A Case of Third Ventricular Cysticercosis

Cerebral cysticercosis is relatively common disease in Korea. But cysts in the ventricular system are rare form. In the ventricular system, they occur most frequently in the 4th ventricle, more rarely in the lateral and 3rd ventricle. We have recently experienced a case of cerebral cysticercosis which involved the 3rd ventricle. A sixty-year old man was admitted because of generalized seizure attack followed by drowsy mentation. On admission, there were no specific localizing and lateralizing neurological abnormalities except bilateral, mild degree optic papilledema. Brain CT scan after intraventricular metrizamide administration disclose a cystic mass in the third ventricle. And the serum ELISA test was positive(patient's titer : 0.31, normal : below 0.18). Anterior transcallosal approach was performed and cystic mass was removed from the third ventricle. Pathological diagnosis of the specimen was cysticercosis. Following surgery, the patient's symptom cleared up and papilledema disappeared gradually.

Anterior lnterbody Fusion using KANEDA Instrument in Tuberculous Spondylitis: Case Report

We reported 2 cases of tuberculous spondylitis and its treatment was improved with anterior interbody fusion by a KANEDA instrument. The patients were early ambulation without any complications and sequalaes.

Relationship between Central alpha2-Adrenoceptors and Pressor Response to Raised Intracranial Pressure in Rabbits

The effects of intraventricular alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist and antagonist, clonidine and rauwolscine, on changes of blood pressure induced by the rise of intracranial pressure were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. 2) The rise of ICP, induced by the infusion of saline into a balloon placed in the epidural space, was comparatively slow in the beginning of the infusion but became sharp as the infusion proceeded. Corresponding with the gradual increase of ICP, there was a slight decrease in BP. An abrupt rise of BP was observed when ICP showed a sharp increase. 3) Intraventricular rauwolscine 5(microgram) by itself did not affect BP. In these rauwolscine-treated rabbits the increase of both ICP and BP by the infusion was similar to that of the control animals. 4) The pretreatment with rauwolscine 50(microgram) did hardly affect BP, but this made the increase of ICP and BP by the infusion different from that of the control animals. The slight hypotensive response in the beginning of the infusion did not appear and the pressor response to the raised ICP was markedly facilitated. The volume of saline inused into the infusing balloon to cause the same increase of ICP as in the control animals was much smaller than in the control ones, and the magnitude of the maximal increase of BP was much greater. 5) The pretreatment with 500 microgram of intraventricular rauwolscine produced an increase of BP. In these animals the increase of both ICP and BP by the infusion seemed to be slightly facilitated than in the control animals. 6) Intraventricular clonidine 30(microgram) markedly decreased BP. In these clonidine-treated animals the slight hypotensive response in the beginning was more distinct than in the control animals, and the pressor response was hardly seen. 7) The hypotensive response to intraventricular clonidine 30(microgram) was weakened in the animals pretreated with intraventricular rauwolscine 500(microgram). In these animals the increase of both ICP and BP by the infusion appeared as in the control animals. 8) The above results suggest that the pressor response to the raised ICP in rabbits was inhibited under the condition of stimulation of central alpha2-adrenoceptors and facilitated under the condition of blockade of the receptors. It seems that the rise of blood pressure takes place when the activity of alpha2-adrenoceptors is impared by the increased pressure of the balloon placed in the epidural space.