Search

The Internet of Things (IoT) brings mobile internet connectivity to many different sectors of the economy. 5G standard is expected to play a key role in fostering seamless connectivity between devices. However, it also requires licensing patents essential for 5G standards to a diverse group of companies. How to effectively license essential patents in IoT has been the central question in recent policy debates before the European Commission. Competition law has often been invoked as a solution to either directly regulate certain licensing practices or to take a step back and enable the industry to collectively agree on certain licensing solutions. The article analyses three situations where the role of competition law was discussed: i) refusal to license patents to different levels of the production chain; ii) collective price-setting of a standard and iii) collective licensing of patents. The article examines each situation and discusses the appropriate role of competition law in fostering efficient licensing of essential patents in the IoT.

Introduction. Anomalies of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are very rare. ?Rete MCA,? ?twig-like MCA? (T-MCA), ?aplastic MCA,? ?unfused MCA,? and others are all synonyms for unilateral embryological anomaly of the M1 segment of the MCA, where, due to an unknown cause, fusion of primordial arteries of the M1 segment did not happen. As a result, the M1 segment of the affected side consists of a mesh of small arteries from which arise normal perforators and cortical branches. Moyamoya disease, moyamoya-like syndrome, atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease, vasculitis, and dissection of the MCA should be considered in differential diagnosis. Case outline. We present a 60-year-old female patient with twig-like left MCA, incidentally diagnosed due to persistent headaches six days prior to admission. Non-contrast computed tomography head examination was without peculiarities. Computed tomography angiography showed a network of small vessels in place of the left M1 segment, bridging internal carotid artery terminus with branches of the MCA bifurcation and giving rise to lenticulostriate arteries. Fourteen months later, on physical examination, the patient was in good general condition, without a neurological deficit, with occasional episodes of headache no stronger than 3?4/10 on the visual analogue scale. Conclusion. We report a patient with extremely rare variation of the M1 segment of the left MCA, incidentally diagnosed due to headaches.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) highly expresses Src tyrosine kinase involved in survival, proliferation, angiogenesis and invasiveness of tumor cells. Src activation also reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, whereas Src inhibitors are able to increase cellular ROS levels. Methods: Pro-oxidative effects of two pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives—Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Si306 and its prodrug pro-Si306—were investigated in human GBM cells U87 and patient-derived GBM-6. ROS production and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and 2 (SOD2) were studied by Western blot. DNA damage, cell death induction and senescence were also examined in GBM-6 cells. Results: Si306 and pro-Si306 more prominently triggered ROS production and expression of antioxidant enzymes in primary GBM cells. These effects were followed by mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, double-strand DNA breaks and senescence that eventually led to necrosis. Conclusion: Src kinase inhibitors, Si306 and pro-Si306, showed significant pro-oxidative potential in patient-derived GBM cells. This feature contributes to the already demonstrated anti-glioblastoma properties of these compounds in vitro and in vivo and encourages clinical investigations.

Glioblastoma (GBM), as the most aggressive brain tumor, displays a high expression of Src tyrosine kinase, which is involved in the survival, migration, and invasiveness of tumor cells. Thus, Src emerged as a potential target for GBM therapy. The effects of Src inhibitors pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, Si306 and its prodrug pro-Si306 were investigated in human GBM cell lines (U87 and U87-TxR) and three primary GBM cell cultures. Primary GBM cells were more resistant to Si306 and pro-Si306 according to the 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. However, the ability of all GBM cells to degrade the extracellular matrix was considerably compromised after Si306 and pro-Si306 applications. Besides reducing the phosphorylation of Src and its downstream signaling pathway components, both compounds decreased the phosphorylated form of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, showing the potential to suppress the aggressiveness of GBM. In vivo, Si306 and pro-Si306 displayed an anti-invasive effect against U87 xenografts in the zebrafish embryo model. Considering that Si306 and pro-Si306 are able to cross the blood&ndash, brain barrier and suppress the spread of GBM cells, we anticipate their clinical testing in the near future. Moreover, the prodrug showed similar efficacy to the drug, implying the rationality of its use in clinical settings.

