The TIGR triangle of the pineal region: a virtual reality anatomic study.

Background: In this morphometric study, we describe the anatomy of the TIGR triangle, which is bordered by the tentorial surface of the cerebellum, the internal cerebral vein and vein of Galen complex, and the vein of Rosenthal. These structures define the window, or deep keyhole, to access the pineal region in non-midline supracerebellar infratentorial approaches.

Methods: The posterior fossa anatomy of 16 patients was studied in virtual reality (VR), and the TIGR triangles were defined and measured with special attention on its angular orientation in the posterior fossa.

MicroRNA-92b targets tumor suppressor gene FBXW7 in glioblastoma.

Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor. Despite limited treatment options, the overall survival of GBM patients has shown minimal improvement over the past two decades. Factors such as delayed cancer diagnosis, tumor heterogeneity, cancer stem cell survival, infiltrative nature of GBM cells, metabolic reprogramming, and development of therapy resistance contribute to treatment failure.

Middle cerebellar peduncle approach for Nocardia brainstem abscess: illustrative case.

Background: Nocardia cyriacigeorgica represents a rare cause of cerebral abscesses. Rarer still are brainstem abscesses caused by this bacterial species in immunocompetent hosts. In fact, only one such brainstem abscess case has been described in the neurosurgical literature to our knowledge to date.

Single-stage cranioplasty with customized polyetheretherketone implant after tumor resection using virtual reality and augmented reality for precise implant customization and placement: illustrative case.

Background: Cranioplasties are routinely performed to restore cosmesis and to protect intracranial contents after trauma, resection of tumors, or other pathologies. Traditionally done as a second-stage procedure, new single-stage cranioplasty protocols have been developed to minimize recovery periods, decrease complications, and improve patient satisfaction. These protocols, however, still require the use of larger than planned implants or use larger than ideal incisions to accommodate three-dimensional (3D) templates, which may not be optimal in regions with complex bony anatomy.

Brain Targeted Gold Liposomes Improve RNAi Delivery for Glioblastoma.

Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal of the central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. The initiation, progression, and infiltration ability of GBMs are attributed in part to the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, targeting dysregulated miRNAs with RNA oligonucleotides (RNA interference, RNAi) has been proposed for GBM treatment.

Human adenovirus type 5 induces cell lysis through autophagy and autophagy-triggered caspase activity.

Oncolytic adenoviruses, such as Delta-24-RGD, are promising therapies for patients with brain tumor. Clinical trials have shown that the potency of these cancer-selective adenoviruses should be increased to optimize therapeutic efficacy. One potential strategy is to increase the efficiency of adenovirus-induced cell lysis, a mechanism that has not been clearly described.