A controversial question: Can morphometry and clinical history be enough to diagnose hippocampal dysplasia?

The presence of dysmorphic neurons with strong cytoplasmatic accumulation of heavy non-phosphorylated neurofilament is crucial for the diagnostics of focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCDII). While ILAE's classification describes neocortical dysplasias, some groups have reported patients with mesial t abnormal neurons in the hippocampus of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Here we report a patient with such abnormal neurons in the hippocampus and compared it with previous reports of hippocampal dysplasia. Finally, we discuss the need for diagnostic criteria of hippocampal dysplasia.

Time course of hemispheric cerebral volume after decompressive craniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery stroke.

BACKGROUND: Brain edema is the leading cause of death in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Midline shift (MLS) has been used as a monohemispheric brain edema marker in several studies; however, it does not precisely measure brain edema. It is now possible to directly measure hemisphere brain volume. Knowledge about the time course of brain edema after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction may contribute to the condition's management. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the course of brain edema in patients with malignant MCA infarction treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC) using hemispheric volumetric measurements. METHODS: Patients were selected consecutively from a single tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2019. All patients were diagnosed with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction and underwent a decompressive craniectomy (DC) to treat the ischemic event. All computed tomography (CT) exams performed during the clinical care of these patients were analyzed, and the whole ischemic hemisphere volume was calculated for each CT scan. RESULTS: We analyzed 43 patients (197 CT exams). Patients' mean age at DC was 51.72 [range: 42-68] years. The mean time between the ischemic ictus and DC was 41.88 (range: 6-77) hours. The mean time between the ischemic event and the peak of hemisphere volume was 168.84 (95% confidence interval [142.08, 195.59]) hours. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the peak of cerebral edema in malignant MCA infarction after DC occurred on the 7th day (168.84 h) after stroke symptoms onset. Further studies evaluating therapies for brain edema even after DC should be investigated.

ANTECEDENTES: O edema cerebral é a principal causa de morte em pacientes com infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média. O desvio da linha média tem sido utilizado como marcador de edema cerebral mono-hemisférico em alguns estudos; porém, ele não mede de forma precisa o edema cerebral. Atualmente é possível mensurar diretamente o volume do hemisfério cerebral. O conhecimento sobre a evolução temporal do edema cerebral após infartos malignos da artéria cerebral média pode contribuir para o cuidado clínico desta condição. OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo é avaliar o edema hemisférico ao longo do tempo, em pacientes com infarto maligno da artéria cerebral média, tratados com craniectomia descompressiva. MéTODOS: Os pacientes foram selecionados de forma consecutiva, em um hospital terciário, entre 2013 e 2019. Todos os pacientes apresentavam diagnóstico de infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média e foram submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva. Todas as tomografias computadorizadas de crânio destes pacientes foram analizadas, e o volume do hemisfério cerebral infartado foi mensurado. RESULTADOS: Analisamos 43 pacientes (197 tomografias de crânio). A idade média dos pacientes na craniectomia descompressiva foi 51,72 (42­68) anos. O tempo médio entre o ictus e a craniectomia descompressiva foi 41,88 (6­77) horas. O tempo médio entre o ictus e o pico do volume hemisférico foi 168,84 (142,08­195,59) horas. CONCLUSãO: O pico do volume cerebral em pacientes com infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva ocorreu no 7o dia (168,84 horas) após o infarto. Mais estudos avaliando terapêuticas direcionadas ao edema cerebral seriam úteis neste contexto.

Time course of hemispheric cerebral volume after decompressive craniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery stroke / Evolução temporal do volume hemisférico cerebral após craniectomia descompressiva em infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média

Abstract Background Brain edema is the leading cause of death in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Midline shift (MLS) has been used as a monohemispheric brain edema marker in several studies; however, it does not precisely measure brain edema. It is now possible to directly measure hemisphere brain volume. Knowledge about the time course of brain edema after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction may contribute to the condition's management. Objective Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the course of brain edema in patients with malignant MCA infarction treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC) using hemispheric volumetric measurements. Methods Patients were selected consecutively from a single tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2019. All patients were diagnosed with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction and underwent a decompressive craniectomy (DC) to treat the ischemic event. All computed tomography (CT) exams performed during the clinical care of these patients were analyzed, and the whole ischemic hemisphere volume was calculated for each CT scan. Results We analyzed 43 patients (197 CT exams). Patients' mean age at DC was 51.72 [range: 42-68] years. The mean time between the ischemic ictus and DC was 41.88 (range: 6-77) hours. The mean time between the ischemic event and the peak of hemisphere volume was 168.84 (95% confidence interval [142.08, 195.59]) hours. Conclusion In conclusion, the peak of cerebral edema in malignant MCA infarction after DC occurred on the 7th day (168.84 h) after stroke symptoms onset. Further studies evaluating therapies for brain edema even after DC should be investigated.

Resumo Antecedentes O edema cerebral é a principal causa de morte em pacientes com infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média. O desvio da linha média tem sido utilizado como marcador de edema cerebral mono-hemisférico em alguns estudos; porém, ele não mede de forma precisa o edema cerebral. Atualmente é possível mensurar diretamente o volume do hemisfério cerebral. O conhecimento sobre a evolução temporal do edema cerebral após infartos malignos da artéria cerebral média pode contribuir para o cuidado clínico desta condição. Objetivo Nosso objetivo é avaliar o edema hemisférico ao longo do tempo, em pacientes com infarto maligno da artéria cerebral média, tratados com craniectomia descompressiva. Métodos Os pacientes foram selecionados de forma consecutiva, em um hospital terciário, entre 2013 e 2019. Todos os pacientes apresentavam diagnóstico de infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média e foram submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva. Todas as tomografias computadorizadas de crânio destes pacientes foram analizadas, e o volume do hemisfério cerebral infartado foi mensurado. Resultados Analisamos 43 pacientes (197 tomografias de crânio). A idade média dos pacientes na craniectomia descompressiva foi 51,72 (42-68) anos. O tempo médio entre o ictus e a craniectomia descompressiva foi 41,88 (6-77) horas. O tempo médio entre o ictus e o pico do volume hemisférico foi 168,84 (142,08-195,59) horas. Conclusão O pico do volume cerebral em pacientes com infarto maligno de artéria cerebral média submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva ocorreu no 7o dia (168,84 horas) após o infarto. Mais estudos avaliando terapêuticas direcionadas ao edema cerebral seriam úteis neste contexto.

Decompressive craniectomy index: Does the size of decompressive craniectomy matter in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction?

Background: Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction is associated with high mortality, mainly due to intracranial hypertension. This malignant course develops when two-thirds or more of MCA territory is infarcted. Randomized clinical trials demonstrated that in patients with malignant MCA infarction, decompressive craniectomy (DC) is associated with better prognosis. In these patients, some prognostic predictors are already known, including age and time between stroke and DC. The size of bone flap was not associated with long-term prognosis in the previous studies. Therefore, this paper aims to further expand the analysis of the bone removal toward a more precise quantification and verify the prognosis implication of the bone flap area/whole supratentorial hemicranium relation in patients treated with DC for malignant middle cerebral infarcts. Methods: This study included 45 patients operated between 2015 and 2020. All patients had been diagnosed with a malignant MCA infarction and were submitted to DC to treat the ischemic event. The primary endpoint was dichotomized modified Rankin scale (mRS) 1 year after surgery (mRS≤4 or mRS>4). Results: Patients with bad prognosis (mRS 5-6) were on average: older and with a smaller decompressive craniectomy index (DCI). In multivariate analysis, with adjustments for "age" and "time" from symptoms onset to DC, the association between DCI and prognosis remained. Conclusion: In our series, the relation between bone flap size and theoretical maximum supratentorial hemicranium area (DCI) in patients with malignant MCA infarction was associated with prognosis. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Granule cell dispersion is associated with hippocampal neuronal cell loss, initial precipitating injury, and other clinical features in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To characterize a 10-year series of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and determine the histopathological characteristic of the association between granule cell dispersion (GCD) and hippocampal neuronal loss. METHODS: The study included 108 MTLE/HS patients. Histopathological analyses were performed in NeuN-stained hippocampal sections for HS pattern, neuronal density, dentate gyrus (DG) pathology, and granule cell layer width. Statistical tests investigated the association between DG pathologies and HS patterns, as well as the correlation of DG width with total hippocampal and subfield-specific neuronal densities. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (51.9%) presented right HS. All the four ILAE HS patterns were represented (90 Type 1, 11 Type 2, 2 Type 3, and 5 no-HS). Sixty-seven patients (62.0%) presented GCD, 39 (36.1%) normal DG, and 2 (1.9%) narrow DG. GCD was associated with initial precipitating injury, higher numbers of monthly focal seizures and lifetime bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, longer epilepsy duration, and older age at surgery. GCD was prevalent in all HS patterns, except for Type 2 (81.8% normal versus 18.2% GCD, p = 0.005). GCD was associated with total hippocampal and subfield-specific neuronal loss, except for CA1. DG width correlated with total hippocampal (r = -0.201, p = 0.037) and CA4 neuronal densities (r = -0.299, p = 0.002). Patients with HS Type 1 had better surgical outcomes, with 51 (61.4%) seizure-free in the first year post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that seizure control in MTLE/HS patients submitted to surgical treatment is comparable worldwide. Moreover, histopathological analyses showed an association between GCD and hippocampal neuronal loss, especially in the CA4 subfield.

