Neurogenesis in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of MFG-E8

Neurodegenerative diseases are devastating medical conditions with no effective treatments. Restoration of impaired neurogenesis represents a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8) is a secretory glycoprotein that plays a wide range of cellular functions including phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, anti-inflammation, tissue regeneration, and homeostasis. The beneficial role of MFG-E8 has been shown in cerebral ischemia (stroke), neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. In stroke, MFG-E8 promotes neural stem cell proliferation and their migration toward the ischemic brain tissues. These novel functions of MFG-E8 are primarily mediated through its receptor αvβ3-integrin. Here, we focus on the pivotal role of MFG-E8 in protecting against neuronal diseases by promoting neurogenesis. We also discuss the mechanisms of MFG-E8-mediated neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) proliferation and migration, and the potential of MFG-E8 for neural stem cell niche maintenance via angiogenesis. We propose further investigation of the molecular pathways for MFG-E8 signaling in NSPC and effective strategies for MFG-E8 delivery across the blood–brain barrier, which will help develop MFG-E8 as a future drug candidate for the bedside management of neurodegenerative diseases

Venous Manometry as an Adjunct for Diagnosis and Multimodal Management of Intracranial Hypertension due to Meningioma Compressing Sigmoid Sinus

Intracranial venous hypertension is a rare presentation of meningiomas in the transversesigmoid sinus region. We describe a case of a young patient presenting with intracranial hypertension due to a meningioma causing compression of the dominant sigmoid sinus. We were able to document the cerebral venous pressure gradient across the lesion confirming our hypothesis that compression of the sigmoid sinus from the meningioma was the cause of intracranial hypertension. The patient is a 17-year-old male who presented with intracranial hypertension due to meningioma at the right dominant sigmoid sinus, which was treated by a Simpson grade IV surgical resection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery. Following treatment, his papilledema resolved and he remains symptom-free at 18 months. In conclusion, venous manometry is a useful adjunct to diagnose intracranial hypertension in non-idiopathic causes of intracranial hypertension. A multimodal management approach of intracranial hypertension due to outflow obstruction from the dominant sinus led to an excellent recovery on follow up

Nasopharyngeal cancer: a review of cases at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

No Abstract. Ghana Medical Journal Vol. 38(3) 2004: 104-10

Laryngeal Cancer at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Accra Ghana

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal cancer is the commonest Head and Neck cancer seen at the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the number of cases of laryngeal cancer seen at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, establish epidemiological parameters of the disease and to outline preventive measures. METHOD: One hundred and fifteen (115) patients who were managed for laryngeal cancer from 1(st) January 1998 to 31(st) December 2003 were studied retrospectively with respect to age, sex, duration of symptoms at presentation, risk factors, symptoms complex, histopathology, stage of tumor, details of treatment offered and follow up. RESULTS: The age range was 17–85 years with a mean of 55.5 years (SD10.7). Majority of the patients (90.4%) were above 40 years. The commonest symptom at presentation was dysphonia. A significant proportion of cases (37.3%) presented with locally advanced disease. The commonest histological type of laryngeal tumour seen was squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment offered consisted of radiotherapy for 83 (79.8%) patients and total laryngectomy with neck dissection when necessary for 17 (16.3%) patients who also had postoperative radiotherapy. Only 58 (69.9%) patients completed radiotherapy treatment and in all 32 (24.3 %) patients did not report for any treatment. Majority of patients failed to report for post treatment follow up. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that significant number of patients with laryngeal cancer presented with locally advanced disease and dysphonia was the commonest symptom

Growing Skull Fracture: Case Report after Rottweiler Bite and Review of the Literature

Growing skull fracture remains a rare but clinically significant complication of traumatic skull fractures in children less than 3 years of age. Dog attacks on children commonly cause head and neck injuries. We report the first case of growing skull fracture caused by a Rottweiler bite in a 21 days old neonate. Early diagnosis and surgical repair resulted in excellent outcome

Lipomatous meningioma: Case report and review of the literature

Lipomatous meningiomas are a very rare form of brain meningiomas consisting of fat accumulation within the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomographic (CT) imaging can be utilized to visualize the fat accumulations, but histopathologic staining is necessary in order to make a definitive diagnosis. The key histopathologic feature is the identification of adipocyte-like cells within the tumor, but other markers have also been identified. In this case report and review of the literature, we discuss how to recognize the symptoms associated with lipomatous meningiomas and the definitive treatment approach for these rare tumors