Genya Odake

Fluorescence microscopy of the catecholamine-containing neurons of the hypothalamohypophyseal system

SummaryThe hypothalamohypophyseal system of the mouse, rat, guinea-pig, cat, dog and monkey (Macaca mulatta) was studied with the fluorescence method for catecholamine-containing neurons developed by Falck et al. (1962). The fluorescent fibers are prominent in the external layer and around the primary portal plexus of the infundibulum and in the peripheral region of the neural lobe of these animals, particulary on the external surface and surrounding the primary capillary loops. These fluorescent fibers are connected with fluorescent cells in the arcuate nuclei, and this connection coincides with the tuberohypophyseal system. The neurons of this system have a particular affinity for dopamine, possibly due to their own content of dopamine. In the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, no fluorescent cells were found. In the pars intermedia, we also found catecholamine-containing fibers.The presence of catecholamine-containing fibers in the adeno- and neurohypophysis are considered in relation to other data derived from fluorescence and electron microscopy.

Intracranial hypoglossal neurinoma with extracranial extension: review and case report.

A case of neurinoma affecting the intracranial part of the hypoglossal nerve is reported. Symptoms and signs, radiological findings, and operative results of other cases are reviewed. The value of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in local diagnosis and the feasibility of a one-stage operation for total removal of tumors with extracranial extension are discussed.

Cystic meningioma: report of three patients.

Three patients with cystic meningioma are reported. The computed tomographic scans or magnetic resonance images of these tumors resembled those of a glial or metastatic tumor with cystic or necrotic changes. There is no definitive method for preoperatively differentiating cystic meningiomas from the more common malignant glioma. Angiographic evaluation and collaboration with a neuropathologist are important for the recognition of these potentially curable neoplasms.

Cyst of the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricle : case report and review of the literature

We report an intraventricular cyst in a 2-year-old boy who had myoclonic jerks of the extremities. The cyst had no communication with the ventricular system or subarachnoid space. Total removal of the cyst adhering to the choroid plexus was accomplished. The glial cyst wall was lined in part by flattened or cuboidal epithelium. The preoperative and postoperative computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images are presented, and congenital benign cysts in the lateral ventricle are reviewed and discussed.

Meningioma of the falcotentorial region : report of two cases and literature review of occlusion of the galenic system

Two patients with verified meningiomas involving the posterior part of the falx and the midline tentorium extending into the pineal region are reported. Preoperative angiography disclosed occlusion of the straight sinus in both patients. The operative results are described, and the safety of surgical occlusion of the galenic system is discussed.

Fluorescence microscopic observations of catecholamines in cultures of the sympathetic chains

SummaryA histochemical technique for the demonstration of catecholamines developed by Falck et al. has been successfully applied to the sympathetic chains of rats and mice maintained in vitro. Catecholamines were localized in the nerve fibers, showing identical green fluorescence as in tissue sections of healthy rats. The cultures 8 days in vitro exhibited positive reaction in a few terminals, whereas sister cultures 1 month in vitro showed strong fluorescence reaction in thicker proximal axons and networks of nerve fibers as well. Reactivity of neuron somas became positive after 1 month of cultivation. Application of reserpine in amount of 0.00025 mg/ml for 2 hours resulted in complete disappearance of fluorescence. Furthermore, cultures of spinal ganglia from fetal rat produced no fluorescence reaction with this technique. Therefore, the reaction is specific for sympathetic nervous tissue and reliable for the differentiation of sympathetic neurons from other types of nerve cells.

Neurenteric cysts with meningomyelocele or meningocele

Two rare cases of neuroenteric cysts with meningomyelocele and meningocele were treated. The mechanism of the development of these anomalies is discussed. It is considered that the terminal, dorsal part of the enteric fistula, which is produced between the endoderm and the ectoderm through a partially duplicated notochord in the development of the embryo, remains after obliteration of the fistula and, consequently, that the mucosa of the enteric remnant is inverted and projects through the skin of the back.

Long-term follow up of a growing skull fracture treated by dura and cranioplasty with artificial dura mater and methylmethacrylate

Abstract We report the long-term follow up of a growing skull fracture treated by duraplasty and cranioplasty with artificial dura mater and methylmethacrylate. The patient had undergone duraplasty and cranioplasty 19 years earlier at the age of 1 year and 11 months old. We examined the growth of the skull and the long-term adaptation between his own skull and methylmethacrylate 19 years after cranioplasty.

A Congenital Arteriovenous Aneurysm in the Neck

One male case of a congenital arteriovenous aneurysm in the neck was described. It was fed by a distal branch of the external carotid artery and drained into the external jular vein. A swelling of the neck and a bruit of the ear disappeared following resection of this malformation. Nine published cases are summarized and briefly discussed.

Vasospasm and adrenergic innervation of circle of willis

Cerebral vasospasm following the rupture of intracranial aneurysm presents perplexing situation, i.e. prolonged vasospasm results in cerebral infarct and too early relief causes recurrence of the bleeding. To understand mechanism underlying the cerebral vasospasm, catecholamine-containing sympathetic nerve plexus was examined in the arterial walls of the circle of Willis using rat, cat, dog and monkey using Falck-Hillarps fluorescence method. The distribution of fluorescing nerve plexus was found to be essentially the same in the examination of all species. The distribution of the fluorescing fibers decreases in the following order; proximal anterior cerebral, internal carotid, distal anterior or proximal middle cerebral, and distal middle cerebral artery. The origin of the nerve plexus accompanying the basal cerebral arteries and the relation to the experimental cerebral vasospasm was investigated as detailed as they could.