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Background Despite the increased interest in publishing data on central neurocytoma, its management remains controversial. The overall incidence is approximately 0.5% of brain tumors. The reporting of institutional experience is of major need for such category of tumors to increase our knowledge and experience. In this study, we describe the clinical presentation, pathological data, and treatment outcomes of central neurocytoma. Results Medical records of patients with neurocytoma treated in our center from July 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Extra ventricular neurocytomas were excluded from analysis due to the known aggressive behavior compared to central neurocytoma. Seventeen patients treated at our center as central neurocytoma were included in the study. The frequent clinical presentation was headaches (58.8%) and paresis (35.3%). Ten patients (58.8%) developed symptoms before the age of 30 years. All patients were treated with surgical resection. Gross total resection was performed in 11 cases (64.7%) and subtotal resection was performed in 3 cases (17.7%). Four patients developed disease progression following the first excision (23.5%), for which additional resection was performed. Two patients received fractionated radiotherapy; one after the first resection due to residual disease postoperatively and the other patient following the third excision due to multiple recurrences with radiotherapy doses of 50.4 Gy and 54 Gy, respectively. The median follow-up time was 51 months (range of 14–106). The 5-year progression-free survival was 70 ± 13%. The overall survival for our cohort of patients was 100%. Conclusions Central neurocytoma is a rare tumor of neuronal origin and surgery is the mainstay of treatment with a favorable prognosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy can be offered in patients with residual disease or multiple recurrences, especially in patients with tumors of high MIC-1 LI.

Background Dural closure is a routine surgical step in neurosurgery. The benefit of suturing the dura to achieve watertight closure—with or without the use of dural substitutes—has been questioned in supratentorial craniotomy. We performed a retrospective study to examine the possible benefits and harms of suturing the dura compared with no dural closure and the occurrence of postoperative infection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and postcraniotomy headaches. Methods We performed a retrospective study to compare the incidence of CSF leak, infection, surgical site swelling, and postcraniotomy headaches between patients with watertight dural closure (closed group) and patients without watertight dural closure (open group). Any method used to close the dura and to achieve watertight closure was included, whether primary or secondary closure (with or without using suturable dural substitute). Results Overall, 216 patients were included in the present study, with 112 patients in the open group and 114 in the closed group. The open group experienced a greater incidence of infection and CSF leak (6 in the open group vs. 2 in the closed group), but without statistical significance (P = 0.15). We found no difference in surgical site swelling (P = 0.29). However, the closed group showed a greater association with the development of postcraniotomy headaches (P = 0.001). Conclusion We found no difference in the occurrence of CSF leak, infection, or surgical site swelling between the closed and open groups. The incidence of postcraniotomy headaches was greater in the closed group, and the difference was statistically significant.

BACKGROUND Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is still considered the gold standard test to evaluate arteriovenous malformation's (AVM) residual after microsurgical resection. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and reliability of intraoperative computed tomography angiography (iCTA) as an immediate method of evaluating the surgical results of AVM resection. METHODS We performed a retrospective review for all cases of cerebral AVMs at our institute from January 2015 to April 2020 who underwent surgical resection of cerebral AVM and had iCTA. All included patients underwent a postoperative DSA, and the results were compared with iCTA. RESULTS Twenty-eight cases were included. All cases showed complete resection (100%) in the iCTA, and the results were consistent with the postoperative DSA results. The sensitivity of iCTA was 100%. The added operative time ranged from 25 to 30 min. There were no complications related to the use of iCTA. CONCLUSION Intraoperative assessment of AVMs surgical results with an iCTA is safe and reliable. The sensitivity of iCTA following AVM resection merits further investigations.

