Growth-inhibitory effect of prostaglandin D2 on mouse glioma cells.

The effects of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on the growth of mouse malignant glioma cells were studied in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro studies consisted of various concentrations of prostaglandins (PG's) being added to cultures of mouse glioma cells. At concentrations above 2.5 micrograms/ml, PGD2 strongly inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells, whereas PGE2 had no effect at the same value. Exposure to 5.0 micrograms/ml PGD2 for more than 2 hours resulted in inhibition of glioma cell proliferation. This growth-inhibitory effect of PGD2 was related to the inhibition of DNA synthesis of the cells. The in vivo studies were performed with a subcutaneously transplanted mouse glioma model. Injection of 0.5 mg/kg PGD2 into the tumor was more effective than the same concentration given by intraperitoneal injection. In mice with intracranially transplanted glioma, daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg/kg PGD2 had no significant effect on survival time.

[Asymptomatic and symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts. Histological study of 45 cases].

Pituitary cysts are fairly often found incidentally in anatomical studies, but symptomatic cysts are relatively uncommon. In this study, the histological characteristics of 42 asymptomatic and three symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts were examined and compared. The 42 cysts found incidentally at autopsy were classified as small (less than 1 mm in diameter), medium (1 to 5 mm), or large (over 5 mm). There were 23 small (55%), 13 medium (31%), and six large (14%) cysts. The mean ages of the three patient groups were 66, 60, and 53 years, respectively. Flattened epithelial cells were the most common cells in small cysts, while cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells were more prevalent in medium and large cysts. The larger cysts tended to contain cilia. The three symptomatic cysts were histologically confirmed to be Rathke's cleft cysts by their characteristic ciliated columnar epithelial lining. No essential histological differences were observed between asymptomatic and symptomatic cysts, and the mechanism of change from asymptomatic to symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst was not clarified. Small nests of epithelium at the junction of the pars tuberalis and pituitary stalk are considered to be remnants of Rathke's pouch and are thought to give rise to craniopharyngioma. In their most typical forms, Rathke's cleft cysts and craniopharyngiomas are histologically distinguishable, craniopharyngiomas being composed of stratified squamous epithelium and simple Rathke's cleft cysts of a layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelium on a basement membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Magnetic resonance imaging of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma with pericranial soft tissue reaction--case report.

A 4-year-old girl presented with an eosinophilic granuloma in the cranial vault. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed the mass as slightly low intensity on T1- and high intensity on T2-weighted images. The pericranial soft tissue was densely enhanced after gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid infusion. The mass was soft and successfully removed. Histological examination disclosed Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. MR imaging is useful for the diagnosis of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma with soft tissue involvement.

Aspergillosis of the central nervous system causing subarachnoid hemorrhage from mycotic aneurysm of the basilar artery--case report.

The authors present an extremely rare case of aspergillosis of the central nervous system (CNS) causing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 78-year-old female developed facial pain, progressive deterioration in left visual acuity, and left total ophthalmoplegia. Computed tomography demonstrated a heterogeneously enhanced mass extending from the sphenoid sinus to the left cavernous sinus and left orbit, and angiography showed luminal narrowing and irregularity of the left internal carotid artery at its siphon. Biopsy of the left orbital and sphenoid sinus mass resulted in the diagnosis of Aspergillus granuloma. Despite combined administration of amphotericin-B and 5-FC, she became comatose from brainstem infarction and finally, suddenly died. Postmortem examination revealed massive SAH due to a ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the basilar artery. Aspergillosis of the CNS is a growing problem with the wider use of immunosuppressants and antibiotics. To the authors' knowledge, however, only 13 cases of CNS aspergillosis causing SAH have been reported. The prognosis is absolutely bad, with all patients dying from rupture of major intracranial arteries such as the internal carotid artery and basilar artery. Early diagnosis and vigorous chemotherapy are important.

[Combined modality therapy for malignant lymphoma of the primary central nervous system: a preliminary report of a new chemotherapeutic regimen with "PEACE"].