Neurocysticercosis and pharmacoresistant epilepsy: possible role of calcified lesions in epileptogenesis.

Neurocysticercosis is a neglected and usually poverty-related disease of high public importance. The mechanisms by which the calcified lesions cause epilepsy are not known, but have been attributed to residual perilesional gliosis or an inflammatory process. This case shows that an inflammatory response to a calcified granuloma may be associated with the development of epilepsy. The increase in glutamate and kinin B1 (pro-epileptogenic) receptors added by reduced expression of kinin B2 (anti-epileptogenic) receptors may explain the chronic epileptogenesis associated with the lesion, corroborating the hypothesis of inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy in these patients.

Intraoperative Ultrasound Using Dorsal Root Entry Zone Lesioning: A Way to Guide Intraspinal Cord Therapeutic Lesions.

Dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning is an effective method to treat refractory neuropathic pain in patients with radicular avulsion. In this procedure, we penetrate the spinal cord with a radiofrequency electrode using the posterior lateral sulcus as a guide. The intraspinal electrode trajectory has to be angled medially about 25°-45° to spare the corticospinal tract, which lies lateral to the DREZ, and also to spare the posterior column, which lies medial to it. Here we present a case of a patient with radicular avulsion lesion of rootlets of the cervical spinal cord successfully treated with DREZ lesioning using intraoperative ultrasound as a guide to perform the spinal cord lesions. The use of intraoperative ultrasound during DREZ lesioning in patients with radicular avulsion improves the neurosurgeon ability to precisely localize the posterior lateral sulcus and also to better define the correct angulation of the trajectory.

Microsurgical Treatment of Ruptured Spetzler-Martin Grade 3 Right Hippocampal Arteriovenous Malformation: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

We present a 14-yr-old male with a history of traumatic brain injury in March 2016, secondary to clonic tonic generalized seizures. CT scan showed hemorrhage at mesial temporal region in the body of right hippocampus, intraventricular hemorrhage at the level of lateral ventricles (right and left side) and fourth ventricle. After this the patient presented with pulsating right temporal headache of high intensity (VAS 10/10) that improved with common analgesics, dizziness, and clonic tonic generalized seizures despite taking Phenobarbital 100 mg/24 h. Neuropsychological assessment reveal major deficits regarding executive functions: working memory, verbal fluency, and planning abilities. Brain MRI and angiography showed AVM at the right level of hippocampus body. An intranidal aneurysm was also observed. Venous drainage was through the basal vein of Rosenthal. We planned for surgery and resection of the hippocampal AVM through the trans-T2 approach. Postoperatively, the patient was without medical complications. We present a 3-dimensional video of the microsurgical treatment for right hippocampal AVM performed through a trans-T2 approach. The patient signed the Institutional Consent Form, which allows the use of his/her images and videos for any type of medical publications in conferences and/or scientific articles.

Effects of a brief psychotherapeutic intervention on resilience and behavior in patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and late seizure recurrence after surgery.

