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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of liposomal fasudil in a sustained-release form for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Eighteen rats were divided into three groups, each of which received 2.5 mg/kg of liposomal fasudil, 5 mg/kg of liposomal fasudil, or drug-free liposomes after SAH. Next, experimental SAH was induced in 15 dogs by injection of autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna twice after baseline vertebral angiography. In six dogs, 0.94 mg/kg of liposomal fasudil was injected into the cisterna magna (treatment group). In four dogs, drug-free liposomes were similarly injected (placebo group), and the remaining five dogs were not treated with liposomal injection after SAH (control group). Angiography was repeated on Day 7, and cerebrospinal fluid was collected before the dogs were killed. RESULTS: A high dose of liposomal fasudil caused no significant changes in mean arterial blood pressure and did not induce seizures during the observation period. Gross and microscopic examination of the brains revealed no abnormalities, but severe vasospasm was noted in the rat basilar artery, mainly in the group treated with drug-free liposomes. Likewise, in the canine placebo and control groups, significant vasospasm occurred in the basilar artery on Day 7. In the treatment group, vasospasm in the basilar artery was significantly ameliorated (P < 0.01). In vivo, 90% of fasudil was released from liposomes in the cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSION: A single injection of intrathecal liposomal fasudil is safe and effective for the prevention of vasospasm in experimental SAH.

Objective The technical difficulty of using the petrosal approach and the likelihood of encountering venous complications depend on the particular temporal venous anatomy. To reduce such potential risks, neurosurgeons must have adequate knowledge of the variations in the anatomy of the temporal venous drainage system, particularly of the temporal bridging veins. Methods In 20 cadaveric specimens, the temporal bridging veins were examined with the aid of an operating microscope. The anatomic location of their termination and of the tributaries of these bridging veins was noted. Results Forty-four terminations and 109 tributaries of the temporal bridging veins were identified in our specimens. The temporal bridging veins were divided into three groups according to the anatomic location of their terminations: 1) the transverse sinus group (seen in all 20 hemispheres), with drainage into the lateral part of the cerebellar tentorium, to which most of the vein of Labbe belongs; 2) the tentorial group (seen in 50% of the 20 hemispheres), with drainage into the medial part of the tentorium, which is composed mainly of the middle and posterior temporobasal veins; and 3) the petrosal group (seen in 55% of the 20 hemispheres), with entry around the superior petrosal sinus, which may limit mobility of the temporal lobe in the petrosal approach. On the basis of this anatomic information, we propose a new classification of the temporal venous drainage system and discuss the clinical implications of these findings. Conclusion In planning the petrosal approach, great care should be taken not only with the vein of Labbe but also with the petrosal bridging veins. Knowledge of this venous anatomy can reduce venous complications during the lateral cranial base approach.

OBJECTIVE : We describe the technique of cosmetic reconstruction after mastoidectomy in the transpetrosal-presigmoid approach for petroclival lesions. TECHNIQUES : This technique involves raising a single temporo-occipital bone flap and cosmetic mastoidectomy, removing the mastoid bone fragments (by means of a rongeur instead of an air drill) for later reconstruction. Replacement of the bone fragments mixed with fibrin glue enables tamponade against the dura to be achieved without a fat graft. RESULTS : Computed tomographic scans and plain cranial films taken a few years later showed successful reconstruction of the mastoid bone with a good appearance of the retromastoid area in seven patients who underwent this procedure. The only complication was infection in one patient from cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the wound. CONCLUSION : We have developed a simple and easy technique of cosmetic reconstruction after the transpetrosal-presigmoid approach.

A patient with unusual angiographic changes of a dissecting aneurysm of the basilar artery is presented. Initial angiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a typical dissecting aneurysm. However, a follow-up study demonstrated a saccular aneurysmal dilatation of the proximal part of the dissection. The importance of the follow-up study, particularly in regard to the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging and the pathogenesis of this change are discussed.

A patient with unusual angiographic changes of a dissecting aneurysm of the basilar artery is presented. Initial angiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a typical dissecting aneurysm. However, a follow-up study demonstrated a saccular aneurysmal dilatation of the proximal part of the dissection. The importance of the follow-up study, particularly in regard to the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging and the pathogenesis of this change are discussed.

Nonmycotic peripheral posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are rare. The authors report six cases of peripheral PICA aneurysm. Two of these are unusual; one was fusiform and another was a double aneurysm arising from the peripheral PICA. The previously reported 40 cases of peripheral PICA aneurysm are reviewed.

The 3rd ventricle is one of the most surgically inaccessible areas in the brain. It is impossible to reach its cavity without incising some neural structures. Twenty-five cadaveric brains were examined in detail to evaluate the surgically important relationships of the walls of the 3rd ventricle. The routes through which the 3rd ventricle can be reached are: (a) from above, through the foramen of Monro and the roof after entering the lateral ventricle through the corpus callosum or the cerebral cortex; (b) from anterior, through the lamina terminalis; (c) from below, through the floor if it has been stretched by tumor; and (d) from posterior, through the pineal region or from the posterior part of the lateral ventricle through the crus of the fornix. The posterior part of the circle of Willis and the basilar artery are intimately related to the floor, the anterior part of the circle of Willis and the anterior cerebral and anterior communicating arteries are related to the anterior wall, and the posterior cerebral artery supplies the posterior wall. The deep cerebral venous system is intimately related to the 3rd ventricle; the internal cerebral vein is related to the roof, and the basal vein is related to the floor. The junction of these veins with the great vein forms a formidable obstacle to the operative approach to the pineal gland and the posterior part of the 3rd ventricle.

The operative approaches to the 3rd ventricle are divided on the basis of whether they are suitable for reaching the anterior or posterior part of the 3rd ventricle. The approaches suitable for lesions within or compressing the anterior portion of the 3rd ventricle are the trans-sphenoidal, subfrontal, frontotemporal, subtemporal, anterior transcallosal, and anterior transventricular. The approaches suitable for reaching the posterior portion of the 3rd ventricle are the posterior transcallosal, posterior transventricular, occipital transtentcrial, and infratentorial supracerebellar. Considerations important in selecting one of these approaches are reviewed.

This report describes the case of a 39-year-old woman with bilateral spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas that were treated successfully by the detachable balloon technique. The clinical features and management are reviewed.

The relationship between the results of early operation for ruptured intracranial aneurysms (72 cases) and the preoperative computed tomographic (CT) findings was studied. There was a correlation among the surgical results, the development of symptomatic vasospasm, and high density on the preoperative CT scan, particularly the presence of a localized, thick layer in the subarachnoid space. However, no relationship was found between the occurrence of ventricular enlargement and the preoperative CT findings. Cisternal or ventricular drainage might contribute to an uncomplicated postoperative course for patients with severe subarachnoid clot shown on the preoperative CT scan.