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This article provides a systematic literature review of intracranial ectopic Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs), which are benign congenital lesions located in the sellar and suprasellar regions. The authors present a case of a symptomatic ectopic retrosellar RCC that caused extensive clival erosion. The study includes data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment details. Surgical approaches varied depending on the cyst's location, and gross total resection was achieved in the majority of cases. The article concludes that further research is needed to better understand the natural history and long-term outcomes of these cysts. [Extracted from the article]

This article describes a rare case of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by compression on the trigeminal sensory nucleus and tract by an aberrant dual anastomotic artery loop. The patient, a 74-year-old male, experienced progressive episodic pain in the left forehead, eyelid, cheek, and jaw. Brain MRI revealed compression on the pons near the fourth ventricle caused by the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and an anastomotic loop connecting the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and PICA. The patient underwent endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression (MVD), which successfully relieved the pain. The article discusses the vulnerability of the trigeminal nerve to vascular forces and the effectiveness of MVD in reversing microstructural changes. It also highlights the need for further research on the mechanism and treatment of TN caused by vascular compression. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Fully Endoscopic Supraorbital Translaminar Approach: Step-by-Step Illustrative Description" discusses a surgical technique called the fully endoscopic supraorbital translaminar approach (ESOTLA) for the management of third ventricle tumors. The traditional microsurgical approaches have limitations in accessing certain tumors and pose risks to nearby neurovascular structures, prompting the exploration of alternative techniques. ESOTLA combines a minimally invasive keyhole approach with endoscopic visualization, providing enhanced illumination and a broader field of view within the third ventricle. This technique offers improved cosmetic and neurological outcomes compared to other approaches, although it has limitations for certain types of tumors. The article includes a detailed case description and photographs to guide the surgical process. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery, provides a systematic review of the literature on adult traumatic encephaloceles, which are rare cases of brain tissue protrusion into a skull defect. The majority of encephaloceles occur in children, but this study focuses on adult-onset cases, specifically the extradiploic type that breaches the outer table of the skull. The authors describe a unique case of an adult-onset traumatic extradiploic encephalocele in the pterion involving the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone. The study includes patient demographics, clinical presentation, treatment details, and outcomes, highlighting the importance of considering encephaloceles in adult patients with skull base lytic lesions or enlarging skull masses. Surgical intervention was found to provide significant relief for persistent symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) as an adjunct to the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for the surgical resection of skull base lesions. The authors present a case study where a novel small-probe IUS was used to assist in the resection of a recurrent Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) located in an atypical retrosellar region. The small-probe IUS provided real-time imaging feedback and enhanced visualization, allowing for accurate localization of the cyst and surrounding neurovascular structures. The authors conclude that IUS is a promising surgical adjunct that can potentially increase the extent of resection and decrease operation times. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the successful treatment of recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) using fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). LH is a rare autoimmune inflammation of the pituitary gland that can mimic pituitary adenomas. The authors conducted a systematic literature review and found that FSRT can be a viable alternative treatment for refractory cases of LH. The study included eight patients, and seven of them achieved a complete clinical response after one course of radiation. FSRT offers long-term disease control while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby critical structures. However, further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects, optimal dose planning, and patient selection criteria for FSRT. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are involved in tumor development and progression. But, the classified-based data of protein expression (PE) in meningiomas is unavailable. Therefore, we aimed to explore the PE of VEGF and EGF in meningiomas by considering evolutionary strategy and the regional tumor-based assay. Methods: PE was assayed using immunofluorescence (IF) within the peripheral, central, and basal sections of four meningioma tumors, and a lung metastatic brain tumor as a positive control. Results: Diverse characteristics and harmonic cross-talk in the individual sections and between different tumor sections were traced. The mode of PE was puzzling and personalized issue. Co-expression had a key impact on tumor evolution and diverse PE profiles led to draw the heterogenic classification, as the personalized/complementary insight in the functional behavior of VEGF and EGF. D1853N polymorphism of ATM gene was mosaics in two patients with meningiomas. Conclusion: The classified heterogeneity, harmonic co-expression, and diverse functional information in different regions of tumors may lead to predict the aggressiveness mode of tumors as a translational insight to the clinical managements including therapy in brain tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endovascular embolization is one of the main modalities in the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Onyx (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) is a new embolic agent with some advantages of slow injection and better control of penetration. Objectives: To report our experience in the embolization of brain AVMs with Onyx. Patients and Methods: From August 2012 to October 2014,53 consecutive patients harboring brain AVM were treated with Onyx as the sole embolic agent during 85 procedures. There were 27 males and 26 females with a mean age of 27.2 years (range, 8- 65 years). Results: The presenting symptom was headache in 25 (47%), neurological deficit in 18 (35%), and seizure in ten (18%) patients. According to the Spetzler-Martin grading scale, three of the AVMs were ranked as grades I,11 as grade II, 22 as grade III, 14 as grade IV, and three as grade V. An average of 1.8 feeding pedicles were embolized in each case, whereas a mean of 2.23-mL Onyx was used per patient. Initial complete obliteration at the end of all embolization procedures was achieved in 11 patients (20.08%). The rate of complete embolization at 6-month follow-up was 15%. After completion of embolization, the neurologic status was unchanged or improved in 46 (87%) patients. We observed treatment-related neurologic deficit in seven (13%) patients, of whom five were permanent (10%). There was no procedure-related death. Conclusion: Our experience with Onyx used for embolizing AVMs was satisfactory. Controlled injections that protect the draining veins make the therapy safe even in complex AVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play a role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Hsa-miR-11181 was originally introduced as a regulator of genes involved in some brain tumours. Due to the high expression of Hsa-miR-11181 in limited glioblastoma brain tumours, in this study we intend to assess the expressions of Hsa-miR-11181 and Has-miR11181-3p in brain tumour tissues and attribute new target genes to these miRNAs. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, total RNA from brain tissue samples was extracted for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis after cDNA synthesis. In order to confirm a direct interaction of Hsa-miR-11181 with two target genes, the 3ˊ UTR of AKT2 and transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) were cloned separately for assessment by the dual luciferase assay. Results: RT-qPCR analysis indicated that both Hsa-miR-11181-5p and Hsa-miR-11181-3p specifically up-regulated in higher grades of glioma tumours versus other brain tumour types. Consistently, lower expression levels of AKT2 and TGFBR1 were detected in higher grade gliomas compared to other types of brain tumours, which was inverse to the level of expression detected for the heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) gene. The results of the dual luciferase assay supported a direct interaction of Hsa-miR-11181 with the 3ˊ UTR sequences of the AKT2 and TGFBR1 genes. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that miR-1118 is a potential molecular biomarker for discrimination of glioma brain tumors from another brain tumor types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play a role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Hsa-miR-11181 was originally introduced as a regulator of genes involved in some brain tumours. Due to the high expression of Hsa-miR-11181 in limited glioblastoma brain tumours, in this study we intend to assess the expressions of Hsa-miR-11181 and Has-miR11181-3p in brain tumour tissues and attribute new target genes to these miRNAs., Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, total RNA from brain tissue samples was extracted for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis after cDNA synthesis. In order to confirm a direct interaction of Hsa-miR-11181 with two target genes, the 3' UTR of AKT2 and transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 ( TGFBR1 ) were cloned separately for assessment by the dual luciferase assay., Results: RT-qPCR analysis indicated that both Hsa-miR-11181-5p and Has-miR11181-3p specifically up-regulated in higher grades of glioma tumours versus other brain tumour types. Consistently, lower expression levels of AKT2 and TGFBR1 were detected in higher grade gliomas compared to other types of brain tumours, which was inverse to the level of expression detected for the heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor ( HBEGF ) gene. The results of the dual luciferase assay supported a direct interaction of Hsa-miR-11181 with the 3' UTR sequences of the AKT2 and TGFBR1 genes., Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that miR-1118 is a potential molecular biomarker for discrimination of glioma brain tumours from other brain tumour types., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest in this study., (Copyright© by Royan Institute. All rights reserved.)