Chronic subdural haematoma and arachnoid cyst in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

We present the unusual association between chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH), intracranial arachnoid cyst and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in a 27-year-old man. CSDH is a documented complication of intracranial arachnoid cyst, the incidence of which is increased in patients with ADPKD. Awareness of this association may lead to earlier diagnosis of ADPKD and treatment of its systemic complications, including renal insufficiency, systemic hypertension and previously unsuspected intracranial saccular aneurysm. Surgery for CSDH associated with intracranial arachnoid cyst may be complicated by over-drainage of cerebrospinal fluid due to communication between the cyst and the cisternal subarachnoid space, as illustrated in the present case, and the development of epidural haemorrhage.postprin

Rutin increases the efficacy of temozolomide in glioblastoma via autophagy inhibition

Conference Theme: Brain Attack: A New EraPosters: no. P-15The chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ) is commonly used in glioblastoma (GBM) therapy, but patients usually have a poor prognosis. Rutin, a citrus flavonoid ecglycoside found in edible plants, has neuroprotection and anticancer activities. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of rutin in combination with temozolomide and the underlying mechanisms. In vitro viability assay demonstrated that rutin alone had generally low cytotoxic effect, but it was able to ...postprin

Clinical significance of CRNDE transcript variants in glioblastoma multiforme

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Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells in Spinal Cord Injury: a review and update

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Patient safety in the undergraduate curriculum: Medical students' perception

Objective Patient safety has emerged as a distinct health care discipline and an undergraduate programme on patient safety is being introduced at the authors' institution. The present study aimed to assess medical students' perceptions and knowledge on patient safety issues. Design A self-administered voluntary questionnaire survey. Setting Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Participants A total of 130 fourth-year medical students. Main outcome measures Students' baseline perceptions and knowledge on patient safety issues. Results The majority of students agreed that medical errors were inevitable but over 25% opined that "competent physicians do not make errors". The majority disapproved the practice of nondisclosure of error; whilst 6% would not address 'near-miss' events, and almost 10% did not support an active reporting system. Nearly half of the students were neutral on the notion that uncertainty should not be tolerated in patient care, and over 80% agreed that the most effective strategy to prevent error was "to work harder and be more careful". A knowledge gap in patient safety issues existed. Over 80% of students supported the introduction of our new undergraduate programme. Conclusion Medical students were aware of medical errors being an inevitable barrier between intended 'best care' and what was actually provided to patients. Students appeared to lack the appreciation of non-physician-based causes of errors, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of incidents. A formal curriculum on patient safety is urgently needed in this locality, and such an initiative was supported by the medical students who were surveyed.published_or_final_versio

The Hong Kong Neurosurgical Society prospective observational study on outcome of cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures: an interim report

Conference Theme: Brain Attack: A New EraPosters: no. P-05OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid diversion in the form of ventricular drains and permanent internal shunts are the most common neurosurgical procedures. Both are known to be associated with complications which could result in significant morbidities and mortalities. The Hong Kong Neurosurgical Society supported the present study to investigate the local rates of infection and other early procedure-related complications in CSF diversion procedures; and to identify risk ...postprin

Incidence of subjective anosmia after interhemispheric approach to anterior skull pathology

Oral Poster Paper IIINTRODUCTION: Interhemispheric approach to anterior skull base pathology may cause damage to the olfactory nerve by traction with subsequent anosmia. This deficit may affect patient’s daily activities and work. We aim to find out the incidence of subjective anosmia after interhemispheric approach and possible influence to patient. METHOD: Patients with interhemispheric approach since 1999 were selected. Those who had impaired conscious status and had impaired olfactory function before operation were excluded. Subjective evaluation of anosmia and effect on daily living were assessed by telephone interview. RESULT: In progresspostprin

Neurocutaneous melanosis and negative fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare condition characterized by cutaneous melanocytic naevi and the presence of melanocytes in the leptomeninges. It is commonly associated with malignant melanoma formation in the central nervous system (CNS) with poor prognosis. Herewe report a 13-year-old boy with neurocutaneous melanosis who presented with seizure with diffuse CNS malignant melanoma, as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) was carried out, but was unable to detect the CNS involvement. So far, this is the first report involving the use of PET in neurocutaneous melanosis and we suggest that MRI is more sensitive than PET with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in such conditions. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 College of Surgeons of Hong Kong.postprin

Pituitary enlargement in spontaneous intracranial hypotension-a diagnostic pitfall

published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201