Neurenteric cysts are cystic lesions lined by a columnar epithelium of endodermal derivation. They are rarely located in the central nervous system. We describe the case history of two recurrent neurenteric cysts located within the posterior fossa: one in the 4th ventricle and the second in the cerebellopontine angle. The literature is reviewed and the follow-up and recurrence of such cysts are discussed.

A suprasellar location of a benign choroid plexus papilloma is reported. Local recurrence within the fourth ventricle was also present, 8 years after apparently complete removal. Imaging and histological findings were similar to those of the initial lesion. At surgery, the suprasellar lesion had no connection with the ventricular system. Seeding of choroid plexus papillomas is discussed, and the pertinent literature reviewed.

The authors present seven cases of spinal trauma at the T-12-L-1 level with severe spinal canal stenosis secondary to compressive, anterior discocorporeal lesions. Associated neurological disorders were of varying severity. Six cases were investigated by computed tomography, which enabled the degree of thoracolumbar spinal canal stenosis to be determined. In all cases, the surgical procedure involved rectification of spinal deformity, with an initial unilateral posterolateral approach permitting anterior spinal canal recalibration, either by impaction of protrusive fragments or ablation of ejected disc fragments. The stabilization was in all cases achieved by complimentary bilateral plates using Roy-Camille material, associated with posterolateral arthrodesis by grafting with reconstruction of the articulopedicular structure. The functional spinal result was excellent in all cases, and recalibration was verified by tomography. In those cases showing neurological deficiency, good and early recovery was attributable to the suppression of spinal canal stenosis. The application of this posterolateral approach for severe lesions of the thoracolumbar junction seems to represent, in all cases of recent lesions, an alternative to the anterior or combined methods, which present widely recognized difficulties at the thoracoabdominal junction.

The authors treated 38 cases with cervical disc prolapse and discoradicular pain by percutaneous chemonucleolysis. Material and procedure are described and the results of 31 cases with a follow-up between 3 and 52 months analysed. The global results were excellent. In detail the results are analysed according to symptomatology, aetiology, findings of discography and the dose of enzyme used.

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