Timely Visualization of the Collaterals Formed during Acute Ischemic Stroke with Fe3 O4 Nanoparticle-based MR Imaging Probe.

Ischemic stroke is one of the major leading causes for long-term disability and mortality. Collateral vessels provide an alternative pathway to protect the brain against ischemic injury after arterial occlusion. Aiming at visualizing the collaterals occurring during acute ischemic stroke, an integrin αv ß3 -specific Fe3 O4 -Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) nanoprobe is prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the collaterals. Rat models are constructed by occluding the middle cerebral artery for imaging studies of cerebral ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion on 7.0 Tesla MRI using susceptibility-weighted imaging sequence. To show the binding specificity to the collaterals, the imaging results acquired with the Fe3 O4 -RGD nanoprobe and the Fe3 O4 mother nanoparticles, respectively, are carefully compared. In addition, an RGD blocking experiment is also carried out to support the excellent binding specificity of the Fe3 O4 -RGD nanoprobe. Following the above experiments, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion studies show the collateral dynamics upon reperfusion, which is very important for the prognosis of various revascularization therapies in the clinic. The current study has, for the first time, enabled the direct observation of collaterals in a quasi-real time fashion and further disclosed that the antegrade flow upon reperfusion dominates the blood supply of primary ischemic tissue during the early stage of infarction, which is significantly meaningful for clinical treatment of stroke.

[Microsurgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas: approaches in a series of 169 consecutive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features, surgical approaches and postoperative outcomes of craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: A series of 169 consecutive cases of craniopharyngiomas undergoing microsurgical resection via various approaches at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 102 males and 67 females with a mean age of 34.1 (3-74) years. The operations were performed via unilateral subfrontal (n = 11), frontopterional (n = 69), anterior interhemispheric (n = 57), transcallosal (n = 9), transsphenoidal (n = 14), transcortical (n = 2), transventricular-foramen with neuroendoscope (n = 5) and combined (n = 2). Postoperative measures included the managements of blood sodium disorder and diabetes insipidus. During follow-ups, they were monitored for residual or recurrent tumor by postoperative contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) every 1-3 months. RESULTS: The removals of lesions were total (n = 124, 73.4%), subtotal (n = 32, 18.9%) and partial (n = 13, 7.7%). And 104 cases had an intact preservation of pituitary stalk and stalk was partially preserved in 21 patients. Visual improvement (n = 49) and deterioration (n = 21) were achieved. The major postoperative complications included diabetes insipidus (n = 101) and electrolyte disorder (n = 89). And 26 patients had recurrence during a follow-up period of 26.1 (3-66) months. CONCLUSION: Selection of appropriate approaches according to morphological characteristics is essential for successful microsurgery of craniopharyngiomas.

[Anterior interhemispheric approach through the lamina terminalis for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the techniques and effect of surgical resection of large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach. METHODS: Fifty-two patients who were surgically treated for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent surgery via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach. Of the 52 patients, 28 were male and 24 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 67 years (mean age 33.5 years). The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4.0 to 7.8 cm, with mean diameter of 5.1 cm. Contrast-enhanced MRI was underwent to determine the extent of tumor resection on the 1 to 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Total removal of the lesion was achieved in 47 cases (90.4%), 5 patients underwent subtotal resection (9.6%). Division of the anterior communicating artery was performed in 6 patients with no early or late complications related to division of the artery. Visual acuity was preserved or improved in 44 patients (84.6%). Preservation of the pituitary stalk were achieved in 33 patients (63.5%). No surgery-related deaths occurred. The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 months to 68 months (mean 25.4 months). Twenty-three cases had endocrinological deficit and received some form of hormonal replacement after surgery. Permanent diabetes insipidus occurred in 18 cases. Three patients died and 6 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior interhemispheric approach, with opening of the lamina terminalis, is a valid choice for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas. These tumors can be removed without significant sequelae related to the surgical approach because optic nerves, optic chiasm, internal carotid artery, hypothalamic structures and pituitary stalk can be seen and effectively protected.

