[A case of total hemipherectomy].

The author described a case of extensive total hemispherectomy extending to the red nucleus, gave a review of the literature of such conditions together with a brief historical review. He analysed in detail the secondary degenerative changes of the nervous tracts within the brainstem. The histological study of the remaining hemisphere, the cerebellum and the membranes revealed the following: 1) a false sub-dural membrane within the surgical space, proliferation of the arachnoidal cells and a granular ependymitis, changes which were interpreted as an attempt to fill the empty space resulting from the operation; 2) an inflammatory meningo-encephalitis with rare intra-nuclear inclusions quite suggestive of a reaction due to a slow virus or of a slow resorptive process. From a clinico-pathological point of view, this case, an almost experimental model, illustrated the possibility that only one hypothalamus would be sufficient to maintain a good hormonal equilibrium.