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SM Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience

Oligodendroglioma with Anaplastic Features, Case Report and Review of the Literature

[ ISSN : 2573-6728 ]

Abstract ABBREVIATION INTRODUCTION CASE PRESENTATION DISCUSSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT REFERENCES
Details

Received: 31-Mar-2021

Accepted: 28-Apr-2021

Published: 30-Apr-2021

Samaan Mahmoudzadeh*, Allison Parrill, Tiffany Tsao, Kimberly Eaton, Kirk Sheplay, Jessica Eisold, Sofia Nunnelee, and Mohamed Aziz

Department of Pathology, American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine, USA

Corresponding Author:

Samaan Mahmoudzadeh, Department of Pathology, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, 1 University Drive at Jordan Road Cupecoy, St. Maarten, Tel: 1-916-342- 1664; Email: samaanmahmoudzadeh@students.aucmed.edu

Keywords

Oligodendrogliomas, Anaplastic, Grade, Molecular, benign

Abstract

Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AOD) are rare brain tumors with variable overall survival accounting for approximately 1.3% to 4.4% of brain tumors and about 5% to 10% of the gliocytomas. Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, or grade III oligodendrogliomas, describe rare primary malignant brain tumors with exceedingly variable overall prognosis. Gliomas originate from neural stem cells or glial progenitor cells that develop or maintain glial characteristics. These tumors occur most frequently in males during the 5th and 6th decade of life often presenting with new onset seizures. The WHO grading system distinguishes two histopathologic grades of Oligodendrogliomas: grade II (low-grade) and grade III (anaplastic oligodendroglioma or AOD). Here we present a case of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and review the literature.

ABBREVIATION

AOD: Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas,

LOH: loss of heterozygosity,

WHO: World Health Organization,

LGGs: lowgrade gliomas,

PFS: progression-free survival,

OS: overall survival,

pODG: pediatric oligodendrogliomas,

INTRODUCTION

Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AOD), or grade III oligodendrogliomas, describe rare primary malignant brain tumors with exceedingly variable overall prognosis (1,2). Oligodendrogliomas represent approximately 1.3% to 4.4% of brain tumors and about 5% to 10% of the gliocytomas (3). Gliomas originate from neural stem cells or glial progenitor cells that develop or maintain glial characteristics (4). Studies showed that the most common location for primary oligodendrogliomas occurs within the frontal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres (5). Structural imaging reveals two main key features of oligodendrogliomas: calcification and corticalsubcortical location. When found infratentorial or in deep nuclei, oligodendroglial tumors historically represent a more aggressive phenotype (6).

Oligodendrogliomas occur most frequently in males during the 5th and 6th decade of life often presenting with new onset seizures (4). AOD almost exclusively presents as a single lesion. Although several case reports of multifocal AOD, leptomeningeal spread, and extraneural metastases exist. These cases are rare and potentially reflect the natural course of a glioma with prolonged survival (5, 6). Patients experiencing generalized tonic–clonic seizures frequently exhibited the greatest lesion load in mesial frontal regions such as the cortex connected to the genu of the corpus callosum. While patients with partial seizures experienced oligodendrogliomas more caudo-laterally in orbitofrontal and temporal lobes, sparring cortex connected to the genu. These findings indicate that the genu of the corpus callosum serves as a major pathway for seizure generalization (4, 7).

Researchers identified that loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the short arm of chromosome 1 (1p) and the long arm of chromosome 19 (19q, 1p19q LOH) in tumor tissue represents a somatic genetic finding common to oligodendrogliomas (8, 9). The co-deletion of chromosomal arms 1p and 19q serves diagnostic importance as well as provides prognostic and predictive relevance (10). The current standard therapy of oligodendrogliomas includes neurosurgery with radiation and chemotherapy (11-13).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 40-year-old man presented with severe headache, visual disturbance and generalized epileptic seizures. No significant medical history was identified. MRI with gadolinium was performed and a single frontal lobe mass was identified. T1 images demonstrated mixed hypointense and hyperintense mass. T2 images revealed a hyperintense mass with mild surrounding edema. Enhancement was noted with contrast administration. Intratumoral calcification was also noted. Stereotactic biopsy was obtained, the tumor showed diffuse infiltration with moderate cellularity (Figure 1A).

