DOCSLIB.ORG

Convection-Enhanced Delivery Improves MRI Visualization of Basal Ganglia for Stereotactic Surgery

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Convection-Enhanced Delivery Improves MRI Visualization of Basal Ganglia for Stereotactic Surgery LABORATORY INVESTIGATION J Neurosurg 125:1080–1086, 2016 Convection-enhanced delivery improves MRI visualization of basal ganglia for stereotactic surgery Aaron E. Bond, MD, PhD,1 Robert F. Dallapiazza, MD, PhD,1 M. Beatriz Lopes, MD, PhD,2 and W. Jeffrey Elias, MD1 Departments of 1Neurosurgery and 2Neuropathology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia OBJECTIVE Stereotactic deep brain stimulation surgery is most commonly performed while patients are awake. This allows for intraoperative clinical assessment and electrophysiological target verification, thereby promoting favorable outcomes with few side effects. Intraoperative CT and MRI have challenged this concept of clinical treatment validation. Image-guided surgery is capable of delivering electrodes precisely to a planned, stereotactic target; however, these methods can be limited by low anatomical resolution even with sophisticated MRI modalities. The authors are developing a novel method using convection-enhanced delivery to safely manipulate the extracellular space surrounding common anatomical targets for surgery. By altering the extracellular content of deep subcortical structures and their associated white matter tracts, the MRI visualization of the basal ganglia can be improved to better define the anatomy. This tech- nique could greatly improve the accuracy and success of stereotactic surgery, potentially eliminating the reliance on awake surgery. METHODS Observations were made in the clinical setting where vasogenic and cytotoxic edema improved the MRI visualization of the basal ganglia. These findings were replicated in the experimental setting using an FDA-approved intracerebral catheter that was stereotactically inserted into the thalamus or basal ganglia of 7 swine. Five swine were infused with normal saline, and 2 were infused with autologous CSF. Flow rates varied between 1 μl/min to 6 μl/min to achieve convective distributions. Concurrent MRI was performed at 15-minute intervals to monitor the volume of infusion and observe the imaging changes of the deep subcortical structures. The animals were then clinically observed, and necropsy was performed within 48 hours, 1 week, or 1 month for histological analysis. RESULTS In all animals, the white matter tracts became hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging as compared with basal ganglia nuclei, enabling better definition of the deep brain anatomy. The volume of distribution and infusion (Vd/Vi ratio) ranged from 2.5 to 4.5. There were no observed clinical effects from the infusions. Histological analysis demonstrated mild neuronal effects from saline infusions but no effects from CSF infusions. CONCLUSIONS This work provides the initial foundation for a novel approach to improve the visualization of deep brain anatomy during MRI-guided, stereotactic procedures. Convective infusions of CSF alter the extracellular fluid content of the brain for improved MRI without evidence of clinical or toxic effects. http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2015.10.JNS151154 KEY WORDS convection-enhanced delivery; basal ganglia; MRI; stereotactic neurosurgery; image-guided; functional neurosurgery TEREOTACTIC surgery is commonly used to treat Image-guided techniques have been developed to posi- chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s tion a stimulating or lesioning electrode with a mean vec- disease, tremor, epilepsy, and psychiatric diseases. tor error as low as 1.59 mm with intraoperative CT-guided SLesioning, stimulation, and local delivery of drugs9,22 all techniques4 and 0.14–0.86 mm with intraoperative MRI.5 rely on the ability to treat specific brain regions that are Current methods for targeting these structures also of- often small, deep, and indistinct on conventional MRI. ten include referencing a stereotactic atlas, with potential Validation of their placement typically requires clinical errors due to patient-specific variations from the atlas.27 testing or electrophysiological mapping with microelec- Richter et al. reviewed 35 subthalamic nuclei (STN) in 18 trode recordings (MERs), or both of these.8,18,29,32–35 patients and compared their location based on T2-weight- ABBREVIATIONS CED = convection-enhanced delivery; DBS = deep brain stimulation; MER = microelectrode recording; MW = molecular weight; STN = subthalamic nuclei; UPDRS = Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale; Vd = volume of distribution; Vi = volume of infusion SUBMITTED May 20, 2015. ACCEPTED October 19, 2015. INCLUDE WHEN CITING Published online February 5, 2016; DOI: 10.3171/2015.10.JNS151154. 