[Treatment of chronic lumbago and radicular pain by spinal cord stimulation. Long-term results].

Seventy-seven patients with chronic, refractory, low back and radicular pain underwent implantation of a spinal cord stimulator between 1984 and 1992. Most patients had failed back surgery syndrome. In every case, an epidural quadripolar "Resume" electrode was implanted surgically.

[Juxta- or trans-condylar lateral extension of the posterior suboccipital approach. Anatomical study, surgical aspects].

In order to improve the surgical approach to tumors and aneurysms of the anterior or antero-lateral aspect of the foramen magnum, some authors have proposed a lateral extension of the posterior sub-occipital approach to the occipital condyle including in some cases its partial or complete resection. The evaluation of this close medio-condylar or trans-condylar suboccipital approach has been performed on eight coloured-latex injected specimens in the conditions of a microsurgical operation. The extra- and intradural steps have been studied so as to define the optimal position of the patient's head and the surgeon and to precise the accessible anatomical structures: Vertebral artery (and its control), Cranial nerves IX, X, XI & XII, Posterior-inferior cerebellar artery and collaterals, Vertebro-basilar junction, antero-lateral aspect of the brain stem and spinal cord.

[Contribution of ultrasonic cavitation--CO2 laser combination in the excision of panmedullary ependymoma].

The authors report an uncommon case of panmedullary ependymoma (C2 to T12), totally removed in one stage with the use of ultrasonic cavitation and CO2 laser. The preoperative topographical diagnosis without M.R.