The first reported case of lissencephaly resulting from a consanguinous union strengthens the supposition that in some cases, it is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Comparison of this case with a sporadically occuring case of lissencephaly, with different cortical morphology, suggests that lissencephaly may be an example of either varying gene expressivity or gene-tic heterogeneity. Lissencephaly and pachygyria may eventually be shown to be due to different causes, some inherited, some acquired. The classical examples of lissencephaly are different morphologically from a case in which antenatal cytomegalovirus infection had produced a small smooth brain. This suggests that antenatal viral infections are destructive rather than teratogenic.

Direct stimulation of 23 median, 13 ulnar and 2 peroneal nerves at the time of surgical exploration has been used to locate, and characterize the conduction abnormalities in the nerves. The most frequent location of the major conduction abnormalities in the median nerve was in the first 1-2 cm distal to the origin of the carpal tunnel. In the ulnar nerve the important conduction abnormalities were located most frequently in the segments 1 cm proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle. In the peroneal nerve the major conduction abnormalities occurred proximal or distal to the entry point of the common peroneal nerve into the peroneus longus muscle.

We have reported three cases of intracranial dysgerminoma. The origin of these tumors has been controversial for a long time. It is now accepted that they develop from germ cells. The diagnosis is often difficult to confirm because of the variety of signs. If their origin is now accepted, the best way to deal with these lesions is still controversial. They can be macroscopically removed if they are in the pineal region. Such treatment is not possible for suprasellar tumors. Since these tumors can metastasize, radiation should be administered as soon as a pathological diagnosis is obtained. It is our belief that it should be administered to the whole spinal axis.

A case of congenital, intraspinal, extradural cyst is reported with pain as the only presenting feature. In the past, the lack of pain has been considered one of the characteristics of these rare lesions. In other reported cases, when pain has been present, it was minimal and never the presenting feature. The clinical and radiographic features and the surgical treatment are described. The pathogenesis is discussed and the literature reviewed. An addition to the surgical technique is given whereby one of the post operative complications may be obviated.

The records of 107 patients with supratentorial astrocytomas, Grades 1 and 2, treated surgically between I960 and 1970 were analyzed. Abstracted clinical data was retrospectively analyzed with respect to the relative significance of different factors affecting survival. Twenty-eight patients were alive at the time of follow-up in 1974. Age, clinical grade at surgery and radiation therapy were the most important determinants of prolonged postoperative survival.

The more malignant astrocytomas occurring in the Province of Alberta had previously been reviewed. The present study was carried out to demonstrate the relative influence of histologic grade of astrocytomas and to analyze the factors affecting postoperative survival in the low grade, supratentorial astrocytomas.

This paper is based on the experience gained from over three thousand examinations by computerized tomography (CT). The appearances of various intracranial lesions are presented. The reliability and limitations of this new technique are also described and some pitfalls in scan interpretation are mentioned.

The role of computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) of the brain in 100 post-operative tumor cases is assessed. CTT proves an accurate method of determining tumor recurrence and in evaluating such complications as intracerebral hemorrhage, subdural or extradural hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, hydrocephalus and shunt patency. Its accuracy decreases the need for interventional procedures. Its usefulness may be limited by the presence of metal clips or plates, by radio-opaque contrast media or intracranial air.

A case is reported where the appearance of acute, diffuse, disseminated sclerosis on computer tomography (Ct scan) is described and the literature is reviewed. This disease may give rise to multiple, small areas of diminished X-ray absorption which may decrease in size during the course of the disease. The histological features of one of the lesions was correlated with the radiological findings. It is suggested that, perhaps, only during the active stage of demyelination can the lesions be detected on the Ct scan.

The pattern of neurological illness in Malaysia and some of the factors which influence its surgical treatment are described.

A brief but comprehensive survey of classifying aphasia reveals that most investigators describe at least four major groups, conveniently labelled Broca's, Wernicke's, anomic and global. Conduction and transcortical aphasias are less generally described and modality specific syndromes rarely, if ever, exist purely. The controversy between unifiers and splitters continues but objective numerical taxonomy may solve some of the problems of classification.

A case of benign intracranial hypertension due to prolonged administration of a low dose of Vitamin A is described in a young male investigated as a brain tumor suspect. Computerized axial tomography showed small and symmetrical lateral ventricles which was consistent with the diagnosis. The syndrome of benign intracranial hypertension and its relationship to chronic Vitamin A toxicity is discussed.

A 61 year old man had chronic renal failure because of oxaluria and renal calculi. Two years before death, while on hemodialysis, he developed severe progressive peripheral neuropathy. At autopsy calcium oxalate crystals were found in the peripheral nerves and other tissues. Nerve lesions included segmental demyelination, axonal degeneration and crystalline deposits within the myelin sheath. Ultrastructurally there were foci of osmiophilic granular material within myelin lamellae and endoneurium, and pleomorphic lamellar bodies in the perinuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm.

It is probable that chronic hemodialysis favors the deposition of oxalate in the Schwann cells and the development of neuropathy in patients with primary hyperoxaluria and renal failure.