Clinical Evaluation of Ultrasonic Aspiration of Intracranial Tumors

The Cavitron ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator has been used clinically in 79 cases for removal of intracranial tumors. Ultrasonic aspiration of intracranial tumors has definite advantage in comparison with the previous conventional technique. The results were summarized as follows; 1) Ultrasonic aspirator provides a method of removing intracranial tumors that are not of a consistency to allow removal with suction and cautery alone. 2) There is a good proprioceptive feedback for the surgeon while using the ultrasonic aspirator. So the blood vessels were selectively exposed, operation was performed without severe bleeding. 3) Ultrasonic aspirator obviates the need for the cautery cutting loop. This is particularly advantageous when dealing with tumors in the cerebellopontine angle or close to important structures, such as the optic nerve or carotid artery. 4) Ultrasonic aspirator allows direct visualization of the tissue being removed.

A Case of Huge Intraventricular Menigioma of the Trigone: Case Report

The authors present a case of huge intraventricular meningioma on the trigone of the right lateral ventricle of a 42-year old female. The mass was a huge multilobulated yellowish gray tumor, which was relatively rubbery hard. Intratumoral removal was performed by ultrasonic aspirator at east. Later thin outer surface of the tumor was retracted and extirpated. Microscopic examination revealed transitional type of meningioma consisted of concentric whorls of elongated tumor cells and psammoma bodies. Occasionally the center of whorls contained capillary blood vessels. Postoperative course was uneventful. Extremely minimal visual field defect was detected without the patient's subjective complaint.

A Case of Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma

A case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma that occured in a 27-year-old woman is reported. Despite of cellular pleomorphism and presence of bizarre giant cells in the microscopic picture, the relatively favourable prognosis is the most important characteristic.