Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: An Adjuvant Therapy for Primary Sellar Paraganglioma.

Sellar paraganglioma (SP) is a rare benign tumor, usually treated by surgery. SPs are lobulated, firm, adherent, and highly vascular, allowing mostly partial resection. We present the case of a 52-year-old man diagnosed with primary SP, treated with a transcranial-transsphenoidal (TC-TS) surgical approach, followed by adjuvant Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSR). The tumor has an extra-pituitary origin, with a sellar-suprasellar, right cavernous sinus extension that encroached the bilateral optic nerve and anterior cerebral artery. Histopathology confirmed SP with a Zellballen pattern. Despite postoperative tumor growth observed at four and 10 months, a stable residual tumor was noted at a follow-up two years after GKSR. SP is diagnosed mainly in middle age or in adolescent males. The TC-TS approach offers a bidirectional view that allows greater resection by minimizing blind spots, thus reducing complications. Similar to the paragangliomas of other sites, the efficacy of GKSR was observed for primary SP. SP is a rare differential diagnosis of pituitary diseases; however, it should be considered. After surgical resection of primary SP, GKSR is observed as an effective adjuvant therapy.

Secondary hypophysitis associated with Rathke's cleft cyst resembling a pituitary abscess.

Background: Although rare, cases of hypophysitis resembling a pituitary abscess (PA) have been reported. Differential diagnosis between hypophysitis and PA is crucial as the two diseases require different treatments. Case Description: A 38-year-old woman with headaches underwent head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which revealed an 11-mm mass lesion in the sella turcica. Due to breastfeeding, contrast-enhanced MRI was avoided. Pituitary adenomas and Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) were suspected, and she was initially treated conservatively. Five months later, she acquired syndrome coronavirus two infections, and while the fever subsided with acetaminophen, the headache persisted. One month later, the headache worsened, followed by fever and diabetes insipidus. MRI revealed a pituitary cystic mass with ring-shaped contrast enhancement on T1-weighted MRI and increased signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). PA was suspected, and emergency endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery was performed. The microbiological examination of the yellowish-brown content drained from the cystic mass was negative. Microscopically, the cystic lesion was covered with ciliated columnar epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium, with a dense inflammatory cell infiltrate consisting mainly of lymphocytes and plasma cells observed around the cyst. This supported the diagnosis of secondary hypophysitis associated with RCC without PA. Conclusion: We report a case of hypophysitis secondary to RCC resembling PA with ring-shaped contrast enhancement on MRI and increased signal intensity on DWI. This case emphasizes the need for cautious diagnosis of secondary hypophysitis due to RCC in individuals with MRIs and clinical manifestations resembling an abscess.

Radiological Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics at the Craniovertebral Junction Using Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Spondylotic changes in the cervical spine cause degeneration, leading to cervical spinal canal stenosis. This stenotic change can affect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics by compressing the dural sac and reducing space in the subarachnoid space. We examined CSF dynamics at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) using time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance imaging (Time-SLIP MRI) in patients with cervical spinal canal stenosis. METHODS: The maximum longitudinal movement of the CSF at the CVJ was measured as length of motion (LOM) in the Time-SLIP MRI of 56 patients. The sum of ventral and dorsal LOM was defined as the total LOM. Patients were classified into 3 groups depending on their spinal sagittal magnetic resonance imaging findings: control (n = 27, Kang classification grades 0 and 1), stenosis (n = 14, Kang classification grade 2), and severe stenosis (n = 15, Kang classification grade 3). RESULTS: Time-SLIP MRI revealed pulsatile movement of the CSF at the CVJ. The mean total, ventral, and dorsal LOM was 14.2 ± 9, 8.1 ± 5.7, and 3.8 ± 2.9 mm, respectively. The ventral LOM was significantly larger than the dorsal LOM. The total LOM was significantly smaller in the severe stenosis group (6.1 ± 3.4 mm) than in the control (16.0 ± 8.4 mm) or stenosis (11 ± 5.4 mm) groups (P < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis H-test). In 5 patients, postoperative total LOM was improved after adequate decompression surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that CSF dynamics at the CVJ are influenced by cervical spinal canal stenosis. Time-SLIP MRI is useful for evaluating CSF dynamics at the CVJ in patients with spinal canal stenosis.

Development of a rapid and comprehensive genomic profiling test supporting diagnosis and research for gliomas.

A prompt and reliable molecular diagnosis for brain tumors has become crucial in precision medicine. While Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) has become feasible, there remains room for enhancement in brain tumor diagnosis due to the partial lack of essential genes and limitations in broad copy number analysis. In addition, the long turnaround time of commercially available CGPs poses an additional obstacle to the timely implementation of results in clinics. To address these challenges, we developed a CGP encompassing 113 genes, genome-wide copy number changes, and MGMT promoter methylation. Our CGP incorporates not only diagnostic genes but also supplementary genes valuable for research. Our CGP enables us to simultaneous identification of mutations, gene fusions, focal and broad copy number alterations, and MGMT promoter methylation status, with results delivered within a minimum of 4 days. Validation of our CGP, through comparisons with whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and pyrosequencing, has certified its accuracy and reliability. We applied our CGP for 23 consecutive cases of intracranial mass lesions, which demonstrated its efficacy in aiding diagnosis and prognostication. Our CGP offers a comprehensive and rapid molecular profiling for gliomas, which could potentially apply to clinical practices and research primarily in the field of brain tumors.

Patients of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus have small dural sac in cervical and upper thoracic levels: A supposed causal association.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neurological disorder presenting a triad including dementia and ventricular enlargement. The mechanism causing excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation in the ventricles in iNPH is poorly understood. We hypothesized that the age-related degradation of the spinal shock-absorbing system composed of a spinal dural sac (SDS) and surrounding soft tissue, preventing ventricular enlargement caused by wide CSF pulsation driven by heartbeats, may be involved in the ventricular enlargement observed in iNPH. Methods: Sixty-four patients with iNPH in their seventies who underwent a lumboperitoneal shunt and a control group of 79 people in the same age group who underwent brain check-ups were included in the study. We compared the sizes of the cervical and upper parts of the thoracic SDS using magnetic resonance imaging between the two groups. Results: The anterior-posterior distances of the dural sac at C5 were shorter in patients with iNPH of both sexes than those in the control group (P = 0.0008 in men and P = 0.0047 in women). The number of disc levels with disappeared CSF space surrounding the cervical cord was more in iNPH (P = 0.0176 and P = 0.0003). The midsagittal area of the upper part of the spinal sac, C2-Th4, was smaller in iNPH (P = 0.0057 and P = 0.0290). Conclusion: Narrowing of the cervical dural sac and midsagittal area in the upper part of the SDS in patients with iNPH may reflect the degradation of the shock-absorbing mechanism for CSF pressure pulsations, which may cause iNPH or at least aggravate iNPH by other unknown causes.

Differentiating primary central nervous system lymphoma from glioblastoma by time-dependent diffusion using oscillating gradient.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to elucidate the impact of effective diffusion time setting on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based differentiation between primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) and glioblastomas (GBMs) and to investigate the usage of time-dependent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 21 patients with PCNSLs and 66 patients with GBMs using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences with oscillating gradient spin-echo (Δeff = 7.1 ms) and conventional pulsed gradient (Δeff = 44.5 ms). In addition to ADC maps at the two diffusion times (ADC7.1 ms and ADC44.5 ms), we generated maps of the ADC changes (cADC) and the relative ADC changes (rcADC) between the two diffusion times. Regions of interest were placed on enhancing regions and non-enhancing peritumoral regions. The mean and the fifth and 95th percentile values of each parameter were compared between PCNSLs and GBMs. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were used to compare the discriminating performances among the indices. RESULTS: In enhancing regions, the mean and fifth and 95th percentile values of ADC44.5 ms and ADC7.1 ms in PCNSLs were significantly lower than those in GBMs (p = 0.02 for 95th percentile of ADC44.5 ms, p = 0.04 for ADC7.1 ms, and p < 0.01 for others). Furthermore, the mean and fifth and 95th percentile values of cADC and rcADC were significantly higher in PCNSLs than in GBMs (each p < 0.01). The AUC of the best-performing index for ADC7.1 ms was significantly lower than that for ADC44.5 ms (p < 0.001). The mean rcADC showed the highest discriminating performance (AUC = 0.920) among all indices. In peritumoral regions, no significant difference in any of the three indices of ADC44.5 ms, ADC7.1 ms, cADC, and rcADC was observed between PCNSLs and GBMs. CONCLUSIONS: Effective diffusion time setting can have a crucial impact on the performance of ADC in differentiating between PCNSLs and GBMs. The time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters may be useful in the differentiation of these lesions.

