Severe pneumocranium after gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastasis: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS) is a recognized safe and effective treatment for brain metastasis; however, some complications can present significant clinical challenges. This case report highlights a rare occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and pneumocranium following GKRS, emphasizing the need for awareness and prompt management of these complications. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 35-year-old male with a history of malignant neoplasm of the lip in 2015 and perineural spread of malignancy into the left cavernous sinus was treated with GKRS in 2017. The patient was admitted emergently 39 days after discharge due to persistent headache and dizziness. DIAGNOSES: Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse bilateral pneumocranium alongside an observation of CSF leakage. INTERVENTIONS: A surgical procedure involving a left frontal-temporal craniotomy was performed to excise a residual skull base tumor and repair the dura, guided by a navigator system. The conclusive pathological assessment revealed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma markers. OUTCOMES: The patient exhibited excellent tolerance to the entire procedure and experienced a prompt and uneventful recovery process. After surgery, the symptoms alleviated and CSF leak stopped. The follow-up image showed the pneumocranium resolved. LESSONS: Pneumocranium due to early-stage post-GKRS is uncommon. The rapid tumor shrinkage and timing of brain metastasis spreading through the dura can lead to CSF leak and pneumocranium. We reviewed current treatment options and presented a successful craniotomy-based dura repair case.

Minimally Invasive Resection of a Foraminal Lumbar Root Schwannoma.

Background and Importance: This video article reports a rare case of a right L5/S1 foraminal root schwannoma that presents the natural course of the disease, imaging findings, treatment protocol, operative procedure, and highlights some of the possible surgical complications. Clinical Presentation: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural, extramedullary, well-enhanced mass at the right L5/S1 level. The operative procedure involved a right minimal L5/S1 laminotomy/foraminotomy posteriorly to open the right L5 root. The facet joints were preserved to prevent spinal instability. The tumor was located along the root after opening the right L5/S1 foramen. Intraoperative electromyography (IOM) was conducted to detect any nerve injury in the patient. After opening the dura, the tumor was carefully separated from the normal root nerve under IOM monitoring. The mass was removed piece-by-piece using mini-forceps. Conclusion: Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a schwannoma. The patient recovered without incident after surgery with minimal soreness and numbness in the right leg.

Clinical Outcome and Safety of Lumboperitoneal Shunt in the Treatment of Non-Obstructive Hydrocephalus.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt for the treatment of non-obstructive hydrocephalus. Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical surgical results of 172 adult patients with hydrocephalus who underwent LP shunt surgery between June 2014 and June 2019. Data regarding the following were collected: pre- and postoperative symptom status, third ventricle width changes, Evans index, and postoperative complications. Additionally, the baseline and follow-up Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were investigated. All patients were followed up for ≥12 months using clinical interview and braining imaging using computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Majority of patients presented with normal pressure hydrocephalus as the etiology of their disease (48.8%), followed by cardiovascular accident (28.5%), trauma (19.7%), and brain tumor (3%). The mean GCS, GOS, and mRS improved postoperatively. The average period from symptomatic onset to surgery was 402 days. The average width of the third ventricle on CT scan or MRI was 11.43 mm preoperatively and 10.8 mm postoperatively (P<0.001). The Evans index improved from 0.258 to 0.222 after operation. The symptomatic improvement score was 7.0, with a complication rate of 7%. Conclusion: Significant improvement was observed in the functional score and brain image after LP shunt placement. Moreover, the satisfaction with symptomatic improvement after surgery remains high. LP shunt operation is a viable alternative in the treatment of non-obstructive hydrocephalus due to the low complication rate, fast recovery, and high satisfaction.

Tonsillar herniation as a complication of lumboperitoneal shunt: case report and literature review.

Tonsillar herniation is a rare and seldom reported complication after lumboperitoneal (LP) shunting. There have been only few reports that have presented possible options for treatment with varying degrees of success. In this report, we describe a rare case of tonsillar herniation after LP shunting and review related literature.A 17-year-old girl with hydrocephalus related to a traumatic brain injury underwent implantation of an adjustable pressure shunt (valve setting2.5) and a small lumen peritoneal catheter via the L4-L5 interspinal space. One month later, she was admitted to the emergency room with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ofE1M1Vt and dilated pupil. Image studies demonstrated new-onset tonsillar herniation and a mild cervical syrinx. Emergent suboccipital decompressive craniectomy, C1 laminectomy, and duraplasty were performed. This was followed with ligation of the LP shunt and implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt a few days later. The patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score gradually recovered to 6, which was her previous neurologic status.Tonsillar herniation as a complication after LP shunting is best treated with decompression, ligation or removal of the LP shunt, and a shift to a VP shunt. The tonsillar herniation should be rapidly addressed to avoid persistent symptoms or progression of the neurologic deficits.

