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Introduction ‐ We planned a descriptive study on the incidence of intracranial gliomas spanning a 16‐year period (1976–1991) in the Local Health Service 31 of Ferrara, Northern Italy. Material and methods ‐ We used a complete enumeration approach by reviewing all the possible sources of case collection available in the study area. Results ‐ The mean annual incidence rate was 5.8 new cases per 100000 population (6.96 for men and 4.78 for women; p < 0.05), resulting in 4.7 per 100000 when directly adjusted to the Italian population. The age‐specific incidences showed a small peak in childhood, an increase with age, reaching a maximum in the age group 60 to 64 and then a decline in the elderly. This pattern is similar for both sexes. The adjusted rates increased from 3.94 per 100000 population in the first five‐year period to 5.6 per 100000 in the third (a nonsignificant difference). The distribution of cases within the study area was substantially uniform. Conclusion ‐ The incidence rates of Ferrara fell into the middle‐high values so far reported and confirmed the male preponderance found in previous studies. The age‐related pattern is similar to that observed, with few exceptions, in other surveys. Like other authors we did not find a significant temporal trend, although the incidence rates tended to increase with time. The data encourage further, wider epidemiological studies of a prospective nature.

Objective Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting in tetraplegia is a leading cause of morbidity among young adults worldwide and its management remains challenging. Restoring hand function in these patients must be considered a top priority with great impact on their quality of life (QOL); although nerve and tendon transfer have been extensively described, type of procedure to be chosen is not standardized and few studies have determined the functional outcome of those procedure and their impact on QOL is still poorly assessed. We report a preliminary retrospective study regarding feasibility and functional outcomes of nerve transfer procedures including bilateral brachialis nerve on anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) and supinator branch on posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) for hand reanimation following SCI focusing on the impact of these procedures on QOL. Methods We performed a retrospective study involving patient sustained SCI and underwent nerve transfer of brachialis branch from musculocutaneous nerve on AIN and supinator branch from the trunk of the radial nerve on the PIN. We included 11 patients (14 limbs) with traumatic SCI resulting in C4 level tetraplegia in five patients, C5 in four and C6 and C7 in one case each, with a median age of 31.5 years underwent surgery at a median of 10 months after injury; including both transfers in 10 cases and AIN reanimation only in one. Functional assessment including medical research council (MCR) grade, graded redefined assessment of strength sensation and prehension (GRASSP) and spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) were performed at least 12 months follow up. Results Thirteen PIN innervated muscles achieved an MRC score ≥3/5 whereas AIN supplied muscles in 5 out of 15. GRASSP qualitative measure improved from a baseline value of 1 to 2, while quantitative measure passed from 1 to 3 after 12 months; the difference was statistically significant (p = .005 and p = .008, respectively). SCIM self‐care sub‐score also statistically significant improved from 3 to 4 at 12 months (p = .016). No complication or donor morbidity occurred. Conclusions Functional performance has been significantly improved by nerve transfer procedures 1 year after surgery. Nerve transfers may represent a valuable option for the restoration of the hand function in patients with tetraplegia with minor or no morbidity.

After a 6-mo follow-up period, the patient no longer had dysesthesia and pain in his legs, and was able to walk, albeit just a few meters. This surgical technique has the advantage of minimally invasive spine surgery, has few complications, and avoids risk of retethering.