Anatomical Features of Neural Foramen at T12â€"L1 Level for Endoscopic Transforaminal Approach of Paramedian and Foraminal Disc Herniations: An Anatomical Study on Fresh Human Cadavers.

AIM: To explore the anatomic features of the neural foramen in particularly at the T12-L1 level in order to assess reveal the safety and efficiency of the endoscopic transforaminal approach for paramedian and foraminal disc herniations at this level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 15 fresh human cadavers. The soft tissues were removed at the T12-L1 level and bony tissues, were exposed including the transverse processes. The bilateral facets and pars interarticulares at this level were resected revealing the foraminal anatomy and exiting roots. The anatomical structures constituting the triangular safe working zone (TSWZ) were explored. The nerve root length, nerve root width, nerve root angle, TSWZ height, and base of TSWZ base, nerve root width, nerve root angle and disc height were recorded. RESULTS: The root length is the hypotenuse of the TSWZ between the axilla of the exiting root and the lateral margin of the pedicle, and the mean root length was 14.94 ± 2.45 mm. The dural height is the interval between the axilla of the exiting nerve root axilla and the superior end plate of the caudal vertebra, and the mean of the dural height was 10.95 ± 1.74 mm. The base of TSWZ is the distance between the lateral margin of the dural sac and the medial margin of the exiting root, and the mean measurement for the base measurement was 11.83 ± 2.26 mm. CONCLUSION: According to the results data from our cadaveric study, we believe that Kambin’s triangular working zone is a safe area to consider for the endoscopic transforaminal approach at the T12-L1 level, especially for paramedian and foraminal disc herniations.

Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Ganglion Impar for Coccydynia Management: Long-Term Effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short- and long-term effects of ganglion impar radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) treatment in patients with chronic coccydynia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent RFT of the ganglion impar between 2009 and 2011. Pain intensity visual numeric scale (VNS) scores and Euroqol 5D (EQ-5D) index scores were recorded pre-intervention and post-intervention at the first, sixth, and twelfth months. The differences between pre-procedural VNS scores and post-procedural VNS scores at the first, sixth, and twelfth months were evaluated. The success of the intervention was recorded as the percentage difference between the pre-intervention VNS scores and post-intervention VNS scores at the first, sixth, and twelfth months. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients, including 11 females (55%) and 8 males (45%), was 48.7 ± 14.3 years. The average follow-up duration was 17.3 ± 2.9 months. Statistically significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-procedure VNS scores (P < 0.0001). Improvements in VNS scores were correlated with improvements in EQ-5D index scores. Mid-term (sixth month) and long-term (twelfth month) evaluations after the intervention revealed that 67.4% and 61.1% of the patients had successful outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that RFT of the ganglion impar in patients with chronic coccydynia resulted in effective outcomes, and patients who responded to RFT had significantly lower post-RFT pain scores.

The Effects of Proanthocyanidin on Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoidal Hemorrhage in Rats.

AIM: Delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND) and cerebral vasospasm (CV) remain the most common and debilitating neurological complications following aneurysmal subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH). Many reports demonstrate the importance of proanthocyanidins (PR) on the vascular system, including endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels. These effects of PR on the cerebral vascular system were examined in this study. < p < MATERIAL and METHODS: Fifty-two adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were used for the experimental double hemorrhage model. They were divided to control, sham, pre- and post-interventional treatment groups. 100 mg/kg PR was administered for the treatment for respect to groups. Basilar artery diameter (BAD) and arterial wall thickness were measured and the apoptosis ratio of the endothelial cells was calculated. Arterial walls were examined electron microscopically (EM). RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups except control and pre-SAH (p=0.37) and post-SAH and pre- SAH groups (p=0.15) with respect to BAD. According to arterial wall thickness, apoptosis ratio, and grading, there were significant differences between the groups except control and pre-SAH (p=0.85, p=0.49 and p=0.18 respectively) and SAH and post-SAH (p=0.08, p=0.21 and p=0.24 respectively) groups. EM findings revealed that pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic degenerated endothelial cells with seldom vacuolization in post-SAH treatment group which were more serious in SAH group. CONCLUSION: Pre-SAH administration of PR induces better vasodilatation and protection of basilar artery (BA) from vasospasm (VS), which could yield neuroprotective and vasodilatator effects. In addition, PR appears to be involved in relieving oxidative damage, with an antioxidant-antiapoptotic-antinecrotic effect that may contribute to vascular dilation.

