Comparison of protein digestibility of human milk and infant formula using the INFOGEST method under infant digestion conditions.

Many improvements have been made to bring infant formula (IF) closer to human milk (HM) regarding its nutritional and biological properties. Nevertheless, the protein components of HM and IF are still different, which may affect their digestibility. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the protein digestibility of HM and IF using the infant INFOGEST digestion method. Pooled HM and a commercial IF were subjected to the infant INFOGEST method, which simulates the physiological digestion conditions of infants, with multiple directions, i.e., the curd state, SDS-PAGE, molecular weight distribution, free amino acid concentration, and in vitro protein digestion rate. HM underwent proteolysis before digestion, and tended to have a higher protein digestion rate with finer curds during gastric digestion, than the IF. However, multifaceted analyses showed that the protein digestibility of HM and IF was not significantly different after gastrointestinal digestion. In conclusion, the infant INFOGEST method showed that the digestibility of HM and IF proteins differed to some extent before digestion and after gastric digestion, but not at the end of gastrointestinal digestion. The findings of this study will contribute to the refinement of IFs with better protein digestibility in infant stomach.

Thoracic spinal cord injury after surgical removal of a ruptured cerebellar arteriovenous malformation in a patient in the Concorde position: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic spinal cord injury after posterior cranial fossa surgery in younger patients is a rare complication. There have been reports of this complication in tumor and spine fields but not in vascular surgery. OBSERVATIONS: A 22-year-old-man experienced cerebellar arteriovenous malformation rupture, and the malformation was surgically removed with the man in the Concorde position. After surgery, the man had severe paraplegia, and a thoracic spinal cord injury was diagnosed. LESSONS: In younger patients, cervical hyperflexion in the Concorde position can cause thoracic spinal cord injury even in surgery for cerebrovascular disease.

Fenestration of the posterior cerebral artery P1-P2 junction: A case report.

Fenestration is a rare anatomical variation in the posterior cerebral artery. To the best of our knowledge, there are few reports of fenestrations at the posterior cerebral artery P1-P2 junction. Herein, we report a case of fenestration of the posterior cerebral artery P1-P2 junction diagnosed by 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. A 75-year-old woman visited our hospital because of headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging incidentally showed fenestration around the P1-P2 segment of the right posterior cerebral artery. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed a small fenestration at the right posterior cerebral artery P1-P2 junction. The vessel diameter of both limbs forming the fenestration was nearly equal. Careful imaging assessment is important to identify fenestration of the posterior cerebral artery P1-P2 junction. Both magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful for diagnosis in this case.

Dysplastic aberrant left subclavian artery originating from a thoracic intersegmental artery associated with a right aortic arch.

PURPOSE: A right aortic arch (RAA) is a rare vascular anomaly that often coexists with an aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA). Due to the rarity of RAA, the development of an ALSA is not well understood. METHOD: We describe a case in which a 58-year-old man who was scheduled to undergo posterior decompression and fusion surgery for thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament from Th1 to Th3 was found to have a RAA and an ALSA. RESULTS: Preoperative computed tomography angiography demonstrated a RAA and an ALSA. The ALSA was extremely tortuous and ran in the paraspinal muscles behind the thoracic laminae, which meant it was in the surgical field. The ALSA arose from the descending aorta and bifurcated into the left segmental arteries of Th1 and Th2, and also bifurcated into the left vertebral artery, which had a normal subsequent course. The dysplastic ALSA was considered to have developed from the thoracic intersegmental artery. Based on preoperative examination findings, we performed spinal surgery without vessel injury. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of a dysplastic ALSA that developed from the thoracic intersegmental artery with a RAA. The knowledge of this anomaly provides safety in spinal surgery of the cervicothoracic junction.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after endovascular reperfusion therapy for medium vessel occlusion: A case report.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome is a rare but serious complication after revascularization procedures for cerebrovascular diseases. Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome can develop after treatment of acute ischemic stroke, including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment of large vessel occlusion. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports describing cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after endovascular treatment of medium vessel occlusion (eg, anterior cerebral artery A2/3 segment). We report a case of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after endovascular reperfusion therapy for medium vessel occlusion. A 70-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and dyslipidemia was transferred by ambulance to our hospital because of immobility and slurred speech. She had mild right lower extremity paralysis, and her symptoms appeared improved compared with onset. She was diagnosed with cerebral infarction in the left frontal lobe. After hospitalization, her neurological symptoms worsened and she was referred to our department. We performed endovascular reperfusion therapy for left anterior cerebral artery A2 occlusion. Recanalization was achieved with residual stenosis. Despite the lack of complications associated with the procedure, the patient had prolonged disorientation, severe hemiplegia, and aphasia. Arterial spin labeling demonstrated hyperperfusion in the left anterior cerebral artery area. The symptoms gradually improved under strict blood pressure control. This report provides evidence that cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome can occur even after endovascular treatment for medium vessel occlusion. Arterial spin labeling was useful in detecting hyperperfusion.