Between 1994 and 1998, a total of 5 patients with primary central nervous system malignant lymphoma (PCNSML) were enrolled in this study. There were one man and four women, with a median age of 53 years. These patients were treated with a new systemic chemotherapeutic regimen "PEACE" therapy. After undergoing surgery (biopsy or resection), the patients received radiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with combination of procarbazine (P) (100 mg/day, p.o., day 1 to day 5), cyclophosphamide (E) (200 mg/sqm/day, day 4), doxorubicin hydrochloride (A) (20 mg/sqm/day, day 4 and day 5), carboplatin (C) (300 mg/sqm/day, day 1), and etoposide (E) (30 mg/sqm/day, day 1 to day 3). This regimen was repeated for at least three cycles every 4 to 6 weeks. Intrathecal injection of methotrexate was also administrated in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy except in one case. Complete response was seen in one, and partial response in four patients. Toxicity was tolerable. Median survival time was 31.5 months. The results suggest the efficacy of this chemotherapeutic regimen and further emphasize a role for adjuvant chemotherapy in the initial treatment of PCNSML.

[Clinical study of symptomatic Rathke cleft cyst].

The clinical, radiographic findings in 12 patients with symptomatic Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) are presented. The mean age of these patients was 52 years, and 9 of the patients were female. Visual disturbance was the most common symptom, followed by headache. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were reviewed in 11 cases. In two cases, the cyst fluid had low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images. In eight cases the cyst fluid had iso-to-high intensity on both T1 and T2-weighted images. On dynamic MRI study using Gd-DTPA, normal anterior pituitary gland was seen superior to the RCC in 4 cases, anterior in 4, and inferior in 2 cases. In accordance with the MRI findings, transcranial approach was chosen in 4 cases and the transsphenoidal route was used in eight cases. Most symptoms and signs improved or resolved following surgery with the exception of those cases with a long-standing history of hypopituitarism. We experienced two cases of recurrence at 7 months, and 65 months respectively requiring a second operation, and the mean follow-up period for all cases was 78 months. Differential diagnosis between RCC and craniopharyngioma should be carefully made in the recurrent cases by surgical specimens of the cyst wall. Partial resection of the cyst wall and drainage of the contents via the transsphenoidal route is a safe and effective procedure in the majority of cases, but the transcranial approach is the treatment of choice in cases in which the cyst is entirely located in the suprasellar region.

[Epithelial cysts of the central nervous system: report of two cases].

Two cases of epithelial cyst are reported. Case 1. A 68-year-old female visited our hospital with a complaint of decreased visual acuity, 0.04 in the left eye, in September 1986. Visual field examination showed bitemporal hemianopsia. CT scan demonstrated nonenhancing cystic lesion involving the suprasellar region. By a right frontotemporal craniotomy, the suprasellar cyst was explored. The wall of the cyst was partially removed to relieve pressure against both optic nerves and chiasma. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined with a single layer of non-ciliated cuboidal epithelium. Electron microscopic study revealed a number of microvilli, continuous basement membrane and desmosomes. Case 2. A 40-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of sensory disturbance in the left hand for several years. She had an episode of convulsive seizure with a loss of consciousness. Neurological examination revealed hypesthesia of the left hand. CT scan showed non-enhancing right frontoparietal cystic lesion compressing the right lateral ventricle to the left. By a right frontoparietal craniotomy, the cystic lesion was explored. The cyst existed beneath an arachnoid membrane and contained CSF-like clear fluid. The cyst wall was resected, as far as possible, to obtain communication with normal subarachnoid CSF space. Histologically, by light and electron microscopic study, the cyst was considered to be an epithelial cyst. A correct diagnosis is difficult because other cystic lesions such as arachnoid cysts and craniopharyngioma are of similar low density and appear the same on CT scan. It is impossible to diagnose such an epithelial cyst by relying on neuroradiological study alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of hypervascular meningioma: the effect of preoperative irradiation].

