SUMMARY A method of lumbar pneumoencephalography in newborns with myelomeningocele is presented. The findings show that the lumbar route is of value in delineating the pathology especially of the upper cervical area, the basal cisterns and the supratentorial subarachnoid spaces. The procedure is relatively simple and no untoward reactions were seen. RÉSUMÉ L'auteur présente une méthode de pneumoencéphalographie lombaire chez les nouveauxnés atteints de myéloméningocèle. Les observations montrent que la voie lombaire est intéressante pour dépeindre la pathologic surtout au nivean de la région cervicale supérieure, des cisternes basales et des espaces supratentoriels sousarachnoidiens et on n'a noté aucune réaction défavorable et la méthode est relativement simple. RESUMEN Se describe un método de neumoencefalografía lumbar en recién nacidos afectos de un mielomeningocele. Los hallazgos muestran que la vía lumbar es de valor en delinear la patología sobre todo de la región cervical superior, las cisternas basales y los espacios subaracnoideos supratentoriales. La técnica es bastante sencilla, y no se han visto ningunas reacciones adversas.

The degree of normalization of the shape of the skull was studied in 12 craniosynostosis patients who had been treated with different types of craniotomies in infancy. Three diagnoses were represented: isolated bicoronal synostosis; Crouzon's syndrome; and Apert's syndrome; there were four subjects in each group. Selected cranial dimensions were measured on roentgencephalograms taken in infancy and at follow-up examinations at 2 to 3 years of age. The measurements were compared with control values obtained from patients with cleft lip. Cranial dimensions in the synostosis patients seldom corresponded well with the values of the controls, either before or after surgery. Cranial height, in particular, was increased, especially in patients with Crouzon's or Apert's syndrome. This resulted in modulus values above the control mean for 11 of the 12 patients at the follow-up examinations.

A program for preoperative workup and postoperative follow-up in children with craniofacial anomalies is described. Objective measurements were made with cephalometry and computed axial tomography. Improvement in length of the anterior cranial base and shape of the calvaria after surgery and growth was demonstrated in this manner in serial follow-ups. It was concluded that both cephalometry and computed tomography were essential for the diagnosis, surgical planning and follow-up for this group of patients.

The effect of early craniotomy (age range: 1-6 months) on the growth of the cranial base was studied in 9 subjects with different types of premature synostosis affecting the coronal suture. In 5 of them the premature fusion involved only growth sites in the coronal suture growth complex, while the remaining 4 cases had a diagnosis of a craniofacial synostosis syndrome, such as Apert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer. In all but one of the patients, the craniotomy was not only extended down to the inferior orbital fissures but was also combined with the release of a free-floating fronto-supraorbital bone flap. Follow-up roentgencephalometry to ages ranging from 10 to 36 months indicated that the length and the growth of the anterior cranial base improved considerably after the craniotomy. However, complete normalization did not occur, especially in the subgroup with craniofacial synostosis syndromes. The mid-face of these patients also remained deficient in spite of the craniotomy.

External hydrocephalus means abnormal fluid accumulation in the subarachnoid space under increased pressure with no or slight widening of the ventricles. 9 children were investigated because of pathologically increasing head circumference and abnormal transillumination. PEG and/or CT showed widened sulci frontally, parietally and interhemispherically but no widening of the ventricles. 7 patients were subjected to exploratory craniotomy which disclosed a deep arachnoid space. 2 patients were shunted. All follow-up CT examinations showed normal conditions. We suggest that infants with clinical signs of hydrocephalus and CT picture of external hydrocephalus should not be treated with shunt. The widening of the subarachnoidal space will normalize. The rate of headgrowth will also normalize.

Premature sutural synostoses are currently being treated at the Craniofacial Center at the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Göteborg. A leading principle has been to release tethered parts of the skull and the facial skeleton in order to let the expanding brain mould the skeletal parts to an acceptable position. This can be achieved within the first year of life. When operating in later stages, the skeletal parts are wired in a semi-static position by a single osteosynthesis, still allowing expansion by the growing brain.

AbstractThe Scatopsidae in Zetterstedt's collections have been revised. Lectotypes for the following taxa are designated: Scatopse geniculata Zett., 1850=Reichertella geniculata (Zett.); S. flavitarsis Zett., 1850=Coboldia fuscipes (Meig.); S. albitarsis Zett., 1850=Holoplagia albitarsis (Zett.) and Aspistes nigripes Zett., 1860=Anapausis nigripes (Zett.), syn: A. palustris Edwards, 1925, n.syn.

AbstractA short biography of Oscar Ringdahl (1885-1966) is given together with a complete bibliography of his zoological papers. He published 258 new specific or subspecific names and described 43 new genera or subgenera within Diptera Brachycera, especially in the families Muscidae, Anthomyiidae, Tachinidae, Scatophagidae, Syrphidae and Dolichopodidae. At present about 185 of these names are considered to be valid. A list of the taxa named by Ringdahl and their present status is given.

AbstractThe types of Formicosepsis tinctipennis de Meij., 1916, and Lycosepsis metatarsata de Meij., 1924, have been studied, lectotypes are designated and redescriptions are given. The genus Lycosepsis Enderlein, 1920 is recognized as a subgenus of Formicosepsis de Meij., 1916. Within Formicosepsis s.str. two species groups are characterized, viz. the defecta-group and the tinctipennis-group. Three new species, F.(F.) defecta n.sp., F.(F) barbipes n.sp. and F.(L.) brincki n.sp., are described. Keys to recent genera of Cypselosomatidae s. str. and to subgenera and species of Formicosepsis are given. The genus Formicosepsis, with subgenera, species groups, and species, is described. The inclusion of Pseudopomyzidae in the Cypselosomatidae is discussed and questioned.

AbstractThe male genitalia of Anthomyza are described and figured, as are some peculiarities of the female abdomen. Anthomyza gracilis Fall., Geomyza socculata Zett., Anthophilina sordidella Zett. are revised and lectotypes designated. Anthomyza gracilis Fall., A. socculata (Zett.), A collini n.sp., and A. elbergi n.sp. are described; the male genitalia and the last few abdominal segments of the female are figured. Information on distribution and ecology within Sweden is given.

AbstractChyromya miladae n.sp. is described on material from Czechoslovakia. The new species is compared with Ch. flava (L.) and Ch. femorella (Fall.) of which details of the male genitalia are figured.

AbstractHybomitra auripila (Meig.) and H. aterrima (Meig.) have been recorded from Scandinavia, and Tabanus aethiops Ljungh, T. lugubris Zett. and T. nigerrimus Zett. have been treated as synonyms of H. aterrima (Meig.). The present study shows that only H. auripila (Meig.) has been found in Scandinavia and that T. aethiops Ljung, T. lugubris Zett. and T. nigerrimus Zett. are synonyms of H. auripila (Meig.). Lectotypes have been designated for these three names.

AbstractA new species, Themira biloba n. sp., closely related to Themira putris L., is described and figured on material from the shore of a small eutrophic lake in South Sweden. Comparable characters of Th. putris are also figured.