Analysis of the Causes and Experience in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Meningocele Caused by Sternberg's Canal of the Sphenoid Sinus: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to improve the diagnosis and treatment outcome of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea caused by patent meningoencephalocele of Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus by analyzing the clinical data and imaging features of two rare cases of this disease and by reviewing the relevant literature for possible etiology, diagnoses, and treatments. METHODS: Together with the relevant literature, we retrospectively studied the clinical and imaging data of two patients (mother and child) with CSF rhinorrhea caused by patent meningoencephalocele of Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus, analyzed their diagnostic and treatment procedures, and proposed a potential, feasible treatment method. RESULTS: On the 2nd day after surgery, the expansive sponge and iodoform gauze in the nasal cavity were removed in both patients, and the lumbar subarachnoid drainage was removed 3 days after the operation, as no nasal discharge was observed. One week after the operation, head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the abnormal tissue in the sphenoid sinus had disappeared, and no accumulation of the CSF was observed. Both patients were discharged after 2 weeks. At the time of discharge, both patients were without nasal drip, fever, headache, and other discomforts, and they had grade 5 muscle strength in their extremities, with normal muscle tension. CONCLUSION: CSF rhinorrhea is usually caused by secondary factors. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea caused by encephalocele of the skull base due to congenital dysplasia of the skull base is very rare and easily misdiagnosed. The presence of brain tissue or CSF signal in the sphenoid sinus on preoperative MR images is an important imaging feature of the disease. Conditional cisternography can be used to further detect CSF leaks. Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal repair of CSF leaks combined with short-term postoperative lumbar subarachnoid drainage is an effective treatment method. According to previous literature, the possible causes of meningoencephalocele with patent Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus include abnormal development of the sphenoid sinus or the craniopharyngeal canal and bone defects of the skull base. There are no related reports on patent meningoencephalocele caused by Sternberg's canal in direct blood relatives, such as mother-son; therefore, the possibility of this disease having a genetic origin should be considered in future studies on its pathophysiological mechanisms.

Bevacizumab Combined with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy on Cognitive and Coagulation Function in Postoperative Glioma Patients.

To examine the influences of bevacizumab combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on postoperative brain glioma, particularly its impact on coagulation function and cognitive function, the complete clinical data of 156 patients undergoing glioma surgery in the neurosurgery department of our hospital between March 2015 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent glioma surgery and were then assigned to the observation group (Obs group, n = 79, received bevacizumab combined with IMRT) or the control group (Con group, n = 77, received IMRT without bevacizumab) for analysis during postoperative treatment. The patients' short-term efficacy was evaluated, and their serum markers and coagulation function were compared, as well as the cognitive function, the occurrence of adverse reactions during treatment, the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, and quality of life after treatment. Patients' survival was followed up within 2 years after surgery. The Obs group showed a notably higher clinical remission rate and clinical control rate (DCR) than the Con group after treatment. The Obs group showed notably lower levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-6, and epidermal growth factor (EGF), experienced notably shorter prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and showed higher fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer (D-D) levels than Con group. The Obs group showed notably better cognitive function, KPS score, and quality of life than the Con group, but no notable difference was observed between them in the incidence of adverse reactions (P > 0.0500). The survival rates in the Obs group were higher than in the Con group. For patients with glioma, postoperative bevacizumab combined with IMRT delivers substantially higher clinical efficacy by lowering serum marker levels and improving cognitive function without significantly affecting coagulation function.

Effectiveness of Surgical Treatments for Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage and Imaging Factors Affecting Hematoma Evacuation Rate by Neuroendoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH) is a devastating neurologic disease with high morbidity and mortality, and its management is still controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgical treatments for BGH and investigated computed tomography (CT) imaging features affecting the hematoma evacuation rate (ER) in patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 BGH patients who underwent craniotomy, burr-hole drainage, or neuroendoscopic surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics, imaging features, and postoperative complications were compared. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied to identify imaging factors associated with ER. RESULTS: A significant difference in ER was observed: 78.4% in patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery, 33.6% in patients treated with burr-hole drainage, and 82.5% in patients treated with craniotomy (p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for operative time (p < 0.001). Five cases (12.5%) of rebleeding were found in patients treated with burr-hole drainage (p = 0.020). No significant difference was found for pneumonia, intracranial infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, hospital mortality, hospital stay, expenses, 3-day Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores after surgery, or GCS at discharge. The CT imaging feature, the island sign (p = 0.004), was observed as an independent factor correlated with lower ER for neuroendoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits and drawbacks of surgical treatments confirmed they have their own indications, and neuroendoscopic surgery may be relatively beneficial for BGH treatment. The island sign was an independent factor affecting ER for neuroendoscopic surgery. Therefore, comprehensive assessment of clinical data, especially the island sign, should be performed preoperatively in BGH patients.

Mechanism of G9a inhibitor BIX­01294 acting on U251 glioma cells.

The present study aimed to investigate the differential expression and clinical significance of histone methyltransferase G9a, histone H3K9me2 and histone H3K9me1 in human brain glioma and adjacent tissue samples. It also aimed to observe the effect and mechanism of BIX­01294, as an inhibitor of methyltransferase G9a, on the proliferation, apoptosis, methylation of H3K9 and H3K27, and the acetylation in U251 glioma cells in vitro. The differential expression of methyltransferase G9a, histone H3K9me2 and histone H3K9me1 in in human brain glioma and adjacent tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, a growth curve of U251 cells following treatment with BIX­01294 was determined using the MTT assay. In addition, the apoptosis percentage of U251 cells was analyzed by TUNEL assay and the expression levels of apoptosis­associated proteins, including B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2), Bcl­2­associated X protein (Bax), caspase­9 and caspase­3, and the acetylation of histones, including H3K27me1, H3K27me2 and H3 in U251 were analyzed by western blot following BIX­01294 treatment. The positive rate of G9a in glioma tissues was 86% (43/50), which was significantly different from 42% (21/50) in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). The positive rate of H3K9me2 in glioma tissues was 82% (41/50), which was significantly different from 38% (19/50) in adjacent tissues (χ²=18.38; P<0.01). The expression of G9a and H3K9me2 were associated with the World Health Organization (WHO) glioma grade. The positive rate of H3K9me1 in glioma tissues was 54% (27/50) and 44% (22/50) in adjacent tissues, though this result was not significantly different (χ²=1.21, P>0.05). BIX­01294 inhibited the proliferation of U251, downregulated expression of Bcl­2, and upregulated expression of Bax, caspase­3 and caspase­9, and induced apoptosis of U251. BIX­01294 downregulated H3K9me1, H3K9me2, H3K27me1 and H3K27me2, however, it did not affect the acetylation of H3K9me3 and H3. High expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in glioma tissue samples was associated with the WHO grade, which indicated that G9a and H3K9me2 may promote generation and development of glioma. BIX­01294 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of glioma cells, changes in methylation of H3K9 and H3K27 resulting in conformational changes of chromosome may be an underlying mechanism. BIX­01294 may be a potential novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of glioma.

Subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach for giant petroclival meningiomas: analyzation and evaluation of the clinical application.

With the advent of microsurgery and surgical techniques, along with the improvement in neuroimaging techniques and the microanatomy in cadaver study, improvement in terms of surgical morbidity and mortality has been remarkable; however, controversy still exists regarding the optimal surgical strategies for giant petroclival meningiomas (GPMs). We report a study of clinical and radiological features as well as the surgical findings and outcomes for patients with GPM treated at our institution over the past 6 years. During a 6-year period (April 2004 to March 2010), 16 patients with GPM underwent surgery by subtemporal transtentorial petrosal apex approach during which electrophysiological monitoring of cranial nerves and brainstem function were reviewed. There were nine females and seven males with a mean age of 56.9 years (range from 32 to 78 years). The most frequent clinical manifestations were headache (93.7%) and dizziness (93.7%). Regions and directions of tumor extension include clivus, parasellar, and cavernous sinus, as well as compression of brainstem, and so on. The trochlear nerve was totally wrapped in nine cases (56.2%). The postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 76.3 ± 13.1. Mean maximum diameter of the tumors on magnetic resonance imaging was 5.23 cm (range, 4.5 to 6.2 cm). Subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach was performed in all 16 cases. Gross total resection was achieved in 14 cases (87.5%) and subtotal resection in 2 cases (12.5%) with no resultant mortality. Follow-up data were available for all 16 patients, with a mean follow-up period of 28.8 months (range from 4 to 69 months), of which 11 (68.75%) lived a normal life (KPS, 80-100). Our suggestion is that GPM could be completely resected by subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach. The surgical strategy of GPM should be focused on survival and postoperative quality of life. Microneurosurgical technique plays a key role in tumor resection and preservation of nerve function. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring also contributes dramatically to the preservation of the nerve function. Complete resection of the tumor should be attempted at the first operation. Any remnant is treated by radiosurgery.

