Objective To discuss the techniques and significance of neuroendoscopic treatment for symptomatic septum pellucidum cysts. Methods A total of 12 patients with symptomatic septum pellucidum cysts were given a cyst-lateral ventricle ventriculostomy via a transcallosal and transventricular approach by using a neuroendoscope 4.0 mm in external diameter(Storz,Germany).Headache,epilepsy,and mental symptoms were prominent clinical manifestations.Two patients were complicated with hydrocephalus. Results Improvement of symptoms was achieved postoperatively in all the 12 patients.Out of 6 patients with a major sign of intracranial hypertension,symptoms completely disappeared in 4 patients and improved in 2 patients.Four patients with epilepsy attacks had no recurrence.A follow-up was made in 12 patients for 6~24 months(mean,18 months).Re-examinations of CT or MRI showed the cysts had decreased in size by 90% in 2 patients.The lesions completely disappeared in 2 patients with hydrocephalus. Conclusions Neuroendoscopic cyst-lateral ventricle ventriculostomy for septum pellucidum cysts is a safe,effective,and minimally invasive operation.

Aim To explore the effects of curcumin on inflammatory reaction and blood-brain barrier permeability in rats following cerebral ischemic injury,and to further investigate its potential mechanisms.Methods SD rats underwent the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by the sutrure occlusion model were randomly divided into sham-control,cerebral ischemia and curcumin-treatment groups.Neurological deficit scores,cerebral infarction volume,brain water content and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were measured,myeloperoxidase(MPO)activities in rat brain were measured as an index of neutrophil infiltration;content of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in rat brain was detected by ELISA;expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in rat brain was determined by Western blot.Results Neurological deficit and cerebral infarction volume was decreased in curcumin-treatment group.The degree of neutrophilicgranulo cyte infiltration in cerebral tissues was decreased and the integrity of BBB was improved.Curcumin could also inhibit TNF-α and MMP-9 expression.Conclusion Curcumin exerts the neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through inhibiting the inflammatory reaction and improving BBB integrity,which may be associated with the inhibiton of TNF-α and MMP-9.