Objective Bibliometric analysis reflects the scientific recognition and influential performance of a published article within its field. Our aim is to identify and analyze the top 100 most-cited articles on cerebral vasospasm. Methods A title-specific search was carried out using the Scopus database. The top 100 cited articles including the keywords “Cerebral Vasospasm” AND “Vasospasm” were retrieved and stratified in a descending order: title, authors, institution, publishing journal, country of origin, year of publication, and topic of each article were studied. Results The top 100 articles have an accumulative citation count of 20,972, with 209 average citations per article. Publication dates ranged from 1968 to 2012, with the most productive years between 1998 and 2005. Clinical studies are the most frequent category, followed by pathophysiology. The list includes 7 clinical trials, which received accumulative citations of 1525. The top cited article had received 2109 citations, with 52.7 citations per year. The top 100 articles were published across 14 countries, with most originating from the United States. The lead research institution was the University of Alberta. The most used journal was Journal of Neurosurgery. Conclusions Bibliometric analysis has garnered major interest in recent years. It shows the publication trends, knowledge evolution, and evidence-based practice throughout the years. The collection of highly cited articles may assist physicians in gaining a better understanding of the nature of cerebral vasospasm and optimize their clinical practice.

Background: A synchronized involuntary movement of the tongue to the same side as voluntary movements of the eyes, termed the oculoglossal phenomenon, has been observed. A description of the hypothesized pathway of this phenomenon could guide the development of a rapid clinical evaluation of the long segment of the brainstem and help facilitate further studies to establish a new reflex, if possible. The aim of this study is to describe and propose the simple concept of this pathway/phenomenon, the oculoglossal phenomenon. Methods: This is an observational study. Of a newly observe brainstem phenomenon evaluated on a subject at the National Neuroscience Institute in king Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After being observed incidentally in a single patient, 60 participants were tested between January and March 2020 to confirm the presence of the phenomenon. Each subject was instructed to protrude the tongue and then move their eyes horizontally to the side. If the tongue simultaneously and involuntarily moved to the same side as the eyes, the test was deemed confirmatory. A literature review was performed, and possible anatomical pathway was proposed. Results: The oculoglossal reflex was present in most (50/60, 83.3%) of the subjects. Our proposed pathway begins at the frontal cortex, followed by a projection to the paramedian pontine reticular formation, then to the contralateral medial longitudinal fasciculus and bilaterally to the hypoglossal nuclei. Conclusion: An accurate description of this phenomenon could lead to additional studies and possibly establishing it as a legitimate reflex, thus conceivably adding a new tool in the neurological examination to evaluate the brainstem’s integrity.

Background Medial sphenoid wing meningiomas (MSWMs) account for approximately 20% of all meningiomas that are known for their critical relation to neurovasculture structures. Objective The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between the maximum diameter of the MSWM medial to the anterior clinoidal line (AC line) and surgical outcome. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study investigating all surgically resected MSWM cases at our institution over 10 years. The patients were divided into groups A and B based on the average ratio between the maximum medial extension of the MSWM from the AC line to the maximum diameter of the tumor, that is, value I = 0.42 (group A ≤ 0.42 and group B > 0.42). And into groups C and D based on the average medial extension of the tumor, that is, 14 mm (group C ≤ and D group D > 14 mm). These measurements were correlated with patients' demographics, preoperative symptoms, and postoperative assessment. Results Among 150 patients, 51patients had MSWM that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among them, 76.47% were females with a median age of 48 years (standard deviation [SD] = 47.75 ± 15.11). Also, 92% of the cases were World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. The follow-up period was 0.5 to 10 years. Among them, 40% of group C had gross total resection (GTR), whereas 43% in group D. In group B, 70% had GTR, whereas 48% had GTR in group A. None of the patients developed statistically significant postoperative complications. There is no statistically significant difference in the risk complication with medial extension in all groups. Conclusion The degree of medial extension of MSWM from the AC line has no statistically significant correlation with major postoperative complications, extent of resection, or clinical outcome.

Brain retraction is crucial for adequate exposure during many intracranial procedures. It facilitates the access to the area of interest inside the brain and gives the surgeon the ability to create a corridor to visualize the deeply seated lesions. Retraction-related injury is a well-known complication. A minimally invasive retraction system has been invented and modified to improve the downside of retraction and overcome the complications. The syringe brain port system is a transtubular system composed of simple tools that are available in all medical facilities. It can help the neurosurgeons to achieve brain retraction in a safe, simple, and cost-effective technique. We are presenting a video of how to make this system. Also, we are demonstrating an intraoperative application of this system in a case of a 36-year-old male with deep-seated recurrent right frontal glioblastoma multiforme grade IV.

