Rate of return to work in patients with stroke under the health and employment support program of Rosai hospitals in Japan.

To facilitate return to work (RTW) in patients with stroke, a health and employment support (HES) program was started at Rosai hospitals in Japan. This study aimed to determine the rate of RTW in patients with stroke under this support program. We collected demographic and clinical data of patients with stroke from the implementation reports of the HES program. The program provided coordinated dual support, such as acute medical treatments, and stroke and vocational rehabilitation on the medical side, and management and support on the workplace side. The primary endpoint was RTW. Successful and unsuccessful RTW were examined using the χ2 test. The RTW rate curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. We enrolled 483 patients; 355 (73%) and 128 (27%) patients had successful and unsuccessful RTW, respectively. Stroke types, neurological findings, and activities of daily living were significant factors for RTW. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed that left hemiplegia, right hemiplegia, and neuropsychological deficits, except for combined disability (hemiplegia with neuropsychological deficits), had similar RTW curves with an RTW rate of > 70%.

Total synthesis of (-)-domoic acid, a potent ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist and the key compound in oceanic harmful algal blooms.

The stereo-controlled total synthesis of (-)-domoic acid is described. The critical construction of the C1'-C2' Z-configuration was accomplished by taking advantage of an unsaturated lactam structure. The side chain fragment was introduced in the final stages of synthesis through a modified Julia-Kocienski reaction, aiming for its efficient derivatization.

Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective procedure for the long-term management of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN). However, retrospective and single-center studies are inherently biased, and there are currently no prospective, multicenter studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes and complications in patients with TGN who underwent MVD at specialized Japanese institutions. METHODS: We enrolled patients with TGN who underwent MVD between April 2012 and March 2015. We recorded their facial pain grade and complications at 7 d (short term), 1 yr (mid-term), and 3 yr (long term) postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 166 patients, comprising 60 men and 106 women (mean age 62.7 yr). Furthermore, 105 patients were aged over 60 yr. We conducted neuromonitoring in 84.3% of the cases. The complete pain relief, mortality, and complication rates at the short-term follow-up were 78.9%, 0%, and 16.3%, respectively. Overall, 155 patients (93.4%) completed the long-term follow-up, with the complete pain relief and complication rates of 80.0% and 5.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the hands of experienced neurosurgeons, MVD for TGN can achieve high long-term curative effects. In addition, complications are uncommon and usually transient. Our results indicate that MVD is an effective and safe treatment for patients with TGN, including elderly patients.

Usefulness of arterial spin labeling in the evaluation for dural arteriovenous fistula of the craniocervical junction.

In the diagnosis of an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), arterial spin labeling (ASL), a sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to depict high-blood-flow intracranial lesions, has been reported as a useful and noninvasive tool, not only to predict the presence of cortical venous drainage and draining veins, but also to confirm persistent obliteration after treatment. However, such utility of ASL has not been reported in DAVF of the craniocervical junction (CCJDAVF) because of the rarity of this disease and uncertainty in the acquisition of precise images. We report a case of CCJDAVF presenting with myelopathy. Preoperative ASL images showed an abnormal high-intensity signal in the craniocervical junction, consistent with the anterior spinal vein and draining veins, which were also identified by digital subtraction angiography. After successful surgical treatment for the disease, MRI and 4-dimensional computed tomography angiography (4DCTA) confirmed complete disappearance of CCJDAVF. The ASL images also showed no abnormal intensity signal. The patient was followed-up using ASL, and no recurrence of high-intensity signal was observed. As repetitive image examination is mandatory in the follow-up of a patient with DAVF to exclude recurrence, ASL is highly beneficial because of the unnecessity of an exogenous contrast medium and high credibility to depict the disease. The craniocervical junction may be out of the field of view in routine MRI. Special attention must be paid to setting the field of view and post labeling delay (PLD) to obtain precise images of ASL in CCJDAVF.

Trigeminal Neuralgia from Acute Sphenoid Sinusitis: Consideration of Anatomical Sphenoid Sinus Variation - A Case Report.

