Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: Report of Three Cases

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is known as a rare specialized type of cerebral astrocytoma, which occurs mainly in the temporal loe of the brain in young ages in spite of marked pleomorphism with multinucleated giant cells, lipid-laden xantomatous cells, rich reticulin net-works, and the demonstration of glial fibrillary acidic protein, the prognosis is usually favorable. The authors report three cases of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma which were presented with headache and review the past literature.

Experimental Trial for the Prevention of Adhesion with Dural Substitutes in Craniectomy State

In a series of rabbits, two craniectomies were made in both side of the parietal hone. Each lesion was filled with gelfoam, lyocura, fat and dural film. Five rabbits were left empty as a control group. The animals were killed in one month after the operation. The degree of adhesion between the soft tissue of the scalp and various dural substitute was evaluated at the time of operative dissection and studied histopathologically. The results were as follows. 1) The insertion of dural substituted substances can prevent the adhesion between the scalp and dura mater. 2) The dural film was most effective in prevention of adhesion. 3) The dural film inserted group exhibited inflammatory reaction. 4) The gelfoam, lyodura and fat inserted groups were though to have had a moderate prevention effect of adhesion. With these results, we could conclude that the insertion of material between the dura and scalp can prevent adhesion. However the ideal inserted material which can pevent inflammatory reaction and adhesion has not been determined. At this point we have not found and ideal substitute. To get an ideal material for prevention of adhesion, further intensive study is required.

Intraventricular Hemorrhage due to Aneurysm of the Distal Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery: Case Report

A case of ruptured aneurysm of the distal PICA presenting with isolated intraventricular hemorrhage is presented. The diagnosis of distal PICA aneurysm should be considered if isolated intraventricular hematoma is found without obvious parenchymal hemorrhage or subarachnoid blood in the basal cisterns. Complete vertebral arteriography is a requiste for the recognition of this condition. The outcome in patients with these aneurysms should be good if surgical repair is performed before rebleeding occurs.