Assessment of Increased T2 Signal Activity in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Undergoing Posterior Cervical Fusion.

AIM: To compare the preoperative and postoperative increased signal intensity (ISI) outcomes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients who underwent posterior decompression and fusion, and to assess the correlation between ISI changes and postsurgical clinical prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results from 123 patients were evaluated. In addition to demographic data, such as age and gender, factors, including body mass index (BMI); smoking history; duration of symptoms; follow-up periods; levels of decompression and fusion; comorbidities, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension; ISI grading; cervical sagittal vertical axis; C2-7 cervical lordosis parameters; and Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores, were statistically analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: ISI improved in 39 patients (31.7%), remained unchanged in 53 patients (latent, 43.1%), and deteriorated in 31 patients (25.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age, gender, BMI, or levels of decompression and fusion between patients with ISI improvement, latent ISI, and worsened ISI. Patients with ISI improvement had the highest postoperative C2-7 lordosis values and shortest duration of symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference in the mJOA scores between patients with and without ISI improvement. CONCLUSION: ISI improvement in CSM patients undergoing posterior cervical decompression and fusion is influenced by symptom duration and preoperative-postoperative cervical lordosis values. However, this study did not find a correlation between ISI improvement and clinical recovery based on the mJOA scores.

Is Standalone Posterior Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation Sufficient to Correct Cervical Postlaminectomy Kyphosis?

AIM: To evaluate the clinical processes of patients with cervical postlaminectomy kyphosis (PLK) who underwent standalone posterior pedicle screw fixation surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of 21 patients with cervical PLK treated using the pedicle screw method between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively examined. Patient data included demographic information and indications for surgery. Furthermore, the following criteria were calculated for each patient: cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), C2-7 cervical lordosis (CL) parameters, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI) score and visual analogue scale score, and these were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively statistically. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with PLK were evaluated. In terms of radiographic parameters, postoperative cSVA was significantly lower than the preoperative cSVA, and postoperative CL was significantly higher than the preoperative CL (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative mJOA scores were significantly higher than the preoperative scores (p < 0.001). Both postoperative NDI and VAS scores were significantly lower than the preoperative scores (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Pedicle screw fixation was found to be an effective treatment for cervical PLK. Although this technique is not preferred by many spine surgeons because of its high complication rate, it has a positive effect on the quality of life scores and provides optimal correction.

Surgical Outcomes of C1-2 Posterior Stabilization in Patients With Chiari Malformation Type 1.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. OBJECTIVES: Chiari malformation (CM) is characterized by a downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. This tonsillar herniation may sometimes be accompanied by syringomyelia and/or basilar invagination (BI). In this study, we examined the surgical outcomes of patients by underwent C1-2 reduction + fixation (C1-2RF), which is a new method defined by Goel, in the literature. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2018, 21 patients (mean age and duration of follow-up: 39 years and 20 months, respectively) with CM were treated with atlantoaxial fixation. We found syringomyelia in all patients and BI in 9 of them. In all cases, radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed radiologically. C1-2RF was performed in all patients. Preoperative and postoperative clinical Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were obtained. Syrinx size and cerebrospinal fluid flow rate were compared radiologically. RESULTS: All patients were treated with C1-2RF. None of the patients underwent foramen magnum decompression or intervention for the syrinx. Occipital bone and subaxial spinal structures were not included in the fixation. In addition to significant clinical improvement, significant improvement in syringomyelia and cerebrospinal fluid flow rate was seen on the radiographs of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although posterior fossa decompression and/or duraplasty is a common treatment modality in CM, we propose that the C1-2RF method described by Goel is a radiologically and clinically effective treatment method, whether or not BI and/or syringomyelia in CM are present. This article is the first article of central and axial atlantoaxial dislocation, except for Goel's writings in the literature.

The Outcomes of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in the Treatment of Hydrocephalus: 317 Pediatric and Adult Cases.