Replaced posterior cerebral artery.

PURPOSE: Replaced posterior cerebral artery (PCA), defined as a hyperplastic anterior choroidal artery (AChA) supplying all branches of the PCA, is an extremely rare anatomical variation. To the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports of replaced PCA. METHODS: Herein, we report a case of replaced PCA diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A 76-year-old woman visited a neurosurgical clinic because of headache and vertigo. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography incidentally revealed a left internal carotid artery aneurysm. She was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment of the unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Left internal carotid angiography revealed a paraclinoid aneurysm. We also incidentally found an anomalous hyperplastic AChA distal to the aneurysm. This hyperplastic AChA supplied not only the AChA territory but also the entire PCA territory. No vessels that could be a normal AChA or posterior communicating artery were identified along the left internal carotid artery. Vertebral angiography demonstrated that the left PCA was not visualized. With these findings, we diagnosed anomalous hyperplastic AChoA in this case as replaced PCA. CONCLUSION: Careful imaging assessment is important to identify replaced PCA. Both direct findings of a hyperplastic AChA course and perfusion territory and indirect findings of the absence of the original PCA are useful in the diagnosis of replaced PCA.

Endovascular treatment of acute atherothrombotic internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.

Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is a relatively rare anatomical variation and a type of persistent carotid-basilar anastomosis. Acute internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is rare, and atherothrombotic occlusion is extremely rare. We present a case of acute atherothrombotic internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery that was successfully treated by endovascular treatment. A 70-year-old male with a history of left internal carotid artery stenosis was transferred to our hospital by ambulance because of abnormal behaviors and aphasia. He was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and left internal carotid artery occlusion. Left carotid angiography revealed the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery arising from the cervical internal carotid artery and complete internal carotid artery occlusion distal to the origin of the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery. Therefore, we performed endovascular treatment. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed under minimal flow arrest with consideration of brain ischemia causing coma. After additional balloon angioplasty, recanalization was achieved, and the patient's symptoms improved. During the 1.5-year follow-up period, no recurrence or restenosis was observed. This report provides evidence that atherosclerotic internal carotid artery stenosis associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery can occur even distal to the origin of the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery and that the lesion may become acutely occluded, leading to acute stroke. Endovascular treatment considering brain ischemia was effective in this case.

Tuberculum meningioma with recovery of glaucoma-like visual field defects after chiasmal decompression: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report a case of tuberculum meningioma with recovery of glaucoma-like visual field defects after chiasmal decompression. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old woman presenting with headache was found to have bilateral arcuate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning on optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a corresponding arcuate scotomas consistent with glaucomatous change. However a suprasellar tumor compressing the anterior chiasm from below was found on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. After resection of the mass, which was diagnosed as meningothelial meningioma by the pathological examination, the glaucoma-like visual field defects resolved despite the RNFL thinning on the OCT showing no improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Chiasmal compression may mimic glaucoma and produce arcuate scotoma rather than temporal visual field loss. There is a possibility that the development of chiasmal compression somehow converted preperimetric glaucoma into a more advanced form accompanied by visual field defects and that the glaucoma reverted to the preperimetric state after chiasmal decompression.

Internal carotid artery-persistent primitive anterior choroidal artery aneurysms: report of two cases and literature review.

PURPOSE: Persistent primitive anterior choroidal artery (PPAChA) is a rare vascular anomaly. The clinical course of internal carotid artery (ICA)-PPAChA aneurysms has not been well described. CASE REPORTS: We report two patients with an ICA-PPChA aneurysm and summarize previously reported cases. RESULTS: Including our two, a total of 10 patients with an ICA-PPAChA aneurysm have been reported. Data were not described for one. Among the remaining nine, five patients (56%) experienced aneurysmal rupture. Five patients underwent surgical clipping and four underwent endovascular coiling. The procedure was completed in all but one patient who had a tiny branch artery adherent to the aneurysm; this patient was converted from clipping to aneurysm coating with a cotton sheet. Among the other eight patients, one who underwent coiling experienced an internal capsule infarction. The remaining seven had a satisfactory postoperative course; however, an asymptomatic occlusion of the PPAChA at its origin was noted on postoperative angiography in one. CONCLUSION: PPChA is associated with a high incidence of aneurysm formation and rupture. During treatment of ICA-PPAChA aneurysms, obstruction of the PPAChA and any surrounding perforating arteries should be avoided to prevent ischemic stroke.