Although the etiology of classical trigeminal neuralgia is clearly understood to be neurovascular compression, the exact etiology of trigeminal neuralgia with continuous pain is often unknown. Mild sphenoid sinusitis is not usually considered to induce trigeminal neuralgia, especially when limited to the maxillary nerve. We report a rare case of trigeminal neuralgia of the maxillary nerve caused only by mild sphenoid sinusitis and discuss the significance of the anatomical structure and diagnostic procedures. A 45-year-old woman noticed a sudden onset of temporal pain followed by numbness on her right cheek. Her right gingiva also experienced sensory disturbance. The symptoms gradually subsided after the initial onset, but they persisted. She visited our hospital for further examinations and had no febrile episodes throughout the course. A tingling sensation and sensory disturbance were only identified in the maxillary nerve. No other neurological symptoms were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild sphenoid sinusitis on the right side. The absence of the bony boundary between the sphenoid sinus and maxillary nerve was revealed using thin-sliced computed tomography (CT). The patient's symptoms were diagnosed as maxillary neuropathy caused by mild sinusitis. The bony defect around the maxillary nerve was considered to have affected development of the pathological process. Even mild sphenoid sinusitis can cause inflammation to spread to the maxillary nerve if no bony boundary exists between it and the sphenoid sinus. A coronal CT study is highly beneficial for clarifying the pathophysiological mechanism of trigeminal neuralgia limited to the maxillary nerve.

Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Study of Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective procedure for hemifacial spasm (HFS). MVD results from nonspecialized or low-volume institutes are not always reliable. Most studies on MVD for HFS are retrospective and single centered; to the best of our knowledge, no prospective, multicenter studies exist. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short- and long-term outcomes and complications in patients who underwent MVD for HFS in specialized Japanese institutions, in this multicenter, prospective, cohort study. METHODS: Included patients had undergone MVD for HFS in study centers between April 2012 and March 2015. Patients' postoperative grade of involuntary movements and complications were recorded postoperatively at 7 d (short-term) and at 1 (mid-term) and 3 (long-term) yr. RESULTS: A total of 486 patients (150 men, 336 women; mean age 53.9 yr with 181 patients over 60 yr) were enrolled during the study period. Neuromonitoring was used in 96.3% of the cases. The complete cure rate of symptom relief, mortality rate, and complication rate at short-term follow-up were 70.6%, 0%, and 15%, respectively. The long-term follow-up was completed by 463 patients (95.3%); the complete cure rate of symptom relief and complication rate were 87.1% and 3.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that under expert guidance and intraoperative neuromonitoring, the long-term curative effect rate of MVD for HFS is high, while complications are uncommon and usually transient. Our results indicate that MVD is an effective and safe treatment for patients with HFS, including elderly patients.

Hippocampal sclerosis without visually detectable hippocampal MRI abnormalities: automated subfield volumetric analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) without visually detectable MRI abnormalities and to determine the diagnostic accuracy using hippocampal subfield volumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 46 patients with unilateral HS who had a histopathological diagnosis, and 54 controls. The patients were divided into two groups; visually detectable HS (n = 26) and undetectable HS (n = 20) on MRI. The volumes of hippocampal subfield using FreeSurfer were compared among the three groups. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated as the AUC of ROC using cutoff values for each individual subfield. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, visually detectable HS showed significantly reduced volumes of all the hippocampal subfields and entire hippocampus, whereas visually undetectable HS showed significant atrophy only in the CA3 and hippocampus-amygdala-transition-area. To diagnose visually undetectable HS, the CA3 volumes had AUC of 0.719, which was higher than AUC of 0.614 based on the entire hippocampal volumes. CONCLUSION: Visually undetectable HS demonstrated volume reductions in the CA3. Further, the CA3 volumes was more useful to diagnose visually undetectable HS compared with the entire hippocampal volumes.

Removal of Double Cavernous Angioma of the Frontal Lobe using a Three-Dimensional Printed Model: A Case Report.

Cerebral cavernous angiomas are vascular anomalies with dilated spaces. We report the case of rare double cavernous angiomas causing higher brain dysfunction. A 74-year-old man exhibited cognitive dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two tumors with hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe. Preoperative diagnosis was hemorrhage caused by cavernous angiomas. A 3D model of the double cavernous angioma was made to confirm their association with cortical veins and tumors. Tumors were removed using a single small corticotomy. This is the first report of a rare double cavernous angioma and the 3D printed model facilitated removal of the tumors.