[Treatment for giant pituitary adenomas through transcranial approach in a series of 112 consecutive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, surgical transcranial approaches and outcomes of giant pituitary adenomas. METHODS: A series of 112 consecutive cases of giant pituitary adenomas underwent microsurgery through transcranial approaches at People' s Liberation Army General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 112 patients, 58 were male and 54 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 72 years(mean age 44. 3 years). There were 91 non-functioning adenomas and 21 hormone-secreting adenomas. The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4. 0 to 7. 2 cm, with mean diameter of 4. 8 cm. Unilateral subfrontal approach was chosen in 16 cases, pterional approach in 41 cases, anterior interhemispheric approach in 34 cases, transcallosal-interforniceal approach in 6 cases, transcortical- transventricular approach in 5 cases, combined approach in 6 cases and other approaches in 4 cases. Postoperative MRI and endocrine function were re-examined routinely to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Staged operation through transsphenoidal approach or adjuvant treatments including medical and radiation therapies were administered in patients with hormone-secreting adenomas when hormonal excess persisted after surgery and in patients with non-functioning adenomas who had postoperative MRI evidence of residual tumor. RESULTS: Total removal of the lesion was achieved in 57 cases (50. 9%) , 26 patients (23. 2%) underwent subtotal resection, and 29 patients (25. 9%) underwent partial removal. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2. 7%). Major surgical morbidity occurred in 38 patients (33. 9%). Vision was preserved or improved in 98 patients (87. 5%). The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 to 64 months (mean 19. 5 months) . Nineteen of the 21 patients with hormone-secreting adenomas were considered to be in hormonal remission, and 87. 2% of the cases were capable of normal work and life and 8 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of appropriate transcranial approaches is the key to successful microsurgery for giant pituitary adenomas according to the morphological characteristics presented in image examinations and clinical symptoms. Staged transsphenoidal operation and/or adjuvant therapies including medical and radiation therapies offer the best chances to control the residual tumors after the maximal surgical removal of giant adenomas through transcranial approaches.

Operative management of trigeminal neuromas: an analysis of a surgical experience with 55 cases.

BACKGROUND: The trigeminal schwannoma is the second most common intracranial schwannoma. Their proximity to the critical skull base neural and vascular structures increases the complexity of surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to better understand the surgical approaches and the prognosis, as well as to assess the optimum therapeutic schedule. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 55 patients with trigeminal schwannomas who visited our department between Jan 2007 and Jan 2012. We analyzed the clinical and radiological presentation, tumor characteristics, surgical approaches, the prognosis. RESULTS: The patients were 30 women and 25 men of mean age 36 years (range, 6-66 years) who received postoperative neurological and neuroradiological follow-up. The tumor was located in the middle fossa (type A) in 13 cases, in the posterior fossa (type B) in ten cases, in the middle and posterior fossae (type C) in 21 cases, and in the branches of the trigeminal nerve (type D) in 11 cases. The most common symptom was facial hypesthesia or numbness in 36 patients (65 %) . Total and nearly total tumor resection was achieved in 51 cases (93 %). Three patients (5 %) had worsening of preexisting deficits and there was no perioperative mortality. With an average follow-up period of 35 months, facial hypesthesia persisted in 26 patients (72 %),and improved in ten patients (28 %). Facial pain was relieved in 11 patients (100 %). There has been a recurrence in one case (2 %) and all patients resumed independent and social reintegration. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates radical surgery with excellent neurological outcomes is the primary treatment of trigeminal schwannomas. Appropriate selection of surgical approach according to tumor types is highly important and necessary. The preoperative facial pain could be relieved, hypesthesia frequently remains or could even be worsened after surgery.

