The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors present in schizophrenic patients with depressive symptomatology. The sample comprised of 76 respondents diagnosed with schizophrenia. In the study, we used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. The prevalence of depression was estimated to be 30%. The mean scores on the negative subscale of the PANSS were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia and depression compared to control group (U=3.64, p=0.00), and so were those on the General Psychopathology Scale (U=4.91, p=0.00). Socio-demographic factors were identified as important factors (p<0.05). Personal and environmental factors such as loneliness, immediate social environment, social support and isolation were statistically significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). There was a correlation of poor compliance with psycho-pharmacotherapy, increased number of hospitalizations and shorter remission period with the severity of clinical presentation (p<0.05). Since the presence of these factors is associated with depression in schizophrenia, their early detection in clinical practice is vital to ensure timely prevention of the development of depressive symptomatology.

Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: “When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session—all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience.” It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us.

Introduction. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) can be followed by cardiac abnormalities. We describe a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) after aneurysmal SAH. Case report. A previously healthy, postmenopausal woman, suffered from aneurysmal SAH with consequent hydrocephalus. After external ventricular drainage, craniotomy and clipping of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm, the patient developed acute heart failure and NPE. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed the left ventricular apical ballooning and hypercontractile basal segments. On chest radiography, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates were seen. Seventeen days after the SAH attack, the patient was discharged from hospital. Postponed coronary angiography revealed no signs of coronary artery disease. Conclusion. This case and review of the relevant literature suggest that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and neurogenic pulmonary edema are not uncommon after aneurysmal SAH.

No abstract

Hemangioblastoma is a rare benign tumor that consists of neoplastic vacuolated stromal cells and highly developed capillary blood vessels. These tumors are almost exclusively found in the central nervous system, but in extremely rare cases, it can arise in peripheral nerves. In the majority of cases, it occurs sporadically (60 to 75%), but in about 25% of cases, it is associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. We present the first case of ulnar nerve hemangioblastoma in a 70-year-old male. The patient presented with a slow-growing palpable mass on the front side of the right upper arm. Macroscopically, the tumor was round shaped, encapsulated, reddish-orange in color, very well vascularized, and about 3 cm in diameter; one nerve fascicle was entering the tumor tissue, so it was resected with the tumor. The rest of the nerve fascicles were intact. Postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological analysis with immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the tumor was a peripheral nerve hemangioblastoma WHO grade I. Physical treatment was conducted, and there was no motor neurological deficit on follow-up after 3 months, only hypoesthesia of the fourth and fifth finger. These lesions are so rarely found arising from peripheral nerves that only four published cases exist in literature today. There is very little data about these tumors in world literature, so we consider our paper a valuable contribution to global knowledge on these tumors.