Percutaneous Balloon Kyphoplasty Vertebral Augmentation for Compression Fracture Due to Vertebral Metastasis: A 12-Month Retrospective Clinical Study in 72 Patients.

BACKGROUND Vertebral compression fracture is common in osteoporosis, but can also occur due to bone metastases, for which current treatment options are limited and include bone-strengthening with cement and supportive care. Kyphoplasty is a surgical method of bone augmentation that can reduce pain, stabilize vertebral bone, and restore some or all of the vertebral body height. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical results of balloon kyphoplasty in the correction of vertebral deformity due to metastatic vertebral compression fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 72 patients (82 vertebral bodies) with metastases resulting in vertebral compression fracture, treated by percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty; 9 patients were found incidentally to have vertebral metastases. Bone mineral density (BMD) levels were measured. Patient responses from questionnaires, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain intensity, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability, were scored. The local kyphosis angle (KA) and the vertebral height ratio (VHR) were measured. All patients were followed up for 12 months. The initial postoperative and 12-month postoperative values, and the preoperative and postoperative values were compared. RESULTS Following balloon kyphoplasty, the KA, VHR, VAS, and ODI scores significantly improved at the final 12-month follow-up compared with preoperative levels (p<0.05, and p<0.001). There was cement leakage in 6 procedures (8.3%) and adjacent segment fracture in 11 procedures (15.2%). CONCLUSIONS Balloon kyphoplasty was an effective method to reduce pain, reduce disability, and improve quality of life by eliminating kyphotic deformity in pathological vertebral compression fractures due to vertebral metastases.

The influence of adjunctive caudal epidural steroid injection on the therapeutic effect of transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injection is widely used to treat the short and long-term symptoms of low back and radicular pain. To the best of our knowledge, the influence of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFSI) combined with caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) on pain intensity, patient satisfaction, and quality of life in lumbar radiculopathy has not been examined. AIM: To evaluate the short and long-term efficacy of TFSI, and TFSI combined with CESI (TFSI + CESI) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined the records of 104 patients with lumbar radicular pain and L4/5 and/or L5/S1 intervertebral disc disease who underwent TFSI or TFSI + CESI. We compared the pain intensity using a Visual Numeric Scale (VNS), North American Spine Society (NASS) pain satisfaction index, and EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D) quality of life scores before intervention, and after 1, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: In the TFSI group, the mean pre-treatment VNS score was 9.2, which improved to 4.9 after 1 month and to 7.2 after 12 months. In the TFSI + CESI group, the mean pre-treatment VNS score was 9.4, which improved to 2.6 and 4.6 after 1 and 12 months, respectively. Improvement in the VNS scores was significantly higher in the TFSI + CESI group (P < 0.0001 for each). Mean EQ-5D quality of life index in the TFSI group improved from 0.59 in the pre-treatment phase to 0.76 after 12 months of intervention, while it improved from 0.62 in the pre-treatment phase to 0.84 at 12 months of intervention in the TFSI + CESI group. The EQ-5D scores were significantly better in the TFSI + CESI group at 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure (P = 0.004, 0.036, and 0.042, for 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively). The NASS scores were significantly better in the TFSI + CESI group at 6 and 12 months after the intervention (P = 0.025 and 0.001 for 6 months and 12 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with lower lumbar radiculopathy, a combined TFSI + CESI technique offers superior short and long-term pain relief, quality of life, and long-term patient satisfaction, than when TFSI is performed alone.

Chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cyst of the middle fossa : Surgical treatment and mid-term results in fifteen patients.

