Correlation between initial tumor enlargement and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics following linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for acoustic neuromas.

BACKGROUND: Initial tumor enlargement (or pseudoprogression) instead of true tumor progression is a common phenomenon in patients with acoustic neuromas who are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This phenomenon can affect clinical decision-making and patient management. This study assessed the correlation between initial tumor enlargement and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in patients with acoustic neuromas who were treated with linear accelerator (LINAC)-based SRS. The long-term tumor control outcomes were also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 330 patients with sporadic acoustic neuromas who were treated with LINAC SRS between March 2006 and March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated to assess their initial tumor enlargement. The tumors were divided into homogeneously enhanced, heterogeneously enhanced, and cystic types based on the morphological characteristics noted on magnetic resonance images. Tumor control was assessed in 275 patients with a follow-up duration of more than 2 years. RESULTS: Initial enlargement was observed in 137 of 330 (41.5%) tumors as early as 3 months after LINAC SRS. Data analysis revealed that postoperative tumors with a residual volume lower than 2.5 cm3 had a lower incidence of initial enlargement (p = 0.039). No correlation was noted between the initial enlargement and morphological characteristics of tumors. In patients with a mean follow-up duration of 82.8 ± 37.2 months, heterogeneously enhanced tumors exhibited a lower control rate than homogeneously enhanced and cystic tumors (p = 0.045). No correlation was noted between initial enlargement and tumor control. CONCLUSION: Initial enlargement can occur as early as 3 months after SRS. Postoperative residual tumors with a volume lower than 2.5 cm3 exhibit a lower incidence of initial enlargement. Heterogeneously enhanced tumors have a lower local control rate.

Risk factors for peritumoral edema after radiosurgery for intracranial benign meningiomas: a long-term follow-up in a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: Peritumoral edema (PTE) is recognized as a complication following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The aim of this paper was to evaluate the risk of post-SRS PTE for intracranial benign meningiomas and determine the predictive factors. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2021, 227 patients with 237 WHO grade I meningiomas were treated with Novalis linear accelerator SRS. All patients were treated with a single-fraction dose of 11-20 Gy (median 14 Gy). The median tumor volume was 3.32 cm3 (range 0.24-51.7 cm3). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 52 months (range 12-178 months). The actuarial local tumor control rates at 2, 5, and 10 years after SRS were 99.0%, 96.7%, and 86.3%, respectively. Twenty-seven (11.9%) patients developed new or worsened post-SRS PTE, with a median onset time of 5.2 months (range 1.2-50 months). Only 2 patients developed post-SRS PTE after 24 months. The authors evaluated factors related to new-onset or worsened PTE after SRS. In univariate analysis, initial tumor volume > 10 cm3 (p = 0.03), total marginal dose > 14 Gy (p < 0.001), preexisting edema (p < 0.0001), tumor location (p < 0.001), parasagittal location (p < 0.0001), superior sagittal sinus (SSS) involvement (p < 0.0001), and SSS invasion (p < 0.015) were found to be significant risk factors. In multivariate analysis, total marginal dose > 14 Gy (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.37-8.33, p = 0.008), preexisting SRS edema (HR 12.86, 95% CI 1.09-4.15, p < 0.0001), tumor location (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.04-3.72, p = 0.027), parasagittal location (HR 8.84, 95% CI 1.48-52.76, p = 0.017), and SSS invasion (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.89, p = 0.027) were significant risk factors. Twelve (5.3%) patients were symptomatic. Ten of 27 patients had complete resolution of neurological symptoms and edema improvement with steroid treatment. Steroid treatment failed in 2 patients, who subsequently required resection for PTE. CONCLUSIONS: Radiosurgery is a safe and effective method of treating benign intracranial meningiomas according to long-term follow-up. We also identified total marginal dose > 14 Gy, preexisting PTE, parasagittal location, and SSS invasion as predictors of post-SRS PTE. Risk factors for post-SRS PTE should be considered in meningioma treatment.

Linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of intracranial arteriovenous malformations: long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is one of the cerebrovascular diseases that bear a high risk of hemorrhage. The treatment modalities include microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery, or combinations that vary widely. Several large series have been reported, while data from Asian populations were few. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery (LINAC SRS) for the treatment of intracranial AVMs, to evaluate the hemorrhage rate and to analyze associated factors. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with AVM were treated with LINAC SRS in a single institute between September 1994 and May 2005 and were retrospectively evaluated. The demographics of patients, clinical characteristics of AVM, the treatment modalities, and the parameters of the LINAC SRS were analyzed. Delayed toxicity and hemorrhage rate after treatment were also evaluated. The AVM obliteration and bleed rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The efficacy rate with total obliteration after treatment was 81.9% (95 of 116 patients). The median interval to achieve total obliteration was 49 months. Microsurgical resection combined with SRS for residual AVMs achieved better obliteration rates compared to SRS alone (statistically significant, p = 0.001), while no significant difference was found between the embolization group and the group with no prior treatment (p = 0.895). The Spetzler-Martin grade of AVM is a relative factor of obliteration, higher grades resulting in a worse outcome (p = 0.009). Obliteration was significantly influenced by AVM volume in univariate analysis (p = 0.034), and volume <5 cm(3) contributed to improved obliteration (p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the hemorrhagic rate and the complication rate between ruptured and unruptured AVMs, while the unruptured group had a higher obliteration rate (p = 0.024). The annual hemorrhage rate after LINAC SRS treatment was 1.9%. The bleeding rate was 3.3% in the first year after radiosurgery, 2.1% in the second year, 1.9% between the second and fifth year, and 1.5% between the fifth and tenth year. Patients with hemorrhagic events before radiosurgery appeared to have a higher rebleeding risk during the latency period. Twenty-three patients (19.8%) had late adverse effects with regard to posttreatment radiological follow-up, but only 1 (0.8%) had newly developed neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: LINAC SRS achieved a high obliteration rate and reduced the risk of hemorrhage effectively in ruptured and unruptured intracranial AVMs. Prior microsurgical resection provided better outcome, while embolization showed no benefit. Adverse effects after treatment are acceptable and require long-term follow-up.

Multifaceted effects of rapamycin on functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats through autophagy promotion, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are serious and debilitating health problems that lead to severe and permanent neurological deficits resulting from the primary mechanical impact followed by secondary tissue injury. During the acute stage after an SCI, the expression of autophagy and inflammatory responses contribute to the development of secondary injury. In the present study, we examined the multifaceted effects of rapamycin on outcomes of rats after an SCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats for this study. In the SCI group, we performed a laminectomy at T10, followed by impact-contusion of the spinal cord. In the control group, we performed only a laminectomy without contusion. We evaluated the effects of rapamycin using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale for functional outcomes, Western blot analyses for analyzing LC3-II, tumor necrosis factor expression, and p70S6K phosphorylation, and an immunostaining technique for localization and enumeration of microglial and neuronal cells. RESULTS: Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores after injury significantly improved in the rapamycin-treated group compared with the vehicle group (on Day 28 after the SCI; P < .05). The Western blot analysis demonstrated that rapamycin enhanced LC3-II expression and decreased p70S6K phosphorylation compared with the vehicle (P < .01), which implies promotion of autophagy through mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. Furthermore, rapamycin treatment significantly attenuated tumor necrosis factor production and microglial expression (P < .05). Immunohistochemistry of NeuN (antibodies specific to neurons) showed remarkable neuronal cell preservation in the rapamycin-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group (P < .05), which suggests a neuroprotective effect of rapamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin is a novel neuroprotectant with multifaceted effects on the rat spinal cord after injury. Use of such a clinically established drug could facilitate early clinical trials in selected cases of human SCIs.