Clinical outcomes of cerebral infarction in nonagenarians compared among four age groups.

BACKGROUND: Average female life expectancy in Japan is approximately 90 years. Occasionally, we encounter stroke patients older than 90 years. AIMS: To determine the clinical features and outcomes associated with cerebral infarction in patients aged ≥ 90 years. METHODS: We examined 289 consecutive patients (163 males, 129 females; mean age 77.5 years) diagnosed with cerebral infarction. We divided them into four groups according to age in years: middle (< 65), pre-old (65-74), old (75-89), and super old (≥ 90). We divided the super old group into mild symptoms (NIHSS ≤ 5) and severe symptoms (NIHSS > 5) and examined outcomes. RESULTS: Statistically significant associations were observed between female sex, cardiogenic infarction, and high complication rates and super old age. NIHSS and mRS scores at 30-day post-stroke were higher in the super old group. In some cases, complications led to poor prognoses. Eighty-seven percent of patients with mild symptoms (NIHSS ≤ 5) recovered to mRS 0-2 similar to the younger age group. None of the patients with severe symptoms (NIHSS > 5) recovered to mRS 0-2. DISCUSSION: We investigated the clinical outcomes following cerebral infarction in patients aged 90 years or older and found that mild symptoms were consistently associated with good prognoses, regardless of patients' age. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the super old group had more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes than younger age groups. However, patients with mild symptoms tended to have better prognoses and returned to daily life similar to the younger age group.

Prosthesis Used in Microvascular Decompressions: A Multicenter Survey in Japan Focusing on Adverse Events.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of materials used as prostheses for microvascular decompression surgery (MVDs) in Japan and their possible adverse events (AEs) to determine preferable materials for MVDs. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Japanese Society for MVDs, and answers were obtained from 59 institutions. RESULTS: Among a total of 2789 MVDs, 1088 operations for trigeminal neuralgia, 1670 for hemifacial spasm, and 31 others, including 117 reoperations, were performed between April 2011 and March 2014. Nonabsorbable material was used in 96.5% of MVDs, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (80.5%), polyurethane (11.9%), expanded PTFE (2.1%), and silk thread (1.47%). The use of absorbable materials, including fibrin glue (87.5%), cellulose (13.5%), gelatin (4,77%), and collagen (1.76%), was reported. The major combinations were PTFE with fibrin glue (58.7%) followed by PTFE alone (7.60%). Eighty-eight AEs in 85 (3.2%) cases were reported among 2672 first operations. AEs included 51 central nervous system dysfunctions, 15 wound infections/dehiscence, and 10 others, which were presumed to be related to the intraoperative procedure. Among relatively high-, moderate-, and low-volume centers, there were no significant differences in the frequency of AEs (P = 0.077). Tissue-prosthesis adhesion and/or granuloma formation were reported in 13 cases of 117 reoperations. The incidence of adhesion-related recurrence was 11.1% of all reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: The number of AEs was quite low in this survey, and intradural use of any prosthesis reported in this paper might be justified; however, further development of easily handled and less-adhesive prosthesis materials is awaited.

Importance of Finding Embolic Sources for Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

OBJECTIVE: The concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source refers to cryptogenic strokes caused by either major or minor risks. Although antiplatelet treatments are most often used for secondary prevention of embolic stroke of undetermined source, optimal strategies remain unclear. To determine the ideal treatment strategy for secondary prevention, we investigated embolic sources among patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. METHODS: The study included 292 consecutive patients (135 men, 157 women; mean age: 74.3 ± 11.6 years) diagnosed with cerebral infarction, 27 of whom were diagnosed with embolic stroke of undetermined source (9.2%; 14 men, 13 women; mean age: 70.7 ± 11.5 years). These 27 patients were examined using contrast-enhanced whole-body computed tomography, transesophageal echocardiography, and Holter electrocardiography. We evaluated whether antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment was preferred based on the embolic source. RESULTS: Embolic sources among patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source included valve calcification (11.1%), left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (18.5%), cancer-associated stroke (25.9%), covert atrial fibrillation (7.4%), aortic arch atherosclerotic plaques (11.1%), paradoxical embolism (3.7%), and sick sinus syndrome (3.7%). Embolic sources remained unidentified in 5 patients (18.5%). Our analysis revealed that 21 of the 27 patients (77.8%) with embolic stroke of undetermined source required anticoagulant therapy for secondary prevention. CONCLUSION: Although aspirin is the most commonly used antithrombotic drug for embolic stroke of undetermined source, our results suggest that some patients require anticoagulant therapy. Determining embolic sources is important for selecting the appropriate treatment options for this patient population.

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Suppresses Prostaglandin E2 Production by Murine Macrophages and Enhances Macrophage Cytotoxicity Against Glioma.

BACKGROUND: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) induces the accumulation of a large amount of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in tumors, which has been used in the treatment of several cancers. 5-ALA is commonly used for fluorescence-guided tumor resection in clinical neurosurgery and for photodynamic therapy based on the generation of cytotoxic oxygen. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms of 5-ALA-induced immune response in macrophages in malignant glioma. METHODS: Intracellular levels of 5-ALA-induced PpIX in C3H/HeN murine peritoneal macrophages were measured by the median fluorescence intensity using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Macrophages were cultured in vitro with or without 0.5 mM 5-ALA, 0.1 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide, and 20% glioma-conditioned medium. Levels of immunosuppressive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor ß were measured using enzyme immunoassay in the culture supernatant. In addition, macrophages and RSV-M mouse glioma cells were co-cultured in vitro with cell culture inserts with or without 5-ALA (0.1 and 0.5 mM) and lipopolysaccharide (0.1 µg/mL). RESULTS: We found that 5-ALA-induced PpIX accumulated in macrophages and significantly suppressed PGE2 production and expression of both cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1. 5-ALA treatment also suppressed PGE2 production by glioma-conditioned medium. 5-ALA suppressed RSV-M glioma cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 5-ALA suppressed PGE2 production by macrophages via the downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression levels. This is a novel mechanism to induce effective immune response against glioma in macrophages.

Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging findings and surgical treatment in nilotinib-associated cerebrovascular disease: A case report.

Nilotinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is considered as one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); however, the use of nilotinib has been reported to be associated with vascular adverse events, such as peripheral arterial occlusive disease and ischemic heart disease. Moreover, there are few reports on cerebral vascular disease associated with nilotinib use. We herein describe the case of a 55-year-old male patient with CML, who presented with cerebral infarction and severe cerebrovascular stenosis that developed during nilotinib treatment. The patient was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and severe stenosis of the intracranial arteries associated with nilotinib use. Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) revealed diffuse concentric thickening of the vessel wall, unlike ordinary patterns of atherosclerosis. The patient underwent direct revascularization (superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass) and was successfully treated without recurrence. Based on this rare case, VW-MRI may be used to detect the morphological changes of the intracranial arteries that are associated with nilotinib use. Moreover, surgical revascularization may improve the prognosis of nilotinib-associated cerebrovascular diseases, such as severe stenosis or occlusion of the main trunk of the cerebral arteries, that cause brain ischemia.

Intraoperative monitoring of motor-evoked potential for parenchymal brain tumor removal: An analysis of false-negative cases.

Transcranial motor-evoked potential (tc-MEP) monitoring is unreliable for brain tumor removal due to its low sensitivity. According to previous literature, this is because transcranial stimulation seems to reach the deep pyramidal tract beyond the operation point and may thus yield false-negative results, where, although MEP recording is stable, postoperative motor deficits are encountered. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the causes for the false-negative results and investigate whether decreasing the stimulation intensity better reflects the operation point and can improve the sensitivity during parenchymal brain tumor removal. We assessed 122 patients with parenchymal brain and intraventricular tumors, who underwent surgery under tc-MEP monitoring in our hospital between 2011 and 2014. In these patients, the stimulation intensity was fixed at 200 mA. We detected 11 false-negative cases, while the sensitivity of tc-MEP monitoring was 33.9% and the specificity was 99.0%. Between 2015 and 2016, we examined 68 patients with parenchymal brain tumors, in whom the stimulation intensity was reduced to an average of 136.5 mA. Only one case was false-negative, while the sensitivity increased to 83.3% and the specificity was 98.4%. From these results, we conclude that the intensity of tc-MEP stimulation should be minimal to precisely reflect the damage to the operated location. Tc-MEP can be an easy and reliable monitor in brain tumor surgery when used at proper, lower intensity.

