Epidural lipomatosis is most frequently seen in patients on chronic steroid treatment. Only twelve cases of idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis have been described. In this report we present an additional case of this condition in a middle-aged male presenting with neurogenic claudication.

The results of surgical treatment of the tethered spinal cord syndrome in twenty-five children in the age range six weeks to nineteen years are reported. After a description of the symptomatology, the importance of neuroradiologic investigations including myelography and CT-scanning as well as urodynamic studies are explained. The operative techniques are described in cases of tight filum terminale, lipoma of the filum terminale, diastematomyelia, lipomyelomeningocele and meningocele. Early operation is essential to avoid the neurological damage which results from awaiting the onset of symptoms. The aim of the operation is to free the conus medullaris and cauda equina before mechanical traction or compression damages function in lumbosacral cord.

The Williams elfin facies syndrome (Williams-Beuren syndrome) is a disorder characterized by a typical facies, supravalvular aortic stenosis and mental retardation. Its coexistence with a brain tumor has, so far, never been described. Recently, we treated a patient who was previously diagnosed as having Williams syndrome for a cerebral astrocytoma. In view of the incidence of astrocytomas in children and the occurrence of Williams syndrome, we want to report this coincidence.

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