Cerebrolysin Amelioration of Spinal Cord Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury in Rabbit Model.

Aim: To investigate the effects of cerebrolysin on inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurologic recovery in the setting of an experimental rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI).

Material And Methods: Rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: control, ischemia, vehicle, methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), and cerebrolysin (5 ml/kg) group. The rabbits in the control group underwent only laparotomy; the other groups underwent spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury for 20 minutes.

Neuroprotective Effects of Dexpanthenol on Rabbit Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model.

Objective: Dexpanthenol (DXP) reportedly protects tissues against oxidative damage in various inflammation models. This study aimed to evaluate its effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neurological recovery in an experimental rabbit spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI) model.

Methods: Rabbits were randomized into 5 groups of 8 animals each: group 1 (control), group 2 (ischemia), group 3 (vehicle), group 4 (methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg), and group 5 (DXP, 500 mg/kg).

Surgical outcome of laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a single-institution experience.

Background/aim: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) develops as a result of compression of the spinal cord in the cervical region. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment can limit the progression of symptoms. Various surgical approaches and strategies have been described in the literature.

Blocking VEGF by Bevacizumab Attenuates VEGF-Induced Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbits.

Objective: Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) plays a vital role in the development of delayed cerebral ischemia. Anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies, like bevacizumab (BEV), may attenuate VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis, reduced vascular cell proliferation, and improve vasospasm after SAH.

Methods: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rabbits in each group: group 1 (control); group 2 (SAH); group 3 (SAH + vehicle); and group 4 (SAH + BEV).

Modified Inside-outside Occipito-Cervical Plate System: Preliminary Results.

Context: Internal rigid fixation provides immediate stability of the occipito-cervical (OC) junction for treatment of instability; however, in current practice, the optimal OC junction stabilization method is debatable.

Aims: The aim of this study to test the safety and efficacy of a newly designed modified inside-outside occipito-cervical (MIOOC) plate system for the treatment of instability.

Settings And Design: This was a feasibility study of MIOCC plate system.

Identification of Risk Factors for Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage and Comparison of Two Alternative Dural Augmentation Techniques in Posterior Fossa and Spinal Surgeries.

Aim: To investigate comparative efficacy of a novel absorbable adhesive membrane (TissuePatchDuralTM "TPD") and a fibrin glue (Tisseel "T") in reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after posterior fossa and spinal procedures, and also to identify potential risk factors for CSF leakage.

Material And Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 123 consecutive posterior fossa (n=77) and spinal (n=46) surgeries. Patients were grouped based on dural sealants used 2-group comparison: TPD (n=56) vs.

The Preventative Effect of α-Tocopherol on Spinal Epidural Fibrosis After Laminectomy in a Rat Model.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of α-tocopherol as a topical antifibrotic agent on epidural fibrosis in lumbar laminectomy procedures.

Material And Methods: A total of 32 adult rats were assigned into four groups, with eight rats in each group. Standard laminectomy was performed in every rat.

Revisiting Ligament-Sparing Lumbar Microdiscectomy: When to Preserve Ligamentum Flavum and How to Evaluate Radiological Results for Epidural Fibrosis.

Objective: Preserving the ligamentum flavum (LF) during lumbar spine surgery can help to limit the extent of postoperative epidural fibrosis (EF), which is a potential cause of persistent leg pain. We present a retrospective analysis of microdiscectomy with preservation of the LF to evaluate the effects of the two LF mobilizing techniques (reflecting inferiorly or medially vs. removing completely) on EF and clinical outcomes.

Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage Following Lumboperitoneal Shunt Insertion: A Rare Case Report.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by high intracranial pressure without hydrocephalus or intracranial mass. Surgical treatment includes optic nerve fenestration and insertion of ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts. For decreasing intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LP shunt is widely used for the surgical management; it also carries complications such as shunt migration, venous sinus thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural and intracerebral hematoma.

Does Decorin Protect Neuronal Tissue via Its Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activity from Traumatic Brain Injury? An Experimental Study.

Background: The development of secondary brain injury via oxidative stress after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well known. Decorin (DC) inactivates transforming growth factor β1, complement system, and tumor necrosis factor α, which are related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of DC on TBI.

Potential neuroprotective effect of Anakinra in spinal cord injury in an in vivo experimental animal model.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in vivo using Anakinra in an experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: All experimental procedures were performed in the animal laboratory of Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between August 2012 and May 2014. The SCI was induced by applying vascular clips to the dura via a 4-level T5-T8 laminectomy.

Therapeutic evaluation of interleukin 1-beta antagonist Anakinra against traumatic brain injury in rats.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of Anakinra, an IL-1ß antagonist with anti-inflammatory effects, in an experimental model of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: Fifty-four rats underwent TBI after a weighted object was dropped onto a metal disc secured to their skulls. Animals were randomized into 3 main groups: control (n=18), TBI + saline (n=18; six animals per time-point) with samples obtained at the first, sixth and twenty-fourth h postoperatively, and TBI + Anakinra (n=18; six animals per time-point) with brain samples obtained at the first, sixth and twenty-fourth h postoperatively.