Cerebral aneurysm affects 2-5% of the population and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms account for 1-3% of all intracranial aneurysms. Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the progression of cerebrovascular disease and it may be increased by inflammation, a key contributor to cerebral aneurysm development and rupture. The aim of this study was to examine the role of overall oxidative stress as a risk factor for rupture of PICA aneurysms. This study included 29 patients with PICA aneurysms: 18 ruptured and 11 unruptured. We determined catalase, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and carbonyl groups in homogenates of excised aneurysm tissue after surgery and plasma levels of C reactive protein and fibrinogen. The patient's age and sex, size of aneurysms, multiplicity, history of previous subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) and risk factors for oxidative stress such as hypertension and smoking were compared between unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Maximal diameter and SAH history were independent predictors for aneurysm rupture. Activity of catalase was decreased while activity of myeloperoxidase, levels of malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups in aneurismal tissue and plasma levels of C reactive protein and fibrinogen were increased in patients with ruptured aneurysms. Plasma levels of C reactive protein and fibrinogen showed positive correlation with myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups and PHASES score and negative correlation with catalase. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may contribute importantly to rupture of PICA aneurysms and plasma levels of C reactive protein and fibrinogen correlate with oxidative stress markers in tissue.

The authors studying gifted and talented persons agree that adequate boosting of their development requires either specialized curricula or adaptation of the existing ones by acceleration and/or differentiation. The paper focuses on the specificities of boosting talent for music, taking into account the organized system of formal music education in Serbia. A special attention is paid to solfege teaching, as it constitutes the basis of musical literacy of future professional musicians. It is presumed that the implementation of the procedures highlighted in the paper, coupled with a special attention paid to the problems of organizing the work with talented pupils and students can lead to a degree of development enabling them to participate in various musical activities with a high level of motivation and no fear of lacking skills. The paper also points to the need to stimulate musical talent according to the pupils' and students' individual abilities, and in line with the specificities of the chosen field of specialization.

The common treatment modality for extensive‐ stage small cell lung cancer is chemotherapy, which significantly improves survival in these patients. However, the median survival is still poor and usually does not reach 12 months. For a long time, surgery has not played any role in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. In recent years, the operative approach has been accepted as a form of treatment for patients with limited‐stage disease. However, in patients with resectable primary carcinoma and solitary metastasis, surgery is not recommended, although it is the standard method of treatment in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and other malignancies. We report the long‐term survival of a patient with metastatic small cell lung cancer treated with complete resection of both the primary tumor and the solitary brain metastasis.

Background: Emergency thoracotomy is a procedure which enables access to the internal organs of the thorax in critically injured or ill patients, and so allows for internal cardiac massage, which improves the systemic and cardiopulmonary circulations, and protects the central nervous system. Today, the main indication for the procedure is the penetrating trauma to the thorax, because earlier studies in the United States and South Africa showed that such patients have the highest rates of survival. However, many modern studies are showing a higher survival rate in blunt thoracic trauma, in extra-thoracic injury, in nontraumatic cardiorespiratory arrest, and in pediatric trauma. New indications in emergency thoracotomy are warranted. Methods: We did a systematic review research of the role of emergency thoracotomy in blunt thoracic trauma, penetrating thoracic trauma, nontraumatic cardiac arrest, and in pediatric blunt and penetrating thoracic trauma. The pubmed database was primarly used for the obtainment of research articles. The keywords used were emergency thoracotomy in blunt thoracic trauma with 247 total articles obtained, emergency thoracotomy in penetrating trauma with 277 total articles obtained, resuscitative thoracotomy and nontraumatic cardiac arrest with a total of 3 research articles obtained, emergency thoracotomy and pediatric blunt thoracic trauma with a total of 17 research articles obtained, and emergency thoracotomy and pediatric penetrating thoracic trauma with a total of 131 articls obtained. Of these we chose to work with those articles which exlusively researched cardiac arrest caused by the above mentioned mechanisms. Results: Articles published in past decade in Europe and Japan have shown increased percentages of survival after blunt thoracic trauma. A review article from Europe reported survival rates of blunt thoracic trauma ranging from 12% to 60%. One article showed how survival could be increased by 31%. In nontraumatic cardiac arrest, ROSC rates can be increased to 80% even after 35 minutes of unsuccesful classic CPR, and they appear to be two times higher in asystolic patients. Recent research in pediatric trauma showed that 75% of emergency thoracotomy survivors sustained blunt thoracic trauma. Discussion: Modern research from Europe and Japan has repeatedly shown higher survival percentages of emergency thoracotomy, after blunt thoracic trauma. Furthermore, in nontraumatic cardiac arrest, internal heart massage of the open thorax increases the chances of survival even after 15 to 20 minutes of unsuccessful classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Even though earlier studies from the United States have not proven the utility of emergency thoracotomy in the pediatric population, the latest research in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan has done so. Cohort groups where emergency thoracotomy was done have shown higher survival and discharge from the hospital rates than cohort groups where classic CPR was done. In addition, 75% of the survivors sustained blunt thoracic trauma, while previous studies showed 0% survival. Emergency thoracotomy increases the chances of survival and a neurologically intact recovery, after serious trauma including blunt injury to the thorax, as well as in nontraumatic cardiac arrest, in both pediatric and adult populatons. The indications should be revised.