Intraoperative computed tomography with an integrated navigation system in stabilization surgery for complex craniovertebral junction malformation.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed to report our preliminary experience with stabilization procedures for complex craniovertebral junction malformation (CVJM) using intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) with an integrated neuronavigation system (NNS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the workflow, feasibility and clinical outcome of stabilization procedures using iCT image-guided navigation for complex CVJM. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The stabilization procedures in CVJM are complex because of the area's intricate geometry and bony structures, its critical relationship to neurovascular structures and the intricate biomechanical issues involved. METHODS: A sliding gantry 40-slice computed tomography scanner was installed in a preexisting operating room. The images were transferred directly from the scanner to the NNS using an automated registration system. On the basis of the analysis of intraoperative computed tomographic images, 23 cases (11 males, 12 females) with complicated CVJM underwent navigated stabilization procedures to allow more control over screw placement. The age of these patients were 19-52 years (mean: 33.5 y). We performed C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation in 6 patients to produce atlantoaxial arthrodesis with better reliability. Because of a high-riding transverse foramen on at least 1 side of the C2 vertebra and an anomalous vertebral artery position, 7 patients underwent C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw fixation. Ten additional patients were treated with individualized occipitocervical fixation surgery from the hypoplasia of C1 or constraints due to C2 bone structure. RESULTS: In total, 108 screws were inserted into 23 patients using navigational assistance. The screws comprised 20 C1 lateral mass screws, 26 C2, 14 C3, or 4 C4 pedicle screws, 32 occipital screws, and 12 C1-C2 transarticular screws. There were no vascular or neural complications except for pedicle perforations that were detected in 2 (1.9%) patients and were corrected intraoperatively without any persistent nerves or vessel damage. The overall accuracy of the image guidance system was 98.1%. The duration of interruption during the surgical process for the iCT was 8±1.5 minutes. All patients were clinically evaluated using Nurick grade criteria and for neurological deficits 3 months after surgery. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) improved by at least 1 Nurick grade, whereas the grade remained unchanged in 2 (8.7%) patients. Craniovertebral stability and solid bone fusion was achieved in all patients. NNS was found to correlate well with the intraoperative findings, and the recalibration was uneventful in all cases and had an accuracy of 1.8 mm (range, 0.6-2.2 mm). CONCLUSIONS: iCT scanning with integrated NNS was found to be both feasible and beneficial in the stabilization procedures for complex CVJM. In this unusual patient population, the technique seemed to be of value for negotiating complex anatomy and for achieving more control over screw placement.

[Anterior interhemispheric approach for giant sellar region tumors in a series of 110 consecutive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the techniques and efficacies of surgical resection of giant sellar region tumors via anterior interhemispheric approach. METHODS: A series of 110 consecutive cases of giant sellar region tumors undergoing microsurgery through an anterior interhemispheric approach at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Their mean age was 35.6 (3-72) years. There were craniopharyngioma (n = 57), pituitary adenoma (n = 33), hypothalamic glioma (n = 5), meningioma (n = 4) and other lesions (n = 11). The maximal tumor diameter varied from 4.0 to 8.2 cm with a mean diameter of 4.8 cm. Active measurements were taken for managing blood sodium disorder and diabetes insipidus. During the follow-ups, the patients were monitored for residual or recurrent tumor by hormonal assessment (in cases of functioning adenomas) and postoperative contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 1-3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Total lesion removal was achieved in 76 cases (69.1%). Twenty patients (18.2%) underwent subtotal resection and 14 (12.7%) had partial removal. No surgery-related mortality occurred. Visual acuity was preserved or improved in 97 patients (88.2%) within 1 week after surgery. The major postoperative complications included diabetes insipidus (n = 76, 69.1%), permanent diabetes insipidus (n = 23, 20.9%), electrolyte disorder (n = 62, 56.4%), seizures (n = 7, 6.4%), brain damage (3 cerebral contusions and 5 hematomas) (n = 8, 7.3%) and infarction(n = 2, 1.8%). During a median post-surgical follow-up period of 26 (3-96) months, 11 patients had recurrence. And 35 cases (31.8%) of endocrinological deficit received hormonal replacement after surgery. CONCLUSION: The interhemispheric approach is feasible for removing giant sellar region tumors without significant sequels. Active postoperative managements of diabetes insipidus and electrolyte disorder may accelerate early patient recovery.

[Clinical analysis of the technique of puncture and drainage guided by neuronavigation in treatment of brain abscesses].

OBJECTIVE: To study the techniques and efficacy of neuronavigation-guided puncture and drainage in the treatment of brain abscesses. METHODS: From February 2006 to December 2012, 31 patients with brain abscesses treated by the technique of neuronavigation-guided puncture and drainage were retrospectively analyzed. There were 27 male and 4 female patients, age ranged from 10 months to 69 years, average (34 ± 19) years.Single brain abscesses were found in 26 patients, multiple abscesses in 5 patients. The abscesses were located in eloquent regions in 19 patients. The mean diameter of the abscess was 4.1 cm (2.5-6.7 cm). The first follow-up visit was on the first month after surgery, and if residual was observed on enhanced MRI, then the patient was followed up every 3 months until the abscess disappeared completely. After residual absorbed, the patient was followed up every year. RESULTS: Incisions of all patients were healed well and no infection. The length of hospital stay after surgery was 6-42 days, mean (14 ± 9) days. Bacterial culture of pus was performed regularly including aerobic, anaerobic and fungal culture after surgery. Thirteen patients had positive culture whereas the other 18 patients had negative culture. The duration of antibiotic use was 18-42 days, mean (22 ± 5) days. All the patients were followed up for 3 months to 3 years. Twenty-nine patients recovered well postoperatively, 1 case died 2 months after operation.One case was performed the second drainage after 10 days from the first surgery.Eighteen patients showed the improvement of neurological status within the first day following surgery, 4 patients got improvement in the next day, 1 patient with hemiplegia showed improvement in 10 days postoperatively, 1 patient with aphasia recovered gradually after 1 month, 1 patient with hemiplegia showed deterioration temporarily after surgery, and recovered gradually after 15 days. CONCLUSION: The technique of puncture and drainage guided by neuronavigation has many advantages to treat brain abscesses, such as small trauma, short operation time, high accuracy and safety, simple surgical procedures and good prognosis.

Automated algorithm aided capacity and confidence boost in surgical decision-making training for inferior clivus.

Objective: To assess the impact of automated algorithms on the trainees' decision-making capacity and confidence for individualized surgical planning. Methods: At Chinese PLA General Hospital, trainees were enrolled to undergo decision-making capacity and confidence training through three alternative visual tasks of the inferior clivus model formed from an automated algorithm and given consecutively in three exemplars. The rationale of automated decision-making was used to instruct each trainee. Results: Following automated decision-making calculation in 50 skull base models, we screened out three optimal plans, infra-tubercle approach (ITA), trans-tubercle approach (TTA), and supra-tubercle approach (STA) for 41 (82.00%), 8 (16.00%), and 1 (2.00%) subject, respectively. From September 1, 2023, through November 17, 2023, 62 trainees (median age [range]: 27 [26-28]; 28 [45.16%] female; 25 [40.32%] neurosurgeons) made a decision among the three plans for the three typical models (ITA, TTA, and STA exemplars). The confidence ratings had fine test-retest reliability (Spearman's rho: 0.979; 95% CI: 0.970 to 0.988) and criterion validity with time spent (Spearman's rho: -0.954; 95%CI: -0.963 to -0.945). Following instruction of automated decision-making, time spent (initial test: 24.02 vs. 7.13 in ITA; 30.24 vs. 7.06 in TTA; 34.21 vs. 12.82 in STA) and total hits (initial test: 30 vs. 16 in ITA; 37 vs. 17 in TTA; 42 vs. 28 in STA) reduced significantly; confidence ratings (initial test: 2 vs. 4 in ITA; 2 vs. 4 in TTA; 1 vs. 3 in STA) increased correspondingly. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for the above comparisons. Conclusions: The education tool generated by automated decision-making considers surgical freedom and injury risk for the individualized risk-benefit assessment, which may provide explicit information to increase trainees' decision-making capacity and confidence.

