Neurosurgery
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Historical Article
Pioneers in the development of neurological surgery in Auckland, New Zealand: Robertson, Wrightson, and Mackenzie.
To demonstrate the development of neurosurgery in Auckland, New Zealand, which has diverse roots and was influenced by geographical, socioeconomic, and international forces. ⋯ Neurological surgery in Auckland was influenced largely by Great Britain, Australia, and North America, as well as by geographical and socioeconomic factors unique to the South Pacific. The achievements of these earlier pioneers in neurosurgery highlight their tremendous abilities and sheer determination to succeed.
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Myxopapillary ependymoma and fatty fila are traditionally thought to arise via completely different pathophysiologies. Recognition of these distinct pathologies in the same patient is important for appropriate treatment and prognosis. ⋯ We report an unusual case of a myxopapillary ependymoma coexisting with a fatty filum in an adult patient. To the best of our knowledge, this association has not yet been reported. This raises the interesting question of a possible associative or causative relationship between these distinct pathologies, which have traditionally been thought to arise from different mechanisms.
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We describe the case of a 3.3-kg infant who developed an anterior cerebral artery pseudoaneurysm after ventricular catheter placement. The lesion was treated with endovascular vessel sacrifice. ⋯ Arterial injury is uncommon after ventricular catheter placement. When it does occur, however, an unstable pseudoaneurysm may form. Endovascular techniques can be used to remedy this problem, thus at times obviating the need for a standard craniotomy, which can be particularly difficult in a newborn.
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation and neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation have been implicated in the treatment of cerebral ischemia because of their crucial roles in neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis. However, effective delivery of VEGF or NSCs remains difficult. This study attempted to explore whether VEGF121 complementary deoxyribonucleic acid could be transferred into the NSCs and, furthermore, whether transplanting these VEGF121-transfected NSCs into the rat brain provides sufficient neuroprotection after transient focal cerebral ischemia. ⋯ We conclude that transplantation of VEGF121-transfected NSCs improved ischemic neurological deficiency. This finding provides a novel approach for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.
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Comparative Study
The anteroinferior cerebellar artery embedded in the subarcuate fossa: a rare anomaly and its clinical significance.
The purpose of this study is to call attention to an anomaly in which a segment of the anteroinferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is embedded in the dura or bone surrounding the subarcuate fossa, a small depression in the bone posterior to the internal acoustic meatus (IAM), through which the subarcuate artery enters the bone. This anomaly places the artery at risk in removing the posterior wall of the IAM. ⋯ Mobilizing the AICA loop that is embedded in the subarcuate fossa posterior to the IAM places the involved AICA at significant risk in exposing the contents of the IAM.