Continuous intrathecal saline infusion for treating refractory spontaneous intracranial hypotension: A case report.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a poorly understood condition that presents with a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild headaches to coma. It is typically caused by continuous spontaneous leakage of spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), resulting in orthostatic headaches. However, the appropriate management of refractory SIH remains unclear. A 50-year-old man presented with orthostatic headache followed by a rapid decline in mental status. The imaging findings were consistent with the diagnosis of SIH, with bilateral cerebral subdural hematomas and abnormal fluid collection in the posterior epidural space from the T2 to T12 levels. Computed tomography myelography of the whole spine revealed multiple high-flow CSF leakages at the T6 to T8 levels. Despite treatment with bilateral burr hole drainage for subdural hematomas and repeated lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) three times, the patient's condition worsened and he developed stupor. A lumbar intrathecal saline bolus (90 ml) was administered to restore CSF depletion. The patient's verbal function improved immediately, and continuous intrathecal saline infusion was administered at a rate of 10 ml/h for two days. The patient's stupor gradually resolved, and after his symptoms improved, the EBP injection was repeated at the T8 level. The patient recovered completely, and during the six-year follow-up, there were no signs of recurrence. SIH may cause a refractory decline in mental status, and lumbar intrathecal saline infusion may help arrest or reverse an impending central (transtentorial) herniation. This case demonstrates an appropriate bolus and continuous infusion of normal saline, and documents the resolution of SIH. This maneuver may change the CSF flow pattern and aims to seal the CSF fistula. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanism of intrathecal saline infusion and establish effective treatment strategies for refractory cases of SIH.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation: A case report and literature review.

Study design and objection: Intradural disc herniation is a unusual disease associated with spinal surgery. The definitive diagnosis of intradural herniation depends on intraoperative findings. Summary of background data: We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with backache and left sciatica radiation for more than two months. The L2/3 laminectomy and discectomy were performed after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study; however, no disc rupture was noted during surgery. Follow-up lumbar spine MRI revealed one large, ruptured disc. The patient underwent revision surgery with durotomy. The large intradural disc was found and removed piece by piece. Methods Results and Conclusions: Intradural disc herniation, especially large herniation, is hard to diagnose specifically despite the progression of neuroradiologic imaging techniques. A durotomy procedure should be considered if there is a missing ruptured disc or a palpable intradural mass during surgery.

Patient-derived tumor organoids as a platform of precision treatment for malignant brain tumors.

Malignant brain tumors consist of malignancies originated primarily within the brain and the metastatic lesions disseminated from other organs. In spite of intensive studies, malignant brain tumors remain to be a medical challenge. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) can recapitulate the biological features of the primary tumor it was derived from and has emerged as a promising drug-screening model for precision therapy. Here we show a proof-of-concept based on early clinical study entailing the organoids derived from the surgically resected tumors of 26 patients with advanced malignant brain tumors enrolled during December 2020 to October 2021. The tumors included nine glioma patients, one malignant meningioma, one primary lymphoma patient, and 15 brain metastases. The primary tumor sites of the metastases included five from the lungs, three from the breasts, two from the ovaries, two from the colon, one from the testis, one of melanoma origin, and one of chondrosarcoma. Out of the 26 tissues, 13 (50%) organoids were successfully generated with a culture time of about 2 weeks. Among these patients, three were further pursued to have the organoids derived from their tumor tissues tested for the sensitivity to different therapeutic drugs in parallel to their clinical care. Our results showed that the therapeutic effects observed by the organoid models were consistent to the responses of these patients to their treatments. Our study suggests that PDO can recapitulate patient responses in the clinic with high potential of implementation in personalized medicine of malignant brain tumors.

Focal conformal fractionated radiotherapy vs. radiosurgery for lung cancer patients with limited brain metastases.

