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Introduction: The need for information regarding functional alterations in patients with brain gliomas is increasing, but little is known about the functional consequences of focal brain tumors throughout the entire brain. Using resting-state functional MR imaging (rs-fMRI), this study assessed functional connectivity in patients with supratentorial brain gliomas with possible alterations in long-distance connectivity and network topology., Methods: Data from 36 patients with supratentorial brain gliomas and 12 healthy subjects were acquired using rs-fMRI. The functional connectivity matrix (FCM) was created using 32 pairs of cortical seeds on Talairach coordinates in each individual subject. Local and distant connectivity were calculated using z-scores in the individual patient's FCM, and the averaged FCM of patients was compared with that of healthy subjects. Weighted network analysis was performed by calculating local efficiency, global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and small-world topology, and compared between patients and healthy controls., Results: When comparing the averaged FCM of patients with that of healthy controls, the patients showed decreased long-distance, inter-hemispheric connectivity (0.32 ± 0.16 in patients vs. 0. 42 ± 0.15 in healthy controls, p = 0.04). In network analysis, patients showed increased local efficiency (p < 0.05), but global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and small-world topology were relatively preserved compared to healthy subjects., Conclusion: Patients with supratentorial brain gliomas showed decreased long-distance connectivity while increased local efficiency and preserved small-world topology. The results of this small case series may provide a better understanding of the alterations of functional connectivity in patients with brain gliomas across the whole brain scale.

Introduction: It has been reported that stent placement may improve compromised blood flow resulting from vertebrobasilar dissection. In this study the technical feasibility, safety, as well as short-term outcome of stent placement for the treatment of nonhemorrhagic vertebrobasilar dissection was retrospectively investigated., Methods: Ten patients (eight men, two women; age range 36 to 45 years) with nonhemorrhagic vertebrobasilar dissection were treated by stenting. Nine lesions were located at the vertebral artery (VA) (one bilateral case) and two at the basilar artery. Seven patients presented with ischemic symptoms and three with headache. Among the nine VA dissections, eight lesions involved the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Angiographic findings included abrupt or irregular vessel narrowing with aneurysmal dilatation in nine lesions and irregular bulbous aneurysmal dilatation in two lesions., Results: Placement of a stent-within-a-stent was performed in six lesions and single stent in five lesions. Initial treatments were technically successful in all patients. Follow-up was performed using digital subtraction angiography (six patients) or CT angiography (two patients). Successful occlusion or decreased contrast filling of the aneurysm sac was noted in six patients (seven lesions), increased aneurysm sac filling in one patient, and parent artery occlusion in one patient. PICA flow was preserved in all those with follow-up (1 week to 17 months)., Conclusion: Stent placement is technically feasible and safe for the treatment of vertebrobasilar artery dissection, especially for preserving PICA and/or major perforating arteries. However, a study with a larger population and longer follow-up is necessary for validation of the efficacy of this treatment modality.