Lateral transmaxillosphenoidal approach to the lateral compartment of the cavernous sinus: technical case report.

This article outlines the surgical technique and the indications for the lateral transmaxillosphenoidal approach, which is illustrated by an index case. A 27-year-old woman presented with a trigeminal sensory deficit caused by a dermoid tumor occupying the lateral compartment of her right cavernous sinus. A lateral transmaxillosphenoidal approach was performed, and the tumor was removed lateral to the intracavernous carotid artery (ICA) and medial to intracavernous cranial nerves. The lateral transmaxillosphenoidal approach is similar to the transmaxillosphenoidal approach used for the removal of pituitary adenomas invading the medial compartment of the cavernous sinus. By opening the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus just above and laterally to the carotid artery, tumor can be removed medial to the intracavernous cranial nerves and lateral to the ICA.

Occipital hemorrhage in a child with Schönlein-Henoch syndrome.

The involvement of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in the Schönlein-Henoch Syndrome is quite rare. It seems to be connected with a systemic vasculitis (deriving from Circulating Immuno-Complex), clinically manifested by generic symptoms of meningeal irritation or convulsions, hemiparesis and choreas, due to hemorrhagic lesions. The Authors report a Schönlein-Henoch's syndrome in a 7-year-old boy characterized by diffuse vascular involvement with petechial purpura on his legs, arms and face, intestinal hemorrhages, gross hematuria and serious cerebral involvement. CT-scan showed a right occipital hematoma. A pathogenetic as well as a symptomatic therapy was carried out. The Authors discuss the diagnostic validity of CT.

[Treatment with transcutaneous electric stimulation in chronic pain. Long-term study of 100 cases]. / Trattamento con stimolazione elettrica transcutanea nella terapia del dolore cronico. Esperienza a distanza su 100 casi.

The Authors report the experience about 100 cases of patients affected by chronical pain syndromes where the medical treatment has been uneffective. After a follow-up of 2 years about, only in 14% of the patients treated by S.E.N.T., the benefit has been clear and prolonged.

Cervical intramedullary abscess (extirpation by means of microsurgical techniques).

A case of radical excision of an intramedullary abscess is described. Microsurgical techniques permit a bolder operation than the aspiration and/or drainage intervention currently performed.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in dystonia musculorum deformans]. / Sul problema diagnostico e terapeutico della distonia muscolorum deformans

Taking as starging point three patients who unsuccessfully underwent both medical treatment and different neurosurgical interventions, the Authors discuss the problem of the dystonia musculorum deformans nosographic arrangement and its present therapeutical possibilities. They believe that the dystonia musculorum deformans must be considered, rather than as a syndrome, as a real disease, to be distinguished in particular from the various infantile dystonic syndromes and from spasmodic torticollis. In fact in these last morbid forms, at least from a neurosurgical standpoint, the therapeutical possiblities are not so uncertain as those of the dystonia musculorum deformans.