Seizure recurrence (SR) after epilepsy surgery in patients with medically resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) can compromise medical treatment and quality of life (QOL). However, there is a scarcity of interventions specifically addressing this issue in the literature. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a four-week psychotherapeutic intervention on the levels of resilience, behavioral symptoms, and QOL of patients with drug-resistant TLE-MTS who underwent corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH) and who presented with late SR. Fifty patients who had been diagnosed with TLE-TMS, undergone CAH, and presented with late SR were included. The study instruments included a clinical and sociodemographic questionnaire and the Brazilian versions of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), the Interictal Dysphoric Disorder Inventory (IDDI), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Significant reductions in the IDDI (p < 0.001) and NDDI-E (p < 0.001) scores, improvements in the CD-RISC-10 (p < 0.001) and QOLIE-31 (p < 0.001) scores, and positive correlations between resilience levels and QOL (p < 0.01), as well as a negative correlation between depressive symptoms and resilience (p < 0.01) and QOL (p < 0.01), were observed after the psychotherapeutic intervention. Improvements in the resilience levels and QOL, with concomitant reductions in depressive symptoms, were observed in patients with TLE-MTS and late SR after a brief psychotherapeutic intervention. Since there is a lack of studies that measured the impact of interventions in this patient subpopulation, these results may support the development of treatment strategies for this specific group.

The impact of epilepsy duration in a series of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy due to unilateral hippocampal sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if the duration of epilepsy influences MRI volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, entorhinal cortex and temporal pole of both hemispheres and epileptogenic hippocampus neuronal cell density and dentate gyrus granular cells distribution in patients with refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE/HS). METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with refractory MTLE/HS submitted to surgery were included. Histopathological analysis included: (1) quantitative: hippocampal subfields and total estimated hippocampal cell density (HCD), thickness of the dentate gyrus - normal, thinning or dispersion; (2) qualitative: type of HS and granule cells pathology in the dentate gyrus (normal, neuronal cell loss, dispersion and bilamination). Automated MRI-derived measurements from bilateral temporal structures (hippocampus, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, temporal pole, entorhinal cortex) were obtained for 58 subjects. Histopathological and imaging findings were compared with data from specimens obtained in autopsies of age-matched individuals and living controls, respectively, and the data were adjusted for the age at epilepsy onset and the frequency of focal impaired awareness seizures/month. RESULTS: Forty-two (54.5%) patients presented right HS. The greater the duration of epilepsy, the smaller the total estimated HCD (p = 0.025; r = -0.259). Patients with a normal distribution of the granular cells had a shorter epilepsy duration than those with dispersion (p = 0.018) or thinning (p = 0.031). A reduced ipsilateral hippocampal volume (r = -0.551, p = 0.017) and a smaller hippocampal asymmetry index (r = -0.414, p = 0.002) were correlated to a longer epilepsy duration. The estimated HCD was correlated to the volume of the ipsilateral hippocampus (r = 0.420, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed an increasing atrophy of the ipsilateral hippocampus in patients with a longer epilepsy duration. Our data suggest that this reduction in hippocampal volume is related to neuronal loss. Besides that, we also showed an increased probability of exhibiting an abnormal distribution of the granular cells in the dentate gyrus in patients with longer epilepsy duration.

Morphometric MRI features and surgical outcome in patients with epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis and low intellectual quotient.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to verify in a series of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS) if those with low intellectual quotient (IQ) levels have more extended areas of atrophy compared with those with higher IQ levels and to analyze whether IQ could be a variable implicated on a surgical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients (n=106) with refractory MTLE-HS submitted to corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH) (57 left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE); 45 males) were enrolled. To determine if the IQ was a predictor of seizure outcome, totally seizure-free (SF) versus nonseizure-free (NSF) patients were evaluated. FreeSurfer was used for cortical thickness and volume estimation, comparing groups with lower (<80) and higher IQ (90-109) levels. RESULTS: In the whole series, 42.45% of patients were SF (Engel Class 1a; n=45), and 57.54% were NSF (n=61). Total cortical volume was significantly reduced in the group with lower IQ (p=0.01). Significant reductions in the left hemisphere included the following: rostral middle frontal (p=0.001), insula (p=0.002), superior temporal gyrus (p=0.003), thalamus (p=0.004), and precentral gyrus (p=0.02); and those in the right hemisphere included the following: rostral middle frontal (p=0.003), pars orbitalis (p=0.01), and insula (p=0.02). Cortical thickness analysis also showed reductions in the right superior parietal gyrus in patients with lower IQ. No significant relationship between IQ and seizure outcome was found. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of a series of patients with pure MTLE-HS, including those with low IQ and their morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features using FreeSurfer. Although patients with lower intellectual scores presented more areas of brain atrophy, IQ was not a predictor of surgical outcome. Therefore, when evaluating seizure follow-up, low IQ in patients with MTLE-HS might not contraindicate resective surgery.

