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Biomedical subjects

Y Ushio

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ushio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Successful treatment with bypass and interventional surgery for a ruptured pseudo carotid artery aneurysm after transsphenoidal surgery: a case report].

We report case of a patient who suffered a pseudo internal carotid artery (IC) aneurysm following transsphenoidal surgery. He was successfully treated with bypass surgery and IC occlusion involving the pseudoaneurysm using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). This 50-year-old man with recurrent FSH-releasing pituitary adenoma suffered profuse arterial bleeding during transsphenoidal surgery. The hemorrhage was managed, using oxidized cellulose with bio-bond. His postoperative course was uneventful, but, he developed massive epistaxis 20 days after surgery. Cerebral angiograms showed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the C4 portion of the left IC. He could not tolerate the balloon occlusion test. Using GDCs, we immediately performed left IC occlusion involving the pseudoaneurysm followed by bypass surgery between the left EC and the left middle cerebral artery. Postoperative angiograms showed that the pseudoaneurysm was completely occluded and the bypass was fully patent. When massive arterial bleeding is encountered during transsphenoidal surgery, the patient should be carefully monitored to detect early the development of a pseudoaneurysm. When such an aneurysm is found or has ruptured, interventional surgery has proved effective in the management of this complication.

Adenoma↗

[Spontaneous resolution of cervical syringomyelia. A case report].

A 54-year-old man visited our hospital with complaints of severe pain in the neck and the right upper limb. His MR (magnetic resonance) imaging showed a cervical syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation. After one month, his complaints vanished smoothly, and the repeated MR imaging revealed shrinkage of the syrinx. The mechanisms of spontaneous resolution of syringomyelia were discussed according to some relevant literature.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation↗

Perfusion-sensitive MR imaging of gliomas: comparison between gradient-echo and spin-echo echo-planar imaging techniques.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The different sensitivities to vessel size of gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) and spin-echo EPI (SE-EPI) might indicate the relative cerebral blood volumes (rCBVs) of different tumor sizes. The techniques of GE-EPI and SE-EPI were compared for detecting low- versus high-grade gliomas. METHODS: Six patients with low-grade gliomas and 19 patients with high-grade gliomas underwent two perfusion-sensitive MR procedures, one produced by a GE- and the other by an SE-EPI technique. Maximum rCBV ratios normalized with rCBV of contralateral white matter were calculated for evaluation. P <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Maximum rCBV ratios of high-grade gliomas obtained with the GE-EPI technique (mean, 5.0 +/- 2.9) were significantly higher than those obtained with the SE-EPI technique (mean, 2.9 +/- 2.3) (P =.02). Maximum rCBV ratios of low-grade gliomas obtained with the GE-EPI technique (mean, 1.2 +/- 0.7) were almost equal to those obtained with the SE-EPI technique (mean, 1.2 +/- 0.6), and there was no significant difference (P =.66). The difference in the maximum rCBV ratios between the low- and high-grade gliomas reached significance when obtained with the GE-EPI technique (P =.01). CONCLUSION: The GE-EPI technique seems more useful for detecting low- versus high-grade gliomas than the SE-EPI technique.

Adolescent↗

[Treatment of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula by the transvenous approach via the facial and angular route].

We report a case of a patient with a spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) who was successfully treated by the facial vein approach. This 66-year-old female had a 3-month history of right chemosis and exophthalmos. Angiograms showed a spontaneous right CCF with primary drainage via the superior ophthalmic vein. As both inferior petrosal sinuses were hypoplastic, the transvenous approach could not be used to gain access to the right cavernous sinus. With effort, we were able to traverse the sharp angle at the corner of the angular vein and the superior ophthalmic vein with a microcatheter. Thereafter, it was easily navigated into the right cavernous sinus. Successful placement of Guglielmi detachable coils resulted in complete closure of the fistula. When it is difficult to gain access to the cavernous sinus via the inferior petrosal sinus, the facial vein approach is a useful alternative.

Aged↗

Expression of neuron specific phosphatase, striatal enriched phosphatase (STEP) in reactive astrocytes after transient forebrain ischemia.

