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Summary The outcome of brain and spinal surgery has been assessed in 141 patients who were over the age of 65 at the time of operation. Patients tolerated investigation and surgery remarkably well and good results were obtained for benign lesions. Survival times and the contribution of surgery to reducing disability in malignant disease were disappointing.

Summary The twenty-two adult patients with subacute and chronic subdural haematoma seen in Leicester during the last 7 years have been reviewed. The clinical manifestations and results of investigations are described. The diagnostic difficulties which may confront physicians are discussed, with special reference to cases with no history of head injury masquerading as strokes. Stress is laid on the points which help with the differentiation.

This paper draws attention to the poor prognosis for complete recovery of function in some patients with cauda equina syndrome due to compression by prolapse or extrusion of lumbar disk. The study of a comprehensive group of these patients in a neurological centre brings out two important points (1) the relative ease of arriving at an early diagnosis ; and (2) that early operation is an essential prerequisite for improvement in prognosis.