Branching small, chicken wire-like blood vessels and fried egglike cells, with clear cytoplasm and well-defined cell border characteristic of oligodendroglioma were noted (Figure1B). Many areas showed increased nuclear pleomorphism and vascular proliferation (Figure 1C). Some foci showed sheets of pleomorphic oligodendrocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei, clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm, increased mitotic activity (>6 mitotic figures/10 HPF), and necrosis. Sheets of minigemistocytes and lymphocytic infiltrate were also identified. The tumor morphologic features were consistent with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas grade III. FISH analysis failed to demonstrate 1p36 or 19q13 deletions. Extra signals of 1 and 19 chromosomes were observed suggestive of Trisomy/tetrasomy.

Figure 1: Pathologic examination of the tumor. 1A: The tumor shows diffuse infiltration with moderate cellularity (H&E stain X20). 1B: Branching small, chicken wire-like blood vessels and fried egg-like cells, with clear cytoplasm and well-defined cell border characteristic of oligodendroglioma were noted (H&E stain X40). 1C: Many areas showed increased nuclear pleomorphism and vascular proliferation (H&E stain X60)

The patient received aggressive multimodal treatment including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy (combination chemotherapy with packed cell volume “PCV” administered every 6 weeks for a total of 6 cycles). The patient was followed with regular MRI scans at 3 months initially and then every 6 months. Despite prolonged response, the patient experienced disease relap.

DISCUSSION

The World Health Organization (WHO) classification divides astrocytoma into four grades (I–IV), separated according to the glial type from which they arise, astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma (14, 15). The WHO classifies diffuse low-grade gliomas (LGGs) as grade II astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and oligoastrocytomas (14-17). Clinicians often classify low-grade gliomas as benign neoplasm, disregarding their association with neurological morbidity and mortality and potential for anaplastic transformation (15, 18). Unfortunately, lack of sufficient data results in unclear optimum management of this tumor and individual clinical judgement with subsequent debate currently drives the decision-making process (15, 19).

Anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors frequently present with additional genetic aberrations, in particular 9p LOH and/or deletion of the CDKN2A gene (p16), PIK3CA mutations, and polysomies (4, 20, 21). Some studies suggest shortened recurrence free survival times or poorer prognosis in patients who developed oligodendroglial tumors with polysomy of 1p and 19q (4, 22, 23). The finding of 1p19q LOH in a glial neoplasm shows predictive value of tumor chemosensitivity and prolonged patient survival (24-27). When defined by strict histological criteria or a unanimous diagnosis by four neuropathologists, 1p19q LOH occurred in over 85% of oligodendrogliomas (8, 27, 28). IDH1 mutations occur mainly in low-grade gliomas (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas) and retain during tumour progression. This mutation helps distinguish lowgrade gliomas from other tumour entities where the mutation is absent or uncommon. The presence of an IDH1 mutation also impacts prognosis, with a median survival of 3.8 years for patients with mutated IDH1, versus 1.1 years for patients with wild-type IDH (15, 29). One study evaluated prognostic factors of AOD including surgical, radiographic, and histopathologic analysis of 95 patients diagnosed with AOD for 20 years. They measured progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The researchers performed subgroup analyses in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1/2)-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted patients. The median PFS and OS lengths were 24.7 months and 50.8 months respectively. Patients with the IDH1/2-mutant and 1p/19q-codeletion yielded median PFS and OS lengths of 54.2 and 57.8 months, respectively. This study concluded that young age, frontal lobe involvement, weak enhancement, gross total resection, low Ki-67 index, 1p/19q-codeletion, and IDH1/2 mutations yielded favorable outcomes (30).

Another study evaluated the overall survival (OS) in pediatric oligodendrogliomas (pODG) and found a mean of 199.6 months. Furthermore, the study concluded that pODG presented with smaller size and lower grade than similar adult tumors. Location, size, grade, use of radiotherapy, and extent of resection represented significant prognostic factors with size and grade displaying stronger prognostic factors in children than adults. pODG is less frequently developed in the frontal lobe compared to adult tumors; however, the tumor more commonly occurred in the temporal lobe and extracortical regions. The study determined no significant difference in outcome between children with highgrade tumors and adults with high-grade tumors (31).

