RNA sequencing analysis revealed the induction of CCL3 expression in human intracranial aneurysms.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a socially important disease as a major cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Recent experimental studies mainly using animal models have revealed a crucial role of macrophage-mediated chronic inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis. However, as findings from comprehensive analysis of unruptured human IAs are limited, factors regulating progression and rupture of IAs in humans remain unclear. Using surgically dissected human unruptured IA lesions and control arterial walls, gene expression profiles were obtained by RNA sequence analysis. RNA sequencing analysis was done with read count about 60~100 million which yielded 6~10 billion bases per sample. 79 over-expressed and 329 under-expressed genes in IA lesions were identified. Through Gene Ontology analysis, 'chemokine activity', 'defense response' and 'extracellular region' were picked up as over-represented terms which included CCL3 and CCL4 in common. Among these genes, quantitative RT-PCR analysis using another set of samples reproduced the above result. Finally, increase of CCL3 protein compared with that in control arterial walls was clarified in IA lesions. Findings of the present study again highlight importance of macrophage recruitment via CCL3 in the pathogenesis of IA progression.

[A Case of a Solitary Plasmacytoma Extending into the Extradural Space].

Plasmacytomas are characterized by a monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells, and constitute the bulk of multiple myeloma. A solitary plasmacytoma is a rare entity, and is even more unlikely to occur intracranially. Here we present a 62-year-old man with an intracranial tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large mass on the surface of the right fronto-parieto-temporal region, with extradurally directed growth. The tumor was enhanced homogenously by gadolinium, with dural tail-like findings, which resembled a meningioma. Head computed tomography scan showed osteolytic changes of the calvarium. Tumor removal following intravascular embolization was performed. The tumor seemed to have developed from the dura mater because it was firmly adhered to the dura but not to the calvarium. Histopathological analysis revealed monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells, which were positive for CD56, CD138, and lambda chain, on immunostaining. Since a systemic examination showed no evidence of other lesions, we diagnosed the tumor as a solitary dural plasmacytoma. There was no recurrence after postoperative radiotherapy. Rare entities, such as a solitary plasmacytoma, should be considered when an intracranial lesion with atypical radiological features is observed. If the lesion is anatomically resectable, histopathological evaluation is essential.

Application of Ion-beam Implanted Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene to Microvascular Decompression and the Surgical Outcome.

Accurate and long-term transposition of offending vessels is required in microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of hemifacial spasm (HFS) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN). We created ion-beam implanted of an expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (i-ePTFE) surface to transpose offending vessels in MVD. In 13 patients with MVD, we concealed and transposed offending vessels with tape-shaped i-ePTFE, and relieved facial and trigeminal nerve compression by attaching the i-ePTFE to the dura with fibrin glue. After surgery, none of the patients reported further symptoms or experienced recurrence of symptoms up to 12 months post-surgery. Favorable surgical outcomes are obtainable, since i-ePTFE has high tissue affinity and is easy to manipulate, even under a narrow and deep operative field. Our results suggested that i-ePTFE is very useful for transposition in MVD.

[A Case of Bilateral Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistula].

Bilateral traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula(CCF)is rare. It is most commonly caused by a direct head or face injury involving the cavernous sinus and develops immediately after trauma. We report a case of bilateral traumatic CCF that occurred as an intracerebral hematoma(ICH)mimicking apoplexy 5 months later. We treated the patient with point occlusion of venous reflux causing an ICH using coil embolization to remove the hematoma. Three days after we performed trans-venous occlusion of the intercavernous connection and right cavernous sinus using coil embolization through the right inferior petrosal vein, it was identified that the left CCF was occluded after first embolization into the left sylvian vein. The mechanism of delayed development of traumatic CCF and spontaneous disappearance of CCF after occlusion of venous reflux are discussed.

Brain metastasis from a lung mucoepidermoid carcinoma mimicking a brain abscess.

BACKGROUND: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare tumor of the lung that accounts for 0.1-0.2% of all pulmonary tumors. To the best of our knowledge, brain metastasis from lung MEC is rare and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of this lesion have not been documented. CASE DESCRIPTION: We herein report the case of a 72-year-old male. MRI revealed a left parietal tumor showing ring enhancement with medium gadolinium contrast and an evident high intensity area in the nonenhanced central portion on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) mimicking a brain abscess. Histologically, MEC is composed of a mixture of different cell types including mucin-secreting glandular cells and squamous cells. Accordingly, we suggest that the high DWI signal can be explained by the development of intracellular and intraluminal mucin, which have a high viscosity. CONCLUSION: Further accumulation of cases with brain metastasis from MEC is needed to establish the characteristic image findings, which would lead to prompt and adequate treatment.

