Spontaneous epidural hematoma of thoracic spine presenting as Brown-Séquard syndrome: report of a case with review of the literature.

Background: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an uncommon clinical entity. It produces a severe neurological deficit and prompt decompression is usually the first choice of treatment. Brown-Séquard syndrome is commonly seen in the setting of spinal trauma or an extramedullary spinal neoplasm, but rarely caused by SSEH.

[Enhancement effect of caffeine on chemotherapy of osteosarcoma in Fischer 344/N rats].

Objective: To determine the enhancement effects of caffeine on chemotherapy of transplanted osteosarcoma in Fischer 344/N rats.

Methods: Osteosarcoma-bearing Fischer 344/N rats were treated with cisplatin 2.5 mg/kg (Group DDP), caffeine 90 mg/kg x 2 d (Group caffeine), and cisplatin 2.

[Cytotoxic effect of thermo-chemotherapy with cisplatin on osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line].

Objective: To observe the cytotoxic effect of thermo-chemotherapy with cisplatin on osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line and to explore its mechanism.

Methods: The osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line was treated with different temperature, cisplatin alone and 43 degrees C +cisplatin for 1 h, respectively and the in vitro cytotoxic effect was observed with MTT assay. The cell cycle and the apoptotic rate were analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM); the cellular apoptosis was observed also with electron microscope.

[Anterior instrumentation for the treatment of tuberculotic spinal deformity].

Objectives: To summarize the clinical results in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis with debridement, bone grafting and anterior fixation and to evaluate the safety and the value of this procedure.

Methods: From June 1997 to May 2001, 18 patients with spinal tuberculosis were treated using anterior debridement, autograft of bone and primary internal instrumentation. They were 8 men and 10 women, aged from 25 to 59 years (mean 41 years).