Predictors of shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hydrocephalus is a common complication that can occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical risk factors that could predict the occurrence of shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH. METHODS: Eighty-eight consecutive patients who underwent either surgery or transarterial endovascular embolization as a treatment for cerebral aneurysm within 72 h -after experiencing SAH from March 2005 to July 2006 were studied retrospectively to assess the risk factors that might predict shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus. Clinical and demographic factors were examined, including age, sex, initial admission mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), blood sugar level at admission, fever frequency, initial external ventricular drainage (EVD), Fisher grade, Hunt and Hess grade, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and treatment methods to define predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. The length of hospital stay and modified Rankin scale recorded 6 months after SAH were also evaluated; these parameters were compared between the shunt-dependent and non-shunt-dependent groups. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients, 22 (25%) underwent shunt placement to treat their chronic hydrocephalus. The average length of hospital stay was 33.9 days for the shunt-treated group and 14 days for the non-shunt-treated group. The non-shunt-treated group scored an average of 1.05 on the modified Rankin scale compared with 2.77 for the shunt-treated group. A univariate analysis revealed that several admission variables were associated with long-term shunt-dependent hydrocephalus: (1) increased age (p = 0.023); (2) initial admission MABP (p = 0.027); (3) a high Fisher grade (p = 0.031); (4) a poor admission Hunt and Hess grade (p = 0.030); (5) the presence of IVH (p = 0.029), and (6) initial EVD (p < 0.0001). The factor most commonly associated with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus over the course of hospital days was fever frequency (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH has a multifactorial aetiology. Understanding the risk factors that predict the occurrence of chronic hydrocephalus may help neurosurgeons to expedite permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion, which could decrease both the cost and length of hospital stay and prevent further complications.

Differences in Characteristics and Length of Stay of Elderly Emergency Patients before and after the Outbreak of COVID-19.

(1) Background: COVID-19 has spread worldwide and affected Taiwan's medical system and people's lives. This study aimed to explore the impact of medical utilization on the characteristics and length of stay (LOS) of elderly emergency department (ED) patients before and after COVID-19; (2) Methods: We gathered ED visits from January to September 2019 (pre-pandemic group) and from January to September 2020 (pandemic group). The data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, the Pearson's chi-square test, the independent sample t-test, and binary logistic regression; (3) Results: In 2020, during COVID-19, a significant decrease in ED monthly visits occurred from January; the maximum decrease was 32% in March. The average LOS during COVID-19 was shortened, with a significant reduction in diagnoses compared with the pre-pandemic period; (4) Conclusions: The threat of COVID-19 has changed the elderly's behavior in ED visits and shortened the LOS of ED. The study's results emphasize the importance of analyzing the medical utilization of elderly ED patients and understanding the medical quality of healthcare institutions. With Taiwan's rapidly aging society, the demand for healthcare increases from time to time. The overcrowding of medical attention is often a problem. The results recommend that the overcrowding problem has the opportunity to be solved.

Prognostic Factors Analysis for Intracranial Cavernous Malformations Treated with Linear Accelerator Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is generally considered a substitute for cranial cavernous malformations (CCMs). However, prognostic factors for post-radiosurgery CCM rebleeding and adverse radiation effects have not been well evaluated, and the effect of timing and optimal treatment remains controversial. Therefore, this study evaluated prognostic factors for post-radiosurgical rebleeding and focal edematous changes in 30 patients who developed symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage due to solitary non-brainstem CCM and received linear accelerator (LINAC) SRS in a single medical center from October 2002 to June 2018. An overall post-radiosurgical annual hemorrhage rate with 4.5% was determined in this study. In addition, a higher marginal dose of >1600 centigray and earlier LINAC SRS intervention were correlated with a significantly lower post-radiosurgical annual hemorrhage rate. A lesion size larger than 3 cm3 and a coexisting developmental venous anomaly were significant risk factors for post-radiosurgical focal brain edema but mostly resulted in no symptoms and were temporary. This study demonstrated the efficacy of LINAC SRS in preventing CCM rebleeding and suggests that earlier radiosurgery treatment with a higher dose for non-brainstem symptomatic CCMs be considered.

Application of neuroendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to hypertensive intraventricular hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroendoscopy has become an integral part of neurosurgery, in particular in the ventricular system. Obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a good indication for neuroendoscopic surgery. We evaluated its efficacy and limitations in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 5-year period, 13 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to hypertensive IVH were studied. Patients with IVH with no evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus or with a large parenchymal hematoma or IVH of vascular origin were excluded. Rigid endoscope was used to evacuate hematoma in lateral ventricles and third ventricle in all patients. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Graeb score and ventriculo-cranial ratio were evaluated before and after endoscopic intervention and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was appraised at 1 month and 12 months, postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients, eight (61.5%) patients had thalamus hemorrhage. A successful endoscopic removal of intraventricular hematoma was achieved in all patients. Complications observed included, fornix contusion (1) and meningitis (1) and there was no procedure-related mortality. The mean Graeb score reduced from 8.69 ± 1.89 to 6.00 ± 2.68 (P=0.001) and ventriculo-cranial ratio decreased from 0.41 ±0.05 to 0.39 ± 0.05 (P=0.085) following the procedure. The mean GOS scores at 1 month and 12 months both were 2.7, but a bipolar distribution was observed at 12 months. The Graeb score changed significantly with positive correlation to GCS score change (=0.565 and P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic management of severe IVH with obstructive hydrocephalus allows effective reduction of the amount of ventricular blood and improves level of consciousness. Future refinement in instrumentation and discreet case selection may make this method more applicable and effective.

