Decompressive craniectomy for intracranial hypertension in vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia: a case series.

Background: Vaccines have been key in preventing COVID-19 infections and the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine has been widely used. However, increased rates of thromboembolic events were identified in recipients and, subsequently, a syndrome of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia (VITT) was described whereby recipients presented with venous sinus thromboses, haemorrhagic infarctions, and - consequently - raised intracranial pressure. National guidance recommended decompressive craniectomies for refractory intracranial hypertension.

Delayed presentation of bamboo foreign body in brainstem, with novel skull base foramen.

We describe the extremely unusual case of a childhood injury to the skull base presenting after many years, as a foreign body with chronic granulomatous infection of the brainstem, mimicking neoplasm. TB had an inconsequential penetrating injury to the left cheek, from a bamboo spike aged 15. After 4 years, he developed worsening left sided weakness, imaging at this time was normal.

Emergency neurosurgical referrals in the North East of England - trends over four years 2008-2011.

Aims: On-call referrals are a considerable part of the neurosurgical workload. Many neurosurgical centres in the UK have now adopted the practice of maintenance of electronic databases to keep records of on-call activity. We analysed the neurosurgical on-call referrals database maintained at the Newcastle General Hospital (NGH)/Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) to assess any trends in the nature of referrals.

Image-guided drainage of cystic vestibular schwannomata.

The management of vestibular schwannomata is controversial. Surveillance remains an acceptable option for elderly patients or those with small lesions. Stereoradiosurgery is also an option, while surgery is often preferred in younger patients with larger lesions.

Recurrent atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in children: a rare complication of a rare condition. Report of four cases.

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is an uncommon condition of childhood. Occasionally AARF may recur. The authors describe the cases of four patients with recurrent AARF (RAARF).

Open reduction of pediatric atlantoaxial rotatory fixation: long-term outcome study with functional measurements.

Object: Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is an uncommon disorder of childhood in which resolution usually occurs spontaneously or after traction therapy. In a minority of children irreducible or chronic fixation develop, and the natural history then usually involves restriction of head on neck movement, abnormal head position, and progressive facial asymmetry. The conventional management in these cases has been a posterior fusion.

Predicting clinical ischaemia during awake carotid endarterectomy: use of the SJVO2 probe as a guide to selective shunting.

Stroke is a major cause of disability within the western world. About 20% of strokes are a consequence of atheromatous narrowing of the origin of the internal carotid artery. Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for those with symptomatic and severe stenosis, provided the risk of death and peri-operative stroke is less than 7%.