The experience of one regional thoracic surgical unit in managing intrathoracic neural tumours over a 25-year period is presented. Neural tumour was diagnosed in 55 patients, of whom 41 were asymptomatic. In 11 patients complete resection was not achieved--the reasons for this and its effect on the outcome of the patient are discussed. There were 52 posterior mediastinal and three lateral chest...

Spinal metastatic disease could lead to catastrophic consequences for the patient. However, the structural parameters that explain the weakening of vertebrae affected by tumours are not fully understood. In this study, we developed a specimen-specific finite element model to predict the strength of the porcine vertebra with simulated tumours and used it to find the structural parameters determi...

INTRODUCTION Meningiomas are the most frequent group of intracranial tumours, accounting for around a third of all primary brain tumours. In most cases, they are benign neoplasms that start in the cells of the arachnoid mater and may be located in the intracranial and spinal cavities. AIM To perform a review of the information available on intracranial meningiomas that allows us to update cur...

Three cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma presented as primary paraspinal tumours causing extradural spinal cord compression. Study of these cases suggests that pain relief is considerable after laminectomy but pain may recur with further tumour growth. Total removal is unrealistic and diagnosis, difficult. The prognosis in terms of continuing neurological deficit after surgery followed by ...

Two cases of spinal cord tumours (one schwannoma and one ependymoma) of the lumbar spine are reported. The treatment with radical excision and posterolateral fusion, along with adjuvant radiation therapy in the case with ependymoma was successful, with follow-up of six and seven years respectively. A literature review is presented, and a possible presentation with low back pain is analysed.

Acrocyanosis is an uncommon complaint belonging to the acro-syndromes. It typically presents with coolness and bluish discolourations of hands, feet, ears, nose, lips and nipple. The most frequently affected parts of the body are the hands. This review discusses physical factors, vascular disorders, infectious diseases, haematological disorders, solid tumours genetic disorders, drugs, eating di...

A case of malignant melanotic schwannoma arising in the right upper lobe bronchus of a 27 year old man is presented. Tumours of this type most commonly occur in spinal nerve roots and are generally considered to be benign. The behaviour of those originating elsewhere is less predictable. As far as we are aware this is the first reported case affecting the respiratory tract.

Patients admitted to the neurosurgical wards for the management of nervous system tumours, subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhage, head injury, spinal and peripheral nerve lesions, and other miscellaneous neurosurgical conditions, were studied by assay of serum immunoreactivity for myelin basic protein. Of 171 patients, 70% proved to have elevated myelin basic protein activity. In cerebral ...

To cite: Valizadeh N, McCarthy P, Lynch JM. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2013200679 DESCRIPTION A 66-year-old woman presented with a 9-month history of increasing difficulty in walking. Examination revealed asymmetric spastic paraparesis and a pyramidal pattern of weakness: Medical Research Council grade 4 on the left and 4+ on the right lower l...

The corticospinal spinal system, one of the most important descending tracts in the central nervous system, has been recognised since the seventeenth century. An accurate delineation of the complete tract, however, is only recently emerging with the advent of functional magnetic resonance imaging, like diffusion-tensor imaging. Serving a number of motor functions essential for our voluntary mov...