Bibliography: leaves 112-127. Study using an animal model (Sprague-Dawley rats) to elucidate the role of EAAs and spinal subarachnoid blockade in posttraumatic syringomelia. Results support the proposal that in posttraumatic spinal cord injury, primary injury and exitotoxic cell death, occuring secondary to elevated levels of EAAs, contribute to a pathologic process leading to the formation of spinal cavities, and a subarachnoid block by arachnoiditis is one of the pathogenic factors most responsible for initiating extension of the cavity.

Bibliography: leaves 249-283. / xi, 283 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis examines the hypothesis that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is driven from the subarachnoid space into perivascular spaces and the central canal by arterial pulsations and that this is the driving force for the development of non-communicating syringomyelia. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is used as a CSF tracer in rats and sheep. A technique for studying the three-dimensional morphology of the human central canal is also developed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Surgery, 1997?