Dural invasion of meningioma: a histological and immunohistochemical study.

Meningioma usually grows and expands into the brain, but invasion into the brain parenchyma is relatively rare. Meningioma arises from arachnoid cap cells, and infiltration into dura mater is the main growth pattern of meningiomas. However, little is known about the mechanism of meningioma invasion into the dura mater.

[Spontaneous closure of dural arteriovenous fistula after performing diagnostic angiography].

The pathogenesis and clinical treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) has been well established. However, only 15 cases of spontaneous closure of DAVFs have been reported. We describe a case of spontaneous closure of a DAVF.

[Evaluation of cerebral blood perfusion with IVR-CT/angio system during interventional procedures].

An interventional-radiology computed-tomography (IVR-CT)/angio system is a combination of an angiographic unit and a CT scanner. This system allows patient's movement in and out of the two imaging units, on the same table. Since June 2003, we have applied our conventional protocol for evaluation of cerebral blood perfusion during interventional radiology (IVR) procedures.

A case of prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma and its histological findings.

Pituitary carcinomas are very rare. The diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma is defined by evidence of craniospinal and/or systemic metastasis, rather than by histological malignancies. We report a case of prolactin-secreting pituitary macroadenoma invading the cavernous sinuses at the time of initial treatment, which later metastasized to the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and spinal axis.

Transcranial echo-guided transsphenoidal surgical approach for the removal of large macroadenomas.

Object: Transsphenoidal surgery for the removal of macroadenomas has some disadvantages, including the risk of performing procedures without adequate visualization, difficulties in estimating the amount of residual tumor, and the risk of injuring major vessels. To overcome these disadvantages, the authors have developed transcranial echo-guided transsphenoidal surgery.

Methods: Three patients with large macroadenomas and two patients with irregularly shaped macroadenomas were selected for this operation.

[Role of thallium SPECT for evaluating the effect of maintenance chemotherapy against malignant gliomas].

Thallium (Tl)-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a useful tool for detecting brain tumors. In this study, we evaluated the utility of Tl-201 SPECT for determining the effect of maintenance chemotherapy with ACNU (nimustine hydrochloride)/VCR (vincristine sulfate) against malignant gliomas. The cases were comprised of 16 glioma cases; 6 astrocytomas, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 8 glioblastomas.

Spontaneous resolution of an idiopathic cervical direct vertebral arteriovenous fistula after partial coil embolization in a patient presenting with myeloradiculopathy.

A 53-year old female presented with paresis of the left upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) disclosed a single high-flow vertebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with vertebral artery (VA) transection. The AVF was also fed by steal flow from the contralateral VA.