HighlightsWe report the case of a 25-week pregnant woman that had a ruptured AML.This is the first case of nephrectomy in late second trimester with the foetus left in-utero.We present a literature review of the management of bleeding AML in pregnancy.

A case of complete thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus in a pregnant women with multiple haemorrhages and hydrocephalus is described. Due to acute onset and progressive neurological deterioration, the decision was taken to remove the clot surgically. A sinotomy was performed removing the thrombotic material followed by local infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The combination of surgical removal and thrombolysis was life-saving for this young patient.

An international military campaign involving large numbers of troops is ongoing in Afghanistan. To support the military efforts in the conflict zone, a network of military medical services of varying levels has been established. The largest and busiest multinational military hospital in southern Afghanistan is located at Kandahar Air Field where the only neurosurgeon is based. This report outlines the contribution of multinational military health services and the workload of the neurosurgical service in Kandahar.

The operative management and early post-operative outcome of 16 consecutive cases of paediatric penetrating head injury treated by a single surgeon at a military trauma centre in Southern Afghanistan are retrospectively analysed. The majority of cases of injury were caused by fragments from exploding munitions. The aim of neurosurgical intervention in penetrating head injury is the prevention of wound infection and treatment or prevention of a critical rise in intracranial pressure. In 14 cases in this study, these aims were fulfilled without resort to brain resection, although a delayed cranioplasty procedure was required in 6 patients. Despite the ongoing conflict, families, local communities and coalition forces transport teams combine to make the latter a viable option in Southern Afghanistan, with an excellent short-term outcome.

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