The diagnosis of sacral lesions.

Clinical courses are reviewed in 4 recent patients with sacral lesions, each of whom was believed on initial clinical evaluation to have symptomatic herniations of intervertebral discs. In each patient pain in the back tended to overshadow radicular symptoms, and sphincteric disturbances were not prominent. Each patient presented some related objective abnormality on general or neurologic examination.

Intracranial tuberculoma.

Intracranial tuberculoma was studied by computed tomography (CT) in eight patients. Upon contrast enhancement, two patterns were seen: (a) a small enhancing ring with a central punctate lucent area, and (b) nodular enhancement. The various CT findings are correlated with the clinical features and with the appearance on radionuclide brain scanning and angiography.

Gangliogliomas.

Gangliogliomas, composed of nerve and glial cells, are rare tumors of the central nervous system. The clinical and radiological findings in five cases, along with a review of the literature, suggest that these are slow growing neoplasms which are better treated by surgery than by radiation. They occur throughout the neuraxis; an infratentorial location is more common than the early reports would suggest.

Spinal extradural meningiomas.

Spinal meningiomas may be primarily extradural, leading to errors in diagnosis and management. Myelographic findings and the microscopic examination of fresh tissue at the time of operation often lead to the conclusion that the tumor is metastatic. Three patients with this type of meningioma have been encountered.

Computed tomography as a guide in the diagnosis and follow-up of brain abscesses.

The diagnosis and follow-up of 20 cases of intracranial abscess are analyzed, with particular attention to the role of computed tomography (CT). the differential diagnosis of the CT appearance is presented, and the value of clinical and laboratory findings is discussed. Of special interest is the potential effect of steroids on CT findings as well as the frequent observation of a residual enhancing focus seen on the scan obtained at hospital discharge.

Recent diagnostic experience with subdural empyema.

The authors review the Neurological Institute experience of six cases of subdural empyema in the 4 years since the introduction there of computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Four patients had no known prior neurological disease, and presented with the classical clinical syndrome of fever, depressed sensorium, and focal seizures; three of these patients had histories or radiographic evidence of sinus disease. The two remaining patients had undergone earlier drainage procedures for chronic subdural hematomas, and presented without neurological symptoms but with low-grade fever and signs of local wound infection.

Management of extracranial carotid stenosis and intracranial aneurysms.

Twenty patients with extracranial carotid stenosis and intracranial aneurysms are reviewed. Fifteen of these patients had transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) and incidental aneurysms. The other five presented with symptoms referrable to an aneurysm, and angiography revealed significant carotid stenosis.

The influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the solution and bioavailability of hydrochlorothiazide.

The dissolution properties of hydrochlorothiazide-PVP 10 000 mechanical mix and coprecipitate systems were qualitatively similar to those previously reported using hydroflumethiazide. Quantitative differences were dependent on the proportion of PVP present, its molecular weight and method of incorporation. Cumulative urinary excretion data from test capsule preparations showed that bioavailability was enhanced by the presence of PVP.