The study demonstrates that within a single neurosurgical centre there have been neither changes in susceptibility of microorganisms nor a change from predominately Gram-positive to Gram-negative microorganisms infecting EVDs following the switch to AIC. The infection rate has significantly reduced due to change in catheter type.

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After three decades of intensive research, cytoreductive surgery remains the gold standard of treatment of malignant gliomas. Survivorship at both 1-year and 5-years has not drastically changed in the UK. Concomitant chemo- and radiotherapy has enhanced the efficiency of surgery, enabling more aggressive tumour resection whilst also preserving the surrounding healthy brain parenchyma. More accurate imaging techniques have also played a role in tumour identification, key to this has been pre- and intra-operative contrast enhancement and compounds that have a high affinity in binding to glioma cells. Intra-operative imaging has heralded the ability to give the operating surgeon continuous feedback to assess the completeness of resection. Research is shifting into investigating the complex cellular and molecular glial tumour-genesis, and has led to the development of efficacious chemotherapy agents and trial novel therapies. Oncolytic virotherapy has shown promise in clinical trials and gene therapy in-vitro studies. Surgery however remains the primary therapeutic option for the management of malignant gliomas removing the mass of proliferating malignant tumour cells and decompression of the space-occupying lesion.

Healthcare in England generates 24.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), equating to approximately 4% of the total national output of greenhouse gases (GHG), and of this, 10% is from the manufacturing of medical equipment. Operating theatres are a major contributor of biomedical waste, especially consumables, and are three-to-six times more energy intensive than the rest of the hospital. This study seeks to quantify and evaluate the carbon cost, or footprint, of neurosurgery at a single institution in England. A single neurosurgical operation generates, on average, 8.91 kg of waste per case, equivalent to 24.5 CO2e kg per case, mostly from single-use equipment. Per annum, 1300 neurosurgical operative cases are performed with total waste generation of 11,584.4 kg/year and a carbon footprint of 31,859 (kg) CO2e. The challenge of achieving net zero GHG presents an opportunity to catalyse innovation and sustainability in neurosurgery, from how care is delivered, through to equipment use and surgical methodologies. This should improve the quality of healthcare provision to patients and yield potential cost savings.

Stress fractures are common injuries in military recruits and athletes, particularly long-distance runners. A high index of suspicion coupled with a thorough history and correct imaging are vital in the diagnosis. A delay in their diagnosis or undertreatment can result in extended recovery times that are particularly damaging to sportspeople where these injuries can be career-ending. In most cases, treatment includes reducing the causative activity to a pain-free level. ''High-risk'' fractures which typically include the femoral neck, anterior tibia, proximal fifth metatarsal and tarsal navicular may however require surgical fixation. Stress fractures carry a high risk of recurrence and prevention involves reducing modifiable risk factors through training and diet adjustments. All members involved in an athlete or military recruit's training should therefore be aware of the presence of eating disorders, the effects of overtraining and the importance of rest in order to reduce the incidence of these injuries.

A 41 year-old male that presented after a fall downstairs and the initial imaging was misinterpreted, missing a subtle abnormality, C5/6 subluxation. The patient presented later with neck pain and further imaging demonstrated bilateral facet dislocation with severe deformity requiring 360 spinal fixation.

Four cases of lumbar cyst (2 discal cysts and 2 post-operative discal pseudocysts) who presented predominantly with features of sciatica without any motor, sensory or sphincteric disturbances. The patients were treated conservatively, and the management was aimed to avert any untoward surgical intervention taking into consideration patient safety and care. Two had previous lumbar decompressive discectomy. During the mean follow-up period of 13 months, there was progressive recovery of symptoms in all our 4 patients. All our patients were successfully managed by conservative approach. An intervertebral disc cyst should be considered in young patients in the differential diagnosis of any extradural intraspinal mass ventral to the thecal sac, notwithstanding its rarity. Alongside, conservative management can be offered as first line of management with appropriate patient selection that is absence of any motor/sensory/sphincteric disturbances. Facetal micro-instability could be one of the aetiologies of this pathology which necessitates further study.