Low-grade oligodendrogliomas display round and uniform nuclei with crisp nuclear membranes, delicate chromatin and small-to-inconspicuous nucleoli. In anaplastic examples, despite maintaining an overall sense of regularity and nuclear roundness, cells frequently show enlarged and epithelioid cell structure with nuclei that often exhibit increased size and pleomorphism, vesicular chromatin pattern, and prominent nucleoli (4, 32, 33). However, the histopathological classification of diffuse glioma remains a subject of criticism and suffers from considerable interobserver variability. In fact, tumors with a similar microscopic appearance may present with significantly different clinical outcomes (34). Roughly only 30% of oligodendroglial tumors display anaplastic characteristics histologically. These findings include: nuclear atypia, increased cellularity, increased proliferation activity, and increased cell mitosis (13, 14).

Neurosurgery is instrumental for tumor removal and acquisition of neoplastic tissue in order to make a definitive diagnosis. Sophisticated diagnostic preoperative and perioperative methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), use of 5-aminolevulinic acid, MRI tractography, perioperative ultrasound and MRI, awake surgical method, hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT)) and navigated microsurgical techniques serve as integral parts of surgical treatment (12, 13). Non-contrast CT showed coarse calcifications in 90% of oligodendrogliomas (10). Confirming the extent of tumor resection requires a postoperative MRI with 24-72 hours following surgery. Additionally, clinicians reserve targeted-biopsy of the tumor when resection is impossible (13, 35, 36). Patients evaluated early on with modern technology such as 3-D ultrasound, intraoperative MRI, or mapping techniques often achieve safe resections, reducing overall neurological deterioration (18, 37). In AOD patients with LOH at 1p19q, MR single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) shows increased thallium-201 uptake irrespective of grade (38).

Researchers retrospectively reviewed Serial MRIs of 27 patients with untreated WHO grade II oligodendrogliomas or mixed gliomas. They examined the kinetics of tumor growth and anaplastic transformation and noticed that untreated lowgrade oligodendrogliomas or mixed gliomas grow continuously during their premalignant phase. Analysis of the mean tumor diameters over time showed constant growth while linear regression found an average slope of 4.1mm per year with a relatively narrow range (Mandonnet, 2003). Due to the slow and often constant growth rate in LGGs (18, 39), reduction of tumor cells capable of undergoing malignant transformation via early resection may provide improved mortality. These researchers found a significant difference in low-grade glioma patients with improved overall survival, and a survival advantage that increased with time in patients with early surgical dissection as opposed to those with biopsy and watchful waiting strategy (18). Additional favorable prognostic factors include young age, good overall medical condition (Karnofsky score), larger extent of tumor resection and combined oncological treatment (13, 40).

Uncontrolled trials found that patients with chemotherapy sensitive recurrent AOD and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA) responded to procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) in 60% to 70% of cases (16, 41). Triple combination chemotherapy of procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (PCV) or temozolomide represents the mainstay of treatment (11- 13). In fact, oligodendrogliomas with the 1p/19q co-deletion demonstrate response to early chemotherapy with procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (1, 2). However, clinical trials illustrate variably prognoses of patients with AOA and low concordance rates in diagnosis of classical AOD. Additionally, clinicians hold ongoing discussions about whether following the removal of AOA with resultant necrotic grade III glioblastoma merits a separate diagnosis (14, 32, 42-46).

AODs are rare brain tumors with variable overall survival. Combined chemotherapy, radiation and neurosurgery are necessary to reduce disease progression and recurrence. We present this case to highlight the spectrum of presentation of this rare tumor and molecular changes. And review the literature to discuss the most recent treatment modalities.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Special thanks to Titilopemi Odunlami, Mohamed El-Jammali, and Fareshta Shafaq, MD candidates, American University of the Caribbean for their assistance in reviewing the final manuscript.

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Citation

Mahmoudzadeh S, Parrill A, Tsao T, Eaton K, Sheplay K, et al. (2021) Oligodendroglioma with Anaplastic Features, Case Report and Review of the Literature. SM J Neurol Neurosci 7: 5.

