Preoperative evaluation of neurovascular relationships for microvascular decompression: Visualization using Brainvis in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: A precise and accurate evaluation of neurovascular relationships in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) scheduled for microvascular decompression is necessary. Thus, we constructed and evaluated a fusion imaging technique combining multi-source heterogeneous imaging data from three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) and computerized tomography venoangiography (CTV), which enabled use of virtual reality to preoperatively assess the neurovascular relationships, in patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression. METHODS: A single-center observational study. In total, eight patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression were included. Patients underwent three-dimensional MR imaging with time-of-flight (TOF) and fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA) sequences and CTV before microvascular decompression. A fusion imaging technique, combining MR-TOF, MR-FIESTA, and CTV images, was used to construct a three-dimensional model with information regarding the facial and auditory nerves, brain tissue, skull, arteries and veins. The positions of the trigeminal nerve and the responsible vessels were observed. The agreement between intraoperative neurovascular compression findings and preoperative evaluation results, and the duration required to determine the neurovascular relationships, were evaluated. RESULTS: The neurovascular relationships as determined with the fusion imaging technique were consistent with intraoperative neurovascular compression findings in all patients. Moreover, the assessment duration was significantly shorter with the fusion imaging technique than with the three-dimensional MR (P<0.05). The rate of an accurate assessment was significantly higher with the fusion imaging technique than with three-dimensional MR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fusion imaging technique is a useful tool for the diagnosis and decision-making process based on neurovascular relationships in patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression.

Homozygous deletion, c. 1114-1116del, in exon 8 of the CRPPA gene causes congenital muscular dystrophy in Chinese family: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited muscle disorders. Mutations in the CRPPA gene (encoding CDPLribitol pyrophosphorylase A) are recognized as causative factors of dystroglycanopathies, a subtype of CMD with defects in glycosylation. CASE SUMMARY: The present study examined a Chinese family, whose proband presented mainly with muscle weakness in both lower limbs but without brain and eye symptoms. In this family, a homozygous deletion, c. 1114-1116del (p.V372del), was identified in exon 8 of CRPPA in the proband, while a heterozygous deletion was identified in the proband's father and mother, who lacked symptoms. A mild dystroglycanopathy of CMD was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study expanded the clinical and mutational spectrum of patients with CMD associated with CRPPA mutations.

Cranioplasty Using Polymethylmethacrylate Cement Following Retrosigmoid Craniectomy Decreases the Rate of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak and Pseudomeningocele.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak frequently occurs after retrosigmoid craniectomy. The present study investigated the effects of cranioplasty using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement to reduce the incidence of CSF leak following retrosigmoid craniectomy as compared with the autologous bone flap combined with titanium plates. METHODS: Two hundred forty-three patients underwent surgeries via retrosigmoid approach for microvascular decompression or tumor resection. Of these, 107 patients underwent craniotomy, and incomplete cranioplasty was performed with autologous bone flap fixed with titanium plates, while 136 patients underwent craniectomy and complete cranioplasty was performed with PMMA cement. Variables including the incidence of CSF leak, pseudomeningocele formation, wound infection, rejection reaction were compared retrospectively based on the clinical data between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In the autologous bone group, 9 patients had postoperative CSF leaks, and 11 patients had pseudomeningoceles, while 3 CSF leaks and 2 pseudomeningoceles were found in the PMMA group. Statistical analysis showed that PMMA significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative CSF leaks (P = 0.03) and pseudomeningocele formation (P = 0.002). Wound infections were observed in 2 and 1 patients between the autologous bone and PMMA group, respectively, which did not differ significantly (P = 0.58). None of the patients in both groups developed a rejection reaction of artificial materials. CONCLUSIONS: Complete cranioplasty with PMMA cement following retrosigmoid craniectomy could decrease the incidence of CSF leak and pseudomeningocele formation as compared with the autologous bone flap combined with titanium plates. Thus, PMMA cement is preferable for bone reconstruction with excellent biocompatibility and without increasing the rate of wound infection.

A rare case of angiosarcoma with skull masses and erythropenia and thrombocytopenia: A case report and review of literature.

RATIONALE: Primary splenic angiosarcoma (PSA) is a rare, fatal neoplasm originating from sinusoidal vascular endothelial cells, and usually metastasizes and almost always has a poor prognosis. Surgical excision is the main treatment of this highly malignant disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a special case of a 68-year-old female who had a 6-month history of scalp masses. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was found to have 2 skull masses on computed tomography (CT). Laboratory findings revealed erythropenia and thrombocytopenia. Enhanced abdomen magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple masses in liver and spleen. The pathological result of the skull masses was revealed to be metastatic angiosarcoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent surgical excision of skull masses, and no subsequent radiotherapy or chemotherapy was done. OUTCOMES: The patient died due to dyscrasia at August 12, 2015, with a survival of nearly 1 month. LESSONS: We highlight the importance for clinicians to be aware of this rare neoplasm, and to consider it in the differential diagnosis when encountering a skull mass. Early confirmation and treatment may improve the prognosis.

Gastrocnemius-derived BDNF promotes motor function recovery in spinal cord transected rats.

This study evaluated the role of gastrocnemius-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and possible mechanism in motor improvement in T10 spinal cord transection (SCT) rats. There was complete paralysis in hindlimbs immediately after SCT, followed by partial functional restoration with time going. The level of BDNF but not its mRNA gradually increased in caudal stump after SCT, whereas a significant increase in both BDNF and its mRNA was simultaneously seen in gastrocnemius. Injection of BDNF antibody into the gastrocnemius significantly decreased hindlimb locomotor function, downregulated the level of BDNF and its mRNA together with extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Moreover, ventral root ligation led to decrease both BDNF and Erk in caudal stump, indicating BDNF transportation from gastrocnemius into the spinal cord. We concluded that gastrocnemius-derived BDNF reduced motor functional deficits in SCT rats through Erk signaling pathway. These novel findings suggested the usage of BDNF in muscle for the treatment of spinal cord injury in clinic.