Objective: To investigate the clinical value of multimodal navigation-based virtual reality (MNVR) in the needle biopsy of intracranial eloquent lesions. Methods: From January 2016 to January 2017, 20 patients with intracranial deep-seated lesions involving eloquent brain areas underwent MNVR-aided needle biopsy at Department of Neurosurgery, People′s Liberation Army General Hospital. Preoperatively, MNVR was used to propose and revise the biopsy planning. Intraoperatively, navigation helped trajectory avoid the eloquent structures. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) was performed to prove the biopsy accuracy and detect the intraoperative complications. Perioperative neurological status, iMRI findings, intraoprative complications, surgical outcome and pathological diagnosis were recorded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to compare the preoperative and postoperative neurological scores. Results: MNVR helped revised 45%(9/20) initial biopsy trajectories, which would probably injury the nearby eloquent structures. Navigation helped biopsy trajectories spare the eloquent structures during the operation. No statistical difference was found between postoperative and preoperative neurological status, despite all the lesions were adjacent to eloquent areas. Additionally, 20 patients totally received 21 iMRI scanning. iMRI helped revise incorrect biopsy site in one case and detected intraoperative hemorrhage in another case, both of cases were treated immediately and effectively. No MNVR related adverse events and complications occurred. Conclusions MNVR-aided needle biopsy of intracranial eloquent lesions is a safe, novel and efficient biopsy modality. This technique is helpful to reduce the incidence of surgery related neurological deficits.

Objective To explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 polymorphisms of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15)gene and susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease in Gansu Province.Methods Using the case-control study method,56 individuals with chronic Keshan disease were taken as case group,and 53 individuals without chronic Keshan disease from the same villages were selected as control group in Gansu Keshan disease areas,venous blood samples were collected,and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) was used for anticoagulation,and the samples were sent for gene sequencing.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the influence of genotypes of rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 on the prevalence of chronic Keshan disease,and the risk factors for disease were expressed as odds ratio (OR).Results The age of the 56 patients in the case group was (60.93 + 21.99) years old,15 males and 41 females;the age of the 53 residents in control group was (47.49-+ 33.61) years old,26 males and 27 females.There was no significant difference in age between the two groups (t =46.16,P ＞ 0.05);the difference in gender was statistically significant (x2=5.76,P ＜ 0.05).The differences of allele frequencies of case group and control group rs1058587 (C:36.6％,32.1％,G:63.4％,67.9％),rs1059369 (A:61.6％,72.6％,T:38.4％,27.4％) between the two groups were not significantly different (x2 =0.50,3.00,P ＞ 0.05);the differences of allele frequencies of GDF-15 rs1059319 (C:25.0％,40.6％,G:75.0％,59.4％) between the two groups were significantly different (x2 =6.01,P ＜ 0.05).The genotype frequency distribution of GDF-15 gene rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 in the case group and the control group was not significantly different between the groups (P ＞ 0.05).However,in the case group,the mutant GG frequency of rs1059519 locus was higher than wild type CC (x2 =5.33,P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,women were 3.81 times more likely to suffer from chronic Keshan disease than men,and people aged 45 or older were 5.30 times more likely to suffer from chronic Keshan disease than those younger than 45.The heterozygous and mutant types of GDF-15 gene rs1058587 and rs1059369 were compared with wild type,and the difference was not statistically significant (ORrs1058587 =0.46,0.50,ORrs1059369 =1.30,2.59,P ＞ 0.05);there was no significant difference between the heterozygous type of GDF-15 gene rs1059519 and wild type (OR =3.34,P ＞ 0.05),and the difference between the mutant and wild type was statistically significant (OR =8.58,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In this study,we find women of the study population are more likely to have chronic Keshan disease than men,and aged≥45 is a risk factor for chronic Keshan disease.Genetic polymorphisms of GDF-15 gene rs1058587,rs1059369 are not associated with susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease,and a certain correlation between genetic polymorphism of rs1059519 locus and susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease.

Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas due to endoscopic transnasal surgery for pituitary neoplasms.Methods The data of 1,063patients were reviewed who had undergone transnasal surgery for pituitary adenomas between January 2009 and December 2012 at Department of Neurosurgery,General Hospital of PLA in Beijing.Intra-operative CSF fistulas were observed in 122 patients but not in the other 941 ones;post-operative CSF fistulas were observed in 29 patients but not in the other 1,034 ones.The clinical data were compared between the patients with and without intra-operative CSF fistulas and between those with and without post-operative CSF fistulas.Chi-square was used to identify the potential risk factors associated with intra-and post-operative CSF fistulas.Multivariate Logistic analysis was performed for correlated variables.Results There was a significant difference in tumor size between the patients with and without intra-operative CSF fistulas (P＜0.05).There were significantly more patients undergoing reoperation in those with intra-operative CSF fistulas than in those without (P＜0.05).The multivariate Logistic analysis revealed that giant adenoma,macroadenoma and reoperation were independently associated with intraoperative CSF fistulas.There was a significant difference in age and tumor size between the patients with and without post-operative CSF fistulas (P＜0.05).There were significantly more patients undergoing reoperation and suffering intraoperative CSF fistulas in those with post-operative CSF fistulas than in those without (P＜0.05).The multivariate Logistic analysis revealed that giant pituitary neoplasms,reoperation and intra-operative CSF fistulas were independently associated with post-operative CSF fistulas.Conclusions In endoscopic transnasal surgery for pituitary neoplasms,the risk factors for intra-operative CSF fistulas are larger tumor size and reoperation and the risk factors for post-operative CSF fistulas are giant pituitary neoplasms,intra-operative CSF fistulas and reoperation.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of morinidazole combined with appendectomy in treating purulent or gangrenous appendicitis.Methods Double-blind randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial was designed and conducted.Totally 437 patients were included,219 in the control group and 218 in the experimental group.Cases of purulent or gangrenous appendicitis were enrolled and assigned to each of the two groups.The control group received ornidazole injection for 5 to 7 days while the experimental group received morinidazole injection.Both groups underwent appendectomy.Clinical response,micrombiological outcomes,overall response were evaluated.Adverse events and side effects were recorded.Results No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the clinical healing rate at 5-10 days after medicine withdrawal,anaerobia clearance and overall healing rates.Adverse events occurred in 140 patients (32.1％).Incidence of adverse events in the control group and the experimental group was 34.7％ and 29.4％,respectively (P ＞ 0.05).The overall incidence of side effects was 15.1％ (66 cases).Side effects were less seen in the experimental group compared with that in the control group (11.5％ vs.18.7％,P ＜ 0.05).The most frequent side effects were aminotransferase rising,thrombocytosis,nausea,vomiting and electrocardiographic abnormality.Conclusions The effect of morinidazole plus operation was comparable with ornidazole in treating purulent or gangrenous appendicitis.The safety of morinidazole is better than ornidazole.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of high-field-strength intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) combined with optic radiation neuro-navigation for the resection of temporal lobe low-grade gliomas.

METHODSFrom April 2009 to September 2013, 65 patients with temporal lobe low-grade gliomas (WHO grade II) involving optic radiation were operated with iMRI and functional neuro-navigation. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based fiber tracking was used to delineate optic radiation. The reconstructed optic radiations were integrated into a navigation system, in order to achieve intraoperative microscopic-based functional neuro-navigation. iMRI was used to update the images for both optic radiations and residual tumors. Volumetric analyses were performed using 3D Slicer for pre- and intra-operative tumor volumes in all cases. All patients were evaluated for visual field deficits preoperatively and postoperatively. The Student t test was used to evaluate the average rate of extent of resection between groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to assess correlations between predictors and epilepsy prognosis.

RESULTSPreoperative tumor volumes were (78±40) cm3. In 29 cases, iMRI scan detected residual tumor that could be further resected, and extent of resection were increased from 76.2% to 92.7% (t=7.314, P<0.01). In 19 cases (29.2%), gross total resection was accomplished, and iMRI contributed directly to 8 of these cases. Postsurgical follow-up period varied from 13 months to 59 months, mean (33±13) months. Tumor progression were observed in 3 patients, newly developed or deteriorated visual field defects occurred in 4 patients (6.2%). For patients with pre-operative seizures, Engel Class I were achieved for 89.7% of them. Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that seizure outcome (Engel Class) was related to increased excision of ratio (r=-0.452, P=0.004, 95% CI: -0.636--0.261) and larger tumors (r=0.391, P=0.014, 95% CI: 0.178-0.484).

