Neurosurgery
-
the occurrence of spontaneous arterial subdural hematomas is very rare. We report five patients who presented with sudden severe headache and who developed progressive neurological deficits, two becoming comatose. None had a history of trauma. ⋯ The source of bleeding was identified as a cortical artery located near the sylvian region in four of our five patients and in most of the reported cases. There are several possible anatomical situations that may predispose a cortical artery to "spontaneous" rupture: (a) spontaneous rupture of a cortical artery at the point of origin of a fragile arterial twig, especially a right-angled branch, a point of potential weakness; (b) rupture of a small artery traversing the subdural space and connecting a cortical artery to the dura mater (a "bridging" artery); (c) adhesions between a cortical artery and arachnoid or dura mater; (d) a knuckle of cortical artery protruding through the arachnoid and adherent to the dura mater. In each situation, the artery is probably torn by a sudden movement of the brain during a vigorous head movement, not severe enough to be considered trauma.
-
Historical Article
Perspectives in international neurosurgery: neurosurgery in Spain.
-
Håkanson's method of treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by injecting glycerol into the trigeminal cistern is being used in a few clinical centers with encouraging results. We undertook this experimental study utilizing a rat sciatic nerve model to elucidate the mode of action of glycerol. Fifty-six rats were divided into three groups. ⋯ The animals were killed at the end of either 1 or 3 1/2 weeks after the application of glycerol, and the sciatic nerves were examined with light and electron microscopy. Our results show that myelin disintegration and axonolysis occur with glycerol application. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers are affected at random, although the most striking histological changes were seen in the myelinated fibers.
-
It is generally considered that the peak incidence of rebleeding after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is at the end of the 1st or the beginning of the 2nd week after the initial rupture. However, in a series of 2265 patients admitted within 3 days of their first subarachnoid hemorrhage, the peak of rebleeding occurred on the same day as the initial hemorrhage and there was no later peak. These data suggest that new management strategies for minimizing rebleeding must be considered for patients admitted soon after aneurysm rupture.
-
Biography Historical Article
A revisit with Leo M. Davidoff, M.D.--a titan of his time: some personal notes (1898-1975).