Clinicopathological study of bacterial intracranial aneurysms

The authors report the clinicopathological findings in six cases of bacterial intracranial aneurysms. All patients received appropriate high-dose antibiotics, and four were treated surgically. One patient with multiple aneurysms of the main trunks died of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Autopsy disclosed no apparent aneurysm or inflammatory cell infiltration, but a partially interrupted internal elastic lamina and thickened intima were disclosed at the angiographical aneurysm sites. These findings suggest that 1) appropriate high-dose antibiotics are effective against inoperable bacterial aneurysms in the main trunks, 2) new aneurysms may be formed in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease, because bacterial emboli can directly reach the cerebral circulation and reimplant on the fragile arterial walls after vasculitis. Histological examination of aneurysmal walls revealed inflammatory cell infiltration after resolution of clinical endocarditis. This suggests that both appropriate high-dose antibiotic therapy and surgery should be considered in patients with distal bacterial aneurysms.

[Clinicopathological studies of three cases of cerebral aneurysms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus]

We report three cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 52-year-old woman (case 1) with a fifteen-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus suddenly lost consciousness. She was admitted in a state of deep coma. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed acute hydrocephalus and diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal, interhemispheric and bilateral Sylvian cisterns. Fifteen years prior to this admission, cerebral angiograms demonstrated no cerebral aneurysm. She underwent ventricular drainage immediately. Postoperatively, her condition did not improve, and she died on the 18th day. During the autopsy, two saccular cerebral aneurysms were found: one aneurysm was at the right middle cerebral artery bifurcation, and another one was on the anterior communicating artery, which had disruption of the internal elastic lamina and medial smooth muscle, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In the major cerebral arteries, for example the bilateral internal carotid arteries, disruption or dissection of the internal elastic lamina, intimal fibrosis and transmural infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed. The second patient, a 36-year-old woman with a six-year history of SLE, was admitted to our hospital with sudden severe headache. A CT scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral angiograms disclosed saccular cerebral aneurysms on the anterior communicating artery and the left superior cerebellar artery, and a fusiform one on the left posterior cerebral artery. Surgery was not recommended because of her multiple medical problems. Her consciousness improved gradually over 2 months. She was transferred to the department of internal medicine for treatment of renal failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clivus epidural hematoma. Case report

A rare case of epidural hematoma of the clivus is reported in an 11-year-old girl involved in a traffic accident which caused a severe hyperextension injury. Only one similar case has been reported in the literature. The mechanism for the formation of the hematoma of this region is discussed.

[Intramedullary hemangiopericytoma of the spinal cord; case report and review of the literature]

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor deriving from capillaries and pericytes. Although it is a well established entity clinically and histologically, its occurrence in the central nervous system adhering to the meninges has been controversial. We described a case of a 39-year-old man with intramedullary hemangiopericytoma. To the best of our knowledge, no previous case of hemangiopericytoma in this location has been reported. We reviewed differential diagnosis of spinal hemangiopericytoma based on neuroradiological points, and clinical findings of the 14 primary cases reported in the literature. The nosological problem of hemangiopericytoma was also discussed.

[A case of hemangioblastoma with subarachnoid dissemination]

A case is reported in which a diffuse subarachnoid dissemination occurred after successful removal of a posterior fossa hemangioblastoma. The patient was a 51-year-old man who suffered from headache and gait disturbance, and who was admitted to our hospital on September 25, 1985. Neurological examination revealed trunkal ataxia and increased intracranial pressure. A CT scan with contrast media revealed a high-density lesion with surrounding low-density area in the posterior fossa. Right vertebral angiography demonstrated a round tumor stain behind the medulla oblongata, which was fed by the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The complete resection of the tumor was carried out. A biopsy specimen from the tumor showed a picture characteristic of hemangioblastoma. Fourteen months later the patient was readmitted due to the sudden onset of disturbance of consciousness. A CT scan revealed a large intracerebral hematoma in the right putaminal region. Right carotid angiography demonstrated two small tumor stains in the right temporal lobe. An emergency operation to extirpate the hematoma was performed. But the disturbance of consciousness did not improve, and the patient died. At necropsy a lot of small round tumors were recognized at the surface of the bilateral cerebral and cerebellar cortex. They were present in the subarachnoid space and partially invaded the cerebral and cerebellar parenchyma, extending through Virchow-Robin's space. There was no recurrence of the tumor at the site of the original operation. No doubt, a subarachnoid dissemination had occurred. However the histological findings of tumors were similar to the findings recorded in the first biopsy.

