Eleven consecutive cases of acute traumatic vertex epidural haematomas (VEDHs) among 416 epidural haematomas (EDHs) operated on during the same period in the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University of Genoa, are reported. Clinical features, neuroradiological aspects (X-ray, angiography and CT scan) and results are discussed, in order to point out the problems encountered in the diagnosis, expecially due to the mystifying clinical picture and the unsuitability of the axial CT scan in the detection of these lesions. In this series mortality rate was 18%, against 50% reported in the literature.

Acute Posterior Fossa Subdural Haematoma (PFSDH) caused by trauma is a clinical rarity: only 13 cases have been encountered in the literature. Three consecutive personal cases of PFSDH are presented. Two of them are respectively the sixth and the seventh surgically treated cases with success. Among the 16 cases 60% had a sudden clinical worsening within 24 hours. Seven cases had an occipital fracture. Of the thirteen cases operated upon 11 (85%) were in a state of deep coma. The surgical mortality was 46%. One patient had a good recovery (Grade 5) and six a moderate disability (Grade 4) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. We conclude that surgical treatment must always be carried out even in patients presenting in an agonal state.

A report is made of 42 patients operated on by the 100 W CO2 laser from May 1979 to May 1980 and the effects of the continuous and pulsed emission of the beam are discussed. The usefulness of the Laser-microscope coupling is also reported. One estimates the average amount of blood transfused during and soon after the operation and this is compared with blood transfused in 42 patients operated by a 50 W CO2 laser and 42 patients operated by traditional techniques. The authors have been using the CO2 laser routinely since May 1977. Its use has been sometimes useful, sometimes very useful or indispensable, sometimes useless and/or dangerous.

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Este artículo presenta un estudio de caso que describe la implementación de una asignatura complementaria que está orientada a generar herramientas, prácticas y actitudinales, que contribuyan a mejorar el desempeño docente de estudiantes tutores en el área de la física universitaria. En el transcurso de la asignatura se observa el logro de competencias metodológicas propias de la didáctica y de una visión constructivista del aprendizaje, herramientas necesarias en la tutoría y ayudantías, puesto que permiten el desarrollo y la aplicación de habilidades del pensamiento. En la asignatura se efectuaron diversas actividades con el fin potenciar una futura realización de prácticas de física. Los resultados fueron favorables puesto que los estudiantes aprobaron la asignatura con buenas calificaciones y mostraron una mejoría en su actitud discursiva y una mayor confianza en sí mismos, además se encuentran satisfechos con lo aprendido. Estos resultados propician el desarrollo de prácticas que favorezcan el aprendizaje significativo en estudiantes que