ABBREVIATIONS 5-ALA = 5-aminolevulinic acid; BBB = blood-brain barrier; CE = contrast enhancing; CUMC = Columbia University Medical Center; EOR = extent of resection; GBM = glioblastoma; GTR = gross-total resection; HGG = high-grade glioma; n-ANOVA = multiway ANOVA; NCE = non-contrast enhancing; OS = overall survival; PFS = progression-free survival; PPV = positive predictive value; ROI = region of interest; STR = subtotal resection; UD = undetermined; WHO = World Health Organization; Y560 = YELLOW 560. OBJECTIVE Extent of resection is an important prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgery for glioblastoma (GBM). Recent evidence suggests that intravenously administered fluorescein sodium associates with tumor tissue, facilitating safe maximal resection of GBM. In this study, the authors evaluate the safety and utility of intraoperative fluorescein guidance for the prediction of histopathological alteration both in the contrast-enhancing (CE) regions, where this relationship has been established, and into the non-CE (NCE), diffusely infiltrated margins. METHODS Thirty-two patients received fluorescein sodium (3 mg/kg) intravenously prior to resection. Fluorescence was intraoperatively visualized using a Zeiss Pentero surgical microscope equipped with a YELLOW 560 filter. Stereotactically localized biopsy specimens were acquired from CE and NCE regions based on preoperative MRI in conjunction with neuronavigation. The fluorescence intensity of these specimens was subjectively classified in real time with subsequent quantitative image analysis, histopathological evaluation of localized biopsy specimens, and radiological volumetric assessment of the extent of resection. RESULTS Bright fluorescence was observed in all GBMs and localized to the CE regions and portions of the NCE margins of the tumors, thus serving as a visual guide during resection. Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 84% of the patients with an average resected volume of 95%, and this rate was higher among patients for whom GTR was the surgical goal (GTR achieved in 93.1% of patients, average resected volume of 99.7%). Intraoperative fluorescein staining correlated with histopathological alteration in both CE and NCE regions, with positive predictive values by subjective fluorescence evaluation greater than 96% in NCE regions. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative administration of fluorescein provides an easily visualized marker for glioma pathology in both CE and NCE regions of GBM. These findings support the use of fluorescein as a microsurgical adjunct for guiding GBM resection to facilitate safe maximal removal. SUBMITTEDhttps://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2016.7.JNS16232

Using localized biopsies, we have generated a model that illustrates a quantitative and significant relationship between MR signal and cell density. Projecting this relationship over the entire tumor volume allows mapping of the intratumoral heterogeneity in both the contrast-enhancing tumor core and nonenhancing margins of glioblastoma and may be used to guide extended surgical resection, localized biopsies, and radiation field mapping.

Objectives Our study aim was to determine encapsulated islet graft viability in an omentum pouch and the effect of FGF-1 released from our redesigned alginate microcapsules on the function of the graft. Methods Isolated rat islets were encapsulated in an inner core made with 1.5% low-viscosity high-mannuronic acid (LVM) alginate followed by an external layer made with 1.25% low-viscosity high-guluronic acid (LVG) alginate with or without FGF-1, in microcapsules measuring 300 – 400 μm in diameter. The two alginate layers were separated by a perm-selective membrane made with 0.1 % Poly-L-Ornithine (PLO), and the inner LVM core was partially chelated using 55 mM sodium citrate for 2 min. Results A marginal mass of encapsulated islet allografts (~2000 islets/kg) in Streptozotocin-diabetic Lewis rats caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels similar to the effect observed with encapsulated islet isografts. Transplantation of allo-islets co-encapsulated with FGF-1 did not result in better glycemic control, but induced greater body weight maintenance in transplant recipients compared to those that received only allo-islets. Histological examination of the retrieved tissue demonstrated morphologically and functionally intact islets in the microcapsules, with no signs of fibrosis. Conclusion We conclude that the omentum is a viable site for encapsulated islet transplantation.

The extensive variety of possible histologic subtypes makes it imperative to establish a tissue diagnosis in patients with pineal region tumors. Management decisions regarding adjuvant therapy, prognosis, and follow-up strategies vary with the histologic diagnosis. Specialized surgical and stereotactic techniques have evolved to provide the neurosurgeon with an array of safe and effective options for obtaining a tissue diagnosis. Advanced microsurgical techniques combined with improved preoperative management and postoperative critical care methods have made aggressive surgical resection a mainstay of management. Aggressive surgical resection has resulted in excellent long-term prognoses for nearly all patients with benign tumors and a large percentage of patients with malignant tumors. However, pineal region surgery remains fraught with potential pitfalls, and these favorable results are dependent on an advanced level of surgical expertise.

This article describes a case competition that reflects the four elements of a grounded learning exercise. These elements include creating a real-world experience, optimizing learning transfer, integrating theory and practice, and shifting learning responsibility to the students. The authors also provide details on implementing this exercise in an undergraduate capstone strategy course and using a real-time case that brings the competition to life.