BACKGROUND: Angiomatous meningioma is a rare histological subtype of meningioma. Therefore, this specific medical condition is rarely reviewed in the literature. In the present work, we report the clinical and radiological features with postoperative outcomes of angiomatous meningioma. METHODS: This retrospective study included the patients who were pathologically diagnosed with angiomatous meningioma after surgical resection between February 2010 and September 2015 in our institute. We analyzed the clinical data, radiological manifestation, treatment and prognosis of all patients. RESULTS: The 15 patients (5 males and 10 females) were diagnosed with angiomatous meningioma during the study period. The median age of patients at the time of surgery was 63 years (range: 40 to 80 years). According to Simpson classification, 7, 5, and 3 patients achieved Simpson grade I, II, and IV resection, respectively. In the follow-up period, recurrence was noted in one patient. Ten out of the 15 patients showed homogeneous enhancement. Two patients demonstrated cystic changes. There was no occurrence of calcification or hemorrhage in our patients. Characteristically, 14 out of 15 patients showed signal voids of vessels. Significant peritumoral edema was observed in the majority of tumors (67%). CONCLUSION: Angiomatous meningiomas are rare benign meningioma. Brain images of angiomatous meningioma usually demonstrate signal void signs and peritumoral edema. In the present study, angiomatous meningiomas showed good prognosis after surgical resection.
Brain ; Brain Edema ; Classification ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningioma* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) invading into the cavernous sinus are surgically challenging. To decrease recurrence rate, surgeon makes a strong endeavor to resect tumor gross totally. However, gross total resection (GTR) is difficult to achieve with cavernous sinus invasion. Recently, a new classification system for cavernous invasion of pituitary adenomas was suggested. The aim of this study is to validate this new classification system and to identify limitations and considerations in designing treatment strategies for patients with NFPA involving the cavernous sinus. METHODS: Between January 2000 and January 2012, 275 patients who underwent operation for NFPA were enrolled in the study. Median age was 50 years (15–79 years). There were 145 males and 130 females. The median follow-up duration was 4 years (range 1–12.5 years). RESULTS: Related to extent of tumor removal, GTR was obtained in 184 patients (66.9%), near total resection (NTR) was obtained in 45 patients (16.3%), and sub-total resection (STR) was obtained in 46 patients (16.7%) of a total 275 patients. There were statistically significant differences between the extent of resection and the new Knosp classification (p<0.001). In the high-grade group of the new Knosp classification, there was no difference in recurrence between patients who underwent GTR or NTR only and those who underwent STR with adjuvant radiation therapy (p=0.515). CONCLUSION: In case of high risk of surgical complications, STR with adjuvant radiation therapy can be considered as an alternative strategy for safe treatment of cavernous-invading adenomas.
Adenoma ; Cavernous Sinus ; Classification ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Co-morbid vascular disease, such as coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease (PAD) is frequently combined in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, PAD has been underestimated and underevaluated in these patients. The aims of this study were to know the prevalence of PAD and to assess the risk factors for PAD in patients with IS or TIA. METHODS: Between February in 2006 and March in 2011, ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured in 724 patients with acute IS or TIA. We compared the demographics and baseline characteristics, including risk factors and stroke subtypes between patients combined with and without PAD. RESULTS: PAD was found in 13.3% (96/724) and more frequent in patients with large artery disease. Patients with PAD were older (mean age 74.5+/-10.4 vs. 65.5+/-12.5, p<0.001),and had higher body mass index (BMI) (23.15+/-3.46 vs. 24.03+/-3.25; p=0.019), higher serum level of hemoglobin (12.99+/-2.12 vs. 13.68+/-1.87; p=0.001) and severe initial neurological deficit measured by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (median 4, IQR:2,7 vs. 2, IQR:1,5; p=0.001) on admission than those without PAD; patients with PAD were more likely to have hypertension (79.2% vs. 61.6%; p=0.001), diabetes (44.8% vs. 29.5%; p=0.004), and previous stroke or TIA (35.4% vs. 23.9%; p=0.022). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR, 1.069; 95% CI, 1.042-1.096; p<0.001) and diabetes (OR, 1.904; 95% CI, 1.134-3.196; p=0.015) were independently associated with PAD in IS or TIA. CONCLUSIONS: Age and diabetes were independent risk factors for PAD in IS or TIA.
Ankle Brachial Index ; Arteries ; Body Mass Index ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Demography ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Logistic Models ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Vascular Diseases

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disorder in the elderly population. To identify OA-associated genetic variants and candidate genes, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total 3,793 samples (476 cases: wrist + knee and 3317 controls) from a community-based epidemiological study were genotyped using the Affymetrix SNP 5.0. An intronic SNP (rs4789934) in the TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2) showed the most significance with OA (odd ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.52-2.81, p = 4.01 x 10(-6)). Furthermore, a polymorphism (rs1352677) in the NKAIN2 (Na+/K+ transporting ATPase interacting 2) was suggestively associated with OA (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.22-1.66, p = 7.01 x 10(-6)). The present study provides new insights into the identification of genetic predisposing factors for OA.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Aged ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Introns ; Joints ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Wrist

Objective: To investigate anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and anti-biofilm formation (anti- BF) activities of the ethanol extracts of 388 plants. Methods: The anti-QS activity of the plant extracts was evaluated by disc-diffusion assays using the bio-reporter strain, Chromobacterium violaceum CV017. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC 9610, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58, which possess QS systems, were used to evaluate the anti- BF activity of the plant extracts. Results: Among 388 plant extracts, the Cornus controversa (C. controversa) and Cynanchum wilfordii extracts exhibited the strongest anti-QS activity. The C. controversa extract exhibited anti-BF activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, whereas the Cynanchum wilfordii extract exhibited no anti-BF activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the C. controversa extract suppressed soft rot of cabbage. Conclusions: The C. controversa extract inhibits bacterial QS and BF, and is capable of controlling soft rot. Therefore, this extract has potential for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections and for the development of alternatives to antibiotics.