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Purpose: In this manuscript, the safety and efficacy of adjuvant interferon alfa 2b treatment of uveal melanoma is described., Patients and Methods: A total of 39 patients (23 male and 16 female, mean age 56.5 years, range 35-78 years) with uveal melanoma were treated with interferon alfa 2b, 3 million units three times a week subcutaneously for 1 year after therapy of the primary tumor. In all patients age, gender, primary melanoma data, therapeutic interventions, treatment side effects and outcome were documented., Results: Of the 39 patients, 31 (80%) finished the treatment as scheduled after 1 year. In 18 patients (46%) the initial dose had to be reduced due to leucopenia, thrombopenia, cardiac symptoms, elevated of liver function or vertigo (WHO grade I-III). In eight patients, therapy had to be withdrawn because of serious side effects (five patients) and the appearance of metastases (three patients). Neither a univariate approach nor a multivariate approach could show a protective effect of interferon treatment on survival., Conclusions: Adjuvant treatment of uveal melanoma with interferon alfa should be abandoned until the question of dose and administration for cutaneous melanoma is solved.

From April 1992 to July 1998 stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) was used to treat 1382 patients; 181 had acoustic neurinomas and were followed up, 44 of them for at least 4 years (48-75 months, median 60). With no mortality control of growth tumor was achieved in all cases but one. It was possible to preserve useful hearing in more than half of the patients (60%). In two patients complications due to the radiation with enlargement of the cystic component were observed. One patient needed additional microsurgical decompression. Three patients suffered transient incomplete facial palsy (one permanent, HBI III), and two patients complained of mild trigeminal neuropathy. One suffered from hydrocephalus and a shunting procedure was necessary. The neurological state improved in 23 patients (52%); five complained of new or worsened deficits. Radiosurgery is an effective alternative treatment for acoustic neurinomas with exceptionally low mortality and morbidity. With respect to preserving cranial nerve function the results are just as good as those of microsurgical resection. Short duration of hospitalization and quick return to normal activities make radiosurgery quite cost effective.

56 patients suspected of having suffered recurrent disc prolapse in the lumbar region were examined by CT and by myelography; the value of these examinations has been analysed. In 32 patients the findings were checked during surgery. There were difficulties in diagnosis, both for CT and myelography, where the findings were complex, i.e. in patients in whom there was postoperative fibrosis as well as disc prolapse and/or osseous spinal canal stenosis. As regards recurrence of prolapse, sensitivity for both methods was 83%. Postoperative scar formation can be clearly demonstrated by CT, but myelography produced a false positive diagnosis of recurrent prolapse in 17%. The changes were, in fact, caused by scar tissue formation.