[Surgical Techniques for Microvascular Decompression in Hemifacial Spasm].

This study discusses the key microvascular decompression(MVD)techniques for the treatment of hemifacial spasm(HFS). The author's experience is based on their institution's cases, highlighting three critical techniques. (1)Vertebral artery(VA)repositioning: Repositioning the VA is essential in challenging cases. This article focuses on the relocation of the proximal portion of the VA and the importance of careful dissection. (2)Relocating vessels compressing the peripheral branches of the facial nerve: HFS can result from nerve compression at various locations, including the cisternal portion. This study addressed cisternal compression and considered the nearby nerves. (3)Considering the perforating branches during repositioning, cases may involve complex branching of the perforating arteries. This paper describes an approach that carefully repositions the vessels without damaging the perforating branches. The results from 100 VA-involved cases showed excellent outcomes, with 91.2% of patients experiencing T0(excellent)results. This study emphasized the need to adapt the surgical approach to each unique case to ensure the safety and effectiveness of MVD. This study provides insights into the critical MVD techniques for HFS, emphasizing the importance of continuous experience and knowledge accumulation. These techniques can be learned by other neurosurgeons, thereby expanding the availability of safe and successful MVD procedures for HFS.

Fatal stroke with acute simultaneous bilateral common carotid artery occlusion presenting as sudden coma: A case report.

Common carotid artery occlusion is rare. Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion is extremely rare and, to our knowledge, has hardly ever been reported. This report describes a case of fatal stroke with acute simultaneous bilateral common carotid artery occlusion presenting as sudden coma. A 90-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital by ambulance with a sudden coma. She had a history of atrial fibrillation but had not taken any oral antithrombotic medication in recent years. She had been receiving house calls for dehydration in the previous week. Magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive cerebral infarcts in both cerebral hemispheres, and magnetic resonance angiography revealed bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Acute recanalization therapy was not performed because of the extensive cerebral infarction, the patient's advanced age, and her poor ability to perform activities of daily living. On the day after onset, she died of massive cerebral infarction and marked brain swelling.

Mechanical thrombectomy for middle cerebral artery occlusion caused by intracranial internal carotid artery stenosis: A case report.

Tandem internal carotid artery (ICA)/middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions are occasionally observed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Most of them are caused by lesions at the origin of the ICA. In cases of intracranial ICA stenosis, the formation of a large thrombus causing MCA occlusion is extremely rare. Herein We report a case of acute MCA occlusion caused by intracranial ICA stenosis. A 62-year-old female presented with aphasia, right-side weakness, and a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 5. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed early ischemic infarction at the precentral gyrus. Left ICA and M1 occlusion were suspected on magnetic resonance angiography. However, the patient had complained of right-side numbness 6 days before the onset. Hence the stroke was assumed to have progressed slowly, and acute occlusion of the left ICA was eliminated as a suspected diagnosis. After admission, the symptoms worsened. MRI showed enlargement of the cerebral infarction. Computed tomography angiography showed complete occlusion of the left M1 and recanalization of the left ICA with severe stenosis of the petrous portion. The etiology of the MCA occlusion was determined to be atherothromboembolism. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed for ICA stenosis, followed by mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for the MCA occlusion. Recanalization of the MCA was achieved. After Seven days, the NIHSS score reduced from a pre-MT assessment of 17-2. PTA followed by MT was safe and effective for treating MCA occlusion caused by intracranial ICA stenosis.

Objectively-captured Changes in Trigeminal Fibers before and after Microvascular Decompression Using 3D T2-SPACE MRI Might Relate to Eventual Residual Symptoms.

Although microvascular decompression (MVD) is a reliable treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), neurosurgeons sometimes encounter patients whose symptoms do not improve postoperatively or who experience good treatment efficacy but develop other sensory disturbances. This study aims to objectively identify changes in nerve fibers before and after surgery by MRI and to clarify the relationship between the changes and residual postoperative symptoms. We retrospectively analyzed data from 36 consecutive patients who underwent MVD for classical TN at our hospital between November 2019 and November 2020. Cases that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis were excluded. We confirmed the changes on the brainstem side of the trigeminal nerve preoperatively and at seven days postoperatively using 3D T2-SPACE MRI, in which the patients were divided into three groups: preoperative T2 high intensity positive (A), postoperative T2 high intensity positive (B), and no T2 high-intensity region (C). The primary outcome measures were therapeutic efficacy and frequency of postoperative numbness. The results of MVD surgery were evaluated one year postoperatively. The percentage of cases in which treatment outcomes were rated as excellent or good at one year: group A: 0 (0%), group B: 6 (100%), and group C: 25 (96.2%) (p < 0.05); the frequency of numbness: 2 (50%) in group A, 3 (50%) in group B, and 1 (3.8%) in group C, indicating significant differences between the three groups (p < 0.05). 3D T2-SPACE MRI sequences can be used to identify changes in trigeminal nerve fibers before and after MVD, which might correlate with eventual residual symptoms.

