The value of interhospital transfer and emergency MRI for suspected cauda equina syndrome: a 2-year retrospective study.

Introduction: The timing of surgery in cauda equina syndrome due to prolapsed intervertebral disc remains controversial. Assessment of these patients requires magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is of limited availability outside normal working hours in the UK.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed radiological results in all patients undergoing emergency MRI within our unit for suspected cauda equina syndrome over a 2-year period, and all subjects undergoing emergency lumbar discectomy for cauda equina syndrome within the same period.

Malignant triton tumors of the spine.

Malignant triton tumors (MTTs) are malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation. Malignant triton tumors affecting the spine are rare but present special challenges to the neurosurgeon. The authors report on 2 new cases of spinal MTTs, and analyze the 8 previously reported cases found via database search.

Posterior approach vertebrectomy in the thoracolumbar spine with expandable cage reconstruction: indications and techniques based on eight cases.

We present a series of eight patients undergoing circumferential neural decompression and stabilization of the thoracolumbar spine via a single midline posterior approach, with complete vertebrectomy for a variety of indications. Four had primary tumours, two secondary tumours, one patient had tuberculosis and one had delayed deformity due to trauma. This single posterior approach is made possible via the use of an expandable cage that may be expanded in situ to offer anterior and middle column reconstruction.

Total thoracic vertebrectomy with anterior and posterior column reconstruction via single posterior approach.

We present two cases of vertebral body tumours presenting with neurological compromise treated with posterior approach vertebrectomy and three-column reconstruction using in situ expandable cage and pedicle screw reconstruction. One was performed in a staged procedure, the second as a single procedure. This approach avoids the requirement, and associated comorbidity, of combined anterior and posterior approaches.

The relationship between pure tone thresholds and the radiological dimensions of acoustic neuromas.

A retrospective analysis of 109 consecutive patients presenting with acoustic neuromas between 1986 and 1997 were undertaken. Sufficient data were available in 104 cases for comparison. In 65 cases patients had undergone surgery and the radiological diagnosis of acoustic neuroma was confirmed histologically.