1080 J Neurosurg Volume 125 • November 2016 ©AANS, 2016 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/29/21 06:53 PM UTC CED enhancement of basal ganglia on MRI ed MRI. They then compared the T2-weighted MRI loca- the right DBS electrode tract to the subthalamus (Fig. 1). tions to locations as depicted in the Talairach and Tourn- The remainder of the DBS system was explanted, and the oux, and Schaltenbrand and Wahren atlases and found the infection was cleared after several weeks of intravenous anterior border of the STN to vary from 4.1 mm to 3.7 mm aztreonam therapy. A second bilateral subthalamic DBS from the midcommissural point, posterior border 4.2 mm system was eventually reimplanted 1 year after the first. to 10 mm, medial border 7.9 mm to 12.1 mm, and lateral The presumed vasogenic edema around the infected border 12.3 mm to 15.4 mm.26,27,31 There have been ad- electrode highlighted the boundaries of the right STN and vances in the use of MRI including coregistering multiple adjacent deep brain anatomy in contrast to the unaffected, sequences,35 7-T imaging, 8,32,34 9.4-T imaging,18 fast gray contralateral, left side (Fig. 1). This observation led to the matter acquisition T1 inversion recovery,29 and others.33 To premise of this study, where we believe that the extracellu- date, a practical and widely adoptable solution to easily lar space could be manipulated experimentally to improve identify these deep subcortical nuclei remains elusive and MRI visualization. results in widespread reliance on awake neurosurgery. We first observed a patient with vasogenic edema Additional Clinical Observations around an STN deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode After we recognized improved MRI visualization of that dramatically improved the MRI visualization of the the anatomy surrounding an infected DBS electrode, we deep brain anatomy. This observation was then confirmed noted similar incidences of edema in the deep brain re- by MRI in other patients with edema from a variety of gions from a variety of pathologies (Fig. 2). These shared a pathologies extending into the basal ganglia. Because va- common pathophysiology where vasogenic edema extend- sogenic edema represents an increase in the extracellular ed into surrounding tissues as evidenced by T2-weighted water content, we sought to replicate this experimentally MRI. These cases served as further clinical evidence in an animal model with convection-enhanced delivery that an alteration in extracellular fluid content changed (CED). The preclinical study presented here demonstrates the characteristics of T2-weighted MRI. The enhanced a technique for convecting an infusate to improve the definition of deep brain anatomy, and particularly the visualization of deep brain structures with conventional boundaries between nuclei and white matter tracts, was MRI. We envision that this technique potentially can be observed in patients with sarcoma metastasis, thalamic used in combination with MRI-guided surgery to improve glioblastoma, sarcoidosis of the basal ganglia, large B-cell stereotactic targeting and obviate the need for awake sur- lymphoma, clear cell meningioma, gliomatosis cerebri, gery with MER or stimulation mapping. stereotactic thalamotomy for tremor, central glioblastoma, and stereotactic pallidotomy for cerebral palsy athetosis Methods and dystonia. Case Observation Swine Model of CED-Enhanced MRI Visualization A 59-year-old retired psychologist presented for con- Following approval from the University of Virginia In- sideration of DBS surgery. He had been diagnosed 5 years stitutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Sus scrofa earlier with Parkinson’s disease when he presented with domestica (Yorkshire) female pigs weighing approxi- a stooped posture and diminished facial expressions. He mately 25 pounds were acquired and acclimated in the developed severe motor fluctuations, short duration re- vivarium facility for 3 days. Swine nuclei are smaller than sponses, and peak dose dyskinesia on a medication regi- men consisting of levodopa 25/100 every 2 hours, 5 daily doses of 200 mg of entacapone, and 1.5 mg of pramipexole 3 times a day. The unmedicated (off) motor examination was notable for mild hypophonia with hypomimia, mod- erately increased tone (especially in the patient’s neck), and significant bradykinesia in the absence of tremor. He was able to independently stand with effort to a stooped posture, and his gait was slowed with delayed initiation and a diminished arm swing. A formal neuropsychologi- cal assessment deemed that he was a good candidate for surgery, because he experienced no mood issues and a preservation of cognition. He underwent successful surgery consisting of bilat- eral STN DBS with microelectrode mapping and a staged pulse generator implantation. Unfortunately, he developed a Pseudomonas infection involving the pulse generator, which required explantation of the pulse generator and the FIG. 1. Axial T2-weighted MR images. Left: Patient who had
