Transclival transcervical approach to the upper cervical spine and clivus.

The transclival-transcervical approach to lesions of the craniocervical junction is described. It gives reasonable access to the lower part of the clivus and to C1 and C2 for removal to tumours and stabilization of fractures and otherwise caused dislocations of this region. Because an opening of the pharynx can be avoided, reconstruction work can be done using bone graft or reinforced methyl-methacrylate without risk of infectious contamination. The results obtained in 6 cases are presented.

Use of Harrington rods with segmental wiring for spinal pathology. Technical note.

The Authors report their experience using Harrington rods with segmental wiring for spinal pathology. They describe the advantages of this technical point in neoplastic and traumatological dorsal compression.

Intradural rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc: report of three cases with review of the literature.

The intradural herniated disc is a rare complication of disc herniation. A study of the literature shows that this location is often responsible for severe neurological deficit with loss of sphincter control and a complete block shown on the myelogram. We report three cases to demonstrate the radioclinical interpretation of intradural herniated disc and the possibility of definite and misleading symptoms.

The anterior approach and plates in lower cervical posttraumatic lesions.

Between 1949 and 1982, 290 patients were operated on for lesions of the lower cervical spine. Since 1970 the combined use of the anterior approach and more and more sophisticated osteosynthesis equipment has led us to revise our therapeutic policy with regard to 160 patients. The results, advantages, and disadvantages of this policy are discussed hereafter.

[Role of surgical decompression by the anterior approach in myeloradiculopathies caused by cervical arthrosis. Apropos of 850 cases]. / Place de la décompression chirurgicale par voie antérieure dans les myéloradiculopathies par cervicarthrose. A propos de 850 observations.

The authors report their experience of the different clinical aspects of myeloradiculopathy due to cervical arthrosis. From 850 cases with surgical treatment, they describe the radicular, medullar and radiculomedullar features of this condition. The indications for an anterior decompressive procedure are analyzed according to clinical and paraclinical findings and results of the different methods used are compared.

[Pathogenesis of chronic level subdural hematoma. Apropos of 8 cases]. / Réflexions sur la pathogénie des hématomes sous-duraux chroniques à niveau. A propos de huit observations.

On the basis of eight case studies conducted since 1980 the authors define the concept of subdural hematoma showing a level on the CAT scan image. The concept throws some light on the etiopathogenesis of certain hematoma.

Microsurgical excision of a strio-insular arteriovenous malformation.

The complete microsurgical removal of a right strio-insular arteriovenous malformation is described. The surgery was performed in two successive operations. The rationale for these operations is discussed.