[Individualized treatment of the atlantoaxial dislocation in craniovertebral junction abnormalities].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical characteristics of the atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) in craniovertebral junction (CVJ) abnormalities and to study the setup of its surgery strategy. METHODS: From April 2009 to November 2011, 56 patients of AAD and CVJ abnormalities including 22 male and 34 female patients who had received surgery were analyzed. There were 2 cases of reducible AAD and 54 cases of irreducible AAD. The age of the patients ranged from 9 to 56 years (mean 34 years). Among them, 14 cases achieved reduction/partial reduction via direct posterior fixation, 41 cases had transoral anterior deconpression and occipito-cervical/C1-C2 fusion and 1 case had the posterior odontoidectomy and spinal fusion. RESULTS: Fifty-three cases had a follow-up between 6 months and 36 months (mean 20 months) and 3 cases lost follow-up (had improvement at discharge). Seven cases had complications as follows: 1 case had irreversible spinal cord injury and muscle weakness of extremities, 2 cases had cerebrospinal leak, 2 cases had pulmonary infection, 1 case had local granuloma hyperplasia and 1 case had delayed healing of the incision. The later 6 cases all got recovery after reasonable treatments. The grades of Nurick at last follow-up were as follows: 6 cases (11.3%) improved by 3 grades, 30 cases (56.6%) improved by 2 grades, 13 cases (24.5%) improved by 1 grade, 3 cases (5.7%) without change, 1 case (1.9%) get worse. CONCLUSIONS: Reducible AAD could achieve direct reduction and fixation via posterior pathways. Irreducible AAD needs individualized treatment. To choose the direct reduction and fixation or transoral odontoidectomy and posterior fixation and fusion should consider the pathogenetic condition, the image data and personal clinical experience.

[Trans-extradural approach to resect trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus region].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the techniques and effect of extradural approach for the resection of trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (range 26-63 years, mean age 46.2 years) with trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus treated by middle fossa extradural approach were retrospectively analyzed. Frontotemporal orbitozygomatic extradural approach was performed in 2 patients. Frontotemporal zygomatic extradural approach was carried out in 21 patients. The first follow-up visit was on the 3rd month after surgery, and if residual was observed on enhanced MRI, then the patient was followed up every 6 months; otherwise, the patient was followed up every 8-12 months. RESULTS: The length of hospital stay after surgery was 7-13 days (mean 8.5 days). Two tumors originated from the ophthalmic branch, 2 from the maxillary branch, 5 from the mandibular branch and 14 from the gasserian ganglion. Total resection was achieved in 21 of the 23 patients (91.3%) and subtotal resection in the other 2 patients. All the patients were followed up from 3 months to 4 years. Median follow-up time was 19 months. The most common symptom was facial hypoesthesia, occurring in 18 patients. This symptom improved in 10 patients and worsened in 8 patients after surgery. New postoperative facial hypoesthesia was observed in 2 patients. Facial pain was observed in 3 patients and subsided after surgery. Two patients had loss of hearing, this symptom improved in 1 patient and worsened in 1 patient after surgery. Diplopia was observed in 6 patients. In 1 of these 6 patients, diplopia resulted from palsy of the oculomotor nerve. In the other 5 patients, diplopia resulted from palsy of the abducens nerve. This symptom improved postoperatively in all these 6 patients. New postoperative atrophy of the temporalis muscle was observed in 3 patients. There was no operation-related mortality. Tumor recurrence was only found in 1 patient after 24 months and was treated by Gamma knife. CONCLUSIONS: The middle fossa extradural approach may be an ideal option for the resection of trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus. This approach produces no further impairment, less complication, and is less likely to injured the trigeminal nerve, abducens nerve, trochlear nerve and internal carotid artery.

