Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia: report of a large-sized scalp lesion

In this report, a case is presented with large recurrent, benign, vascular and proliferative lesion on the scalp. Complete surgical excision of the tumor mass and split thickness skin grafting of the defect had favorable results with no recurrences after 24-month follow-up.     

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor in the left lateral ventricle.

Extracortical location of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) is rare. We present a case of DNT localized in the left lateral ventricle of a 21-year-old female patient. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a round mass lesion in the floor of the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle. The lesion was hypointense on T (1)-weighted images and slightly hyperintense on T (2)-weighted images without contrast enhancement. Total removal of the yellowish-white colored soft tumor was performed through a transcallosal approach. Histologically, the tumor was of simple type of DNT that was composed of small oligodendrogliocytes clustered tightly about perivascular spaces with neurons floating in mucoid pools showing an eosinophilic fibrillary matrix in the background. The recognition of DNT with an unusual location in lateral ventricle has therapeutic and prognostic significance since DNT is curable by surgical excision and radiation therapy is of no obvious benefit.     

Pulmonale Verkalkungen infolge einer Escherichia-coli-Pneumonie

We report a neonate (gestational age 24 5/7 weeks) who developed severe sepsis with Escherichia coli pneumonia on the 11th day of life. Nine weeks after the initial diagnosis of E. coli pneumonia, calcifications in the right lung were diagnosed. After intermittent antibiotic therapy for 98 days, invasive ventilation for 47 days, and nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for 65 days, the infant was discharged on supplementary oxygen therapy.     

Are radio‐contrast agents commonly used in discography toxic to the intact intervertebral disc tissue cells?

In the literature, there have been no studies showing clear results on how radio‐contrast pharmaceuticals would affect intact disc tissue cells. In this context, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of iopromide and gadoxetic acid, frequently used in the discography, on intact lumbar disc tissue in pharmaco‐molecular and histopathological level. Primary cell cultures were prepared from the healthy disc tissue of the patients operated in the neurosurgery clinic. Except for the control group, the cultures were incubated with the indicated radio‐contrast agents. Cell viability, toxicity and proliferation indices were tested at specific time intervals. The cell viability was quantitatively analysed. It was also visually rechecked under a fluorescence microscope with acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. Simultaneously, cell surface morphology was analysed with an inverted light microscope, while haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining methodology was used in the histopathological evaluations. The obtained data were evaluated statistically. Unlike the literature, iopromide or gadoxetic acid did not have any adverse effects on the cell viability, proliferation and toxicity (P < 0.05). Although this study reveals that radio‐contrast pharmaceuticals used in the discography, often used in neurosurgical practice, can be safely used, it should be remembered that this study was performed in an in vitro environment.     

Extradural Giant Multiloculated Arachnoid Cyst Causing Spinal Cord Compression in a Child

Abstract

Background: Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are rare expanding lesions in the spinal canal. Enlargement may cause progressive signs and symptoms caused by spinal cord compression. They are associated with trauma, surgery, arachnoiditis, and neural tube defects. Most nontraumatic spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are thought to be congenital.

Design: Case report and literature review.

Findings: A 9-year-old boy with mild paraparesis was found to have an extradural multiloculated arachnoid cyst with fibrous septa at T4-L3 levels and anterior compression and displacement of the spinal cord.

Conclusions: Definitive treatment of arachnoid cyst entails radical cyst removal and dura cleft repair. Formation of a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistula may require external lumbar drainage.     

Taurine attenuates lung ischemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in rats

Purpose

Taurine, the major intracellular free amino acid found in high concentrations in mammalian cells, is known to be an endogenous antioxidant and a membrane-stabilizing agent. It was hypothesized that taurine may be effective in reducing ischemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation and an experimental study was conducted in a rat model.

Methods

The number of Sprague–Dawley rats used in the study was 35. Animals were randomized into five groups of 7 rats each, including control, donor I, donor II, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and treatment groups. All animals were exposed to the same experimental conditions in the preoperative period. Rats were fixed in a supine position after the induction. After the rats were shaved, a left pneumonectomy was performed following sternotomy in control, donor I, and donor II groups. The harvested grafts in donor I and donor II groups were transplanted to the rats of the ischemia–reperfusion group and treatment group, respectively. However, taurine was administered intraperitoneally for 3 days before the harvesting procedure in donor II. All harvested lungs were kept in a Euro-Collins solution at +4 °C for 24 h in a half-inflated manner. After harvesting and transplantation, lungs were sampled for histopathological and biochemical analysis.

Results

Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels were lower in the treatment group than the other groups (p < 0.05). Histopathological findings were better in treatment group than the ischemia–reperfusion group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It was demonstrated that donor treatment with taurine resulted in preservation of transplanted lung tissue in respect to histopathological and biochemical findings.