CONCLUSIONSWith iMRI and functional neuro-navigation, the optic radiation can be accurately located, while extent of resection can be evaluated intra-operatively. This technique is safe and helpful for preservation of visual field for the resection of temporal lobe low-grade gliomas involving optic radiation.

Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Glioma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuronavigation ; Temporal Lobe ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features, surgical transcranial approaches and outcomes of giant pituitary adenomas.

METHODSA series of 112 consecutive cases of giant pituitary adenomas underwent microsurgery through transcranial approaches at People' s Liberation Army General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 112 patients, 58 were male and 54 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 72 years(mean age 44. 3 years). There were 91 non-functioning adenomas and 21 hormone-secreting adenomas. The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4. 0 to 7. 2 cm, with mean diameter of 4. 8 cm. Unilateral subfrontal approach was chosen in 16 cases, pterional approach in 41 cases, anterior interhemispheric approach in 34 cases, transcallosal-interforniceal approach in 6 cases, transcortical- transventricular approach in 5 cases, combined approach in 6 cases and other approaches in 4 cases. Postoperative MRI and endocrine function were re-examined routinely to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Staged operation through transsphenoidal approach or adjuvant treatments including medical and radiation therapies were administered in patients with hormone-secreting adenomas when hormonal excess persisted after surgery and in patients with non-functioning adenomas who had postoperative MRI evidence of residual tumor.

RESULTSTotal removal of the lesion was achieved in 57 cases (50. 9%) , 26 patients (23. 2%) underwent subtotal resection, and 29 patients (25. 9%) underwent partial removal. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2. 7%). Major surgical morbidity occurred in 38 patients (33. 9%). Vision was preserved or improved in 98 patients (87. 5%). The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 to 64 months (mean 19. 5 months) . Nineteen of the 21 patients with hormone-secreting adenomas were considered to be in hormonal remission, and 87. 2% of the cases were capable of normal work and life and 8 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period.

CONCLUSIONSSelection of appropriate transcranial approaches is the key to successful microsurgery for giant pituitary adenomas according to the morphological characteristics presented in image examinations and clinical symptoms. Staged transsphenoidal operation and/or adjuvant therapies including medical and radiation therapies offer the best chances to control the residual tumors after the maximal surgical removal of giant adenomas through transcranial approaches.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the accuracy and reliability of the ABC/2 formula for measurement of intrace?rebral hematoma (ICH) volume by comparing it with software 3D-Slicer. Methods Computed tomographic image data of 184 patients with spontaneous ICH were collected. Hematoma volumes were estimated by using the ABC/2 formula and 3D-Slicer. Based on the volume calculated by 3D-Slicer, patients were further divided into three groups. Group 1 con?tained 55 patients with volume less than 30 ml, group 2 contained 68 patients with volume of 30-60 ml, and group 3 con?tained 61 patients with volume larger than 60 mL. Shape of the ICH was divided into regular (59 cases), irregular with frayed margins (107 cases) and multilobular (18 cases). Results of these two methods were compared according to hemato?ma size and shape. Results The estimated hematoma volume was (58.85 ± 37.38) mL in the ABC/2 formula and (50.08 ± 31.10) mL in 3D Slicer. The ABC/2 formula produced a mean overestimation of 8.77 mL and the mean percent deviation was 17.23%. The mean estimation errors were 2.90 mL (16.22%), 5.89 mL (13.55%), and 17.27 mL (18.76%) in groups 1, 2, and 3 when patients were grouped by hematoma size. The estimation errors were 3.46mL (8.76%), 7.99 mL (17.26%), and 30.81 mL (38.26%) in regular, irregular and multilobular hematomas when patients were grouped by shape. Conclusions The ABC/2 formula is a rough method for volume assessment of intracerebral hematoma and produc?es significant estimation errors. The size of estimation errors largely depends on hematoma shape.