Pilocytic Astrocytoma Presenting with Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage: A Case Report.

Hemorrhagic pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are rare, accounting for 1.1%-8.0% of all PA cases. They are reported to occur more frequently in older populations, with a male predominance. In this study, we report a case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with a headache, vertigo, and diplopia. As per his brain computed tomography scan, a small hematoma was observed in the left inferior cerebellar peduncle. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed repeated minor bleeding from the lesion and mild expansion, with no neurological deficits. Four years later, the patient developed nausea, vomiting, and left abducens palsy. MRI revealed a mulberry-shaped mass surrounded by a hypointense rim, suggesting a cavernous angioma. The lesion was surgically resected via midline occipital craniotomy with the opening of the cerebellomedullary fissure. Histopathological examination of the lesion revealed PA. Next-generation sequencing analyses revealed that PAs harbored mutations in the ARID1A, ATM, and POLE genes but not in the BRAF gene. To the best of our knowledge, there are yet no reported studies on these mutations in PAs to date. Thus, PA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebellar hemorrhage, especially in young adults and children．.

Indocyanine green endoscopic evaluation of pituitary stalk and gland blood flow in craniopharyngiomas.

To assess the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence endoscopy to evaluate pituitary blood flow in craniopharyngioma resection and its possible impact on intraoperative decisions regarding pituitary stalk processing. Patients with craniopharyngiomas who had undergone transsphenoidal surgery since March 2021, when an ICG endoscope was introduced at the Kagoshima University Hospital, were included in the study. When targeted tumor removal was approaching completion, 10 mg of ICG was administered intravenously to evaluate blood flow in the pituitary stalk and gland. ICG signals and endocrinological status before and after surgery were evaluated retrospectively. Pituitary stalk and gland blood flow were evaluated as positive (++), weakly positive (+), and no signal (-).Ten patients with craniopharyngiomas underwent transsphenoidal surgery using an ICG endoscope (mean age 56.6 ± 14.2 years; 40% male). Among the eight patients in whom the pituitary stalk was preserved, pituitary function with positive signal on the stalk was intact in two. Two other patients with weakly positive stalk and positive pituitary gland signals showed intact function or minimal pituitary dysfunction. Four patients had impairments in more than three axes with poor ICG signals in the stalk or pituitary gland. Two patients underwent pituitary amputation because of high tumor invasion and lack of ICG signal in the stalk after tumor removal, resulting in panhypopituitarism. A negative ICG signal in the pituitary stalk is likely to indicate postoperative pituitary function loss. Craniopharyngioma surgery using ICG endoscopy may be useful for predicting endocrine prognosis and improving tumor outcomes.

