Serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of E-selectin in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The goal of the present study was to determine concentrations of E-selectin in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to evaluate the correlation between the clinical parameters and E-selectin levels. Both CSF and serum samples obtained from 12 patients with aneurysmal SAH and 8 patients with hydrocephalus (control group) without any other known central nervous system disease were assayed for E-selectin by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were compared between the two groups. Mean levels of soluble forms of E-selectin within the first 3 days and on the 5th and 7th days of SAH were 4.0 +/- 7.9, 2.8 +/- 5.2, and 3.1 +/- 4.9 ng/ml in the patient's CSF, and 33.7 +/- 9.2, 35.1 +/- 7.0, and 35.2 +/- 8.7 ng/ml in serum, respectively. In contrast, mean E-selectin levels were 0.1 +/- 0.2 ng/ml in CSF and 8.7 +/- 5.0 ng/ml in serum of control patients. The difference between groups was statistically significant regarding both CSF and serum E-selectin levels (P < 0.05). Thus, we have demonstrated a marked increase of E-selectin concentration in both CSF and serum of patients with aneurysmal SAH compared with control and suggest that blocking the interaction between E-selectin and vascular endothelium may have a beneficial effect on vasospasms.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of E-selectin in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The goal of the present study was to determine concentrations of E-selectin in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to evaluate the correlation between the clinical parameters and E-selectin levels. Both CSF and serum samples obtained from 12 patients with aneurysmal SAH and 8 patients with hydrocephalus (control group) without any other known central nervous system disease were assayed for E-selectin by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were compared between the two groups. Mean levels of soluble forms of E-selectin within the first 3 days and on the 5th and 7th days of SAH were 4.0 ± 7.9, 2.8 ± 5.2, and 3.1 ± 4.9 ng/ml in the patient's CSF, and 33.7 ± 9.2, 35.1 ± 7.0, and 35.2 ± 8.7 ng/ml in serum, respectively. In contrast, mean E-selectin levels were 0.1 ± 0.2 ng/ml in CSF and 8.7 ± 5.0 ng/ml in serum of control patients. The difference between groups was statistically significant regarding both CSF and serum E-selectin levels (P < 0.05). Thus, we have demonstrated a marked increase of E-selectin concentration in both CSF and serum of patients with aneurysmal SAH compared with control and suggest that blocking the interaction between E-selectin and vascular endothelium may have a beneficial effect on vasospasms.

Association between interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) gene polymorphism and outcome after head injury: an early report.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies focusing on the genetic influences on outcome after head injury (HI) have suggested that different alleles of certain genes are associated with different outcomes. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) gene, especially beta2 polymorphism, is frequently observed in Alzheimer's disease, a remarkable degenerative state in which HI is among the known risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to search for the possible association between the outcome and IL-1beta gene polymorphism in human HI. METHODS: The study group was composed of the 69 patients admitted to the neurosurgery department after HI. The severity of the initial injury was evaluated by means of the Glasgow Coma Scale and outcome six months later was assessed by means of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. IL-1beta genotypes were determined from blood samples by standard methods. FINDINGS: Fourteen of 25 (56%) patients with IL-1beta +3953 allele 2 had an unfavourable outcome (dead, vegetative state or severe disability) compared with eight of 44 (18.1%) patients without IL-1beta +3953 (p = 0.0004). Similarly, 20 of 28 (71.4%) patients with IL-1beta -511 allele 2 had an unfavourable outcome compared with two of 41 (4.8%) patients without IL-1beta -511 (p = 0.005). Patients who had a composite of IL-1beta 2/2 or 1/2 genotype from both -511 and +3953 region of the chromosome 2 were more prone to have bad prognosis. CONCLUSION: Results of our study demonstrated that there might be a significant association between IL-1beta gene polymorphism and outcome after HI, supporting the hypothesis of a genetically determined influence.

Capillary haemangiomas of the spinal cord: report of two cases.

The clinicopathological features of two cases of capillary haemangioma of the spinal cord are described. The presenting symptoms were similar to those of common intradural, intramedullary tumours or tumour-like mass lesions. Radiological features of these two lesions resembled other vascular lesions of the spinal cord. The patients underwent surgery, and recoveries were good. Histologically, the lesions resembled capillary haemangioma of superficial tissues that are composed of lobules of small capillaries with feeding vessels. A fibrous capsule enveloped the lesions. Capillary haemangiomas of the central nervous system are rare. Awareness of their existence may help the surgeon to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment of these benign tumour-like lesions.