AIM: We report the neurological and radiological features, surgical management and Mid-term outcome in a series of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and associated ipsilateral arachnoid cyst (AC) of the middle fossa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and August 2012, 453 patients were treated with diagnosis of CSDH in our clinic. Of those, 15 patients had ipsilateral arachnoid cyst in the middle fossa. A single burr hole craniostomy was performed to drain the hematoma and the AC left intact at first in 14 patients, one patient had no surgical intervention. Follow-up period ranged from 13 months to 88 months (mean 43.07 ± 23.23 months). RESULTS: The patients having CSDH with AC were found to be younger than the patients with CSDH alone, the mean age was 13.93 ±12.37 years Eleven patients had head trauma 21 to 50 days before admission. Hematoma evacuation through a single burr hole and closed system subdural drainage 2 to 4 days after surgery improved the symptoms in all patients. Two patients developed subdural fluid collection which is treated by subduroperitoneal shunt placement. CONCLUSION: Greater prevalence of ACs in patients with CSDHs has been reported in the literature. We recommend the drainage of the hematoma via a single craniostomy and to leave the AC intact as the first choice of treatment if the associated AC is a Galassi type I or II. Additional subduroperitoneal shunting may be performed in patients with Galassi type III cyst.

High Prolactin Level as a Predictor of Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoidal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a destructive syndrome with a mortality rate of 50%. Recent studies have also suggested a high pervasiveness of hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency in up to 45% of patients after aSAH. Prolactin has been associated with the pathogenesis of hypertensive irregularities that are linked to pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We identified a group of 141 patients with spontaneous SAH due to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm; these patients were operated on at our institution's Neurosurgery and Interventional Radiology Department between 2011 and June 2015. All of the data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. RESULTS The hormonal abnormalities observed in the initial 24 h after ictus in subjects with subarachnoid SAH were caused by stressful stimulation aggravated by intracranial bleeding. CONCLUSIONS The elevated prolactin levels that occur in patients with aSAH can be used in conjunction with other auxiliary factors that we believe may be beneficial to vasospasm.

Lumbosacral Conjoined Root Anomaly: Anatomical Considerations of Exiting Angles and Root Thickness.

AIM: Conjoined nerve roots (CNR) can be damaged during lumbar disc surgery and lead to neuropathic pain due to excessive retraction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that facilitate the identification of CNRs that can lead to the loss of fragments in the secondary axilla, nerve root injury or unpleasant surprises during lumbar disc surgery. Accordingly, we aimed to measure the thicknesses and exit angles of the nerve roots close to the pedicle to obtain scientific data regarding rare double roots. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 612 patients who were operated for lumbar disc disease in our hospital between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty one cases of CNR were detected in this series. RESULTS: The mean nerve root thickness was 1.92 ± 0.45 mm for medially located roots and 3.33 ± 0.95 mm for laterally located roots. The comparison of medially located roots versus laterally located roots revealed a significant difference in mean values (p < 0.0001). The mean exit angle was 12.290± 4.890 for medially located roots, and 22.110 ± 5.420 for laterally located roots (p < 0.0001). In addition, the exit angles of the medially and laterally located roots increased as going down to caudal levels, (p=0.005, p=0.042). CONCLUSION: CNRs are congenital anomalies that are usually diagnosed during the surgical procedure and affect the success of discectomy. The presence of a more medially located or thinner root during surgical exploration and the absence of the fragment in the axilla in extruded or sequestered discs usually indicate a conjoined nerve root closer to the pedicle.

Patient Selection and Efficacy of Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy with Respect to the Dallas Discogram Score.

AIM: Intervertebral disc degeneration can cause severe low back pain. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with symptomatic internal disc disruption unresponsive to conservative medical care. We aimed to evaluate 12-month pain and functional outcomes and predictors of clinical success in patients with discogenic back pain treated with IDET with respect to the Dallas Discogram Scale (DDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing IDET for low back pain from 2009 through 2014 at Baskent University, Department of Neurosurgery. A total number of 120 consecutive patients data were collected retrospectively. The degree of disc degeneration was graded using the DDS during discography, and the presence of a high intensity zone (HIZ) on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was noted. The primary outcome measure was assessment of back pain severity based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); function was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Follow-up examinations for ODI and VAS scores were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Outcomes were discussed with respect to morphological changes in intervertebral discs on discogram. RESULTS: There was an average 57.39% and 47.16% improvement in VAS and ODI scores, respectively, between pretreatment and 12 months follow-up (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Predictors of 12-month clinical success was depended on DDS (p < 0.0001), a HIZ on MR imaging (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Durable clinical improvements can be realized after IDET in select surgical candidates with mild disc degeneration and HIZ, discography, and low-grade DDS, with more effective treatment results.