We studied the distribution and change of striatal enriched phosphatase (STEP) in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia. STEP was expressed in the perikarya and in neuronal processes; it was not detected in non-neuronal cells of control animals. After 5-min forebrain ischemia, STEP immunoreactivity (STEP-IR) was preserved for 2 days; it disappeared 4 and more days after ischemia with completion of delayed neuronal death (DND) in the CA1 subfield. Furthermore, only in the CA1 after ischemia, STEP was expressed in reactive astrocytes for 4 to 28 days, showing different patterns of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive reactive astrocytes. After non-or less-than lethal ischemia, STEP expression in reactive astrocytes corresponded with the degree of neuronal degeneration. Immunoblot analysis of the CA1 subfield revealed the expression of three isoforms, STEP45, -56 and -61; their expression patterns changed with time after ischemia. These data suggest that neuronal STEP is preserved until cell degeneration after ischemia and that STEP is expressed in reactive astrocytes only after lethal ischemia, with different expression patterns for its isoforms. Of STEP45, -56 and -61, STEP61 was the most strongly expressed in the reactive astrocytes; both STEP45 and -61 were expressed in neurons and the expression of STEP56 was weak. STEP may play an important role not only in neurons but also in reactive astrocytes after ischemia, depending on neuronal degeneration.

Animals↗

Highly efficient electro-gene therapy of solid tumor by using an expression plasmid for the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene.

We report successful electro-gene therapy (EGT) by using plasmid DNA for tumor-bearing mice. Subcutaneously inoculated CT26 tumor was subjected to EGT, which consists of intratumoral injection of a naked plasmid encoding a marker gene or a therapeutic gene, followed by in vivo electroporation (EP). When this treatment modality is carried out with the plasmid DNA for the green fluorescent protein gene, followed by in vivo EP with the optimized pulse parameters, numerous intensely bright green fluorescent signals appeared within the tumor. EGT, by using the "A" fragment of the diphtheria toxin gene significantly inhibited the growth of tumors, by about 30%, on the flank of mice. With the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene, followed by systemic injection of ganciclovir, EGT was far more effective in retarding tumor growth, varying between 50% and 90%, compared with the other controls. Based on these results, it appears that EGT can be used successfully for treating murine solid tumors.

Animals↗

Evaluation of syringomyelia with three-dimensional constructive interference in a steady state (CISS) sequence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence in the assessment of syringomyelia. Eleven patients with syringomyelia were prospectively studied with magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent sagittal imaging with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE), and 3D-CISS sequences. The SE and 3D-CISS images, as well as multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images of the 3D-CISS sequence, were analyzed with regard to image quality, degree of artifacts, visualization of the extent and internal structure of the syringomyelia, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the fluid within the syringomyelia. Contrast between the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as delineation was significantly poorer for the T1-weighted SE sequence than for the 3D-CISS sequence (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the T2-weighted SE sequence and the 3D-CISS sequence. Artifacts induced by CSF flow were significantly more for the T2-weighted SE sequence than for the 3D-CISS sequence (P < 0.01). Although the extent of syringomyelia was delineated equally among the three sequences in 9 of 11 patients, it was better for the 3D-CISS sequence than for the SE sequences in the remaining two. Septation and communication between the cavities were best detected by the 3D-CISS MPR images. The CNR of the 3D-CISS sequence was significantly higher than that of the SE sequence (P < 0.01). The 3D-CISS sequence demonstrates the extent and internal structures of syringomyelia better than conventional SE sequences and should be added to SE sequences in the evaluation of syringomyelia.

Adult↗

Correlation between magnetic resonance images and draining patterns in dural arteriovenous fistulas with leptomeningeal venous drainage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare abnormal intensity areas on intracranial magnetic resonance images (MRI) and the pattern of venous drainage in dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with retrograde venous drainage. METHODS: Thirteen patients with retrograde venous drainage of DAVFs were divided into two groups based on the venous drainage pattern determined by detailed angiographic and MRI study. In group 1 there was an accessory route draining into another sinus besides the main draining sinus. In group 2 no such accessory route was present. RESULTS: In group 1 patients (n = 8), MRI detected no unusual intensity areas; 5 patients in this group had episodes of bleeding. Angiographically, in this group retrograde venous drainage tended to occur via multiple varices. On the other hand, none of the 5 group 2 patients experienced a bleeding episode. Angiographically, there was a low incidence of varices. On T2-weighted images, these patients had a hyperintensity area. Following treatment, these areas of abnormality disappeared on T2-weighted MRI. CONCLUSION: Among 13 patients with DAVFs which drained retrogradely, those with a variceal accessory route (Group 1, n = 8) had a higher incidence of haemorrhage. In patients without such an accessory route (Group 2, n = 5) abnormal signal intensity on MRI was indicative of venous congestion. Continuous-mode angiography and MRI study were useful in the precise identification of DAVFs with a venous drainage route.