Alterations in EGFR and PDGFRA are associated with the localization of contrast-enhancing lesions in glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor, with radiological and genetic heterogeneity. We examined the association between radiological characteristics and driver gene alterations. Methods: We analyzed the driver genes of 124 patients with IDH wild-type GBM with contrast enhancement using magnetic resonance imaging. We used a next-generation sequencing panel to identify mutations in driver genes and matched them with radiological information. Contrast-enhancing lesion localization of GBMs was classified into 4 groups based on their relationship with the subventricular zone (SVZ) and cortex (Ctx). Results: The cohort included 69 men (55.6%) and 55 women (44.4%) with a mean age of 66.4 ±â€…13.3 years. EGFR and PDGFRA alterations were detected in 28.2% and 22.6% of the patients, respectively. Contrast-enhancing lesion touching both the SVZ and Ctx was excluded because it was difficult to determine whether it originated from the SVZ or Ctx. Contrast-enhancing lesions touching the SVZ but not the Ctx had significantly worse overall survival than non-SVZ lesions (441 days vs. 897 days, P = .002). GBM touching only the Ctx had a better prognosis (901 days vs. 473 days, P < .001) than non-Ctx lesions and was associated with EGFR alteration (39.4% vs. 13.2%, P = .015). Multiple contrast lesions were predominant in PDGFRA alteration and RB1-wild type (P = .036 and P = .031, respectively). Conclusions: EGFR alteration was associated with cortical lesions. And PDGFRA alteration correlated with multiple lesions. Our results suggest that clarifying the association between driver genes and tumor localization may be useful in clinical practice, including prognosis prediction.

[Craniopharyngiomas: The Dawn of a New Era with the Elucidation of Driver Genes].

Craniopharyngiomas(CPs)are primary brain tumors that emerge from the remnants of Rathke's pouch. Despite their histologically non-malignant nature, the proximity to major blood vessels and hypothalamus, as well as the infiltrative growth, make total resection challenging. CPs are classified into two pathological subtypes: adamantinomatous(ACP)and papillary(PCP). CTNNB1 mutations were detected in ACPs, and the BRAF V600E mutation was detected in PCPs. Although both subtypes are epithelial tumors, they have different genetic profiles, clinical presentations, imaging findings, and histopathology. They are mentioned as independent chapters in the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, 5th edition. In 2023, a prospective clinical trial investigating a BRAF/MEK inhibitor for craniopharyngioma with BRAF mutations demonstrated marked tumor shrinkage. Currently, attempts are being made to elucidate the predictors of BRAF mutations to facilitate the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for craniopharyngioma. Additionally, the management of craniopharyngiomas requires the development of a surgical strategy that considers radiation and molecular-targeted therapies.

Favorable prognostic impact of phosphatase and tensin homolog alterations in wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase and telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter glioblastoma.

Background: Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations are a biological marker of glioblastoma; however, the prognostic significance of TERTp mutational status is controversial. We evaluated this impact by retrospectively analyzing the outcomes of patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)- and TERTp-wild-type glioblastomas. Methods: Using custom next-generation sequencing, we analyzed 208 glioblastoma samples harboring wild-type IDH. Results: TERTp mutations were detected in 143 samples (68.8%). The remaining 65 (31.2%) were TERTp-wild-type. Among the TERTp-wild-type glioblastoma samples, we observed a significant difference in median progression-free survival (18.6 and 11.4 months, respectively) and overall survival (not reached and 15.7 months, respectively) in patients with and without phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss and/or mutation. Patients with TERTp-wild-type glioblastomas with PTEN loss and/or mutation were younger and had higher Karnofsky Performance Status scores than those without PTEN loss and/or mutation. We divided the patients with TERTp-wild-type into 3 clusters using unsupervised hierarchical clustering: Good (PTEN and TP53 alterations; lack of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) alterations), intermediate (PTEN alterations, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion, lack of PDGFRA, and TP53 alterations), and poor (PDGFRA and TP53 alterations, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion, and lack of PTEN alterations) outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that these clusters significantly correlated with the overall survival of TERTp-wild-type glioblastoma patients. Conclusions: Here, we report that PTEN loss and/or mutation is the most useful marker for predicting favorable outcomes in patients with IDH- and TERTp-wild-type glioblastomas. The combination of 4 genes, PTEN, TP53, CDKN2A/B, and PDGFRA, is important for the molecular classification and individual prognosis of patients with IDH- and TERTp-wild-type glioblastomas.