Impacto da estimulação cerebral profunda na qualidade de vida e humor em pacientes com doença de Parkinson / Impact of deep brain stimulation on quality of life and mood in patients with Parkinson's disease

A doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma doença neurodegenerativa deri¬vada de uma redução da produção de dopamina. O seu tratamento é basicamente por medidas farmacológicas. No entanto, nos está¬dios avançados da doença, especialmente devido às flutuações do motor, o tratamento farmacológico por si só não é completamente bem-sucedido. Assim, surge a possibilidade de benefícios ao pacien¬te pela técnica de estimulação cerebral profunda (DBS). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto do DBS palidal ou subtalâmica sobre a qualidade de vida desses pacientes (QoL). Para tanto, em¬pregaram-se duas escalas, comparando os resultados pré e pós-ope¬ratórios: o Inventário de Depressão de Beck - BDI (avalia o aspecto emocional dos pacientes) e o PDQ-39 (avalia os aspectos motores e as relações sociais). Podemos observar que a avaliação do BDI apon¬tou para uma melhora média de 9,5% e os escores do PDQ-39 me¬lhoraram 10,28%. Há evidências que pacientes submetidos à técnica de DBS subalâmicos ou paliativos mostraram uma QoL de melhoria importante, assim, o DBS surge como um adjuvante na luta contra a doença de Parkinson. (AU)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder derived from a reduction of dopamine production. The treatment of PD is basically by pharmacological measures. However, in the advanced stages of the disease, especially due to motor fluctuations, phar¬macological treatment by itself is not completely successful. At that moment, the possibility of the patient´s benefits by the technique of deep brain stimulation (DBS) comes up. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of pallidal or subthalamic DBS on PD patients' quality of life (QoL). To do so, two scales were employed, comparing the pre and post-operative results: Beck Depression Inventory - BDI (evaluates the patients' emotional aspect) and PDQ-39 (evaluates mo¬tor aspects and social relations). We could observe that BDI evalua¬tion pointed to an average improvement of 9.5% and PDQ-39 scores improved 10.28%. We can conclude that patients who have undergo¬ne the technique of subthalamic or pallidal DBS showed an important improvement QoL. DBS comes up as an adjuvant in the fight against Parkinson's disease. (AU)

A Technical Guide for Fiber Tract Dissection of the Internal Capsule.

AIM: Dissection of white fibers is important in identifying detailed neuroanatomical relationships. With tractrography it is possible to transport and apply this knowledge in a practical way to treat many diseases involving the white matter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Klingler method, subsequently disseminated by Türe with slight modifications was used. RESULTS: We review some historical aspects of white fibers and provide a guide for dissection of the internal capsule. The removal of gray matter allowed us to obtain a view of the white matter. We removed all U-shaped fibers to expose the insular cortex. The cortex of the insular lobe was removed, which exposed the extreme capsule. The removal of the claustrum exposed the external capsule, which covers the lentiform nucleus, specifically the putamen. During dissection, removing some fibers of the external capsule produced windows in which the putamen could be medially visualized. Since the internal capsule lies medial to the lentiform nucleus, it was necessary to remove the nucleus in order to expose the internal capsule. We identified five regions of the internal capsule: the anterior limb, genu, posterior limb, and sublenticular and retrolenticular parts. Finally, we determined that the fibers of the corona radiata condense into the internal capsule at the level of the superior border of the lentiform nucleus. CONCLUSION: Knowledge gained with the cadaveric fiber dissection technique can be applied in microsurgical practice and can be used to evaluate the surgical treatment for different tumors and vascular malformations.

