Early changes in tissue perfusion after tissue plasminogen activator administration in hyperacute ischemic stroke: initial experiences with arterial spin labeling perfusion magnetic resonance imaging.

Cerebral perfusion monitoring is an important component of hyperacute stroke treatment. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides a noninvasive method of cerebral perfusion observation. Rapid changes in cerebral perfusion were demonstrated in two patients admitted one hour after onset of hyperacute stroke who underwent recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment.

Revisit of aneurysm clip closing forces: comparison of titanium versus cobalt alloy clip.

Although closing force of cobalt alloy clip is well studied, there is only little information of titanium alloy clip available in the literature. In the present study, we examined and compared closing forces of various types and points of cerebral titanium and cobalt aneurysm clips for cerebral aneurysms. Straight, temporary, bayonet, angled, and fenestrated titanium or cobalt alloy clips were tested by measuring the closing forces at various points along their blade length.

Pontine infarction caused by medial branch injury of the basilar artery as a rare complication of cisternal drain placement.

We present a rare complication of cisternal drain placement during aneurysm surgery. A ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was clipped through a right pterional approach. A cisternal drain was inserted from the retro-carotid to the prepontine cistern.

Expression of RECK in endothelial cells of glioma: comparison with CD34 and VEGF expressions.

Angiogenesis is thought to be involved in the progression of glioma grades, and reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) has been said to be involved in maturation of vessels. In this study, we aimed to determine whether high micro-vessel density (MVD) expressed by RECK in glioma tissue is correlated with grades of glioma. We also compared RECK expression with that of the formerly known vessel marker, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Operation-microscope-mounted touch display tablet computer for intraoperative imaging visualization.

Objective: The authors have developed a novel sterile draped touch display solution for convenient intraoperative access to imaging data. This study describes the technology and clinical experience of the system.

Methods: We developed a flexible, mounted touch display solution (Apple iPad) that allows fixation of the display on the operation microscope and fine adjustments during surgery when the microscope is moved.

Comparison of manual and digital microvascular density counting of RECK expression in glioma.

A microvascular density (MVD) counting method for reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) expression, using a digital image analysis tool, has advantages over manual counting by microscope. Thirty glioma cases with RECK staining were photographed at a magnification of 200× high power field and the photographs in RGB images were analyzed, and stained vessels were captured and were counted automatically. MVD with RECK expression using a digital image analysis tool showed comparable results to those of the manual method.

Correlation between squamous suture and sylvian fissure: OSIRIX DICOM viewer study.

Background: Sylvian fissure (SF) is an important corridor in neurosurgery, and the end of sylvian fissure (eSF) represents the optimal target area to expose suitable recipient artery in STA-MCA bypass. Unfortunately little have been addressed concerning its relationship with external cranial surface.

Objective: Correlation between Squamous Suture (SS) and SF was investigated.

De novo aneurysm: case reports and literature review.

Background And Importance: Formation of cerebral de novo aneurysms (CDNAs) is rare, and the pathogenesis remains obscure. We analyzed factors involved in formation of CDNAs and suggest guidelines for follow-up of patients.

Clinical Presentation: We retrospectively reviewed intracranial aneurysms at our institute and published reports from 1964 to 2008.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging based on time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography for superficial cerebral arteriovenous malformation--technical note.

Direct surgery remains important for the treatment of superficial cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Surgical planning on the basis of careful analysis from various neuroimaging modalities can aid in resection of superficial AVM with favorable outcome. Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reconstructed from time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography was developed as an adjunctive tool for surgical planning of superficial AVM.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma "recurred as" or "in coexistence" with meningioma?

Background: The authors report a rare case of a patient with previously treated cutaneous malignant melanoma that recurred 1 year later as an intracranial meningioma.

Case Description: A 20-year-old woman presented with exophthalmos, diplopia and a mass in the left supraorbital area. Imaging study revealed an enhanced intracranial extradural mass with bone destruction.

Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs and matrix metalloproteinase-9 are prognostic markers in skull base chordomas.

Prognosis of chordomas is difficult to predict based solely on histological findings. The purpose of this study was to assess expressions of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs (RECK) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 in skull base chordomas and to find out their correlations to outcome. Immunohistochemical study was performed in 19 samples (initial, n = 11; recurrent, n = 8) from 11 patients.

Dural plasmacytoma mimicking meningioma in a young patient with multiple myeloma.

Intracranial involvement in multiple myeloma (MM) is rarely found, especially with dural involvement. There are only a few cases found concerning MM with intracranial involvement. MM usually involves an older group of patients.