Individualized treatment of craniovertebral junction malformation guided by intraoperative computed tomography.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed to report our preliminary experience of intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) using a mobile scanner with integrated neuronavigation system (NNS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and potential utility of iCT with integrated NNS in individualized treatment of craniovertebral junction malformation (CVJM). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The surgical management of congenital craniovertebral anomalies is complex due to the relative difficulty in accessing the region, critical relationships of neurovascular structures, and the intricate biomechanical issues involved. METHODS: We reported our first 19 complex CVJM cases including 11 male and 8 female patients from January, 2009 to June, 2009 (mean age, 33.9 y; age range, 13 to 58 y). A sliding gantry 40-slice CT scanner was installed in a preexisting operating room. Image data was transferred directly from the scanner into the NNS using an automated registration system. We applied this technology to transoral odontoidectomy in 17 patients. Moreover, with the extra help of iCT integrated with NNS, odontoidectomy through posterior midline approach, and transoral atlantal lateral mass resection were, for the first time, performed for treatment of complex CVJM. RESULTS: NNS was found to correlate well with the intraoperative findings, and the recalibration was uneven in all cases with an accuracy of 1.6 mm (1.6: 1.2 to 2.0). All patients were clinically evaluated by Nurick grade criteria, and neurological deficits were monitored after 3 months of surgery. Fifteen patients (79%) were improved by at least 1 Nurick grade, whereas the grade did not change in 4 patients (21%). CONCLUSIONS: iCT scanning with integrated NNS was both feasible and beneficial for the surgical management of complex CVJM. In this unusual patient population, the technique seemed to be valuable in negotiating complex anatomy and achieving a safe and predictable decompression.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals molecular imprints of anthropogenic and natural selection in wild and domesticated sheep.

The abundance of domesticated sheep varieties and phenotypes is largely the result of long-term natural and artificial selection. However, there is limited information regarding the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation induced by the domestication and improvement of sheep. In this study, to explore genomic diversity and selective regions at the genome level, we sequenced the genomes of 100 sheep across 10 breeds and combined these results with publicly available genomic data from 225 individuals, including improved breeds, Chinese indigenous breeds, African indigenous breeds, and their Asian mouflon ancestor. Based on population structure, the domesticated sheep formed a monophyletic group, while the Chinese indigenous sheep showed a clear geographical distribution trend. Comparative genomic analysis of domestication identified several selective signatures, including IFI44 and IFI44L genes and PANK2 and RNF24 genes, associated with immune response and visual function. Population genomic analysis of improvement demonstrated that candidate genes of selected regions were mainly associated with pigmentation, energy metabolism, and growth development. Furthermore, the IFI44 and IFI44L genes showed a common selection signature in the genomes of 30 domesticated sheep breeds. The IFI44 c. 54413058 C>G mutation was selected for genotyping and population genetic validation. Results showed that the IFI44 polymorphism was significantly associated with partial immune traits. Our findings identified the population genetic basis of domesticated sheep at the whole-genome level, providing theoretical insights into the molecular mechanism underlying breed characteristics and phenotypic changes during sheep domestication and improvement.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of tight carotid stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the specialty of diagnosis and surgery of tight carotid stenosis. METHOD: From January 2000 to December 2009, 53 patients with tight carotid stenosis (> 95%) were operated on. All 53 patients had tight carotid stenosis more than 95% on one side in whom 28 had contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion. The clinical and imaging data as well as surgical outcomes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-five patients had postoperatively done well without any complications. There were 3 cases of hemodynamic instability and one case of cardiac ischemia which resolved in one to two days. One patient developed mild hoarseness. One complicated with bacteremia due to deep vein catheter insertion. Two patients experienced brain hemorrhage. None of this series occurred perioperative brain ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Tight carotid stenosis indicates a need for expeditious carotid endarterectomy with very low rates of brain ischemia. Intraoperative shunting is seldom necessary. Postoperative hyperperfusion syndrome and brain hemorrhage should be worried. Micro-endarterectomy can effectively prevent from restenosis.

