Spinal arteriovenous malformations: a personal review.

This is a review of my personal series of 76 operated cases of spinal arteriovenous malformations. The anatomy of the lesions in my series is compared to other large series, including the National Institutes of Health study of 81 cases, Symon's 60 cases, Pia's 161 cases and Berenstein's 81 cases. My personal opinions regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of these lesions is presented.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 and central neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare disease, affecting only approximately 1000 patients in the entire United States. The diagnosis requires the presence of bilateral acoustic neuromas, but many other tumors of the nervous system are also present. It is a very different disease from von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis, NF1.

Subgaleal shunting: a 20-year experience.

Object: The authors undertook a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of diverting intracranial fluid into the subgaleal space for temporary absorption by the membranes of the scalp.

Methods: Eighty-one patients were treated over a 20-year period. There were 22 cases of hypertensive hydrocephalus, 52 cases of acute head trauma, and seven cases of chronic subdural hematoma.

Electrosurgery and bipolar technology.

A major concern in surgery is the prevention or control of bleeding. The ligature and the clip are the hallmarks of the last century of modern surgery. Therapeutic embolization is not really used to stop hemorrhage but to treat aneurysms and so prevent future rupture and bleeding.