Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of microneurosurgery associated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery on the large meningiomas in sellar region, and to clarify its clinical curative effect. Methods The clinical data of 34 patients with large meningiomas in sellar region underwent microsurgery were retrospectively analyzed.All of them underwent microsurgery,and then treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery in one month after operation if there were residual tumors.The tumor removal of situation,complication,rate of symptom remission,and recurrence rate were analyzed.Results Among the 34 patients,total resection (7 cases of Simpson grade Ⅰ and 12 cases of Simpson grade Ⅱ)was achieved in 19 cases (55.9%),subtotal resection (Simpson grade Ⅲ )in 14 cases (41.2%), and partial resection (Simpson grade Ⅳ )was achieved in 1 case (2.9%).The major complications were cranial nerve injuries (such as oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve and abducens nerve,n=6),the contralateral limb paresis (n = 2),postoperative bleeding (n = 1),CSF leak with infection (n=3),and secondary epilepsy (n = 3 ); no death occurred postoperatively. All these patients were followed up for about 3 to 48 months.Postoperative headache disappeared in 24 cases (80%),and 6 cases were alleviated (20%);postoperative vision improved in 12 cases (80%),remained unchanged in 2 cases (13.3%)and deteriorated in 1 case (6.7%); postoperative olfactory function improved in 5 cases (62.5%) and 3 cases unchanged (37.5%); 5 cases recoverd from the ocular motility disorder (71.4%), and 2 cases unchanged (28.6%);7 cases recoverd from thehemiplegia (100%).One of the total resection cases (5.2%)and two of the non-total resection (13.3%)suffered from tumor recurrence.All of the non-total resection cases were treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.Conclusion The clinical effect of microneurosurgery associated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery in treatment of large meningiomas in sellar region is satisfactory.

Objective To compare the efficacy and complications of the extend endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and open transcranial approach for resection of craniopharyngiomas. Methods The clinical data from 46 patients with craniopharyngiomas with extend EEA and 54 patients with transcranial route in our department was analyzed retrospectively. The gross total resection (GTR) rate,length of hospital stays and complications of the two groups were compared. Results The tumor diameters of were larger in the endoscopic group than in the transcranial group (3.5 ± 1.3cm vs. 3.0±0.8 cm, P<0.05). The endoscopic group had a greater GTR rate (67.4％vs. 46.3％, P<0.05)and improved visual outcome(84.2％ vs. 59.5％,P<0.05),but lower rate of hypopituitarism (56.5％ vs. 75.9％,P<0.05)and permanent diabetes insipidus (51.4％ vs.72.7％,P<0.05). On the contrast, the endoscopic group had a greater rate of cerebrospinal fluid leak(4.3％ vs. 0.0％,P>0.05)and longer hospital stays(17.0±3.6 d vs. 13.1±2.3 d,P<0.01). Hyposmia(34.8％)and hemorrhinia (2.2％)only happened in the endoscopic group. Conclusion Compared with transcranial route, the extend EEA for craniopharyngiomas is minimal invasion and effective, which can effectively improve the GTR rate and reduce the clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the subtype of transient receptor potential (TRPs) channel involved in stretch-induced injury of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and to explore the mechanism responsible for eNOS expression.
 METHODS: TRPs expression was examined by Western blot and immunocytofluoresence in the cultured HBMEC. Mechanical stretch was performed by mini-type multi-functional bio-impact machine. The levels of free calcium ion in cells were examined by the flow cytometry. The eNOS expression was detected by Western blot.
 RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of TRPV4 was detected in HBMEC by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytofluoresence. The levels of free calcium ion in the stretch-treated HBMEC was significantly decreased in the presence of TRPV4 specific inhibitor (P<0.001), but there was no difference in calcium levels between the stretch and the control or unspecific inhibitor group (P=0.072 or 0.308). The levels of eNOS protein in the stretch-treated HBMEC were reduced in the presence of TRPV4 specific inhibitor or NOS inhibitor (P<0.05), but it was not changed compared with that in the control group (P>0.05).
 CONCLUSION The eNOS expression is up-regulated under the condition of mechanic stretch, which is related to the activation of TRPV4, resulting in the influx of calcium.
Brain ; cytology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Stress, Mechanical ; TRPV Cation Channels ; physiology