To test the hypothesis of opiate-like peptide release after transcutaneous electrotherapy we measured beta-endorphin cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) content in 13 patients without pain problems. The results indicate a time dependent increase of CSF beta-endorphin in the group of patients studied. This fact suggests that the analgesic properties of the treatment may be ascribed to an involvement of the endogenous opiates system, independently from the basal clinical conditions of the patients.

Two patients with angiographically proven longitudinal sinus thrombosis were studied from a coagulation point of view. In the first case, marked primary thrombocytosis was found. This patient was treated with aspirin, dipyridamole and radioactive phosphorus. In the second case, fibrinogen and whole blood plasma viscosity were elevated. This patient developed deep vein thrombosis of the left leg a few weeks after the cerebral episode and was treated with coumarin drugs. The importance of a coagulation study in every patient with cerebral vein thrombosis is emphasized.

Percutaneous thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion allows a good preservation of facial touch sensation with a complete and immediate regression of the symptomatology in a majority of cases. Neurophysiological bases are the peculiar resistance to the thermal lesion of the large myelinated fibers compared to the relatively smaller fibers. The study of the cortical-evoked responses before and after surgery suggests that the afferent volley travels in preference along these large myelinated fibers.

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