Effects of Topically Applied Contractubex® on Epidural Fibrosis and Axonal Regeneration in Injured Rat Sciatic Nerve.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Contractubex® (Cx) on peripheral nerve regeneration and scar formation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A surgical procedure involving sciatic nerve incision in 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats followed by epineural suturing was performed. In weeks 4 and 12 following surgery, macroscopic, histological, functional, and electromyographic examinations of the sciatic nerve were conducted. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the Cx group and the control group in terms of sciatic function index (SFI) and distal latency results at week 4 (p > 0.05). However, significant improvements in the Cx group were observed in SFI amplitudes and nerve action potentials at week 12 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Significant improvements were found in the amplitudes of nerve action potentials in the treatment group after weeks 4 and 12 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Macroscopically and histopathologically, epidural fibrosis decreased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). For both measurement times, the treatment group had significantly higher numbers of axons (week 4, p < 0.05; week 12, p < 0.001), and the treatment group had better results regarding its axon area (weeks 4 and 12, p < 0.001) and myelin thickness (weeks 4 and 12, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cx, which is applied topically in peripheral nerve injury, affects axonal regeneration and axonal maturation positively and reduces the functional loss.

Treatment of Craniodiaphyseal Dysplasia Presenting with Chiari Type-I

Objective Chiari malformation type-I (CM-1) is described radiographically as a simple displacement of the cerebellar tonsils at least 5 mm below the foramen magnum (FM). If CM-1 exists due to hyperostosis of the cranial bones, the authors were not able to determine a common consensus for the treatment of CM-1 and syringomyelia. Methods A 31-year-old-female presented to our hospital with bilateral facial paralysis, hypoesthesia and motor loss of the extremities. The patient had bilateral gag reflex loss, phonation disorder and dysarthric speaking. Sensory and motor deficits were available at the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The skeletal radiographs revealed extensive thickening and sclerosis of the calvarial and facial bones, moderate widening and sclerosis of the clavicles and ribs, and that the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the optic foramen (OF) were narrowed. CM-1 and syringomyelia secondary to the small posterior fossa were due to calvarial hyperostosis. The patient underwent posterior fossa decompression and duraplasty. In addition, a syringosubarachnoid shunt was placed at the level of C7-T1. The symptoms of lower cranial nerve palsy and motor loss were recovered, but the symptoms of the foraminal stenosis, such as visual and auditory losses and facial paralysis were not recovered in any way. Conclusion We described in this case report CM-1 as a late complication of craniodiaphyseal dysplasia (CDD), and the difficulties in its treatment. In the treatment of these patients with CDD, posterior fossa decompression and syringosubarachnoid shunting are necessary, in spite of all the risks of these procedures.

Objetivo A malformação Chiari tipo-I (MC-1) é descrita radiograficamente como um simples deslocamento da tonsila cerebelar de pelo menos 5 mm abaixo do forame magno (FM). Se houve MC-1 em função da hiperostose dos ossos do crânio, os autores não foram capazes de determinar um consenso para o tratamento de MC-1 e siringomielia. Métodos Paciente de 31 anos deu entrada com paralisia facial bilateral, hipoestesia e perda motora das extremidades. A paciente apresentou perda de reflexo de vômito bilateral, desordem fonética e disartria. Deficiência motora e sensorial foram identificadas em ambas as extremidades superiores e inferiores. Radiografias do esqueleto revelaram extensa espessamento e esclerose dos ossos calvários e faciais, ampliação moderada e esclerose das clavículas e costelas, além de estreitamento do canal auditivo interno (CAI) e do forame ótico (FO). A MC-1 e siringomielia secundária à pequena fossa posterior ocorreram devido à hiperosteose calvarial. A paciente foi submetida a descompressão da fossa posterior e duroplastia. Somado a isso, um shuntsiringo-subaracnóideo foi colocado na altura da C7-T1. Os sintomas de paralisia donervo craniano inferior e a perda motora foram recuperados, mas os sintomas de estenose do forame, como por exemplo perdas auditivas e visuais, ou paralisia facial, não foram recuperados em nenhum nível. Conclusão descrevemos neste relato de caso a MC-1 como uma complicação posterior da displasia craniodiafisária (DCD), além das dificuldades em seu tratamento. No tratamento desta paciente com DCD, são necessários a descompressão da fossa posterior e o shunt siringo-subaracnóideo, apesar de todos os riscos neste procedimento.

Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage Following Lumboperitoneal Shunt Insertion: A Rare Case Report.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by high intracranial pressure without hydrocephalus or intracranial mass. Surgical treatment includes optic nerve fenestration and insertion of ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts. For decreasing intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LP shunt is widely used for the surgical management; it also carries complications such as shunt migration, venous sinus thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural and intracerebral hematoma. A 52-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgery clinic with severe headache, retro-orbital pain, and blurred vision. Lumbar puncture demonstrated that the CSF opening pressure was 32 cm H 2 O. A nonprogrammable LP shunt with two distal slit valves was inserted. Shortly after the surgery, his condition deteriorated and he became comatose. Immediate computed tomography scan revealed cerebellar hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. Development of remote cerebellar hemorrhage following LP shunt is rare. We discuss this rare event and the applicable literature.