A 30-year-old, right handed male was admitted with headache and mild right-sided motor weakness of one year's duration. A CT scan revealed a mass over the left frontal convexity. A cerebral angiogram showed a huge, hypervascular tumor which was fed by bilateral external carotid and left internal carotid arteries. Because of its size and location, a surgical intervention was considered contraindicated at that time. Instead he was initially irradiated 52 Gy in total dose with 10MV x-rays (Lineac). A CT scan 4 months thereafter revealed remarkable decrease in the size of tumor and reduction of its mass effect. A CT scan 12 months later, however, revealed increase in low density area around mass, although the size of the tumor was much smaller than before. He was readmitted for surgery 14 months after irradiation. An angiogram visualized more reduction of tumor stain and the caliber of feeding arteries. The tumor was totally removed without resultant neurological deficits. A histological diagnosis of the tumor was meningotheliomatous meningioma with well developed vascular networks. Meningioma is usually not a radiosensitive tumor, but there are some reports of cases with hypervascular meningiomas which have been effectively treated with irradiation preoperatively. In the present case, because of a huge vascular tumor in the dominant hemisphere, irradiation was given initial and 14 months thereafter the tumor was totally removed without neurological deficits.

[Pineal metastatic tumor from lung cancer initially caused by neurological abnormalities of pineal body tumor].

A rare case is reported of pineal metastasis from lung cancer initially caused by neurological abnormalities of pineal tumor. A 70-year-old female suffering from headache and deterioration of consciousness for 1 week was admitted. She also had a tumor on both sides of her neck. On admission, neurological examination revealed disturbance of upward gaze, and CT scans showed hydrocephalus and pineal tumor. The tumor was seen as a slightly high density mass on non-contrast CT, and was homogeneously enhanced after administration of contrast material. Right V-P shunt and excision of the left neck tumor were performed at the same time. Pathological diagnosis of neck tumor was undifferentiated carcinoma metastasized to cervical lymph nodes. Extensive study was made, by bronchial fiberscope and biopsy, in order to find the origin of the malignancy and disclosed a small cell lung cancer of left lower lobe. The patient took radiation therapy for both the whole brain (60 Gy) and for the bilateral cervical regions (45 Gy). Two courses of chemotherapy using CDDP, ADR, VCR and CY were administered. Both the neck and the pineal tumors were markedly reduced in size at the termination of radiation therapy. However, she was readmitted 3 months later because of dyspnea. Chest X-P revealed enlargement of the left-lung tumor. She died on April 22, 1987. General autopsy disclosed invasive enlargement of left lung cancer, however, no remote metastasis was found. Examination of pineal region showed only necrotic pineal tissue, and no tumor cell was seen in either macroscopic or microscopic study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Fibrous dysplasia of the skull presenting interesting neuroradiological findings].

A case of fibrous dysplasia of the frontal bone in a 51 year-old male is described. He was admitted to our hospital with a hard, painless growing mass in the left frontal region. A symmetrical protrusion of his forehead has been observed since several years before. Neurological examination and laboratory data revealed no abnormalities. Skull x-rays demonstrated two different lesions. One showed a ground glass appearance in the supraorbital region, and the other showed a radiolucent lesion with marginal sclerosis crossing the left coronal suture CT scan revealed an intradiploic multilocular mass. T1 and T2 MR images showed an abnormal low-intensity mass, and heterogeneous gadolinium-enhancement was noticed in both lesions. Selective external carotid angiography showed tumor stain in the left coronal mass fed by middle meningeal and superficial temporal arteries mimicking intraosseous meningioma. On the other hand, a supraorbital hyperostotic lesion showed no apparent vascularity. An operation was performed on the left coronal lesion to verify the nature of the progressively enlarging mass, which was histologically confirmed to be a fibrous dysplasia rich in numerous vessels. Postoperative course was uneventful. Correlation with clinical activity and enhancement pattern was not known, however, careful observation is required in hypervascular fibrous dysplasia such as was observed in this case.

[A case of hemangioma calcificans (author's transl)].

