Epidural haematoma after evacuation of contralateral subdural haematoma

Background Sequentially evolving intracranial bilateral haematomas, where the second haematoma develops after the surgical removal of the first one is rarely reported. Aim To report a patient who developed an epidural haematoma after evacuation of a contralateral subdural haematoma. Methods A 49-year-old male was admitted to our department after head injury. A brain computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed an acute subdural haematoma in the right temporal area which was evacuated. During his stay in the intensive care unit, he was submitted to intracranial pressure monitoring, which soon rose. Results A new CT scan showed an acute epidural haematoma in the contralateral parietal area that was also evacuated. Conclusions While rising intracranial pressure after the evacuation of a traumatic haematoma is usually attributed to brain oedema or recurrent haematoma at the craniotomy site, the development of a contralateral epidural haematoma requiring surgical treatment should not be overlooked.     

Vertical ramus osteotomy for treatment of mandibular prognathism

Following a brief literature review of treatment modalities for mandibular prognathism the authors propose a simplified method for vertical ramus osteotomy. The method was successfully used in 24 patients with mandibular prognathism (alone or in combination with open bite). Postoperative complications (suppuration of the operative wound) were found in 2 patients (8%), and postoperative recurrences--in 5 patients (20.8%). No complications, usually associated with sagittal and vertical intraoral osteotomies (hypoesthesia of the trigeminal nerve, Frey's syndrome, dissecting aneurysm of the internal carotid artery) were found to be consequential to the proposed method.     

Sialolithiasis or complex odontoma?

We present a case of a 53-year old woman admitted for treatment in the clinic after detection of radiopacity in the left half of the mandible. The patient was operated on with a tentative diagnosis of complex odontoma. No pathological lesion was found intraoperatively after trepanation of the mandibular bone. Additional clinical examination and contrast media sialography of the left submandibular salivary gland in PA and lateral oblique view were instrumental in making the correct diagnosis and administering the proper treatment. This case demonstrates that difficulties may arise in differentiating between a sialolith and a complex odontoma.     

The double puncture: an effective percutaneous technique for removing complex, multiple renal calculi

Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, which can require a double puncture, is presently the method of choice in our institution for the removal of renal stones. Patients that underwent this procedure were evaluated to identify the possible reasons for the double puncture. Of 200 patients evaluated, 14 needed a second tract. The three variables that determined whether a second puncture was needed, in order of importance, were number and size of the stones, with second tracts needed in patients with multiple stones and staghorn calculi; anatomical variations of the renal collecting system itself, with bifid systems the most significant anatomic variation; and the dexterity of the radiologist in performing the puncture and the ability of the urologist to extract the stone. Second tracts were needed more frequently in patients who presented with stones in both the lower and middle poles of the collecting systems.     

言语流畅的测量及其神经生理基础

目的:介绍言语流畅性的测量工具,考察言语流畅性与记忆之间的关系,探讨言语流畅性的神经生理基础。资料来源:应用计算机检索Sciencedirect 1975-07/2005-05中与言语流畅性相关的文献,检索词为“verbal fluency”,限定文章语言种类为英文。资料选择:对资料进行初审,选取文章标题中含有“verbal fluency”的英文文献。纳入标准:①对言语流畅性测量任务的研究。②对言语流畅性与记忆的研究。③对言语流畅性神经生理基础的研究。资料提炼:共收集到651篇关于言语流畅性的文章,纳入30篇用于本综述。资料综合:测量言语流畅性的任务主要分为简单任务(包括音位流畅性任务和语义流畅性任务)与复杂任务(包括可能工作、替代使用、草拟、推断、物品制作以及新的使用方法等)。言语流畅性任务的完成主要涉及到记忆搜索的过程,另外,精细组织的语义网络系统对于言语流畅性任务来说也是非常重要的。言语流畅性的神经生理基础包括了总体基础,前额叶,海马以及大脑两半球的不对称性。结论:言语流畅性作为人类语言基本技能的一项指标,对语言认知研究具有极其重要的意义。它不仅是神经心理研究的一项非常重要的检测和诊断指标,也是一种研究人类心理的非常有用的研究工具,是探索人类语言与认知、创造之迷进而探索人类意识之迷的钥匙。