[Microanatomic and three-dimensional reconstruction study of lateral wall and related structures of optic canal].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the key microanatomic and radiological structures of optic canal comprehensively so as to provide anatomic parameters and procedural flows for the decompression of optic canal. METHODS: Gross observations and microscopic measurements were applied on 10 (20 sides) formalin-treated cadaveric specimens and 15 (30 sides) adult skulls. Using multislice helical CT (computed tomography)-aided three-dimensional reconstruction in combination with direct anatomic measurement, the investigators dissected, photographed, measured and analyzed the shape of optic canal and analyze its anatomic relationship with the adjoining structures. RESULTS: Optic canal was formed by the superior, inferior, medial and external walls and distal proximal opening. The lateral wall of optic canal was formed by anterior clinoid process with a length of (9.87 ± 1.34) mm, a width of (11.66 ± 2.35) mm, a base thickness of (5.35 ± 1.07) mm and a middle thickness of (4.50 ± 1.06) mm. Optic strut separating the optic canal from the superior orbital fissure was located inferiorly. And the distance between the apex of anterior clinoid process and the middle of ICA (internal carotid artery) groove was (4.25 ± 2.30) mm. The CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leakage and secondary injury of optic nerve and injury of ICA, ophthalmic artery might occur during the surgical procedures due to the variation of anterior clinoid process. The microanatomic figures and radiological measurements had a mean difference very close to each other at (0.08 - 0.48) mm. No statistical difference was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Optic nerve, ophthalmic artery and ICA may be exposed by a high-speed drilling of the lateral wall of optic canal. The drilling dissection of lateral wall plays a vital role during a successful optic canal decompression. Radiological measurement and three-dimensional reconstruction of skull base may be of great clinical significance in lesion visualization. And it helps to make a better choice of surgical approaches. The measurements provide valuable references for surgeons and researchers.

[Outcomes of early surgery combined with anti-vasospasm agents treat ruptured cranial aneurysms: an analysis of 127 cases].

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study on 127 cases of early microsurgery combined with antivasospasm agents for treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage after the rupture of intracranial aneurysm. To evaluate the microsurgery for early-stage (3 days) of ruptured aneurysm. METHODS: 127 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage after the rupture of intracranial aneurysm were diagnosed by MRI and CTA. Patients underwent early microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysm followed by antivasospasm agents treatment were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical manifestation, characteristics of imaging presentation, the curative effects and experiences of different operative approaches, surgical methods and techniques, pharmaceutical treatment and other integrated management. RESULTS: In all 127 cases, organized blood clot accompanied with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm surrounding the ruptured aneurysm was found in the course of surgical probing, among which 21 aneurysms ruptured during the operation; according to the GOS, 109 cases were cured or free of symptom, 23 cases got a transient hemiparalysis or aggravation of hemiparalysis, among which 18 cases were free of symptom, 9 were slight disability, 6 were severe disability, 3 cases die when discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Early operation could prevent second-time rupture effectively, lower the death rate, and at the same time lower the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm and the succeeding damage caused. Cerebral vasospasm is still the serious complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage of ruptured aneurysm and inappropriate management would cause critical consequences. Antivasospasm agents used postoperative could help preventing cerebral vasospasm and maintaining function.