Is the presence of linear fracture a predictor of delayed posterior fossa epidural hematoma?

BACKGROUND: Though traumatic posterior fossa epidural hematoma (PFEDH) is rare, the associated rates of morbidity and mortality are higher than those of supratentorial epidural hematoma (SEDH). Signs and symptoms may be silent and slow, but rapid deterioration may set in, resulting in death. With the more frequent use of computed tomography (CT), early diagnosis can be achieved in patients with cranial fractures who have suffered traumatic injury to the posterior fossa. However, some hematomas appear insignificant or are absent on initial tomography scans, and can only be detected by serial CT scans. These are called delayed epidural hematomas (EDHs). The association of EDHs in the supratentorial-infratentorial compartments with linear fracture and delayed EDH (DEDH) was presently investigated. METHODS: A total of 212 patients with SEDH and 22 with PFEDH diagnosed and treated in Göztepe Training and Research Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic between 1995 and 2005 were included. Of the PFEDH patients, 21 underwent surgery, and 1 was followed with conservative treatment. In this group, 4 patients underwent surgery for delayed posterior fossa epidural hematoma (DPFEDH). RESULTS: Mean age of patients with PFEDH was 12 years, and that of the patients with SEDH was 18 years. Classification made according to localization on cranial CT, in order of increasing frequency, revealed of EDHs that were parietal (27%), temporal (16%), and located in the posterior fossa regions (approximately 8%). Fracture line was detected on direct radiographs in 48% of SEDHs and 68% of PFEDHs. Incidence of DPFEDH in the infratentorial compartment was statistically significantly higher than incidence in the supratentorial compartment (p=0.007). Review of the entire EDH series revealed that the likelihood of DEDH development in the infratentorial compartment was 10.27 times higher in patients with linear fractures than in patients with supratentorial fractures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DPFEDH, combined with clinical deterioration, can be fatal. Accurate diagnosis and selection of surgery modality can be lifesaving. The high risk of EDH development in patients with a fracture line in the posterior fossa on direct radiographs should be kept in mind. These patients should be kept under close observation, and serial CT scans should be conducted when necessary.

Atypical Presentation of an Epidural Hematoma in a Patient Receiving Rivaroxaban After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

The authors report a case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) 10 days after a total hip arthroplasty. The patient had been receiving 10 mg/d of rivaroxaban for 5 days for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. She had a sudden onset of severe neck pain, followed by quadriplegia below C4. A dorsal SSEH was revealed by computed tomography. While preparing for the emergency evacuation of the SSEH, the neurological symptoms resolved spontaneously in 4 hours. The 1-month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the SSEH had completely resolved. The pathogenesis of SSEH is unclear, but anticoagulant therapy is a known risk factor. It is a relatively rare disorder. Only 1 case of SSEH has been reported, and that patient was receiving a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug besides rivaroxaban, which is another known risk factor for bleeding disorders. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):e558-e560.].

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection via a preganglionic approach for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for lumbar radiculopathy with respect to effect of injection levels, gender, and age group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundred-fifty-three consecutive patients who underwent to lumbar TFESI were enrolled. The outcomes were measured by using a visual numeric scale (VNS), NASS and EQ-5D. The relationship between possible outcome predictors and the therapeutic effect were evaluated. RESULTS: All the patients completed the 2nd year follow-up visits. Significant differences were observed between the pre-procedure and post-procedure VNSs, NASS patients' satisfactions scores and EQ-5D (P < 0.01) except 1st and 2nd year follow-up (P=0.12, P=0.27and P=0.19 respectively). Gender (higher in female patients) showed significant effect to pre-procedure VNS (P=0.04). An increase in the level number was significantly associated with an increase in the 6th month (P=0.005, P=0.004 respectively) and the 1st year (P=0.05, P=0.029 respectively) NASS and EQ-5D. No complication was occurred except discitis in two chronic renal failure patients. CONCLUSION: Especially in the patients with severe co-morbidities TFESI is an option to provide higher life quality. The clinical course of the success of the TFESI decreases in one year and becomes stable thereafter. In the patients with immune deficiency, the practitioners should always be aware for an infectious complication.

