Acta neurochirurgica
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Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass is a time-honored, crucial procedure employed in the management of well-selected patients with cerebrovascular ischemic disease, particularly moyamoya. In addition, its application to complex cerebral aneurysms and neoplasms requiring vessel sacrifice for complete resection continues to stand the test of time. ⋯ With careful attention to the surgical nuances of STA-MCA bypass, this indispensable procedure is a hemisphere-preserving technique that can be performed with high patency and low morbidity rates.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2012
Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase prevents blood-brain barrier disruption and normalizes the expression of tight junction proteins clautin-5 and ZO-1 in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) proteins are encoded by three genes (JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3), giving rise to multiple isoforms via alternative splicing. JNK inhibition using a chemical inhibitor SP600125 confers neuroprotection in an animal model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the protective effects of SP600125 were associated with modulation of tight junction proteins including claudin-5 and ZO-1 and to define which JNK isoforms were involved in the early brain injury after SAH. ⋯ Our data demonstrate that the JNK signaling plays an important role in the regulation of tight junction proteins and BBB integrity, and thus represents a promising target against brain injuries after SAH.
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Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia is a condition in which arteries demonstrate an increase in length and diameter, with the vertebrobasilar system being the most commonly affected segment. Because the criteria for and degree of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia are usually established on three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography, we presented the results of an anatomic study of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia cadaveric specimens. ⋯ We noted a predisposition of males older than 40 years to arterial dolichoectasia in the vertebrobasilar system, independently from population group, as well as its asymptomatic appearance, independently from the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2012
The effect of centralization of caseload for primary brain tumor surgeries: trends from 2001-2007.
Improved patient outcomes have been associated with high-caseload hospitals for a multitude of conditions. This study analyzed adult patients undergoing surgical resection or biopsy of primary brain tumors. The aim of this study is two-fold: (1) to evaluate whether the trend towards centralization of primary brain tumor care in the US has continued during the period of between 2001 and 2007, and (2) to analyze volume-outcome effects. ⋯ Neurosurgical caseload at the nation's high volume craniotomy centers has continued to rise disproportionately, while low-caseload centers have seen a decrease in overall surgical volume. Over the time period between 2001 and 2007 there was a trend towards improved in-hospital mortality, LOS and discharge disposition for all hospitals; however, the trend is convincingly favorable for high-caseload hospitals.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2012
Surgical treatment of symptomatic cerebral cavernous malformations in eloquent brain regions.
Despite the increased risk of hemorrhage and deteriorating neurological function of once-bled cerebral cavernous malformations (CM), the management of eloquently located CMs remains controversial. ⋯ Despite the high postoperative transient morbidity, the majority improved profoundly during follow-ups. Compared with natural history, surgical treatment should be considered for all eloquent symptomatic CMs. Dorsal brainstem location and poor preoperative neurological status are associated with an increased postoperative morbidity.