Clinical outcomes of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery in treating perioptic meningiomas and schwannomas: A single-institutional experience.

Application of radiosurgery to the newly diagnosed or post-operative residual perioptic lesions has been proved to improve tumor control. However, risk of vision injury induced by radiosurgery may increase substantially if the radiation dose is too high or tumor is close to the optic apparatus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and the effectiveness of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) for perioptic tumors. We retrospectively analyzed 60 consecutive patients with 53 meningiomas and 7 schwannomas treated with FSRS between October 2007 and February 2020. We administered a marginal dose of 6-7 Gy (mean 6.8 Gy) per fraction and delivered 3 fractions in 3 consecutive days. The median tumor volume was 6.31 cm3 (range 0.3-58.23 cm3). The mean minimum lesion-optic distance (MLOD) is 0.85 mm (range 0-3 mm). After mean follow-up period of 69.6 months (range 6.82-156.32 months; median 58.9 months), the tumor control rates at 1, 3, 5, 8 and 13 years were 98.3%, 93.4%, 90.60%, 88.4% and 88.4%, respectively. Four out of the 60 tumors (6.7%) experienced a transient volume increase after FSRS. None of the patients developed visual impairment related to radiation induced optic neuropathy (RION) after FSRS. In conclusion, FSRS offers an alternative treatment option in treating perioptic meningiomas and schwannomas with acceptable tumor control rates and good visual preservation in the present study.

Treatment of intracranial meningioma with single-session and fractionated radiosurgery: a propensity score matching study.

Single-session stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) is recognized as a safe and efficient treatment for meningioma. We aim to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) with SSRS in the treatment of grade I meningioma. A total of 228 patients with 245 tumors treated with radiosurgery between March 2006 and June 2017were retrospectively evaluated. Of these, 147 (64.5%) patients were treated with SSRS. The remaining 81 patients (35.5%) were treated with a fractionated technique. Protocols to treat meningioma were classified as 12-16 Gy per fraction for SSRS and 7 Gy/fraction/day for three consecutive days to reach a total dose of 21 Gy for FSRT. In univariate and multivariate analyses, tumor volume was found to be associated with local control rate (hazard ratio = 4.98, p = 0.025). The difference in actuarial local control rate (LCR) between the SSRS and FSRT groups after propensity score matching (PSM) was not statistically significant during the 2-year (96.86% versus 100.00%, respectively; p = 0.175), 5-year (94.76% versus 97.56%, respectively; p = 0.373), and 10-year (74.40% versus 91.46%, respectively; p = 0.204) follow-up period. FSRT and SSRS were equally well-tolerated and effective for the treatment of intracranial benign meningioma during the10-year follow-up period.

Pituitary adenoma apoplexy with initial presentation mimicking bacterial meningoencephalitis: a case report.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but life-threatening disorder. Clinical presentation of this condition includes severe headache, impaired consciousness, fever, visual disturbance, and variable ocular paresis. Signs of meningeal irritation are very rare. However, if present and associated with headache, fever, and pleocytosis, meningeal irritation may lead to misinterpretation as infectious meningoencephalitis. To the best of our knowledge, pituitary apoplexy with an initial presentation mimicking infectious meningoencephalitis had rarely been reported in the literature. Here, we report a 57-year-old man who had acute severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disturbance in consciousness, and left ocular paresis. Laboratory data showed leukocytosis, an elevated C-reactive protein level, and neutrophilic pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid. Because bacterial meningoencephalitis was suspected, empiric antibiotic therapy was administered but in vain. Further examinations indicated a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma with apoplexy. After the immediate administration of intravenous corticosteroid supplement and surgical decompression, the patient recovered.