Evaluation of Peritumoral Brain Parenchyma Using Contrast-Enhanced 3D Fast Imaging Employing Steady-State Acquisition at 3T for Differentiating Metastatic Brain Tumors and Glioblastomas.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic brain tumors and glioblastomas are the 2 of the most common brain neoplasms in adults. However, distinguishing solitary metastatic brain tumors from glioblastomas on conventional magnetic resonance imaging remains particularly challenging. Thus, we aimed to retrospectively assess the role of contrast-enhanced fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (CE-FIESTA) imaging in distinguishing between metastatic brain tumors and glioblastomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with metastatic brain tumors and 14 patients with glioblastomas underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging and CE-FIESTA before surgery. First, 1 neuroradiologist and 1 neurosurgeon classified the CE-FIESTA findings for the peritumoral brain parenchyma by consensus. Next, the 2 neuroradiologists performed an observer performance study comparing tumor shape classification (smooth or irregular margins), a classic imaging finding, with the CE-FIESTA classification of the peritumoral brain parenchyma. RESULTS: The CE-FIESTA findings for the peritumoral brain parenchyma were classified as follows: type A, no hyperintense rim; type B, partial hyperintense rim; and type C, extended hyperintense rim. With regard to the diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors, the observer performance study demonstrated that the mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of an extended hyperintense rim classification (type C) on CE-FIESTA images were 95.3%, 85.7%, and 93.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the CE-FIESTA classification was significantly higher than that of the tumor shape classification. CONCLUSIONS: CE-FIESTA images may provide useful information for distinguishing metastatic brain tumors from glioblastomas, especially when focusing on differences in the peritumoral brain parenchyma.

[Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Fibrinolytic Therapy for Embolic Stroke:A Case Report].

A 79-year-old man presented with left hemiparesis and disturbance of consciousness. Brain magnetic resonance(MR)imaging revealed an infarction in the right insular cortex. MR angiography showed a defect in the inferior trunk of the right middle cerebral artery. The patient was treated with alteplase about 2.5 h after onset. Immediately after the intravenous alteplase administration, the hemiparesis improved. However, his respiratory condition unexpectedly worsened 10 h after onset. Chest radiography demonstrated an infiltrative shadow in both lung fields. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed a dysfunction in the left ventricle and no contraction at the apex of the heart, consistent with a type of cardiomyopathy, known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy(TCM). Gradually, the patient's respiratory and cardiac function improved. Here, we describe a very rare case of TCM and neurogenic pulmonary edema(NPE)following an acute cerebral infarction, which was treated with alteplase intravenous administration. TCM and NPE have a poor prognosis, therefore diagnosis, management, and treatment in the acute phase is required.

A Case of Acromegaly in which a Pituitary Gland Tumor was Reduced Significantly by Administering Octreotide Long Acting Release (LAR) and Could Be Removed Surgically.

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for detailed examination of acromegaly because she noticed bilateral hand and finger swelling at the age of 43 and plantar thickening, facial changes and unclear articulation at the age of 49. She had prominent brow ridges, mandibular protrusion, and enlargement of the hands, feet, nasal wings, lips and tongue. Her growth hormone (GH) level was 39.8 ng/ml, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level was 717 ng/ml, GH level was not suppressed (22.9 ng/ml) during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Radiography showed cauliflower-like enlargement of the distal phalanx of the fingers, thickening/enlargement of the plantar soft tissues, and increased antero-posterior diameter of the sella turcica. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass (21×17 mm) growing towards the right suprasellar region and invading the cavernous sinus. She was diagnosed with acromegaly based on the characteristic physical findings, GH excess, high IGF-1, lack of GH suppression during the 75-g OGTT, and the presence of a pituitary tumor. She was started on octreotide long acting release (Oct-LAR) 20 mg/4w for tumor shrinkage. After three doses, her GH and IGF-1 levels decreased to 2.19 ng/ml (1.69 during the 75-g OGTT) and 205 ng/ml, respectively, meeting cure criteria for acromegaly. In this case, a decrease in GH and IGF-1 levels, tumor shrinkage, and resolution of cavernous sinus invasion allowed the patient to undergo surgery with curative intent (the first-line treatment for acromegaly) without postoperative complications. Thus, preoperative Oct-LAR administration has the potential to improve treatment outcomes of acromegaly.