Comparison of effectiveness of facet joint injection and radiofrequency denervation in chronic low back pain.

AIM: The study was conducted to compare the clinical effectiveness of FJ injections (FJI) and FJ radiofrequency (FJRF) denervation in patients with chronic low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 100 patients; 50 in FJI 50 in FJRF group. VNS, NASS and EQ-5D were used to evaluate the outcomes. All outcome assessments were performed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. RESULTS: FJI in early post-op but FJRF in 1st, 6th and 12th month VNS showed better results (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the 1st (p=1) and 6th month (p=0.13) but in 12th month (p=0.04) in NASS. Increase in level number showed positive effect in NASS in FJRF group (p=0.018) but no effect in FJI group (p=0.823) in the 12th month follow-up. There was no significant difference with respect to 1st month (p=0.17), 6th month (p=0.22) and 12th month (p=0.11) post-procedure follow-ups in EQ-5D. At the short term FJI was more effective than FJRF however in midterm follow-up FJRF had more satisfying results than FJRF. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, the first choice should be the FJI and if pain reoccurs after a period of time or injection is not effective, RF procedure should be used for the treatment of chronic lumbar pain.

Giant intradiploic calvarial abscess of posterior fossa behaving progressive mass lesion.

A unique case of a large intradiploic abscess involving posterior fossa osseous structures is reported. A 16-year-old boy presented with a hard mass in the calvarium of posterior fossa region, fever and confusion. Radiological examination revealed an intradiploic collection with compression to cerebellum, fourth ventricle and brain stem, resulting in syringomyelia in cervical and thoracic spinal cord. After drainage and resection of the abscess wall, closure of a round dural defect was performed. The medical history of the patient and the intraoperative observations support the contention that the abscess in the reported case was a result of chronic and subclinical process of an intraosseous infection. The features concerned with diagnosis, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of this rare entity are discussed.

Re-formation of acute parietal epidural hematoma following rapid spontaneous resolution in a multitraumatic child: a case report.

Acute epidural hematomas resulting from traumatic brain injury remain among the most common causes of mortality and disability. In the literature, there are cases about the resolution and recurrence of spinal epidural hematomas. This case is characterized by the rapid disappearance and re-formation of an acute cranial epidural hematoma (EDH) associated with no overlying skull fracture. Various authors have reported resolution of EDHs managed conservatively, but rapid resolution and recurrence of cranial EDH was not reported before.

Comparison of nimodipine delivery routes in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: an experimental study in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: nimodipine is the most widely preferred and administered calcium channel blocker in cerebral vasospasm prevention and treatment. There is no experimental or clinical study investigating the comparative effects of routine treatment modalities. METHOD: 35 male New Zealand White rabbits were assigned randomly to one of seven groups: Control, only SAH, SAH/oral nimodipine, SAH/IV nimodipine, SAH/IT nimodipine, SAH/IA nimodipine, SAH/angiography. FINDINGS: basilar artery vessel diameters are measured by angiography. Basilar artery vessel diameters and luminal sectional areas are measured in pathology slides. Basilar artery thicknesses were significantly higher in group 2 and 7 than the others (p < 0.05). Luminal sectional areas in group 5 and 6 were significantly higher than other groups (p < 0.05). We found no significant difference in group 1, 5 and 6 (p > 0.05). Basilar section areas in group 3 and 4 were significantly higher than group 2 but lower than group 1. CONCLUSION: this is the first study to show the most effective drug delivery route in CVS after SAH. Nimodipine treatment in cerebral vasospasm is useful. This study showed that selective IA nimodipine treatment and IT nimodipine treatment must be preferred to IV and oral treatments of chronic vasospasm following SAH.

