Mustafa Berker

BRUCELLOSIS OF THE SPINE

The spinal form of brucellosis is still a disabling disease in many countries outside North America and northern and central Europe. Fifteen consecutive cases of spinal brucellosis diagnosed and treated over a 20-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Six patients were farmers, while 10 patients had a history of ingestion of unpasteurized milk or other dairy products. A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis, since there are no pathognomonic signs or symptoms. Radiological assessment of the disease was reviewed and highlights in the differential diagnoses were stressed. The diagnosis was based on actual culture of Brucella bacilli in seven patients. The principal treatment of brucellosis of the spine is conservative, namely, immobilization and antimicrobial therapy. We have found both a combination of ofloxacin and rifampin and ofloxacin monotherapy efficient as the early regimens used in this series. Three patients had to undergo surgery, since a diagnosis could not be made in any other way.

Complications of endoscopic surgery of the pituitary adenomas: analysis of 570 patients and review of the literature

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is emerging as a minimally invasive and maximally effective procedure for pituitary adenomas. In this report we analyzed the complications in 624 procedures of endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of 570 patients with pituitary adenomas. The leading author (MB) operated pituitary adenomas via pure endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between January 2006 and August 2011 at the Hacettepe University, Department of Neurosurgery in Ankara. Complications were assessed in 624 surgical procedures under five groups; rhinological, CSF leaks, infection, vascular and endocrinologic complications. We observed a total of 76 complications (12.1%). Rhinological complications occurred in 8 patients (1.3%): 4 epistaxis (0.6%) and 4 hyposmia (0.6%). Postoperative CSF leaks occurred in 8 patients (1.3%), and infectious complications occurred in 8 patients: 3 cases of sphenoidal sinusitis (0.4%), 5 cases of meningitis (0.8%). Only 1 case of internal carotid aneurysm rupture during the opening of sellar floor (0.16%) was observed. Endocrinologic complications occurred in 51 (8.1%) patients: Anterior pituitary deficiency in 12 (1.9%), transient diabetes insipidus (DI) in 29 (4.6%), permanent DI in 3 (0.4%) and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome occurred in 7 (1.1%). There was no mortality directly related to the surgical procedure. The complication rates observed in our study suggests that the endoscopic pituitary surgery is at least as safe as microscopic transphenoidal surgery. These rates were obtained with due experience and well-coordinated teamwork. To further improve these rates, new technological developments will be helpful.

Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN): a new tool in the diagnosis of central neurocytoma.

The use of neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) as a reliable neuronal marker in the differential diagnosis of clear cell neoplasms of the central nervous system was determined in a biopsy series of 23 cases. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out by antisera against neuronal nuclear antigen, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase, microtubule-associated protein 2, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. All eight central neurocytomas were characteristically immunolabeled by NeuN. NeuN immunoreactivity was uniformly strong and basically located in the nuclei of neurocytes. Despite this uniform staining pattern of central neurocytomas, 12 cases of oligodendrogliomas and three cases of ependymoma were negative for NeuN. As the diagnostic criteria for central neurocytoma include immunohistochemical and/or ultrastructural evidence for neuronal differentiation, NeuN as a sensitive and specific neuronal marker in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues may greatly facilitate the differential diagnosis of central neurocytomas.

Treatment of acromegaly by endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: surgical experience in 214 cases and cure rates according to current consensus criteria

OBJECT Acromegaly is a disease that has significant morbidity and mortality related to high levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and is usually caused by pituitary adenomas. The goal in this study was to investigate the role of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and surgical experience in the treatment of GH adenoma cases in relation to surgical results and hormonal cure rates, and to perform a review of the literature. METHODS The authors present a retrospective analysis of 214 GH adenoma cases. Restoration of IGF-I levels to normal for age and sex, suppression of GH levels below 0.4 μg/L on the oral glucose tolerance test, and demonstration of the total removal of the tumor on MRI studies obtained after administration of contrast material at the 3-month postoperative follow-up visit were the criteria for cure. RESULTS In total 214 patients with a mean age of 41.9 ± 12 years (range 17-75 years) and a male/female ratio of 106/108 were enrolled in the study. Cure was achieved in 134 (62.6%) of 214 patients. One hundred sixty-nine patients were primary cases, and of these 109 (64.5%) were cured, whereas 61 patients were previously operated cases and of these 25 (41%) were cured. With a 51.1% decrease in the 1st month postoperatively, IGF-I levels were found to be predictive of cure (74.4% sensitivity and 73.7% specificity). Cut-off values for GH levels in predicting cure for the 1st day, 1st week, and 1st month postoperatively were 2.33, 2.05, and 2.25 μg/L, respectively. The cut-off value for surgical experience was 57 for primary surgeries (58.5% cure rate before this cut-off value compared with 72.6% after it; p = 0.025) and 108 for all operations (45.8% vs. 79.4%, p = 0.037). Although 28 patients were found to be in remission according to the criteria in 2000, they were not in remission according to the new consensus criteria. Nine of these cases (32.1%) had random GH levels < 1 μg/L at the 1-year follow-up. The 1-year IGF-I and GH levels in these 28 patients showed no significant difference when compared with the cases defined as cured according to the current criteria. CONCLUSIONS In acromegaly treatment, transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery performed by an expert senior surgeon and increased surgical experience are important for higher cure rates. Random GH levels < 2.33 μg/L after the 1st day postoperatively and a > 50% decrease in IGF-I levels after the 1st month postoperatively are predictive of cure. Moreover, there is no urgency for additional therapy in patients with GH levels of 0.4-1 μg/L and MRI sequences showing no tumor at the 3-month follow-up, because for these cases remission can be achieved at the 1-year follow-up.

