Secondary abscess arising in a craniopharyngioma.

An abscess arising in a craniopharyngioma is rare, but has potentially high mortality and morbidity. Diagnosis is difficult because clinical and neuroradiological characteristics are not clearly defined. We report a patient with a pituitary abscess concomitant with a craniopharyngioma and discuss the pathophysiological mechanism.

[Construction of delta-pIRES2-EGFP plasmid and its expression in HEK293 cells].

Objective: To construct the delta-pIRES2-EGFP plasmid and investigate its expression in HEK293 cells.

Methods: Full length cDNA of rat delta opioid receptor gene amplified from rat brain tissues using reverse transcription and nested PCR was cloned into pMD20 T vector. The delta cDNA was inserted into pIRES2-EGFP plasmid to construct the recombinant eukaryotic plasmid delta-pIRES2-EGFP, which was transfected into HEK293 cells via Lipofectamine2000.

[Dynamic changes of serum interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in patients with acute traumatic brain injury and the clinical significance].

Objective: To explore the dynamic changes of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their correlations to the severity of brain injury and the condition of the patients.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with acute TBI were divided into two groups according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, clinical manifestations and the imaging data, namely patients with GCS score < or = 8 and those with GCS score between 9 and 12. Radioimmunoassay was employed to determine the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 at 6 different time points within 15 days after the injury in the two groups.

[Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of the hippocampus in schizophrenia patients before and after surgery].

Objective: To explore the features of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the hippocampus in schizophrenia patients before and after stereotactic neurosurgery.

Methods: 1H-MRS was performed to determine NAA/Cr and CHO/Cr ratios on the bilateral hippocampal regions before and after stereotactic neurosurgery in 20 schizophrenia patients, with 20 healthy individuals as the controls.

Results: The NAA/Cr ratio in the hippocampal regions was significantly lower and the CHO/Cr ratio significantly higher in schizophrenia patients before the surgery than in the healthy controls (P<0.

[Analysis of the factors contributing to diabetes insipidus after surgeries for craniopharyngiomas].

Objective: To analyze the factors contributing to the occurrence of diabetes insipidus after operations for craniopharyngiomas.

Methods: A total of 121 cases of diabetes insipidus following surgeries for craniopharyngiomas were retrospectively analyzed and the factors associated with postoperative diabetes insipidus were analyzed.

Results: The incidence of diabetes insipidus was 27.

Membranous layers of the pituitary gland: histological anatomic study and related clinical issues.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the membranous layers of the human pituitary gland and their relationships with invasive adenomas.

Methods: Histological and microdissection techniques were used to study 8 fetal and 10 adult human cadavers, respectively. The distribution of the membranous layers was observed, and their thickness was measured.

[Histomorphology of angiogenesis patterns in different areas of human astrocytomas].

Objective: To study angiogenesis patterns in the edematous area and the center of human astrocytomas by histological observation, and to reveal histological basis of vasculogenic mimicry.

Method: Tissue samples were drawn from the tumor center and the edematous area in 51 patients with human astrocytomas during operation MR and were examined by CD34 endothelial marker periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) dual staining.

Results: Vessels or capillaries stained by both PAS and CD34 were found in edematous areas of human astrocytomas.

[Modified reconstruction of the cistern magna for treatment of syringomyelia with Chiari malformation: clinical analysis of 35 cases].

Objective: To explore the surgical approaches, microsurgical techniques and therapeutic effect of modified cistern magna reconstruction for treating of syringomyelia with Chiari malformations.

Methods: The clinical data of 35 patients with syringomyelia complicated by Chiari malformations were retrospectively reviewed, and the patients' chief complaints, presenting symptoms, neurological and radiographic findings, surgical approaches, outcomes, and complications were analyzed.

Results: The radiographs revealed type I Chiari in 18 and type II Chiari malformations in these patients.

[Predisposing factors for postoperative epilepsy in patients with gliomas].

