[Brain tumors and epilepsy: postoperative evaluation of surgical procedures]

To study the efficacy of surgery on the postoperative control of epilepsy in patients operated for brain tumors. Forty patients operated for supratentoriel cerebral tumors with epilepsy, at Hotel-Dieu de France [HDF] hospital center, between 1983 and 2005, were included in this study. Clinical, paraclinical and surgical information were collected. The extent of the tumor resection was based on the postoperative MRI results. The mean duration of the follow-up was 52 +/- 6 months [from 6 months to 10 years]. 62.5% of our patients have had acute seizures [<1 year] and 37% had experienced chronic seizures [>/= 1 year]. The histopathologic exam revealed 2 DNET, 3 pilocytic astrocytomas, 2 diffuse astrocytomas, 6 A oligodendrogliomas, 7 B oligodendrogliomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas and 13 meningiomas. Twenty-two patients had a complete resection, whereas the postoperative MRI of 18 patients have shown a tumoral remnant. After one year of follow-up, a complete remission was noted in 57,5% of the patients [EngelI]. The prognostic factors of good outcome were: low-grade glial tumors [I +/- II], meningiomas, and complete tumor resection. The efficacy of surgery for epilepsy associated to cerebral tumors, established by the majority of articles, matched the results obtained for the patients operated at HDF, with complete seizures control in 57,5% of patients. This control depended essentially on the extent of tumor resection and on tumor's nature

[Microsurgical facial nerve decompression for hemifacial spasm]

The results of a series of 8 patients with hemifacial spasm [HFS], treated with microsurgical vascular decompression [MVD] are reported. A magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] of the brain was performed in all patients prior to surgical. The presence of arterial hypertension [HT] was noted. MVD was performed through a retromastoid approach, and Gortex [rigestrited sign] was interposed between the nerve and the conflicting vessel. The offending vessels found were: the antero-inferior cerebellar artery in 50% of the cases, the postero-inferior cerebellar artery in 25% and the vertebral artery in 25%. These findings were positively correlated with MRI in only 50% of cases. The surgical resultes were the following: total and immediate relief in 62.5% of cases, delayed relief in 25%, and partial relief in 12.5%. Neither failure, nor recurrence were noted. In terms of complications, two cases of persisting hearing loss, one case of transient hearing loss, and two cases of persisting facial palsy. Hypertension improved in 20% of cases. This study shows the success of MVD in the treatment of HFS. Intraoperative monitoring is helpful in reducing the complication rate. In our practice, the correlation between MRI findings and surgery was poor, as opposed to the results found in literature

[Lumbar synovial cysts: six case studies]

The purpose of this study is to discuss the clinical and radiological aspects as well as the controversies in the management of lumbar synovial cysts. We report a retrospective analysis of a series of 6 cases of lumbar synovial cysts. Patients presented with unilateral radicular pain mimicking a disc herniation. An MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] was performed in all patients. A computerized tomography scan was performed in one case and X rays in 2 cases. All patients were operated on and the cyst resected. Arthrodesis was not performed in any of our patients. Functional outcome was marked by a significant improvement. Excellent results were found in 4 patients. Three patients who presented with a motor deficit recovered after the surgery. Lumbar synovial cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any radicular compression. MRI is the examination of choice. Surgical resection is the definitive treatment with low rates of complications and recurrences

effect of father's employment status on the type A-B behaviour of their children

It was hypothesized that children whose fathers are employed report more type A behavior than children whose fathers are non-employed. A total of 121 middle school children [69 boys and 52 girls] were rated using the children type A behavior scale [MYTH form 0]. Results indicated that children whose fathers are employed report higher scores of type A behavior than children whose fathers are employed report higher scores of type A behavior than children whose fathers are non-employed. Further research is needed