PurposeGlioblastoma is the most common and lethal adult brain tumor. Despite current therapeutic strategies, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the median survival of glioblastoma patients is 15months. The development of this tumor depends on a sub-population of glioblastoma stem cells governing tumor propagation and therapy resistance. SOX3 plays a role in both normal neural development and carcinogenesis. However, little is known about its role in glioblastoma. Thus, the aim of this work was to elucidate the role of SOX3 in glioblastoma.MethodsSOX3 expression was assessed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. MTT, immunocytochemistry and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effects of exogenous SOX3 overexpression on the viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells, respectively. The expression of Hedgehog signaling pathway components and autophagy markers was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses, respectively.ResultsHigher levels of SOX3 expression were detected in a subset of primary glioblastoma samples compared to those in non-tumoral brain tissues. Exogenous overexpression of this gene was found to increase the proliferation, viability, migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells. We also found that SOX3 up-regulation was accompanied by an enhanced activity of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and by suppression of autophagy in glioblastoma cells. Additionally, we found that SOX3 expression was elevated in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells, as well as in oncospheres derived from glioblastoma cell lines, compared to their differentiated counterparts, implying that SOX3 expression is associated with the undifferentiated state of glioblastoma cells.ConclusionFrom our data we conclude that SOX3 can promote the malignant behavior of glioblastoma cells.

Percutaneous tracheostomies, of any technique, have become an essential procedure in the ICU setting, especially in patients for which we expect a need for prolonged invasive ventilatory support. Percutaneous tracheostomies are very efficient, relatively easily performed and thus need to be an essential skill for every intensivist. Experience in setting an indication and timing is as equally important as the manual skill required for the procedure. Based on our experience of over 300 performed percutaneous tracheostomies, we recommend performing the procedure at an earlier phase, up to seven days from intubation, in order to reduce the risks associated with prolonged intubation such as tracheal stenosis, tracheo-oesophageal fistula formation and ventilator associated pneumonia. As with every invasive procedure, there are advantages and complications. Implementing a standardized protocol for this procedure increases the rate of success and safety of the patient. Based on available data, percutaneous tracheostomies have certain definite advantage points in comparison to a classical surgical tracheostomy and should therefore be recommended as a safe method of treatment, having in mind that a classical surgical tracheotomy has its indications which must not be overlooked.

AIM: To assess the diagnostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in lung cancer (LC). We compared the ratios between healthy participants and all LC patients, as well patients with different pathohistological LC subtypes. ----- METHODS: We retrieved the data on neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet levels in 449 patients with different pathohistological LC subtypes (non-small cell LC, small-cell LC, atypical or metastatic LC, neuroendocrine, and sarcomatoid carcinoma) and 47 healthy controls. NLR and PLR were calculated by dividing the absolute number of neutrophils or platelets with the absolute number of lymphocytes. ----- RESULTS: There were significant differences in both NLR and PLR (P

