Seventeen cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine are reported. Clinical manifestations, methods of investigation, differential diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis are discussed. The condition is essentially a benign lesion, affects a young age group, and grows rapidly, often producing a paravertebral mass. Occasionally it becomes acutely exacerbated, causing irreversible damage to the spinal cord. For these reasons, prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are important. Excision of the lesion is the treatment of choice but, if not feasible, thorough curettage and radiotherapy not exceeding 2000 rads are indicated. With a two-stage operation, excision of the lesion is often possible, and the stability of the vertebral column is assured with bone-graft fusions.

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✓ The insertion of sewing needles through the fontanels of an unwanted baby is apparently an ancient practice of which there are still instances. In this paper two such cases are described, one a man of 32 and the other a woman aged 31 with needles in a vertical position near the midline of the convexity of the brain. The first patient had had epileptic attacks for 8 years, and the other headache and hemiparesis for 7 months. Removal of the needles resulted in amelioration of the symptoms. The needles obviously had been introduced when the anterior fontanels were still open. The long interval before the onset of symptoms has been observed in the two other cases reported in the literature.

Aneurysmal bone cysts rarely affect the skull. Thirty-six cases including four reported in this paper are reviewed. The condition usually affects children and young adults and progresses rapidly. It may result in raised intracranial or intraorbital pressure. Complete excision of the mass is the treatment of choice, but if not feasible curettage followed by low dose radiotherapy is effective. As the prognosis in this condition is good, prompt diagnosis and early treatment are of utmost importance.

From among 1500 patients who underwent computerized tomography (CT) during an 18-month period, five cases of hydatid disease of the brain were diagnosed. The preoperative diagnosis is of paramount importance as the cyst has to be removed unruptured. The CT features of this condition are practically pathognomonic. The authors discuss the CT findings in these cases and differential diagnosis with other cystic lesions of the brain. The help that this safe and sure method of investigation gives to attain preoperative diagnosis is emphasized.