AIM: To evaluate the role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) as a primary or secondary treatment for hydrocephalus and factors affecting ETV success. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pediatric and adult patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus treated with ETV during 11 years (2008?2019) in our clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into primary ETV group, in which ETV was the first method of hydrocephalus treatment, and secondary ETV group, in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage procedures were initially attempted. Statistical data analyses were performed to compare the outcomes of primary and secondary ETV groups. RESULTS: In total, 317 patients treated with ETV [140 (44%) patients aged 3?18 years and 177 (55%) aged 19?80 years] were followed-up for a mean duration of 60 months. Primary and secondary ETV groups comprised 207 and 110 patients, respectively. Further, 170 (82%) patients in the primary ETV group and fifty-nine patients (53%) in the secondary ETV group benefited from ETV. Primary ETV was associated with the highest probability of success (OR: 11.87). Increasing age (OR: 0.97) and male sex (OR: 4.719) increase the probability of achieving success. The overall prediction accuracy of the model was 72.2%. Kaplan?Meier survival analysis showed no significant difference between categorical groups in terms of time to failure (1.3 and 5 years), sex, ETV type, and categorized age (below 18 and above) (p > 0.05). Complications occurred during or after ETV in 14 patients. CONCLUSION: Unlike most studies, our study includes both adult and pediatric groups. According to the findings obtained in our study, the recovery rate was higher in the primary ETV group (82%) than in the secondary ETV group (53%). According to the model we created, our prediction rate of recovery was 72%. Primary ETV, male sex, and advanced age are important predictors of success in ETV.

Surgical Outcomes of Subaxial Cervical Fractures in Patients with Ankylosing Spinal Disorder.

AIM: To evaluate the patient groups with ankylosing spinal disorder (ASD) in terms of patients? characteristics, applied surgical approaches, and the outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2008-2019, 50 ASD patients (35?80 years) were operated on subaxial cervical fracture. The mean follow-up time was 48 months. According to the surgical approach, the patients were divided into three groups: patients who only underwent anterior fusion [AF], patients who only underwent posterior fusion [PF], and patients who underwent anteroposterior fusion [APF]. In this retrospective study, we examined the patients? files and outpatient checks to evaluate the history, operations, neurological results, and complications in cases. RESULTS: After undergoing respective surgical interventions, 1 of the 7 patients in the AF group (14%), 2 of the 18 patients in the PF group (18%), and 3 of the 25 patients in the APF group (12%) died. The postoperative American Spinal Injury Association scores were statistically better in all groups than in the preoperative scores. Among the surgical interventions, improvement in the APF group was significantly better than in other groups. CONCLUSION: Although there is a higher amount of surgery related complications in the APF group, the biomechanical and clinical results are better than the other two surgical interventions.

Significance of Preoperative Prone Position Computed Tomography in Free Hand Subaxial Cervical Pedicular Screwing.

OBJECTIVE: The subaxial cervical pedicle screwing technique shows powerful biomechanical properties for posterior cervical fusion. When applying a pedicle screw using the freehand technique, it is essential to analyse cervical computed tomography and plan the surgery accordingly. Normal cervical computed tomography is usually performed in the supine position, whereas during surgery, the patient lies in a prone position. This fact leads us to suppose that radiological evaluations may yield misleading results. Our study aimed to investigate whether there is any superiority between preoperative preparation on computed tomography performed in the prone position and that performed in the supine position. METHODS: This study included 17 patients (132 pedicle screws) who were recently operated on with cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position and 17 patients (136 pedicle screws) who were operated on by conventional cervical vertebral computed tomography as the control group. The patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, pathological diagnosis, screw malposition and complications. A screw malposition evaluation was made according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding age, gender and pathological diagnosis. The screw malposition rate (from 11.1% to 6.9%, p<0.05), mean malposition distance (from 2.18 mm to 1.86 mm, p <0.05), and complications statistically significantly decreased in the prone position computed tomography group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative surgical planning by performing cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position reduces screw malposition and complications. Our surgical success increased with a simple modification that can be applied by all clinicians without creating additional radiation exposure or additional costs.

Bowel perforation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter: endoscopically treated two cases.

PURPOSE: Many techniques were used for the treatment of hydrocephalus, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is a widely used procedure. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery has been associated with several complications like obstruction of the tube, infection, cerebrospinal fluid loculation, intestinal obstruction, migration of the shunt, and perforation of the intestinal organs. Perforation of the bowel owing to protrusion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter from the anus is an extremely rare complication. Mini or exploratory laparotomy and revision of peritoneal part of shunt and repair of bowel perforation, or pulling out the ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter and using external ventricular drainage and antibiotics, or colonoscopic removal of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter and repair of the bowel can be performed. Retrograde contamination of cerebrospinal fluid and meningitis is a very important part of the treatment in these cases. We aimed to present two cases with bowel perforation who treated with endoscopically. METHODS: We report the cases of 2 patients with transanal protrusion of VPS catheter and the management via endoscopic therapeutic options. RESULTS: Successful treatment of the patients was achieved by endoscopic removal of the catheter and endoscopic repair of the bowel perforation. CONCLUSION: If peritonitis, bowel obstruction, or abscess does not occur, endoscopic removal of shunt and bowel repairing with endoclips may be enough.

Shunt timing in meningomyelocele and clinical results: analysis of 80 cases.

PURPOSE: Meningomyelocele is a serious pathology that requires immediate surgical treatment. Its management is difficult due to accompanying other pathologies and hydrocephalus. Shunt timing is still controversial. Therefore, this study retrospectively assessed 80 patients in order to improve the shunt timing and management of patients with meningomyelocele. METHODS: A total of 80 patients were followed up for 18-48 (average, 23) months. Patients were analyzed for the following variables: delivery method and time, head circumference monitoring, shunt timing, complication rates of patients who underwent shunting, during the early or follow-up period, accompanying pathologies, size, and localization of lesion. RESULTS: Patients including 46 males and 34 females have been operated. In 40% of patients, the accompanying pathology was determined. Approximately 85% of patients had hydrocephalus, and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed on 36 symptomatic and 22 patients with hydrocephalus that developed during the follow-up. Differences in shunt-related and general complications were not significant between patients who underwent shunt placement during the same session and patients who underwent shunt placement during the follow-up. However, the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid fistula formation from the wound in patients who underwent shunt placement during the same session was significantly lower than those who underwent shunt placement during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate surgery (within the first 48 h) provides positive results, which is consistent with the existing literature. According to the logistic regression analysis, the placement of the meningomyelocele sac in the lumbosacral region is decisive in shunt insertion. Placing the shunt in the same session for patients with hydrocephalus and later for patients who developed hydrocephalus during the follow-up is recommended as a favorable treatment.

The Impact of Myeloperoxidase in the Rupturing of Cerebral Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of myeloperoxidase on aneurysm rupture in patients with cerebral aneurysms with and without rupture. METHODS: The study included 53 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage operated on due to cerebral aneurysm in our clinic, and 49 patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage. After the operation, the domes taken from the aneurysms were embedded in paraffin blocks and scored after hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining was carried out. RESULTS: The myeloperoxidase score was 1 in 29.4% of the patients, 2 in 40.2%, 3 in 12.7%, and 4 in 17.6%. Multiple aneurysms were detected in 24.5% of the patients. The median myeloperoxidase score was higher in patients with bleeding aneurysms than those that did not bleed (3 vs. 1; P < 0.001). In addition, the ratio of patients with a myeloperoxidase score of 2 or above was higher among patients with bleeding aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, finding myeloperoxidase scores higher in cases of ruptured aneurysms compared with unruptured aneurysms reveals the relationship of myeloperoxidase with ruptured cerebral aneurysms.

Is C1-C2 Reduction and Fixation A Good Choice in the Treatment of Recurrent Chiari-Like Symptoms With Syringomyelia?

BACKGROUND: Foramen magnum decompression (FMD) is the first-choice treatment for Chiari malformation (CM). However, it has been suggested that cerebellar herniation and syringomyelia occur as a natural protective event to prevent neural damage caused by atlantoaxial instability. It is argued that treating instability is the main treatment. Positive results of atlantoaxial fusion have been reported in the literature, but there are no studies including the results of atlantoaxial fusion as the second treatment in patients in whom classical decompression failed. In our study, we report the results of these patients to help in the selection of treatment and we present our treatment algorithm for CM with syringomyelia. METHODS: Thirteen patients who had undergone FMD and duraplasty due to CM and syringomyelia in our clinics and who had recovered clinically and radiologically but had recurrent complaints during long-term follow-up were evaluated. C1-C2 distraction and fusion were performed. We evaluated these patients radiologically and clinically. RESULTS: The mean age of the 13 patients was found to be 32.4 years. Male to female ratio was 6:7. The complaints recurred after an average of 2.1 years. Also, 3 cases were presented with their clinical characteristics and radiologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: FMD may fail even with duraplasty, and treatment of CM in recurrent cases is still controversial. Recently, atlantoaxial instability has been reported to be the main pathology of CM, and the cure for pathology is to treat instability. Recurrent CMs with syringomyelia in which FMD has failed should be treated by atlantoaxial fixation.

The Effect of Distal Fusion Level on Functional and Radiographic Parameters in Degenerative Spine Following Long Posterior Instrumentation and Fusion.

AIM: To investigate the effect of distal fusion level on radiographic parameters and functional outcome in patients with degenerative spine disease who undergo long posterior fusion with instrumentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 78 adult patients aged > 60 years who underwent long posterior fusion ( > 6 levels) for spinal deformity with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups based on distal fusion level (L5 group and iliac group). Spinopelvic parameters, including lumbar lordosis (LL) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were evaluated. Functional outcome was evaluated with the pain visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. Correlations between clinical and radiographic parameters were calculated statistically. RESULTS: In the L5 group, the mean SVA and LL significantly improved after surgery (p=0.025 and 0.008, respectively). Similarly, the SVA and LL also improved significantly in the iliac group (p=0.002 and 0.001, respectively). In both groups, lumbar VAS, leg VAS and ODI scores significantly improved (p < 0.001). The change in ODI score was significantly greater in the iliac group than the L5 group (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: Although patients did not achieve the desired optimal spinal saggital balance, both L5 and iliac groups showed significant improvement in VAS and ODI scores. The iliac group showed slightly better improvement in ODI score.

Surgical Results of Brainstem Cavernous Malformation Haemorrhage.

AIM: To evaluate surgical treatment options, complications and neurological outcomes of patients with cavernous malformations (CMs) in the pons and medulla oblongata. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 25 brain stem CMs that we operated between 2009 and 2019. We operated all cases in the first month with suboccipital retrosigmoid and paramedian approach. The cases were evaluated concerning their demographic characteristics, lesion characteristics, radiological imaging results, surgical approach and neurological status. RESULTS: Overall, 15 patients had CMs in the pons and 10 in the medulla oblongata. The mean age of the patients was 33.48 years, and the cases included 15 male and 10 female patients. The average modified Rankin Score (mRS) score had a mean of 2.36 and median of 2 at the time of admission (Table I). The mean follow-up period was 4.64 years (1?10 years). In the last follow-up assessment, the average mRS score was mean = 1.84 and median = 1. In addition, 14 (56%) patients recovered, 7 (28%) did not show any changes, 3 (12%) got worse, and 1 (4%) died. In our case series, the admission complaints were cranial nerve paralysis (24%) in 6 cases, nausea and vomiting in 1 (4%) and hemiparesis in 17 (68%). CONCLUSION: Experience, correct surgical approach and good knowledge of neuroanatomy are important in brainstem CM haemorrhages. Imaging methods, neuronavigation and neuromonitoring use are essential for patients undergoing surgery. In the presence of all these factors, the prognosis of patients will be better.

Relationship of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral aneurysm to serum Visfatin and Nesfatin-1 levels.

