CD68 in Cerebral Aneurysms of Smokers and Nonsmokers: An Immunohistochemical Analysis.

Background:  There is some evidence indicating that inflammation of the aneurysmal wall is related to aneurysmal growth and rupture. The presence of CD68 may indicate greater inflammatory activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate CD68 immunoexpression in surgically resected brain aneurysms and its association with smoking.

Mixed aneurysm: A new proposed nomenclature for a rare condition.

Background: Mixed intracranial aneurysms are vascular lesions appearing in the ruptured saccular aneurysms whose blood is contained by perivascular tissues forming another cavity called pseudoaneurysm. All cases until now have been reported in the literature with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Case Description: A 65-year-old woman presented with multiple brain aneurysms with no history of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Anterior selective amygdalohippocampectomy: technical description and microsurgical anatomy.

Objective: We introduce a technique for performing a selective amygdalohippocampectomy (AH) through a minisupraorbital approach.

Methods: A minisupraorbital craniotomy and an anterior selective AH were performed in 8 cadaver heads (16 sides). The anatomic specimens were analyzed, and the extent of resection of the hippocampus and amygdala was evaluated.

Comparative study of cranial topographic procedures: Broca's legacy toward practical brain surgery.

Objective: In many locations, neurosurgeons still use stereotactic- or anatomic-based craniocerebral topography systems to identify cortical landmarks. However, their predictive value for identifying two key landmarks--the central sulcus (CS) and lateral sulcus (LS)--has never been evaluated. We quantitatively compare leading craniocerebral topographic methods and review their historical significance for neurosurgery.

The minipterional craniotomy: technical description and anatomic assessment.

Objective: To describe a modification of the pterional approach (PT), the minipterional craniotomy (MPT), and compare the anatomic exposure provided by these two approaches.

Methods: The anatomic exposure offered by the MPT and PT were compared in eight sides of cadaver heads using a computerized tracking system, a robotic microscope, and an image-guidance system. The area of surgical exposure, angular exposure, and anatomic limits of each craniotomy were evaluated.

Anatomy of the mastoid emissary vein and venous system of the posterior neck region: neurosurgical implications.

Objective: The superficial venous system of the posterior neck (suboccipital venous plexus) is a potential source of complications from bleeding and air embolism. Because there is little information available about this in the literature, an anatomic study of the superficial posterior neck venous system and a morphometric analysis of the mastoid emissary vein (MEV) complex were undertaken. Both surgical and endovascular implications were considered.

Benign fasciculations responsive to gabapentin.

Fasciculations are symptoms present in a broad spectrum of conditions, ranging from normal manifestations to motor neuron diseases. They also represent the main picture of benign fasciculation syndrome. We report a case of such syndrome: a 48-years-old woman complaining about fasciculations for three decades who remained with the symptoms even after the compensation of a disclosed hyperthyroidism.

Down syndrome with congenital hydrocephalus: case report.

Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of mental retardation. Although usually presenting dysmorphic features and organ malformations, it is rarely associated with congenital hydrocephalus. The case of a male neonate whose hydrocephalus was detected since the pregnancy and was discovered to have the syndrome at birth is reported.

An anatomical evaluation of the mini-supraorbital approach and comparison with standard craniotomies.

Objective: To compare anatomically the surgical exposure provided by pterional (PT), orbitozygomatic (OZ), and minisupraorbital (SO) craniotomies.

Methods: Seven sides of six fixed cadaver heads injected with silicone were used. The mini-SO craniotomy followed by the PT and OZ approaches were performed sequentially.

Metastatic prolactinoma: case report with immunohistochemical assessment for p53 and Ki-67 antigens.

Pituitary carcinomas are rare neoplasms characterized by craniospinal and/or systemic metastases originated from the pituitary. Their histopathology is frequently indistinguishable from that of benign adenomas. The development of markers that better reflect their behavior is desirable.