Neurological surgery,ed. 2: Edited by Julian R. Youmans Philadelphia,W. B. Saunders, 1982 Six volumes, 4013 pp., $70.00 per volume, $395.00 for six-volume set

Intraoperative CT scanning was used in 10 patients suffering from malignant brain tumors. Follow-up CT scans performed postoperatively indicated that extensive resection of the tumor was achieved in all of the patients. It is suggested that this technique might also be employed in other types of invasive brain tumors.     

Notice

Thirty-one cases of arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa were investigated by CT scan, 7 of them undergoing additional metrizamide CT cisternography. In this paper we analyze and correlate the different findings from these two examinations and propose a classification of arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa into three basic types. Pathophysiological and surgical implications are discussed.     

Total lymphoid irradiation in the treatment of early or recurrent heart rejection.

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) has been shown experimentally to induce a state of partial tolerance when administered before organ transplantation. Anecdotal reports in clinical transplantation have suggested efficacy of TLI in the treatment of recurrent rejection after heart transplantation. To further assess the safety and efficacy of TLI, 19 patients were entered into a protocol of TLI for the treatment of recurrent or early severe rejection despite conventional therapy. Rejection rate decreased from 1.3 episodes/month before TLI to 0.53 during TLI and 0.07 after TLI (p < 0.0001). Infections increased during TLI (possibly related to recent augmented immunosuppression before TLI), but all infections were successfully treated. One death occurred after TLI from acute allograft rejection. White blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts were depressed during and after (3 months) TLI. Frequent adjustments of dosing interval and, occasionally of the dosage were required to control WBC and platelet counts. Five patients experienced transient WBC of less than 1000/ml. More rejection episodes (and thus greater overall immunosuppression) before TLI and a lower tolerated dose of azathioprine before TLI predicted (by multivariate analysis) a lower WBC during TLI. Conclusions: (1) TLI is an effective adjunct for the intermediate control of early or recurring acute allograft rejection. (2) Close surveillance of WBC and platelets with appropriate adjustment of TLI dose and interval is necessary during TLI therapy. (3) The long-term benefits, possible late deleterious effects, and potential role of TLI as induction therapy remain to be elucidated.