Clinical features and surgical management of intracranial meningiomas in the elderly.

Meningioma accounts for ~25% of all primary intracranial neoplasms and the incidence increases with age. Prvios population-based studies demonstrated that the annual incidence of intracranial meningiomas was 1.2-3.1/100,000 population. In particular, the incidence of this disease among the elderly is high. Recently, increased life expectancy and greater use of diagnostic radiological imaging led to an increased incidence in the diagnosis of intracranial meningiomas, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, in the elderly. Thus, neurosurgeons may be increasingly confronted with the management of intracranial meningiomas in the elderly. In practice, it is often difficult for physicians to determine whether traditional surgical resection is the optimal management strategy for intracranial meningiomas in the elderly. However, reported clinical studies about the outcome of surgical resection of intracranial meningiomas in the elderly are limited. Increased risk of mortality and morbidity associated with surgical treatment for intracranial meningiomas in the elderly compared with younger patients have been controversial. In the present study, the clinical features of intracranial meningiomas in 70 consecutive intracranial meningioma patients that underwent surgical treatment at the affiliated hospital of University of Occupational and Environmental Health between 2007 and 2013 were assessed. In addition, patient selection and surgical management of intracranial meningioma in elderly patients was discussed. Preoperative factors, including symptoms, tumor location, tumor size, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, and postoperative factors, including pathological diagnosis, tumor proliferation index (Ki-67), resection rate (Simpson grade), length of hospital stay and discharge destination were retrospectively analyzed in patients aged ≥75 years (n=16; elderly group) and <75 years (n=54; younger group). Outcomes were assessed 6 months after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that tumor resection rate (Simpson grade III-V) was an important predictor of surgical complications (odds ratio, 5.662; 95% confidence interval, 1.323-24.236; P=0.0194). Perioperative morbidity was not correlated with age (>75 years), tumor location, tumor size, KPS score or ASA score. Thus, the present study indicated that age is not associated with surgical outcome in elderly meningioma patients. Regardless of patient age, the decision to perform surgical resection should be made on an individual basis wherein tumor characteristics and the general health of the patient are considered.

Bilateral cerebral embolism as a characteristic feature of patients with Trousseau syndrome.

Trousseau syndrome is defined as a variant of intravascular thromboembolism that is induced by cancer. It may manifest itself as cerebral embolisms in some cases; however, when the cancer is not diagnosed, this identification may be difficult. Therefore, cerebral embolisms are often treated without identifying the cancer, which can worsen a patient's condition. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in clinical features between cerebral embolisms induced by cancer (Trousseau syndrome) and those that are due to other causes, such as cardiogenic embolisms and artery-to-artery stroke. A total of 83 patients, admitted to our hospital between April 2005 and March 2013 with cerebral embolisms, were included in this study. Of these, 9 (10.8%) were diagnosed with Trousseau syndrome, 63 (75.9%) had cardiogenic embolisms and 11 (13.2%) had artery-to-artery embolisms. Patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) were excluded from the study. We retrospectively investigated the localization of the infarctions, cancer type, and pathology, and the levels of primary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). From the nine patients with Trousseau syndrome, eight had adenocarcinomas and all had elevated initial FDP. Bilateral cerebral embolisms were significantly more common in Trousseau syndrome patients than cardiogenic embolisms (P=0.00026) and artery-to-artery embolisms (P=0.0016). All of them contained microembolisms as observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study suggests that bilateral infarctions presenting microembolisms are important features of cerebral embolism attributed to Trousseau syndrome.