Turkish Neurosurgery 2017 , Vol 27 , Num 4
Adult Brainstem Gliomas: Retrospective Analysis of 51 Patients
Goran TASIC1,Nikola REPAC1,Igor NIKOLIC1,Vojislav BOGOSAVLJEVIC1, Vuk SCEPANOVIC1,Aleksandar JANICIJEVIC1,Aleksandra ERIC-NIKOLIC3,Lukas RASULIC1,
1Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Neurosurgery , Belgrade, Serbia
2University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia
3National Cancer Research Center, Belgrade, Serbia
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.16488-15.1 AIM: Brainstem gliomas (BSG) constitute less than 2% of brain tumors in adults. Therapeutic options are limited and BSG are associated with a high morbidity and mortality.

MATERIAL and METHODS: We reviewed the records of 51 patients with BSG treated at the Institute of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade between 1998 and 2012. We recorded demographic and clinical variables as well as radiological findings and survival.

RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, 62.7% were male and 37.3% were female. The mean age was 30.6±19.3 years. High grade glioma (Astrocytoma grade III and IV) was most common at the age of 38.2±17.9 years (t=.481, p=0.017) while low grade glioma (Astrocytoma grade I and II) was common in younger age as 25.4±17.4 years (X2=4.013; p=0.045), with localization in the pons (X2=5.299; p=0.021) and exophytic presentation (X2=3.862; p=0.049). Ataxia, as initial symptom, was a predictor of poor outcome (HR:5.546, p=0.012).

CONCLUSION: Due to its specific localization, BSG present a major challenge for neurosurgery, because of the necessity of safe approach for radical resection. Histological verification of BSG determines the need for additional therapeutic procedures such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Benefit from correct diagnosis is reflected in the avoidance of potentially adverse effects of treatment. Keywords : Adult, Brainstem, Glioma, Histology, Survival

Corresponding author : Lukas RASULIC, lukas.rasulic@gmail.com