Patients with extra-axial mass lesions of the posterior fossa frequently demonstrate signs of brainstem dysfunction. These dysfunctions may be induced by the change of regional cerebral blood flow and electrophysiological status as well as mechanical compression and distortion of the brainstem. Frontal cortical regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pontine rCBF, brainstem autidory evoked potentials(AEPs), infratentorial intracranial pressure(infratentorial ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) were recorded before and after expansion of an infratentorial epidural ballon in anesthetized experimental cat models. After the elevation of MABP during the increased infratentorial ICP, frontal cortical and potine rCBF, AEPs were recorded every 30 minutes. The results suggest that the elevating the MABP to improve cerebral perfusion pressure before irreversible change occurs in the brain may preserve cerebral function. We conclude that if the volume of the space in the posterior fossa that is occupied by the mass can be estimated, brain damage from low rCBF and brain compression due to intracranial hypertension can be prevented by the elevation of MABP before irreversible damage of the brain occurs.
Animals ; Blood Pressure* ; Brain ; Brain Stem ; Cats ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory* ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Perfusion

Intracranial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma have been rarely reported, even in the Orient and Africa where this carcinoma is one of the relatively common malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinomas usually spread to regional lymph nodes around the porta hepatis via lymphatics. But venous metastasis of this cacinoma can occur via intrahepatic vein. The lungs are the most common distant metastatic sites followed by stomach, bones, and adrenals. Recently, we experienced a case of intracranial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with epidural hematoma. Although the epidural hematoma and the metastatic tumor mass were totally removed, the patient died of liver complications on the 9th day of postoperative care. The clinical and radiological details of this case are presented here with a brief review of the literature.
Africa ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Postoperative Care ; Stomach ; Veins

No abstract available.
Free Tissue Flaps*

PURPOSE: Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) potentiate the wound healing activity of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), its effect cannot be sustained for a prolonged period of time due to short duration of action. This led us to design and produce platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), in an effort to develop a tool which lasts longer, and apply it on wound healing. METHODS: Two symmetrical skin defects were made on the back of seven nude mice. ADSCs were applied to each wound, combined with either PRP or PRF. The wound area was measured over 14 days. By day 16, the wound was harvested and histologic analysis was performed including counting of the blood vessel. RESULTS: The healing rate was more accelerated in PRP group in the first 5 days (p<0.05). However, PRF group surpassed PRP group after 6 days (p<0.05). The average number of blood vessels observed in the PRF group was 6.53 +/- 0.51, compared with 5.68 +/- 0.71 for the PRP group. CONCLUSION: PRF exerts a slow yet pervasive influence over the two-week course of the wound healing process. Thus, PRF is probably more beneficial for promoting the activity of ADSCs for a sustained period of time.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Vessels ; Fibrin ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Skin ; Stem Cells ; Wound Healing

For surgery involving complex lesions of the petroclival region, the transpetrosal approach-which may be anterior or posterioris known to have distinct advantages over traditional approaches. Six patients with large petroclival meningiomas(over 4.5cm), underwent surgery. In three cases, where the lesion extended only into the posterior fossa, the posterior transpetrosal approach was used, and in the other three, where it extended into the Meckels cave or cavernous sinus, surgery involved a combined anterior-posterior transpetrosal approach. In three cases with serviceable hearing, the retrolabyrinthine technique was employed, the remaining three, without serviceable hearing, were subjected to the translabyrinthine technique. Total removal was achieved in three cases(50%), and no patient died. Immediate postoperative neurological dysfunction appeared in all cases; almost all involved new cranial nerve deficit. As time passed, this dysfunction became less serious, though in four cases, it was permanent; there was mild to moderate hemiparesis in two cases and facial nerve paralysis in two. The surgical outcome was good in four cases, fair in one and poor in one. The authors suggest that the selection of surgical approach to petroclival meningiomas should be based upon the size and location of the tumor, the extent of dural attachment and the status of the patient's hearing. For a high-risk group, with brain stem invasion, arterial and cranial nerve encasement and cavernous sinus invasion, subtotal resection of the tumor is recommended.
Brain Stem ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cranial Nerves ; Facial Nerve ; Hearing ; Humans ; Meningioma* ; Paralysis ; Paresis