[The strategy of management for bilateral carotid atherosclerotic stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indication, time and strategy of surgery for patients with bilateral carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with bilateral carotid atherosclecrotic stenosis were admitted to our hospital from February 1987 to December 2007. In 34 patients who presented with unilateral symptoms and underwent ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA), contralateral CEA or carotid artery stenting (CAS) was performed in 8 because of severe stenosis (> 70%) or unstable plaque. Thirty-eight patients presented with bilateral symptoms. Among them, 15 underwent CEA on both sides, 3 were performed CEA on one side and CAS on the other side, while 20 underwent unilateral CEA only. In 2 asymptomatic patients, CEA was also performed. RESULTS: Ninety-three cases of CEA were performed in 74 patients. Sixty-eight patients were uneventful after operation. Neurological deficits deteriorated in 2 patients. Four patients developed cardiac ischemia, cerebral hemorrhage and hoarseness respectively. Sixty-seven patients were followed-up for 4.9 years. No cerebral ischemia relevant to operated carotid artery developed in 63 patients. CONCLUSIONS: If the indication is obvious, CEA should be performed no matter how contralateral carotid artery is. The strategy of therapy is individual. Whether using shunt depends on intra-operative monitoring.

Differential long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) profiles associated with hippocampal sclerosis in human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the expression profiles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) in human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and to detect the functions of lncRNAs in epileptogenesis in MTLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used microarray analysis to analyze the differential expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs in three hippocampal sclerosis and three normal hippocampus samples. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the microarrray results. A coding and non-coding gene co-expression network was constructed based on the correlation between the differential expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses were then performed to determine the potential roles of the differentially expressed mRNAs in the co-expression network. Lastly, to understand potential functions of lncRNAs in MTLE, cis-/trans-acting lncRNAs were predicted using bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: Compared with control hippocampus, 497 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified in the hippocampal sclerosis samples, consisting of 294 up-regulated and 203 down-regulated lncRNAs (fold-change >2.0 or <-2.0, P<0.05). Similarly, 399 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified with 236 up-regulated and 163 down-regulated. There were 356 lncRNAs and 332 mRNAs in the non-coding and coding co-expression network, in which the highly enriched GO categories were related to the inflammatory response, and neuropeptide receptor activity. Nine pairs of lncRNAs and mRNAs (located within 10 kb of each other) were found to exert functional effects on epileptogenesis. CONCLUSION: Differential expression of lncRNAs of varying length and location were observed in human MTLE with hippocampal sclerosis. The dysregulated lncRNAs with co-dysregulated mRNAs in inflammatory response and neuropeptide receptor activity categories are predicted to play roles in epileptogenesis in MTLE. LncRNA RP11-414J4 may contribute to epileptogenesis by targeting CPLX3.

Anterior interhemispheric approach for removing large sellar region tumor.

