A different perspective on the dilemma of durotomy or duraplasty in Chiari type 1 malformation surgery.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic Chiari type 1 malformation (CIM) patients may elect to be treated; however, choosing the optimum surgical method remains problematic: posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) or without duraplasty (PFD). Many studies have compared these surgical methods from several perspectives. We looked at soft tissue density (STD) at the foramen magnum to add another perspective to the comparison of PFD with PFDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients who underwent surgery in our clinic were included in the study. We examined preoperative and postoperative MR images taken in the 1st year. We obtained the foramen magnum area (FMA) and soft tissue at the level of the foramen magnum. The STD within the foramen magnum was calculated as the percentage ratio of soft tissue area (STA) to FMA. Anteroposterior diameters of the syrinx cavities in sagittal T2 sections were measured preoperatively and at 1-year postoperatively. Measurements were double-blind and were performed by the neurosurgeon and by the neuroradiologist. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative FMA increases, STA changes, STD changes in patients who underwent PFD and PFDD. In this study, there was no statistically significant difference between PFD and PFDD in terms of syrinx changes. CONCLUSIONS: The medium-term anatomical outcome following craniovertebral decompression for CIM, is no different whether performed PFD or PFDD.

Effectiveness of multiple endoscopic fenestrations for the treatment of Sylvian fissure arachnoid cysts: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Arachnoid cysts are usually asymptomatic lesions. However, they can sometimes cause intracranial hypertension, headache, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and bleeding. The most commonly used surgical techniques are microsurgical cyst fenestration/excision/drainage, cyst shunting, and endoscopic procedures. We aimed to investigate the success of different surgical techniques. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2021, patients with Sylvan fissure arachnoid cysts who received treatment via an endoscopic approach chosen as the first-line treatment in three centers were enrolled. All case notes and radiological studies were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The study included 131 (female, n = 28; male, n = 103) patients with a mean age of 87.04 ± 66.76 (range, 0-216) months. Of the patients, 25 had Galassi type II left-sided arachnoid cysts, 33 had Galassi type II right-sided arachnoid cysts, 40 had Galassi type III left-sided arachnoid cysts, and 32 had Galassi type III right-sided arachnoid cysts. No difference was found between patients who underwent single and multiple fenestrations in terms of Galassi type, side, clinical outcome, and cyst size (p > 0.05). On the contrary, the rate of additional surgical intervention was lower in patients with multiple fenestrations than in those with single fenestration (36.10% vs. 5.30%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic fenestration of Sylvian fissure arachnoid cysts is a good alternative to open surgery or cystoperitoneal shunting, and the number of fenestrations made during this surgery decreases the need for a second surgical procedure.

Can Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion Imaging be Utilized to Detect Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Gene Mutation in Gliomas?

AIM: To explore the ability of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging (DSC-PI) to detect isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene mutation in gliomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative DSC-PI data on histopathologically proven gliomas obtained between January 2015 and December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed using a 1.5-T scanner. The maximum relative cerebral blood volume (rCBVmax), percentage signal recovery (PSR), and normalized PSR of tumor cores were calculated. Differences in these values between IDH-mutant and wild-type gliomas were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated. RESULTS: The patients (32 females, 47 males) were aged 21-76 years (mean 50.7 ± 15 years). The rCBVmax and all PSR values differed significantly between patients with IDH-mutant and those with wild-type tumors (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: The rCBVmax and PSR values obtained by DSC-PI may facilitate noninvasive detection of the IDH mutation status of gliomas. PSR provided more reliable values for differentiation of IDH-mutant gliomas from wild-type gliomas.

Influence of galantamine on peripheral nerve degeneration after experimental compression injury of the rat sciatic nerve.

