Holocord Pilocytic Astrocytoma in an Adult: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Intramedullary glial neoplasms affecting the entire spinal cord from the cervicomedullary junction to conus medullaris are termed holocord tumors. Pilocytic astrocytomas are relatively uncommon tumors forming holocord involvement. Hitherto 24 holocord astrocytoma cases were reported in the literature.

Cerebellar Peduncle Localized Oligodendroglioma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Oligodendrogliomas constitute 5% of all primary brain tumors and are the third most common cancer among intracranial tumors. More than 90% of oligodendrogliomas have supratentorial localization. Oligodendrogliomas arising in cerebellar peduncle are substantially rare, <1%.

A life-threatening brainstem compression by cerebral Echinococcus granulosus.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is of worldwide importance, and is widespread in the Mediterranean region and Middle East. This tapeworm shows great intraspecific variation in relation to host specificity, epidemiology and morphology.

Comparison of the Toxicities of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) Preparations, Dimethyl Sulphoxide and N-Butyl 2-Cyanoacrylate on Cerebral Parenchyma in an Experimental Rabbit Model.

Aim: Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), its organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N-Butyl 2-Cyanoacrylate (NBCA) are widely used in neurovascular embolization procedures and yet with potential risk of cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effect of EVOH-DMSO, its solvent DMSO and NBCA on cerebral parenchyma in a rabbit model.

Material And Methods: Forty-eight albino male rabbits were divided into 6 groups based on the substance injected into the parenchyma; normal saline, DMSO, NBCA, 6% EVOH-DMSO and 20% EVOH-DMSO and control group.

Pituitary adenoma with gangliocytic component: report of 5 cases with focus on immunoprofile of gangliocytic component.

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas with gangliocytic component are rare tumors of the sellar region that are composed of pituitary adenoma cells and a ganglion cell component. Their histogenesis and hence nosology is not yet resolved because of the small number of cases reported and lack of large series in the literature.

Methods: Herein we report five cases of pituitary adenoma with gangliocytic component to add knowledge to this rare neoplasm.

Cavernous sinus invasion might be a risk factor for apoplexy.

The clinical features of pituitary hemorrhage vary from asymptomatic to catastrophic. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, symptoms, outcome and risk factors of clinical and subclinical pituitary apoplexy (PA) patients. In a retrospective analysis, charts of 547 pituitary adenoma patients from 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed.

Gait and Glasgow Coma Scale scores can predict functional recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Fifty-one patients with mild (n = 14), moderate (n = 10) and severe traumatic brain injury (n = 27) received early rehabilitation. Level of consciousness was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Score. Functional level was determined using the Glasgow Outcome Score, whilst mobility was evaluated using the Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke.

Outcomes of early physiotherapy in patients with cerebral aneurysms treated by surgical clipping or endovascular embolization.

Early physiotherapy was given to 124 patients with ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysms who were treated by surgical clipping or endovascular embolization. Patients were divided into four groups according to their Hunt and Hess grade at admission and aneurysm treatment modality: Group 1, Hunt and Hess grade ≤ II and surgical clipping; Group 2, Hunt and Hess grade ≤ II and endovascular embolization; Group 3, Hunt and Hess grade ≥ III and surgical clipping; Group 4, Hunt and Hess grade ≥ III and endovascular embolization. Level of consciousness was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale, functional status using the Glasgow Outcome Scale, level of the mobility using the Mobility Scale for acute stroke patients, and independence in activities of daily living using the Barthel Index.

Delayed thrombosis of a complex fusiform ICA aneurysm treated with flow reversal and partial occlusion: case report and brief review of possible mechanisms.

Immediate complete occlusion of complex cerebral aneurysms associated with perforating or major branch arteries may cause serious ischemic complications due to poor collateral supply. Flow reversal with concomitant proximal occlusion is an important therapeutic strategy in clinical practice and induces gradual thrombosis in the aneurysm within weeks or months, providing a time window for collateral progression. Herein, we report a case of delayed thrombosis of a complex fusiform aneurysm of the ICA following flow reversal with EC-IC bypass and concomitant partial coiling with parent artery occlusion.

Primary intracranial myxoma of the lateral skull base: a rare entity in clinical practice.

Myxomas are rare benign tumors arising from mesenchymal tissues throughout the body. These tumors are usually seen in the atrium of the heart and the jawbone. Involvement of the skull base with intracranial extension is extremely rare, and only a few cases of primary intracranial myxomas have been described in the literature.

Analysis of serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels after rat spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and correlation with tissue damage.

Aim: A rat model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion was conducted and the serum cytokine levels and histopathological changes were assessed.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into four experimental groups. Group-A (the sham operated rats) and group-B (the spinal ischemia/reperfusion group) were sacrificed at 24 hours postoperatively while group-C (the sham operated rats) and group-D (the spinal ischemia/reperfusion group) were sacrificed at 48 hours.

Evaluation of the toxicity of onyx compared with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate in the subarachnoid space of a rabbit model: an experimental research.

Introduction: The toxic effects of onyx, its solvent dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), and n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) were evaluated after infusion into the subaracnoid space of a rabbit model.

Methods: Each of the two various concentrations of onyx, pure DMSO, NBCA, and normal saline solution were percutaneously infused into the pontocerebellar cisternae of 39 domestic male albino rabbits, after which, the brain stems and medial cerebellar tissues were harvested for biochemical and histopathological studies.

Results: The specimens infused in various concentration of onyx, DMSO, and NBCA showed neural tissue necrosis and edema with inflammatory cell infitration in the acute stage.

Amyloidoma of the temporal bone and upper cervical spine; presentation of a rare clinical entity with a brief literature review.

The amyloidoses comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of an insoluble protein complex in various tissues. Amyloidomas in bone are most common in patients with systemic amyloidosis and plasma cell dyscrasias. Decreased clearance of beta2 microglobulin frequently causes excessive amyloid deposition in the musculoskeletal system in patients with a history of chronic renal failure and long-term dialysis treatment.

Reversible acute cognitive dysfunction induced by bilateral STN stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment modality for motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. Recent studies focus on exploring its possible effects on cognition and behavior. We present a case with acute cognitive dysfunction due to misalignment of the electrodes to the ventromedial STN which persisted for 3 weeks but was totally reversed by proper repositioning to the dorsolateral STN.

Systemic administration of interleukin-10 attenuates early ischemic response following spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

Background: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the early effects of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-1beta antagonist (anti-IL-1beta) against cellular damage, inflammatory reactivity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity induced by spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods: Thirty-two single strain female Albino rats were divided into four groups: control (sham-operated), IRI-alone, IL-10-treated (100 mug/kg), and anti-IL-1beta-treated (1 mg/kg) groups after IRI. IRI was induced by balloon occlusion of the aorta and simultaneous hypovolemia during occlusion.

Unusual massive spinal metastasis of an intracranial oligodendroglioma.

Herein, we present a case of anaplastic oligodendroglioma with massive spinal metastasis in the first post-operative year without any residual tumor or recurrence in the primary tumor site. Along with the reported literature, our case highlights the importance of periodic radiological evaluation of the spinal canal including the pre- and post-treatment period, in patients with intracerebral oligodendroglioma.

Effect of erythropoietin on brain tissue after experimental head trauma in rats.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of EPO on LPO, on ultrastructural findings, and on antiapoptotic bcl-2 and survivin gene expressions after TBI. The authors also compared the activity of EPO with that of MPSS.

Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: sham-operated, control, moderate TBI-alone (300 g/cm), TBI + EPO-treated (1000 IU/kg), TBI + MPSS-treated (30 mg/kg), and TBI + vehicle-treated (0.