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Background: Although many experimental and clinical studies were performed on the pathophysiology and treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), the electrophysiological and ultrastructural changes of the spinal cord were not precisely evaluated. Aims: To investigate the effect of mannitol on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP), postoperative neurological recovery and ultrastructural findings after an experimental SCI. Setting: The experimental microsurgery laboratory of a university hospital. Design: A prospective, randomized animal study. Material and Methods: SpragueDawley rats were used and divided into three groups (Groups I-III) for this study. Those in Group I were control animals who underwent laminectomy only, and non-traumatized spinal cord samples were obtained 2 weeks later. SCI was produced in. Groups II and III using clip compression technique, and cord samples were obtained 2 weeks later. The rats in Group II received 2 g/kg of 20% mannitol intraperitoneally, immediately and three hours after trauma was induced; and those in Group III received the same amount of 0,9% NaCl in the same manner. Preoperative and postoperative SSEP records at the end of 2 weeks were obtained. Electron microscopy examination of the cord samples was done at 2 weeks postoperatively. Statistical Analysis used: Fischer's Exact Test. Results: SSEP records, ultrastructural findings and clinical recovery showed that minor neural damage and significant recovery occurred in Group II. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the administration of 2 g/kg of 20% mannitol produces significant improvement in the neural structures and protects the spinal cord following injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radial nerve is the most frequently injured major nerve in the upper extremity. Proximal part of the radial nerve involvement can result from a humerus fracture, direct nerve trauma, compression and rarely from tumors., Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the clinical characteristics and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with proximal radial nerve injuries, and also the outcome of surgical treatment., Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 46 patients with radial nerve injuries seen between June 2000 and June 2008 at our hospital. The analysis included demographics, clinical features, etiology, pre-and postoperative EMNG (Electromyoneurography) findings., Results: Surgical decompression resulted in neurological improvement in patients with radial entrapment neuropathies. Good neurological recovery was observed from decompression of callus of old humeral fracture. The worst results were observed in the direct missile injuries of the radial nerve., Conclusions: A detailed clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation is of importance in patients with radial nerve injury to ensure an appropriate treatment. The choice of treatment, conservative or surgical, depends on the clinical presentation and the type of injury.

Background: The retrosigmoid approach is a common route to the cerebellopontine angle and lateral clivus. Patient's head positioning just before the operation is crucial to perform the procedure effectively and safely., Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the positional angle of the head on preoperative axial sequences of the cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Materials and Methods: The angle between the line drawn along the petrous bone ventral to the internal auditory canal and the line drawn parallel to the dorsal face of the clivus on the axial view of MRI sequences was measured., Results: This method of patient positioning has resulted in minimal cerebellar retraction, less time in the preoperative preparation period and less postoperative headache and neck pain., Conclusions: This method can provide quick and better exposure of the cerebellopontine angle. Preoperative measurement of positional angle on axial MRI sequences is a very simple and sufficient way to determine the angle of the head that is turned to the contralateral side.