Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most highly malignant brain tumor in the human central nerve system. In this paper, we review new and significant molecular findings on angiogenesis and possible resistance mechanisms. Expression of a number of genes and regulators has been shown to be upregulated in GBM microvessel cells, such as interleukin-8, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Tax-interacting protein-1, hypoxia induced factor-1 and anterior gradient protein 2. The regulator factors that may strongly promote angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell metastasis, changing the microenvironment, enhancing the ability of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy, and that inhibit angiogenesis are reviewed. Based on the current knowledge, several potential targets and strategies are proposed for better therapeutic outcomes, such as its mRNA interference of DII4-Notch signaling pathway and depletion of b1 integrin expression. We also discuss possible mechanisms underlying the resistance to anti-angiogenesis and future directions and challenges in developing new targeted therapy for GBM.

Flow diverter devices (FDDs) are increasingly used in the treatment of intracranial aneurysm. The safety and feasibility of FDD were assessed in published literature. In accordance with strict inclusion criteria, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science databases were searched for literature that covers a period until February 2015. The baseline characteristics of patients, aneurysms, aneurysm occlusion, morbidity, and mortality were also collected. A meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 12.0, and a chi-squared test was performed to evaluate whether statistically significant differences existed between complications and mortality of aneurysm patients. Finally, a total of 48 studies were selected, including 2508 patients with 2826 aneurysm cases. The mean follow-up interval is 6.3 months, and the aneurysm occlusion rate is 77.9 % (95 % CI 73.8-81.9, I (2) = 43.4 %). The total morbidity and mortality rates are 9.8 and 3.8 %, respectively. The rates of spontaneous rupture and intraparenchymal hemorrhage are 2.0 and 2.5 %, respectively. The rate of ischemic stroke is 5.5 %. The morbidity and mortality rates of giant aneurysms are significantly higher than those of small and large aneurysms (χ (2) = 56.96, p < 0.05; χ (2) = 14.88, p < 0.05). The morbidity rates of posterior aneurysms are significantly higher than those of anterior (χ (2) = 11.29, p < 0.05) and unruptured aneurysms (χ (2) = 10.36, p < 0.05), respectively. The publication bias of aneurysm occlusion was detected by Begg's rank, and the corrected result is less than 0.05. Our meta-analysis suggests that the treatment of intracranial aneurysm with FDD is feasible and effective with a high occlusion rate, acceptable morbidity, and mortality. However, the morbidity or mortality of giant aneurysms is still high.

Vertebrobasilar artery dissecting aneurysm (VBA-DA) is associated with serious complications and poor prognosis in patients. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) is a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of VBA-DA. VBA-DAs were classified according to the feature of HR-MRI in combination with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and the clinical outcomes of different types of VBA-DAs were analyzed. Thirty-nine patients with 42 VBA-DAs were included and underwent HR-MRI, including three-dimensional T1 weighted image, three-dimensional T2 weighted image (3D-T2WI), three-dimensional time of flight MRA (3D-TOF-MRA), and three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (3D-FIESTA), and hematoma and flaps were compared. The follow-up was 3 to 25 months. The VBA-DAs were classified based on the images of HR-MRI and DSA, and the prognosis was analyzed. VBA-DAs more frequently occurred on the vertebral artery, especially on the dominant vertebral artery. 3D-TOF-MRA showed high signal from hematoma, and 3D-FIESTA showed high signal from flaps. Based on HR-MRI images in combination with DSA, VBA-DAs were classified into 4 types: classical, stenosis, spiral, and hemorrhagic. The patients with the classical VBA-DAs had a higher improvement rate and a lower exacerbation rate. The patients with spiral and hemorrhagic VBA-DAs had poor clinical outcomes. The patients with stenosis VBA-DAs had poorer clinical outcomes than classical types and better clinical outcomes than spiral and hemorrhagic types. The detection of intramural hematoma and dissection flap using HR-MRI provides basic information for the diagnosis of VBA-DA. Individualized therapeutic strategies can be designed for the treatment of VBA-DAs with different features of DSA and HR-MRI.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are an abnormal vascular shunt between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus, and were traditionally classified into four subtypes based on the detailed fistulas anatomy and arterial supply. CCFs are frequently encountered in patients with traumatic skull base fractures. In this report, we present one such case caused by two head traumas. Computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography confirmed that this CCF arose from posterior communicating artery of the internal carotid artery, which is not included in the traditional Barrow et al’s categorization. The possible mechanisms include laceration of dural mater of posterior clinoid process and laceration or pseudoaneurysm formation of posterior communicating artery. This case was successfully treated with endovascular coil embolization.

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration is a transsynaptic form of degeneration, which is also a result of primary or secondary lesion and can damage the dento-rubro-olivary pathway. The dento-rubro-olivary pathway was first described by Guillain and Mollaret and is referred to as “the triangle of Guillain and Mollaret”. Multiple factors can destroy the dento-rubro-olivary pathway, such as surgical operation, hemorrhage, tumor, trauma, inflammation, demyelination, degeneration, and radiation damage. All of the above factors can result in delayed hypertrophic olivary degeneration. Articles related to this disease cover etiology, clinical presentation, pathology changes, etc. However, to our knowledge, there has been no literature reporting the use of diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography to improve the diagnosis of hypertrophic olivary degeneration following resection of cavernomas in the brain stem. Herein, we report a case who was diagnosed with hypertrophic olivary degeneration following resection of cavernomas of the brain stem, verify the significance of diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography, and review previous literature. The development of imageology promotes and improves hypertrophic olivary degeneration diagnosis and differential diagnosis.