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We demonstrated a high prevalence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies acutely after SAH. Although part of GH and gonadotropin deficiencies might be a consequence of functional alteration due to SAH itself, the finding of low cortisol levels in this stressful condition strongly suggests the presence of true hypocortisolism. Therefore, an evaluation of pituitary function shortly after SAH might be useful to identify a subset of patients who deserve a more accurate follow-up.

Background: Human fetal striatal transplantation (HFST) is an experimental stereotactic intervention in the treatment of Huntington’s disease (HD). This procedure has proved feasible, safe, well tolerated and it offers a potential strategy for brain repair in HD patients. Target areas are the nucleus caudatus caput (NCc) and the precommissural and postcommissural putamen (Pu). A suboptimal spatial distribution of grafts was frequently reported, especially for the postcommissural Pu, because of striatal atrophy and the concurrent ventricular frontal horn enlargement. An improvement of the stereotactic procedure aimed to optimize the intrastriatal placement of grafts is therefore considered a timely issue. Methods: Eight consecutive HD patients underwent bilateral HFST. For the first 6 procedures (first group) we performed both caudate and putaminal tracks through a single frontal entry point. For the following 10 procedures (second group), we adopted two completely distinct routes, with two separate entry points, for NCc and Pu tracks. The average number of stereotactic tracks and the average infused volume of tissue suspension were compared between the two groups. Results: The average number of putaminal tracks and the average infused volume of suspension were significantly higher in the second group. Conclusion: Adopting two separate routes for caudate and putaminal trajectories allowed us to achieve a larger amount of fetal tissue deposits and a better spatial distribution of grafts.

Far lateral lumbar disc herniations (FLLDH) represent a separate category of disc pathology which includes both intraforaminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations, that are characterized by a peculiar clinical presentation, diagnostic and treatment modalities as compared to the more frequent median and paramedian disc hernias. Surgical treatment often represents the only effective weapon for the cure of this disease and over the years different approaches have been developed that can reach the region of the foramen or external to it, with different degrees of invasiveness. The diagnosis is more demanding and still underestimated as it requires a more detailed knowledge in the spine anatomy and dedicated radiological studies. Computerized tomography and in particular magnetic resonance imaging are the appropriate tools for the diagnosis of FLLDH. Despite the widespread use of these diagnostic tests, many cases of FLLDH are overlooked due to insufficiently detailed radiological examinations or due to the execution of exams not focused to the foraminal or the extraforaminal region. Neurophysiological studies represent a valid aid in the diagnostic classification of this pathology and in some cases they can facilitate the differential diagnosis with other types of radiculopathies. In the present study, a comprehensive review of the clinical presentation, epidemiology, radiological study and the neurophysiological aspects is presented.

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