Comparison of intrathecal dotarizine and nimodipine treatments in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: an experimental study in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is one of the most considerable complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to assess and to compare the ability of intrathecal dotarizine and nimodipine to prevent and treat vasospasm in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHOD: thirty male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2,500-3,000 g were allocated into five groups randomly. The treatment groups were as follows: Control, only SAH, SAH/Dotarizine, SAH/Nimodipine, SAH/Vehicle. Forty-eight hours after SAH injection, all animals underwent femoral artery catheterization procedure by open surgery under anesthesia and angiography performed for each animal in the fifth day just before sacrifice. FINDINGS: basilar artery vessel diameters are measured by angiography. Basilar artery vessel diameters and luminal sectional areas are measured in pathology slides. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean basilar artery cross-sectional areas and the mean arterial wall thickness measurements of the control and SAH-only groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: these findings demonstrate that calcium channel blocker dotarizine has marked vasodilatory effect in an experimental model of SAH in rabbits. Nimodipine is an effect-proven agent in CVS, but dotarizine may take place of it.

Comparison of intrathecal flunarizine and nimodipine treatments in cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: the aim of this study was to assess and to compare the ability of intrathecal flunarizine and nimodipine to prevent vasospasm in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHOD: forty male New Zealand white rabbits were allocated into 5 groups randomly. The treatment groups were as follows: (1) control (no SAH [n = 8]), (2) SAH only (n = 8), (3) SAH plus vehicle (n = 8), (4) SAH plus nimodipine (n = 8), and (5) SAH plus flunarizine (n = 8). Before sacrifice, all animals underwent femoral artery catheterization procedure by open surgery under anesthesia and angiography performed for each animal. FINDINGS: there was a statistically significant difference between the mean basilar artery cross-sectional areas and the mean arterial wall thickness measurements of the control and SAH-only groups (p < 0.05). Basilar artery vessel diameter and luminal section areas in group 4 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p < 0.05). Basilar artery vessel diameter and basilar artery luminal section areas in group 5 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p < 0.05).Basilar artery vessel diameter and basilar artery luminal section areas in group 5 were significantly higher than in group 4 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: these findings demonstrate that flunarizine has marked vasodilatatory effect in an experimental model of SAH in rabbits.

The effects of intrathecal nicergoline and nimodipine in cerebral vasospasm: an experimental study in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: the aim of this study was to assess and to compare the ability of intrathecal nicergoline and nimodipine in prevention of cerebral vasospasm in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHOD: twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were allocated into four groups randomly. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was induced by injecting autologous blood into the cisterna magna. The treatment groups were as follows: (1) control [no SAH (n = 5)], (2) SAH only (n = 5), (3) SAH plus nimodipine (n = 5), and (4) SAH plus nicergoline (n = 5). FINDINGS: there was a statistically significant difference between the mean basilar artery cross-sectional areas and the mean arterial wall thickness measurements of the control and SAH-only groups (p < 0.05). Basilar artery vessel diameter and luminal section areas in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p < 0.05). Basilar artery vessel diameter and basilar artery luminal section areas in group 4 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between basilar artery vessel diameter and basilar artery luminal section areas in group 3 and group 4. CONCLUSIONS: these findings demonstrate that intrathecal nicergoline has a vasodilatatory effect in an experimental model of SAH in rabbits but not more than that of nimodipine.

Pituitary apoplexy after cardiac surgery in a patient with subclinical pituitary adenoma: case report with review of literature.

We report a case of pituitary apoplexy occurring in a 74-year-old patient 6 hours after cardiac surgery. The patient presented with confusion, unilateral ptosis and ophthalmoplegia. Neurological examination revealed right oculomotor nerve palsy and decreased level of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a hemorrhagic and necrotic pituitary macroadenoma. After prompt endocrinological replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine, the confusion of the patient resolved. Removal of a non-functional macroadenoma with large necrotic areas resulted in full recovery. The physician should be aware of pituitary adenoma infarction after open cardiac surgery and should remember that it can be fatal or cause permanent neurological or endocrine damage without proper treatment. Surgical and endocrine treatment can be life-saving procedures.