The neuroanatomical consequences and pathological implications of bilingualism.

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of people who are able to speak two or more languages. This has been paralleled by an increase in research related to bilingualism. Despite this, much of the neuroanatomical consequences and pathological implications of bilingualism are still subject to discussion.

Paediatric spinal trauma presenting to a UK major trauma centre.

Purpose: Paediatric spine trauma is uncommon and is managed differently from adults due to the anatomical differences of the paediatric spine. The paediatric spine is less ossified, with lax ligaments and a higher fulcrum in the c-spine which results in a different pattern of injuries. The aim of this study is to provide a contemporary audit of paediatric spinal trauma.

Comparison of direct MRI guided versus atlas-based targeting for subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus deep brain stimulation.

Purpose: The subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be defined by atlas coordinates or direct visualisation of the target on MRI. The aim of this study was to evaluate geometric differences between atlas-based targeting and MRI-guided direct targeting.

Methods: One-hundred-nine Parkinson's disease or dystonia patients records who underwent DBS surgery between 2005 and 2016 were prospectively reviewed.

Abolishing spontaneous epileptiform activity in human brain tissue through AMPA receptor inhibition.

Objective: The amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic target in drug-refractory pediatric epilepsy. Perampanel (PER) is a non-competitive AMPAR antagonist, and pre-clinical studies have shown the AMPAR-mediated anticonvulsant effects of decanoic acid (DEC), a major medium-chain fatty acid provided in the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet.

Methods: Using brain tissue resected from children with intractable epilepsy, we recorded the effects of PER and DEC in vitro.

Straight to the point: an updated technique for performing lumbar puncture safely in obese patients.

Lumbar puncture is an essential tool in any medical practitioner's repertoire - both surgeon and physician alike. With a rising trend in obesity, the procedure can be technically challenging. Here we present 12 cases where an updated version of lumbar puncture using an introducer is used for patients with a large body habitus.

Transtemporal approach to hypothalamic hamartomas in children: report of 3 cases.

The surgical approach to hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) associated with medically refractory epilepsy is challenging because of these lesions' deep midline or paramedian location. Whether the aim is resection or disconnection, the surgical corridor dictates how complete a procedure can be achieved. Here, the authors report a transtemporal approach suitable for Delalande type I, inferior extraventricular component of type III, and type IV lesions.

Consent in paediatric neurosurgery: adequacy of documentation and parental perspectives.

Introduction: Consenting paediatric patients for surgical procedures remains inherently unique in that it is underpinned by principles such as parental responsibility, assessment of the child's capacity to consent, and adherence to national/legal guidelines. Quality record keeping is an important objective evidence to demonstrate the highest standards of medical care provided to our patients. The consent form is a crucial medical record encapsulating the attainment of informed consent from a parent/guardian for performing a procedure on their child.

Paediatric intracranial aneurysms: a British institutional review.

Introduction: Paediatric intracranial aneurysms are rare, with a differing natural history and thought to account for only up to 7% of all intracranial aneurysms. There is much uncertainty that surrounds the prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms and it is estimated to be anywhere between 2 and 90 per 1000. This is the largest British single-centre analysis of paediatric intracranial aneurysms.

Patients' Expectations and Satisfaction in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease: 6-Year Follow-up.

Objective: Patients' expectations are considered to play an important role in subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS). We explored the relationship among expectations, satisfaction, and outcome 6 years after surgery.

Methods: Fifteen patients with Parkinson disease (9 males, mean age 60.

Intracranial stimulation for children with epilepsy.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of intracranial stimulation to treat refractory epilepsy in children.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a pilot study on all 8 children who had intracranial electrical stimulation for the investigation and treatment of refractory epilepsy at King's College Hospital between 2014 and 2015. Five children (one with temporal lobe epilepsy and four with frontal lobe epilepsy) had subacute cortical stimulation (SCS) for a period of 20-161 h during intracranial video-telemetry.

Spontaneous rupture of the popliteus tendon in a 74-year-old woman and review of the literature.

Spontaneous rupture of the popliteus tendon has not previously been reported. We report the case of a 74-year-old patient, discuss its diagnosis and management, and review the current literature on isolated popliteus lesions. A multi-database electronic literature review suggests that the injury is invariably traumatic and has essentially been reported only in young, active individuals.