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Compared with Observation Alone for Postoperative Residual Nonfunctional Pituitary Adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: The management of residual nonfunctional pituitary tumors after surgical resection remains controversial. In this study, we compared the prognosis of postoperative radiation therapy and observation only in patients with residual nonfunctional pituitary adenoma and reviewed the long-term complications after radiation therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 90 patients who underwent surgery for nonfunctional pituitary adenomas from January 2008 to April 2012. Residual tumors were classified by size, location, and pathologic staining. Tumor progression was defined as volume progression ≥15% with or without clinical symptoms. Postoperative radiation therapy was performed <1 year after the last surgery. We compared the progression and 3-year and 5-year progression-free survival between the observation group and postoperative radiation therapy group. Postradiation complications including hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, deterioration in visual field or acuity, cranial nerve palsy, and hydrocephalus were also analyzed. RESULTS: More of the patients who received postoperative radiation therapy had a tumor progression-free survival of ≥3 years than did those who did not receive postoperative radiation therapy. Postoperative radiation therapy was significantly beneficial for the patients with a tumor size ≥3 cm or with tumors in the cavernous sinus. The most frequent complication after radiation therapy was hypopituitarism and a few cases had third cranial nerve palsy; however, there were no significant relationships with radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, immediate radiation therapy after tumor resection was an effective and relatively safe treatment for residual or progressive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. Moreover, the long-term complications of radiation therapy were mild.

"Migration" of traumatic subarachnoid hematoma? A case report.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal SAH with neurologic deficits is rare and easily misdiagnosed, especially after traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of spinal SAH with root compression occurring after a scooter accident. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be aware of descending migration of intracranial SAH as a possible cause of spinal cord or root compression, especially in the patient with late onset spinal symptoms.

Sellar xanthogranuloma manifesting as obstructive hydrocephalus.

Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region is rare. It typically causes symptoms of pituitary dysfunction or visual change due to compression of the optic chiasm. However, to the best of our knowledge, no case of xanthogranuloma-associated hydrocephalus has been documented in the literature. This study describes a 32-year-old man afflicted with xanthogranuloma of the sellar region who presented with acute change in consciousness and associated obstructive hydrocephalus. A literature review and discussion regarding therapeutic options for this condition are presented.

Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) commonly occurs in the thoracic and lumbar regions. We present a patient with OLF at the C4-5 level with presentation as Brown-Sequard syndrome. Symptoms were relieved following a laminectomy and total lesion excision. The relevant literature is reviewed to discuss the racial distribution, unique presentation and pathogenesis of OLF.

Need for intrasellar packing in sellar reconstruction of transsphenoidal surgery: less is more?

BACKGROUND: This study investigated patients with pituitary macroadenomas who received transsphenoidal surgery using two different sellar reconstruction methods, to determine the need for intrasellar packing. METHODS: The authors reviewed 53 patients with pituitary macroadenomas at a single institution between January 1999 and November 2002. On tumour removal, the group 1 patients underwent traditional sellar reconstruction (intrasellar and sphenoid sinus packing), while the group 2 patients did not undergo intrasellar packing. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of complications. There was no mortality; notably, no delayed empty sella syndrome occurred in the group 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Simplified reconstruction of the sella floor using only sphenoid bone without intrasellar packing is thought to be safe and effective. This technique obviates the need for a second surgical incision, risk of overpacking, complications associated with packing material and interference on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery using the Novalis system for the management of pituitary adenomas close to the optic apparatus.

Radiosurgery has been proven to be an effective treatment for residual or recurrent pituitary adenomas after surgery. However, it causes severe complications when the optic apparatus is irradiated over the tolerance dose. In this study, we analyzed the feasibility of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery to treat pituitary tumors close to the optic apparatus. Thirty-four patients from June 2006 to June 2011 with recurrent or residual pituitary adenomas close to (<3 mm) the optic apparatus were treated with fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery. Three fractions with a total dose of 2100 cGy were applied to the tumors. Imaging, examination of vision, and estimation of hormone level were regularly performed before and after radiosurgery. The mean tumor volume before fractioned stereotactic radiosurgery was 5.06±3.08 cm3 (range: 0.82-12.69 cm3). After a mean follow up of 36.8±15.7 months (range: 16-72 months), tumor size was reduced in seven (20.6%) patients and remained the same in the other 27 (79.4%) patients. Vision was improved in one patient and remained stable in the rest. Only one patient developed transient post-treatment diplopia. This study suggests that fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery is safe for treating pituitary adenomas close to the optic apparatus. Studies with more patients and longer follow-up are required to draw definite conclusions.

