Treatment options and time course for intramedullary spinal cord metastasis. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

Surgical treatment of intrameduallary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) has become increasingly effective in recent years. The advent of new imaging techniques combined with an enhanced understanding of the natural history of these tumors has improved the effectiveness of the available treatment options. The authors present three new cases of ISCM successfully treated with surgery.

Hemangiopericytoma in the setting of acromegaly.

Acromegaly is associated with an increased incidence of neoplasia thought to be related in part to tonic increases in circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Hemangiopericytomas, particularly those occurring in soft tissues, are known to possess IGF receptors. These tumors often behave aggressively and can be recalcitrant to surgery and radiation therapy.

Incidence of brain tumours in two English counties: a population based study.

Objective: To define the incidence of brain tumours in Devon and Cornwall and to discover which case finding methods are the most fruitful. To examine what happens to patients after the diagnosis of a brain tumour.

Methods: The primary method of case ascertainment was a review of all CT with contrast and MRI of the head performed on the population of Devon and Cornwall between 1 April 1992 and 31 March 1997.

Complications of posterior lumbar interbody fusion when using a titanium threaded cage device.

Object: The authors reviewed their series of patients to quantify clinical and radiographic complications in those who underwent a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure in which a threaded interbody cage (TIC) was implanted.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients underwent a posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure in which a TIC was used. The authors excluded patients who underwent procedures in which other instrumentation was used or a nondorsal approach was performed.