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Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors. They are mostly slow-growing and of benign histopathology rendering them curable by surgery alone. Symptomatic lesions depend on the location with signs of focal neurological deficits or increased intracranial pressure. Seizures are the presenting symptoms in approximately 30% of supratentorial meningiomas. Epileptogenesis in these patients is not yet clearly defined. Epilepsy negatively affects the quality of life, limits independence, and impairs cognition, as well as increases the risk for psychiatric comorbidities including depression. Although surgical resection may offer seizure freedom in more than 60% of meningiomas, seizures persist after surgical resection in a significant number of patients. The potential preoperative and postoperative predictors for seizures in meningioma patients have been analyzed in multiple studies. Antiseizure medications are employed in the treatment of these patients, however, their application is often followed by adverse neurocognitive side effects and inefficacy in some patients. Understanding various clinical, histopathological, and surgical factors potentially associated with epilepsy can help guide more effective seizure control and allow for better assessment of risk before and after surgery. Patients with persistent seizures may benefit from referral to an epilepsy center for evaluation.

Introduction. Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare chronic granulomatous, usually multisystem disease of elusive etiology, with peak incidence in early childhood and slow progressing course. Isolated brain histiocytosis is a very rare condition and neurological finding does not correlate with the extent of space-occupying anatomical lesions and degenerative changes. Case report. A girl, age 2.5 years was presented with diabetes insipidus and nearly fatal full spectrum isolated brain histiocytosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple nodules with perifocal edema, the most prominent in the projection of the hypothalamus/pituitary and the stalk and in the region of the pineal gland. Identical nodules were present in both caudate nucleus and putamen, left insular subcortex, both temporal lobes, tegmental area of the midbrain, central part of pons and medulla, both cerebellar hemispheres and leptomeningeal membranes. The pattern resembled snow balls and flakes. Biopsy showed positivity for vimentin, S-100, CD- 68 and CD1a markers. Treatment protocol LCH-III was not successful and a salvage treatment was refused by parents. She appeared again at the age of 7 with growth deceleration and fully developed precocious puberty. The control MRI of the brain revealed similar nodules in certain regression. Due to central precocious puberty, treatment with luteinizing hormone– releasing hormone (LH-RH) analogue was introduced. School performance was mediocre with cocktail-party effect behavior and slower speech. Conclusion. Brain histiocytosis is potentially fatal disease with chronic, variable, slowly progressive course and unpredictable responses to treatment protocols

Introduction/Objective. Pseudoprogression represents an enlarging contrast-enhancing lesion that occurs after chemoradiation and stabilizes with time without any changes in the therapeutic procedure. This phenomenon is highly significant, because it can have influence on further therapeutic procedures; however, precise criteria for pseudoprogression diagnosis have not yet been defined. The main goal of this study is to examine the endothelial hyperplasia influence on pseudoprogression. Methods. We analyzed a group of 106 patients with glioblastoma who had undergone surgical treatment from 2010–2012, at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, who received Stupp protocol. Pre- and post-treatment imaging was evaluated using RANO criteria. Lesions that improved or stabilized were defined as pseudoprogression, and lesions that progressed were defined as true progression. Endothelial hyperplasia was identified based on the hematoxylin and eosin pathohistological examination. Results. Thirty-two (30.2%) of the patients were diagnosed with pseudoprogression. Endothelial hyperplasia was observed in 51 (48.1%) of glioblastoma tissue samples, and 28 (87.5%) of all the patients with pseudoprogression were found to have endothelial hyperplasia. The group of 51 (68.9%) patients without pseudoprogression did not show the presence of endothelial hyperplasia. Statistical analysis showed significantly higher incidence of pseudoprogression in patients with endothelial hyperplasia. (χ2 = 26.269, p < 0.01) Conclusion. Taking into account that there are no precise diagnostic methods that could determine the presence of endothelial hyperplasia with certainty, it could be an indicator, as a pathohistological entity, of a higher likelihood of pseudoprogression, which could be used in everyday clinical practice. In order to reach definite conclusions, we believe it is necessary to conduct prospective controlled studies with larger sample sizes.