Highlights • Sensorineural hearing loss as a consequence of cholesterol granuloma. • CT scan and MRI are conclusive for the evaluation of cholesterol granuloma lesions. • Removal of cholesterol granuloma by suctioning and curettage., Introduction Cholesterol granuloma is a benign mass that commonly involves the petrous apex but rarely affects other structures, such as the mastoid cavity. It is diagnosed histologically by the presence of giant cells, and Its management is individualized based on some factors such as the size and location of the lesion. Presentation of case The first case was a 33-year-old man who presented to the outpatient clinic with a two-year history of right-sided pulsatile tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo. Upon investigations, a large, destructive mass in the tympanomastoid region was found and managed surgically. The other case was for a 41-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with loss of consciousness. Urgent CT was done and revealed an aggressive hypodense posterior fossa mass destroying the right temporal bone that was managed surgically. Discussion In this report, we describe two patients with familial hypercholesterolemia who developed bilateral cholesterol granuloma that were managed surgically. Conclusion These cases are reported because of their rare location and presentation since few cases of bilateral cholesterol granuloma have been reported in the literature.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly malignant central nervous system neoplasm usually diagnosed in young children, although it can occur in adults. Prognosis for AT/RT is poor, with a median survival of 10 - 11 months. We report a rare case of adult sellar and suprasellar AT/RT in a 36-year-old female patient. She was treated with multi-modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She markedly improved following treatment with no recurrence in 3 years follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the 11th case of an adult-onset AT/RT in the sellar or suprasellar region with favorable long-term outcome. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(3):216-220 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2922w

Background: Internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries are a major complication of endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs), which can be difficult to manage. Adding to the management difficulty is the lack of literature describing the surgical anatomical classification of these types of injuries. This article proposing a novel classification of ICA injuries during EEAs. Methods: The classification of ICA injuries during EEAs was generated from the review of the literature and analysis of the main author observation of ICA injuries in general. All published cases of ICA injuries during EEAs in the literature between January 1990 and January 2020 were carefully reviewed. We reviewed all patients’ demographic features, preoperative diagnoses, modes of injury, cerebral angiography results, surgical and medical management techniques, and reported functional outcomes. Results: There were 31 papers that reported ICA injuries during EEAs in the past three decades, most studies did not document the type of injury, and few described major laceration type of it. From that review of the literature, we classified ICA injuries into three main categories (Types I-III) and six sub-types. Type I is ICA branch injury, Type II is a penetrating injury to the ICA, and Type III is a laceration of the ICA wall. The functional neurological outcome was found to be worse with Type III and better with Type I. Conclusion: This is a novel classification system for ICA injuries during EEAs; it defines the patterns of injury. It could potentially lead to advancements in the management of ICA injuries in EEAs and facilitate communication to develop guidelines.

Objective The aim of this study is to describe six cases with spontaneous resorption of sequestrated intervertebral disc herniation observed using magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, the possible mechanisms, predictive factors of spontaneous disappearance of the sequestrated disc herniation, and the proper surgical timing were discussed and reviewed in literature. Methods All the studied cases experienced acute radicular pain due to sequestrated intervertebral disc herniation; they refused surgery and were treated conservatively, and they were followed up neurologically and radiologically in the outpatient clinic in regular visits. Results The studied cases included five cases with lumbar disc herniation (three at level L4-5 and two at level L5-S1) and one case with cervical disc herniation at level C5-6. All patients recovered from their radicular pain within 3 to 6 weeks, and it was correlated with resorption of their sequestrated intervertebral disc herniation as documented in their follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 4 to 9 months. Conclusions We found that sequestrated disc herniation has potential for regression, which can be clearly demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging, because of having higher water content, and therefore, may regress through both dehydration and inflammation-mediated resorption. We suggest conservative treatment in the initial course of the sequestrated type of disc herniation for at least 2 months before recommending surgical intervention unless severe neurologic deterioration takes place.