A 32-year-old male, who had had temporal lobe seizure for the past 10 years, was admitted to the neurosurgical institute of Tenri Hospital on March 10, 1981. Physical examination on admission revealed some memory disturbance, neuroasthenic tendency and a purplish nevus in the left foot. Plain x-ray series of the skull showed several nodular calcified lesions in the medial aspect of the left temporal lobe. Electroencephalography showed sporadic negative spikes and irregular slow waves dominant in the left anterior quadrant of the head. CT scan showed a high-density area in the left hippocampal gyrus with slight enhancement by contrast medium. Under stereotactic consideration, a left temporal osteoplastic craniotomy and total removal of the mass were performed on March 20, 1981. The histological examination proved it to be calcified cavernous hemangioma or hemangioma calcificans after Penfield and Ward (1948). Postoperative course was uneventful; even 4 weeks after surgery, electroencephalogram became normalized, and memory and anxiety scores became better. At present, in spite of decreased anticonvulsant, the patient has had no more seizure since surgery, and has returned to his business without any complaint. The authors have emphasized the necessity of active operation for hemangioma calcificans even for the one located in the depth of the dominant cerebral hemisphere. Stereotactic consideration can make the surgical risk minimize. CT scan especially with its contour plot of the images is helpful precisely to locate the lesion. For the nevus in the left foot, the biopsy was refused by the patient, which might have connection with the intracerebral cavernous angioma.

[Secondary empty sella syndrome: report of three cases and review of the literature].

Three cases of the secondary empty sella syndrome were reported. Case 1. A 57-year-old female was admitted to our clinic because of recurrent visual disturbance. Fourteen years previously a pituitary adenoma was diagnosed and two courses of radiation therapy was given elsewhere, the total dosage being unknown. Pneumoencephalography revealed air collection in the sellar cavity. Exploratory craniotomy demonstrated an empty sella with downward migration of the optic nerve and chiasm. Case 2. A 40-year-old female was readmitted to our clinic for possible recurrent pituitary adenoma. Three years previously she underwent transsphenoidal surgery and postoperative radiation therapy with a tumor dose of 6,400 rad. She had headache and visual disturbance. Pneumoencephalography showed air extension into the sellar cavity. Case 3. A 50-year-old female was readmitted to our clinic because of general prostration and headache. Ten years previously she received transsphenoidal surgery and postoperative radiation therapy with a tumor dose of 6,650 rad for a pituitary adenoma. Endocrine evaluation revealed a hypopituitarism. Pneumoencephalography showed air extension into the sellar cavity. The etiology of secondary empty sella has not been clarified yet, although the primary empty sella has been considered to result from incomplete development of the diaphragma sellae. We consider that the most important factor should be present in the diaphragma itself. It is conceivable that the diaphragma sellae becomes weak due to 1) compression by the tumor, 2) mechanical injury during operation, 3) radiation effect. Then, these preceding factors might bring about herniation of the optic nerve and chiasm with the diaphragma sellae into the sellar cavity. Therefore, we propose that early diagnosis of pituitary tumor should be important, and that careful packing of the sellar floor at transsphenoidal surgery should be essential to prevent occurrence of the secondary empty sella syndrome.

[Two cases of the diencephalic syndrome were reported with hormonal studies (author's transl)].

Two cases of the diencephalic syndrome were reported with hormonal studies. The first case was initially admitted at her age of 4 years and 10 months old. Progressive visual disturbance and horizontal nystagmus had developed one year prior to the admission. Her weight gain had stopped since 10 months old. Partial removal of the hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma and 5,000 rad of lineac radiotherapy brought satisfactory effects on her previous symptoms. She was readmitted, however, at her age of 8 years and 10 monts old because of precocious puberty. Her breast development was in Tanner's grade 2, and her bone maturation was equivalent to one of 11 years old. Hormonal studies showed decreased urine 17-OHCS and 17-KS, elevated serum LH, E1 and E2. The CT scan disclosed some enhanced area in the vicinity of the optic chiasm, which had not changed for the last one year. The second case was admitted at his age of 10 years and 9 months old because of progressive marked emaciation of 6 months' duration. Parinaud's sign was only positive neurological finding. The CT verified enhanced areas in the pineal and chiasm. Cytological study of CSF gave the diagnosis of germinoma. Hormonal studies showed decreased urine 17-OHCS and 17-KS, decreased T3, T4, ACTH, and increased PRL as well as increased HGH. Local lineac irradiation by 5,500 rads was given, during which the enhanced area in CT disappeared and his weight gain started. Increased HGH became normalized but paradoxical response of HGH to GTT remained same.

[Differential diagnosis and origin of epithelial cysts in the central nervous system--report of seven cases and review of literature].