Simultaneous intracranial and extracranial vertebral artery dissections: a case report.

Vertebral artery dissection can occur in intracranial or extracranial vertebral arteries. However, the simultaneous dissection of both intracranial and extracranial vertebral arteries is extremely rare. We describe a 45-year-old man with simultaneous intracranial and extracranial vertebral artery dissections in separate sites. The patient visited a neurosurgical clinic because of headache; he was diagnosed with right vertebral artery dissection and referred to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intramural hematoma and mild dilation of the external lumen in the right vertebral artery distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed poor delineation of the entire right vertebral artery, including the proximal portion from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Computed tomography angiography revealed right extracranial vertebral artery dissection. Careful imaging assessment is thus important for identifying simultaneous intracranial and extracranial vertebral artery dissections.

Rescue retrieval of a trapped embolic protection device using a JB2-type balloon catheter.

Carotid artery stenting is a treatment option for patients with significant symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Although use of an embolic protection device during carotid artery stenting can prevent distal embolization, device retrieval after stenting can be difficult. In this report, during an embolic protection device retrieval, it was not possible to advance recapture catheters through the distal flare segment of the stent because the device wire would catch on the flare or become jammed between the flare and vessel wall. Then, an extension wire was connected to the end of the device and a 5.2-Fr JB2-type balloon catheter was advanced over the wire, which was able to pass through the stent. The use of a 5.2-Fr JB2-type balloon catheter to retrieve a trapped embolic protection device is feasible and effective if standard maneuvers fail.

Posterior inferior cerebellar artery originating from the posterior meningeal artery mimicking dural arteriovenous fistula.

PURPOSE: Many variations in the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) have been reported. To our knowledge, only one case of a PICA originating from the posterior meningeal artery (PMA) has been reported. METHODS: We describe a case with a PICA that was supplied retrograde from the distal segment of the PMA, mimicking a dural arteriovenous fistula on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). RESULTS: A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a sudden occipital headache and nausea. MRA showed a hyperplastic left PMA, continuing to an abnormal vessel that was suspicious for venous drainage. Digital subtraction angiography revealed the left PMA originated from the extradural segment of the vertebral artery and then connected to the left PICA near the torcula. The cortical segment of the PICA flowed retrograde, which appeared as venous reflux on MRA. A second PICA originated from the extradural segment of the left vertebral artery and perfused the tonsillomedullary and televelotonsillar segment of the left PICA territory. CONCLUSION: We present an anatomical variant of the PICA mimicking a dural arteriovenous fistula. Digital subtraction angiography is useful for diagnosis of the cortical segment of the PICA flowing retrograde from the distal segment of the PMA because signal intensity in MRA of retrograde flow tends to decrease and diagnosis may be difficult. During endovascular treatment and open surgery, we should note that ischemic complications may occur due to the potential anastomosing channels between cerebral and dural arteries.

Extremely long posterior cerebral artery P1 segment.

PURPOSE: Excluding aplasia and hypoplasia of the P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), anatomical variations in the PCA are rare. To our best knowledge, there are few reports of an extremely long P1 segment of the PCA. METHODS: Herein, we report a rare case of an extremely long P1 segment of the PCA, which was diagnosed by 1.5-T magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). RESULTS: A 96-year-old woman was transferred by ambulance to our hospital with impaired consciousness. Her symptom improved, and magnetic resonance imaging showed no significant findings. MRA revealed an extremely long P1 segment of the left PCA. The length of the P1 segment of the left PCA was 27.3 mm. The left posterior communicating artery (PCoA) was 20.9 mm, which is not considered long. The left anterior choroidal artery branched from the internal carotid artery distal to the PCoA branching position. Basilar artery fenestration was also incidentally identified. CONCLUSION: Careful imaging assessment was important for identifying the extremely long P1 segment of the PCA in the present case. This rare anatomical variation can also be confirmed by 1.5-T MRA.