Primary cerebellopontine angle melanocytoma: review.

Introduction Primary cerebellopontine angle melanocytomas (PCPAMs) are very rare. Their natural history and prognosis are not fully understood. We reviewed the literature and add a new case to analyze PCPAM's presentation, radiological features, and outcome of treatment. Methods We performed a literature review using Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. We searched for melanocytoma, melanoma, and pigmented tumors in the posterior cranial fossa and CPA to identify PCPAM. We have also searched our institution's neuro-oncology database. Results We identified 23 PCPAM from the literature and one case of our own. The mean age at presentation was 44.4 years with slight male preponderance. PCPAM presented with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) syndrome with or without hydrocephalus. Preoperative diagnosis was difficult; they appeared hyperintense on T1 and isointense on T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and enhanced with gadolinium. However, the final diagnosis was only made by immunohistochemical examination. Total surgical resection of PCPAM was associated with prolonged survival while subtotal excision was associated with frequent recurrence. Conclusion PCPAM are very rare and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all CPA lesions that appear hyperintense on T1 and isointense on T2 MRI images. Patients with PCPAM should undergo total surgical resection to avoid fatal recurrences

The Effects of the Division of the City of Lloydminster by the Alberta-Saskatchewan Inter-Provincial Boundary

L'article expose les conséquences, sur le développement de Lloydminster, de la localisation de la ligne frontière Alberta - Saskatchewan qui coupe cette cité en deux. Les problèmes de la duplication des services et des équipements publics encourageaient, dans les premières années d'existence de la communauté, les essais de fusion des deux parties de Lloydminster. Cette fusion a été accomplie en 1930, et la cité fonctionne sous une législation spéciale, le « Lloydminster Charter ». Les inefficacités inhérentes à cette division subsistent encore, en particulier pour le gouvernement municipal, de même que les désavantages pour les activités commerciales, parce que la législation provinciale de l'Alberta ou de la Saskatchewan s'applique aux individus, selon le côté de la ligne frontière où ils résident, travaillent, font leurs achats, ou possèdent des industries. La taxe de vente levée par le gouvernement de la Saskatchewan reste un problème pour les marchands et les habitants. La majeure partie du développement commercial et industriel se situe à l'ouest de la cité, c'est-à-dire en Alberta. Les sociétés industrielles et les marchands, les gens de métier et les habitants veulent que la cité soit située entièrement en Alberta ou entièrement en Saskatchewan pour supprimer les inefficacités et les irritations qui résultent de la division de la cité par la ligne frontière.The paper traces the effects of the superimposed inter-provincial boundary line on the development of Lloydminster. Duplication of public services, and other difficulties encouraged early efforts to amalgamate the community under one jurisdiction. This was accomplished in 1930 and the city is operated under special legislation which is called the « Lloydminster Charter ». Inherent inefficiencies still remain for civic government as well as disadvantages for private enterprises as the provincial legislation of Alberta or Saskatchewan prevails depending upon which side of the boundary a person resides, works, shops, or an economic enterprise is located. The sales tax levied on most purchases by the Saskatchewan Government remains a problem for retailers and citizens. Most of the commercial and industrial development is occurring on the Alberta side of the City. There is evidence that industrial and commercial companies, professional people and residents, would prefer the City to be either in Alberta or Saskatchewan in order to eradicate the inefficiencies and irritations caused by the division of the city by the boundary

Learning to nurse: combining simulation with key theory.

Following a recent Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation of a university undergraduate nursing programme, simulation skills sessions and anatomy and physiology theory were integrated into one unit (module). This was done in order to integrate the basis for patient assessment and care provision with the anatomical and physiological theory and thereby enhance student learning and nursing practice. Students evaluated the new unit well and valued the close link between theory and practice simulation. Improvements were seen in the simulation skills sessions as students were better able to apply their underlying theory to their actions. Learning was enhanced as both simulation and theory were seen as more meaningful to practice and patient care