Criteria for diagnosis of lumbar spinal canal stenosis

Anatomical and radiological measurements of anteroposterior and interpediculate diameters of lumbar spinal canal was carried out on 50 cadaveric specimens and 100 plain X-ray films. Studying the configuration of the canal was possible by plotting curves of anteroposterior diameters versus interpedicular diameters and the reverse. Such curves correlate both dimensions to each other. Measurements not coinciding with the lower normal dimensional limits of the curves or not correlated with each other were taken as an indication of stenotic lumbar spinal canal

supratentorial tumours in children

This study was carried out on 50 cases of supratentorial intrinsic brain tumors in childhood [up to 16 years]. Astrocytomas grades I and II represented more than half of the cases [58%], whereas glioblastomas represented 20% only. Specific features have been found in childhood. The dominating were those of intracranial hypertension. The length of history is not a guide to the probable pathology and a discrepancy between the extent of the tumor and paucity of clinical features has been found. Diagnosis of supratentorial tumors in children might be very difficult if attempted on clinical grounds alone. The prognosis of these tumors is better with regard to the length and quality of survival than that of adult ones. The ability of young brain structures to compensate functional impairment following surgery help to a better prognosis in this age group

Fluid therapy during major operations

Fifty-nine patients undergoing major surgical operations are the subjects of this study. They were subdivided into: Control group of 30 patients infused with isotonic glucose and a study group of 29 patients infused with physiological saline. Blood transfusion was given when necessary, and each of the previous groups was classified into four subgroups, according to the amount of blood loss. Blood dilution was checked by haematocrit measurement. Pulse and blood pressure were monitored during the operative and post-operative periods. Determination of serum levels of proteins, HB, sodium, potassium, and chlorides were performed on the 2nd and 3rd subgroups pre- and post-operatively. The need for blood transfusion was observed and recorded and also the amount of fluid infused was calculated. The results revealed that cardiovascular stability was better maintained in patients receiving physiological saline, which greatly diminished the need for blood transfusion. There was no difference between the two groups in the frequency of complications. So, saline infusions can be given safely for two hours during major operations till the arrival of blood when indicated. Besides, post-operative hypotension is less frequent following saline infusions