World Neurosurg
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Primary hypothyroidism can cause both hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia. The degree of hyperprolactinemia is generally modest, and rarely do prolactin concentrations exceed 100 ng/mL (4.34 nmol/L). This combination of hyperprolactinemia and pituitary gland enlargement might raise suspicion for a prolactinoma or a nonfunctioning adenoma limiting the ability of hypothalamic dopamine to inhibit prolactin production, the so-called "stalk effect." ⋯ Primary hypothyroidism can cause hyperprolactinemia, and prolonged disease may lead to pituitary hyperplasia. However, a marked elevation of prolactin should raise suspicion to investigate additional etiologies for hyperprolactinemia. Our case exemplifies a dual etiology for hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia caused by both hypothyroidism and macroprolactin. This knowledge is invaluable for clinicians to avoid unnecessary management with dopamine agonists and/or surgery. This patient's prolactin was 323 ng/mL (14.06 nmol/L). Before our case, the highest prolactin in a hypothyroid patient reported in the literature was 253 ng/mL (11.0 nmol/L).
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To determine the incidence and risk factors of carotid stenosis progression in patients with asymptomatic moderate carotid artery stenosis (CAS). ⋯ The incidence of carotid stenosis progression in asymptomatic moderate CAS was high even in popular use of aspirin and statin. Although development of INS was not associated with carotid stenosis progression, it was a risk factor of long-term morbidity and survival.
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O-(2-[18F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine-positron emission tomography (FET-PET) imaging is an additional tool for tumor grading and surgery planning. Up to now, not much is known about FET-PET imaging in anaplastic gliomas. Our objective was to assess the FET uptake in anaplastic gliomas, compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histopathologic markers, and its prognostic value. ⋯ Static FET-PET provides significant prognostic information in anaplastic gliomas, which adds to the value of MRI, supporting the use of both modalities preoperatively to assess individual risks and estimate prognosis. Definition of the histopathologic subtype using static FET-PET remains challenging.
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Observational Study
Relationship between successful extracranial-intracranial bypass surgeries and ischemic white matter hyperintensities.
Few studies have described regression of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs); however, no studies have described their recurrence or fluctuation. Thus, we aimed to study the course of WMHs on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance image (MRI) after extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery and its correlation with the clinical outcome. ⋯ This study might be considered the first step to find a relationship between successful EC-IC bypass surgeries and the course of ischemic WMHs. It could also open the door for further studies to make more solid conclusions.
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Case Reports
Acute Foramen Magnum Syndrome following single diagnostic lumbar puncture: Consequence of a Small Posterior Fossa?
Type I Chiari malformation (CMI) is a rare complication of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage that is usually reported after lumbar drain or lumboperitoneal shunt placement. It usually remains asymptomatic; however, even if it becomes symptomatic, symptoms are usually mild. There are only a few reports of acute foramen magnum syndrome following continuous lumbar CSF drainage, and acute foramen magnum syndrome after a single diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) has not been previously reported. We encountered this catastrophic complication in one of our patient. ⋯ The association of intracranial tumors and lumbar CSF drainage with CMI is uncommon. The documentation of a small posterior fossa signifies the importance of both developmental (small posterior fossa) and acquired (intracranial tumor/lumbar CSF drainage) factors in pathogenesis of CMI. Although the extreme rarity of acute deterioration following a single LP does not warrant LP to be contraindicated in such patients, documentation of resolution of CMI with postoperative MRI before performing lumbar CSF drainage (whether therapeutic or diagnostic), might be helpful in avoiding this rare complication.