Clinical presentation of intracranial epidermoids: a surgical series of 20 initial and four recurred cases.

Epidermoids are generally recognized as benign tumors; however, total resection is often difficult. The recurrence from the residual capsule, dissemination of the tumor, and aseptic meningitis are common problems. The aim of the present study was to analyze and report on the clinical characteristics of intracranial epidermoids, particularly complications and cases with a poor clinical outcome. 24 patients with intracranial epidermoids who were treated surgically at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital between 1997 and 2007 were examined. The location and size of the tumor, pre-and postoperative symptoms, adherence of the tumor to cranial nerves, and proliferative capacity were determined. The most frequent site of the tumor was the cerebello-pontine (C-P) angle (16/24); eight of these patients presented with hearing loss and six presented with trigeminal neuralgia. In many cases, hearing loss and diplopia persisted after surgery. All epidermoids located in the C-P angle were attached to and/or compressed the trigeminal nerves, therefore, the origin is suggested to be the dura mafer of petrous bone around the trigeminal nerve. Of all 24 patients, the tumor recurred in four (after 3, 5, 10 and 20 years). One patient had a poor prognosis, with dissemination and brain stem infarction. Epidermoids can recur from residual capsule adhering to the brain stem or cranial nerves up to 10-20 years after the initial surgery. Long-term follow-up imaging studies are required when complete resection of the tumor capsule is not possible. In rare cases, spontaneous cyst rupture, dissemination, and brain stem infarction result in a poor prognosis.

Basilar artery trunk saccular aneurysms: morphological characteristics and management.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to report the morphological characteristics and results of surgical and endovascular treatment of basilar artery (BA) trunk saccular aneurysms. Twenty-two patients with 22 BA trunk saccular aneurysms underwent surgery including endovascular intervention. In this series, BA trunk aneurysms showed characteristic features such as so-called lateral aneurysm (41%), multiple aneurysms (32%), including two de novo aneurysms, and various vascular anomalies. Eleven craniotomies for neck clipping were performed for 11 ruptured aneurysms. However, in one of these cases, we abandoned neck clipping, because of concern for neck tearing, and embolized it later. Five ruptured and five unruptured aneurysms were successfully treated by endovascular surgery. Another one incompletely embolized aneurysm had grown to a huge size, and the patient underwent a Hunterian ligation with a flow reconstruction. The unusually high incidence of various associated vascular anomalies suggests that focal wall weakness must be based on the mechanism of aneurysm initiation. Most patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The pretreatment neurological state was predictive for clinical outcome. And, clinical outcomes in this series were not affected by the choice of treatment. However, considering that three of 11 surgical cases needed subsequent treatment, endovascular surgery should be considered as a first choice.

Intracranial epidermoid tumor after subcutaneous lipoma excision.

A 66-year-old man presented with complaints of numbness for the past 5 years and progressive motor weakness of the right leg for the previous 2 months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed large intra- and extracranial tumors in the frontoparietal region. Physical examination suggested the extracranial lesion was a subcutaneous lipoma, which had been partially resected 60 years before, connected to the intracranial lesion via a defect of the skull. Gross total removal of the tumors was performed. Histological examination showed the intracranial lesion was epidermoid tumor, and connected to the extracranial lipoma by a lipoma bridge. The symptoms improved remarkably following surgery. This case of intracranial epidermoid tumor associated with intra-extracranial lipoma indicates that implantation of skin tissue in childhood carries the risk of epidermoid tumor even after several decades. Neuroimaging screening is recommended to detect the development of any intracranial components.