OBJECTIVES: Visfatin and nesfatin are recently discovered peptides that play a role in various metabolic reactions exhibiting inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and their levels are known to increase in cerebral ischaemia and haematomas. Inflammation plays a role in the development of aneurysm, and spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is typically caused by rupture of the aneurysmal sac because of the increased inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between serum visfatin and nesfatin levels and the clinical and radiological findings in patients with SAH. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Overall, 62 patients with spontaneous SAH who were followed-up in our clinic between September 2018 and July 2019 and 35 healthy patients who presented to our outpatient clinic with complaints of back, lumbar and neck pain were included in the study. ELISA method was used to study the visfatin and nesfatin levels in the serum samples of both groups. The visfatin and nesfatin levels of patients with spontaneous SAH were compared with the healthy population. In addition, the relationship between visfatin and nesfatin levels and the radiological and clinical findings of patients with spontaneous SAH were also investigated. All findings were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with SAH compared with the control group. The median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with aneurysm than those without aneurysm. A positive correlation was observed between aneurysm length and nesfatin and visfatin levels. In patients with perimesencephalic haemorrhage, the mean visfatin level was determined to be lower compared with patients with classical aneurysmatic SAH, and the median nesfatin level did not differ significantly. The cut-off value of nesfatin for predicting SAH in patients compared with controls was >598.4 with 82.8 % sensitivity and 80 % specificity (P <  0.001). The cut-off value of visfatin for predicting SAH was >10.3 with 85.3 % sensitivity and 91.4 % specificity (P <  0.001). The diagnostic performance of visfatin and nesfatin levels was similar in predicting SAH. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we demonstrated that the presence of aneurysm, size of aneurysm, number of aneurysms correlate with visfatin and nesfatin levels in patients with SAH, and visfatin and nesfatin may be biomarkers for predicting SAH and presence of aneurysm. Nonetheless, future studies can include patients with unruptured aneurysm and investigate their serum visfatin and nesfatin levels to prove whether visfatin and nesfatin can serve as biomarkers in the follow-up of these patients.

The Effect of Straight or Lordotic Rods on Cervical Subaxial Alignment While Fusing C1-C2.

BACKGROUND: The C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw with rod fixation system has been used commonly in recent years. Despite the numerous reports on this technique in the literature, there are no studies regarding the effect of the angle of the rod used. We investigated the effect of rod angle on subaxial lordosis, cervical sagittal balance, and pain scores. METHODS: Clinical records and radiologic images of 58 patients who underwent procedures between 2011 and 2016 at our clinic were assessed retrospectively. We recorded clinical findings, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, angles of cervical and segmental lordosis, and the distance between the C2 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and the C7 posterior-superior corner. RESULTS: A total of 36 male and 22 female patients were enrolled. A negative correlation was found between the C1-C2 lordosis angle and the C2-C7 lordosis angle irrespective of surgical technique. In patients who were operated on using 30°-angled rods, there was a postoperative increase in C1-C2 lordosis degree and an improvement in C2 cervical SVA values. Postoperative month 6 VAS scores were significantly better in the patients who were operated on with angled rods compared with those who received straight rods. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this is because of the positive effect of the angled rod on sagittal balance. Nevertheless, prospective case-control studies should be conducted with larger groups of subjects. Furthermore, every patient should be evaluated considering the whole spinal sagittal balance.

Sodium Fluorescein for Spinal Intradural Tumors.

Technological innovations in spinal intradural tumor surgery simplify treatment. Surgical treatment of cranial benign and malignant pathologies under microscope with sodium (Na)-fluorescein guidance has often been reported, but few studies have focused on spinal intradural tumors. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of Na-fluorescein under yellow filter in intradural spinal tumor surgery by retrospectively reviewing cases involving intramedullary and extramedullary tumors operated under the guidance of Na-fluorescein. Forty-nine adult patients with a diagnosis of spinal intradural tumor operated under a yellow filter (560 nm) microscope using Na-fluorescein dye were included in the study. Demographic data, such as age and sex, neurological status, extent of tumor resection, histopathological diagnosis, Na-fluorescein staining pattern, and its usefulness during surgery were noted and statistically analyzed. Of all recruited patients, 26 women (53.1%) and 23 men (46.9%), were included for analysis. The age range of the patients was 18-64 years, with a mean age of 41.6 ± 13.9. An intradural intramedullary mass was found in 30.6% (n = 15) of the patients, and an intradural extramedullary mass in 69.4% (n: 34). While Na-fluorescein staining was homogeneous in all intradural extramedullary tumors, 73.3% (n: 11) of intradural intramedullary tumors were homogeneous, and 13.3% (n: 2) moderately heterogeneous. In the whole study group, the Na-fluorescein staining pattern was helpful in surgical resection in 47 cases (95.9%). While 34/34 (100%) found it helpful for extramedullary tumors, 13/15 (86.7%) did in intramedullary tumors, and for 2/15 (13.3%) it was not. In conclusion, Na-fluorescein helps in distinguishing tumor from healthy tissue in intradural extramedullary and intramedullary tumor surgery under a yellow filter microscope in most cases, thus providing convenient assistance to surgeons.

