Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39888450›Full record

ArticleActa neurochirurgica2025

Comparison of surgical approaches and outcome for symptomatic pineal cysts: microscopic/endoscopic fenestration vs. stereotactic catheter implantation.

Michael Schmutzer-Sondergeld, Aylin Gencer, Tristan Schmidlechner, Hanna Zimmermann, Sebastian Niedermeyer, Sophie Katzendobler, Veit M Stoecklein, Thomas Liebig, Christian Schichor, Niklas Thon

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Acta neurochirurgica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Michael Schmutzer-SondergeldDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany. michael.schmutzer@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Aylin GencerDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Tristan SchmidlechnerDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Hanna ZimmermannInstitute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Sebastian NiedermeyerDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Sophie KatzendoblerDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Veit M StoeckleinDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Thomas LiebigInstitute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Christian SchichorDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Niklas ThonDepartment of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTreatment strategies for space-occupying/symptomatic pineal cysts (PC) are still up for debate. In this study we present PC management, outcome data and risk factors for recurrence after surgery, focusing on microscopic/endoscopic procedures vs. stereotactic catheter implantation as alternative treatment concept to permanently drain PC into ventricles/cisterns.

methodsThis monocentric retrospective analysis included clinical data from all consecutive PC patients treated surgically between 2000 and 2022. Postoperative neurological and functional outcomes, along with perioperative complications, as well as time to PC recurrence and MR-morphological data were evaluated.

results39 patients (median age 32.6 years, range: 5.1-71.6 years) were analyzed. Main presenting symptoms were headaches, visual impairment, and epileptic seizures. In 18 patients (46.2%) an enlarged ventricular system was preoperatively found with 7 patients (18.0%) suffering from occlusive hydrocephalus. 14 patients underwent microscopic/endosocopic surgery, in 25 cases stereotaxy was preferred. No complication was seen in the microsurgery/endoscopy group compared to one intracystic postoperative bleeding (2.6%) and two CSF leaks (5.1%) after stereotaxy (p = 0.5). Overall, clinical improvement and significant cyst volume reduction (p < 0.0001) was seen in all patients. Recurrent PC were seen in 23.1%, independent of surgical procedure (p = 0.2). In cases of recurrence, TTR was 25.2 ± 31.2 months. Male gender (p = 0.01), longer surgery time (p = 0.03) and preoperatively increased Evans index (EI) (p = 0.007) were significant risk factors for PC recurrence in multivariate analysis.

conclusionIn patients suffering from PC, microsurgical and stereotactic approaches can improve clinical symptoms at low procedural risk, with equal extent of volume reduction. However, preoperative ventricular enlargement and EI values should be considered for optimal treatment planning to reduce recurrence.

Indexed as

Central Nervous System CystsMicrosurgeryNeuroendoscopyPineal GlandStereotaxic TechniquesAdolescentAdultAgedChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsRetrospective StudiesEndoscopyEvans indexFOHRMicrosurgeryPineal cystsStereotaxy

Identifiers

PMID39888450
PMCPMC11785698

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.