Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging technique for diagnosis. Total tumor resection improved the surgical results of spinal meningiomas. If total removal of the tumor cannot be achieved, or in the case of early recurrence followed by total resection, radiotherapy should be performed in adjuvant therapy.

Posterior epidural migration (PEM) of free disc fragments is rare, and reported PEM patients usually presented with radicular signs. An uncommon case involving a patient with cauda equina syndrome due to PEM of a lumbar disc fragment is reported with a review of the literature. The patient described in this report presented with an acute cauda equina syndrome resulting from disc fragment migration at the L3-L4 level that occurred after traction therapy for his lower back pain. The radiological characteristics of the disc fragment were the posterior epidural location and the ring enhancement. A fenestration was performed and histologically confirmed sequestered disc material was removed. An early postoperative examination revealed that motor, sensory, urological, and sexual functions had been recovered. At late follow-up, the patient was doing well after 18 months. Sequestered disc fragments may occasionally migrate to the posterior epidural space of the dural sac. Definite diagnosis of posteriorly located disc fragments is difficult because the radiological images of disc fragments may mimic those of other more common posterior epidural lesions.

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This study examined the preventive effects of the local application of mitomycin C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cyclosporine A (CsA) in minimizing spinal epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. Thirty-two 2-year-old male Wistar albino rats, each weighing 400 +/- 50 g, were divided into four equal groups: sham, MMC, 5-FU, and CsA. Each rat underwent laminectomy at the L5-L6 lumbar level. Cotton pads (4 x 4 mm2) soaked with MMC (0.5 mg/ml), 5-FU (5 ml/mg), or CsA (5 mg/ml) were placed on the exposed dura for 5 min. Thirty days after surgery, the rats were killed and the epidural fibrosis, fibroblast density, inflammatory cell density, and arachnoid fibrosis were quantified. The epidural and arachnoid fibroses were reduced significantly in the treatment groups compared to the sham group. Fibroblast cell density and inflammatory cell density were decreased significantly in the MMC and 5-FU groups, but were similar in the sham and CsA groups. The decreased rate of epidural fibrosis was promising. Further studies in humans are needed to determine the short- and long-term complications of the agents used here.

Intracerebral and intramedullary schwannomas are uncommon; but, in general, spinal intramedullary schwannomas are more frequent than intracerebral schwanomas. We present a case of right lateral ventricle schwannoma in a 21-year-old man and review the associated literature. The 21-year-old right-handed man presented with loss of the left-eye vision approximately 8 months before referral to an ophthalmologist. The patient was immediately subjected to computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed an enhanced lesion with cystic component in the right occipital horn of the lateral ventricle. And consecutively, he was admitted to our department. The tumor was evacuated via craniotomy with marked improvement in his clinical state. The postoperative course was uneventful and postoperative CT control showed no residue. On MRI control no recurrence was noted after a follow-up period of 8 years. Intracerebral schwannoma is a rare, benign neoplasm. It is usually located superficially or adjacent to a ventricle. Characteristic imaging features include cyst formation, calcification, and evidence of peritumoral edema or gliosis. The recognition of this benign and potentially curable neoplasm and its differentiation from other neoplasms, some of which have less favourable outcomes, is of obvious importance.

The treatment modalities for gliomas are still questioning and searching. We reviewed the effect of the extent of surgical resection and reoperation on the length and quality of survival in 152 consecutive patients who underwent operation for supratentorial gliomas at GATA Neurosurgery clinic between 1985 to 1995. Seventy-two patients (50%) had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and 48 patients (33%) had anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). Gross total resection was achieved in 70 cases (49%), subtotal resection was performed in 60 cases (42%), and biopsy was carried out in 14 cases (9%). Thirty-two patients were reoperated for recurrency and the median interval between the first operation and reoperation was 9.5 months in glioblastoma multiforme, and 11.7 months in anaplastic astrocytoma. The resection groups were compared for age, sex, preoperative and postoperative Karnofsky rating, tumor location, postoperative radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, and survival according to multivariate analysis. Preoperative Karnofsky rating and surgical resection type were the most important factors related to survival after operation or reoperation. The gross total resection group lived longer than the subtotal resection group by life table analysis. Median survival of GBM was 76 weeks in gross total resection group, and 33 months in AA group with total resection (p < 0.001). Preoperative Karnofsky scores had a statistically significant effect on the quality of life and survival after operation and reoperation in all cases (p = 0.005). Radical surgery and reoperation also improve quality and length of life in selective malignant supratentorial gliomas.

Intracranial hydatid cysts, although still rare, are being seen with increasing frequency. We report 12 cases of intracerebral hydatid cysts diagnosed with the use of computed tomography. We also review the methods recently available for diagnosis and therapy of this disease. Excellent therapeutic results can be achieved through surgical removal of the hydatid cyst; however, it is important to avoid rupturing the cyst.

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