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An EMG and nerve-conduction-study protocol has been developed and used in all patients with brachial plexus lesions since 1985. The findings of EMG and nerve-conduction studies in obstetric brachial palsy (OBP) mostly suggest a falsely optimistic prognosis. To analyse this, all subjects were selected with complete avulsion of both roots C5 and C6 and/or complete rupture of the upper trunk verified during operation from a group of 162 infants with OBP (aged 4 to 14 months) and a group of 184 child and adult patients (aged 6 to 74 years) with a traumatic brachial plexus lesion. Fourteen infants, approximately 4 months old, with OBP, and 19 adults (aged 16 to 30 years) met the selection criteria. The infants from the group with OBP had at 4 months a nearly normal recruitment pattern of motor units in the biceps brachii and deltoid muscles, with little or no denervation. However, in the older group with traumatic brachial palsy, the same lesion caused complete denervation of both muscles. From the group with OBP, a third group (N=3) with the same lesion plus an additional lesion of C7 or a rupture of the middle trunk was selected. This additional lesion resulted in nearly complete denervation of both muscles. This means that C7 largely contributes to the innervation of both muscles at the time of birth, but this innervation is lost during later life in normally developing individuals (apoptosis). A central mechanism might be responsible for the clinical palsy and later spontaneous improvement which is always found in the infants with OBP.

A cost-benefit analysis was performed of hypoglossal nerve transfer in six patients with obstetric brachial palsy taking into account the factors donor site morbidity and extent of recovery. Hypoglossal nerve transfer was employed in four children for elbow flexion only; in two patients for elbow flexion as well as for elbow extension. The transfer was part of an extended brachial plexus reconstruction for treatment of obstetric brachial plexus palsy. After a mean post-operative interval of 52 months (SD+/-8.1), two professional speech therapists investigated late donor site morbidity by analyzing elementary and communicative functions. The functional result for the arm was assessed using the Mallet scale and by performing a physical examination. Following hypoglossal nerve transfer, early donor site morbidity was significant causing great anxiety in the parents. Late donor site morbidity consisted of serious oral problems in a number of the children. They also showed clear associated movements in the arm during mouth/tongue activity. Recovery of powerful volitional elbow flexion was achieved in four cases only. We do not believe that the sacrifice of such an important function as exerted by the hypoglossal nerve is balanced by the gain demonstrated in our series.

Objective To investigate the results of transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric brachial palsy. Methods In 25 cases of obstetric brachial palsy (20 after breech deliveries), branches of the pectoral nerve plexus were transferred directly to the musculocutaneous nerve. For all patients, the nerve transfer was part of an extended brachial plexus reconstruction. Results were tested both clinically and with the Mallet scale, at a mean follow-up time of 70 months (standard deviation, 34.3 mo). Results There were two complete failures, which were attributable to disconnection of the transferred nerve endings. The results after transfer were excellent in 17 cases and fair in 5 cases. Steindler flexorplasty improved elbow flexion for three patients. Conclusion Transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric upper brachial palsy may be effective, if the specific anatomic features of the pectoral nerve plexus are sufficiently appreciated.

Background and Purpose— Treatment of intracerebral hematoma (ICH) is controversial. An advantage of neurosurgical intervention over conservative treatment of ICH has not been established. Recent reports suggest a favorable effect of stereotactic blood clot removal after liquefaction by means of a plasminogen activator. The SICHPA trial was aimed at investigating the efficacy of this treatment. Methods— A stereotactically placed catheter was used to instill urokinase to liquefy and drain the ICH in 6-hour intervals over 48 hours. From 1996 to 1999, 13 centers entered 71 patients into the study. Patients were randomized into a surgical group (n=36) and a nonsurgical group (n=35). Admission criteria were the following: age >45 years, spontaneous supratentorial ICH, Glasgow Eye Motor score ranging from 2 to 10, ICH volume >10 cm 3 , and treatment within 72 hours. The primary end point was death at 6 months. As secondary end points, ICH volume reduction and overall outcome measured by the modified Rankin scale were chosen. The trial was prematurely stopped as a result of slow patient accrual. Results— Seventy patients were analyzed. Overall mortality at day 180 after stroke was 57%; this included 20 of 36 patients (56%) in the surgical group and 20 of 34 patients (59%) in the nonsurgical group. A significant ICH volume reduction was achieved by the intervention (10% to 20%, P P =0.08). The odds ratio of mortality combined with modified Rankin scale score 5 at 180 days was also not statistically significant (odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.3; P =0.38). Conclusions— Stereotactic aspiration can be performed safely and in a relatively uniform manner; it leads to a modest reduction of 18 mL of hematoma reduction over 7 days when compared with control, which has a 7-mL reduction, and therefore may improve prognosis.

In order to provide tailor-made care, governments are considering the implementation of output-pricing based on hospital case-mix measures, such as diagnosis related groups (DRG). The question is whether the current DRG classification system can provide a satisfactory prediction of the variance of costs in stroke patients and if not, in what way other variables may enhance this prediction. In this study, data from 731 stroke patients hospitalized at University Hospital Maastricht during 1996-1998 are used in the cost analysis. The DRG classification for this group uses information--in addition to the DRG classification operation or no operation--on the patient's age combined with discharge status. The results of regression analysis show that using DRGs, the variance explained in the costs amounts to 34%. Adding other variables to the DRGs, the variance explained increases to about 61%. Additional factors highly correlating with inpatient costs are the level of functioning after stroke, comorbidity, complications, and 'days of stay for non-medical reasons'. Costs decreased for stroke patients discharged during the latter part of the years studied, and if stroke patients happened to die during their hospital stay. The results do suggest that future implementation of output-pricing based on the DRG case-mix measures is feasible for stroke patients only if it is enhanced with information on complications and the level of functioning.

The advantages of computed tomography-guided preoperative localization of brain lesions are illustrated in four cases of solitary tuberculoma and in one case of tuberculous abscess of both the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The role of stereotactic diagnostic techniques is emphasized. The clinical presentation and the computed tomography findings in these patients were equivalent to those from glial or metastatic tumors. Synchronous pulmonary tuberculosis was not present in these patients, but in three patients there was metachronous tuberculosis. Tuberculous meningitis had not developed in any of the patients.

A chondroblastoma within the temporal bone in a 16-year-old boy is reported. The tumor recurred after intracapsular resection and curettage. After reoperation, radiotherapy was performed. The data from 137 cases of chondroblastoma are summarized.

Two children are reported who had a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. In one patient mucopolysaccharidosis IS, in the second mucopolysaccharidosis IV was present. Es wird uber 2 Kinder berichtet, bei denen ein doppelseitiges Karpaltunnel-Syndrom bestand. Bei einem Patienten lag eine Mucopolysaccharidose IS, bei dem zweiten eine Mucopolysaccharidose IV vor.