Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
-
This study was intended to investigate the pre- and postoperative profile of seizures in the patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The patients consisted of 46 consecutive cases with supratentorial AVMs operated on from May 1987 to May 1993. Their postoperative mean follow-up duration was 60 months. ⋯ About 70% of the patients with preoperative seizures showed seizures postoperatively, while those without preoperative seizures developed seizures postoperatively in 35%. Regarding postoperative intractable seizures, 57% of the group with preoperative intractable seizures remained intractable postoperatively. In conclusion, removal of AVMs did not change the overall incidence of seizures, and patients with large sized AVMs and preoperative seizure had a higher possibility of postoperative seizures.
-
Despite recent advances in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage delayed ischaemic deficits from cerebral vasospasm remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. As magnesium is a potent cerebral vasodilator we have introduced routine supplementation in patients presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage to determine whether there has been a reduction in the incidence of cerebral vasospasm. ⋯ From our pilot study it appears that magnesium supplement has a beneficial role in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Further studies would seem justified.
-
We report the case of a 32-year-old South Korean male who presented with bilateral leg weakness, spastic gait and associated sensory loss from below the T5 dermatome. MRI and CT scans of the spine confirmed the presence of calcified ligamentum flavum from T1-T6. ⋯ This case review will discuss the differences that exist between ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), but also the similarities at a molecular and possibly at a genetic level. We have reviewed the reported literature of patients presenting with progressive lower limb spacity due to OLF, and an excellent outcome is achieved using decompressive laminectomy.