Endovascular treatment of kissing aneurysms at the fenestrated basilar artery. Case report with literature review.

BACKGROUND Basilar artery fenestrations are most commonly located in the proximal basilar trunk close to the vertebrobasilar junction and may harbor saccular aneurysms. Surgical treatment of such aneurysms has been reported in several cases previously, despite the difficulty of the surgical approach. Endovascular treatment may provide a more convenient treatment alternative in such cases. This case is also interesting in that two discrete aneurysms arise from each limb of the fenestration. CASE REPORT A 20-year-old man presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. He had two kissing aneurysms at the fenestrated proximal basilar artery as demonstrated by MRA and selective angiography. The two aneurysms were successfully treated with GDCs via the contralateral vertebral arteries. One-year control angiogram showed stable occlusion. CONCLUSION Aneurysms at the fenestrated basilar artery may be effectively treated with endovascular coil occlusion. The occurrence of multiplicity and the treatment alternatives are discussed, with relevant literature review.

Neurocutaneous Melanosis Associated with Dandy-Walker Malformation

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare dysmorphogenesis associated with single or multiple giant pigmented cutaneous nevi and diffuse involvement of the leptomeninges anywhere in the central nervous system (CNS). It is interesting that almost 8–10% of patients had associated Dandy-Walker malformation in the literature, suggesting a common origin of the developmental abnormalities. In this article, we present a 2-year-old patient with neurocutaneous melanosis associated with Dandy-Walker malformation. We reviewed the literature and discuss the pathogenesis based on the preferred hypotheses so far.

Intraradicular disc herniations in the lumbar spine and a new classification of intradural disc herniations

Study design: A case report of intraradicular disc herniation. Intraradicular disc herniation is a special type of intradural disc hernations. In this report, we present the tenth case of intraradicular lumbar disc herniation and suggest a new classification for intradural disc herniations.Case Report: A 32-year-old male was admitted to hospital having experienced pain in the lower back and right leg for 1 month prior to admission. Neurological examination revealed weakness of the extensor hallucis longus, positive Laségues sign, decreased ankle reflex in his right lower extremity, and bilateral paravertebral muscle spasm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a disc herniation with a posterolateral extruded fragment on the right at the level of the L5-S1 space. He underwent L5 laminectomy. During the operation, the right S1 root was found to be swollen and immobile. A longitudinal incision was made in the dura of the right S1 root and an intradural free disc fragment was removed, and the S1 root was relieved. The patient was free of pain postoperatively.Conclusion: We suggest a new classification for intradural disc herniations with this unusual case presentation and review the literature for pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment.Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 545–548.

Pulmonary embolism in neurosurgical patients.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism continues to be a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgical practice. This study was designed to investigate the presence of signs and/or symptoms helpful for an early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and to evaluate the safety of heparin treatment in neurosurgical patients. METHOD We retrospectively reviewed 37 patients with pulmonary embolism among 6081 operated patients within the past 8 years at the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Hacettepe. RESULTS The overall incidence of pulmonary embolism was 0.42% and the mortality rate was 59.4%. The patients with cerebrovascular lesions had a significantly higher risk of pulmonary embolism compared with other neurosurgical pathologies. All patients were treated with heparin and subsequent oral warfarin therapy. None had intracranial or intraspinal bleeding while receiving anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that pulmonary embolism has a high mortality rate and heparin therapy can be used safely and without fear of intracranial or intraspinal bleeding.

Ultra rapid spontaneous resolution of acute posttraumatic subdural hematomas in patient with temporal linear fracture

Summary¶We report a case of 57 year-old man with documented posttraumatic acute subdural hematoma and a linear temporal bone fracture. He suffered from a blunt head injury and presented with sudden loss of consciousness. Within 2 hours he became alert and oriented. Follow-up CT scan of brain 2 hours after the initial one showed resolution and redistribution of the subdural hematoma.To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature about spontaneous resolution of an acute subdural hematoma in a patient with a linear fracture and the fastest resolution period. In this article, the authors discuss the underlying pathophysiology of this uncommon phenomenon.

Overview of vascular complications of pituitary surgery with special emphasis on unexpected abnormality

Arterial bleeding during transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma is known complication. This usually happens due to rupture of intracavernous carotid or delayed hemorrhage due to the carotico-cavernous fistula and/or pseudoaneurysm. There is also evidence that cavernous carotid aneurysms may occur with pituitary tumors, yet largest series failed to demonstrate any link between aneurysm formation and pituitary tumors. Usually such an aneurysm rupture results in formation of carotico-cavernous fistula. However, pituitary apoplexy and even epistaxis have been reported. In this paper we present a patient with recurrent pituitary adenoma and cavernous carotid artery aneurysm, which caused significant hemorrhage during the surgery. Although retrospective analysis of MRI disclosed that the patient had the aneurysm before the first surgery, it remained silent until the second operation. Therefore neurosurgeons should be very susceptive to any signal changes on preoperative MR images, especially in recurrent cases, where normal anatomical relations are disturbed by fibrotic tissue. Also, we reviewed the vascular complication of pituitary surgery based on the literature.