[An intracranial collision tumor composed of intrasellar gangliocytoma and pituitary adenoma]

The authors report a rare case of collision tumor composed of intrasellar gangliocytoma and pituitary adenoma. The patient was a 56-year-old woman, who had a mild acromegalic feature and slightly elevated plasma GH level. But she had no abnormal neurological findings. Transsphenoidal microsurgery was performed and an intrasellar tumor was totally removed. After the operation, plasma GH level decreased to within normal level. She was discharged with no neurological deficit. Histological examination showed two components. One of them was gangliocytoma composed of many large, and often binucleated cells with Nissl substance. The other had the appearance of chromophobe adenoma. In this part, some of the cells showed positive stain for GH. The clinical and histological features of this lesion are discussed and compared with 31 other cases of intrasellar ganglioglioma or gangliocytoma.

[Glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament protein in medulloblastoma]

Medulloblastoma is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) with the potential to differentiate along glial or neuronal lines. Thirty cases of medulloblastoma were tested by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method with anti-GFAP serum (DAKO) and by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method with 68kd subunit of anti-NF antibody. All the cases were classified into three subtypes based on these immunohistochemical findings and were analyzed in relation to clinico-pathological features. Fifteen of thirty medulloblastomas contained GFAP positive cells, seventeen showed cells reacting to NF. The reactions for both proteins were present in eight medulloblastomas (PNET-BD, bipotential differentiation). Seventeen medulloblastomas reacted to only one protein (PNET-MD, monopotential differentiation). No reaction for either was found in five cases (PNET-NOS, not otherwise specified). The two year survival rate was 12.5% for PNET-BD compared to 49.2% for PNET-MD and 53.3% for PNET-NOS. Nine variables, i.e. age, tumor stage, metastatic stage, operation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, histology, GFAP and NF, were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. This revealed that the significant factors were tumor stage (p = 0.0002), GFAP (p = 0.0008) and operation (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, GFAP is the most important histological factor for prognosis and medulloblastoma without glial differentiation has a much better prognosis than one with glial differentiation.

[Clinicopathological study of oligodendroglioma with special reference to immunohistochemical investigation]

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of pathologic features and specific immunohistochemical studies in estimating the prognosis of oligodendroglioma. The pathological diagnosis of an oligodendroglioma was made on HE stained-sections according to WHO classification. Sixteen oligodendrogliomas, twelve mixed oligoastrocytomas and ten anaplastic oligodendrogliomas were immunotested by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method with anti-GFAP serum, anti-S-100 serum and anti-MBP (Myelin basic protein) serum and by the avidin biotin peroxidase-complex (ABC) method with anti-vimentin serum and ant-Leu 7 monoclonal antibody. GFAP positive cells were interpreted as reactive astrocytes, neoplastic astrocytes and neoplastic oligodendrocytes, S-100 positive cells were interpreted as reactive astrocytes and neoplastic astrocytes. Leu 7 positive cells were found in only one case of anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Anti-Leu 7 could not be considered as a specific marker for oligodendroglioma. Of the anaplastic oligodendroglioma 60% displayed MBP positively and 70% displayed vimentin positively. NSE positive cells were found in a few anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. The present study has not so far uncovered any marker that is restricted to oligodendrogliomas. However GFAP may be useful to assess the extent of reactive astrocytes and neoplastic astrocytes in the oligodendroglioma or mixed oligoastrocytoma. MBP and vimentin will help to determine the malignancy of oligodendroglioma.

[Ossified choroid plexus papilloma--case report]

While the calcification has been documented radiologically in 4 - 25 percent of the cases with choroid plexus papilloma, the ossification of choroid plexus papilloma has been reported only in 3 cases on literature. In this paper, we present a case of large ossified choroid plexus papilloma in the right lateral ventricle. A 35-year-old man was admitted with left hemiparesis and headache. Skull X-rays showed an abnormal calcified mass (25 mm x 23 mm x 14 mm) in the right temporal region. CT scan revealed an abnormal high density area protruding into the right lateral ventricle, and a low density area at the right corona radiata. Operation was carried out with a right temporal craniotomy. The mass was yellowish-elastic hard and protruded into the right inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. The histological examination of surgical specimen showed an ossified choroid plexus papilloma with some bone marrow formation and numerous calcification. Calcification of choroid plexus papilloma is found frequently, but ossification is a very rare neuropathological abnormality. Bone and/or cartilage formation in neuroepithelial neoplasms is an unusual event histopathologically. Several mechanisms have been proposed, such as (1) metaplasia of connective tissue, (2) transformation of neuroepithelial cells to mesenchymal tissue, (3) teratomatous nature, (4) heteroplasia, (5) mixed mesenchymal-neuroepithelial nature, and (6) ossification as an end stage of mucoid degeneration. In our case, it was considered that the bone formation resulted from metaplasia of connective tissue of choroid plexus papilloma.