Our surgical experience in foramen magnum meningiomas: clinical series of 11 cases.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to discuss surgical approaches and results that we applied foramen magnum meningiomas. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 11 foramen magnum meningioma cases, who had been operated between the dates of February 2012 and March 2017. RESULTS: Eight of the patients were females and 3 of the patients were males, the age range was 32-75 and the age average was 60.8. 5 of the tumors were anatomically localized as posterolateral, 2 of them were localized as anterolateral, 2 of them were localized as lateral and 2 of them were localized as anterior according to the brain stem or spinal cord. Posterior far lateral (4 patients) approach including C1 laminoplasty (7 patients) and 1/3 condyle resection was surgically applied to the patients with median suboccipital craniotomy. Gross total excision was applied to 82% of the patients (9 patients) and subtotal mass excision was applied to 18% (2 patients) of the patients. The most frequent post-operative complications were temporary lower cranial nerve (CN IX and X ) palsy in our 2 anterior localized cases (18%) and also cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula in our 1 anterior localized case with difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). Karnofsky scores of the patients, who were followed for 18 months in post-operative 12 and 48 months of average, in the last follow-up were 80 and no post-operative mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: Posterior midline suboccipital and far lateral approaches that we apply in our own series were appropriate approaches for foramen magnum meningiomas.

The Evaluation of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Glioblastoma Patients.

AIM: To assess the distribution of genetic polymorphisms of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) to predict the clinical course of glioblastoma, report on the genetic mechanisms, and provide guidance on potential therapeutic methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study included 31 adult patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at our institution and diagnosed with glioblastoma between October 2013 and January 2014 together with 50 control subjects. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.5 vs. 53.9 years, respectively, and the gender distribution (male/female: 64.5/35.5% vs. 64/36%, respectively) was comparable among patients and controls (p > 0.05). Sixteen different KIR genes including inhibitory, activating, and pseudogenes were investigated for each sample, and the framework genes including KIR2DL4, 3DL2, 3DL3, and 3DP1 were present in all patients and controls. In addition, the inhibitory KIR genes and the 2DL3 gene were significantly more common in patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the inhibitory KIR gene 2DL3 has a predisposition for glioblastoma. Identifying the potential link between glioblastoma cells and immune system genetics is critical in predicting familial predisposition and early diagnosis. In addition, this clue may be a key factor in developing post-surgery individual immunotherapy models in the future.

Pediatric Traumatic Pneumorrhachis: Case Report.

The existence of air in the spinal canal is referred to as pneumorrhachis. It is classified as extradural (epidural) or intradural (subdural or subarachnoid) according to the location where it is found. Nontraumatic, traumatic, and iatrogenic causes have been attributed to its occurrence. Traumatic pneumorrhachis is very rare and rarely seen in children. In our article, a 16-year-old male child in which air formation within the spinal canal was detected after an injury by a penetrating and cutting (knife) tool is discussed. Observing air within the spinal canal due to traumatic causes is an important situation rarely seen in the pediatric age group. In general, this situation, which can be seen after multiple trauma, may be encountered following a minor trauma. The correct assessment of the radiologic imaging methods ensures not to miss the manifestation of the disease.

Giant Cavernous Malformations in Childhood: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cavernous malformations (CMs) of the central nervous system are benign, angiographically occult vascular lesions and are diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Giant CMs do not differ from smaller-sized CMs in their clinical, surgical or histopathological presentation but may be radiologically different. In this paper, we report a 10-year-old male with a giant CM of 8 × 7.5 × 7 cm in diameter that was completely removed by microsurgical treatment. This case addresses important points for practicing neurosurgeons to consider when making a differential diagnosis of large intracranial mass lesions in pediatric patients. In this report, the radiological features of this vascular malformation are described based on a pertinent literature review.

Intramedullary mature teratoma of the conus medullaris.

Teratoma is a tumor that derivatives from all three primitive germ layers and spinal intramedullary teratomas are very rare lesions. The primary treatment modality for these tumors is surgical resection, and total resection should be the aim. However, subtotal resection is a valid alternative to prevent traumatizing adjacent functional neural tissue. In this report, we presented a case of a 12-year-old male patient with spinal teratoma of the conus medullaris. We describe the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of this rare disease.