Current treatment guidelines for the management of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) are far from definitive, and the prognosis remains dismal. Despite recent advancements in the pharmacological and surgical fields, numerous doubts persist concerning the optimal strategy that clinicians should adopt for patients who fail the first lines of treatment and present signs of progressive disease. With most recurrences being located within the margins of the previously resected lesion, a comprehensive molecular and genetic profiling of rGBM revealed substantial differences compared with newly diagnosed disease. In the present comprehensive review, we sought to examine the current treatment guidelines and the new perspectives that polarize the field of neuro-oncology, strictly focusing on progressive disease. For this purpose, updated PRISMA guidelines were followed to search for pivotal studies and clinical trials published in the last five years. A total of 125 articles discussing locoregional management, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy strategies were included in our analysis, and salient findings were critically summarized. In addition, an in-depth description of the molecular profile of rGBM and its distinctive characteristics is provided. Finally, we integrate the above-mentioned evidence with the current guidelines published by international societies, including AANS/CNS, EANO, AIOM, and NCCN.

Background: Spinal hemangioblastoma (HB) is a highly vascularized tumor commonly presenting in the lower thoracic and lumbar segments. It typically causes spinal compression, extensive bleeding, and/or syringomyelia. Case Description: A 32-year-old female presented with persistent headaches with a cervical MRI showing an intradural and extradural mass extending from the obex to C2. Following surgical tumor resection, the patient’s symptoms resolved. Conclusion: Resection of spinal HB requires direct removal of the tumor mass as the accompanying cystic components typically spontaneously regress.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a well-known brain dysfunction commonly encountered in activities such as military combat or collision sports. The etiopathology can vary depending on the context and bomb explosions are becoming increasingly common in war zones, urban terrorist attacks, and civilian criminal feuds. Blast-related TBI may cause the full severity range of neurotrauma, from a mild concussion to severe, penetrating injury. Recent classifications of the pathophysiological mechanisms comprise five factors that reflect the gravity of the experienced trauma and suggest to the clinician different pathways of injury and consequent pathology caused by the explosion. Case Description: In the present report, the authors describe a case of 26 years old presenting with blast-related severe TBI caused by the detonation of an explosive in an amusement arcade. Surgical decompression to control intracranial pressure and systemic antibiotic treatment to manage and prevent wound infections were the main options available in a civilian hospital. Conclusion: While numerous studies examined the burden of blast-related brain injuries on service members, few papers have tackled this problem in a civilian setting, where hospitals are not sufficiently equipped, and physicians lack the necessary training. The present case demonstrates the urgent need for evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic protocols in civilian hospitals that would improve the outcome of such patients.

Background: Subdural osteomas represent an extremely rare entity with only 20 cases described to date. Despite the typical benign behavior, these tumors can grow to compress the brain and occasionally detach from the dura mater. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After screening for duplicates, 179 publications met the eligibility criteria. Finally, 18 manuscripts were included in this review. Moreover, a detailed description of an illustrative case is provided. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 43.2 years, showing a female prevalence. The inner table of the frontal bone was reported as the most frequent location, and in six cases, the lesions did not show any relation with the dura, which appeared intact. Surgical resection appears to be an effective and safe management option. In the present work, the case of a 60-year-old female who presented with persistent, diffuse headaches which had first occurred 6 months earlier is described. On admission, the physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable, and her medical history disclosed no systemic disease, meningitis, or head injury. Computed tomography showed a homogeneous, high-density nodule attached to the inner table of the left middle cranial fossa. Conclusion: In addition to an in-depth case description, the first systematic and qualitative review of the literature on intracranial subdural osteomas using the PRISMA is provided.

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