Incidence and Possible Predictors of Sodium Disturbance After Craniopharyngioma Resection Based on QST Classification.

Objective: Serum sodium abnormalities are one of the most common manifestations after radical craniopharyngioma (CP) excision. The aim of this study was to report the incidence and possible predictors of serum sodium disturbance and explore features of sodium destabilization manifestation among QST classification results after CP resection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of clinical, biochemical, radiologic, and operative data for 134 successive patients who underwent primary CP removal between September 2016 and March 2018.

Core competencies in neurocritical care training in China: consensus developed by a national Delphi consensus survey combined with nominal group technique.

Objectives: To define the core competencies essential for specialist training in neurocritical care in China.

Design: Modified Delphi method and nominal group (NG) technique.

Setting: National.

Traumatic brain injury in China.

China has more patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) than most other countries in the world, making this condition a major public health concern. Population-based mortality of TBI in China is estimated to be approximately 13 cases per 100 000 people, which is similar to the rates reported in other countries. The implementation of various measures, such as safety legislation for road traffic, establishment of specialised neurosurgical intensive care units, and the development of evidence-based guidelines, have contributed to advancing prevention and care of patients with TBI in China.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces apoptosis of arginine vasopressin neurons in central diabetes insipidus via PI3K/Akt pathway.

Aims: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI), a typical complication caused by pituitary stalk injury, often occurs after surgery, trauma, or tumor compression around hypothalamic structures such as the pituitary stalk and optic chiasma. CDI is linked to decreased arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus, along with a deficit in circulating AVP and oxytocin. However, little has been elucidated about the changes in AVP neurons in CDI.

[An improved method for stereotactic location of the supraoptic nucleus with oblique stereotactic puncture in rats].

Objective: To establish an improved method for stereotactic location of the supraoptic nucleus in rats.

Methods: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into experimental group (12 rats) and control group (12 rats) for oblique (20° to the left) stereotactic puncture (OSP group) and vertical stereotactic puncture (VSP group), respectively, both targeting the supraoptic nucleus (SON). The surgical data and postoperative (within 24) mortality of the rats were compared between the two groups.

Bifocal germinomas in the pineal region and hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal axis: Primary or metastasis?

Whether bifocal germinomas (BFGs) synchronously presenting within the pineal region and the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal axis (HNA) are primary germinomas of dual-origin remains to be elucidated. We analyzed MRI images and clinical features of 95 neurohypophyseal germinomas and 21 BFG patients and developed a tentative definition of the BFGs. We found dual-primary BFGs (true BFGs) do exist.

[Operative strategies for bilateral brain contusion and laceration].

Objective: To explore the operative strategies for bilateral brain contusion and laceration and evaluate their clinical significance.

Methods: Based on the clinical manifestations, computed tomography (CT) and intracranial pressure (ICP), different operative strategies were applied to 25 cases of bilateral brain contusion and laceration. The strategies were classified into 6 types according to the principles of decompression and brain protection.

[Pathological features and origin of primary pineal mixed germ cell tumors].

Objective: To investigate the origin of mixed germ cell tumors in the pineal region based on the image data, surgical findings and pathological examination of the tumor.

Methods: The preoperative CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and tumor specimens were retrospectively analyzed in 15 cases of pineal mixed germ cell tumors confirmed by postoperative histological examination between January 2000 and September 2010.

Results: Radiographic examination of the tumor revealed calcification in 12 cases, cystic changes in 10 cases, and the presence of lipid in 5 cases.

Anatomical study of the arachnoid envelope over the pineal region.

Background: The distribution of the arachnoid membrane and its relationship with the neurovascular structures in the pineal region are still not fully understood.

Objective: Because the arachnoid membrane has an intimate relationship with the neurovascular structures in the pineal region and it will always be encountered surgically, we attempted to clarify the formation and distribution of the arachnoid envelope over the pineal region (AEPG).

Methods: The formation and distribution of the AEPG and its relationship with the neurovascular structures in the pineal region were examined by anatomic dissection in 20 adult cadaveric formalin-fixed heads.

