A crowdsourced consensus on supratotal resection versus gross total resection for anatomically distinct primary glioblastoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gross total resection (GTR) of contrast-enhancing tumor is associated with increased survival in primary glioblastoma. Recently, there has been increasing interest in performing supratotal resections (SpTRs) for glioblastoma. OBJECTIVE: To address the published results, which have varied in part due to lack of consensus on the definition and appropriate use of SpTR. METHODS: A crowdsourcing approach was used to survey 21 neurosurgical oncologists representing 14 health systems nationwide. Participants were presented with 11 definitions of SpTR and asked to rate the appropriateness of each definition. Participants reviewed T1-weighed postcontrast and fluid-Attenuated inversion-recovery magnetic resonance imaging for 22 anatomically distinct glioblastomas. Participants were asked to assess the tumor location's eloquence, the perceived equipoise of enrolling patients in a randomized trial comparing gross total to SpTR, and their personal treatment plans. RESULTS: Most neurosurgeons surveyed (n = 18, 85.7%) agree that GTR plus resection of some noncontrast enhancement is an appropriate definition for SpTR. Overall, moderate inter-rater agreement existed regarding eloquence, equipoise, and personal treatment plans. The 4 neurosurgeons who had performed >10 SpTRs for glioblastomas in the past year were more likely to recommend it as their treatment plan (P