Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
-
A 23 year old man presented with a severe posterior column myelopathy related to prolonged nitrous oxide abuse obtained from whipped cream bulbs. The site of pathology was identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and somatosensory evoked potentials. ⋯ Appropriate treatment with methionine and vitamin B12 was instituted quickly with good neurological outcome. There are major concerns regarding the availability of nitrous oxide in supermarkets.
-
Review Case Reports
Metastatic atypical meningioma: case report and review of the literature.
Extracranial metastasis of an intracranial meningioma is rare. We discuss the clinical, radiological and histopathological presentation of an elderly man with pulmonary metastases from a recurrent meningioma of atypical histology, and review the literature pertaining to this phenomenon.
-
The authors review their experience with 19 consecutive cases with either astrocytic tumour (glioblastoma multiforme one, anaplastic astrocytoma one, astrocytoma 4, pilocytic astrocytoma 4) or ependymoma (10 tumours in 9 patients) of the spinal cord who were treated during the period from 1982 to 1996. The patients included 10 male and 9 female patients with a median age of 38 years. The main tumour locations included the cervicomedullary region 5 the cervical cord (8), the thoracic cord (5) and one each in the thoracolumbar region and conus medullaris. ⋯ Eight out of 9 patients with an ependymoma have remained alive for 3.0-12.3 years, while one committed suicide 2 years after surgery. As a result, 14 patients are still alive; half of them are accompanied by a mild neurological dysfunction, while the remaining one has a moderate deficit. The postoperative results and the rationale for surgery is discussed, and an approach for utilising adjuvant therapy for high grade tumours is also suggested.
-
The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia through its Trauma Committee has a long involvement in the problem of neurotrauma. The management of acute neurotrauma in rural and remote locations is of particular interest and is part of a general policy which includes education, prevention, organization of an integrated neurotrauma system and support for the Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) programme instituted by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The management of acute neurotrauma requires a consultative approach especially in the multiple injured patient and where transfer or retrieval is necessary. ⋯ This revision updates the guidelines and makes them accessible through the Journal. Reprints are available for practitioners in rural and remote settings, trauma course participants and others. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.