BACKGROUND: Classical flaps for perinasal defect reconstruction, such as forehead or nasolabial flaps, have some disadvantages involving limitations of the arc of rotation and two stages of surgery. However, a perforator-based flap is more versatile and allows freedom in flap design. We introduced our experience with reconstruction using a facial artery perforator-based propeller flap on the perinasal area. We describe the surgical differences between different defect subtypes. METHODS: Between December 2005 and August 2013, 10 patients underwent perinasal reconstruction in which a facial artery perforator-based flap was used. We divided the perinasal defects into types A and B, according to location. The operative results, including flap size, arc of rotation, complications, and characteristics of the perforator were evaluated by retrospective chart review and photographic evaluation. RESULTS: Eight patients were male and 2 patients were female. Their mean age was 61 years (range, 35-75 years). The size of the flap ranged from 1 cmx1.5 cm to 3 cmx6 cm. Eight patients healed uneventfully, but 2 patients presented with mild flap congestion. However, these 2 patients healed by conservative management without any additional surgery. All of the flaps survived completely with aesthetically pleasing results. CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery perforator-based flap allowed for versatile customized flaps, and the donor site scar was concealed using the natural nasolabial fold.
Arteries* ; Cicatrix ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Forehead ; Freedom ; General Surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Nasolabial Fold ; Nose ; Perforator Flap ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps* ; Tissue Donors

This is a report of 15 consecutive cases of petroclival lesions performed by transpetrosal approach over five years. Pathologies from these cases include 13 cases of tumors and two cases of aneurysms. All cases of tumors were over 4.5cm in size. Two cases of very low-lying basilar bifurcation aneurysms and one case of facial schwanoma extended to the petrosal tip and temporal fossa were operated with anrerior transpetrosal approach, where as nine cases of petroclival tumor which was localized in the posterior fossa were operated via posterior transpetrosal approach. Of these nine cases, one case with lower clival extension was removed totally by adding a retrosigmoid dural opening. Remaining three cases extended to the Meckel's cave or cavernous sinus were operated by combined anterior-posterior transpetrosal approach. Of the 12 cases done with posterior transpetrosal or combined approach, nine cases with preserved serviceable hearing were approached by retrolabylinthine technique and remaining three cases without preservation of serviceable hearing were operated via retrolabylinthine technique. Total removal was achieved in 9 of 13 tumor cases. Of two cases, aneurysmal neck of the first case was clipped completely but was clipped together with right posterior cerebral artery in second case. There was no operative mortality. Immediate postoperative neurological dysfunction were appered in 12 cases. These were significantly improved by the time of follow up examination. Permanent postoperative dysfunction was present in 6 cases, hemiparesis in 2, facial paralysis in 2 and hearing impairment in 2 cases. These results suggest that when selecting the surgical approach to the petroclival lesions, the size, location, extent of the lesion and preoperative status of the hearing were important factors to be considered. We recommend combined anterior-posterior transpetrosal approach for the complex lesions in the petroclival area which extends into the middle fossa(Meckel's cavum or cavernous sinus). Also, we recommend combining with retrosigmoid dural opening or a far lateral type of suboccipital exposure in cases of complex petroclival lesions involving the entire clivus or foramen magnum. In cases with brain stem invasion by tumor, vascular encasement or cavernous sinus invasion without cranial nerve involvement, we recommend subtotal resection of the tumor and radiosurgery to prevent permanent postoperative sequele.
Aneurysm ; Brain Stem ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Cranial Nerves ; Facial Paralysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foramen Magnum ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Mortality ; Neck ; Paresis ; Pathology ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Radiosurgery

We report a case of"painful tic convulsif"caused by a tortous vertebrobasilar system, and present the case of a 59-year-old woman with right-sided trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Using a novel sequence, a dilated and severely elongated vertebrobasilar artery was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA). During microvascular decompression, the findings of MRI were confirmed and decompression with teflon sheets between the nerves and offending arteries was successfully achieved. Postoperatively, the patient was relieved of pain and twitching.
Arteries ; Decompression ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Tics* ; Trigeminal Neuralgia

We report a case of"painful tic convulsif"caused by a tortous vertebrobasilar system, and present the case of a 59-year-old woman with right-sided trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Using a novel sequence, a dilated and severely elongated vertebrobasilar artery was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA). During microvascular decompression, the findings of MRI were confirmed and decompression with teflon sheets between the nerves and offending arteries was successfully achieved. Postoperatively, the patient was relieved of pain and twitching.
Arteries ; Decompression ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Tics* ; Trigeminal Neuralgia

Mutations in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene cause neurofibromatosis type 2, an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome predisposed to the multiple tumors of the nervous system. Merlin, the NF2 gene product was reported to block Ras-mediated cell transformation and represses Ras-induced expression of cyclin D1. However, the potential mechanism underlying the anti-Ras function of merlin on the cyclin D1 is still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether merlin decreases Ha-ras-induced accumulation of cyclin D1 at the transcriptional level, and demonstrated that merlin suppressed Ras-induced cyclin D1 promoter activity mediated by the cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE) in SK-N-BE (2) C neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, we found that merlin attenuated active Ras and forskolin-induced CRE-driven promoter activity. These results suggest that the transcriptional repression of the cyclin D1 expression by merlin may contribute to the inhibition of Ras-induced cell proliferation
Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Nervous System Neoplasms ; Neuroblastoma ; Neurofibromatosis 2 ; Neurofibromin 2* ; Repression, Psychology