Intravenous perampanel as an alternative to the oral formulations in Japanese patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Perampanel is an oral anti-seizure medication, which is approved in Japan for focal-onset seizures, with/without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, as monotherapy/adjunctive therapy in patients aged 4 years and older. Treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures as adjunctive therapy in patients aged 12 years and older is approved as well. We evaluated the feasibility of intravenous (IV) administration of perampanel as an alternative to oral administration. METHODS: Study 240 (NCT03754582) was an uncontrolled, open-label study of IV perampanel, conducted in 21 Japanese patients with epilepsy who received a stable dose of 8-12 mg/day of oral perampanel. Patients received 30-minute IV infusions at equivalent daily doses of oral perampanel for 4 days, then were switched back to oral perampanel. Safety, tolerability, plasma concentration, and maintenance of efficacy throughout the transition between IV and oral dosing of perampanel were assessed. As supportive data, a subgroup analysis was also conducted using data from healthy Japanese subjects (n = 18) who were enrolled in Study 050 (NCT03376997) investigating the pharmacokinetics and safety of IV perampanel in healthy subjects who received an IV infusion (30-, 60-, or 90-minute) of perampanel 12 mg and a single oral administration of perampanel 12-mg tablet. RESULTS: In Study 240, the transition between 30-minute IV and oral perampanel dosing was associated with a ≤1.4-fold increase in the mean change in maximum observed concentration of perampanel. Seizure outcomes demonstrated no considerable changes in efficacy before, during, or after 30-minute IV dosing of perampanel. The safety profiles were similar between IV and oral formulations. In Study 050, the pharmacokinetics of 30- or 60-minute IV infusion of perampanel further support the interchangeability between oral and IV formulations in the Japanese subjects. SIGNIFICANCE: These results support that 30-minute IV perampanel may be a potential short-term alternative to oral formulations for patients with epilepsy.

[Physiology of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis].

The hypothalamus is part of the diencephalon and regulates not only endocrine functions but also various physiological functions, including controlling sleep and wakefulness, eating and drinking, and regulating body temperature. The pituitary gland can be divided into the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis based on its developmental origin. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland play important roles in maintaining homeostasis by closely coordinating hormones. In the treatment of hypothalamic and pituitary diseases, it is important to understand the functions of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, preserve hypothalamic function, evaluate the endocrine function, and follow up appropriately throughout life, including hormone replacement without excess or deficiency. Additionally, when interpreting hormone data, it is necessary to understand the factors that influence test values.

A case of glioblastoma harboring non-amplified epidermal growth factor receptor variant III: Critical molecular detection using RNA-based panel analysis.

Amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) and its variants are the most commonly detected pathogenic gene alterations in glioblastoma. Herein, we report a case of molecularly defined glioblastoma harboring an EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) without EGFR amplification. The initial histological diagnosis was isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype low-grade glioma, due to an absence of anaplasia, necrosis, and microvascular proliferation, and a low Ki-67 labeling index. DNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel analysis revealed a TERTp promoter mutation but no EGFR mutation or amplification, supporting the diagnosis of "molecular glioblastoma." However, RNA-based NGS panel analysis revealed mRNA expression of EGFRvIII. Therefore, the final integrative diagnosis was glioblastoma with non-amplified EGFRvIII. Our report suggests that non-amplified EGFRvIII might be an early molecular event in glioblastoma tumorigenesis. In addition to the usual DNA-based analysis, RNA-based analysis is required to identify exon-skipping EGFR variants without EGFR amplification.

Paravertebral Cerebrospinal Fluid Exudation in Young Women with Postdural Puncture Headache: A Hypothetical Interpretation based on Anatomical Study on Intervertebral Foramen.

