Extirpated Intra- and Extracranial Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Case Report

A rare case of surgically extirpated intra- and extracranial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is reported. This dumb-bell shaped tumor simulated malignant meningioma on computerized tomography brain scan and cerebral angiography. Removal of the mass was successfully achieved by external carotid ligation and CUSA dissection. We suggest that, when investigating patient with suspected cranial secondaries particulary if there is a bony involvement, serum alpha-fetoprotein and hepatic ultrasound should be carried out as screening procedures.

Modified Microsurgical and Standard Lumbar Discectomy ; Comparative Study

To obtain wider versatility and greater reach in microsurgical lumbar discectomy, modified procedure has been performed on 263 patients in 1979-1983. It consisted of a smaller midline incision, removal of lateral half of the spinous process, partial but sufficient microdrilling of the lamina, use of a modified slender Taylor retractor, flavotomy, preservation of epidural adipose-areolar tissue etc. Particularly a slender Taylor-Chung retractor offered yielding surgical opening and therefore secured free of pituitary forceps to every direction. The microsurgical results including 72 bisegmental and 8 trisegmental discectomies were compared with those of standard operations of same number performed by same surgeon in 1972-1979, for the good contrast. Mean blood loss per operation was 94 ml with the standard discectomy and 46 ml with microsurgery. Dural tear occured in 17 cases undergoing standard operation and in 3 undergoing microsugery. The mean time until return to duty was 8.6 weeks with standard, compared with 4.2 weeks. In the microsurgical group, 3 patients had postoperative discitis while 2 had in the standard. In this series, the results of microsurgery surpasses the standard in the convalescent phase. Major advantages of this modified microsurgical technique were its ability to secure the greater reach to remove disc material as much as possible and to preserve the integrity of normal tissue better.