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The correlations between cytogenetic and histopathological findings were analyzed in 75 human meningiomas. The tumors were classified according to increasing degrees of anaplasia into three grades: Grade I, benign; Grade II, atypical; Grade III, anaplastic. In 45 tumors of Grade I (benign), we more often observed a normal karyotype or monosomy 22. In 23 tumors of Grade II (atypical), we observed karyotypes with structural and/or numerical abnormalities with the presence of telomeric associations in 8 of them. These last tumors were fibroblastic. In seven Grade III tumors (anaplastic), we also observed complex abnormalities, and in one case, we observed telomeric associations. Our observations show that complex chromosome abnormalities and telomeric associations are observed in tumors that histologically display a certain degree of anaplasia. It is possible that the result of histopathological and cytogenetic correlations might represent a prognostic factor in meningiomas.

Presentation of a new apparatus which allows the rapid performance – with great precision and a minimum of calculations – of several simultaneous penetrations of double sagittal and frontal obliquity, in a manner that is comfortable for both patient and surgeon. Furthermore, it should permit the approach of extra-encephalic structures: posterior percutaneous cordotomy (Hitchcock), intra-hypophyseal implantation or cryodestruction, for example.

This report concerns the current status of the results of intraencephalic implantations carried out up to the present time in man with the aim of relieving certain forms of chronic pain. It places little emphasis upon the neuro-physiological basis of these implantations, which have been studied at length during previous reports. After presenting the overall results of operations carried out in the world up until September 1967, a critical study is undertaken: 1--In relation to the targets (Postero-Lateral Ventral Nucleus, posterior arm of the internal capsule, para-ventricular thalamic grey matter). 2--In relation to etiologies, both analytically (syndrome) by syndrome as well as in terms of synthesis (excess of pain perception-deafferentation). 3--In terms of various factors, such as: --technical requirements; --side ffects; --duration of "post effect" (residual analgesia after stimulation); --parallel action of drugs. Conclusions are drawn concerning future perspectives of this technique.

The authors describe the technique used to precisely locate, before surgical ablation, small superficial or deep seated intracerebral lesions. When they are superficial, a burrhole is placed above the lesional site, that is reconstructed by superimposing the CT image onto a plain film radiogram taken during stereotaxy. Deep seated lesions are localized by inserting a guide under stereotaxy, prior to open surgery, which will lead the neurosurgeon without error from the cortex to the lesion. 37 observations are reported where this technique lead to a greatly simplified intervention with minimal cortical damage.

Electrical impulses through chronically implanted electrodes in the human brain are used today in the relief of chronic crippling pain, motor movement disorders and behavior disturbances. A great number of reports from animal studies and several descriptions of the results produced by human stimulation seem to suggest that pain can often be adequately controlled. However, the perspectives of such methods raise many ethical problems and ask for caution. Nervous tissue damage after long-term stimulation, biochemical modifications, electrode migration and long-term follow-up of its clinical value are still under study and are the factors which might limit for the time being the indications. A restrictive role for this procedure is advocated for: 1. cases of chronic facial pain, 2. cases of chronic pain in other locations where other neurosurgical operations have failed and where the patient is not too young and is not suffering from pain of benign origin.