[Neuroendoscopy for treatment of multilocular brain abscess in children].

OBJECTIVE: Multilocular brain abscess in children is a serious neurosurgical emergency and remains a serious, life-threatening disease. This study evaluated the role of neuroendoscopy in treating multilocular brain abscess in children. METHODS: Between January 2002 and June 2007, 16 children with multilocular brain abscess underwent an operation using a pure endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Increased intracranial pressure was relieved after operation in the 16 patients. CT/MRI after operation showed the abscess cavities disappeared and only the residual abscess walls existed in the 16 patients. Fourteen patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years after surgery. Abscess walls disappeared in 13 patients and abscess recurred only in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroendoscopy for treatment of multilocular brain abscess is safe and effective in children.

[Clinical significance of the expression of the RCAS1 mRNA and protein in astrocytic tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mRNA and protein expressions of RCAS1 in human astrocytic tumors, and to explore the relation between their expression and the genesis and development of tumor. METHODS: The RCAS1 mRNA expression in human astrocytic tumors was evaluated by RT-PCR, and the RCAS1 protein expression was studied by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The quantities of RCAS1 mRNA expression between diffusive astrocytoma(Grade II) and anaplastic astrocytoma(Grade III), anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma(Grade IV) were significantly different(P<0.05), while the expression scores of RCAS1 protein were different only between the anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma(P<0.01). RCAS1 protein expression was positively correlated with the tumor grade (r=0.573,P<0.001). The RCAS1 protein was not detected in normal brain tissues by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSION: The RCAS1 expression is related to the histological grade of astrocytic tumor. In astrocytic tumors, the RCAS1 expression is regulated transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally.