Lumbar and intraneural synovial cysts are uncommon lesions, although their incidence has increased since the introduction of MRI. The authors describe the results of a study comprising 23 patients with synovial cyst (5 lumbar, 19 intraneural). Neuroradiological investigations included CT scan and MRI; however, it was not always possible to diagnose the nature of the lesion. In 18 cases the lesion was removed totally including its capsule; in the other 5 cases it was removed subtotally. Seven of the 23 patients presented a total remission of symptoms/signs, 11 improved and 5 remained unchanged. The importance of treating synovial cysts as radically as possible is discussed together with their most significant clinical and neuroradiological aspects.

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a retroperitoneal key structure whose location and integrity must be checked in every scan. A number of studies are reported in the literature concerning congenital variations of the inferior vena cava. Anatomical variations of this main venous trunk are relatively infrequent clinical findings during surgery or diagnostic procedures in patients without symptoms such as an aberrant venous drainage or abdominal pain. Among the other imaging techniques, computerized tomography is a non-invasive, effective technique for diagnosing diseases of the retroperitoneal space and, particularly, for detecting anomalies of the main vessels, such as the aorta or IVC, in asymptomatic patients. We present two cases of IVC variation as an incidental finding in patients studied by means of CT scan for the gradation of kidney carcinoma and pancreatic cancer respectively. Two different configurations of the system of the IVC (agenesis of the IVC with hypertrophy of the azygos vein and a double IVC respectively) were found in our cases. The embryological development of the IVC system is discussed, bearing in mind that knowledge of the different variations is important in order to avoid major surgical complications.

SummaryLumbosacral nerve root anomalies are a rare group of congenital anatomical anomalies. Various types of anomalies of the lumbosacral nerve roots have been documented in the available international literature. Generally speaking, these anomalies may consist of a bifid, conjoined structure, of a transverse course or of a characteristic anastomized appearance. Firstly described as an incidental finding during autopsies or surgical procedures performed for lumbar disk herniations and often asymptomatic, lumbosacral nerve root anomalies have been more frequently described in the last years due to the advances made in radiological diagnosis (metrizamide myelography and CT, MRI).Our La RM es, en muchas ocasiones, superior a la TAC simple en el diagnóstico de las anomalías de las raíces nerviosas; además la RM tiene la ventaja de los planos sagitales y coronales.La visualización de la médula y la cola de caballo, sin necesidad de contraste intratecal, hace que la RM sea el examen ideal para identificar las raíces nerviosas conjuntas, ofreciendo una ventaja clara sobre la TAC.

SummaryLumbosacral nerve root anomalies are a rare group of congenital anatomical anomalies. Various types of anomalies of the lumbosacral nerve roots have been documented in the available international literature. Generally speaking, these anomalies may consist of a bifid, conjoined structure, of a transverse course or of a characteristic anastomized appearance. Firstly described as an incidental finding during autopsies or surgical procedures performed for lumbar disk herniations and often asymptomatic, lumbosacral nerve root anomalies have been more frequently described in the last years due to the advances made in radiological diagnosis (metrizamide myelography and CT, MRI).Our La RM es, en muchas ocasiones, superior a la TAC simple en el diagnóstico de las anomalías de las raíces nerviosas; además la RM tiene la ventaja de los planos sagitales y coronales.La visualización de la médula y la cola de caballo, sin necesidad de contraste intratecal, hace que la RM sea el examen ideal para identificar las raíces nerviosas conjuntas, ofreciendo una ventaja clara sobre la TAC.PALABRAS CLAVE: Anomalías de los nervios raquídeos lumbares. Raíces lumbares conjuntas (RLC). Columna vertebral. Tomografía Computarizada. Resonancia magnética.

The authors present a retrospective study of 15 patients with post-traumatic intracranial meningioma. The 15 cases were selected according to the criteria specified in the relevant literature. Assessment of clinical characteristics in these patients seems to confirm that in some cases head trauma may be a factor contributing to the development of meningioma.