Seven cases of epithelial cysts are presented with special reference to histological findings. Differential diagnosis and origin of the cysts are also discussed. Two are autopsy cases and 5 are surgical cases. Median age of the patients is 41 years. Three cysts are in the posterior fossa, 1 in the supratentorial region, 1 in both infra- and supratentorial regions and 2 in the spinal canal. On light microscopy, the type of cell lining the cyst wall and the presence of cilia and PAS-positive cells are studied. All cyst walls were lined by a single layer of cuboidal to columnar epithelium. Cilia was seen in 1 and PAS-positive cells were found in 5 out of 7 cases. On electron microscopy of the 4 cases available for study, continuous basement membrane and microvilli were observed in all cases. Coating material covering microvilli was noted in 2 cases. According to these histological findings, these cysts are classified as follows: 1 multiloculated cyst, 1 (respiratory) epithelial cyst, 3 (enterogenous) epithelial cysts, 1 ependymal lined cyst and 1 neuroectodermal cyst. Various non-neoplastic cystic lesions are found in the central nervous system, such as arachnoid cyst, ependymal cyst, colloid cyst, choroid epithelial cyst, neurenteric cyst, and Rathke's cleft cyst. Although histological difference between arachnoid cyst and other epithelium-lined cysts is relatively clear, the precise discrimination between other cystic lesions is difficult and controversial. Some authors have considered these cysts as a neuroectodermal origin because of their histological similarity with choroid plexus or ependyma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical problems in the treatment of primary central nervous system malignant lymphoma].

While the treatment of extracerebral lymphomas with the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has drastically improved outcomes, the treatment of primary central nervous system malignant lymphoma(PCNSML) has been disappointing. Because of the variety of clinical presentations, progression of disease, and treatment modalities, careful inspection of factors which influence survival may suggest possible approaches for a more effective management in each case. In this report, clinical problems in the treatment of PCNSML was discussed with presenting cases experienced at Tenri hospital since 1983. There were twenty-one cases of histologically proven PCNSML. Surgical resection was undertaken in 11 patients. The remaining patients underwent biopsy only. All patients received radiation therapy. Various modality of chemotherapy was performed in 14 cases. Tumor recurrence was occurred at one or more CNS sites, including 3 patients who had meningeal relapse and one patient who also relapsed outside the CNS. The median survival time was estimated to be 15 months. Among the 9 patients alive at last contact the median length of follow up was 31.5 months(range 4 to 56 months). The following problems were presented and discussed; 1) varieties of initial clinical presentations, 2) variable recurrence patterns, metastases including CSF dissemination and extracranial metastases, 3) treatment-related leukoencephalopathy.

[Three cases of arachnoid cysts associated with chronic subdural hematoma (author's transl)].

The association of arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa and subdural hematoma has been emphasized previously but is not common knowledge. We present three cases of arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa and associated chronic subdural hematoma. The importance of computed tomography for the diagnosis of arachnoid cyst associated with the hematoma is emphasized. Pathogenesis of arachnoid cyst and the hematoma remain uncertain. However histological findings suggested that subdural CSF collection might be important to develop hemorrhagic outer membrane of the chronic subdural hematoma.

[rInterferon-alpha A (Ro 22-8181) therapy for patients with malignant brain tumors].

Four patients with glioblastoma and one patient with astrocytoma (grade III) were treated with recombinant IFN ( rIFN -alpha A, Ro 22-8181) and the effect of IFN on clinical symptoms, CT findings and side effects of IFN were studied. Neurological symptoms were improved in one patient, stable in one patient and worsened in three patients. In all cases, there was no remarkable change of CT findings but in one case a slight decrease in tumor size was recognized. With regards to IFN side effects general malaise, anorexia, fever, nausea and vomiting were observed clinically, decrease of leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and increase of GOT, GPT, LDH, AL-P were noted in the laboratory findings. These symptoms and change in laboratory findings were not serious, and they recovered spontaneously during or after IFN therapy. In one patient, an increase in IFN neutralizing antibody titer was detected. Since the biological activity of IFN may be diminished and anti-tumor effect cannot be expected in such a patient, the appearance of IFN neutralizing antibody may indicate an important problem in IFN therapy.