Background: Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are rare and their surgical treatment presents some unique difficulties. In this report, we present our experience of cases with DACA aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Among 80 patents with cerebral aneurysm operated on in the three-year period, 15 patients (18.75%) had DACA aneurysms, who were studied retrospectively. We analyze the specific clinical and radiological features, surgical strategies and prognostic factors affecting the surgical outcomes of these DACA aneurysms. Results: There were 10 male and 5 female patients harboring 16 DACA aneurysms. All patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, 11 patients (73%) had intracerebral hematoma in their initial CT scan and four of them had associated intraventricular hemorrhage. Thirteen of the ruptured DACA aneurysms (86%) were small in size (less than 7 mm in diameter). Three patients (20%) had other associate aneurysms. In 14 patients (93%), a unilateral interhemispheric approach was used in their treatment, while pterional approach was used in one patient. Eleven patients (73%) had favorable outcomes and only one patient (7%) died. The follow-up data suggested that poor admission grade and initial Intracerebral hematoma (ICH) on brain scan portend an unfavorable prognosis. Conclusions: DACA aneurysms are usually small even when ruptured, they are usually associated with ICH more frequently than intracranial aneurysms in other locations. They should be aggressively treated even if very small because of their tendency to early rupture.

Objective: For effective management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms, prognostic criteria for rupture, of which aneurysm size, location, and multiplicity are key factors. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the aneurysm size, location, and multiplicity, and their effect on aneurysmal rupture. Materials and Methods: Eighty one patients with diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms were managed at our center from January 2008 through July 2011. The characteristics of aneurysms, such as size, location, multiplicity, and presentation were retrospectively reviewed from their charts and radiological findings. Results: Eighty one patients harboring 104 aneurysms were diagnosed, of them 45 were males (55.5%) and 36 were females (44.5%). Seventy-six patients (94%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysm. Thirty-three patients who were presented with SAH (43%) had their ruptured aneurysm located at the anterior communicating artery with a mean size 5.8 mm. Most of the small (

A 35-year-old woman presented to peripheral hospital with loss of consciousness, urine incontinence and behavioural changes. The family noticed her impulsiveness and irritability 2 months prior to her presentation to the emergency department. No history of fever, vomiting, trauma or seizures. She was transferred to our hospital and on arrival, she was confused, with normal cranial nerve examination and equally reactive pupils. She had marked weakness in right upper and …

Owing to the deep location of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and its close relationship with the brainstem and surrounding vital structures, surgical treatment of aneurysms in this region is complex. This study was undertaken in an attempt to better delineate the surgical risks of PCA aneurysms. A retrospective analysis was undertaken in 11 patients with PCA aneurysm surgically treated between 1988 and 1996 at Shinshu University and its affiliated hospitals. Data regarding surgical strategy, surgical complications and outcomes were analysed. Seven aneurysms were saccular (including one mycotic) and the other four were fusiform, dissecting, thrombosed and an infundibular dilatation. The locations of the aneurysms were at the P1 segment in two patients, P1-P2 junction in two, P2 segment in six and P3 segment in one. Six saccular non-mycotic aneurysms were treated with neck clipping and the other five aneurysms were treated each with proximal occlusion of the parent artery, excision of the aneurysm or wrapping. All aneurysms were satisfactorily exposed except one large saccular aneurysm. Surgical outcomes were either good recovery or moderate disability in 10 patients, and severe disability in one patient with a large aneurysm due to temporal lobe contusion. In conclusion it is the responsibility of the surgeon dealing with rare PCA aneurysms to be aware of these specific characteristics and to appreciate which surgical technique is appropriate for each patient.

Selective cerebral angiography is currently being performed using transfemoral and transbrachial approaches. However, these techniques require patients to tolerate a prolonged focal compression and sometimes cause serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. The authors describe a technique of transradial approach as a safer selective cerebral angiography. Between July 1997 and November 1998, 70 patients underwent selective cerebral angiography with a transradial approach using a 4-F catheter. The collateral blood supply to the hand from the ulnar artery was confirmed using Allen's test prior to the procedure. To prevent the mechanical spasm of the radial artery, an arterial introducer 20 cm long was used. The radial artery was successfully punctured and cannulated in all patients. Selective catheterization of the intended vessels was obtained in over 98% of the carotid angiography and over 95% of the vertebral angiography. No major vascular complications such as cerebral infarction, upper limb ischemia, significant local hematoma or pseudoaneurysm were experienced. The transradial approach is a less invasive and safer technique for selective cerebral angiography, and could be an alternative to transfemoral and transbrachial approaches.

