Neurosurgery
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Transcranial stab wounds are uncommon. Three such cases are presented. The severity of the wounds may vary from innocuous to devastating. ⋯ Cerebral angiography may be indicated if injury to a major cerebral vessel is suspected or if the patient suffers a delayed subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Provided that the patient's clinical status indicates a positive prognosis, transcranial stab wounds should be explored surgically. The weapon should be removed in the operating room immediately before or at the time of operation.
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Immunohistochemical characterization of 14 cases of intracranial cysts was performed. Among these 14 cases, five different types of cysts were represented; Rathke's cleft cyst (4 cases), neurenteric cyst (2 cases), colloid cyst (1 case), choroidal epithelial cyst (2 cases) and arachnoid cyst (5 cases). Immunohistochemical evaluation utilized antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein, prealbumin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). ⋯ EMA-positive cells were detected in all cases. Immunohistochemical study of prealbumin and S-100 protein is useful for correct diagnosis of choroidal epithelial cyst and study of CEA is useful for diagnosis of neurenteric cyst. The arachnoid cyst is negative for immunoreactivity to GFAP, S-100, prealbumin, and CEA; this can be helpful in distinguishing this type of cyst from single epithelial cysts, a task that is sometimes difficult with only light microscopy.