BACKGROUND: Galantamine is well-known for its neuroprotective effects and is currently used in the treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we induced experimental sciatic nerve injury (SCI) in rats to test the beneficial effects of galantamine. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups, as follows: sham, SCI + saline, and SCI + galantamine. After the administration of an intraperitoneal ketamine and xylazine mixture, which was used for anesthesia, SCI was induced by sur-gical clip compression at the midthigh region of the rats. After surgery, a single daily intraperitoneal dose of galantamine was adminis-tered for 7 days, and nerve tissue sections were obtained 1 week after injury. Histopathology studies were performed to assess neural thickness and apoptotic cell counts, and light microscopic morphological examination was used to determine a potential beneficial effect of galantamine on peripheral nerve degeneration. RESULTS: We observed a markedly increased microvasculature, increased nerve fiber thickness, and a statistically significant increase in apoptotic cell counts distal to the level of injury in the saline group compared with the sham group. However, the increases in nerve fiber thickness and apoptotic cell counts were less in the galantamine group compared with the saline group. CONCLUSION: In our experimental model, pharmacological intervention with galantamine demonstrated a protective effect on degeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

Acute epiglottitis is a rare clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In humans, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a variable presentation ranging from mild self-limiting respiratory tract infections to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: We present the case of a patient who developed acute epiglottitis after surgery for an intracranial tumour and was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. RESULTS: A 58-year-old female patient developed acute-onset respiratory distress on day 6 after intracranial surgery. Neck computed tomography revealed near-total airway obstruction due to severe edoema of the epiglottis and periepiglottis. The patient's SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test was positive. Viral respiratory tract panel and sputum and blood cultures were negative. She completed the antiviral and antibacterial treatment regimens recommended by the chest disease department. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that epiglottitis can be an unusual manifestation of COVID-19.

Comparison of Histological and Angiographic Measurements of the Basilar Artery in an Experimental Rabbit Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Model.

AIM: To compare the histological and angiographic measurements of the basilar artery in an experimental rabbit subarachnoid hemorrhage model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The basilar artery was measured using both histological and angiographic methods in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and vasospasm rabbit models. New Zealand white rabbits were randomly categorized into two groups: control and SAH groups. The SAH group rabbits were operated on to create an experimental SAH. Both groups were examined angiographic and histological methods. RESULTS: On comparing the two methods, angiographic and histopathological measurements of the basilar artery were similar in the control group. However, in the SAH group, the difference between the angiographic and histopathological measurement methods was significant. Histopathological measurements of the basilar artery were lower than angiographic measurements, and the difference was statistically significant. In the angiographic method, although there was a marked decrease in basilar artery measurements in the SAH group, the differences between the groups was not statistically significant. However, in the histopathological method, measurement differences between the control and SAH groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Histopathological measurements were shown to be more sensitive than angiographic methods in demonstrating cerebral vasopasm in experimental SAH rabbit models.

Myelomeningocele and Kyphosis: Natural History of the Disease and the First Results of a New Surgical Technique.

AIM: To define the natural course of kyphosis, and to evaluate the efficiency of a new technique in surgical correction of kyphosis seen in myelomeningocele(MM) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our patients with MM. The rate of kyphosis, mean angle of progression and mean angle of surgical correction were evaluated. Surgical correction was achieved with the same technique in all patients; kyphectomy, short segment instrumentation with plate system and long segment instrumentation with screw-rod system. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients were treated surgically and the mean age at the surgery was 39 months. The incidence of kyphosis rate was %21 in this study. The mean angle of kyphosis was 85.8°. Average angle of progression was 15.7° whereas it was 6.3° degree in patients whose kyphosis angle ?90 and > 90 degree, respectively, at birth. 14 patients were treated surgically and the mean age at the surgery was 39 months. The mean angle of correction of kyphosis was 86 degree. The most common complications were wound dehiscence and cerebro-spinal fluid leak. One patient died 3 months after surgery, and one patient was reoperated due to pull-out of screws. CONCLUSION: Effective surgical correction of kyphosis in MM patients can be achieved with the described surgical technique even in younger ages. Prospective studies in larger study population are necessary for more accurate definition of natural history of kyphosis in MM patients.