Background/Aim. Microstructural diversity of brain astrocytomas makes their diagnostics and differentiation by using the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) difficult. In this study we used the histogram-based positioning of regions of interests on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in order to restrict the determination of diffusion parameters to regions of interest (ROI) corresponding to maximum cellularity. Success of ADC standard deviation (ΔADC) and kurtosis (K) in differentiation of brain astrocytomas was evaluated. Methods. The thirtyone patients (16 women and 15 men, median age 37 years, age range 6–72 years) with suspected supratentorial astrocytomas were included in the retrospective study. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed using the 1.5 T MR system (Avanto; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and 8-channel phased array head coil. The DWI images were acquired in three orthogonal directions for the b-values 0, 500 and 1000 s mm-2. The histogram calculations and determination of diffusion parameters were performed using the MIPAV software package and the statistical analysis was done in the Openstat software. Results. The ADC values enabled differentiation of diffuse astrocytomas (DA) from a high-grade astrocytoma (HGA), but not between the classes of HGA. In addition, the ΔADC value provided discrimination between the anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with 100% of sensitivity and 89% of specificity . The kurtosis value can also differentiate between the grades AA and GBM although with the lower sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion. The histogram analysis of tumor region on the ADC maps can provide a guidance for an appropriate choice of the ROIs. The parameters which characterize diffusion of such defined ROIs, as well as their combination can improve differentiation of brain astrocytomas. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41005]

Introduction: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the acute onset of pulmonary edema after sudden raise of intracranial pressure. NPE is the result of release of catecholamines into the circulation immediately after intracranial hemorrhage. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible correlation between the values of cardiac biomarkers on admission and incidence of NPE in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: Prospective study includes 262 patients with SAH (162 females). Clinical characteristics, serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers were measured on admission and on the day of development of NPE. These data were analysed by tests of statistical significance and binary logistic regression analysis in order to predict the development of NPE. Results: 19 patients (7.25%) developed NPE. Statistical analysis revealed that patients who subsequently developed NPE experienced more severe SAH. Cardiac damage was more severe in these patients, as represented by significantly higher number of patients with elevated values of all examined cardiac biomarkers (P from < 0.001 to 0.004). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that elevated troponin I (OR 4.980; 95% CI 1.27-19.49, P = 0.021) and white blood cells count (OR 22.195; 95% CI 3.99-123.50, P < 0.001) were predictors of NPE. Conclusion: Significantly higher number of patients with elevated values of cardiac biomarkers had SAH complicated with NPE. Elevated values of cardiac biomarkers might play an active role in prediction of NPE, although white blood cells count may be involved in the prediction of NPE.

We report an extremely rare case of an endodermal cyst of the cranio-cervical junction located dorsally to the brainstem and upper cervical spine in a 27-year-old female presented with occipital headache, vertigo and pain in both shoulders. Neurological examination showed neck stiffness with bilateral XIth nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion at the cranio-cervical junction and slight compression of the brain stem. The lesion was totally removed through the posterior approach. The histological diagnosis was endodermal cyst. To our knowledge, the only one such case has been reported in the literature.

We report an extremely rare case of an endodermal cyst of the cranio-cervical junction located dorsally to the brainstem and upper cervical spine in a 27-year-old female presented with occipital headache, vertigo and pain in both shoulders. Neurological examination showed neck stiffness with bilateral XIth nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion at the cranio-cervical junction and slight compression of the brain stem. The lesion was totally removed through the posterior approach. The histological diagnosis was endodermal cyst. To our knowledge, the only one such case has been reported in the literature.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid) is a standard for the embolization of planned intracranial aneurysms with CNS stent due to the possibility of stent thrombus formation. All anti-aggregation drugs, including those listed, have bleeding as a side effect. Three patients with aneurysm had an elevated response to antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel, which was confirmed by a multiplate test on the "VerifyNow" system. After reducing the dose of clopidogrel or after interrupting it, with the introduction of low molecular weight heparin for the duration of five days, aneurysms were successfully resolved by intracranial implantation of the stent. Perioperative angiograms and postoperative CT angiograms have verified hematomas at the place of punction of the femoral artery. Bleeding was resolved by the femoral artery suture by a vascular surgeon. All patients were discharged home without further complications and with dual antiplatelet therapy. By measuring the platelet function in vitro, the degree of inhibition of platelet activity achieved by the action of the drug can be assessed. A specific test can identify those patients who are highly responsive to the drug with increased platelet reactivity and the possibility of increased risk of bleeding. Our suggestion is to reduce the dosage of clopidogrel or to leave it out for 24 hours with preventive doses of low molecular weight heparin or to change the strategy of treatment of intracranial aneurysm, i.e. avoiding implantation of CNS stent.

Introduction. In the last two decades a method of endovascular embolization has been imposed as a method of choice in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Therefore, the problem of treating posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms presenting with the third cranial nerve (TCN) palsy has become even more complex. The case of a patient reported in the paper itself has presented a dilemma of whether to wait for spontaneous resolution of ophthalmoplegia developed after the coiling of a PComA aneurysm or whether to implement an early surgical treatment. Case report. An unruptured saccular aneurysm, directed inferolaterally in the right internal carotid artery (ICA) segment in the position of the PcomA origin, was diagnosed in a 58-year-old male patient. The aneurysm was measuring 9 mm in diameter while the neck was measuring 5 mm. The day before the planned embolization, the patient developed ipsilateral ophthalmoparesis, whereas the first day after the endovascular procedure was completed, the patient developed right-sided complete ophthalmoplegia. Ten weeks after the endovascular embolization our team decided to perform a microsurgical treatment including aneurysm clipping and coil extraction. Eighteen months after the surgery, the patient made a full recovery of the functions of musculus (m) levator palpabrae, m. rectus medialis and pupillary function, with a partial recovery of the functions of m. obliqus inferior, m. rectus inferior and m. rectus superior. Conclusion. According to medical research and literature, the partial recovery of the TCN palsy is expected to happen in the first few weeks after embolization. Despite the completion of endovascular treatment progression of ophthalmoparesis to ophthalmoplegia without any simptoms of clinical improvement after 10 weeks is considered to be an indicator of longstanding TCN compression, which can lead to irreversible nerve damage. Despite the increase in the use of an endovascular embolization method in the treatment of PComA aneurysms preceeded by the TCN palsy, neurosurgical treatment is believed to have been necessary. Still, there is one question left to be answered - did we react too late in this particular case?

Introduction. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a serious complication occuring in solid cancer patients with rather poor prognosis. Case report. We presented a 47-yearold woman with the 6-month history of diffuse headache, nausea and visual obscuration. Initially, clinical status and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated syndrome of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Due to clinical progression and high papillary stasis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was performed only after ventriculoperitoneal shunt was implanted. This led to a significant although transient clinical improvement. Futher investigations led to the diagnosis of invasive lobular breast carcinoma and repeated CSF analysis revealed malignant breast carcinoma cells. In this case LC was an initial presentation of a malignant disease. Conclusion. In the presence of a high clinical suspicion of LC, in spite of initially negative findings, a clinician should persist in repeating relevant tests, such are MRI with larger amounts of gadolinium and high-volume cytological CSF analyses in order to make the diagnosis. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175022]

Introduction. Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) are a spectrum of tumors with a various of biological behavior and potential for metastases. It consists of hydatiform mole, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma and placental site trophoblastic tumor. Choriocarcinoma presents a very aggressive tumor with high malignant potential. Case report. We presented the two cases of choriocarcinoma with brain metastases. The first one was manifested by neurological deterioration as the first sign of metastasis, while the second patient had firstly metrorrhagia and in the further couse neurological disturbances that suggested the presence of brain tumor. In both cases we applied a combined treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both patient survived with high quality of life. Conclusion. A successful outcome of brain metastases of choriocarcinoma was obtained by the use of a combined treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In cases of young women with brain metastases, gynecological malignancy should be always considered.

