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BACKGROUND: Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) is a dehiscence of the otic capsule which normally lies over the superior semicircular canal. This database constitutes the largest series of SSCD patients to date. OBJECTIVE: To determine what preoperative factors, if any, contribute to postoperative outcomes and evaluate symptom resolution in a large SSCD patient cohort. METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective chart review collected patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and pre-and postoperative symptoms. Fishers exact t-test was performed for unpaired categorical variables, with a significance level of p

Glioblastoma, a WHO grade IV astrocytoma, constitutes approximately half of malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Despite technological advancements and aggressive multimodal treatment, prognosis remains dismal. The highly vascularized nature of glioblastoma enables the tumor cells to grow and invade the surrounding tissue, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is a critical mediator of this process. Therefore, over the past decade, angiogenesis, and more specifically, the VEGF signaling pathway, has emerged as a therapeutic target for glioblastoma therapy. This led to the FDA approval of bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody designed against VEGF-A, for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Despite the promising preclinical data and its theoretical effectiveness, bevacizumab has failed to improve patients' overall survival. Furthermore, several other anti-angiogenic agents that target the VEGF signaling pathway have also not demonstrated survival improvement. This suggests the presence of other compensatory angiogenic signaling pathways that surpass the anti-angiogenic effects of these agents and facilitate vascularization despite ongoing VEGF signaling inhibition. Herein, we review the current state of anti-angiogenic agents, discuss potential mechanisms of anti-angiogenic resistance, and suggest potential avenues to increase the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.

PurposeSpheno-orbital meningiomas are rare tumors, accounting for up to 9% of all intracranial meningiomas. Patients commonly present with proptosis, and visual deficits. These slow growing tumors are hard to resect due to extension into several anatomical compartments, resulting in recurrence rates as high as 35-50%. Although open surgical approaches have been historically used for resection, a handful of endoscopic approaches have been reported in recent years. We aimed to review the literature and describe a case of spheno-orbital meningioma with severe vision loss which was resected with an endoscopic endonasal approach achieving complete resolution of visual symptoms.MethodsA systematic review of literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were queried for spheno-orbital meningiomas resected via an endoscopic endonasal approach. Furthermore, the presentation, surgical management, and post-operative outcomes of a 53-year-old female with a recurrent spheno-orbital meningioma are described.ResultsThe search yielded 26 articles, of which 8 were included, yielding 19 cases. Average age at presentation was 60.5 years (range: 44-82), and 68.4% of patients were female. More than half of the cases achieved subtotal resection. Common complications associated with endoscopic endonasal surgery included CN V2 or CN V2/V3 hypoesthesia. Following surgical intervention, visual acuity and visual field remained stable or improved in the majority of the patients.ConclusionEndoscopic approaches are slowly gaining momentum for treatment of spheno-orbital meningiomas. Further studies on the clinical benefits of this approach on patient outcomes and post-operative complications is warranted.

PurposeGliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system and are categorized by the World Health Organization into either low-grade (grades 1 and 2) or high-grade (grades 3 and 4) gliomas. A subset of patients with glioma may experience no tumor-related symptoms and be incidentally diagnosed. These incidental low-grade gliomas (iLGG) maintain controversial treatment course despite scientific advancements. Here we highlight the recent advancements in classification, neuroimaging, and surgical management of these tumors.MethodsA review of the literature was performed. The authors created five subtopics of focus: histological criteria, diagnostic imaging, surgical advancements, correlation of surgical resection and survival outcomes, and clinical implications.ConclusionsAlternating studies suggest that these tumors may experience higher mutational rates than their counterparts. Significant progress in management of gliomas, regardless of the grade, has been made through modern neurosurgical treatment modalities, diagnostic neuroimaging, and a better understanding of the genetic composition of these tumors. An optimal treatment approach for patients with newly diagnosed iLGG remains ill-defined despite multiple studies arguing in favor of safe maximal resection. Our review emphasizes the not so benign nature of incidental low grade glioma and further supports the need for future studies to evaluate survival outcomes following surgical resection.