The cadaveric perfusion and angiography as a teaching tool: imaging the intracranial vasculature in cadavers.

Background and Study Aim To enhance the visualization of the intracranial vasculature of cadavers under gross examination with a combination of imaging modalities. Material and Methods A total of 20 cadaver heads were used to test two different perfusion techniques. First, fixed cadaver heads were perfused with water; second, fresh cadavers were perfused with saline and 10% formalin.

Evaluation of topical application and systemic administration of rosuvastatin in preventing epidural fibrosis in rats.

Background Context: Epidural fibrosis is a major challenge in spine surgery, with some patients having recurrent symptoms secondary to excessive formation of scar tissue resulting in neurologic compression. One of the most important factors initiating the epidural fibrosis is assumed to be the transforming growth factor-1β (TGF-1β). Rosuvastatin (ROS) has shown to demonstrate preventive effects over fibrosis via inhibiting the TGF-1β.

Microsurgical anatomy of the posterior median septum of the human spinal cord.

The aim of this study was to analyze the topographical anatomy of the dorsal spinal cord (SC) in relation to the posterior median septum (PMS). This included the course and variations in the PMS, and its relationship to and distance from other dorsal spinal landmarks. Microsurgical anatomy of the PMS was examined in 12 formalin-fixed adult cadaveric SCs.

Lhermitte-Duclos Disease: A Rare Lesion with Variable Presentations and Obscure Histopathology.

Since Lhermitte-Duclos is a quite rare disorder with both neoplastic and hamartomatous features, clinical and pathological diagnosis can sometimes be challenging. For the pathologist it is of extreme importance to be aware of variable clinical and histopathological presentations of such a rare lesion particularly to differentiate it from the low-grade glial and neuronal tumors. We present four cases of Lhermitte-Duclos in a histopathological perspective.

Attenuation of cerebral vasospasm and secondary injury by testosterone following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbit.

Background: The vasodilatator effects of testosterone have been widely studied and demonstrated. Based on previous studies of these vasodilatatory activities, we hypothesized that testosterone might have potential effects on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm.

Methods: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of eight rabbits in each group: group 1 (control); group 2 (subarachnoid hemorrhage); group 3 (subarachnoid hemorrhage + vehicle); and group 4 (subarachnoid hemorrhage + testosterone).

The effect of etanercept on spinal epidural fibrosis in a postlaminectomy rat model.

Aim: The formation of epidural fibrosis adjacent to the dura mater after posterior spinal surgery is a normal reaction of the body to surgery. Extensive epidural fibrosis is one of the important causes of postlaminectomy syndrome. Etanercept inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha and decreases fibroblast migration.

Gabapentin versus pregabalin in relieving early post-surgical neuropathic pain in patients after lumbar disc herniation surgery: a prospective clinical trial.

Objectives: The roles of gabapentin and pregabalin are well established in the management of chronic neuropathic pain. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of pregabalin and gabapentin for treating acute neuropathic pain following lumbar discectomy.

Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, and observational study included 54 patients who experienced acute neuropathic pain after lumbar discectomy.

Clinical outcome of adult choroid plexus tumors: retrospective analysis of a single institute.

Background: Choroid plexus tumors are rare brain tumors with clinical features that vary according to the histological grade. We reviewed the treatment outcomes of 15 adult patients with choroid plexus tumors, focusing on surgical outcomes and current therapeutic strategies.

Method: Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, operative findings, adjuvant therapies, disease progression and survival rates were reviewed.

The determination and comparison of the vascular configurations of the posterior cerebral and posterior communicating arteries by two different techniques.

Background: Although configurations of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and posterior communicating artery (PComA) have been extensively studied, reported rates of adult (AC), fetal (FC) and transitional configurations (TC) vary widely due to techniques used. A histological technique was applied to measure the circumference of the arteries and this was compared with caliper measurements taken from the same arteries.

Methods: Ninety-five brains were examined.

Use of decorin to prevent epidural fibrosis in a post-laminectomy rat model.

The formation of epidural fibrosis adjacent to the dura mater is a complex multi-step process that is associated with a marked reduction in tissue cellularity and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Extensive epidural fibrosis is a major cause of post-laminectomy syndrome. Decorin strongly inhibits fibrosis formation in various tissues via blockade of transforming growth factor-β1.

Clinical outcome of surgically treated low-grade gliomas: a retrospective analysis of a single institute.

Objective: Low grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing primary brain tumors with heterogeneous clinical behaviors. The aim of our study is to review the treatment outcome of 63 patients with LGGs focusing on surgical outcome and the current therapeutic strategy.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 63 patients surgically treated for LGGs.

Currarino syndrome: report of five consecutive patients.

Introduction: The Currarino syndrome is regarded as a developmental disorder based on its recognized etiological heterogeneity. This syndrome is thought to result from abnormal separation of the neuroectoderm from the endoderm. Our aim was to report the neurosurgical management of Currarino syndrome in children and adults and to describe what clinician could do if the Currarino triad was suspected.