Raine's syndrome: rare disease from neurosurgical perspective.

Raine's syndrome (RS) is a rare genetic disorder. Only 25 cases are in literature. Occurs due to genetic mutation resulting in deranged bone metabolism. Few cases are reported discussing the neurosurgical ramifications of the disease. We report a child diagnosed with RS. He was presented with multisutural synostosis requiring craniofacial intervention with two vault expansions. Additionally, required VP shunt due to hydrocephalus. We consider our case unique among reports of RS, as our patient has survived for 10. He died due to valve obstruction of the VP shunt. We also present a review of relevant medical literature.

A postoperative complication of lumbar discectomy: A discal/annular cyst.

Background: A postoperative discal/annular cyst following lumbar discectomy may reproduce the symptoms/signs of a recurrent lumbar disc herniation (i.e., back pain and radiculopathy). Case Description: A 21-year-old rugby player developed leg pain after an uncomplicated lumbar microdiscectomy. The repeat lumbar magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a postoperative lumbar annular/ discal cyst, for which he underwent repeat surgery. The diagnosis was further confirmed histopathologically at surgery. Conclusion: Although rare, postoperative discal/annular cysts may be potential causes of recurrent postoperative pain and lumbar radiculopathy mimicking recurrent disc herniations.

Headache during haemodialysis in a patient with shunt: a cause for concern?

A 20-year-old woman with a functioning ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt consistently reported unbearable vertex headaches and nausea during the last hour of her haemodialysis (HD) sessions. After one particularly severe episode, which was associated with vomiting, restlessness and blurred vision, her team suspected that she was developing dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. She improved fully on cessation of HD, requiring simple analgaesia only, and continued dialysis three times per week. Several more distressing episodes of nausea and headaches compelled us to give intravenous mannitol during HD, resulting in temporary improvement. Subsequently, shorter and more frequent dialysis sessions along with intravenous mannitol resulted in satisfactory clinical response.

Clostridium glycolicum wound infections: case reports and review of the literature.

We describe two cases of Clostridium glycolicum wound infections in immunocompetent adults. The bacterium was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This is the third published report of the recovery of this organism from human clinical material and highlights the importance of the organism as a potential human pathogen. Our report extends the spectrum of the diseases caused by C. glycolicum.