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Anaesthetics used during cancer surgery may influence tumour cells and immunological response. The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential influence of the anaesthetic method (inhaled anaesthetics versus total-intravenous anaesthesia using propofol) on recurrence-free and overall survival in glioblastoma patients. We retrospectively identified patients undergoing resection of contrast enhancing glioblastoma under general anaesthesia followed by standard adjuvant treatment between January 2010 and February 2017 at two University Hospitals. Matched pairs of patients receiving either balanced with volatile anaesthetics or total intravenous anaesthesia were generated according to the known prognostic factors (extent of resection, methyl-guanine-methyl-transferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, age, Karnofsky performance score). Groups were compared using chi-square and Whitney-Man-U test. Time to recurrence was calculated using Kaplan Meier estimates. Log Rank test was used to assess the influence of the anaesthetic method. One hundred and fifty-eight (79:79) patients were included. Groups showed no significant difference in recurrence-free (volatiles: 8.0 (95% CI 6.5-9.8) vs. propofol: 8.4 (95% CI 7.9-10.1) months; p = 0.54) or overall survival (propofol: 17.4 (95% CI 14.0-20.7) vs. volatiles: 16.9 (95% CI 13.9-20.1) months; p = 0.85). In contrast to potential beneficial effects in some other solid tumours, the choice of anaesthetic method had no impact on survival in patients with glioblastoma in a well-defined cohort.

Compression syndromes affecting the common fibular nerve are common and frequently caused by direct pressure upon the fibular tip region. Here, we describe a case of a 50-year-old male presenting with sudden foot drop, which had developed spontaneously. He was on oral anticoagulants due to hereditary thrombophilia (factor-V-Leiden). Neurophysiology examination revealed a common peroneal nerve lesion at the fibular tip. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a not further classifiable hyperintensity within the common peroneal nerve. Surgical exploration revealed a diffuse intraneural hematoma, which was not evacuated. During follow-up, the nerve function recovered almost completely. In retrospect, MRI findings indicated a hematoma supported by the history of anticoagulant medication.

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