The penicillin produces seizures when applied directly to cerebral cortex and, in some instances, when given systemically in large amounts. Most studies with this agent have had as their goal the elucidation of neurophysiological mechanisms underlying seizure activity. The present study was undertaken to explore the biochemical events which take place in the presence of an epileptogenic agent and, in particular, to see whether this agent has a direct effect on passive or active cation transport or an effect on energy production within neural tissues. The penicillin-induced seizure activity has been produced by direct injection of an aqueous penicillin G sodium into the cerebral subarachnoid space in rat. It is assumed that penicillin-induced seizure results from the leakage of potassium ions from intracellular compartment and alteration of firing properties of neurons with prolonged depolarization, and disturbances in activities of enzyme involved in glutamine metabolism. Diphenylhydantoin may stimulate cation pumping with activation of (Na+-K+)-ATPase enzyme system and this action may be relevant to its anticonvulsant activity.
Animals ; Cation Transport Proteins ; Cerebral Cortex ; Fires ; Glutamine ; Ions ; Metabolism ; Neurons ; Penicillin G ; Penicillins ; Phenytoin ; Potassium ; Rats ; Seizures* ; Subarachnoid Space

The authors report a case of cirsoid aneurysm in which diagnosis is reached by carotid angiography. To clarify the confusion regarding this rare lesion, the definition, origin and pathogenesis of the lesion are discussed.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Diagnosis ; Scalp*

A geometrical method for estimating the normal position of the angiographic sylvian point in the lateral angiographic projection is described. The position of the angiographic sylvian point is determined by the base and the height of a right-angled triangle formed by the line from the anterior clinoid process to the angiographic sylvian point and the perpendicular line from the angiographic sylvian point to the clino-occipital line. The 95% confidence limits for mean value of the base are 37.13+/-.05mm and of the height 43.95+/-.95mm.

A method for determining the normal position of the angiographic sylvian point in the lateral angiographic projection has been devised by author. The position of the angiographic sylvian point has been determined by the angle between two lines from the anterior clinoid process to internal occipital protuberance and to angiographic sylvian point, and the quotient of the measured distance from the anterior clinoid process to angiographic sylvian point to that from the anterior clinoid process to inner table of parietal bone. The 95% confidence limits for mean vlaue of the angle are 50.09+/-.90 and of the quotient 0.47+/-.008. The angiographic sylvian point seems to become lower with advancing age, but remains stationary after growth is completed. The quotient value calculated is independent of skull dimensions. It is assumed that the author's method for estimating the position of the angiographic sylvian point is relatively accurate since the position is determined by the dual components of angle and quotient.
Parietal Bone ; Skull

To investigate the functions of the amygdala in limbic system, changes in heart rate and body temperature resulting from electrical destructions of amygdala centralis and piriform cortex were observed in a total of 40 rats varying in weight from 180 to 250g with the use of stereotaxic apparatus(Reyniers and Sons). The results were as follows; 1) Bilateral destructions of amygdala centralis revealed a tendency to increased heart rate and decreased rectal temperature. 2) Bilateral destructions of piriform cortex revealed no changes in heart rate and rectal temperature. Therefore, it is assumed that cardiovascular and temperature responses are not significantly resulted from the electrical destructions of amygdala centralis and piriform cortex.
Amygdala ; Animals ; Body Temperature ; Heart Rate ; Limbic System ; Rats

The authors report 2 cases of pseudotumor cerebri in which ventriculoperitoneal shunting procedures have been performed to relieve intracranial hypertensions, and satisfactory results have been obtained.
Pseudotumor Cerebri* ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt*

To investigate the variations of the dorsal root of the first cervical nerve and its anastomosis with the spinal accessory nerve, a total of 74 anatomical dissections has been performed in 37 cases of Korean human fetus. The anastomotic connections between the dorsal roots and the spinal accessory nerve have fitted into five main types. The central course of the sensory fibers of the first cervical nerve and the neurosurgical significance of the variations have been discussed. Often the only pathway for the sensory fibers of the first cervical nerve to reach the spinal cord is through the rootlets of the spinal accessory nerve.
Accessory Nerve ; Fetus ; Humans ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerve Roots*

This study has been made to stress the importance of fracture pattern of the posterior fossa for recognition of traumatic lesions in the posterior fossa. Included in the series are all the cases of clinically significant verified lesions in the posterior fossa due to posterior fossa fractures. The classification of posterior fossa fractures introduced here by author has been based on the linear fracture involving the transverse sinus groove and/or the foramen magnum in Towne's projection. Five types of pattern have occurred. In type I, a linear fracture involves the transverse sinus groove and the foramen magnum. In type II, a linear fracture involves the transverse sinus groove but not the foramen magnum. In type III, a linear fracture involves the lambdoid suture, the transverse sinus groove and the foramen magnum. In type IV, a linear fracture involves the lambdoid suture and the transverse sinus groove, but not the foramen magnum. In type V, a linear fracture of the suboccipital bone involves the foramen magnum, but not the transverse sinus groove. In a total of 33 cases of posterior fossa fracture, 13 cases(39.3%) are of type I, 7 cases(21.2%) are of type II, 5 cases(15.2%) are of type III, 5 cases(15.2%) are of type IV, 3 cases(9.1%) are of type V. It has been shown that the cerebellar hematomas have been verified in type I, epidural and subdural hematomas verified in all the types without regard to the fracture patterns, and subdural hygromas verified in type I, III and V.
Classification ; Foramen Magnum ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Subdural Effusion ; Sutures

In an attempt to evaluate cranioplasty, author reviewed 53 cases of head injuries with cranial defect repaired by cranioplasty. Materials used for cranioplasty were acrylic resin in 42 cases, tantalum in 6 cases and iliac bone in 5 cases. Adequate follow-up observations were obtained in all cases for at least 4 years. The results were as follows; 1) The majority of head injuries were caused by vehicle accident. 2) The majority of skull defects were in the frontal and parietal bones. 3) The interval between primary craniectomy and secondary cranioplasty was from 3 to 4 months in the majority of cases and cranioplasty was performed after fixation of permanent neurologic defect. 4) The indications for the cranioplasty were based upon criteria recommended by Grant and Norcross. 5) Postoperative complications were observed in 3 cases(5.7%).
Craniocerebral Trauma ; Financing, Organized ; Follow-Up Studies ; Parietal Bone ; Postoperative Complications ; Skull ; Tantalum

The anatomical pattern of the dural venous sinuses in the vicinity of their confluence was examinaed in 54 cases of human fetus. The classification introduced here by author was based upon the presence or absence of bifurcation of the superior sagittal and straight sinuses without regard to their sizes or to those of the transverse sinuses. Four types of pattern occurred;common pool type, double bifurcation type, straight sinus bifurcation type and superior sagittal sinus bifurcation type. In a total of 54 anatomical dissections, 28 cases(51.8%) were of the first type(common pool), 5 cases(9.3%) of the second(double bifurcation), 6 cases(11.1%) of the third(straight sinus bifurcation) and 15 cases(27.8%) of the fourth(superior sagittal sinus bifurcation) .
Classification ; Fetus ; Humans ; Superior Sagittal Sinus ; Transverse Sinuses