Aged↗

Multiple "mirror" aneurysms involving intracavernous carotid arteries and vertebral arteries: case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are rare. Moreover, the proportion of vertebrobasilar aneurysms in association with multiple aneurysms is extremely low. We describe a rare case of "mirror" aneurysms on the bilateral intracavernous carotid and bilateral vertebral arteries. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old male suffered from ophthalmic pain and oculomotor palsy on the left side. Cerebral angiography disclosed a giant left cavernous aneurysm and large asymptomatic aneurysms on the right intracavernous carotid artery and bilateral vertebral arteries. The cavernous sinus syndrome on the left side was successfully treated by left carotid artery ligation. However, 2 years later, severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) occurred. Computed tomography revealed thick clots densely distributed in the basal cisterns and third and fourth ventricles, indicating that the SAH originated from one of the vertebral artery aneurysms. Consciousness disturbance progressed rapidly, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest. CONCLUSION: The literature contains no case of mirror intracranial aneurysms involving both intracavernous carotid and vertebral arteries. Multi-staged surgical techniques with optimal combinations of direct clipping, ligation or trapping, and endovascular embolization may be essential for patients with multiple aneurysms to avoid SAH.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗

Randomized comparison of intra-arterial versus intravenous infusion of ACNU for newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma.

This prospective randomized trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of intra-arterial ACNU with intravenous ACNU in newly diagnosed patients with supratentorial glioblastoma. The primary end points were overall survival and progression-free survival. Within 3 weeks after surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous or intra-arterial ACNU (80 mg/m2) once every 6 weeks concomitant with radiotherapy. Intraarterial ACNU was administered for the first 3 courses followed by intravenous administration. Eighty-four patients were enrolled onto this study and among them 82 patients who passed eligibility criteria were analyzed. Patients characteristics were not different significantly between 2 treatment arms. Median survival and progression-free survival time was 59 and 24 weeks, respectively for intra-arterial arm and 56 and 45 weeks, respectively for intravenous arm. There was no significant difference respectively between two treatment arms. Among the prognostic variables including age, Karnofsky performance status, extent of surgery and treatment arm, Cox's proportional hazards model showed that age was the only significant factor for both survival and progression-free survival (P = 0.003 and 0.016, respectively). With regard to toxicity, there was no significant difference between two treatment arms. Leukoencephalopathy was not observed in intra-arterial arm. In conclusion, intra-arterial ACNU when administered by the method in this study does not increase the survival and progression-free survival of newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma over that afforded by intravenous ACNU.

Adolescent↗

Phase II trial of pre-irradiation KRN8602 (MX2) in malignant glioma patients.

KRN8602 (MX2) is a newly developed morpholino anthracycline that crosses the blood-brain barrier where it becomes distributed in brain tissue after intravenous administration. This morpholino anthracycline has been found to be effective against human glioma cells and the intracerebrally transplanted tumors in vivo, We performed a phase II trial using KRN8602 as a single agent in malignant glioma patients who had not received prior adjuvant therapy. The 13 patients (5 glioblastomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and 1 malignant oligodendroglioma) enrolled received at least 1 cycle of KRN8602 at 35 mg/m2/day in 3-4 week intervals by intravenous bolus. Ten of these patients could be evaluated for response, and 13 for toxicity. Three patients (1 glioblastoma and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas) demonstrated a complete response (3/10, 30%). Concerning side effects, myelosuppression was moderately severe, with 30.7% of patients developing grade 3 leukopenia. Severe nausea/vomiting was observed in 69% of the patients, however, cardiotoxicity was not observed. The results indicate that KRN8602 demonstrated modest activity against malignant glioma with relatively severe, but manageable toxicity. Further assessment of the efficacy and toxicity of KRN8602 against malignant glioma may be worthwhile.

Adult↗

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis associated with a dural arteriovenous fistula involving the straight sinus: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Reports of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis have increased as a result of advances in magnetic resonance imaging. This is the first documented case of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis associated with a dural arteriovenous fistula involving the straight sinus. We discuss possible causes of the association and the treatment options. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old man presented with a headache and visual disturbance. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated homogeneously stained meninges and prominent enhancement of the tentorium and falx. Angiograms demonstrated a dural arteriovenous fistula of the straight sinus. INTERVENTION: Although surgical excision of the straight sinus and subsequent corticosteroid therapy failed to relieve the patient's visual symptoms, subsequent surgical decompression of the optic nerve resulted in improvement and stabilization. CONCLUSION: Narrowing or occlusion of the tentorial sinuses and narrowing of the straight sinus by extensive dural fibrosis of the tentorium and falx, attributable in turn to idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis, may have resulted in the development of a dural arteriovenous fistula. We propose surgical decompression of the optic nerve as an alternative treatment during the active phase of the disease in patients who exhibit resistance to corticosteroid therapy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Successful treatment of a neonate with vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation.