Aim. To evaluate the sensitivity of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence in the diagnosis and follow-up of the patients with low-grade astrocytomas compared with T2-weighted (T2W) sequence. Methods. Twenty-four patients with biopsy- confirmed low-grade astrocytoma (age range, 15-66 years) underwent T1- weighted (T1W), T2W and FLAIR imaging with a superconducting unit 1.0 T. FLAIR images were qualitatively evaluated by comparison with T2W images by the three experienced neuroradiologists. To evaluate the diagnostic value of FLAIR, the neuroradiologists individually assessed the possibilities of the detection of lesions, as well as the possibilities of the differentiation of tumor from the surrounding edema on FLAIR vs. T2W images. Every examiner ranked FLAIR sequence vs. T2W in three degrees: worse, equal and better. Results. The comparison of FLAIR with T2W spin-echo (SE) images with regard to the detection of the lesions showed that 82.8% of FLAIR studies were superior, 17.2% were of similar diagnostic value, and none was inferior to the T2W images. The comparison of images with regard to the differentiation of tumor boundaries vs. surrounding edema showed that 92.5% of FLAIR studies were superior, 7.5% were of similar diagnostic value, and none was inferior to the T2W images. Conclusion. Our results were similar to the previous studies' results concerning the advantages of FLAIR sequence in the diagnosis of low grade astrocytomas over T2W sequence. FLAIR was better at showing different tumor components, and at distinguishing CSF from the cystic component, and the postoperative cavity, compared with T2W images. Our conclusion was that FLAIR could be routinely used in the evaluation and follow-up of low-grade astrocytomas.

Background. Spondylodiscitis, discitis associated with vertebral osteomyelitis may follow disc-removal surgery. A targeted successful treatment of spinal infections requires clinical and laboratory data that are completed by the contribution of imaging procedures. Neuroimaging provides precise information on correct topography, localization, propagation, and differential diagnosis of spinal infectious lesions. The aim of this study was to present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with postoperative spondylodiscitis. Methods. MRI was performed in 6 patients aged 29-50, with clinically suspected postoperative spondylodiscitis. Initial examination was performed 3-8 weeks after surgery and 3, 6, or 12 months after the treatment by antibiotics. Patients underwent MRI on a 1T imaging unit (Siemens, Magnetom-Impact), including sagittal T1W and T2W images and axial T1W images before and after the administration of gadolinium contrast medium. Results. MRI findings included: significantly decreased signal intensity with the loss of distinction between vertebral body and intervertebral disc space on T1W, increased signal intensity in the adjacent vertebral body and end-plates on T2W, contrast enhancement of vertebral body and disc space and paravertebral soft tissue changes. Follow-up examinations performed 3, 6, or 12 months after the treatment showed less abnormal signal intensities on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Conclusion. Postoperative spondylodiscitis is a rare but severe complication of lumbar disc surgery. Since conventional imaging techniques are not reliable for detecting spondylodiscitis in its early stages, MRI is of great significance in the diagnosis of postoperative spondylodiscitis.

Background. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves, using some technical modalities such as intercostal, spinal accessory or intraplexal transfer, and on the basis of the results to try to clarify the most common controversies concerning these operations. Methods. The study included 82 patients with brachial plexus traction injuries, who were operated on using various techniques of nerve transfer. The follow-up period was at least two years. The analysis of biceps and deltoid muscles recovery was performed according to the type of the donor nerve. Results. The corresponding rates of recovery for the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves were 46.7% and 68.1% in intercostal nerve transfer, 71.4% and 75% in accessory nerve transfer, 93.1% and 88.8% in nerve transfer of the brachial plexus collateral branches, and 55.5% and 60% in classical intraplexal nerve transfer, respectively. Comparative statistical analysis demonstrated significantly better final outcome and quality of recovery in regional nerve transfers in comparison to the other methods. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that nerve transfer of collateral branches, where possible, (such as in cases with upper or extended upper brachial plexus palsy) might be a method of choice, offering better results and quality of recovery.