The aim of the study was to explore anterior interhemispheric approach microsurgery for removing large sellar region tumors.A total of 118 patients with large sellar region tumors were treated with the anterior interhemispheric approach microsurgery. There were 58 craniopharyngioma, 37 pituitary adenoma, 5 hypothalamic glioma, 7 meningioma, and 11 other tumors cases. The maximal tumor diameter ranged from 3.0 to 8.2 cm, with a mean diameter of 4.3 cm. Diabetes insipidus and fluid and electrolyte imbalance were timely controlled after surgery. Postoperative examination of endocrine and of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement scanning of the head were performed.Total, subtotal, and partial removal of tumors was, respectively, achieved in 80, 23, and 15 cases. A total of 109 patients had improved vision after surgery. During the hospital stay, 81 had diabetes insipidus, 68 had fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and 9 had hemorrhage and tumidness in the right frontal lobe (3 had frontal lobe contusion, and 6 had frontal lobe hematoma). The postoperative follow-up visit lasted for 3 to 105 months. During the follow-up period, 14 patients had recurrence of tumors, 38 cases had their single or multiple pituitary axis treated with hormonal replacement therapy for a long time after surgery, and 23 cases had to orally take drugs for the purpose of controlling diabetes insipidus.The anterior interhemispheric approach microsurgery is feasible for removing large sellar region tumors without significant sequels. Active postoperative managements of diabetes insipidus and fluid and electrolyte imbalance may help patients with earlier recovery.

Microsurgical treatment of craniopharyngioma: Experiences on 183 consecutive patients.

This study aimed to summarize the clinical experiences and postoperative effects of microsurgical approaches for craniopharyngioma.A total of 183 craniopharyngioma patients who underwent microsurgical treatment since March 2009 to March 2015 in our hospital were included in current research. Surgical approaches were selected based on preoperative evaluations, including tumor locations, sizes, and growth patterns. Active measurements to manage water-electrolyte disorder and insipidus were taken for postoperative treatments. During the follow-up, patients were monitored for residual or recurrent tumor by postoperative contrast MRI scans done 1 to 3 months after surgery.The used surgical approaches were as follows: frontopterional approach (76 cases), anterior interhemispheric approach (58 cases), transcallosal approach (10 cases), transsphenoidal approach (15 cases), unilateral subfrontal approach (15 cases), and combined approaches (9 cases). Around 124 cases (72.7%) received total tumor resection, 37 patients (20.2%) underwent subtotal resection, and 13 patients (7.1%) underwent partial removal. No significant difference was found on the postoperative complications among the different microsurgical approaches (all, P > .05). A total of 111 cases had an intact pituitary stalk preservation and 26 cases had partially preserved stalks during surgery. Visual improvement was achieved in 54 patients and visual deterioration occurred in 22 cases. Postoperative insipidus appeared in 114 cases and water-electrolyte disorder occurred in 99 cases. The postsurgical follow-up ranged from 3 to 69 months with a mean duration of 27.3 months and 23 patients suffered recurrence.Based on careful preoperative evaluation, microsurgical treatments may be safe and effective approach to improve postoperative outcomes of craniopharyngioma patients.

Minimally invasive image-guided keyhole aspiration of cerebral abscesses.

Despite the low incidence of brain abscesses in Western nations (1-2%), the incidence in developing countries is as high as 8%. We evaluate a minimally invasive image-guided keyhole aspiration of cerebral abscesses and compare it with a series of cases treated with surgical excision. 23 patients (20 male and 3 female, aged 7-67 years) underwent image-guided burr hole aspiration of single or multiple cerebral abscesses. Patient characteristics, perioperative, and postoperative data were analyzed and compared with a second group of 22 patients (14 male and 8 female, aged 12-72) treated for cerebral abscesses with open surgical excision. In all cases, the surgical procedure was performed successfully without complication. 8 of the 23 aspiration cases were performed with the aid of iMRI. A comparison of patient demographics, duration of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, postoperative neurological recovery time, intraoperative blood loss, operative duration, length of incision, postoperative fever, repeat surgery, and mortality was performed between the aspiration and excision groups. Intraoperative blood loss, operative duration, length of incision, and postoperative fever were all significantly reduced in the aspiration group. Though, duration of hospital stay and antibiotic therapy and postoperative neurological recovery time were all increased in the aspiration group, and statistical significance was observed in all except the duration of hospital stay. This technique is a feasible and comparable minimally invasive alternative to open surgical excision and may provide reduced intraoperative blood loss, shortened operative duration, improved cosmetic outcomes, and a lessened incidence of postoperative fever.