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Results: There were 62 males and 38 females (M/F ratio=1. 6), with a mean age of 66 years (range 22-90 years), the majority (80/100) between the age 51-80 years. The most common stroke subtype was lacunar infarcts (36 patients). Fourty-two out of 51 patients had intracranial atherosclerosis. The most common risk factor was hypertension (85%) followed by hyperlipidemia (71%) and diabetes mellitus (65%).

Conclusion: In accordance with other Arab studies and controls, hypertension was the predominant risk factor but lacunar infarcts were more common than in most reports from other Arab countries . This shows the importance of appropriate management of hypertension to reduce the incidence of stroke in Jordan.

Bahou Y*, Ajour M, and Jaber M


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Longitudinal Language Changes Associated with MRI Anatomy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Language ability is one of the strongest predictors of prognosis and developmental course in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A range of language abilities occur in ASD and although many have delays in language it remains unclear why some children’s language continues to lag, while others do not. Abnormal anatomy and function of language-related regions has been found in ASD, however, how these differences relate to language development over time is undetermined.

Methods: This study examined longitudinal changes in language functions in children with ASD and investigated whether cortical language region anatomy was related to these changes in language. Eighteen boys with ASD, 2-8 years old were evaluated (Time 1) and re-examined about 3.5 years later (Time 2) at ages 7-10. MRIs were collected at Time 2 to evaluate gray matter volume of anterior (Pars Triangularis, PTR; pars opercularis, POP) and posterior (Planum Temporale, PT; Posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus, pSTG) language regions and the microstructure of the arcuate fasciculus.

Results: Eleven boys had relative decline in language functions (decline group) and 7 boys had no relative change in language (no change group). The no change group had larger PT and right PTR volume relative to the decline group. In addition, the right PTR was correlated with the language change score, with larger right PTR associated with less language decline. There was a trend for non-right-handers to have more language decline than right-handers.

Conclusions: Results suggest differences in cortical language anatomy may play a role in language development, with further studies warranted.

Tracey A Knaus¹˒²*, Jodi Kamps³˒⁴, and Anne L Foundas⁵


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A New Analysis Method of F-Waves to Obtain

From the observation of different F-wave waveforms, we introduce a new method of differentiating these waveforms, by assigning each with an “F-wave waveform value”, which can be used in the clinic to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation. F-wave waveform values were determined by creating a window from minimum onset latency to maximum onset latency in measurable waveforms. We then calculated the correlation coefficient of each waveform, using Microsoft Excel, and identified F-waves as those with a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.9 or equal to 1.0. The number of different F-wave waveforms types was determined from the number of identified waveforms. We applied F-wave waveform values to evaluate neurophysiological change and the effects of rehabilitation following hemiplegia. In the future, F-wave waveform values should be considered as an important tool when assessing the effects of rehabilitation on impaired neurological responses.

Toshiaki Suzuki¹˒²*, Yoshibumi Bunno¹˒², Makiko Tani¹˒², Chieko Onigata², Yuuki Fukumoto¹, Marina Todo², Hirofumi Watanabe³, Toshihiro Ohnuma¹˒²˒³, and Naoko Komatsu³


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Neuroprotective Effect of Organic and Conventional White Grape Juice against Carbon Tetrachloride Damage in Different Brain Areas of Rats

The consumption of nutrients containing phenolic compounds has been reported due to the benefits they produce on human health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of the administration of organic (OGJ) and conventional (CGJ) white grape juices from Niagara variety on the oxidative stress in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum after the treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) as well as on some biochemical parameters in serum of rats. Adult male rats (~300g; n=6-8/group) were orally treated (gavage) with 7μL/g of OGJ, CGJ or water, for a period of 14 days. On the 15th day it was administered CCl4 (3.0mL/kg). After 4h the animals were euthanized and the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were dissected and used for the analysis of oxidative stress parameters. We observed that CCl4 enhanced lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein damage (carbonyl), reduced the nonenzymatic antioxidants defenses (sulfhydryl), and changed the activity of the enzymatic antioxidants defenses catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the brain of rats. CCl4 also enhanced glucose, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Gamma-Glutamyl (GGT) and decreased total cholesterol and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in serum of rats. CGJ and OGJ were able to prevent or ameliorate most of these alterations. Consequently, regular intake of white grape juice could be considered as an adjuvant in the therapy of oxidative damages, revealing a possible antioxidant and neuroprotective agent.