Harmonic hearing is a significant characteristic for professional musicians, hence its development is one of the most important tasks in musical training, precisely in teaching solfeggio. The paper debates the basic hypothesis that at an academic age, the level of development of harmonic hearing with the students of music is significantly correlated with the success in sight-singing. The research was realised on the sample of the students at the Faculty of Arts in Niš (N = 42). The data were collected by questionnaires and examination, whereby the grades in the level of harmonic hearing and sight-singing were awarded. The results show significant positive correlation between the grades (r = .37, p ˂ .05), which confirms the basic hypothesis. The paper additionally considers the elements which can formally and informally influence the development of harmonic hearing and examines the importance of various aspects of an analysis of sigh-singing melodic exercises. To sum up, we pointed to the necessity for applying integral aspects of harmonic hearing in sight-singing and developing skills and competences for participation in various music activities.

Here we present two cases of gastrostomy insertion via laparotomy in patients with malignant esophageal disease. Patients were ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status III and IV. The patients presented as very high risk for general anesthesia, so we decided to use unilateral left sided paravertebral block (PVB) on four thoracic levels along with contralateral local infiltration at the gastrostomy insertion site. We present two cases, one of them a 57-year-old male ASA III patient scheduled for a gastrostomy procedure due to esophageal cancer with infiltration of the trachea. We also present a case of a 59-year-old male patient, ASA IV status, scheduled for the same procedure due to advanced esophageal cancer with a fistula between the left main bronchus and the esophagus and metastases in the left lung. The paravertebral space was identified with the use of an 8 Hertz (Hz) linear ultrasound probe and a nerve stimulator. Paravertebral block was successfully used for insertion of a gastrostomy, thereby enabling adequate anesthesia and perioperative analgesia without hemodynamic or respiratory complications., Prikazujemo dva slučaja postavljanja gastrostome laparotomijskim putem kod bolesnika s malignom bolesti jednjaka. Bolesnici su prema Američkom anesteziološkom društvu (American Society of Anesthesiologists, ASA) klasificirani kao ASA status III i IV. Zbog vrlo visokog rizika za primjenu opće anestezije prikazanim bolesnicima odlučili smo primijeniti prsni paravertebralni blok na četiri razine s nasuprotnom lokalnom infiltracijom mjesta postavljanja gastrostome. Prikazujemo dva slučaja; jedan je bio 57-godišnji ASA III bolesnik predviđen za postavljanje gastrostome zbog karcinoma jednjaka s infiltracijom traheje. Također prikazujemo 59-godišnjeg ASA IV bolesnika predviđenog za isti zahvat zbog uznapredovalog karcinoma jednjaka s fistulom između glavnog lijevog bronha i jednjaka uz metastaze na lijevom plućnom krilu. Paravertebralni prostor je identificiran primjenom ultrazvučne linearne sonde od 8 Hertza (Hz). Paravertebralni blok je uspješno primijenjen za postavljanje gastrostome omogućavajući time zadovoljavajuću anesteziju i perioperacijsku analgeziju bez hemodinamskih i respiracijskih komplikacija.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNET) are a group of extremely rare, aggressive, malignant tumors that are most often found in the thorax (Askin tumor), abdomen, pelvis, extremities and less frequently in the head and neck. The most important prognostic factor is the stage of the tumor. Significant progress both in surgery and in neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as the improvement in diagnosis by cytogenetic and immunohistochemical analysis, should improve the survival rate. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl, with ataxic gait, cardiopulmonary compensated, without respiratory symptoms, who was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment of newly discovered tumor of the left hemithorax. After a detailed radiological and laboratory investigation, next step was an extensive thoraco-neurosurgical surgery. After histopathological, cytological and molecular analysis, a diagnosis of Askin tumor was made.