Background Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is defined as a prolonged orthostatic headache secondary to a lumbar puncture. The mechanism underlying this unpleasant complication and the reasons explaining its higher incidence in the young are not well understood. Here, we speculate on the mechanisms underlying PDPH based on spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with PDPH and an anatomical study on the size of the intervertebral foramen. Methods Brain and spinal MRI findings were examined in two young women with PDPH. The relationship between age and size of the intervertebral foramen on computed tomography was assessed in 25 female volunteers (22-89 years old) without spinal disease. Results The causative interventions leading to PDPH were epidural anesthesia for painless delivery in a 28-year-old woman and lumbar puncture for examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a 17-year-old woman. These two patients developed severe orthostatic hypotension following the procedure. Brain MRI showed signs of intracranial hypotension, including subdural effusion, in one patient, but no abnormality in the other. Spinal MRI revealed an anterior shift of the spinal cord at the thoracic level and CSF exudation into the paravertebral space at the lumbar level. Treatment involving an epidural blood patch in one patient and strict bed rest with sufficient hydration in the second led to improvement of symptoms and reduction of paravertebral CSF exudation. The size of the intervertebral foramen at the L2-3 level in the 25 volunteers showed a decrease in an age-dependent manner (Spearman's rho -0.8751, p < 0.001). Conclusion We suggest that CSF exudation from the epidural space of the vertebral canal to the paravertebral space through the intervertebral foramen, which is generally larger in the younger population, is the causative mechanism of PDPH.

Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Hypoplasia with Craniofacial Anomalies: A Case of Suspected Treacher Collins Syndrome.

Internal carotid artery aplasia or hypoplasia above the cervical bifurcation is rare, occurring in less than 0.01% of the general population. Unilateral neurocristopathy complicated by unilateral internal carotid artery agenesis or hypogenesis has been reported, but bilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia is rare and scarcely reported. Herein, we report a novel case of Treacher Collins syndrome complicated by bilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia. A 94-year-old woman presented with complaints of headache and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage and dysplasia of the bilateral zygoma, mandible, and external auditory meatus. The patient had severe hearing loss and visual impairment. Computed tomography angiography revealed bilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia and multiple aneurysmal changes in the intracranial arteries. We diagnosed the patient with a ruptured anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm and performed coil embolization. The patient's unique facial features were consistent with neurocristopathy, especially Treacher Collins syndrome. Developmental anomalies of neural crest cells can present as vascular abnormalities and craniofacial malformations. Special care is required for endovascular treatment and airway management in cases of neurocristopathy because of the specific craniofacial anomalies.

Posterior cerebral artery stenosis related to implanted intracranial electrodes for temporal lobe epilepsy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial electroencephalography is a crucial diagnostic technique for epilepsy surgery, though it is associated with a range of complications, including infection, intracranial hemorrhage, increased intracranial pressure, and cerebral infarction. This case study presents an uncommon occurrence of stenosis of the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) following intracranial electrode implantation. CASE PRESENTATION: A woman in her thirties with drug-resistant focal impaired awareness seizures underwent implantation of subdural and depth electrodes on the bilateral temporal lobes to lateralize seizure onset. A left anterior-temporal lobectomy was performed based on the evaluation results. Following the resection of the hippocampus, stenosis of the left PCA, with a pinched appearance, was observed. Postoperatively, extensive cerebral edema in the bilateral temporal lobes and a defect in the left PCA were detected on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging performed the day after surgery showed cerebral infarction in the left medial temporal lobe and left lateral thalamus. A video review indicated that surgical manipulation was not the cause of vascular stenosis. MR angiography one week later confirmed the recanalization of the PCA. DISCUSSION: We surmised that the subdural electrodes inserted along the middle skull base might have induced the PCA stenosis or spasms. The patient did not experience any significant sequelae, with no episodes of seizures for more than five years after surgery. CONCLUSION: It is essential to note that subdural grid electrodes placed in the medial temporal lobe can cause vascular stenosis, albeit with an extremely rare occurrence.

[The Basis of Medication Therapy for Epilepsy].

