Ependymoma of filum terminale neurological and surgical management

Twelve cases of ependymoma of filum terminate had been diagnosed clinically, radiologically, and pathologically during the period from June 2001 to May 2003 in Al Azhar neurology and neurosurgery departments. The radiological prediction of these lesions and their complete excision were done without intra-or postoperative major complications. The lesions were confirmed pathologically as ependymoma of filum terminate. The clinical and radiological findings were analysed, the outcome and the follow up were also recorded

Transoral approach to foramen magnum lesions; report of 12 cases and review of literature

This study reported 12 cases [8 females and 4 males] presented with extradural lesion at the region of foramen magnum. Clinical, radiological and pathological studies were discussed in details with a surgical treatment. The surgery was in the form of transoral excision of the compressing lesion, followed by posterior fusion

Posterolateral foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy for single level discogenic cervical radiculopathty

Twenty patients having one level posterolateral disc with unilateral cervical radiculopathy were surgically treated through anterior cervical discectomy without fusion and posterolateral foraminotomy for decompression of affected-nerve root. The age of patients ranged from 33 to 68 years [average age46.6 years] 12 males constituted 60% of the series The main symptoms and signs were radicular pain [100%] neck pain, and hypothesia. The most common affected level was found at C5-6 in 8 patients [40%]. Anterior cervical discectomy-performed for 10 patients and posterolateral foraminotomy was performed for another 10 patients. The follow up period ranged from 3 months to 2 years the overall outcome was good to in excellent in 95%. In patients operated by interior cervical discectomy without fusion good and excellent outcome was found in 100%, and patients operated by posterolateral foraminotomy, good and excellent outcome was found in 90% and fair outcome in 10%. However the posterolateral foraminotomy technique is a simple, takes a short time, and avoid major complications which may occur in anterior approach, like injury of trachea, oesophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerve, also the patients stay in the hospital for a very short time and no need for postoperative immobilization

Clinical presentation and management of unilateral acute and chronic epidural, hematomas of posterior fossa

Posterior Fossa epidural hematomas [PFEDHs] was detect in 14 patients secondary to the head injury in the period from Jan. 1999 to Feb 2001 - the goal of this study was to analyze the differences in preoperative clinical presentation and management between a group of acute [8 patients] and a group of chronic [6 patients] of epidural hematomas of posterior fossa. In this study [chronic epidural hematomas was defined as a delay of more than 72 hours from the accident to surgery]. All patients were admitted to neurosurgery departments of Al Azhar university hospitals. C.T brain scan without contrast and with bone window was used as a tool for diagnosis, followed by surgical evacuation of the hematoma for all patients. The outcome and good recovery was obtained in 13 patients but only one patient died