Extradural giant thoracic schwannoma in a pediatric patient; a case report.

Introduction: Giant extradural thoracic schwannomas are very rare tumors in the pediatric age group and often occur together with neurofibromatosis. Giant schwannomas span across more than two vertebral segments and have an extraspinal extension of over 2.5 cm.

The effects of certain TRP channels and voltage-gated KCNQ/Kv7 channel opener retigabine on calcitonin gene-related peptide release in the trigeminovascular system.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide release in trigeminovascular system is a pivotal component of neurogenic inflammation underlying migraine pathophysiology. Transient receptor potential channels and voltage-gated KCNQ/Kv7 potassium channels expressed throughout trigeminovascular system are important targets for modulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide release. We investigated the effects of certain transient receptor potential (TRP) channels the vanilloid 1 and 4 (TRPV1 and TRPV4), the ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and metastatin type 8 (TRPM8), and voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv7) opener retigabine on calcitonin gene-related peptide release from peripheral (dura mater and trigeminal ganglion) and central (trigeminal nucleus caudalis) trigeminal components of rats.

Thymoquinone Inhibits Neurogenic Inflammation Underlying Migraine Through Modulation of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Release and Stabilization of Meningeal Mast Cells in Glyceryltrinitrate-Induced Migraine Model in Rats.

Two main contributors of sterile neurogenic inflammation underlying migraine pain, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and meningeal mast cells (MMCs) play a key role in the activation of the inflammatory cascade resulting in the sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. It is well established that phytochemical agent thymoquinone exhibits multiple anti-inflammatory effects in different in vitro and in vivo models of neuroinflammation. But its effects on the CGRP release and meningeal mast cells are unknown.

Cervical sympathectomy modulates the neurogenic inflammatory neuropeptides following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats.

Background: Neuroinflammation is implicated in cerebral vasospasm and brain injuries after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In addition to classical neuroinflammation with increased inflammatory cytokines, a sterile neurogenic inflammation characterized by release of potent vasoactive neuropeptides may be responsible for brain injuries after SAH. Sympathetic discharges from superior cervical ganglion contribute to vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries Thus, we investigated the effects of surgical cervical sympathectomy on the neurogenic inflammatory neuropeptides shortly after SAH induction in a model of SAH in rats.

EFFECTS OF SAGITTAL BALANCE DIFFERENCES ON SPONDYLOLISTHESIS.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the lumbar lordosis (LL) and spinopelvic parameters of patients with stage 1-2 spondylolisthesis to those of the normal population and demonstrate the importance of these parameters in sagittal balance.

Methods: The lumbosacral parameters on the lateral radiographs of a total of 125 patients were retrospectively compared. Lumbosacral parameters including pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), L5 incidence (L5I), L5 slope (L5S), and sacral table angle (STA) were compared between groups.

Radiofrequency and Methylprednisolone in Treatment of Lower Back Pain Caused by Facet Joint Syndrome: Comparison of the Outcomes.

Introduction: In this trial we have discussed the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation and methylprednisolone treatment in cases diagnosed with facet syndrome; and effects of treatment modality on quality of life is evaluated by visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, study was conducted with 100 patients with diagnosis of facet joint syndrome. Patients, benefited from diagnostic block, were separated into two groups, with 50 cases in each.

Salmon calcitonin ameliorates migraine pain through modulation of CGRP release and dural mast cell degranulation in rats.

The exact mechanism of migraine pathophysiology still remains unclear due to the complex nature of migraine pain. Salmon calcitonin (SC) exhibits antinociceptive effects in the treatment of various pain conditions. In this study, we explored the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of salmon calcitonin on migrane pain using glyceryltrinitrate (GTN)-induced model of migraine and ex vivo meningeal preparations in rats.

Role of Expression of Inflammatory Mediators in Primary and Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Objective: To assess role of some inflammatory mediators in patients with primary and recurrent lumbar disc herniation. Expression of IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) have been shown to be more intense in the primary group than the recurrent goup, but this mediators may be important aspects prognostic.

Methods: 19 patients underwent primary and revision operations between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2014, and they were included in this study.

Could red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume be a predictor for lumbar disc hernias?

Background And Purpose: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) causes major disabilities worldwide. Several studies in the literature had reported the correlation between radiculopathy and inflammatory markers. Mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio are parameters of hemogram which have been found to be associated with inflammatory conditions.

Effects of Cobalt Nitrate on Histopathological and Morphometric Changes in Rat Femoral Artery Vasospasm Model.

Objective: To determine the effects of cobalt nitrate on the arterial wall in a rat femoral artery vasospasm model.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, between November 2009 and September 2010.

Evaluation of simple blood counts as inflammation markers for brain tumor patients.

Aims: Hemogram parameters in routine blood panels have been proposed as inflammation markers. These parameters, especially the red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV), were evaluated as surrogate inflammatory markers in brain tumor patients. We aimed to observe RDW and MPV values of tumor patients and compare to those in healthy population.

Efficacy of the greater occipital nerve block in recurrent migraine type headaches.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate six months of results following repeated GON blocks.

Methods: We evaluated the results from GON block performed on 60 patients. Briefly, we applied a standard 2 mL of 0.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy Under Spinal and General Anesthesia: A Comparative Study.

Aim: To compare the safety and efficacy of spinal anesthesia (SA) in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy (LM).

Material And Methods: We evaluated 180 patients who underwent LM between 1 January 2012 and 5 July 2013. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pre-, intra-, and postoperative information was determined from the patients' medical records.

Effects of minimally invasive decompression surgery on quality of life in older patients with spinal stenosis.

Objectives: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in the elderly may result in a progressive narrowing of the spinal canal leading to compression of nerve roots in some individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life changes after minimally invasive decompression surgery without instrumentation in geriatric patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Patients And Methods: This prospective clinical study included 37 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II-III scores between the ages of 65 and 86 years, who were planned to undergo surgical intervention due to LSS.

Importance of IL-6, MMP-1, IGF-1, and BAX Levels in Lumbar Herniated Disks and Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in Patients with Sciatic Pain.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic importance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) levels in biopsy specimens taken from the intervertebral disk specimens and the posterior longitudinal ligaments of patients with sciatic pain.

Methods: The specimens of the intervertebral disk and the posterior longitudinal ligament were obtained from 52 patients undergoing herniectomy and diskectomy at the Neurosurgery Department of the Abant Izzet Baysal University Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital between April 2012 and February 2014. The immunohistochemical expressions of IL-6, MMP-1, IGF-1, and BAX were evaluated in three categories: mild, moderate, and intense.

Combination hyperbaric oxygen and temozolomide therapy in C6 rat glioma model.

Purpose: Temozolomide (TMZ) has anti-tumor activity in patients with malignant glioma. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) may enhance the efficacy of certain therapies that are limited because of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. We examined the combined effects of TMZ-HBO in a rat glioma model.