Introduction: Decompressive Craniectomies (DC) are a controversial treatment for increased intracranial pressure resulting from traumatic head injuries. The technique has been around for approximately 5000 years, but only now are researchers beginning to unlock its true potential. This article aims to summarize history, review current knowledge and identify the implications of pre-hospital emergency care.  Methods: An electronic search was conducted using the databases; Medline (via EBSCOHost), BioMed Central and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.Results: 131 articles were identified. Articles that were excluded from analysis; those unavailable as full text, not available in English and review articles. 19 articles were included in analysis. Conclusion: Decompressive Craniectomies is a comparable treatment to alternative techniques. Until recently mortality rates have been misinterpreted and unfairly reported due to the severity of brain injuries patients had already suffered. Timing of DC is a crucial factor of patient outcome, and it is of popular belief that the best chance of optimal recovery relies on a reduced injury to treatment time.

Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease effects 1 in 1 million people globally per year. It is an invariable fatal neurodegenerative disease belonging to the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.  This review aims to examine the current clinical evidence surrounding CJD, as well as present management techniques to assist in minimizing the effect of symptoms. This review also highlights the important role of paramedics in reducing mortality and morbidity.Methods: An electronic search was conducted using Medline (Via EBSCOHost), CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Results: This search resulted in 265 articles. Articles unavailable as full text, those not available in English, those articles not peer reviewed, and review articles were all excluded from analysis. The remaining 16 articles met the search criteria and were included in this report.Conclusion: Scientific advancements are bringing a cure closer to reality, however further scientific research needs to be conducted. Training and education programs should be made available to prehospital workers to prevent further spread of infection.