Intraventricular Glioblastomas: A Systematic Review of Multimodal Treatment Strategies
Gianluca Scalia 1Gianluca Ferini 2Francesca Graziano 1Salvatore Marrone 3Eliana Giurato 4Maria Galasso 4Oday Atallah 5Minaam Farooq 6Massimo Furnari 1Giuseppe Umana 7Giovanni Nicoletti 1
1 Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Garibaldi Hospital, 95124 Catania, Italy
2 Department of Radiation Oncology, REM Radioterapia Srl, 95125 Viagrande, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
3 Department of Neurosurgery, Sant’Elia Hospital, 93100 Caltanissetta, Italy
4 Anatomic Pathology Unit, Garibaldi Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
5 Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
6 Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
7 Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Center, Gamma Knife Center, Cannizzaro Hospital, 95126 Catania, Italy
Ann. Ital. Chir., 2024, 95(4), 100191; https://doi.org/10.62713/aic.3529
Published: 20 Aug 2024
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s).
Abstract
AIM: Intraventricular glioblastomas (IVGBMs) are rare tumors within the central nervous system characterized by unique challenges in diagnosis and management due to their location within the ventricular system. Despite their rarity, these tumors necessitate comprehensive study to refine diagnostic approaches and optimize therapeutic strategies. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant literature published up to January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies in English focusing on clinical characteristics, radiological features, pathology, and treatment of IVGBM. Data synthesis and analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising 47 patients with IVGBM. The median age was 47 years, with a male predominance (32 males, 15 females). Common symptoms included increased intracranial pressure and seizures. Tumors predominantly affected the lateral ventricles (body and trigone). Surgical resection (subtotal or gross total) was the primary treatment approach, with adjuvant therapies (radiotherapy, chemotherapy) administered postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: IVGBM present distinct diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their ventricular location. Current treatments primarily involve surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapies, though outcomes remain guarded. Further research is needed to enhance understanding and management of this rare glioblastoma subset.