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cerebral Palsy and Stereotactic Neurosurgery: Long Term Results
    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.52.1.23 on 1 January 1989. Downloaded from Journal ofNeurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 1989;52:23-30 Cerebral palsy and stereotactic neurosurgery: long term results J D SPEELMAN, J VAN MANEN From The Academic Medical Centre, Neurological Department, Amsterdam, The Netherlands SUMMARY A retrospective study was performed on a group of 28 patients with cerebral palsy, who had undergone a stereotactic encephalotomy for hyperkinesia or dystonia. The mean postoperative follow up period was 21 years (range: 12-27). Eighteen patients were available for follow up, nine had died, and one could not be traced. A positive result was obtained in eight ofthe 18 reassessed patients. Determining factors for the outcome were the degree of preoperative disability, side effects of the operation, and ageing since operation. The more favourable results were obtained in patients with hyperkinesia, tremor, and predominantly unilateral dystonia. Cerebral palsy, including the postnatal type, includes a Patiets and methods group of non-progressive disorders occurring at any Protected by copyright. stage of development and maturation of the brain up In the spring of 1986 a retrospective study was carried out to to the age of 4 years, causing impairment of motor analyse the outcome of stereotactic encephalotomy in 28 function. This impairment may include paresis, cerebral palsy patients, who had been operated upon during involuntary movement, lack of coordination or spas- the period 1958-74. Pre-operative clinical and operative data ticity. Other symptoms may contribute to the serious- are shown in table 1. ness of the disability, such as sensory disturbances, At the time of the first operation, eight patients were 5-14 intellectual impairment, reduced vision, deafness, years ofage, 10 patients 15-19 years, and 10 patients 20 years ofage or older.
    [Show full text]
  • Incidence and Treatment of Brain Metastases Arising from Lung, Breast, Or Skin Cancers
    INCIDENCE AND TREATMENT OF BRAIN METASTASES ARISING FROM LUNG, BREAST, OR SKIN CANCERS: REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE FROM PRIMARY CANCER REGISTRIES AND MEDICARE CLAIMS by MUSTAFA STEVEN ASCHA Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Translational Science CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY May 2019 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES We hereby approve the thesis/dissertation of MUSTAFA STEVEN ASCHA, MS Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Committee Chair Fredrick R. Schumacher, Ph.D. Faculty Advisor Jill S. Barnholtz-Sloan, Ph.D. Committee Member Jeremy S. Bordeaux, M.D. Committee Member Andrew E. Sloan, M.D. Date of Defense March 18, 2019 * We also certify that written approval has been obtained for all proprietary material contained therein. 2 Dedication This work is dedicated to: the women in my family who brave, have braved, or pre-empted breast cancer, whose strength and selflessness inspires and motivates me; to Nizar N. Zein, MD, who ten years ago began mentoring me in the discipline I study with this dissertation; and to Jill S. Barnholtz-Sloan, PhD who three years ago helped me begin and later complete this work. 3 Contents Dedication ............................. .................................................................... ............. 3 List of Tables .............................................................................................. ............. 7 List of Figures ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Image-Guided Stereotactic Neurosurgery: Practices and Pitfalls
    Review Article pISSN 2383-5389 / eISSN 2383-8116 Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery 2015;2(2):58-63 http://dx.doi.org/10.18204/JISSiS.2015.2.2.058 Image-guided Stereotactic Neurosurgery: Practices and Pitfalls Na Young Jung, M.D., Minsoo Kim, M.D., Young Goo Kim, M.D., Hyun Ho Jung, M.D.,Ph.D., Jin Woo Chang, M.D.,Ph.D., Yong Gou Park, M.D., Ph.D., Won Seok Chang, M.D. Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei Medical Gamma Knife Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Image-guided neurosurgery (IGN) is a technique for localizing objects of surgical interest within the brain. In the past, its main use was placement of electrodes; however, the advent of computed tomography has led to a rebirth of IGN. Advances in comput- ing techniques and neuroimaging tools allow improved surgical planning and intraoperative information. IGN influences many neurosurgical fields including neuro-oncology, functional disease, and radiosurgery. As development continues, several problems remain to be solved. This article provides a general overview of IGN with a brief discussion of future directions. Key WordsZZStereotactic ㆍNeurosurgery ㆍNeuro-image ㆍPitfall. Received: November 26, 2015 / Revised: November 27, 2015 / Accepted: December 7, 2015 Address for correspondence: Won Seok Chang, M.D. Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea Tel: 82-2-2228-2150, Fax: 82-2-393-9979, E-mail: [email protected] Introduction to approach deep structures in the brain and, perform biopsies, injection, stimulation, implantation, or radiosurgery. In mod- Stereotactic neurosurgery (SNS) is a minimally invasive sur- ern times, brain structures are virtualized in real time, leading gical procedure for diagnosis and treatment of brain lesions, to developments in brain tumor treatment and functional neu- that relies on locating targets relative to an external frame of ref- rosurgery.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Neurosurgery with Movement Disorders ­— Developed Under the Leadership of Prof
    MDS-0212-455 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1 • 2012 • EDITORS, DR. CARLO COLOSIMO, DR. MARK STACY History of Neurosurgery with Movement Disorders — Developed under the leadership of Prof. Joachim K. Krauss, Hannover, Germany, Past-Chair of MDS Neurosurgery Task Force (now Special Interest Group); Special recognition for developing this content and coordinating the project belongs to Dr. Karl Sillay, Dr. Kelly Foote and Dr. Marwan I. Hariz. Neurosurgical contributions to to an intended surgical target. Dr. Hassler Movement Disorders surgery described lesioning of the ventral interme- Definition of Stereotactic and Functional diate nucleus of the thalamus for parkinso- Neurosurgery nian tremor using stereotaxy in 1954 Neurosurgeons treating disorders of brain (Hassler and Riechert, 1954). Surgery for function by inactivating or stimulating the movement disorders was then widely nervous system often referred to as func- performed until Dr. Cotzias introduced in tional neurosurgeons. Early neurosurgeons 1968 a clinically practical form of levodopa performing procedures with a Stereotactic therapy (Cotzias, 1968), which temporarily Frame (described later) were often referred suspended the apparent need for movement to as Stereotactic or Stereotaxic neurosur- disorders surgery. geons. The term Functional and Stereotactic Lesional stereotactic surgery for PD re- Neurosurgery has been assocated with those emerged in the 1990s for patients experi- neurosurgeons performing such procedures encing complications of levodopa therapy. as deep brain stimulation (DBS).
    [Show full text]
  • And Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
    Geisinger Health Plan Policies and Procedure Manual Policy: MP084 Section: Medical Benefit Policy Subject: Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy I. Policy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) II. Purpose/Objective: To provide a policy of coverage regarding Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) III. Responsibility: A. Medical Directors B. Medical Management IV. Required Definitions 1. Attachment – a supporting document that is developed and maintained by the policy writer or department requiring/authoring the policy. 2. Exhibit – a supporting document developed and maintained in a department other than the department requiring/authoring the policy. 3. Devised – the date the policy was implemented. 4. Revised – the date of every revision to the policy, including typographical and grammatical changes. 5. Reviewed – the date documenting the annual review if the policy has no revisions necessary. V. Additional Definitions Medical Necessity or Medically Necessary means Covered Services rendered by a Health Care Provider that the Plan determines are: a. appropriate for the symptoms and diagnosis or treatment of the Member's condition, illness, disease or injury; b. provided for the diagnosis, and the direct care and treatment of the Member's condition, illness disease or injury; c. in accordance with current standards of good medical treatment practiced by the general medical community. d. not primarily for the convenience of the Member, or the Member's Health Care Provider; and e. the most appropriate source or level of service that can safely be provided to the Member. When applied to hospitalization, this further means that the Member requires acute care as an inpatient due to the nature of the services rendered or the Member's condition, and the Member cannot receive safe or adequate care as an outpatient.