BACKGROUND With the widespread use of less invasive imaging tools, such as magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomographic angiography, unruptured cerebral aneurysms are found much more often than in the past. This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the risk factors for surgical intervention in a patient with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm. METHODS Over a 5-year period, 1,558 patients with intracranial aneurysms underwent surgery at our center. Of these, 310 patients (20%) with unruptured aneurysms were included in this study. RESULTS Out of 310 patients with unruptured aneurysms, 292 (95%) had a favorable outcome, and only one patient (0.3%) with a giant vertebral artery aneurysm died. Aneurysm size larger than 15 mm and location of the aneurysm in the posterior circulation were independent risk factors associated with less favorable outcomes. Patients with a single aneurysm had a better outcome than did patients with multiple aneurysms. CONCLUSION Our results support the contention that surgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms carries a low risk of morbidity and mortality and may improve the outcome in patients harboring cerebral aneurysms by preventing the devastating effects of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysm size, location, and number were risk predictors for surgical morbidity in patients with unruptured aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) is thought to be a critical trigger in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We investigated whether extraluminally applied OxyHb influenced vascular responses to intraluminally applied vasoactive agents in isolated, perfused, canine basilar arteries. METHODS: The steel cannula insertion method was used to examine vascular responses to intraluminally applied 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists, i.e., 5-HT, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (selective for 5-HT 1 receptors), and a-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (selective for 5-HT 2 receptors), potassium chloride, and acetylcholine, before and after extraluminal treatment with OxyHb. RESULTS: Extraluminal application of 2.5 x 10 -5 mol/L OxyHb immediately induced a transient elevation of the basal perfusion pressure, which gradually decreased and then stabilized at a level slightly higher than the control level. Each 5-HT agonist induced dose-dependent vasoconstriction. The potencies of the agonists were not very different, but the efficacies varied, i.e., α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine > 5-HT > 5-carboxamidotryptamine. Each response was strongly inhibited by ketanserin (a selective 5-HT 2 receptor antagonist), indicating that each agonist induces vasoconstriction mediated by 5-HT 2 receptors. The vasoconstriction in response to each 5-HT receptor agonist was consistently potentiated by treatment with OxyHb (2.5 x 10 -5 mol/L). 5-HT receptor agonist-induced constrictions after OxyHb treatment were much more markedly inhibited by ketanserin, compared with those before OxyHb treatment. Acetylcholine-induced constrictions were enhanced by OxyHb, but KCI-induced constrictions were significantly decreased by OxyHb. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that OxyHb enhancement of constrictions in response to 5-HT receptor agonists may be mediated by increased sensitivity of 5-HT 2 receptors, in addition to actions in the endothelium, in canine basilar arteries. This potentiated vasoconstrictor mechanism may be partially implicated in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

For effective management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms, prognostic criteria for rupture are needed, of which aneurysm size is a key factor. However, the critical size at which an aneurysm becomes hazardous is not known. During the last 5 years, 1558 aneurysm patients have been operated on in our centre. Of these 1248 presented with a subarachnoid haemorrhage (ruptured aneurysms) and 310 without a subarachnoid haemorrhage (unruptured aneurysms). Of the ruptured aneurysms 475 (38%) were small in size with a maximum diameter6 mm. Most of these small ruptured aneurysms were located on the anterior communicating artery. Of the 310 patients with unruptured aneurysms 253 (81.6%) had single aneurysms; 113 (44.7%) of those were small in size. Most of these small unruptured aneurysms were located on the middle cerebral artery. The remaining 57 patients with unruptured aneurysms harboured multiple aneurysms totalling 116 aneurysms; 50% of them were small in size. Our of 160 patients with multiple aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage, 34 patients had small aneurysm(s) accompanied with medium or large sized aneurysm(s); in nine (26.5%) of these 34 patients the small aneurysm was the ruptured one. These data suggest that small aneurysms6 mm in diameter are not innocuous and hazardous, and surgical treatment should be considered for small unruptured aneurysms even if they are less than 6 mm in diameter.