[Microtumor presenting with temporal lobe epilepsy--a case report]

A 15-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic on July 16, 1985 with the epilepsy which had been resistant to various anticonvulsant therapies. At the age of 10 years automatism seizure, characterized by purposeless movement of arms and head of which the patient was unaware, began to occur and became as frequent as two to three times each day. From the age of 13 years, there were also grand mal seizures several times a year in spite of medical treatment. She had normal delivery and no history of febrile convulsion. There was no family history of epilepsy or mental disease. When examined on admission, she had normal personality and intelligence. There was no neurological abnormality. She complained of sleepiness and hirsutiness. Fit of automatism occurred two to three times a day during admission, though the blood levels of anticonvulsant drugs such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine reached to therapeutic concentration. EEG examination including infratemporal lead recording showed right temporal spike focus. But all the neuroradiological studies such as skull X-rays, CT, cerebral angiography and magnetic resonance imaging failed to show abnormal finding. Right temporal lobectomy was carried out under general anesthesia on Aug 22, 1985, and anterior two-thirds of the middle and the inferior temporal gyri were resected deeply to anterior hippocampus. To the naked eye, no abnormal finding was noted during the operation. In the surgical specimen, macroscopically nothing abnormal was found. Microscopically, serial sections of the lobe revealed clusters of oligodendroglial cells in cortical to subcortical region of the medial basal part of the temporal lobe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Intracerebral granuloma with serum anti-human ascaris antibody: case report]

A 1.5-year-old girl with a convulsion attack due to intracerebral granuloma in the right frontal lobe is reported. Her serum was positive with anti-human ascaris antibody, although no ova of the parasites were detected in the feces. She had grown up intimately with several cats in the home. These findings suggested that the granuloma was due to larva migrans of toxocara, which cross-reacts immunologically with human ascaris. Histological examination of the granuloma revealed no eosinophilic infiltration. No systemic reactions such as eosinophilia and hepatomegaly were found except for elevation of protein in cerebrospinal fluid. These were similar to those of ocular type of toxocara larva migrans.

Trochlear neurinoma

A case of neurinoma of the trochlear nerve presenting with the sudden onset of headache followed by transient paresis of the right trochlear nerve in a 37-year-old woman is reported. Unique clinical manifestations of the tumor are discussed with a brief review of five cases reported in the literature.

[Gliosarcoma--a case report]

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic on September 29, 1983 because of a five months history of personality change and progressive left sided motor weakness. Neurological examination on admission revealed left hemiparesis and papilledema. She was severely demented. Skull X-rays were normal. CT scan showed a large right parietoccipital mass which was markedly enhanced by contrast medium. Right internal carotid angiogram showed abnormal vascular shadow, early draining veins and tumor stain in parietoccipital region. Right external carotid angiogram showed that the tumor was partly fed by the middle meningeal artery in "sunburst" pattern. The tumor was resected subtotally through right parietoccipital craniotomy on October 4, 1983. At operation, well demarcated, reddish-grey tumor attached to the dura was found. Several branches of the middle meningeal artery were penetrated into the tumor through the attachment. The tumor grossly appeared to be a meningioma in its superficial part, but demarcation was found being obscured in removing the deeper part of the tumor.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

The specimens obtained from the superficial part of the tumor showed admixture of two distinctive neoplastic tissues. One was malignant mesenchymal features. Fibrosarcomatous nature was obvious, characterized by cells with moderately chromatic, fusiform nuclei arranged in parallel rows and eosinophilic fibers deeply stained in silver preparation for reticulin. The other was gliomatous tissue forming islands surrounded by the sarcomatous tissues. Both tissues were histologically malignant, as evidenced by mitotic figure, high cellularity, atypical features and variability. In deeper part, sarcomatous findings was less noticed and features of glioblastoma multiforme more prominent, characterized by marked astrocytic anaplasia, endothelial proliferation and extensive perinecrotic pseudopalisading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The significance of alpha-subunit as a tumor marker for gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenomas

We studied gonadotropin hormone alpha-subunit and gonadotropin secretion in four patients with gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenomas. All four patients had elevated plasma alpha-subunit levels, ranging from 2.8-8.5 ng/ml (normal, less than 0.5 ng/ml). alpha-Subunit responses to LHRH were less than those in seven patients with primary gonadal failure. The relative proportions of the gonadotropin and alpha-subunit peaks in one patient were the same before and after LHRH administration, based on gel filtration studies of plasma. The alpha-subunit levels decreased little during testosterone treatment in the two adenoma patients so treated. Immunohistochemical study of the adenomas from two patients demonstrated definite staining with alpha-subunit and gonadotropin antisera. Elevated plasma levels of alpha-subunit and its relative unresponsiveness to LHRH stimulation or testosterone suppression suggest that the alpha-subunit originated in tumor tissue and that its measurement is useful for the diagnosis of a gonadotropin-producing tumor in patients with elevated plasma levels of LH and/or FSH.