We present a follow-up study on a 5-year-old boy who was born with vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) accompanied by extreme cardiovascular distress. He was successfully treated by the staged endovascular technique during the neonatal stage. Postoperative angiographic study confirmed complete occlusion of the VGAM and the establishment of normal brain perfusion. At 5 years of age, the child is growing normally without neurological deficits or developmental retardation. We suggest that the restoration of normal brain perfusion in neonates with VGAM can cause normal brain development.

Cardiomegaly↗

Temporal sequence of response to unilateral GPi pallidotomy of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

The present study was performed to determine the temporal sequence of the response to unilateral MRI/microelectrode-guided pallidotomy of each cardinal symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). For this purpose, we performed a quantitative assessment of motor functions in 19 patients with PD at several time points up to 6 months following surgery. We here report that although all the motor signs were significantly improved 6 months after pallidotomy, the temporal sequence of tremor response was different from those of other symptoms.

Aged↗

An occipital encephalocystocele involving both sides of the lateral ventricles.

We reported a rare case of an occipital encephalocystocele linked by bilateral posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. The subject was a newborn girl with a large occipital cephalocele (6 x 9 cm in diameter) covered with alopetic skin. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not observed. The fontanel was soft, but a characteristic flat forehead was noted. Neither neurological deficits nor cardiopulmonary dysfunctions were evident at birth. Magnetic resonance images revealed that the sac contained the occipital lobes and that the cavity was linked by bilateral posterior horns. Agenesis of the corpus callosum and dysgenesis of the falx cerebri were associated. Fifteen days after birth, the cephalocele was removed surgically. Cutting sections revealed that the cephalocele contained enlarged bilateral posterior horns and cerebral hemispheres. The postoperative course was uncomplicated by hydrocephalus or infection, and the patient was discharged without any neurological deficit 22 days after surgery. Her milestone was survival; and at present 12 months after surgery, she is alive with moderate developmental retardation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Diffuse brainstem glioma in a patient with Laurence-Moon-(Bardet-)Biedl syndrome.

An autopsy case of a patient with diffuse brainstem glioma associated with Laurence-Moon-(Bardet-)Biedl syndrome is described. The subject was a 25-year-old woman who had been suffering from mental retardation, pigmented retinopathy, obesity, hexadactyly, amenorrhea and renal cysts. She developed dizziness, headache and consequent consciousness disturbance. Magnetic resonance images disclosed marked swelling of the pons without contrast enhancement. By means of combined chemotherapy and radiation, she survived for 15 months. Histopathological diagnosis for postmortem specimens obtained from the brainstem was glioblastoma multiforme. No pathogenetic association between the syndrome and brainstem gliomas is known, and the literature contains no cases of patients with this coincidence.

Adolescent↗

Microcatheter intrathecal urokinase infusion into cisterna magna for prevention of cerebral vasospasm: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The feasibility of preventing vasospasm by intrathecal anterograde infusion of urokinase (UK) into the cisterna magna was studied in patients with recently ruptured aneurysms who had just undergone the placement of a Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC). METHODS: Immediately after complete embolization with the use of GDC-10 coils, 15 patients with Hunt and Hess neurological grades III and IV received 60 000 IU of UK in normal saline through a microcatheter advanced into the cisterna magna. UK infusion was repeated once or twice over a period of 2 to 3 days according to a decision based on CT evidence of a subarachnoid clot remaining in the cisterns. Before administering the last UK infusion, we obtained CT confirmation of almost complete clearance of clots in the basal cisterns. RESULTS: In all 15 patients, the microcatheter was advanced easily into the cisterna magna by use of the over-the-wire microcatheter technique. In 8 patients who received thrombolytic therapy within 24 hours of the ictus, there was almost complete clearance of the clot in the basal cisterns within 2 days of suffering the insult. When UK was injected at 24 to 48 hours after the insult, 7 patients manifested CT evidence of clearance at the latest 4 days after suffering the insult. In all 15 patients, CT scans obtained within 24 hours of the final UK administration showed complete resolution of clots in the basal cistern and almost complete resolution of clots in the basal interhemispheric fissure and bilateral proximal sylvian fissures. Although one patient developed a transient neurological deficit, no patients manifested permanent delayed neurological deficits as a result of vasospasm. Outcome assessment according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, no less than 3 months after GDC placement, revealed good recovery in all patients, and none developed hydrocephalus requiring a shunt procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with recently ruptured aneurysms, GDC placement followed by immediate intrathecal administration of UK from the cisterna magna may be a safe and reasonable means of preventing vasospasms and may result in improved treatment outcomes.

Adult↗