Clarice M. Peripolli, Tatiane Gabardo, Fernanda de Souza Machado, Mariane Wohlenberg, Juliana D.O. Lima, Alice S. Oliveira, Marina Rocha Frusciante, Niara da Silva Medeiros, Sheila Pereira Feijó, Filipe V.V. Nascimento, Caroline Dani, and Cláudia Funchal


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Global Evidence for the Key Role of the Dopamine D2 Receptor Gene (DRD2) and DRD2 Receptors in Alcoholism

It has been over 27 years since Blum & Noble discovered the first association of the DRD2 A1 allele in severe alcoholism, suggesting reward as the real phenotype, not alcoholism. This has been acknowledged by an explosion of research in the arena of Psychiatric Genetics. To date, a PubMed search listed 6,839 studies (5-15- 17). The A1 allele has been associated with substance use disorders other than alcoholism, including cocaine, nicotine dependence, polysubstance abuse and many Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) behaviors substance and non-substance related. Certainly following extensive controversy, the emerging evidence suggests that the DRD2 is a reinforcement or reward gene. In fact, it could represent one of the most prominent single-gene determinants of susceptibility to severe substance abuse/reward deficiency. While, however, the environment through epigenetic impact and other genes, when combined, still play the larger role, targeting the DRD2 gene through the novel genetic rewriting of the DNA code at the mRNA level may hold the greatest promise to date for potentially “curing” the RDS phenotype.

Kenneth Blum¹⁻⁹˒¹²*, Mark S Gold²˒¹⁵, Lloyd G Mitchell¹⁰˒¹¹, Kareem W Washington¹⁰, David Baron², Panayotis K Thanos¹³, Bruce Steinberg¹⁴, Edward J Modestino¹⁴, Lyle Fried⁷, and Rajendra D Badgaiyan¹²


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Depression in Alzheimer

Background: Pharmacological treatment for AD and depression are unfortunately few and of limited efficacy to cure the disease.

Objectives: To assess the combined effects of rivastigmine and citalopram on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Methods: Longitudinal clinical prospective study with 1278 AD patients on rivastigmine 9,5mg/patch and citalopram 20-40 mg/day over 48 months was assessed on the basis of NINCDS-ADRDA, MMSE, DSM-IV, FRSSD, GDS, HRS-D and follow up of the patients.

Results: Four years after the baseline assessment, there were no significant differences in MMSE, Geriatric depression scale and Hamilton rating scale for depression between patients treated with rivastigmine alone or combined rivastigmine with citalopram with or without depression (p>0.05). Functional Rating Scale for symptoms of dementia, Activities of Daily Living of patients with AD and depression treated with rivastigmine was significantly worse than patients treated with rivastigmine and no depression (p=0.027).

Conclusions: The combination of rivastigmine and citalopram had no better results than rivastigmine alone in patients with AD.

Magda Tsolaki*, Krishna Prasad Pathak, Eleni Verikouki, Chaido Zchou Messini, Tara Gaire, and Paschalis Devranis


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Anxiety and Its Features in Parkinson

Anxiety is one of the most clinically significant psychiatric syndromes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). It is estimated to affect up to 50% of individuals with PD and is associated with higher levels of dependency and poorer quality of life. Although it is common, it remains widely under recognised by patients, carers and clinicians, and has not been extensively studied [1]. Therefore, in spite of its significant impact, the symptomatology, chronology, and neurobiology of anxiety in PD are not well understood.

Recently, anxiety in PD has been associated with increases in motor fluctuations and gait disturbances including freezing. Freezing of gait (FOG) is the temporary inability to walk and is one of the most debilitating symptoms of PD. It is associated with an increase in falls, injuries and dependency. The associations with motor symptoms have significant consequences for the quality of life of people living with PD. This review summarizes the most recent data on the epidemiology, associated features and possible mechanisms underlying anxiety in PD.

Perri Carlson-Hawke¹˒²*, Belinda Brown², and Simon Hammond¹