Autophagy is activated in injured neurons and inhibited by methylprednisolone after experimental spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, controlled trial, animal study. OBJECTIVE: To assess autophagy expression after rat spinal cord injury (SCI) and investigate the effect of methylprednisolone treatment on autophagy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although it is evident that SCI induces necrosis and apoptosis, its relationship to autophagy is uncertain. Autophagy is implicated in various pathological states in the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cerebral ischemia, and traumatic brain injury. Up to now, no autophagy expression was evidenced by transmission electronic microscope (TEM) and the autophagy marker, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) in neural tissue after SCI. METHODS: Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experimental procedure. In the SCI group, laminectomy at T9 were performed, followed by impactor contusion of the spinal cord. In the sham group, only a laminectomy was performed without contusion. We used Western blot to analyze LC3 at 2 hours, 4 hours, 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after SCI. We also investigated the effect of methylprednisolone on autophagy expression of contused spinal cord. Cellular localization and ultrastructural changes after spinal cord injury were compared with those sham-operated rats using immunofluorescent double labeling and TEM, respectively. Data from the Western blot were analyzed using a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test with P < 0.05 being considered significant. RESULTS: We detected significantly elevated level of LC3 2 hours after SCI, and then the level declined until 1 week after SCI. Methylprednisolone decreased LC3 expression at 2 hours after SCI. LC3 positive cells were colocalized with neuronal nuclei, but not with glial fibrillary acidic protein. The existence of autophagy and progress of autophagic cell death after SCI were confirmed by TEM. CONCLUSION: Through observing the enhanced autophagy expression in neurons soon after contusion injury and the inhibitive effect of methylprednisolone treatment, this study demonstrates the characteristics of autophagy expression after SCI and suggests that autophagic cell death may play a role in neuronal death after spinal cord trauma.

Investigating the possibility of intervertebral disc regeneration induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor-stimulated stem cells in rats.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a multifactorial process that is influenced by contributions from genetic predisposition, the aging phenomenon, lifestyle conditions, biomechanical loading and activities, and other health factors (such as diabetes). Attempts to decelerate disc degeneration using various techniques have been reported. However, to date, there has been no proven technique effective for broad clinical application. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is a growth factor cytokine that has been shown to enhance the availability of circulating hematopoietic stem cells to the brain and heart as well as their capacity for mobilization of mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells. GCSF also exerts significant increases in circulating neutrophils as well as potent anti-inflammatory effects. In our study, we hypothesize that GCSF can induce bone marrow stem cells differentiation and mobilization to regenerate the degenerated IVD. We found that GCSF had no contribution in disc regeneration or maintenance; however, there were cell proliferation within end plates. The effects of GCSF treatment on end plates might deserve further investigation.

Microsurgical supraorbital keyhole approach to the anterior cranial base.

We evaluated treatment of patients with anterior cranial base lesions with supraorbital keyhole surgery. Limited supraorbital craniotomy through an eyebrow skin incision was performed on 21 adult patients between August 2007 and January 2009 at one institution. Each patient's cosmesis was evaluated after the operation using a visual analog scale for cosmesis (VASC). Thirteen patients were treated for ruptured intracranial aneurysms and eight patients for mass lesions in the anterior cranial fossa. The mean follow-up duration was 16.5 months. No identifiable neurological or vascular complications related to this procedure were noted during follow-up; however, two patients died from causes unrelated to the procedure. Of the 19 patients who were followed-up, 89% of patients, and 84% by physician evaluation, were satisfied with the cosmetic result, noting > 75 mm on the VASC. Anterior cranial fossa lesions can be adequately and safely treated via a minimally invasive supraorbital craniotomy when performed on suitable patients by an experienced surgeon. This approach decreases brain manipulation and results in a pleasing cosmetic outcome while minimizing the likelihood of procedure-related morbidity.