Management and prognosis of cysts developed on long-term follow-up after Gamma Knife radiosurgery for intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cyst formation is a well-recognized complication after radiosurgery for intracranial AVM. The objective of the present study was the evaluation of the different management options for these lesions and the corresponding prognosis of patients. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2005, 12 patients with intracranial AVM initially treated by GKR were reevaluated at Tokyo Women's Medical University because of delayed cyst formation in the vicinity of the target area. There were 7 men and 5 women. The mean age of the patients was 31.8 years at the time of GKR and 41.1 years at the time of complication. The average period between treatment and diagnosis of the complication constituted 6.7 years. All AVMs had lobar location and showed complete angiographic obliteration after GKR. RESULTS: The most common neurological signs and symptoms at the time of cyst presentation were headache (10 cases) and seizures (4 cases). Two patients were asymptomatic. Three patients underwent surgery soon after the diagnosis of the cyst, whereas initial observation was done in another 9. Among the latter, 5 patients had to be treated surgically thereafter because of persistent or aggravated neurological symptoms associated with radiological cyst expansion. Four other patients, including both asymptomatic ones, are in stable condition without surgery. Follow-up after treatment of the cyst varied from 7 to 60 months (average, 34.3 months). All patients are in good condition. CONCLUSIONS: Although delayed formation of cysts after GKR for intracranial AVM should be considered as a complication of the radiosurgical treatment, it has a relatively good prognosis. Observation can be recommended as initial option for compensated and asymptomatic patients.

Rabbit aneurysm model mediated by the application of elastase.

The concentrations and application methods of elastase in the rabbit aneurysm model were optimized to control the initiation of aneurysms and to cause rupture in a stepwise, controlled fashion. The common carotid artery of male Japanese albino rabbits was exposed. No aneurysm was generated if the adventitia was not dissected. After gentle removal of the adventitia, a two-fold dilution series of elastase was applied to the lesion and observed over a period of 2 hours. Various stages of aneurysmal lesions, from spindle-shaped enlargement to rupture, were produced in proportion to the elastase concentration. Application of elastase stock solution (5 U/mg of type I porcine pancreatic elastase) resulted in rupture within 30 minutes in all six animals. Elastase 1:2 solutions caused oozing in all animals, but subsequent rupture in only three of six animals. Histological examination found serious destruction of the internal elastic lamina and media, with expansion of the very thin wall. Elastase 1:4 to 1:16 solutions caused spindle-like distention of the entire artery and the development of tortuosity at the lesion. Elastase 1:32 or weaker solutions caused only localized dilatations. Overall, the destruction of the tunica media became less severe with decreased elastase concentration. Furthermore, the bursting pressure of the aneurysms decreased with increasing elastase concentrations. In particular, aneurysms produced by the elastase 1:2 solution ruptured at less than 150 mmHg, whereas aneurysms induced by the elastase 1:4 or weaker solutions did not rupture within the physiological range of blood pressure. The present aneurysm model requires shorter preparation time and enables accurate control of aneurysm development and rupture.

Intra-arterial vasopressin injection for the treatment of massive bleeding from the external carotid artery after craniofacial trauma--technical note.

Vasopressin (0.8-1.0 IU), diluted with saline (10 IU vasopressin per 100 ml saline), was selectively injected into the external carotid artery (ECA) to control massive hemorrhage caused by inaccessible serious craniofacial injuries in two patients. This method produced remarkable angiographic vasoconstriction at the involved ECA branches and resulted in immediate hemostasis. Intra-arterial vasopressin injection is a useful option for the treatment of intractable traumatic hemorrhage from inaccessible ECA branches.

Late recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to regrowth of aneurysm after neck clipping surgery.

Late recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to regrowth of aneurysm after neck clipping surgery occurred in four patients. Two patients underwent surgical treatment, and two patients received endovascular treatment. Endovascular treatment was successful in one case, but emergent surgery was necessary for the other case because of possible pseudoaneurysm formation. Postoperative course of all patients was excellent. Late recurrence of SAH can occur even after complete clipping, and further treatment should be considered.

Surgical management of Spetzler-Martin grade V AVM.

The surgical management of giant arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has been complicated and fraught with considerable risk. We retrospectively analysed seven patients with giant AVMs classified into Spetzler-Martin Grade V between 1993 and 1999. Six of seven surgical cases presented with haemorrhagic episodes and the other single case developed progressive neurological deficits. Four out of seven surgical cases developed haemorrhagic complications during surgery or postoperatively. This resulted in poor outcomes in two of four cases. The other five cases recovered well from surgery. Although no morbidity was found after preoperative embolisation in this series, incomplete embolisation did not decrease the rate of haemorrhagic complication. Nonhaemorrhagic complications of a new focal neurological deficit occurred in three cases, one case in hemiparesis and two cases in quadrant hemianopsia. This resulted in surgical injury of white matter pathway where deep feeders such as the lenticulostriate arteries or wedge shape nidus were evident. Successful removal of giant AVM depends on not only stepwise obliteration of AVM but also successful management of the deep feeders that may reside in white matter pathways. Preoperative embolisation should target inaccessible deep feeders.