[Clinical study of pineal region tumors: experience with 132 patients].

Objective: To review the clinical manifestations, imaging, tumor markers, treatment methods, pathology results and clinical curative effects of pineal region tumors and to evaluate the characteristics and intervention strategies for those tumors.

Methods: The clinicopathological data of 132 patients with pineal region tumor treated in our department between January 2000 and May 2008 were retrospectively studied.

Results: A moderate predominance in males was presented.

[Dynamic changes of serum interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in patients with acute traumatic brain injury and the clinical significance].

Objective: To explore the dynamic changes of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their correlations to the severity of brain injury and the condition of the patients.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with acute TBI were divided into two groups according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, clinical manifestations and the imaging data, namely patients with GCS score < or = 8 and those with GCS score between 9 and 12. Radioimmunoassay was employed to determine the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 at 6 different time points within 15 days after the injury in the two groups.

[Predisposing factors for postoperative epilepsy in patients with gliomas].

Objective: To explore the predisposing factors for postoperative epilepsy in patients with gliomas.

Methods: A total of 258 glioma patients with complete clinical data receiving cranial surgeries were analyzed retrospectively. With gender, age, predominant symptoms, positive signs, history of preoperative epilepsy, time of epilepsy onset, tumor location, surgical approaches, cortical injury, arterial and venous injury, scope of tumor resection, postoperative edema, tumor pathology, tumor recurrence, number of operation, radiation therapy as the independent variables, the occurrence of postoperative epilepsy was analyzed as the dependent variable using logistic regression to identify the risk factors for postoperative epilepsy.

[Combined modality therapy for primary choriocarcinoma in the pineal region: report of two cases].

We report two rare cases of primary choriocarcinoma in the pineal region verified histologically. In both cases, the pre-operative serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was significantly elevated to 128-/+935.7 and 9 -/+088.

[Radiation-induced rat cerebral neuron apoptosis].

Objective: To explore the correlation between X-ray-induced rat cerebral neuron apoptosis and radiation doses.

Methods: In a controlled experiment, the rats in the experimental group received X-ray radiation at different doses (2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy), and the apoptotic cerebral neurons were counted after in situ end-labeling and immunohistochemical staining.

Results: X-ray radiation induced apoptosis of rat cerebral neurons, and the apoptotic rate varied with the radiation doses.

[Clinical features and surgical treatment of posttraumatic epilepsy].

Objective: To study the clinical features of posttraumatic epilepsy and evaluate the surgical procedures for anti-epileptic treatment and their therapeutic effects.

Methods: Neurological and scalp EEGs were performed in 35 patients with posttraumatic epilepsy, who also underwent CT, MRI examination, single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) prior to intracranial surgery, with intraoperative monitoring of the cortical EEG.

Results: With the cortical EEG monitoring, 16 patients underwent surgical resection of the epileptogenic foci identified by intraoperative EEG, 7 had multiple subpial transection and 12 received stereotactic radiosurgery for the epileptogenic foci localized by PET.

[Treatment of recurrent malignant brain gliomas by surgical excision combined with biodegradable polymers of interstitial chemotherapy].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of treatment of recurrent malignant brain gliomas by surgical excision combined with biodegradable polymers of interstitial chemotherapy.

Methods: In 30 patients with recurrent malignant brain gliomas, the tumor was surgically removed and Vp-16 biodegradable polymers were implanted during operation in the tumor bed at a dose of 100 - 150 mg. The patients were followed up for 3 - 24 months, and the results were compared with 46 cases with the recurrent malignant brain gliomas who received operation only.

Application of electromagnetic navigation in surgical treatment of intracranial tumors: analysis of 12 cases.

Objective: To explore the application and characteristics of electromagnetic navigation in neurosurgical operation.

Methods: Neurosurgical operations with the assistance of electromagnetic navigation were performed in 12 patients with intracranial tumors.

Results: Total removal of the tumor was achieved in 8 cases, subtotal removal in 3 and removal of the majority of the tumor in 1 case.