Objective To investigate potential problems and solutions within the data of national surveillance of Keshan disease(KSD), to improve the quality of surveillance data and the reliability of the results. Methods Four key variables (name, sex, age, and KSD diagnosis) in the national surveillance data of KSD in 2009 were cleaned by SPSS 15.0. Cleaning contents included duplicate records, missing values, outliers and logic errors. Name, sex, age, currently residing in townships and currently residing in villages and other variables were combined into different filters to find duplicate records by the command of Identify Duplicate Cases , then the duplicate records were returned to the data reporting agencies, and finally delete or merge. Data with missing values, outliers, or logical errors were found by commands of Frequencies, Descriptives and Select if, then the duplicate records were returned to the data reporting agencies. Data were revised based on not only the feedback , but also by using the relationship between variables, and by consulting KSD clinical experts. Results Four hundred and sixty-four cases of duplicate records were found and cleaned. The number of missing values was 2 047 (specifically, name 0, sex 3, age 32 and KSD diagnosis 2 012). The number of outliers was 1 988 (specifically, name 6, sex 3, age 10 and KSD diagnosis 1 969). The records of 5 kinds of logic errors of KSD diagnosis were 105 in all. Conclusion There are duplicate records, missing values, outliers and logic errors in the national surveillance data of KSD, cleaning work could improve the quality of surveillance data, ensure the authenticity and rliability of the monitoring data.

Objectives To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation ( VNS) by stimulating the vagus nerve in ischemic cerebral tissue in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Methods Twenty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley ( SD ) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=6),model group (n=10),and VNS-treated group (n=10) . The model of rat transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the intraluminal suture method. At 30 min after modeling,the right side neck VNS in the VNS-treated group was stimulated ( stimulus intensity 0. 5 mA, interval 0. 5 ms, frequency 20 Hz),once every 5 min within 1 h,and once for 30 s. The model group repeated the steps of the VNS-treated group,but did not stimulate. The sham operation group repeated the experimental steps,but it neither embolized the vessels nor stimulated nerves. The changes of cerebral blood flow were monitored with a laser Doppler flowmeter. The rats were sacrificed after 24 h. The expressions of interleukin 6(IL-6) and caspase-3 in brain tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry staining. The neuronal apoptosis was observed by the in situ end-labelling technique. Results ( 1 ) Compared with the sham operation group, the number of positive cells of IL-6,caspase-3,and the numbers of neuronal apoptosis in the model group were significantly increased (20. 7 ± 5. 0 cells/HP vs. 2. 3 ± 1. 0 cells/HP,44. 5 ± 9. 5 cells/HP vs. 0,30. 9 ± 9. 0 cells/HP vs.0).Thereweresignificantdifferences(P<0.05).(2)Comparedwiththemodelgroup,thenumber of positive cells of IL-6(10. 9 ± 3. 7 cells/HP),the caspase-3 (18. 9 ± 6. 7 cells/HP),and the numbers of neuronal apoptosis (14. 0 ± 5. 2 cells/HP) in the VNS-treated group decreased significantly. There were significant differences (P<0. 01). (3) Before and after modeling,there were no significant differences in cerebral blood flow in various periods between the model group and the VNS-treated group (P>0. 05). Conclusion The neuroprotective mechanism of VNS for cerebral ischemia may be associated with the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and decreasing inflammatory response. It may not be associated with the changes of cortical cerebral blood flow.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of endoscopic surgery in combination with long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs) in treating patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary tumor. METHODS: We performed retrospective analysis of 133 patients with GH producing pituitary adenoma who underwent pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in our center from January 2007 to July 2012. Patients were followed up for a range of 3-48 months. The radiological remission, biochemical remission and complication were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 110 (82.7%) patients achieved radiological complete resection, 11 (8.2%) subtotal resection, and 12 (9.0%) partial resection. Eighty-eight (66.2%) patients showed nadir GH level less than 1 ng/mL after oral glucose administration. No mortality or severe disability was observed during follow up. Preoperative long-acting SSA successfully improved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood glucose in three patients who subsequently underwent success operation. Long-acting SSA (20 mg every 30 days) achieved biochemical remission in 19 out 23 (82.6%) patients who showed persistent high GH level after surgery. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can biochemically cure the majority of GH producing pituitary adenoma. Post-operative use of SSA can improve biochemical remission.
Blood Glucose ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Somatostatin*