    [Show full text]
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Original Effective Date: 12/18/14 Policy Number: MCP-224 Revision Date(S): 12/13/17, 12/10/19
    Subject: Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Original Effective Date: 12/18/14 Policy Number: MCP-224 Revision Date(s): 12/13/17, 12/10/19 Review Date: 12/16/15, 9/15/16, 9/13/17, 9/13/18, 9/18/19, 12/10/19 MCPC Approval Date: 12/13/17, 9/13/18, 9/18/19, 12/10/19 DISCLAIMER This Molina Clinical Policy (MCP) is intended to facilitate the Utilization Management process. It expresses Molina's determination as to whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary, experimental, investigational, or cosmetic for purposes of determining appropriateness of payment. The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (i.e., will be paid for by Molina) for a particular member. The member's benefit plan determines coverage. Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusion(s) or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply. If there is a discrepancy between this policy and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern. In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a State, the Federal government or CMS for Medicare and Medicaid members. CMS's Coverage Database can be found on the CMS website. The coverage directive(s) and criteria from an existing National Coverage Determination (NCD) or Local Coverage Determination (LCD) will supersede the contents of this Molina Clinical Policy (MCP) document and provide the directive for all Medicare members.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE/SERVICE/PHARMACEUTICAL 40 Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a method of delivering high doses of ionizing radiation to small intracranial targets delivered via stereotactic guidance with ~1 mm targeting accuracy in a single fraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Roles of Stereotactic Surgical Robot Systems in Neurosurgery
    Review Roles of Stereotactic Surgical Robot Systems in Neurosurgery Hanyang Med Rev 2016;36:211-214 https://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2016.36.4.211 pISSN 1738-429X eISSN 2234-4446 Young Soo Kim, MD, PhD Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea An important trend of surgical procedure is minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Correspondence to: Young Soo Kim Neurosurgery is an important part of the surgical field that may lead in trends. The MIS Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea provides surgeons use of a variety of techniques to operate with less injury to the body 222 Wangsimri-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, than with open surgery. In general, it is safer than open surgery and allows patients to 04763, Korea recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. Tel: +82-2-2290-8491 Fax: +82-2-2291-8498 There are various techniques and medical devices for improving the MIS. Recently, E-mail: [email protected] robotic surgery was introduced to MIS. Advanced robotic systems give doctors greater control and vision during surgery, allowing them to perform safe, less invasive, and Received 27 September 2016 precise surgical procedures. Revised 19 October 2016 On the one hand, several robotic systems have been developed for use in Accepted 22 October 2016 neurosurgery. Some of those neurosurgical robots have been commercialized and This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of used in clinical practice while others have not been used because of safety and the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which ethical issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Advances in Stereotactic Surgery
    Article NIMHANS Journal Recent Advances in Stereotactic Surgery Volume: 14 Issue: 04 October 1996 Page: 339-347 Vedantam Rajshekhar, - DONSC, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India Abstract Stereotactic surgery began almost a century ago but only recently has it come to be applied widely in the management of neurosurgical disorders. There have been several advances in stereotactic instrumentation and techniques in the past two decades, influenced mostly by the development of computer technology. Present day stereotactic surgical techniques include image guided surgery (both morphological and functional surgery), volumetric image guided surgery, frameless surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy and robotic stereotactic surgery. The author discusses the indications for and the applications of these stereotactic techniques and their impact on the management of neurosurgical patients today and in the future. Key words - Brain tumour, Computerised tomography, Radiation therapy, Stereotactic Surgery Brain tumour, Computerised tomography, Radiation therapy, Stereotactic surgery Stereotactic neurosurgery epitomises precision and accuracy in neurosurgery. As one can imagine, a surgeon working within the confines of an important organ like the brain, has little leeway in terms of precision. Every neurosurgeon wishes that the chosen target within the brain whether it be a tumor or any other lesion, should be reached quickly, precisely and by causing the least possible damage to the surrounding structures. Stereotactic techniques provide the medium to transform these ideals into practical application. The term "stereotactic" is derived from a combination of "stereo-" (GK.) which means "three dimensional" and "tactic" (Lat.) which means "to touch" [1]. Therefore, a surgical technique which allows the surgeon "to touch" a target using "three dimensional" coordinates accurately describes stereotatic surgery.
    [Show full text]
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery
    AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS THOMAS A. MARSHALL, Executive Director REGINA SHUPAK, Acting Executive Director 5550 Meadowbrook Drive 10 North Martingale Road, Suite 190 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Schaumburg, IL 60173 Phone: 888-566-AANS Phone: 877-517-1CNS Fax: 847-378-0600 FAX: 847-240-0804 [email protected] [email protected] President President MITCHEL S. BERGER, MD CHRISTOPHER E. WOLFLA, MD San Francisco, California Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 28, 2012 Josh Morse, MPH, Program Director WA Health Technology Assessment Program Washington State Health Care Authority P.O. Box 4282 Olympia, WA 98504-2682 E-mail: [email protected] RE: Draft Health Technology Assessment for Stereotactic Radiosurgery Dear Mr. Morse: On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), we would like to thank the Washington State Health Care Authority for the opportunity to comment on the draft Health Technology Assessment (HTA) regarding the use of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). As you may know, stereotactic radiosurgery was pioneered by neurosurgeons and we are the leaders in using SRS to treat patients with a variety of neurologic diseases. For years, the AANS and CNS have worked with policymakers to help ensure that neurosurgical patients have access to this important treatment when appropriate, and we appreciate the opportunity to reiterate our thoughts on this topic to you now. Summary Overall, the strength of the evidence supporting the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for a diverse group of intracranial indications and spinal metastasis is high and overwhelming.