BACKGROUND: For lung cancer (LC) patients with limited brain metastases (LBM), radiosurgery (RS) was the current preferred strategy. We aimed to report our experience regarding an alternative strategy (focal conformal fractionated radiotherapy, FCFRT) for these patients in this cohort study. METHODS: We identified LC patients with LBM treated with either FCFRT or RS within 2016-2019 without prior brain local treatment via in-house databases. The characteristics of patients, disease, treatment, and outcome were retrospectively obtained via chart review and peer review. The 1st day of FCFRT or RS was the index date. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the index date to the last date of contact or death via the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was used in univariate analyses (UVA) whereas Cox regression method was used in the multivariate analyses (MVA). The incidence of local progression (LP) or distal brain metastases (DBM) was estimated by the competing risk approach with death as the competing risk. RESULTS: We identified 23 eligible patients. The median dose/fractionation for FCFRT was 36 Gy/10 fractions. The median dose for RS was 20 Gy. The Lung-molGPA prognostic groups' distribution for these two groups was not statistically different. After a median follow-up of 8 months (range, 1-38 months), the OS was not statistically different in UVA [P value 0.9]. The adjusted hazard ratio of death was 0.96 when FCFRT was compared to RS in MVA (95% CI, 0.21-5.22). There was also no statistical significant difference in LP (P value 0.79) or DBM (P value 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: For LC patients with LBM, the OS was not statistically different for definitive FCFRT or RS. There was also no statistical difference in LP or DBM. Further studies should be considered to clarify the indication of FCFRT.

Tension Pneumoventricle After Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Rathke Cleft Cyst.

BACKGROUND: Tension pneumoventricle is an extremely rare, but treatable, neurosurgical emergency. The prompt and accurate diagnosis of tension pneumoventricle requires vigilance for the detection of clinical signs, which should also be corroborated by the imaging findings. We have reported on the pathophysiology of tension pneumoventricle and its management. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 66-year-old woman had presented with a Rathke cleft cyst. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), with no clinical cerebrospinal fluid leakage observed peri- or postoperatively. However, she developed an altered mental status 8 hours after surgery, and a computed tomography scan showed evidence of a tension pneumoventricle. The patient underwent emergent external ventricular drainage insertion and exploratory endoscopic TSS. A 1-way valve was observed during TSS, and the sella floor was packed with a fat graft for 1-way valve obliteration. The patient recovered well without neurologic deficits. No radiologic regrowth was noted at the 48-month follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: Tension pneumoventricle is an extremely rare, but life-threatening, complication of TSS. The development of tension pneumoventricle should be kept in mind even when the surgery has proceeded very smoothly. Sellar reconstruction will, theoretically, prevent this extremely rare complication but might increase the recurrence rate of Rathke cleft cysts. The related symptoms and signs should be recognized. Prompt recognition and treatment of this condition can be life-saving, and the long-term outcomes have generally been favorable if the condition has been recognized early.

Surgical results of cranioplasty using three-dimensional printing technology.

OBJECT: The aim of this research was to evaluate the surgical outcome of a new three-dimensional printing (3DP) technique using prefabrication molds and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 10 patients with large skull defects (>100 cm2) who underwent cranioplasty. The causes of the skull defects were trauma (6), bone resorption (2), tumor (1), and infection (1). Before the operation, computed tomography (CT) scans were used to create a virtual plan, and these were then converted to 3-dimensional (3-D) images. The field of the skull defect was blueprinted by the technicians and operators, and a prefabricated 3-D model was generated. During the operation, a PMMA implant was created using a prefabricated silicone rubber mold and fitted into the cranial defect. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years, and any complications after the cranioplasty were recorded. RESULTS: Only 1 patient suffered a complication, subdural effusion 2 months after cranioplasty, which was successfully treated with a subdural peritoneal shunt. All patients satisfied the criteria for operative outcome and cosmetic effect. There were no episodes of infection or material rejection. CONCLUSION: The 3DP technology allowed precise, fast, and inexpensive craniofacial reconstruction. This technique may be beneficial for shortening the operation time (and thus reducing exposure time to general anesthesia, and wound exposure time, and blood loss), enhancing preoperative evaluation and simplifying the surgical procedure.

Predictors of hearing outcomes following low-dose stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with vestibular schwannomas: A retrospective cohort review.

OBJECTIVES: Hearing deterioration is a major concern for hearing-preserved patients with vestibular schwannomas who are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Thus, determining which patients are more likely to have worse hearing outcomes following SRS may facilitate clinicians in deciding whether conservative policy should be applied in the interest of hearing preservation. This study aimed to define the predictors of hearing outcomes following SRS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 100 patients who underwent low-dose SRS (12- to 13-Gy marginal dose) for vestibular schwannomas between January 2004 and January 2014. Clinical factors and hearing outcomes following radiosurgery were reviewed. RESULTS: All patients had serviceable hearing at diagnosis and prior to SRS. The median follow-up period was 6.5years (range, 3-10years). The hearing preservation rate in the first, third, and fifth year after radiosurgery was 89%, 68%, and 63%, respectively. A mean cochlear dose lower than 4Gy was a favorable predictor of hearing outcome. Maximal cochlear dose, patient age, pre-treatment pure-tone average, and imaging characteristics were not associated with post-treatment hearing preservation. Our study showed an accelerated rate of deterioration of serial pure-tone average in the first 3years, followed by a more gradual decline after radiosurgery. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cochlear dose constraint is the most crucial factor for hearing preservation. This study provides insight into the rate of hearing preservation and the pattern of hearing deterioration following radiosurgery and can help clinicians advise patients of hearing outcomes following SRS.

