Neurosurgical review
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Controversy remains concerning the management of patients with cerebellar hemorrhage. In this study the records of 42 patients were reviewed. In 60% of them the signs of brainstem compression and upward transtentorial herniation were found. ⋯ Immediate surgical decompression of the posterior fossa was life-saving for patients with brainstem compression and upward transtentorial herniation. Mortality was 57% for comatose patients and 9% for drowsy or stuporous patients. Ventriculostomy alone is the treatment of choice in cases with only hydrocephalus without brainstem compression or transtentorial herniation.
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A new technique for interbody lumbar spondylodesis using a new cancellous metal, plug-shaped construct was performed in 35 cases with spondylolisthesis or lumbar instability. All of these patients have had severe low-back pain for years, some with radicular symptoms and had been treated unsuccessfully for years. In a follow-up study, 28 of these patients were examined after a time-period of 4 to 24 months. ⋯ These include tibial or iliac bone grafts, sometimes fixed with screws or plates [6, 9, 12, 17, 20]. This article now describes the new surgical technique for ventral spondylodesis, using a new implant for the interbody fusion of the lumbar and sacral spine. In addition, we describe the indications for ventral spondylodesis and report the results of a rather small follow-up study.