Precise discrimination between meningiomas and schwannomas using time-to-signal intensity curves and percentage signal recoveries obtained from dynamic susceptibility perfusion imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Meningiomas and schwannomas are common extra-axial brain tumors. Discrimination is challenging in some locations when characteristic imaging features are absent. This study investigated the accuracy of percentage signal recoveries obtained from dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging (DSC-PI) in discriminating meningiomas and schwannomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective database research was conducted. Sixty nine meningioma and 15 schwannoma having DSC-PI between January 2016 and February 2020 were included. Time to signal intensity curves (TSIC) were analyzed and grouped as T1-dominant leakage, T2*-dominant leakage and return to baseline. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative mean transit time (rMTT), percentage signal recovery 1 (PSR 1) and PSR 2 values were calculated. The differences between the groups were investigated. Receiver operating characteristic curves were operated. RESULTS: rCBV, rMTT, PSR 1 and PSR 2 values were statistically different between meningiomas and schwannomas. PSR 2 provided the best discrimination. With the cut off value of 1.08 for PSR 2, meningiomas and schwannomas were differentiated with 95.7% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. TSICs were also different between two groups. Most of meningiomas showed T2*-dominant leakage (78.2%), whereas most of shwannomas showed T1-dominant leakage (93.3%). CONCLUSION: DSC-PI is a useful imaging tool for non-invasive discrimination of meningiomas and schwannomas. Particularly, percentage signal recoveries discriminates meningiomas and schwannomas with high sensitivity and specificity.

Pediatric Calvarial Tumors: 10 Years of Clinical Experience and Differences From the Literature.

ABSTRACT: Very few studies have focused exclusively on pediatric calvarial tumors. These studies have primarily addressed the similarities of the cases with those reported in the literature, as opposed to their distinctive features. In contrast, the present study is the most detailed study conducted in the last 10 years that includes only pediatric calvarial tumors and highlights their differences according to the literature. A total of 31 patients with pediatric calvarial tumor surgically treated in our center between 2010 and 2020 were included in the study. The patients' files were analyzed retrospectively and 17 different preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were determined and compared with previous studies. Except for the tumors causing lytic or sclerotic lesions, there was at least one distinguishing aspect of our series in all parameters. Despite the many distinctive features, the consensus in the treatment of calvarial tumors is to perform complete resection of the tumor and, if possible, remove some of the adjacent healthy bone. Considering the age factor, however, closure of the resulting bone defects with cranioplasty to address issues of cosmesis and intracranial pressure is yet another aspect of pediatric calvarial tumors, because pediatric cranioplasty has its own specific complications. Using intraoperative neuronavigation and performing tumor resection alone without additional craniectomy are also methods the authors use to prevent major bone defects.

Corpus Callosum Lipomas in Children.

AIM: To determine the clinical and radiographical aspects of six patients diagnosed with pericallosal lipomas (PCL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who presented to the neurosurgery outpatient clinics of Selcuk Faculty of Medicine between 2009 and 2019, revealed that six patients were diagnosed with PCL. The clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained by reviewing patients? records. RESULTS: A total of six patients (two girls and four boys), with a mean age of 53.8 months (38?72 months), were included in this study. They were followed up for a mean period of 36.5 months (32?41 months). PCL were detected on MRIs, which were obtained to investigate headache in two patients, epilepsy in one patient, frontal dermal sinus tract and left frontal epidermoid tumor in one patient, and subcutaneous lipoma associated with PCL in one patient. Five patients displayed tubulonodular lipomas and one patient displayed curvilinear lipomas. Agenesis or dysgenesis of the corpus callosum (CC) was observed in four (66%) patients. Two patients received surgical treatment for cosmetic skin problem. CONCLUSION: Because of the benign course of PCL, i.e. no growth or very slow growth, and close proximity to the surrounding neurovascular structures, surgical removal should be considered only in symptomatic PCL. Furthermore, other malformations and anomalies may accompany PCL.

Comparison of Immunogenetic Properties of Glial Tumors with Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

AIM: To investigate the immunogenetic properties of glial tumors according to the World Health Organization 2016 glial tumor classification and develop an accurate diagnosis and treatment strategy by comparing preoperative advanced magnetic resonance (aMRI) technique findings of these results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical Faculty Hospital of Selcuk University between January 1, 2010 and January 4, 2017 and included 50 patients. MR spectroscopy (MRS), MR perfusion (PWI), and MR diffusion (DWI) were performed in 50 patients preoperatively. Patient data were obtained from the hospital’s information system. Pathological diagnosis of all patients was taken from the department of pathology at the same medical faculty. RESULTS: Among the patients included in the study, 11 were grade II (22%), 7 were grade III (14%), and 32 were grade IV (64%). All patients were IDH1 stained: 22 were IDH mutant (44%) and 28 were IDH wild-type (56%). A statistically significant difference in the survival time was observed between IDH mutant and wild-type. IDH-mutant tumors were commonly located in the frontal lobe and IDH wild-type tumors in the parietal and temporal lobes. A significant difference in PWI relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and DWI apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) was noted among grade II, III, and IV tumor groups. The PWI rCBV cut-off value for grade IV tumors was 2.05 (90% sensitivity, 78% specificity). No difference in the Cho/Cr ratio among grade II, III, and IV tumor groups was noted. A significant difference was noted between the IDH mutant and wild type in terms of PWI rCBV. The PWI rCBV cut-off value of IDH mutantâ€"wild type was 2.15. No difference in the Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, and DWI apparent diffusion coefficients (p > 0.05) was noted between the IDH mutant and wild type. CONCLUSION: PWI rCBV is the most important prognostic value of aMRI used in tumor grading. PWI rCBV values could be significant in distinguishing IDH wild and mutant.

Intraventricular microcystic meningioma in a child: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Microcystic meningiomas are extra axial masses that are extremely rare in the pediatric population. Intraventricular meningiomas are also rarely seen. CASE PRESENTATION: This case reports an 18-year-old boy who had an intraventricular mass on magnetic resonance imaging at the age of 12 years and had shown growth at a 6-year follow-up after subtotal resection. The mass was removed by total resection and pathological examination indicated microcystic meningioma. CONCLUSION: The present case is the first pediatric intraventricular microcystic meningioma in the literature. We believe that this unique case presented with its radiological, pathological and clinical features will contribute to the literature.

Iliac Artery Injury During Lumbar Disc Hernia Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Vascular injury complications during lumbar discectomy are rare but potentially life-threatening. Therefore, an early diagnosis and effective treatment management is required for these complications. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 50-year-old female patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with severe back and right leg pain. She underwent surgery for right L4-5 extruded disc herniation with general anesthesia. Sudden arterial hemorrhage occurred during discectomy performed with straight disc forceps and was controlled using hemostatic materials, with no significant decrease in blood pressure. However, the patient became hypotensive near the end of the operation. The incision was quickly closed, and she was turned to supine position. Emergency abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, and computed tomography angiography revealed an injury of the left main iliac artery, which was repaired by endovascular stenting. Laparotomy and Bogota bag were applied because of increased intrabdominal pressure at 3 hours postoperative. In addition, a retroperitoneal catheter was placed into the area of the right retroperitoneal hematoma on the first postoperative day. Tissue plasminogen activator was administered through the catheter. On postoperative day 3, the Bogota bag was removed, and the abdomen was closed. The patient was discharged without neurodeficit on day 27. Her abdominal fascial defect was closed with a synthetic graft after 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although lumbar discectomy is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures, the routine rules of discectomy should not be neglected. Early detection and a multidisciplinary approach can help prevent mortality in the event of vascular injury.

Comparison of Glasgow Coma Scale and Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (Four) Score: A Prospective Study.