    [Show full text]
  • June 24, 2014 Dr. Bernice Hecker, MD, MHA, FACC Contractor Medical
    June 24, 2014 Dr. Bernice Hecker, MD, MHA, FACC Contractor Medical Director Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC 900 42nd Street S. P.O. Box 6740 Fargo, ND 58108-6740 Re: LCD DL35236- Draft LCD for Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Dear Dr. Hecker: The American Society for Radiation Oncology* (ASTRO) appreciates the opportunity to review and provide comments on the Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC Jurisdiction E, draft LCD DL35236 on Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Noridian accepted some of ASTRO’s previous recommendations sent on April 17, 2012, but in light of recently published data, ASTRO respectfully submits the following comments. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) Indications The draft LCD states that patients with more than three primary or metastatic brain lesions must be enrolled in an IRB-approved clinical trial or appropriate clinical registry for coverage. ASTRO recommends the removal of the limit on the number of primary or metastatic lesions to determine medical necessity. We recommend a more nuanced approach in which the number of intracranial lesions is not the essential consideration in making a determination to use SRS. A large body of published literature shows that patients presenting with greater than three lesions and excellent performance status also benefit from SRS1-5. Recent studies found Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, not the number of brain metastases, significantly correlated
    [Show full text]
  • Clinical Neurosurgery
    SUPPLEMENT TO NEUROSURGERY CLINICAL NEUROSURGERY VOLUME 55 CLINICAL NEUROSURGERY i Copyright ©2008 THE CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, or utilized by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission from the copyright holder. Accurate indications, adverse reactions, and dosage schedules or drugs are provided in this book, but it is possible that they may have changed. The reader is urged to review the package information data of the manufacturer of the medications mentioned. Printed in the United States of America (ISSN: 0069-4827) ii CLINICAL NEUROSURGERY Volume 55 Proceedings OF THE CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS San Diego, California 2007 iii Preface The 57th Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons was held at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, from September 15 to September 20, 2007. Volume 55 of Clinical Neurosurgery represents the official compilation of the invited scientific manu- scripts from the plenary sessions, the Presidential address by Dr. Douglas Kondziolka, and biographic and bibliographic information of the Honored Guest. Dr. L. Dade Lunsford. This landmark meeting under the leadership of President Douglas Kondziolka introduced a novel, interactive, educational paradigm called Integrated Medical Learning (IML) which fos- tered audience participation using advanced interactive technology. Data from these stimulating sessions, focusing on the treatment of brain metastases, spondylolisthesis, and cerebral aneu- rysms, are captured for review, analysis, and future presentation to the neurosurgical commu- nity at large. IML has proven to be a powerful and effective tool to bring together the “teacher” and “learner”.
    [Show full text]
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Page 1 of 102
    Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Page 1 of 102 Medical Policy An Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Title: Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Professional Institutional Original Effective Date: October 17, 2006 Original Effective Date: May 1, 2007 Revision Date(s): January 20, 2007; Revision Date(s): September 25, 2007; April 1, 2007; September 25, 2007; June 26, 2008; January 1, 2009; June 26, 2008; January 1, 2009; June 30, 2009; February 25, 2011; June 30, 2009; February 25, 2011; January 15, 2013; March 27, 2014; January 15, 2013; March 27, 2014; January 21, 2016; December 20, 2017; January 21, 2016; December 20, 2017; March 27, 2019; January 15, 2021; March 27, 2019; January 15, 2021; March 29, 2021; April 28, 2021; March 29, 2021; April 28, 2021; September 17, 2021 September 17, 2021 Current Effective Date: March 29, 2021 Current Effective Date: March 29, 2021 State and Federal mandates and health plan member contract language, including specific provisions/exclusions, take precedence over Medical Policy and must be considered first in determining eligibility for coverage. To verify a member's benefits, contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Customer Service. The BCBSKS Medical Policies contained herein are for informational purposes and apply only to members who have health insurance through BCBSKS or who are covered by a self-insured group plan administered by BCBSKS. Medical Policy for FEP members is subject to FEP medical policy which may differ from BCBSKS Medical Policy. The medical policies do not constitute medical advice or medical care. Treating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither employees nor agents of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and are solely responsible for diagnosis, treatment and medical advice.
    [Show full text]