A 48-year-old male harboring a rare peripheral superior cerebellar artery aneurysm presented with sudden severe headache. Neurological examination on admission revealed no deficit except stiff neck. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left vertebral angiography showed an aneurysm at the anterior pontomesencephalic segment (anterior pontine segment) of the left superior cerebellar artery. The neck of the aneurysm was rather high, 10 mm above the biclinoid line. The aneurysm was clipped through an orbitozygomatic transsylvian approach. His postoperative course was uneventful. We recommend this skull base approach especially for high-positioned aneurysms at this segment.

The terminology of juxta-dural ring aneurysms of the internal carotid artery is reviewed historically with special reference to those aneurysms protruding ventrally. The first description of such cases was made by Drake as exceptional examples of carotid-opthalmic aneurysms. Yasargil and Fox termed them ventral (inferior) internal carotid artery aneurysms. The term (ventral) paraclinoid aneurysms was coined by Nutik. We introduce the concept of carotid cave aneurysms. The name superior hypophyseal artery aneurysms was proposed by Day. Other related terminologies by various authors are also described.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of 7 patients with traumatic rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation. Overview of Literature: Cases of traumatic rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation in children are difficult to be stabilized. Surgical challenges include: narrow pedicles, medial vertebral arteries, vertebral artery anomalies, fractured pedicles or lateral masses, and fixed subluxation. The use of O-arm and computer-assisted navigation are still tested as aiding tools in such operative modalities. Purpose: Report of clinical series for evaluation of the safety of use of the O-arm and computed assisted-navigation in screw fixation in children with traumatic rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation. Methods: In the present study, 7 cases of rotatory atlantoaxial traumatic subluxation were operated between December 2009 and March 2011. All patient-cases had undergone open reduction and instrumentation using atlas lateral mass and axis pedicle screws with intraoperative O-arm with computer-assisted navigation. Results: All hardware was safely placed in the planned trajectories in all the 7 cases. Intraoperative O-arm and computer assisted-navigation were useful in securing neural and vascular tissues safety with tough-bony purchases of the hardware from the first and only trial of application with sufficient reduction of the subluxation. Conclusions: Successful surgery is possible with using the intraoperative O-arm and computer-assisted navigation in safe and proper placement of difficult atlas lateral mass and axis pedicle screws for rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation in children.

Basilar trunk saccular aneurysms associated with fenestration are infrequent, especially in the middle or distal portion of the basilar artery. Surgical treatment of the basilar trunk aneurysm is difficult, due to its anatomical environment and the complicated surgical exposure. A 46-year-old woman presenting with Hunt and Kosnik grade II subarachnoid hemorrhage was found to have a ruptured aneurysm arising at the proximal corner of the associated fenestration in the middle portion of the basilar artery. Because of surgical difficulties anticipated in approaching the aneurysm, it was decided to treat it with endovascular embolization utilizing the Guglielmi detachable coil; and complete occlusion of the aneurysm was obtained. The efficacy of endovascular treatment for the basilar trunk aneurysm with associated fenestration is discussed from anatomical and embryological points of view, and relevant literature is reviewed.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to define more accurately the feasibility and indications of the contralateral pterional approach to ophthalmic segment aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA). METHODS Between 1995 and 1999, 46 patients with ophthalmic segment aneurysms of the ICA were surgically treated in our institution. Eleven of the 46 aneurysms were operated using the contralateral pterional approach. All aneurysms were successfully clipped without complications; three patients required bone resection around the aneurysm neck. We studied the 11 patients who were treated with the contralateral approach by defining six parameters to assess the feasibility of the approach and to predict the necessity for bone resection: 1) Parameter A, the distance between the anterior aspect of the optic chiasm and the limbus sphenoidale; 2) Parameter B, the distance between the bilateral optic nerves at the entrance to the optic canal; 3) Parameter C, the interrelation of the optic nerve and the ICA, expressed as a/b in which a is the length from the midline to the optic nerve and b is the length from the midline to the ICA; 4) Parameter D, the size of the aneurysm neck; 5) Parameter E, the direction of the aneurysm from the ICA wall on the anteroposterior angiogram; and 6) Parameter F, the distance from the medial side of the estimated distal dural ring to the proximal aneurysm neck on the lateral angiogram. RESULTS Parameters A to F were 8.8 mm (range, 5.4–11.1 mm), 14.5 mm (range, 10.4–22.2 mm), 0.9 mm (range, 0.6–1.3 mm), and 3.0 mm (range, 2.3–4.7 mm), 5 to 160 degrees, and 1.3 mm (range, 0.3–2.4 mm), respectively. All patients had excellent operative outcomes without visual dysfunction. Three patients required drilling of the bone around the optic canal on the craniotomy side; bone drilling was not required when Parameter E was between 30 and 160 degrees and Parameter F was more than 1 mm. CONCLUSION Parameters A to D are important for assessing the feasibility of the contralateral approach to ICA-ophthalmic segment aneurysms, and Parameters E and F are most useful for calculating the difficulty of this approach.