AIM: To assess reliability by comparing the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) scores and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) values assigned by specialists from two different fields to patients in the Anesthesiology and Reanimation and Neurosurgery intensive care units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted between March 2017 and June 2017 at Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Anesthesiology and Reanimation and Neurosurgery. Seventy-nine patients aged 18-65 years who were treated for at least 24 hours in the intensive care unit were independently assessed by two raters, an anesthesiologist and a neurosurgeon,using FOUR and GCS. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was applied for continuous variables, and SPSS 20.0 version software was used for data analyses. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between FOUR scores and GCS values given by the two raters. The mortality rate among patients with low scores on both FOUR and GCS was higher than the hospital mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Considering that FOUR score allows a more detailed neurological evaluation than GCS, and our findings suggest that FOUR score is more useful for patients who are unconscious or dependent on mechanical ventilation.

The Relationship Between Vasoactive-Inotropic Score and Mortality in Adult Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

AIM: To assess the feasibility of the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) in determining the amount of vasoactive support and its relationship with the mortality rate and characteristics of the patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted with a retrospective design involving the years 2013-2018 in a university hospital which provides tertiary intensive care service. A total of 102 patients who were admitted in the ICU with the diagnosis of severe TBI, and also were followed by neurosurgery service and who received vasoactive and inotropic support were analyzed concerning VIS value. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 34 years, and 69.6% of the patients were male. Mortality rate was 43.1%. In the group with mean VISâ‰A10, the admission duration in the ICU and hospital were shorter (p < 0.0001) whereas mortality rates were higher (81.1% vs 21.5% and p < 0.0001). Besides, the number of patients with a VIS score of â‰A10, â‰A15 and â‰A20 were higher in the group of patients who died (p < 0.0001). The results of the multivariate analysis such as VISâ‰A10 were significant. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that VIS, which is used to determine the amount of vasoactive and inotropic medicines during cardiac surgery and in sepsis patients, may be useful in predicting mortality in TBI patients.

Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematomas: Analysis of Outcomes and Predictive Factors at a Single Center.

AIM: In the present study, we evaluated the association of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and amount of blood loss with mortality in patients presenting with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 99 patients who were operated for traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) without any systemic association at a single center. Epidural hematoma was reported to be the most common additional pathology. Age, sex, mechanism of trauma, time interval between onset of trauma and admission to the emergency ward, associated problems, thickness of hematoma and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at the time of admission and on discharge were all studied. RESULTS: The GCS score was inversely proportional to the thickness of hematoma and interval between onset of trauma and surgery (p < 0.05). Although the mortality rate was reported to be high in traffic accidents, the rate was low in patients with head trauma only (p < 0.05). The mortality rate was high in patients with associated pathologies (p < 0.05). Lost patients were reported to be older patients with more extensive ASDH or those who presented earlier with a low GCS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ASDH is associated with high mortality. GCS score and the thickness of the ASDH are important predictors of mortality. Age, additional trauma, and interval between trauma and hospital admission are major predictive factors for mortality.

Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas Are Really Clinically Nonfunctioning? Clinical and Endocrinological Symptoms and Outcomes with Endoscopic Endonasal Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas are the most common pituitary adenomas in adults and cause significant morbidity unless adequately treated. METHODS: This study retrospectively assessed the medical records of 160 patients operated via pure endonasal endoscopy. The presenting symptoms, results of neurologic and visual examinations, levels of pituitary hormones, results of radiologic examinations, size of the adenoma, rates of resection, results of postoperative visual examination, and pituitary hormone levels at follow-up were recorded to establish the appropriate approach, operative criteria, and outcomes of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. RESULTS: Headache was the presenting symptom in 87.5% of the patients. Thirty-three percent had visual loss, and visual examinations on the whole study population revealed a visual field defect in 47.5% of the patients. Only 16.25% of the patients presented with endocrinological symptoms; 52.5% had abnormal anterior pituitary hormone levels. Regarding adenoma size, 56 patients had macroadenoma (35%), 84 (52.5%) had mesoadenoma, and 20 patients had giant adenoma. Gross total resection was achieved in 90% of the patients; subtotal resection was achieved in the remainder. The rate of total resection was lower for giant adenomas and recurrences. Visual symptoms and anterior pituitary hormone levels improved in 27 and 42 patients, respectively, after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas present frequently as mesoademonas and giant adenomas. Patients with these tumors may have subclinical visual or hormonal deficits at the time of diagnosis. Early and effective surgical treatment is essential for rapid recovery of visual and/or hormonal deficits, particularly in symptomatic cases.

