São relatados os resultados obtidos em 62 pacientes submetidos à cordotomia percutânea com radiofrequência. A técnica é descrita em todos os seus detalhes. Foram obtidos resultados excelentes com alívio completo da dor em 79% dos casos e alívio incompleto em 11.5% com ausência de solução da dor em 9.5% dos casos, sem o registro de óbitos e com pequena incidência de complicações. O autor conclue que as vantagens da técnica estão em sua simplicidade e facilidade de execução, indicação em pacientes em estado geral precário, período de hospitalização curto, desnecessidade de anestesia geral, pós-operatório de 48 a 72 horas. A indicação é variável porém principalmente nos pacientes com câncer. O autor assinala que este procedimento deve sempre ser lembrado, pois muitos pacientes podem ser mantidos funcional, social e economicamente ativos desde que não sintam dor e não recebam doses elevadas de narcóticos.

The results obtained in sixty two patients treated by percutaneous cordotomy are reported. The techniqu used is described with the following results: excellent in 79%, regular in 11.5% and negative in 9.5% of the cases. Negligible complications are reported. The author concludes as others have previously shown that the advantages of this procedure are due to its simplicity and easiness to perform. Otherwise it can be emploied in the very sick, such as cancer patients. The author points out to the importance of percutaneous cordotomy in cases where pain is a limiting factor to a more functional life, rather the widespread use of narcotics.

São relatados dois casos de hérnia de disco lombar intradural. Os autores salientam a raridade desta ocorrência e fazem comentários sobre os fatores que podem determina-la. Ambos os pacientes foram operados, com extirpação total da hérnia. Houve completa recuperação dos pacientes.

Two cases of intradural herniated lumbar disc in the space L4-L5 are reported and some considerations about this unusual occurrence are made. Sudden onset after physical strength with lumbar pain irradiated to the legs, bilateral reduction of the muscle power for extension movements, bilateral abolition of the ankle jerk reflexes, bilateral Lasègue sign and sensibility disturbances were observed in both patients. In both cases the protein content of the spinal fluid was elevated and the myelography showed a complete block between L4-L5. Both patients were submited to lumbar laminectomy, a irregular mass between the cauda equina nerves with the aspect of pulpous nucleus being disclosed and completely removed. The postoperative course was uneventfull with complete recovery.

São feitas considerações sôbre as várias técnicas para visibilização angiográfica do sistema vértebro-basilar e dos grandes troncos arteriais do pescoço, sendo analisadas suas dificuldades e complicações. A punção percutânea das artérias braquial direita ou esquerda com auxílio da hiperpressão pulmonar, possibilitou visibilizar fàcilmente o sistema arterial encefálico desde a sua origem no arco aórtico até sua distribuição intracraniana. Em 18 dos 20 casos submetidos a esta técnica, os resultados foram bons ou ótimos. Não ocorreram complicações. A simplicidade técnica e a perfeita visibilização dos grandes vasos arteriais do pescoço, do sistema vertebral e do carotídeo intracraniano constituem as vantagens dêste método sôbre os demais.

Comments on several technics for the angiographic visualization of the vertebral-basilar system and of the great arteries of the neck are made, as well as some remarks of its difficulties and complications. The percutaneous punction of the brachial arteries associated with pulmonary hyperpressure permitted an easy visualization of the encephalic arterial system from its origin in the aortic arch until the intracranial branches. Pulmonary hyperpressure was obtained maintaining the Takaoka respirator's valve in a position of forced inspiration. Radial pulse is palpated till it is no more felt; 15 to 20 ml of contrast medium are injected after the endotracheal canule is clamped to maintain a constant pulmonary pression. This technic was used in 20 cases without complications; the results were considered from good to excellent in 18 of them. The use of ordinary needles (50X12), small quantities of contrast medium (15 to 20 ml), the simple and common roentgenologic apparatus, the use of only 2-3 X-ray films for a complete examination, as well as the distance of the needle from the neck which permits a free mobilization of the patient's head, the easy demonstration of the great arterial vessels in the neck and of the intracranial vertebral and carotid systems with the punction of only one artery, are the advantages of this method when compared with the others.