Genetic alterations of IDH1 and Vegf in brain tumors.

Background: This study evaluates the presence of R132H mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase () gene and the vascular endothelial growth factor () +936 C/T polymorphism in brain tumors. The impact of these genetic alterations on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) was evaluated.

Methods: A cohort of 80 patients surgically treated at Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, between March 2004 and November 2012, was analyzed.

Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon: experimental models.

One of the most life-threatening complications after the obliteration of intracranial arteriovenous malformations is the development of oedema and/or multifocal haemorrhage. Two main theories have been postulated so far in order to explain this situation. On one hand, "normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon" is based on the loss of cerebral vessel autoregulation due to the chronic vasodilation of perinidal microcirculation.

Rheumatoid meningitis mimicking progressive supranuclear palsy.

Introduction: Rheumatoid meningitis is an uncommon manifestation of longstanding rheumatoid arthritis and few cases have been described. The clinical presentation is extremely variable as reported in medical literature.

Case Report: We report a 71-year-old woman with 15 years of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who developed neurological complications: cognitive deterioration; hypomimia; limitation on vertical gaze; and axial stiffness, resembling progressive supranuclear palsy and seizures.

Intraventricular haemorrhage caused by the rupture of a dural arteriovenous malformation of the middle cranial fossa.

Dural arteriovenous malformations of the middle cranial fossa are very rare. Venous drainage flows either through superficial leptomeningeal veins or through the sphenoparietal, sphenopetrous and/or sphenobasilar sinuses. They often have an aggressive course and therefore poor outcome.

[Effect of antibiotic-impregnated catheters on the incidence of infection after cerebrospinal fluid shunting].

Background And Objective: Infection is a major complication after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems insertion. Antibiotic-impregnated (AI) catheters seem to reduce infection rate in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to determine if the use of AI catheters reduces Staphylococcus spp.

Penetrating brain injury by drill bit.

Non-missile low velocity penetrating brain injuries are unusual among civilian population. They show specific characteristics different from missile wounds. In this paper we describe a rare case of self-inflicted penetrating head trauma by electric drill.

Retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele formation as a traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation complication: case report and review.

Retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele after atlanto-occipital dislocation is a rare complication, with only five cases described in the literature. It develops when a traumatic dural tear occurs allowing cerebrospinal fluid outflow, and it often appears associated with hydrocephalus. We present a case of a 29-year-old female who suffered a motor vehicle accident causing severe brain trauma and spinal cord injury.

Intradural extramedullary spinal ependymoma: a benign pathology?

Study Design: Spinal ependymoma is a benign central nervous system tumor described as an intramedullary lesion more frequently located at the conus medullaris. It has been described exceptionally in the literature as an intradural extramedullary tumor.

Objective: Presentation of an extremelly rare location and evolution of extremedullary ependymoma and discussion of its probable origin, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and follow-up.