The vascular responses to intraluminally administered 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT, a 5-HT(1)-like receptor agonist), alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-M-5-HT, a 5-HT(2) receptor agonist) were examined, compared with those to noradrenaline (NA) and potassium chloride (KCl), in isolated and perfused canine basilar arteries using the steel cannula insertion method. These agonists usually elicited only a vasoconstriction in a dose related manner. Even in preconstricted preparations by 30 and 60 mM K(+) in modified Krebs solution, the injection of either 5-HT or 5-CT induced only monophasic constrictor responses without any dilation. The rank order of vasoconstrictive potency was 5-HTalpha-M-5-HT/= CT NA KCl. The constrictions to 5-HT, 5-CT and alpha-M-5-HT were significantly inhibited by ketanserin (a 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist), but not significantly blocked by methiothepin (a 5-HT(1) receptor antagonist). From these results, we concluded that 1) 5-HT induces a prominent vasoconstriction mainly due to an activation of 5-HT(2) receptors, 2) 5-CT-induced constriction may be mostly mediated by 5-HT(2) but not 5-HT(1) receptors, and 3) there are no functional vasodilator 5-HT receptors in the canine basilar artery.

The surgical outcome of 221 cases with multiple intracranial aneurysms operated upon during the years 1988 to 1994 were reviewed. The patients were classified into three groups according to the locations of the aneurysms; group 1: multiple aneurysms located unilaterally in the anterior circulation only (147 cases); group 2: multiple aneurysms located bilaterally in the anterior circulation only (44 cases) and group 3: multiple aneurysms located in both anterior and posterior circulation or in the posterior circulation alone (30 cases). In 132 cases of group 1 (89.8%) all aneurysms were treated in one-stage operations. Twenty-eight patients from group 2 (63.6%) received partial treatment, where only the ruptured or the symptomatic aneurysms were treated. In 12 other cases from group 2 (27.3%) all multiple aneurysms were treated in two-stage operations. In group 3 patients, one-stage operations were performed in 18 cases (60%), while 9 patients (30%) received partial treatment only. Of the 221 multiple aneurysm cases, 162 (73.3%) presented with manifestations of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The remaining 59 multiple aneurysms cases (26.7%) presented with manifestations other than SAH (unruptured aneurysms). In the postoperative follow-up, of the 221 multiple aneurysms cases, 113 (51.1%) were free of neurological deficit (excellent), 48 cases (21.7%) were capable of leading an independent life (good), 32 cases (14.5%) were not independent and needed to be assisted (fair), and 28 patients (12.7%) died. These results were comparable to the results of patients with single aneurysms operated on during the same period. Based on our results, we recommend that whenever possible all multiple aneurysms should be treated in one-stage operations. In unruptured multiple aneurysm cases surgical management is the recommended treatment. In poor grade SAH patients or unruptured multiple aneurysms in old patients, two-stage operations or partial treatment of only the ruptured or the symptomatic aneurysms may be adopted.