Objective: To explore the predisposing factors for postoperative epilepsy in patients with gliomas.

Methods: A total of 258 glioma patients with complete clinical data receiving cranial surgeries were analyzed retrospectively. With gender, age, predominant symptoms, positive signs, history of preoperative epilepsy, time of epilepsy onset, tumor location, surgical approaches, cortical injury, arterial and venous injury, scope of tumor resection, postoperative edema, tumor pathology, tumor recurrence, number of operation, radiation therapy as the independent variables, the occurrence of postoperative epilepsy was analyzed as the dependent variable using logistic regression to identify the risk factors for postoperative epilepsy.

[The development and application of an encapsulated aneurysm clip with biomembrane graft across the vessels].

The external wrapping of intracranial aneurysm is the definitive treatment of choice for surgical clipping or endovascular occlusion, yet there may exist considerable difficulties and risks because so far neither ideal wrapping techniques nor ideal wrapping materials have been obtained. An encapsulated aneurysm clip with biomembrane graft across the vessels is introduced in this article. By clipping the neck and wrapping the sack of aneurysm simultaneously, this clip successfully solves the problems of unreasonable encapsulated materials and techniques; it has been proved to be an effective method for treating intracranial refractory aneurysms.

Apoptosis of supraoptic AVP neurons is involved in the development of central diabetes insipidus after hypophysectomy in rats.

Background: It has been reported that various types of axonal injury of hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal tract can result in degeneration of the magnocellular neurons (MCNs) in hypothalamus and development of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). However, the mechanism of the degeneration and death of MCNs after hypophysectomy in vivo is still unclear. This present study was aimed to disclose it and to figure out the dynamic change of central diabetes insipidus after hypophysectomy.

[Third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus: findings in radioisotope cisternography].

Objective: To study the findings in radionuclide cisternography in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus following third ventriculostomy.

Methods: Lumbar radionuclide cisternography was performed in 15 patients with obstructive hydro- cephalus before and after third ventriculostomy.

Results: The postoperative cisternography identified radiopharmaceutical reflux into the lateral cerebral ventricles with delayed clearance for 24 h, similar to the findings by cisternography of communicating hydrocephalus.

[Whole-range encirclement method versus conventional method for microvascular decompression for treatment of hemifacial spasm].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and micromanipulation techniques of microvascular decompression with whole-range encirclement method and the conventional method in 65 cases of hemifacial spasm.

Methods: The data of 65 surgically managed cases of hemifacial spasm were retrospectively analyzed for intraoperative findings, surgical techniques, and the patients' outcomes. Microvascular decompression with the conventional approach was performed in 30 patients (group A), and whole-range encircling method was used in the other 35 patients (group B).

[Combined modality therapy for primary choriocarcinoma in the pineal region: report of two cases].

We report two rare cases of primary choriocarcinoma in the pineal region verified histologically. In both cases, the pre-operative serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was significantly elevated to 128-/+935.7 and 9 -/+088.

[Optical and scanning electron microscopic observation of a novel small-caliber vascular graft in canine models].

Objective: To observe the histopathological changes of a novel small-caliber vascular graft after implantation in canine theca interna under scanning electron microscope.

Method: A 3 cm segment of the vascular graft (diameter of 4 mm) was implanted in an end-to-end fashion to bridge the severed carotid artery in 19 healthy dogs. Color Doppler sonography was performed 2 weeks after the operation to observe the patency rate of artificial blood vessel.

[Microsurgical anatomy of the perforating arteries in the superior space of the internal carotid artery through a pterional approach].

Objective: To study the microanatomy of the perforating arteries in the superior space of the internal carotid artery visualized through a pterional approach.

Methods: Twelve (24 sides) perfused cadaver heads were dissected via the pterional approach, and the perforating arteries in the superior space of the internal carotid artery were studied under microscope. The diameter, course and distribution in the anterior perforated substance of the perforating arteries were recorded.

[Growth of craniopharyngioma involving the third ventricular floor in relation to the hypothalamus].