One to three antiseizure medications(ASM) achieve good seizure control in 60-70% of patients with epilepsy. However, a large number of patients experience adverse effects and have to change the ASM. Prolonged newer ASMs elicit fewer adverse effects and fewer drug interactions than traditional ASMs. Their teratogenicity has also been reported to be low. The antiseizure effects of the new ASMs are not greater than those of traditional AEMs; however, these ASM characteristics improve adherence and allow combination therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. Newly developed ASMs have fewer drug interactions than conventional drugs do. Therefore, even for symptomatic epilepsy caused by cerebral lesions such as cerebrovascular disorders or brain tumors, it is easier to use antiepileptic drugs in combination with other drugs for the treatment of these diseases. Furthermore, prescriptions for epilepsy in the elderly, which will increase in the aging society, should be made without increasing the risk of stroke or bone fractures caused by antiepileptic drugs, while simultaneously minimizing the effects of antiepileptic drugs on cognitive function and psychiatric disorders. This review outlines the pharmacotherapy for patients with epilepsy.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Neurosurgery Publication Productivity of Southeast Asia in 2011-2020.

BACKGROUND: There is a large disparity between the quality of neurosurgical research in developed and developing nations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Bibliometric analysis is an appropriate method for evaluating the quality of research in a geographic region. We analyzed the neurosurgery reports published by the ASEAN countries to highlight regional productivity in neurosurgery research. METHODS: We performed a bibliometric analysis of neurosurgery reports from the ASEAN countries between 2011 and 2020. We described the publication number, study type, and field of study of the publication articles. In addition, we assessed the correlations between the neurosurgery research productivity of these countries and the neurosurgeon ratio, medical doctor ratio, per capita gross domestic product, and health expenditure per capita. RESULTS: We identified 1939 neurosurgeons in the ASEAN region; 570 articles were published by neurosurgeons in the region between 2011 and 2020. Singaporean neurosurgeons were the most productive, with 177 articles, accounting for 31% of the total ASEAN neurosurgeon publications in the study period. However, there has been a rapid recent increase in the number of articles. Case reports and tumors were the dominant type and field of the articles, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the neurosurgical research productivity of the ASEAN countries and the neurosurgeon ratio, medical doctor ratio, per capita gross domestic product, and health expenditure per capita. CONCLUSIONS: By analyzing the neurosurgery publications from ASEAN countries over the previous decade, we highlight the status of neurosurgical research in these countries.

Difficult differential diagnosis of ectopic germinoma from multiple sclerosis: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Intracranial germinomas are germ cell tumors that commonly develop in the pineal or neurohypophysis regions. As ectopic germinomas are rarely observed within the cerebrum and are associated with atypical image findings, diagnosis is challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with complaints of vomiting and headache. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed ring-enhancing lesions in his left frontal lobe and basal ganglia. Susceptibility-weighted imaging indicated that the subependymal veins passing through the lesion centers were engorged, while electrophoretic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid identified oligoclonal bands (OCBs); both were typical of multiple sclerosis (MS). Tumor biopsy revealed many cells with atypical mitotic figures and nuclear enlargements, suggesting malignant disease. As the tumor rapidly proliferated, we opted for surgical excision of the lesions. Histopathological analyses revealed "two-cell patterns" characteristic of germinoma. Immunohistochemistry was positive for placental alkaline phosphatase and c-KIT. The definitive diagnosis was germinoma. After chemoradiotherapy, the patient was discharged without neurological deficits. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: OCBs and several magnetic resonance imaging features (including open ring enhancement, T2 hypointense rims, mild mass effects, mild perilesional edema, peripheral restriction around the lesion, and vessel-like structures running through the lesion center) are useful diagnostic signs for the radiological discrimination of MS from germinoma. However, owing to these factors, some cases are difficult to diagnose. CONCLUSION: Our case report of an unusual ectopic cerebral germinoma illustrates the difficulty of distinguishing it from MS. Therefore, we recommend proper tissue sampling in such cases, especially in adolescent patients, to make definitive germinoma diagnoses.