Clinical Application of an Open-Source 3D Volume Rendering Software to Neurosurgical Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative recognition of the anatomic individualities of each patient can help to achieve more precise and less invasive approaches. It also may help to anticipate potential complications and intraoperative difficulties. Here we describe the use, accuracy, and precision of a free tool for planning microsurgical approaches using 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We used the 3D volume rendering tool of a free open-source software program for 3D reconstruction of images of surgical sites obtained by MRI volumetric acquisition. We recorded anatomic reference points, such as the sulcus and gyrus, and vascularization patterns for intraoperative localization of lesions. Lesion locations were confirmed during surgery by intraoperative ultrasound and/or electrocorticography and later by postoperative MRI. RESULTS: Between August 2015 and September 2016, a total of 23 surgeries were performed using this technique for 9 low-grade gliomas, 7 high-grade gliomas, 4 cortical dysplasias, and 3 arteriovenous malformations. The technique helped delineate lesions with an overall accuracy of 2.6 ± 1.0 mm. 3D reconstructions were successfully performed in all patients, and images showed sulcus, gyrus, and venous patterns corresponding to the intraoperative images. All lesion areas were confirmed both intraoperatively and at the postoperative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: With the technique described herein, it was possible to successfully perform 3D reconstruction of the cortical surface. This reconstruction tool may serve as an adjunct to neuronavigation systems or may be used alone when such a system is unavailable.

Hippocampal atrophy on MRI is predictive of histopathological patterns and surgical prognosis in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To correlate hippocampal volumes obtained from brain structural imaging with histopathological patterns of hippocampal sclerosis (HS), in order to predict surgical outcome. METHODS: Patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with HS were selected. Clinical data were assessed pre-operatively and surgical outcome in the first year post surgery. One block of mid hippocampal body was selected for HS classification according to ILAE criteria. NeuN-immunoreactive cell bodies were counted within hippocampal subfields, in four randomly visual fields, and cell densities were transformed into z-score values. FreeSurfer processing of 1.5T brain structural images was used for subcortical and cortical volumetric estimation of the ipsilateral hippocampus. Univariate analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation test were applied for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-two cases (31 female, 32 right HS) were included. ILAE type 1 HS was identified in 48 patients, type 2 in eight, type 3 in two, and four had no-HS. Better results regarding seizure control, i.e. ILAE 1, were achieved by patients with type 1 HS (58.3%). Patients with types 1 and 2 had smaller hippocampal volumes compared to those with no-HS (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Positive correlation was encountered between hippocampal volumes and CA1, CA3, CA4, and total estimated neuronal densities. CA2 was the only sector which did not correlate its neuronal density with hippocampal volume (p=0.390). CONCLUSION: This is the first study correlating hippocampal volume on MRI submitted to FreeSurfer processing with ILAE patterns of HS and neuronal loss within each hippocampal subfield, a fundamental finding to anticipate surgical prognosis for patients with drug-resistant MTLE and HS.

Anaplastic Ganglioglioma of the Pineal Region ­ A Case Report

Introduction Gangliogliomas are tumors commonly found in the temporal lobe and related to seizures; their appearance in the pineal region is rarely described. This report characterizes the first case of anaplastic ganglioglioma of the pineal region. Case Report The authors describe the case of a 32-year-old woman that developed progressive headache. An MRI investigation revealed a pineal tumor. The patient tested negative for biomarkers and underwent surgery through supracerebellar infratentorial approach and achieved gross total resection of the tumor in a challenging location. Pathological analysis revealed a biphasic neoplasm with the following two distinct phenotypes in separate fields: an immature neuronal component with several atypical mitoses and a mature astrocytic component with bipolar cells, microcysts, and eosinophilic bodies. The Ki67/MIB1 proliferation index was 20­30% in localized hotspots. Based on the pathological findings, the tumor was defined as an anaplastic ganglioglioma World Health Organization (WHO) grade III. Discussion/Conclusion Gangliogliomas are classified as glioneural neoplasms based on the histologic findings described as a mixture of neoplastic astrocytes and neurons. Moreover, these tumors represent 0.4­1.3% of tumors of the central nervous system. Authors describe de novo anaplastic ganglioglioma as 1% of the largest series. Gross total resection and adjuvant treatment may play important role in patients' prognostic. In this case, due to the malignant anaplastic component of her tumor, the patient received treatment with temozolamide and radiotherapy after gross total resection of the lesion.

