History, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology of the Ventricles and Physiology of the Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid is an essential, clear, and colorless liquid for the homeostasis of the brain and neuronal functioning. It circulates in the brain ventricles, the cranial and spinal subarachnoid spaces. The mean cerebrospinal fluid volume is 150 ml, with 125 ml in subarachnoid spaces and 25 ml in the ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid is mainly secreted by the choroid plexuses. Cerebrospinal fluid secretion in adults ranges between 400 and 600 ml per day and it is renewed about four or five times a day. Cerebrospinal fluid is mainly reabsorbed from arachnoid granulations. Any disruption in this well-regulated system from overproduction to decreased absorption or obstruction could lead to hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus - Water on the Brain

Hydrocephalus is a common manifestation of many diseases. Caring and treating a patient with hydrocephalus involve engagement and acquire a deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and technical details. Despite the technological developments, treatment of hydrocephalus is still a challenge for every neurological surgeon. The aim of this project is to provide a detailed and accessible information for every single discipline, not only for neurological surgeons, involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the patients with hydrocephalus

Miliary brain metastases from occult lung adenocarcinoma: Radiologic and histopathologic confirmation

“Miliary brain metastases”, also termed as “Carcinomatous encephalitis”, are an extremely rare form of cerebral metastasis. Here in this article, we report a 52 year-old male patient with miliary brain metastases originating from occult lung adenocarcinoma. There were no significant findings on his initial physical and neurological examinations except limited cooperation. Brain computed tomography revealed edematous regions at the inferior sections of both parietal lobes. Then after, the contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed innumerable multi-dimensional lesions associated with surrounding edema on T2-weighted images. The proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed increases in the choline and lipid peaks with decreased N-acetylaspartate in a similar manner with metastatic brain tumors. Histopathological findings pointed out that malignant epithelial tumor metastasis were originating in primary lung adenocarcinoma. Despite the advances in technical equipments and medical knowledge, miliary metastatic brain tumors are quite rare and the differential diagnosis is difficult. Our aim in this article was to present this rare case in which the lung was thought to be the primary focus; and outline the radiological characteristics. Also, we believe that the findings presented by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy may contribute to making a differential diagnosis

Postoperative seizure following transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy

This find is registered at Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands with number PAN-0006626

Does glioblastoma cyst fluid promote sciatic nerve regeneration?

Glioblastoma cyst fluid contains growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins which are known as neurotrophic and neurite-promoting agents. Therefore, we hypothesized that glioblastoma cyst fluid can promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. To validate this hypothesis, we transected rat sciatic nerve, performed epineural anastomosis, and wrapped the injured sciatic nerve with glioblastoma cyst fluid- or saline-soaked gelatin sponges. Neurological function and histomorphological examinations showed that compared with the rats receiving local saline treatment, those receiving local glioblastoma cyst fluid treatment had better sciatic nerve function, fewer scars, greater axon area, counts and diameter as well as fiber diameter. These findings suggest that glioblastoma cyst fluid can promote the regeneration of injured sciatic nerve and has the potential for future clinical application in patients with peripheral nerve injury

The Effects of Risedronate Therapy Combined With Vitamin D and Calcium on Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of risedronate therapy combined with vitamin D and calcium on bone mineral density(BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients with primary postmenopausal osteoporosis. Fifty osteoporotic postmenopausal women were included in our study. All patients were given daily doses of 5 mg risodronate, 1000 mg elementary calcium and 500 IUvitamine D during 1 year study period. Dual Energy X-ray Absorbsimetry was used for the measurement of BMD’s of the lumbar spine and proximal femur. In addition calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, ALP, tartarat resistant acid phosphotase (TRAP), osteocalcine levels were measured in blood and C-telopeptides(CTX1) in the urine samples . There were no significant changes in serum levels of magnesium, phosphorus and TRAP after one year of therapy. Calcium and ALP levels were lower than baseline. Osteocalcine and CTX levels were found to be decreased significantly. Lomber and proximal femur BMD’s were found to be significantly increased at the end of one year. Our results demonstrated that risedronate therapy combined with calcium and vitamin D for postmenopausal primary osteoporosis results in significant increases in spinal and femur BMD’s. This result was supported by changes in biochemical marker levels of bone turnover as well