World Neurosurg
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Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) plays a major role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In hypoxic conditions, HIF is upregulated and has been shown to activate multiple genes required for cells to adapt to hypoxia. AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A), a SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose nonfermentable) chromatin remodeling gene has context-dependent tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles in cancer. We assessed the correlations between the expression and mutations of HIF1A and ARID1A in histopathologically confirmed pituitary adenomas. ⋯ In our patient cohort, we found that most pituitary adenomas expressed HIF1A. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to assess the presence of ARID1A loss in pituitary adenomas, which occurred in 28.2% of cases. No individual demographic, imaging, or histopathological feature was predictive of ARID1A. Likewise, with the exception of an increased incidence of cavernous sinus invasion, no correlation was found with HIF1A. Given the prognostic value of these markers in other malignancies, their frequency in pituitary adenomas warrants further exploration of their potential role in pituitary adenoma treatment and outcome.
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With a rapidly expanding elderly population in the United States, the incidence of pituitary adenomas in elderly will continue to rise. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal resection for pituitary adenomas in the elderly population. ⋯ The transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approach can be a safe and effective technique for resection of pituitary adenomas in patients >70 years old with appropriate patient selection.
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Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured small dissecting fusiform aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is rare and particularly challenging. Different treatment strategies have been reported in these rare cases. We report 2 patients treated with a novel endovascular approach. ⋯ There is no single treatment strategy suitable for all PICA aneurysms. Our proposed method may be best applied to small dissecting fusiform aneurysms located on a small (≤1 mm in diameter) PICA distally to its origin.
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This study aims to investigate the utility of 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) positron emission tomography in surgical decision making in suspected glioma. ⋯ Lesions with TBRmax >2.5 should be considered suspicious for glioma and biopsy considered. Threshold TBRmax >3.0 is useful for differentiating high-grade glioma from low-grade glioma. This may be a particularly useful tool for directing management in eloquent areas, such as brainstem glioma.
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The present study examined the physical extent of Modic type 1 (MT1) changes and other phenotypic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the vertebrae of patients with low back pain (LBP) and MT1 changes. We also identified any correlations of these findings with the severity of pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The relationship between the presence of pain and MT1 changes has been examined in several studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has assessed the relationships between pain severity and ODI and the total vertebral area of MT1 involvement. ⋯ A significant positive correlation was noted between the vertebral MT1 involvement extent and changes in the ODI. Other MRI features of patients with LBP were not related to pain severity or ODI.