PG2 for patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

PG2 is an infusible polysaccharide extracted from Astragalus membranaceus, which is a Chinese herb traditionally used for stroke treatment. We investigated the effect of PG2 on patients with spontaneous acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A total of 61 patients with acute spontaneous ICH were randomized to either the treatment group (TG, 30 patients), which received 3 doses of PG2 (500 mg, IV) per week for 2 weeks, or the control group (CG, 31 patients), which received PG2 placebo. At 84 days after PG2 administration, the percentage of patients with a good Glasgow outcome scale (GOS 4-5) score in the TG was similar to that in the CG (69.0% vs. 48.4%; p = 0.2). The percentage of good mRS scores (0-2) in the TG was similar to that in the CG (62.1% vs. 45.2%; p = 0.3). In addition, no significant differences were seen when comparing differences in the C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and S100B levels between baseline and days 4, 7, and 14 after PG2 administration (all p > 0.05). The results are preliminary, necessitating a more thorough assessment.

Intramuscular Migration of Venous Catheter as a Rare Complication of Ventriculoatrial Shunt: Case Report and Literature Review.

The most common procedure to manage hydrocephalus is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Other alternatives include a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt, ventriculopleural shunt, lumboperitoneal shunt, or ventriculocisternal shunt. The VA shunt is a relatively rare procedure for hydrocephalus. As reported, several complications of VA shunt include obstructions, malposition, shunt infections, endocarditis, heart failure, tricuspid regurgitation, intra-atrial thrombus, and pulmonary hypertension. In this case report and literature review, we discuss a rare case of intramuscular migration of a venous tube 1 year after VA shunt implantation. We also report all the possible locations of migration after placement of VA shunt.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in monozygotic twins with central diabetes insipidus and hypophyseal masses.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a systemic disease mainly affecting children and young adults. It can manifest as single system disorder or multi-system involvement. When the central nervous system is involved, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is the most common location affected. Herein we report a rare case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in monozygotic twins both with central diabetes and hypophyseal masses. This is the first report about LCH in monozygotic twins with hypophyseal lesions.

Life-threatening posterior fossa cyst induced by pseudomeningocele after operation for acoustic neuroma.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomeningocele is the term used to describe fluid accumulation due to the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the surrounding soft tissue. It may cause complications such as cosmetic deformities, chronic meningitis, and/or impingement on vital structures resulting in neurological deficits; nevertheless, life-threatening posterior fossa cyst formation is a rare event. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of posterior fossa cyst formation induced by pseudomeningocele with brain stem compression leading to coma with pupillary dilation. These symptoms occurred after an operation for left acoustic neuroma. After emergent decompression and dural repair, the patient recovered well without experiencing any further neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: We discuss the clinical features, possible pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment options for pseudomeningocele. Although most cases of pseudomeningocele follow a benign course and need only conservative treatment, the potential attendant complications, such as an enlarged cyst, may still have fatal consequences. We believe that it is beneficial to take an aggressive attitude toward this condition and to consider the possibility of surgical interventions more seriously.

Cryopreservation versus subcutaneous preservation of autologous bone flaps for cranioplasty: comparison of the surgical site infection and bone resorption rates.

OBJECTIVE: Decompressive craniectomy is performed to treat malignant brain hypertension. Surgical site infection (SSI) and bone resorption are common complications following cranioplasty, and the storage method that minimizes such complication has yet to be identified. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, the details of 290 decompressive craniectomy procedures performed at our trauma and stroke center were recorded. Bone flaps from 110 patients were preserved in subcutaneous pockets (SPs), and 180 were preserved via cryopreservation (CP). RESULTS: SSIs occurred in 20 cases (18.2%) in the SP group and 20 cases (11.1%) in the CP group (P=0.129). After dividing each group according to the traumatic brain injury (TBI) etiologies, we found that in the SP group, the SSI rates in the TBI and non-TBI patients were 17.3% and. 20.7% (P=0.899), respectively, and in the TBI- and non-TBI CP-group patients, the SSI rates were 11.9% and. 9.7% (P=0.864), respectively. The average decrease in bone flap thicknesses were 1.14 mm in the SP group (n=34) and 1.89 mm in the CP group (n=57), and this difference was significant (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the SSI rates were similar in the SP and CP groups. There was no significant difference when the patients were grouped by TBI etiology. The incidence of bone flap resorption in the CP group was higher than that in the SP group. However, identifying of the method that yields superior results might depend on the individual surgeon's preference and the available equipment.

1.5T versus 3T MRI for targeting subthalamic nucleus for deep brain stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Accurate stereotactic placement of the electrode into the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is imperative to the therapeutic efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, it is not always possible to directly visualize the very small STN using 1.5T MR imaging. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether 3T MR imaging can provide better identification of the STN and clinical outcome than 1.5T MR imaging. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with advanced Parkinson's disease underwent 1.5T (n = 16) or 3T (n = 23) fast spin echo T2-weighted (FSE-T2WI) MR imaging for targeting the STN. A semi-quantitative 3-point scoring system was proposed to rank the clearness of STN contour: Score "0" if non-visible; Score "1" if visible but with blurred margin; and "2" if visible with clear margin. The unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) was also compared before operation and post-operation. RESULTS: The STN score was 2 in all the patients of the 3T group, whereas it was relatively blurred (mean score, 1.19) in the 1.5T group (P < 0.001). The number of microelectrode trajectories (1.2 versus 1.5; P < 0.05) was lower in the 3T group; consequently, the operative time was also less (P < 0.05) as compared with that in the 1.5T group. The outcome of UPDRS motor examination showed no significant difference in two groups. CONCLUSION: 3T MR imaging is a reliable and more accurate method for direct targeting of the STN for DBS surgery. However, the technique of high-sequence MR imaging may not influence the clinical outcome significantly.

Targeting cancer stem cells for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are radioresistant and chemoresistant, which eventually results in tumor recurrence. Targeting CSCs for treatment is the most crucial issue. There are five methods for targeting the CSCs of GBM. One is to develop a new chemotherapeutic agent specific to CSCs. A second is to use a radiosensitizer to enhance the radiotherapy effect on CSCs. A third is to use immune cells to attack the CSCs. In a fourth method, an agent is used to promote CSCs to differentiate into normal cells. Finally, ongoing gene therapy may be helpful. New therapeutic agents for targeting a signal pathway, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF) or protein kinase inhibitors, have been used for GBM but for CSCs the effects still require further evaluation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) inhibitors have proven to be effective for increasing radiation sensitivity of CSCs in culture. Autologous dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the promising immunotherapeutic agents in clinical trials and may provide another innovative method for eradication of CSCs. Bone-morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is an agent used to induce CSCs to differentiate into normal glial cells. Research on gene therapy by viral vector is also being carried out in clinical trials. Targeting CSCs by eliminating the GBM tumor may provide an innovative way to reduce tumor recurrence by providing a synergistic effect with conventional treatment. The combination of conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy with stem cell-orientated therapy may provide a new promising treatment for reducing GBM recurrence and improving the survival rate.

Reversible hypothalamic dysfunction in optic nerve germinoma.

Primary optic apparatus germ cell tumors are rare. There have been only 6 cases reported in the literature. Although they often disturb the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and cause progressive visual loss, the influence of treatment outcomes on hypothalamic autoregulation has never been mentioned. Here, we report a patient with an optic nerve germinoma who presented with reversible visual and hypothalamic dysfunction, and we discuss the possible mechanisms and pathogenesis.

Capability of identifying red nuclei in different pulse sequences of regular 1.5-tesla magnetic resonance images.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal pulse sequences of commonly used 1.5-tesla MRI for identifying the red nucleus (RN) to aid targeting of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). METHODS: Forty-six healthy adults were enrolled for this prospective study. All subjects underwent MR studies of 5 sequences: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T(1)-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T1IR), fast spin echo T(2)-weighted imaging (FSE-T2WI), T(2)-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2FLAIR) and T(2)*-weighted gradient-echo (T2*-GRE) sequences. The clearness of the RN contour was analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, the RN was identified in 98% subjects without gender and age differences. The RN was demarcated on a 5-mm slice relatively better in T2FLAIR (93.5%), followed by FSE-T2WI (78.3%), T2*-GRE (65.2%) and DWI (43.5%) sequences, but was completely invisible on the T1IR image. Generally, the signal intensity in all MR sequences decreased mildly on 2-mm slices with a similar identifying power. The detecting power on 5-mm slices was in favor of T2FLAIR with 94% sensitivity, 10% specificity, and 1.89 odds ratio compared to FSE-T2WI. In addition, the scanning time of T2FLAIR was longer in comparison to the FSE-T2WI study. CONCLUSION: T2FLAIR is an alternative to FSE-T2WI that can readily demarcate the RN to help target the STN.