Demonstrated rapid growth of a corpus callosum cavernous angioma within a short period of time

Cavernous angiomas are uncommon central nervous system vascular malformations. They occur in the corpus callosum very rarely. In this study we report a case of corpus callosum cavernous angioma which demonstrated rapid growth within a short period of time. Corpus callosum cavernous angiomas have distinct features regarding growth and should be treated more carefully by giving more importance to surgical removal rather than a conservative approach.

Brucellar spondylitis: MRI findings

This study was carried out to identify the distinguishing features of brucellosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI examinations were performed in 14 patients with spinal brucellosis. A 1-T Magnetom (Erlangen, Siemens) was used to obtain T1-weighted (TR/TE 500/30) and T2-weighted (TR/TE 2000/80/20) spin echo sequences, in both sagittal and axial planes. Thirty-three percent of the vertebrae and 18 levels of disc were involved in the 14 brucellar spondylitis cases. Eleven patients (79.8%) with discitis revealed anterior superior vertebral body involvement. Fourteen (77.7%) of the levels with discitis displayed soft tissue swelling without presence of abscess formation. Seven facet joints of five patients with discitis displayed signal increase after contrast enhancement. Vertebral body signal changes without morphologic changes marked signal increase in the intervertebral disc on T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced sequences, and soft tissue involvement without abscess formation can be accepted as specific MRI features of brucellar spondylitis. The facet joint signal changes following contrast enhancement is another MRI sign of spinal brucellosis, which has not been mentioned so far.

Increase in spinal canal area after inverse laminoplasty: an anatomical study

STUDY DESIGN

In vitro measurement of the area of the spinal canal in the rostral and caudal portions of lumbar vertebrae before and after application of a new technique called "inverse laminoplasty."

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the normal area of the spinal canal in the rostral and caudal portions of lumbar vertebrae and the amount of enlargement gained after inverse laminoplasty.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

Other types of laminoplasty have been proven to increase the area of the spinal canal. Inverse laminoplasty has been performed in 10 patients but has not been evaluated in vitro.

METHODS

The transverse and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal was measured in 34 vertebrae from seven cadavers using digital calipers. In each vertebra, the laminae and spinous process were removed en bloc using a high-speed drill. The removed piece was inverted and reattached with titanium mini-plates. The area of the spinal canal was again measured and compared with the prelaminoplasty measurements using paired Student's t tests.

RESULTS

The anteroposterior diameter and area of the spinal canal were significantly smaller before surgery in the rostral than in the caudal part of the vertebrae (P <10(-3)). The rostral and caudal areas of the spinal canal increased by 61% and 17%, respectively, after the laminae were inverted (P <10(-3)).

CONCLUSION

Because inverse laminoplasty is simple and increases the area of the spinal canal, it may prove to be a useful surgical technique for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Further studies are needed to determine whether the technique is biomechanically sound and whether it helps prevent perineural scarring.

The barrier effect of laminae: laminotomy versus laminectomy

STUDY DESIGN

An experimental study to investigate whether replacement of the laminae (laminotomy) after subliminal procedures can prevent the invasion of scar tissue towards the dura.

SETTING

Izmir, Turkey.

METHODS

Laminectomy and laminotomy were performed at different levels on seven rats. Their spinal columns were investigated histopathologically after a period of 3 months.

RESULTS

The histopathological evaluation revealed that the dura and spinal cord were involved by scar tissue at laminectomy area. However, this invasion was not observed at laminotomy levels. This study showed the barrier effect of laminae against fibroblastic activity.

CONCLUSION

The barrier effect of lamina may affect the surgical outcome related to epidural fibrosis.

Surgical treatment of sacral perineural cysts. A case report

Most of the perineural cysts (Tarlov's cysts) are asymptomatic. They are usually diagnosed incidentally, and a specific treatment is not necessary. They should be operated on, only if they produce progressive or disabling symptoms and/or sign clearly attributable to them. Several reports have been made regarding their sign and symptom, neurological and radiological features. This is a report emphasizing on their surgical indication and surgical treatment. We reported a 48 year-old woman who underwent surgery because of the symptomatic perineural cyst. It is concluded that the total excision of the perineural cyst is not necessary and a partial resection with a resultant reduction in the cyst size results in a favourable outcome.

Meningioma presented as subarachnoid haemorrhage: case report

A case of parasagittal meningioma causing subarachnoidal haemorrhage (SAH) is reported. Computed tomography (CT) was found negative in the patient with acute severe headache and haemorrhage was observed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed an avascular space over the convexity and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the tumour. The importance of MRI for the detection of underlying pathology in SAH with unknown aetiology is emphasised.

An infantile intraosseous hematoma of the skull. Report of a case and review of the literature

An infantile intraosseous hematoma of the right parietal bone is presented. This lesion appeared after birth trauma and persisted without any enlargement. It was diagnosed on the 25th day of life and the baby boy was operated on 2 weeks later. The clinical, radiological, surgical and pathological characteristics of this lesion are discussed.

Ureaplasma urealyticum-induced urinary tract stones in rats

This study investigated the possible role of Ureaplasma urealyticum, which is predominantly located in the urogenital tract, in the formation of infectious stones. A standardized Ureaplasma urealyticum broth culture isolated from a human urogenital specimen was inoculated into the renal medulla of five male rats (Rattus norvegicus L., Wistar C, weighing 170 +/- 10 g) and the same amount of culture media was used for five identical control rats. Five days after the inoculation, the rats were killed and fresh preparations from the bladders and the inoculated kidneys of both groups were prepared. At the same time biochemical and histopathological analysis of the contents of the bladders and the inoculated kidneys of both groups was performed. Crystal formation within the bladders of the inoculated rats was demonstrated and biochemical analysis of the crystals showed calcium, magnesium and phosphate, which indicated the existence of infection-induced crystals. These findings were absent in the control rats. The role of Ureaplasma in the production of urinary tract infectious stones was thus demonstrated in vivo.