Objective: To investigate the growth of craniopharyngioma involving the third ventricular floor with regard to the hypothalamus by detecting expressions of leukocyte common antigen (CD45) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in the tumor tissue.

Methods: The expressions of CD45 and ICAM-1 proteins in 30 craniopharyngioma samples with third ventricular floor involvement were detected by SP immunohistochemistry.

Results: The inflammations labeled by CD45 were identified commonly in the craniopharyngioma tissues involving the third ventricular floor.

[Establishment of rat hypophyseal compression model and changes in its postoperative biological characteristics].

Objective: To establish a rat model of hypophyseal compression and observe and analyze the changes in its biological characteristics after operation.

Methods: The rats were subjected to compression of the pituitary gland by stuffing the autologous muscular tissue into the hypophyseal fossa. The postoperative mortality of the rats was recorded and the volume of the hypophyeseal fossa, body weight, daily food intake, water intake, urine volume and urine specific gravity were measured.

[Anatomical study of venous spaces in transsphenoidal approach for cavernous sinus surgery].

Objective: To study the anatomical and morphological characteristics of the venous spaces involved in surgery via transsphenoidal approach to the cavernous sinus (CS).

Methods: Ten fixed cadaver heads (six male, four female) with red and blue latex injected in the arteries and veins, respectively, were used to perform the transsphenoidal approach. The anterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus and the floor of sellar turcica were opened as much as possible to expose the dura mater at the sellar floor and the inferior wall of CS, and the location of the anterior and inferior intercavernous sinuses were observed carefully.

[The risk factors and preventions in keyhole minimally invasive approaches of intracranial aneurysms].

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and study the methods of prevention and treatment for the ruptures of aneurysms in keyhole minimally invasive approaches.

Methods: From 1999 to 2005, 115 cases of intracranial aneurysms were divided into 2 classes according to the risk factors of aneurysm rupture. Forty-three cases of lower risk underwent microsurgical procedures as keyhole approaches, including pterional approach in 20 cases, supraorbital approach in 18 cases, interhemispheric approach in 5 cases.

Radical microsurgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors.

Background: The surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumor aims at complete removal and minimal postoperative deficit. This study was undertaken to evaluate the microsurgical features of intramedullary spinal cord tumors and the time for surgery and prognosis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumor who had been treated at Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China since 2000 were studied retrospectively.

[Surgical treatment of anterior circulation aneurysm via pterion keyhole approach].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of pterion keyhole approach with minimal invasion for treatment of the anterior circulation aneurysm.

Method: Aneurysm clipping through the pterion keyhole approach was performed in patients with anterior circulation aneurysms, including 9 with posterior communication artery aneurysms, 3 with middle cerebral artery aneurysms and 6 with anterior communication artery aneurysms, who were in stages I to III according to Hunt-Hess scale.

Result: All the aneurysms were clipped successfully.

[Neuroendoscopic surgery for symptomatic septum pellucidum cyst: report of 10 cases].

Objective: To discuss the diagnosis, surgical indication, endoscopic fenestration procedures, and prognosis of symptomatic septum pellucidum cyst.

Method: Ten patients with symptomatic septum pellucidum cyst showing clinical symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure and epilepsy with the maximal cyst width ranging from 12 to 35 mm underwent endoscopic cystoventriculostomy.

Results: During the follow-up period, 8 patients were symptom-free, one had significant improvement of the symptoms, but one failed to respond to the treatment.

[Radiation-induced rat cerebral neuron apoptosis].

Objective: To explore the correlation between X-ray-induced rat cerebral neuron apoptosis and radiation doses.

Methods: In a controlled experiment, the rats in the experimental group received X-ray radiation at different doses (2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy), and the apoptotic cerebral neurons were counted after in situ end-labeling and immunohistochemical staining.

Results: X-ray radiation induced apoptosis of rat cerebral neurons, and the apoptotic rate varied with the radiation doses.