has had an impact on patients requiring surgery for malignant brain tumours, with patients receiving different treatments—most commonly not receiving surgery or any treatment at all. The variations show dedicated cancer operating lists may mitigate these pressures.Study registrationThis study was registered with the Royal College of Surgeons of England’s COVID-19 Research Group (https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/coronavirus/rcs-covid-research-group/).

Hemilaminectomy is as effective an access procedure for the resection of unselected intraspinal tumours as laminectomy, but is associated with shorter post-operative stays, lower analgesic requirements and less post-operative kyphosis.

BackgroundThe clinical outcomes for brain tumor resection have been shown to be significantly improved with increased extent of resection. To achieve this, neurosurgeons employ different intra-operative tools to improve the extent of resection of brain tumors, including ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Young’s modulus (YM) of brain tumors have been shown to be different from normal brain but the accuracy of SWE in assisting brain tumor resection has not been reported.AimsTo determine the accuracy of SWE in detecting brain tumor residual using post-operative MRI scan as “gold standard”.MethodsThirty-four patients (aged 1–62 years, M:F = 15:20) with brain tumors were recruited into the study. The intraoperative SWE scans were performed using Aixplorer® (SuperSonic Imagine, France) using a sector transducer (SE12-3) and a linear transducer (SL15-4) with a bandwidth of 3 to 12 MHz and 4 to 15 MHz, respectively, using the SWE mode. The scans were performed prior, during and after brain tumor resection. The presence of residual tumor was determined by the surgeon, ultrasound (US) B-mode and SWE. This was compared with the presence of residual tumor on post-operative MRI scan.ResultsThe YM of the brain tumors correlated significantly with surgeons’ findings (ρ = 0.845, p < 0.001). The sensitivities of residual tumor detection by the surgeon, US B-mode and SWE were 36%, 73%, and 94%, respectively, while their specificities were 100%, 63%, and 77%, respectively. There was no significant difference between detection of residual tumor by SWE, US B-mode, and MRI. SWE and MRI were significantly better than the surgeon’s detection of residual tumor (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsSWE had a higher sensitivity in detecting residual tumor than the surgeons (94% vs. 36%). However, the surgeons had a higher specificity than SWE (100% vs. 77%). Therefore, using SWE in combination with surgeon’s opinion may optimize the detection of residual tumor, and hence improve the extent of brain tumor resection.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected cancer services. Our objective was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on decision making and the resulting outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent intracranial tumours. Methods We performed a multi-centre prospective study of all adult patients discussed in weekly neuro-oncology and skull base multidisciplinary team meetings who had a newly diagnosed or recurrent intracranial (excluding pituitary) tumour between 01 April and 31 May 2020. All patients had at least 30-day follow-up data. Descriptive statistical reporting was used. Results There were 1357 referrals for newly diagnosed or recurrent intracranial tumours across fifteen neuro-oncology centres. Of centres with all intracranial tumours, a change in initial management was reported in 8.6% of cases (n=104/1210). Decisions to change the management plan reduced over time from a peak of 19% referrals at the start of the study to 0% by the end of the study period. Changes in management were reported in 16% (n=75/466) of cases previously recommended for surgery and 28% of cases previously recommended for chemotherapy (n=20/72). The reported SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was similar in surgical and non-surgical patients (2.6% vs. 2.4%, p>0.9). Conclusions Disruption to neuro-oncology services in the UK caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was most marked in the first month, affecting all diagnoses. Patients considered for chemotherapy were most affected. In those recommended surgical treatment this was successfully completed. Longer-term outcome data will evaluate oncological treatments received by these patients and overall survival.

Constructive endovascular techniques remain the mainstay for the treatment of cavernous carotid aneurysms due to their efficacy. However, they do harbor risks of complications, such as thromboembolic events, arterial injuries, and vessel occlusions. A 58-year-old lady presented with delayed caroticocavernous fistula (CCF) 1 month after stent-assisted coil embolization of a cavernous carotid aneurysm (CCA). Following this, her caroticocavernous fistula resolved spontaneously with no further intervention. Our case demonstrates a unique presentation of a CCF as a delayed complication of stent-assisted coil embolization of CCA and the spontaneous resolution of the CCF. Symptomatic CCFs are commonly treated as an emergency in many institutions and the question arises as to whether we should adopt a conservative policy in the light of this case report.

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