Introdução Gangliogliomas são tumores comumente encontrados no lobo temporal e se relacionam com crises epilépticas; o aparecimento desses tumores na região da pineal é raramente descrito. Este relato caracteriza o primeiro caso de ganglioglioma anaplásico da região da pineal. Relato de Caso Paciente do sexo feminino, 32 anos, apresentou-se com cefaleia de piora progressiva. Investigação com ressonância magnética revelou tumor na região da pineal. Os biomarcadores para tumores da pineal foram negativos e a paciente foi submetida a microcirurgia com o acesso supracerebelar e infratentorial atingindo ressecção total da lesão. A análise patológica revelou neoplasia bifásica com dois fenótipos distintos em campos separados: um componente era composto por células neuronais imaturas com inúmeras mitoses atípicas e o segundo componente era composto por astrócitos maduros, microcistos e corpos eosinofílicos. Foi encontrado um índice proliferativo Ki67/M1B1 de 20­30%. Baseado nos achados anatomopatológicos, o tumor foi definido como ganglioglioma anaplásico grau III da OMS. Discussão/Conclusão Gangliogliomas são classificados como neoplasias glioneurais baseado nos achados histológicos descritos como misto de neoplasia neuronal e glial; esses tumores representam 0,4­1,3% de todos os tumores do sistema nervoso central. Ganglioglioma anaplásico de novo tem sido descrido em 1% nas maiores series de gangliogliomas. Ressecção total da lesão e tratamento adjuvante desempenham um papel importante no prognóstico dos pacientes. Devido ao componente anaplásico do tumor em questão, a paciente foi tratada com temozolamida e radioterapia após ressecção total da lesão.

Anatomical Variations of the Anterior Clinoid Process: A Study of 597 Skull Base Computerized Tomography Scans.

BACKGROUND: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is surrounded by a complex anatomy; variations include pneumatization and the formation of bone bridges with the middle and posterior clinoid, which complicate surgery. The key to avoiding microsurgical complications is a perfect understanding of this anatomy. OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomic variations of the ACP. METHODS: Between January 1, 2013, and September 6, 2014, 597 skull base computed tomography scans were performed to evaluate inner ear disease in patients with no history of paranasal sinus disease or endonasal surgery. The base width and length of the ACP, complete carotid-clinoid foramen and sella turcica bridge, and sphenoid sinus pneumatization volume were assessed. ACP pneumatization was assessed with the use of a novel classification system. RESULTS: The scans were derived from a population of 343 female patients (57.5%), with a mean age of 38.6 years (0.2-90 years). ACP base width and length were 7.7 ± 1.73 and 10.31 ± 2.1 mm, respectively. Anatomic variations were present in 38.7% of scans. ACP pneumatization was present in 25.5% of scans, and carotid-clinoid foramen and sella turcica bridge were present in 14.2% and 14.4% of scans, respectively. There was no pneumatization of the ACP in patients <10 years of age and no progression of the pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus in patients >10 years old. CONCLUSION: At least 1 variation in ACP anatomy was found in 38.7% of cases with this simple method. Thus, a preoperative computed tomography scan could improve surgical procedures that involve removal of the anterior clinoid process.

Psychosocial factors associated with in postsurgical prognosis of temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis.

We examined the long-term psychosocial trajectory in a consecutive and homogeneous series of 120 patients followed up for five years after corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH). Evaluation of psychosocial variables at baseline and at five-year follow-up were compared. After five years of CAH, a significant improvement in educational level (p=0.004) and employment status (p<0.001) was observed, although retirement (p<0.001) and divorce (p=0.021) rates increased. In a long-term follow-up, a tendency to have similar QOL profile was observed between Engel classes IA and IB (p>0.05). A more favorable surgical outcome (Engel IA) was related to better psychiatric status (p=0.012). Poor psychosocial adjustment before surgery was the most important predictor of QOL outcome (p<0.05). Patients' trajectory after surgical treatment showed positive effects mainly in those with better seizure outcome. Our results emphasized the influence regarding baseline psychosocial functioning on postoperative psychosocial adjustment. Furthermore, many psychosocial gains and difficulties after surgery may be similar in developing and developed countries.