[Treatment of malignant brain tumors with slowly releasing anticancer drug-polymer composites]

The purpose of this study is to present the methodology and results of a clinical trial of local chemotherapy of malignant brain tumors based on slowly-releasing anticancer drug-polymer composites. The slowly releasing drugs were prepared by combining and mutually dispersing anticancer agents with glassified monomers containing 10% polymetacrylic methyl acid and then this compound was frozen at -78 degrees C and exposed to 1 X 10(6) rad of gamma rays from cobalt 60. Thus we prepared a compound of polymers and anticancer agents. We used needle-shaped capsules of this compound. These capsules release the drug very slowly over 40 days. We administered locally to the malignant brain tumors with either slowly releasing mitomycin, slowly releasing adriamycin, slowly releasing ACNU or slowly releasing 5 Fu drugs. The following techniques were employed in implantation these capsules. Implantation into the remaining tumor wall at the time of excision. Implantation into the tumor by CT-guided stereotactic method. We implanted these drugs into tumor of 55 cases, thereafter we conducted both radiation and chemotherapy with ACNU in most patients. This method has the following advantages: It is possible to be employed to different types of anticancer agents. Both dosage and releasing time can be adjusted. It is possible to administer these capsules postoperatively by the stereotactic method. The clinical study consists of 55 patients, 20 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma, 23 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 5 cases of oligodendroglioma, 3 cases of medulloblastoma and 4 cases of others. Survival rate estimated by Kaplan-Meier method was 47% in glioblastoma at 12 months and 91% in anaplastic astrocytoma at 18 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Chronological changes in the blink reflex and MRI in a patient with lateral medullary infarction]

Recently, the brainstem pathways of bilateral late reflexes (R2) of electrically elicited blink reflex have been well established. An afferent delay or block of the late reflexes is closely related to a lesion of the lateral medullary portion. The chronological alteration of blink reflex (BR) was studied to compare with radiological abnormalities on MRI in a patient with lateral medullary infarction on the right side. A diagnosis of Wallenberg syndrome was made clinically and location of the lesion was identified in detail by MRI. The infarcted region which was well demonstrated as an increased intensity area on SE images obtained 52 days after the onset of symptoms was much smaller than that on SE as well as on IR image 21 days after the onset of symptoms. Therefore, it was concluded that more than half of the increased intensity area on the SE images obtained 21 days after the onset of symptoms recovered from the condition of being extremely damaged by ischemia on the right lateral medullary portion in this patient. On the other hand, in the initial BR 26 days after the onset of symptoms, the late reflexes (R2) were consistently absent bilaterally when the affected side (right) was stimulated and normal when the normal side (left) was stimulated. This type of BR abnormality is compatible with an afferent block of late reflexes (R2). The early reflex (R1) was normal on either side. Whereas in the second BR at 55 days after the onset of symptoms, the late reflexes turned to be normal in latency when the right side was stimulated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Combination of radiation and PVB chemotherapy for intracranial malignant germ cell tumor]

Intracranial malignant germ cell tumors such as embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor, and choriocarcinoma are neoplasms of poor prognosis in the pediatric age group. Recently evidences of effectiveness of combination chemotherapy using cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB therapy) have been reported. The authors experienced two cases with these tumors treated with radiation therapy and PVB therapy. PVB therapy was performed along with irradiation in hoping the effect of radiation sensitizer of cisplatin. Both patients showed no signs of tumor recurrence and no re-elevation of tumor makers even in the cerebrospinal fluid after more than ten months from the onset. Cisplatin has radiation sensitizing effect besides antitumor activity, but its permeability through the blood-CSF barrier is very poor. Also true is that germ cell tumors often disseminate in the cerebrospinal fluid. From these points, combination of irradiation and chemotherapy using cisplatin seems reasonable, though the superiority of this radiochemotherapy to simple PVB therapy can not be concluded from the present experience. Side effects of this combination therapy were the same as PVB therapy alone and tolerable.

[Clinicopathological study on malignant glioma--with special reference to GFAP]

In surgical specimens of 91 cases of malignant glial tumor, the correlation between the clinical malignancy of the tumors and the presence of GFA protein in the surgical specimen was examined. In anaplastic astrocytomas, 20 of 27 cases revealed positive staining of GFAP. In the cases of glioblastoma multiforme 27 of 35 cases showed GFAP positive staining. On the other hand, in medulloblastomas, all 29 cases were negative. In anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforms, the difference between the survival curves of GFAP positive groups and negative groups were examined. Between two groups, there was no statistical differences. In this study, the presence of GFAP was not proportional to the degree of tumor differentiation, and the GFAP staining of the tumor tissue was not a valuable examination showing the prognosis of the patient.

[A case of pituitary adenoma combined with Rathke's cleft cyst]

A case of pituitary adenoma associated with Rathke's cleft cyst is reported. A 35-year-old woman suffering from visual disturbance, polydipsia-polyuria and amenorrhea galactorrhea was admitted. Since 3 years before admission, she had been administered thyradin under the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Visual acuity was 0.1 on the right and 0.06 on the left, and visual field examination showed bitemporal hemianopsia. Endocrinological study disclosed primary hypothyroidism and moderate hypopituitarism. CT scan showed a low density mass with ring-like enhancement extending in the enlarged sellar cavity and in the suprasellar region. MRI showed a cystic mass in the sellar cavity extending to the suprasellar region, and a solid mass in the left posterior part of the sellar cavity, and the later was thought to be pituitary adenoma. On August 27, 1984, right frontal craniotomy was performed. The right optic nerve was compressed upward, and the right carotid artery laterally with a grayish bulging mass. About 3 ml of grayish colloidal fluid was aspirated and the capsule of the cyst was excised. Postoperative course was uneventful. The visual acuity and visual field defects were improved. Endocrine examination revealed panhypopituitarism. Histologically, the cyst wall was composed of ciliated columnar cells and partially stratified squamous cells. The solid part showed typical pituitary adenoma. There are 5 reports in the literature on the combination of a pituitary adenoma and a Rathke's cleft cyst. In our case, it is thought that the long-standing hypothyroidism induced pituitary adenoma. Therefore, our case with combination of a pituitary adenoma and a Rathke's cleft cyst should be regarded as an occasional coexistence rather than the entity of the transitional cell tumor.

[Clinicopathological study of supratentorial tumors with multipotential differentiation in childhood. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor]

Three cases of supratentorial tumor in childhood were studied clinico-pathologically in an attempt to clarify its histological character. Case 1: A 3-year-old boy. Carotid angiogram revealed avascular lesion in the left parietal lobe. Twice operations and radiotherapy were performed. Ten months after the second operation, he died. Surgical specimen at the first operation was composed mainly of round tumor cells. The tumor tissue contained many collagen fibers. At the periphery of this tissue, medulloblastomatous areas consisting of closely aggregated hyperchromatic small round cells were found. There were perivascular rosettes and Homer Wright rosettes. In part, tubular and papillary arrangement of cells was also present. Astrocytomatous and oligodendrogliomatous structures were also present. Surgical specimens at the second operation showed the predominance of sarcomatous areas consisting of spindle-shaped cells with abundant argyrophilic fibers. Case 2: A 10-year-old girl. CT scan revealed a heterogeneous enhanced mass with a cyst and calcification in the right parietal lobe. Operation and radiotherapy were performed. Twelve months after operation, she is still alive. Most of the surgical specimens showed sarcomatous structure with abundant argyrophilic fibers. In these tissues, there were medulloblastomatous and ependymomatous features. Papillary arrangement of cells was also present. In part, there was oligodendrogliomatous structure. Case 3: A 2-year-old girl. CT scan revealed a heterogeneous enhanced mass in the right frontal lobe. The tumor tissue was composed of an aggregation of undifferentiated small round cells with Homer Wright rosettes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Forme Fruste of von Recklinghausen's Disease: Unilateral Association of an Orbital Neurofibroma, a Trigeminal Neurinoma, and an Acoustic Neurinoma

A patient who presented with a tumor of the left ambient cistern, a left cerebellopontine angle tumor, and a left orbital tumor causing left hearing loss and left exophthalmos without café au lait spots or cutaneous neurofibromas is described. There was no family history of von Recklinghausen's disease. A cerebellopontine angle tumor removed by a suboccipital craniectomy was an acoustic neurinoma. An ambient cistern tumor was approached through a subtemporal route. A tumor arising from the trigeminal nerve was also a neurinoma. An orbital neurofibroma was excised by a frontal craniotomy with removal of the orbital roof. This rare unilateral association of neurinomas and a neurofibroma on the left side was thought to be a forme fruste of von Recklinghausen's disease, and it could be considered a presentation of a mosaic of von Recklinghausen's disease.