Calretinin is expressed in the stroma of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and may induce calcification.

OBJECTIVES: Calretinin is expressed in many tumors. However, the role of calretinin in craniopharyngiomas (CPs) remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 77 adamantinomatous CP (ACP). ACP calcification was divided into several categories on the basis of the incidence and extent of the calcium deposits evident on computed tomography (CT) images. The presence and expression pattern of calretinin were investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. CP cell culture and small interfering (si)RNA of calretinin transfection was also carried out to clarify the role of calretinin in ACP calcification. RESULTS: 61 cases exhibited calcification on CT, and 63 samples were immunopositive to calretinin. The western blotting results were consistent with the immunohistochemical findings. Calretinin expressions differed significantly among ACP groups basing on calcification degree, and a positive correlation was observed between calretinin expression and calcification degree (r=0.853, P<0.001). Calretinin siRNA transfection further demonstrated the role calretinin played in ACP calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Calretinin is expressed in the tumor stoma of calcified ACP, and its expression correlated with calcification degree. Drugs that target calretinin to reduce calcification and improve the postoperative function of ACP patients should be further researched.

Preoperative radiologic characters to predict hemangiopericytoma from angiomatous meningioma.

BACKGROUND: Hemangiopericytoma is clinically difficult to be differentiated from angiomatous meningioma. We set out to determine if the preoperative MRI parameters can predict HPC from angiomatous meningioma. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for12 HPC patients and 17 angiomatous meningiomas. WHO-2007 grading was used for histopathological diagnosis. Preoperative radiologic parameters included tumor location, tumor size, tumor shape, T1-weighted signal, T2-weighted signal, T1-weighted Gd-enhanced image, ADC value, Flair signal, peritumoral edema (PTE), dural tail sign (DTS), vessel voids sign, arachnoid layer on T2-weighted MRI, tumor hemorrhage and necrosis were analyzed. Univariate analyses were conducted to examine the association between radiological or clinical and histopathological features. Binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate if the parameters predict the occurrence of HPC. RESULTS: Five parameters, included age, gender, ADC value, necrosis and T1 enhancement was found significantly different between two types after univariate analyses. Binary logistic regression model demonstrated ADC value was the sole independent predictor of HPC (p=0.039, OR: 14.5, CI-3.7-38.6). CONCLUSIONS: ADC value may be used as a simple and useful optional tool in differentiating primary intracranial HPC from angiomatous meningioma. The combination of ADC value with the data acquired from pre and post-contrast MR scans may further help improve the reliability in the differential diagnosis.

A study of clinical characteristics and prognosis of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To summarize clinical characteristics of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma and explore its prognosis factors. Methods The clinical date, imaging and follow-up findings were analyzed retrospectively in 58 pa?tients with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma who underwent surgical operation in our hospital. Factors related to the postoperative quality of life of patients were analyzed using multi-factors Logistic regression analysis. Results There were 45 minor cases with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma, of which forty cases (88.9%) had preoperative visual im?pairment. Preoperative endocrine examination revealed that 21 cases (46.7%) had pan-hypopituitarism and 24 cases (53.3%) had pari-hypopituitarism. In addition, preoperative MRI showed that 38 cases (84.4%) had tumor involvement in/on the saddle and the average tumor size was(4.53 ± 1.71)cm. There were 13 adult cases, of which 8 cases (61.5%) had preoperative visual impairment. Only 1 case (15.4%) had pan-hypopituitarism, 7 cases had pari-hypopituitarism and 5 cases had normal pituitary function. Ten cases (76.9%) had tumor involvement in/on the saddle and average tumor size was(2.92 ±1.18)cm. Multi-factors Logistic regression analysis revealed the patient's age (OR=0.090, P=0.090) and tu?mor size (OR=8.350, P=8.350), preoperative vision loss (OR=0.086, P=0.086), preoperative hypopituitarism (OR=0.198, P=0.198) were the relative factors affecting the quality of life. Conclusion Infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma is more common in minor patients. The clinical features and prognosis are significantly different between minor patients and adult patients. Age, size of tumors, preoperative vision loss and hypopituitarism of patients are associated with poor prog?nosis.

Expression of Periostin in Craniopharyngioma Involving Third Ventricular Floor and its Relationship to Hypothalamus Functions / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of Periostin (POSTN) in craniopharyngi?oma. Methods Forty-two patients with pathologically diagnosed adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma involving the floor of 3rd ventricle were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between expression of POSTN and outcome was studied. Results POSTN was expressed in stroma of craniopharyngioma tissues. The expression of POSTN was not associated with the postoperative recurrence (Z=-0.236,P=0.813) while was associated with the degree of the adhesion between tumor and floor of 3rd ventricle (r=0.685, P<0.001), postoperative Hypothalamic Status Scale (r=0.569, P<0.001) and Body Mass Index (r=0.594, P<0.001). Conclusions POSTN may predict the degree of the adhesion between craniopharyngioma and 3rd ventricle floor. The high expression of POSTN may indicate the worse hypothalamus function.