Shigenori Katayama

Cysts of the pineal gland

Thirty-two cases of pineal cyst diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed and are described. The pineal cyst was demonstrated to be an area with slightly less intensity than the surrounding tissue and with slightly greater intensity than the CSF on T1-weighted images. On the T2-weighted images this lesion was identified as a high-intensity area with smooth margins and was homogeneous in nature. In three cases presenting with headache, compression of the vein of Galen was identified, and compression of the quadrigeminal plate was demonstrated in five cases. No patients presented with both pineal and quadrigeminal lesions. Of the cases, 63% were not detected by CT scanning alone. There were two cases in which the cyst ruptured and collapsed spontaneously during follow-up. It is emphasized that the presence of this lesion, which was more frequent than previously expected, should be kept in mind when diagnosing pineal tumors and should not be misdiagnosed. Surgery should not be undertaken unless the lesion produces symptoms due to the compression of the quadrigeminal plate, aqueduct, or the vein of Galen.

Germinoma of the Basal Ganglia

We describe a case of germinoma of the left basal ganglia. An 11-year-old boy, who demonstrated calcification of the left basal ganglia on CT scan following a head injury at the age of 3 years, presented with a weakness of the right upper extremity for 2 months. MRI demonstrated high intensity in the left basal ganglia on a T1-weighted image without enhancement as well as high intensity on a T2-weighted image. Ipsilateral hemiatrophy of the hemisphere and midbrain was also noted. In addition, high intensity in the left internal capsule and cerebral peduncle was demonstrated on T2-weighted image. Surgical specimens obtained by stereotactic biopsy showed germinoma with a two-cell pattern. The patient had remained asymptomatic for 8 years after abnormal calcification was initially detected on CT scan. Ipsilateral hemiatrophy of the hemisphere and midbrain was demonstrated before the onset of weakness.

Effect of Heat Shock on Intracellular Calcium Mobilization in Neuroblastoma × Glioma Hybrid Cells

Abstract: The effect of heat shock on agonist‐stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and the expression of heat shock protein 72 (hsp72) in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG 108–15 cells) were examined. Hsp72 was expressed at 6 h after heat shock (42.5°C, 2 h), reached a maximum at 12 h, and decreased thereafter. Bradykinin‐induced [Ca2+], rise was attenuated to 28% of control by heat shock at 2 h after heat shock, and reversion to the control level was seen 12 h later. When the cells were treated with quercetin or antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide against hsp72 cDNA, the synthesis of hsp72 was not induced by heat shock, whereas bradykinin‐induced [Ca2+]i rise was abolished and the [Ca2+]i rise was not restored. Recovery from this stressed condition was evident when cells were stimulated by the Ca2+‐ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, even in the presence of either quercetin or antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide. Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) production was not altered by heat shock at 12 h after heat shock, whereas IP3 receptor binding activity was reduced to 45.3%. In the presence of quercetin or antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide, IP3 receptor binding activity decreased and reached 27.2% of the control 12 h after heat shock. Our working thesis is that heat shock transiently suppresses the IPs‐mediated intracellular Ca2+ signal transduction system and that hsp72 is involved in the recovery of bradykinin‐induced [Ca2+]i rise.

Cranial Fasciitis Presenting with Intracranial Mass: A Case Report

We describe a very rare case of cranial fasciitis presenting with intracranial mass in a 3-year-old girl. There was no palpable scalp mass. CT scan and MRI demonstrated an epidural mass adherent to the dura with destruction of the inner table of the skull. The tumor was extirpated completely and the resected specimens were diagnosed as cranial fasciitis. When neurosurgeons, pediatricians and radiologists encounter an epidural tumor in a pediatric patient, cranial fasciitis should be kept in mind.