Neocapsular reconstruction for challenging partial nephrectomy: A feasibility study in a porcine model and recent clinical experience.

Objectives: Multifocal renal masses and large central-endophytic tumors can be challenging for partial nephrectomy (PN) due to the paucity of capsule remaining after tumor removal. Our objective was to develop a neocapsule to provide tamponade and test its feasibility/safety in a porcine model.

Methods: Eight live pigs (50-70 kg) underwent unclamped open right flank PN.

Treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy. Clinical practice guidelines endorsed by The Polish Society of Spinal Surgery.

Introduction: Degenerative cervical spondylosis (DCS) with radiculopathy is the most common indication for cervical spine surgery despite favorable natural history. Advances in spinal surgery in conjunction with difficulties in measuring the outcomes caused the paucity of uniform guidelines for the surgical management of DCS.

Aims: The aim of this paper is to develop guidelines for surgical treatment of DCS.

Treatment of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Clinical practice guidelines endorsed by The Polish Society of Spinal Surgery.

Introduction: Herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is arguably the most common spinal disorder requiring surgical intervention. Although the term is fairly straightforward, the exact pathology and thus the clinical picture and natural history may vary. Therefore, it is immensely difficult to formulate universal guidelines for surgical treatment.

[The importance of putrescine in the human body].

Putrescine plays a very important role in the regulation of division, differentiation and maturation of cells as well as apoptosis. As the polycationic molecule it stabilizes the structure of DNA and participates in the functioning of cell membranes. It is able to interact with series of ion channels and has affinity for many receptors.

[Radiological diagnosis of iatrogenic stenosis of the lumbar spine in patients after surgical treatment of intervertebral disk displacement].

Iatrogenic stenosis of the vertebral canal arises as a result of inflammatory changes of the arachnoid with formation of adhesions following irritation of the meninges with chemicals, such as drugs and contrast media, or extension of the intracranial scar tissue, usually after operations. This stenosis is a serious diagnostic and therapeutic problem being often the cause of lacking improvement or recurrence of radicular pains after operations for herniated nucleus pulposus. On the basis of a literature review and own experiences the authors discuss the aetiology, pathogenesis, radiological diagnostic methods and methods of treatment in cases of iatrogenic postoperative stenosis of the lumbar vertebral canal.

[Value of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of discopathy in the L4-L5-S1 segment].

The aim of this analysis was demonstration of the usefulness of CT in the diagnosis of lumbar discopathy. In 110 patients with backache, CT of the L4-L5-S1 part of the spine was done. The observed abnormalities were analysed, including presence of nucleus pulposus herniation, pathological changes of osseous structures of the spine, width of the vertebral canal and lateral recesses, and presence of other lesions there.

[Surgically treated epidural hematoma of the spinal cord at the Th1-Th2 levels associated with arachnoid cyst].

In a man aged 28 clinical picture, myelography and computerized myelotomography demonstrated epidural haematoma at the level of Th1-Th2 vertebrae with associated arachnoidal cyst. Owing to initially erroneous diagnosis of transverse myelitis the haematoma was diagnosed only after 7 days and removed surgically with simultaneous evacuation of the cyst. The therapeutic result was minimal.

[Value of myeloscintigraphy in the evaluation of patency of the spinal canal].

The authors carried out 66 myeloscintigraphies in 66 patients suspected of having compressing lesions of the spinal cord. In 32 cases the obtained results agreed with the results of contrast myelography which was carried out in 38 patients, and in 22 cases these results were confirmed by operations. In the remaining cases contrast myelography was abandoned in view of unequivocal results of myeloscintigraphy and conservative treatment was started.

[Case of spinal cord hemangioma simulating the clinical course of multiple sclerosis].

The authors report a case of haemangioma of the thoracic spine in a man aged 50 years in whom the clinical course of the disease resembled that of multiple sclerosis. The monofocal character of the clinical symptoms and signs, the course of the disease with steady progression without intermittent improvement suggested a slowly developing expanding lesion in the lower thoracic part of the spinal canal. The correct diagnosis was reached after myelography and spinal arteriography.