(Conclusion) Total or subtotal surgical resection is the therapy of choice for most intracerebral LGgls. It should be performed whenever possible. After postoperative MRI and PET, it should be decided about immediate postoperativne radiotherapy. If there are the signs of the tumor rest, radiotherapy is essential. Patients in poor clinical grade, or deep seated tumors should undergo stereotactic biopsy followed by stereotactic radiosurgery, or conventional radiation therapy. In recurrent diseases any kind of surgery should be followed by radiation therapy, or/and chemotherapy for chemosensitive oligodendrogliomas. Accurate histopathological diagnosis is essential for treatment choice and prognosis.

ABSTRACT: Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) are vascular malformations characterized by an aberrant shunt between one or more sources of arterial inflow and the cavernous sinus (CS). They are subdivided into direct and indirect fistulas. This last one, called dural CCF involve dural fistulous connections between branches of the internal carotid artery or the external carotid artery. When conventional routes are not eligible, surgical exposure of the vein is the only access to the fistula. We present the case of a patient successfully treated for right sided dural CCF, by a hybrid approach. Furthermore, through a literature review, we analyze the possible risks and benefits associated with this approach.

Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS) is extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder with typical clinical features such as presence of polydactyly, hypothalamic hamartoma, bifid epiglottis, anal, renal, genitourinary and pulmonary abnormalities, mainly located in the midline of the body. Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is also a rare condition, and it is used to describe nasal discharge of CSF unrelated to previous trauma, localized tumour, surgery, or previous radiation therapy. The exact cause is not yet fully understood. We report a case of adult female patient previously diagnosed with PHS and late onset of spontaneous nasal liquorrhea, due to defect in the anterior skull base. Although it can be incidental finding, we believe that described defect in the body midline can be another presentation of congenital craniofacial abnormality which are common in PHS.

Abstract Background Human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs) 1-3 and human concentrative nucleoside transporters (hCNTs) 1-3 in the human choroid plexus (hCP) play a role in the homeostasis of adenosine and other naturally occurring nucleosides in the brain; in addition, hENT1, hENT2 and hCNT3 mediate membrane transport of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that could be used to treat HIV infection, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, 2'3'-dideoxycytidine and 2'3'-dideoxyinosine. This study aimed to explore the expression levels and functional activities of hENTs 1-3 and hCNTs 1-3 in human choroid plexus. Methods Freshly-isolated pieces of lateral ventricle hCP, removed for various clinical reasons during neurosurgery, were obtained under Local Ethics Committee approval. Quantification of mRNAs that encoded hENTs and hCNTs was performed by the hydrolysis probes-based reverse transcription real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); for each gene of interest and for 18 S ribosomal RNA, which was an endogenous control, the efficiency of PCR reaction (E) and the quantification cycle (Cq) were calculated. The uptake of [3H]inosine by the choroid plexus pieces was investigated to explore the functional activity of hENTs and hCNTs in the hCP. Results RT-qPCR revealed that the mRNA encoding the intracellularly located transporter hENT3 was the most abundant, with E-Cq value being only about 40 fold less that the E-Cq value for 18 S ribosomal RNA; mRNAs encoding hENT1, hENT2 and hCNT3 were much less abundant than mRNA for the hENT3, while mRNAs encoding hCNT1 and hCNT2 were of very low abundance and not detectable. Uptake of [3H]inosine by the CP samples was linear and consisted of an Na+-dependent component, which was probably mediated by hCNT3, and Na+-independent component, mediated by hENTs. The latter component was not sensitive to inhibition by S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBMPR), when used at a concentration of 0.5 μM, a finding that excluded the involvement of hENT1, but it was very substantially inhibited by 10 μM NBMPR, a finding that suggested the involvement of hENT2 in uptake. Conclusion Transcripts for hENT1-3 and hCNT3 were detected in human CP; mRNA for hENT3, an intracellularly located nucleoside transporter, was the most abundant. Human CP took up radiolabelled inosine by both concentrative and equilibrative processes. Concentrative uptake was probably mediated by hCNT3; the equilibrative uptake was mediated only by hENT2. The hENT1 transport activity was absent, which could suggest either that this protein was absent in the CP cells or that it was confined to the basolateral side of the CP epithelium.