Objective  Traditional techniques for resection of lumbar plexus tumors have been associated with approach-related morbidity. We describe a case utilizing a minimally invasive transpsoas lateral access approach to resect a retroperitoneal tumor of the lumbar plexus. Methods  We report a case with an extradural retroperitoneal schwannoma of the L4 nerve root that was treated with a minimally inv...

The mouse retina has become a prominent model for studying angiogenesis. The easy access and well-known developmental progression have significantly propelled our ability to examine and manipulate blood vessels in vivo. Nonetheless, most studies have restricted their evaluations to the superficial plexus (an upper vascular layer in contact with the vitreous). Here we present experimental data a...

To maintain the precise internal milieu of the mammalian central nervous system, well-controlled transfer of molecules from periphery into brain is required. Recently the soluble and cell-surface albumin-binding glycoprotein SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) has been implicated in albumin transport into developing brain, however the exact mechanism remains unknown. We postula...

The mammalian brain restricts the entrance of ions and solutes circulating in the bloodstream by two cellular barriers, namely, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and bloodcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (Brightman et al., 1970; Ballabh, 2004). The BBB is built up by a monolayer of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the brain capillaries that restricts the movement of small polar molecules and macromo...

conclusions the brachial plexus block can be performed at different levels in the same patient to achieve desired results, while employing sound anatomical knowledge and adhering to the maximum safe dose limit of the local anesthetic. case presentation we present the case of a 68-year-old gentleman who had brachial plexus block at supraclavicular and interscalene levels as the sole anesthetic f...

In vitro, the transport of [14C]riboflavin into and from the isolated choroid plexus, the anatomical locus of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, was studied. With concentrations of [14C]riboflavin of 0.7 microM (or greater) in the incubation medium, the choroid plexus accumulated [14C]riboflavin against a large concentration gradient by a process that did not depend on binding or intracellu...

The aim of this study was the description of the morphology and distribution of nerve structure elements in the intestine of the lizard Podarcis hispanica using different histochemical methods; namely acetylcholinesterase (AChE), formol-induced fluorescence for catecholamines (FIF), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), and immunohistochemistry for vasoactive intesti...

BACKGROUND Exposure of the anterior or lateral lumbar via the retroperitoneal approach easily causes injuries to the lumbar plexus. Lumbar plexus injuries which occur during anterior or transpsoas lumbar spine exposure and placement of instruments have been reported. This study aims is to provide more anatomical data and surgical landmarks in operations concerning the lumbar plexus in order to ...

The choroid plexus consists of epithelial cells, fenestrated blood vessels, and the stroma, dependent on various physiological or pathological conditions. In the present study morphometrical investigations of the rat choroid blood vessels during development (1, 1.5, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13 and 22 months) were carried out. The vessels number and luminal diameter of the blood vessels divided in four subg...

Leptin is a circulating hormone that controls food intake and energy homeostasis. Little is known about leptin entry into the central nervous system (CNS). The blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier at the choroid plexus and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) at the cerebral endothelium are two major controlling sites for entry of circulating proteins into the brain. In the present study, we charac...