The translaminar approach is an effective and minimally invasive technique in both canalicular and cranio-dorsolateral disc herniations. It gives an additional possibility to avoid partial removal of the facet joints, can be performed in all lumbar segments and preserves structures important for segmental spinal stability. The approach allows access to the extruded disc fragment and intervertebral disc space comparable to classical approaches and is a frequently used operative technique in our department.

Our results indicate that gross-total resection of malignant gliomas in elderly patients is associated with a survival benefit without increased morbidity.

Transluminal balloon angioplasty led to a continuous and effective resolution of cerebral vasospasm observed by sustained, improved cerebral biochemical parameters. Both P(ti)O(2) and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio might provide an early diagnosis of severe cerebral vasospasm after SAH and continuous surveillance of threatened tissue regions after transluminal balloon angioplasty.

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MRI does not improve the prognostic reliability of SEP in head injury but offers possibilities for clarifying electrophysiological and clinical pathologies. This explains that the volume of brainstem lesions, essentially influencing the clinical outcome, is strongly correlated to T-SEP and M-SEP. In contrast, callosal lesions did not show a clear relationship to outcome despite large callosal lesions (>4 ml) which tended to poor outcome. In conclusion, we suggest that MRI and SEP are supplementary to each other concerning prognostic evaluation.