Arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord.

Spinal AVM's are not rare, and are diagnosed today with increasing frequency by utilization of moedern neuroradiological techniques. Their relationship to the spinal medulla is related to vascular embryological anatomy, and the only effective treatment is directed at obliteration of the fistula. Males are affected more frequently in the middle years of life. Symptoms may mimic spinal cord tumors and demyelinating disorders. The pathogenesis of symptoms, classification, and methods of diagnosis are reviewed, and the various methods of treatment discussed.

A pre-formed methyl methacrylate cranioplasty.

The use of a pre-formed methyl methacrylate cranioplasty prosthesis reinforced with stainless steel wire is described. The prosthesis is non-reactive, virtually unbreakable, and undentable. Pre-forming of the prosthesis in the dental laboratory using a mold of the patient's bony defect as a model saves considerable operating time, and when employed for a large cranial defect the three dimensional cosmetic effect is superior to intra-operatively fashioned prostheses.

Disc space infections in children.

Intractable low back pain in children is often due to disc space infections. The clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment of four cases are presented. Symptoms often occur well before radiographic findings are evident. The diagnosis can only be made by a high degree of suspicion and repeated X-rays. Antecedent causes, such as urinary infection or intravenous administration of narcotics were lacking in this group. Fever or a preceding febrile illness was often, but not invariably, present. Percutaneous biopsies were not usually helpful. Myelography in each instance was normal. Bed rest reduced but did not alleviate the back pain. The institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in a prompt diminution of pain.