World Neurosurg
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Primary hypothyroidism can cause both hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia. The degree of hyperprolactinemia is generally modest, and rarely do prolactin concentrations exceed 100 ng/mL (4.34 nmol/L). This combination of hyperprolactinemia and pituitary gland enlargement might raise suspicion for a prolactinoma or a nonfunctioning adenoma limiting the ability of hypothalamic dopamine to inhibit prolactin production, the so-called "stalk effect." ⋯ Primary hypothyroidism can cause hyperprolactinemia, and prolonged disease may lead to pituitary hyperplasia. However, a marked elevation of prolactin should raise suspicion to investigate additional etiologies for hyperprolactinemia. Our case exemplifies a dual etiology for hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia caused by both hypothyroidism and macroprolactin. This knowledge is invaluable for clinicians to avoid unnecessary management with dopamine agonists and/or surgery. This patient's prolactin was 323 ng/mL (14.06 nmol/L). Before our case, the highest prolactin in a hypothyroid patient reported in the literature was 253 ng/mL (11.0 nmol/L).
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Comparative Study
Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: the role of mechanical allodynia.
This study was conducted to determine whether mechanical allodynia (MA) acts as a predictor of outcome after microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and to discuss the potential pathologic mechanisms involved. ⋯ The presence of MA is a reliable predictor of immediate and long-term outcome after MVD for TN. Compared with the patients without MA, the incidence rate of intraoperative neurovascular compression was higher in MA-positive patients, who were more likely to achieve a better outcome and lower rate of recurrence after MVD for TN. Application of the information in this study will be helpful in patient selection of MVD for TN.
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Case Reports
3T MRI follow-up of large or giant vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms which were totally embolized on angiography.
To evaluate the outcomes of large or giant vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs) after endovascular total embolization by follow-up 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ The efficacy of conventional endovascular treatment (e.g., internal trapping with coils, stent-assisted coiling, and stent placement without coils) for large or giant VBDAs is uncertain. Follow-up angiography alone does not adequately predict the outcome. High-resolution MRI is a worthwhile adjunct to follow these lesions.
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To determine the incidence and risk factors of carotid stenosis progression in patients with asymptomatic moderate carotid artery stenosis (CAS). ⋯ The incidence of carotid stenosis progression in asymptomatic moderate CAS was high even in popular use of aspirin and statin. Although development of INS was not associated with carotid stenosis progression, it was a risk factor of long-term morbidity and survival.
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Prediction of high-grade meningiomas before surgery is essential to determine optimal treatment strategies; however, the relationship between radiologic features and malignancy of meningiomas in pediatric patients has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features that are significantly correlated with high risk of high-grade pediatric meningiomas. ⋯ In pediatric patients, meningiomas with an unclear tumor-brain interface, lateral location, and narrow base on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging are more likely to be high-grade meningiomas. Our results may be helpful in decision making regarding therapeutic strategies for pediatric patients with meningiomas.