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Background: Transpedicular fixation depends on accuracy of the entry points, angle of insertion and pedicular isthmus width for adequate screw insertion. Preoperative measurements of pedicle dimensions reduce the chances of failure during insertion. These pedicle dimensions (transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, and maximum length of purchase [MLP]) vary with sex and race. Such data, from a large-scale study, are not available for our population. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the dimensions of pedicle that are relevant for pedicle screw fixation in Southeast Nigerian population. Materials and Methods: A prospective multi-slice CT based clinical anatomy study done at Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu. This study is on the lumbar pedicle dimensions that are related to transpedicular fixation (transverse and longitudinal diameters of the pedicle, MLP, pedicle transverse and longitudinal angles of inclination). Sample size (273) was calculated with the confidence interval formula based on the number of patients that present for images. Consent and ethical approval were obtained. Results: The mean values are as follow: LD1 8.22 mm, LD2 7.73 mm, LD3 7.40 mm, LD4 7.16 mm, LD5 6.87 mm TD1 5.05 mm, TD2 5.31 mm, TD3 6.72 mm, TD4 8.27 mm, TD5 11.31 mm, MLP1 46.60 mm, MLP2 47.97 mm, MLP3 47.14 mm, MLP4 45.54 mm, MLP5 43.47 mm TA1 17.8°, TA2 19.34°, TA3 20.80°, TA4 22.00°, TA5 25.70° LA1 19.42°, LA2 18.61°, LA3 18.00°, LA4 17.09°, LA5 16.40°. Unlike transverse diameter, transverse angle, longitudinal dimension, longitudinal angle (LA), MLP there was significant correlation between age and mean LA. The mean values also correlated significantly with the gender. Conclusion: The mean values varied with the different vertebral levels and was good correlations between some of the parameters with age and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Splenic abscess is a life-threatening condition, which is very rare in children. There is usually an infective focus or pre-disposing factors such as immunodeficiencies towards developing splenic abscesses. Only one case of splenic abscess with brain abscesses in an adult has been reported in the English literature. We, therefore, report a case of an 11-year-old boy who was otherwise healthy, but presented with fever and weight loss for 2 months, right upper abdominal pain, vomiting, hypochondrial tenderness for 1 week and later on developed a left hemiplegia and right facioparesis 2 days before presentation. Diagnosis of splenic abscess and right intracerebral abscesses was confirmed with abdominopelvic ultrasound scan and abdominal and cranial computerised tomographic scans. He subsequently had percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage of the splenic abscess which was not successful necessitating splenectomy with aggressive antibiotics treatment to which the patient responded with resolution of the brain abscesses and recovery of power in affected limbs. This report aimed to highlight the need for increased suspicion of splenic abscesses in children who are apparently immunocompetent and to add to the knowledge of management of this rare condition in children. We conclude that splenic abscess with intracerebral abscess is a rare but life-threatening condition which is amenable to treatment with drainage of abscess and aggressive guided antimicrobial therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]