Neuronavigation-guided endoscopy for intraventricular tumors in adult patients without hydrocephalus

Introduction : Intraventricular endoscopic operations are usually undertaken in patients with an enlarged ventricular system that provides good access to the ventricles, proper anatomic orientation and safety of maneuvers within the ventricles. Aim : The preliminary assessment of the feasibility of endoscopic procedures in cases occurring without hydrocephalus. Material and methods: Eleven patients with intraventricular tumor diagnosed in neuroimaging studies were included in the study. None of these cases was accompanied by hydrocephalus. Surgery was performed with a rigid neuroendoscope using a neuronavigation system. The purpose of the operation was tumor removal or histological verification. Results : The colloid cyst of the third ventricle was removed in 5 patients. In 1 patient a glial-derived tumor adjacent to the interventricular foramen was partially resected. In 1 case a tumor of the lateral ventricle was totally removed, and in another case the resection of such a tumor was partial. In 2 cases, a biopsy of the tumor of the posterior portion of the third ventricle was undertaken, while in 1 case the biopsy was abandoned due to the risk of injury of structures surrounding interventricular foramen. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. None of the patients developed hydrocephalus in the long-term follow-up. The results of treatment in the study group did not differ from those obtained in patients operated on with hydrocephalus. Conclusions : The presence of hydrocephalus is not necessary to perform endoscopic surgery. However, in each case it should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the feasibility of the endoscopic procedure and should be supported by a neuronavigation system

Osamotnieni, wyizolowani, autowykluczeni? Z czego wynika nieobecność mężczyzn seniorów w instytucjach kultury?

The aim of this article is to present the determinants of the limited presence of senior men in cultural institutions in Poland. The text characterises the context in which older men undertake institutional cultural activity and identifies the main reasons why the scale of their cultural participation is low. The fundamental factors that differentiate the nature of cultural participation are gender, the resulting behavioural patterns and individual adaptation strategies. These themes are analysed in the context of the barriers and problems experienced by male seniors, and the risks of social exclusion within this group are highlighted.Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie uwarunkowań ograniczonej obecności mężczyzn seniorów w instytucjach kultury w Polsce. W tekście scharakteryzowane zostały kontekst podejmowania przez starszych mężczyzn instytucjonalnej aktywności kulturalnej oraz główne powody, dla których ich skala uczestnictwa w kulturze jest niska. Zasadniczymi czynnikami, które różnicują charakter partycypacji kulturalnej, jest płeć kulturowa oraz wynikające z niej wzorce zachowań i indywidualne strategie adaptacyjne. Wątki te analizowane są w kontekście barier i problemów, jakich doświadczają mężczyźni seniorzy, a także ryzyk związanych z wykluczeniem społecznym w obrębie tej grupy

Nowe media i technologie tożsamości. Lifestreaming jako praktyka społeczno-kulturowa

The paper is devoted to a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of lifestreaming – a specific socio-cultural practice embedded in the reality of new communication technologies. To lifestream means to leave digital traces of self online, broadcast self-related content, (auto)explore one’s identity presenting it at the same time to a networked audience. Due to affordances of new communication technologies their users have the opportunity to share with others diverse content as well as manage their presence in social networking platforms in the realm of mobile media. The paper analyzes both the analytical background and the social context of the depicted practice as well as potential future scenarios of the evolution of the phenomenon researched today by social scientists.Tekst poświęcony jest teoretycznej analizie zjawiska lifestreamingu – specyficznej praktyki społeczno-kulturowej zakorzenionej w realiach nowych technologii komunikacyjnych. Lifestreaming polega na pozostawianiu online cyfrowych śladów, transmitowaniu treści powiązanych z Ja, (auto)eksploracji własnej tożsamości przed usieciowioną publicznością. Za sprawą afordancji właściwych nowym technologiom komunikacyjnym ich użytkownicy mają możliwość dzielenia się z innymi różnorodnymi treściami i zarządzania swoją obecnością na platformach społecznościowych w sieciowych mediach mobilnych. W tekście przedstawione zostaje analityczne tło i społeczny kontekst opisywanej praktyki, jak również potencjalne scenariusze ewolucji badanego dziś na gruncie nauk społecznych zjawiska

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy : effectiveness of the procedure for obstructive hydrocephalus with different etiology in adults

INTRODUCTION: After a time of domination of shunt placement, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been increasingly applied in treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of ETV in treatment of adults with three-ventricle hydrocephalus of different etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-six patients with obstructive hydrocephalus were studied: 24 with primary aqueductal stenosis, 61 with brain tumor, and 2 with basilar tip aneurysm. In 9 patients the etiology of hydrocephalus remained undetermined. The assessment of treatment results was based on clinical and radiological criteria. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was observed in 74 (77.1%) patients, and radiological improvement in 52 (54.2%). One patient died. Follow-up of 24 patients with primary aqueductal stenosis has shown that in 20 (83.3%) of them clinical improvement has been stable, and in 14 (58.3%) radiological improvement has been observed. Two patients required shunt placement due to hydrocephalus recurrence 12–24 months after the ETV procedure. Among 9 patients with undefined hydrocephalus, 3 required shunt placement within 6 months after ETV (2 shunted previously). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy treatment in a patient with hydrocephalus caused by basilar tip aneurysm succeeded. The assessment of ETV effectiveness in oncological patients has been indirect in view of the underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS: The best results of ETV treatment have been demonstrated for patients with primary aqueductal stenosis. Ventricle size cannot determine the effectiveness of treatment as an individual requirement. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is effective in previously shunted patients although the prediction of outcome should be cautious. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy enables preparation for further therapy and is palliative treatment in oncological patients with secondary hydrocephalus

Spontaneous third ventriculostomy in obstructive hydrocephalus with composed aetiology : a case report

Third ventriculostomy (TV) is the most common neuroendoscopic procedure for restoration of near physiological circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in obstructive hydrocephalus. Among 70 adults operated on using this technique, the authors encountered one case of spontaneous TV. Only a few case reports of spontaneous ventriculostomy revealed by ventriculography, flow-sensitive phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or at autopsy have been published. A 43-year-old woman with symptoms of hydrocephalus and signs of chronic obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis on MRI was qualified for TV. Enlarged infundibulo-mammillary triangle with perforation was noted intraoperatively. During the postoperative course, the condition of the patient partially improved although radiological appearance remained unchanged. Three weeks later symptoms of hydrocephalus recurred and the patient underwent an infusion test which revealed increased cerebrospinal fluid outflow resistance. Implantation of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt yielded stable improvement. Spontaneous TV should be taken into consideration during selection of patients for TV, especially in cases with chronic obstructive hydrocephalus

Identification of Residual Stresses in a Surface Layer of Ti6AL4V and Inconel 718 after Process of Peripheral Milling

Titanium based alloy – Ti6Al4V and nickel based alloy – Inconel 718 belong to the group of difficult-to-cut materials. Thanks to their unique properties they can be used in constructions that need to withstand the high reliability requirements which are required inter alia in the aircraft industry. The physical properties of cutting layer, including residual stresses, play an important role during exploitation of products made out of difficult-to-cut materials. In the article, the method of residual stresses determination is described and the exemplary results of carried out studies are provided. Described method is based on the measurement of the defects in the crystal lattice. The carried out studies show that the state of residual stresses, in a subsurface layer, can be formed by the selection of machining conditions

Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery

Introduction: The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age ± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery. Results: In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured atthe site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 mm; p = 0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.55). Conclusion: Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations