Surg Neurol
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Apoptosis plays an important role in further brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Procoagulant microparticles (MPs) are shed from the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells. The objective of this study was to determine plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of MPs in patients with spontaneous ICH and to correlate MP levels with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, ICH volumes, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and survival rate. ⋯ High levels of procoagulant MPs are present in the CSF and peripheral blood of patients with ICH and may contribute to the pathogenesis of ICH. The levels of CSF and plasma MPs after spontaneous onset of ICH seem to correlate with clinical outcome in these patients. Taking clinical complexity into account, only plasma MP levels can be served as useful clinical markers for evaluating the prognosis of ICH.
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Comparative Study
Ultrastructural evaluation of Pulsed Radiofrequency and Conventional Radiofrequency lesions in rat sciatic nerve.
PRF treatment has recently been described as minimally neurodestructive alternative to radiofrequency heat lesions. Patients with some pain syndromes in whom the pain could not be controlled by alternative techniques may be treated using PRF. In the present study, our main goal was to evaluate and compare the ultrastructure of peripheral nerve tissue that was heated by PRF, CRF with 42 degrees C, and CRF with 70 degrees C. ⋯ PRF treatment may cause separation in myelinated axons. However, it seems that all changes were reversible. The present study supports the hypothesis that pulsed RF treatment does not rely on thermal injury of neurologic tissue to achieve its effect.