The Aim of the study was to reveal if PET-CT analysis of primary and of secondary lung cancer could be related to the onset of lipid peroxidation in cancer and in surrounding non-malignant lung tissue. Methods: Nineteen patients with primary lung cancer and seventeen patients with pulmonary metastasis were involved in the study. Their lungs were analyzed by PET-CT scanning before radical surgical removal of the cancer. Specific immunohistochemistry for the major bioactive marker of lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), was done for the malignant and surrounding non-malignant lung tissue using genuine monoclonal antibody specific for the HNE-histidine adducts. Results: Both the intensity of the PET-CT analysis and the HNE-immunohistochemistry were in correlation with the size of the tumors analyzed, while primary lung carcinomas were larger than the metastatic tumors. The intensity of the HNE-immunohistochemistry in the surrounding lung tissue was more pronounced in the metastatic than in the primary tumors, but it was negatively correlated with the cancer volume determined by PET-CT. The appearance of HNE was more pronounced in non-malignant surrounding tissue than in cancer or stromal cells, both in case of primary and metastatic tumors. Conclusions: Both PET-CT and HNE-immunohistochemistry reflect the size of the malignant tissue. However, lipid peroxidation of non-malignant lung tissue in the vicinity of cancer is more pronounced in metastatic than in primary malignancies and might represent the mechanism of defense against cancer, as was recently revealed also in case of human liver cancer. Keywords: Lipid peroxidation (LPO), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), Positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT), Cell growth regulation, Inflammation, Immunohistochemistry

Patients with brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) have a certain risk to bleed, and the goal of this study was to examine the effect of radiological and clinical predictive characteristics of AVM hemorrhage using multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography. The study included a series of 57 patients, mean age 35.46 years, who were diagnosed during their hospitalization at Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, in the period from January 2008 to March 2016. In all patients, the diagnosis was made using MDCT angiography. Two groups of patients were observed. The first group included patients who did not initially present with hemorrhage, while the second group initially presented with hemorrhage. Both groups were treated with medical therapy or a combination of medical therapy with embolization/surgery/radiotherapy. Deep venous drainage (p60 mm, venous dilatation present in the drainage vein (p60 mm, the angle of the casting feeding arteries in the nidus ≥130° and dilatation and/or venous aneurysm of drainage vessel are predictive for clinical presenting by hemorrhage., Bolesnici s arteriovenskim malformacijama mozga (AVM) imaju određen rizik za krvarenje pa je cilj ove studije bio ­ispitati utjecaj radioloških i kliničkih prediktivnih karakteristika AVM za hemoragiju pomoću multidetektorske CT angiog-rafije (MDCTA). U studiju je bilo uključeno 57 bolesnika srednje dobi od 35,46 godina kojima je dijagnoza postavljena na Institutu za radiologiju i magnetskom rezonancijom dok su bili hospitalizirani na Klinici za neurologiju Kliničkog centra Srbije u razdoblju od siječnja 2008. do ožujka 2016. godine. Svim bolesnicima je dijagnoza postavljena pomoću MDCTA. Praćene su dvije skupine bolesnika. Jednu skupinu činili su bolesnici kod kojih se AVM u početku nije manifestirala krva-renjem, dok se druga skupina odmah prezentirala hemoragijom. Obje skupine su liječene medikamentnom terapijom ili kombinacijom medikamentne terapije s embolizacijom/kirurškom intervencijom/radioterapijom. Duboka venska drenaža (p60 mm, prisutna venska dilatacija na dre-nažnoj veni (p60 mm, kutom ulijevanja dovodne arterije u nidus ≥130° i dilatacijom i/ili aneurizmom drenažne vene su prediktivni model za kliničko prezentiranje hemoragijom.

The study included 39 patients treated in a Special hospital for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases ? Sveti Sava? in Belgrade in the period from October 2010 to January 2012. The criteria for inclusion in the study is the moment of diagnosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the basal ganglia of the brain (BG). The results: we analyzed 25 male patients and 14 female patients, aged 54 years to 95 years. In deceased group - 22 (56.4%), 20 (90.9%) were the age group 60 to 80 years., GCS: 3-5 -12 patients (54.5%) died, GCS 6 -8 -10 patients (45.5%), 20 patients (90.9%) also had intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage complicated by acute hydrocephalus. Conclusion: predisposing factors for mortality within one year in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia of the brain are: males older than 60 years, unregulated hypertension and penetration of blood in the chamber system.

Introduction. Intraventricular hemorrhage occurs in almost one fifth of prematurely born children. Due to present complications, such as hydrocephalus and neurological deficit, it endangers the child?s life, therefore there is the need for understanding and prevent risk factors as well as the need for finding most optimal methods of treatment. Objective. The aim of the study was to point out the current therapeutic modalities of the treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in prematurely born children. Methods. The study included 60 patients divided into two groups of 30 patients treated at the University Children?s Hospital of Belgrade in the period 2003-2008. Results. Treatment outcome of the control group of patients treated by standard methods was influenced by gestational age (p=0.024), head circumference on birth (p=0.043), body mass on birth (p=0.006), Apgar score on birth (p

Synchronous occurrence of multiple lung cancers in the same lobe of the lung is very rare. Most of the tumors diagnosed in this way have the same histologic type. With imaging methods it is difficult to determine if the multiple lung lesions present hematogenous spread of lung cancer (or cancer from other origin) or these lesions present the second primary lung cancer. We report a rare and unusual case of synchronous occurrence of primary adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in the same lobe of the lung. Our case demonstrates that in case of synchronous occurrence of multiple lung lesions each lesion should be sampled and histologic type of every lesion should be determined so the further treatment can be planned accordingly.

A schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor composed of Schwann cells. Spinal schwannoma originates from dorsal roots of the spinal cord, causing symptoms due to the compression of neighboring structures. We present a patient with a low back pain and left L2 and L3 radiculopathy. Neuroimaging techniques (CT, MRI) showed a large expansive mass in the left lumbar paraspinal area. The tumor was removed totally by the posterior approach and was verified to originate from the left L2 spinal nerve root. The histopathological examination revealed typical findings of a schwannoma. The pain was resolved promptly after the surgery, however the patient's neurological condition wasn't improved. Surgical treatment was a final treatment, and no additonal therapy was necessary.

The verified presence of a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor in the motor area of the brain, in a patient lacking preoperative neurological deficit, offers no certainty that the tumor can be radically removed without the possibility of causing postoperative motor deficit. We present a series of 60 patients hospitalized at the Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade between October 2011 and February 2015, harboring tumors located within and in the vicinity of the motor zone of the brain. By using Karnofsky's index (KI), the pre- and postoperative conditions of the patients were evaluated. Regarding electrical stimulation of the motor cortex, significantly lower values of the electrical current intensity, frequency, and pulse wave duration (p0.01) were needed for triggering motor response in case of GBM tumor compared to a slowly growing tumor (low-grade). Patients with low-grade gliomas (LGG) had statistically significantly higher KI values pre- and postoperatively than patients with GBM (p0.01). Using electrical stimulation of the cortex, a higher grade of resection of LGG could be achieved as compared with the group presenting with GBM (χ² = 5.281; df = 1; p0.05). Our findings and review of the results reported by other authors underline the necessity of routine application of electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex in order to identify the primary motor field (M1).

AIM Brainstem gliomas (BSG) constitute less than 2% of brain tumors in adults. Therapeutic options are limited and BSG are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed the records of 51 patients with BSG treated at the Institute of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade between 1998 and 2012. We recorded demographic and clinical variables as well as radiological findings and survival. RESULTS Of the 51 patients, 62.7% were male and 37.3% were female. The mean age was 30.6±19.3 years. High grade glioma (Astrocytoma grade III and IV) was most common at the age of 38.2±17.9 years (t=.481, p=0.017) while low grade glioma (Astrocytoma grade I and II) was common in younger age as 25.4±17.4 years (X2=4.013; p=0.045), with localization in the pons (X2=5.299; p=0.021) and exophytic presentation (X2=3.862; p=0.049). Ataxia, as initial symptom, was a predictor of poor outcome (HR:5.546, p=0.012). CONCLUSION Due to its specific localization, BSG present a major challenge for neurosurgery, because of the necessity of safe approach for radical resection. Histological verification of BSG determines the need for additional therapeutic procedures such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Benefit from correct diagnosis is reflected in the avoidance of potentially adverse effects of treatment.

A schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor composed of Schwann cells. Spinal schwannoma originates from dorsal roots of the spinal cord, causing symptoms due to the compression of neighboring structures. We present a patient with a low back pain and left L2 and L3 radiculopathy. Neuroimaging techniques (CT, MRI) showed a large expansive mass in the left lumbar paraspinal area. The tumor was removed totally by the posterior approach and was verified to originate from the left L2 spinal nerve root. The histopathological examination revealed typical findings of a schwannoma. The pain was resolved promptly after the surgery, however the patient’s neurological condition wasn't improved. Surgical treatment was a final treatment, and no additonal therapy was necessary.

Terapeutic protoclol for intracranial aneurysm treatment is very complex. In depand of patient status and anviografic founding we determinate modality and time of treatment. Analysis included 137 patients who were treated in Neurosurgical clinic CCS because sponatenus subarachnoid haemorrhage rigine from aneurysm belading. We performed direct surgery (microsurgery) in 109 patients. In early termine we operated 28 patients (25.69%), in first 24 hours 5 of them. In interemdiare period we performed surgery in 9, and other 72 patient we operated in postpone period. Embolisation was performed in 22 patinet. GOS form embolised patient was 4.636+0.581 and in operated 4.113+1.106 (p

Vasospasm is the principal cause of a poor outcome in patients with SAH. The aim of the study is to establish the effect of the therapeutic modalities on vasospasm, to establish morbidity and mortality of patients with SAH, as well as the causes of the poor outcome. The study is prospective and analyzes 192 patients treated at C ward of the INH KCS. Vasospasm incidence was 22.40%. Therapeutic modalities depended on prescribed quantities of colloid solutions and MgSO4 solution. Differences in the vasospasm incidence between the groups were not significant, the reason probably being that the maximal doses of colloid solutions were prescribed mostly to the higher graded patients. In patients who received MgSO4 vasospasm was less frequent, but not statistically significant (11.11% vs. 23.56%) Of 192 patients, 78.1% completely recovered, 9.9% had a certain degree of invalidity, and 12.0% did not survive. The most frequent cause of death was vasospasm (41.67%) and then general medical complications (20.93%).

Besides current development of the new diagnostic procedures conventional angiography still represents the golden standard in the diagnosing of intracranial aneurysms. Since it gives a two-dimensional image if the presentation of the third dimension is wanted it is necessary to apply appropriate algorithm structures and computers. In this study we show our experience in the application of space reconstruction of blood vessels and aneurysms of the vertebrobasilary confluence in 6 patients operated at the Institute for Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia. Intraoperative finding in all patients matched the finding that we got by space reconstruction of the blood vessels, which was possible to observe from different angles. Postoperative course in all patients was satisfying. Upon discharge the patients were without rough lateralization of the pyramidal system. Our initial results and their practical agreement with the interoperative finding give us right to recommend this method as the standard for the preoperative diagnostic protocol.

Aneurysms on cerebral blood vessels due to their localization, size, relationship with neurovascular structures, even today, represent besides the constant progress of the diagnostic techniques and instruments in the operating theaters, a great therapeutic challenge. Gigantic aneurysms, aneurysms localized within the cavernous sinus and aneurysms of the vertebrobasilary confluence carry a great perioperative risk of mortality and morbidity. In fact, development of the endovascular procedures for the occlusion of their lumen made possible great progress in the treatment of aneurysms of this localization. In a not so small number of cases endovascular procedure means remodeling of the lumen of the main blood vessel. Endovascular obliteration of aneurysms has a certain advantage as regards the surgical treatment of aneurysms in which, on the basis of the expected natural course and presumed operative risk, may be judged that there exists unacceptably great operative risk. We present a personal series and results in 6 patients with aneurysms of various localizations.

Arteriovenous cerebral malformations represent congenital malformations. Considering the anatomical characteristics of the cerebral angiomas and their localization, in a great number of cases they demand a combined therapeutic approach - surgery,. embolization and radiotherapy. Besides the constant progress of technology, 5% of all cerebral angiomas can not be completely excluded from the circulation. Therefore, the need to understand their natural course became a necessity. Our results point to the fact that they are vascular malformations of a considerably more benign clinical course than the aneurysms. Our clinical model points to an annual risk of hemorrhage which is 3.3% with total mortality of 5.3%, especially if the size of the angioma is 2.5-5 cm, localized in the motor zone of the brain, with combined type of vein drainage and arterial supply from the vertebrobasilary confluence. Epilepsy caused by the cerebral angioma is in 26.7% refractory to medicamentous therapy and in 25% (every 4th patient) will have hemorrhage with an annual risk of 0.14%.

Since Dandy first reported vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve, the concept of neurovascular compression syndrome for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm (HFS) has been accepted, and neurovascular decompression has been performed for this condition. The further investigations indicated that some other clinical syndromes such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia, disabling positional vertigo, tinnitus, geniculate neuarlgia, spasmodic torticolis, essential hypertension, cyclic oculomotor spasm with paresis and superior oblique myokymia also may be initiated by vascular compression of the glosopharyngeal, cochleovestibular, intermediate, accessory, oculomotor and trochlear nerves or the ventrolateral medulla oblongata. In this study several hypotheses regarding the development of cranial nerves vascular compression syndromes are presented. It is also emphasized the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance tomographic angiography for visualization of vascular compression. The most frequent clinical syndromes caused by vascular compression of the cranial nerves are discussed regarding the pathogenesis, symptoms and therapy. We present our series of 124 patients with preoperative evidently positive finding of vascular compression to the trigeminal nerve (MRI). Microvascular decompression (MVD)was performed in all of them. Initial postoperative result was excellent in 110/124 (89%) patients, while in 11/124 (9%) patients the pain relief was satisfactory. In the remaining three patients MVD failed. Recurrence of pain after two years reached 19 %. Complications were related to diplopia associated with transient fourth nerve dysfunction in 5 (4%) patients, facial motor dysfunction in 4 (3%) patients, transient facial hypesthesia in 27 (22%) patients and partially hearing loss in 4 (3%) patients. Cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction occurred in 1 ( 0,8 %) patient and cerebrospinal fluid leaks appeared in two (1,6%) cases. There was no lethal outcome.

Introduction: The size of meningioma and its relation with neurovascular structures in petroclival region stipulate the degree of surgical radicalism and determine an operation risk. In spite of progress of surgical technology, the rate of surgical morbidity in view of cranial nerves deficit is 30%-50%. Objective: The objective of our study was to present the results of treatment of patients with petroclival meningiomas and to point to correlation of preoperative radiological findings and intraoperative results as well as neurological status of patients before and after surgical treatment. Method: Retrospective analysis of 35 operated petroclival meningiomas at the Institute of Neurosurgery, CCS, in the period from 1995 to 2004 was presented. The following parameters were analyzed: size of tumor, relation with bone and neurovascular structures, preoperative condition, degree of surgical radicalism and postoperative outcome. Results: The size of tumor was classified in four groups. There were 20 tumors at the right, and 15 at the left side. At the time of diagnostic procedures (based on CT and MRI), 20 tumors were in contact with brainstem, 9 compressed the brainstem, and 6 obstructed the IV ventricle. Preoperative patient condition was evaluated by Karnofsky index. Mean value for group I was 90, II - 80, III - 70 and IV - 50. In 9 cases, liquor drainage was performed preoperatively. In 3 cases, external liquor drainage was carried out postoperatively, and in one case it was replaced by permanent liquor drainage. Radical operation was performed in 44%, and significant reduction was done in other cases. In the postoperative period, 11% patients died, 28% had cranial nerves deficit, and pyramid deficit was recorded in 14% of the patients. The tumor size (III-IV) and brainstem compression were found to be statistically significant (p

Introduction. Today, many medical procedures are based on image analysis with the aim of providing accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. The goal of this report was to present clinical implications of computer-assisted geometric design of carotid aneurysms. Material and methods. In this study, the three-dimensional reconstruction was based on the approximation power of the parametric spline function, which achieves interpolation and surface fitting of the arterial information obtained by conventional angiography. Two views of conventional angiograms (anterioposterior and lateral views) were used with a personal computer and commercial software. Results. This method of three-dimensional generated images was applied in 45 cases of cerebral aneurysms in carotid bifurcation. 3D reconstructions were made in approximately 20 minutes. They contributed to assessing vascular structures, and it was possible to rotate the three-dimensional image in different angles. Conclusion. Three-dimensional reconstruction of cerebral vessels is very useful for discussing surgical strategies preoperatively. Furthermore, it could also be used in endovascular procedures. .