Neuroprotective effects of tetracyclines on blunt head trauma: An experimental study on rats.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of primary damage caused by head trauma may be avoided with protective measures and techniques which is a public health concern. Experimental and clinical studies about treatment of head trauma were all centered to prevent secondary damage caused by physiopathological changes following primary injury. Neuroprotective features of tetracyclines were the focus of several experimental studies in the last decade. In the present study we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of tetracycline in an experimental model of blunt brain injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8). Head trauma was not performed in control group (group 1, craniectomy only). In the second group, head trauma and craniectomy were performed. Intraperitoneal saline was used in addition to trauma and craniectomy for treatment in group 3 whereas intraperitoneal tetracycline and saline were used for treatment in group 4. RESULTS: When histological examinations performed by transmission electron microscopy were evaluated, injury at ultrastructural level was demonstrated to be less pronounced in tetracycline group with decreased lipid peroxidation levels. CONCLUSION: In accordance with these findings, we conclude that systemic tetracycline administration is effective in reduction of secondary brain damage and brain edema and thus it may be considered as a therapeutic option.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal treatment for acromegaly: 2010 consensus criteria for remission and predictors of outcomes.

AIM: Acromegaly is a chronic disorder characterized by enhanced growth hormone (GH) secretion and elevated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels, usually caused by pituitary adenomas. In this retrospective study, we reviewed our experience with endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) with in remission rates using the 2010 consensus criteria, predictors of remission and associated complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed data from 56 acromegalic patients who underwent pure EETS. Tumors were classified according to size and suprasellar/parasellar extension. The criteria of remission were GH levels < 1 ng/mL randomly, < 0.4 ng/mL after oral glucose tolerance test and normal IGF-I levels for age and sex within the first 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Biochemical remission was achieved in 4 of 5 microadenomas (80%) and in 33 of 51 macroadenomas (64.7%). The total remission rate was 66.1% (37 of 56 adenomas). Age, gender and suprasellar extension did not affect the remission rate. However, cavernous sinus invasion, sphenoid sinus invasion and history of prior surgery were associated with lower rates of disease control. CONCLUSION: EETS represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of patients with acromegaly. High disease control rates and a small number of complications are some of the most important points related to the technique.

Preliminary experience with squid: a new liquid embolizing agent for AVM, AV fistulas and tumors.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze our experience with a new liquid embolic agent, Squid, for the treatment of cerebral vascular lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 28 patients who were treated with two formulations of Squid (Squid 18 and Squid 12). The lesions included 16 arteriovenous malformation (AVM)s (Spetzler-Martin grade 2 in 8, 3 in 6 and 4 in 2), 9 arteriovenous (AV) fistulas, 2 tumors (glomus tumor and angiofibroma) and 1 AICA aneurysm. Of the 9 patients presenting with hemorrhage, 6 were AVM, 2 were AVF and 1 was aneurysm. RESULTS: The total obliteration rate of the AVMs was 37.5%. Fistulas were closed completely after combined treatment with surgery in 6 out of 9 patients, and one was sent to radiotherapy. There was no mortality. Two reported hemorrhages and thromboembolic complications resulted in permanent deficits in 3 patients. Pathologic examination revealed mild inflammatory reaction with infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells in 5 patients in whom surgery was performed immediately after embolization. Technical problems such as rupture, inability to remove or premature occlusion of the microcatheter related to the embolic agent were not recorded. CONCLUSION: Squid is a safe and effective embolic agent for treatment of cerebral AVMs, AV fistulas, tumors and aneurysms with satisfactory obliteration rate.