No abstract

Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a frequent treatment choice for patients with small- to moderate-sized vestibular schwannoma (VS). However, pseudoprogression after GKRS is commonly observed, with a reported incidence ranging from 7% to 77%. The wide range of the reported incidence of pseudoprogression reflects the fact that there is no consensus on how it should be diagnosed.The authors present the case of a 66-year-old woman who had a 2.5-cm right-sided VS treated with GKRS in 1997. The first posttreatment MRI obtained 5 months later showed that the tumor volume had increased to 9.7 cm3. The tumor volume increased further and reached its peak 24 months after treatment at 20.9 cm3, which was a 161% increase from pretreatment volume. Thereafter, the tumor shrank gradually and mass effect on the brainstem reduced over time. By 229 months after treatment, the tumor volume was 1.0 cm3, equaling 12.5% of pretreatment tumor volume, or 4.8% of peak tumor volume after treatment. This case demonstrates that if a patient remains asymptomatic despite a dramatic increase in tumor volume after GKRS, observation remains an option, because even a very sizable tumor can shrink with near-complete resolution. Patients undergoing GKRS for VS should be counseled regarding the possibility of pseudoprogression, and followed carefully over time while avoiding premature decisions for surgical removal after treatment.

Aim: Spasticity gives rise to impairment in motor functions and activities of daily living. Botulinum toxin (BTX) can be injected to temporarily paralyze the affected muscles, which provides a window of opportunity for rehabilitation. We present our 2.5-year experience with BTX injection and a patient-specific rehabilitation program provided by a multidisciplinary team, which consists of neurosurgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and prosthetic orthotists. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data in a local hospital including 22 patients suffering from spasticity. Outcome measures include goal attainment, caregiver burden and biomechanical assessment by Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS). Results: OnabotulinumtoxinA injection together with rehabilitation facilitates the attainment of patientcentred physical goals in daily activities. It reduces caregiver burden. Spasticity is reduced particularly for finger and wrist flexors as well as hip adductors. Responses of ankle plantarflexors are less satisfactory which may be due to inadequate dosages. Initial improvement in the R2 component of the MTS for ankle plantarflexors and hip adductors may be attributable to the application of ankle-foot orthosis and abduction pillow. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary management for spasticity is feasible within our healthcare setting and our promising findings indicate its wider adoption in this locality.