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Epilepsy surgery has been performed by a few centres in Malaysia, including Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). To date, a total of 15 patients have undergone epilepsy surgery in HUSM. The epilepsy surgery included anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) with amygdalohippocampectomy (AH) and Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). The surgical outcomes of the patients were assessed using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) outcome scale. The ILAE scores for patients who underwent ATL with AH were comparatively better than those who underwent VNS. One of the patient who underwent ATL with AH and frontal lesionectomy was found to have psychosis during follow up. Epilepsy surgery has proven to be an important treatment for medically resistant epilepsy. Thus it is important to raise public awareness regarding epilepsy and its treatment.

Craniosynostosis is a congenital defect that causes ≥1 suture to fuse prematurely. Cranial expansion surgery which consists of cranial vault reshaping with or without fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) is done to correct the skull to a more normal shape of the head as well as to increase the intracranial volume (ICV). Therefore, it is important to evaluate the changes of ICV after the surgery and the effect of surgery both clinically and radiologically.The aim of this study is to evaluate the ICV in primary craniosynostosis patients after the cranial vault reshaping with or without FOA and to compare between syndromic and nonsyndromic synostosis group, to determine factors that associated with significant changes in the ICV postoperative, and to evaluate the resolution of copper beaten sign and improvement in neurodevelopmental delay after the surgery.This is a prospective observational study of all primary craniosynostosis patients who underwent operation cranial vault reshaping with or without FOA in Hospital Kuala Lumpur from January 2017 until Jun 2018. The ICV preoperative and postoperative was measured using the 3D computed tomography (CT) imaging and analyzed. The demographic data, clinical and radiological findings were identified and analyzed.A total of 14 cases (6 males and 8 females) with 28 3D CT scans were identified. The mean age of patients was 23 months. Seven patients were having syndromic synostosis (4 Crouzon syndromes and 3 Apert syndromes) and 7 nonsyndromic synostosis. The mean preoperative ICV was 880 mL (range, 641-1234 mL), whereas the mean postoperative ICV was 1081 mL (range, 811-1385 mL). The difference was 201 mL which was statistically significant (P 0.001). In comparison, the mean volume increment for syndromic synostosis and nonsyndromic synostosis was 282 mL and 120 mL, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P 0.004). Three months post-operation, the copper beaten sign was still present in the CT scan which was statistically not significant in this study (P 1.0). However, there was 100% (n = 13) improvement of this copper beaten sign. However, the neurodevelopmental delay showed no improvement which was statistically not significant (P 1.0).Surgery in craniosynostosis patient increases the ICV besides it improves the shape of the head. From this study, the syndromic synostosis had better increment of ICV compared to nonsyndromic synostosis.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) was first introduced in 1987 to the developed world. As a developing country Malaysia begun its movement disorder program by doing ablation therapy using the Radionics system. Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia a rural based teaching hospital had to take into consideration both health economics and outcomes in the area that it was providing neurosurgical care for when it initiated its Deep Brain Stimulation program. Most of the patients were from the low to medium social economic groups and could not afford payment for a DBS implant. We concentrated our DBS services to Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s Syndrome and dystonia patients who had exhausted medical therapy. The case series of these patients and their follow-up are presented in this brief communication.

Conflict of Interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements) or non-financial interests (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript Ethical Approval All the procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed Consent Informed consent was obtained from each of the participants included in the study. Authors’ Contributions Conception and design: CPP, CCK Analysis and interpretation of the data: CPP, BI Drafting of the article: CPP, BI Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: BI Final approval of the article: BI Provision of study materials or patients: CPP, AKR, CCK Administrative, technical, or logistic support: AKR, CCK Collection and assembly of data: CPP, AKR, CCK

Stroke resulting from traumatic brain injury in children is uncommon. Three such cases are reported here, to bring this entity to attention and to highlight their good prognosis. Possible mechanisms that may lead to stroke in children following head trauma are discussed No other causes of stroke were identified, and magnetic resonance angiography and Doppler ultrasound ruled out injury to the carotid vessels in all three cases.

Objectives This study, conducted in 2012, was performed to determine the incidence of graft infection after cranioplasty procedures and factors affecting the graft infection rate at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Methodology This was an observational cross-sectional case study of patients who have undergone cranioplasty at HKL over a period of one year (2012). One hundred seventy-two patients were included in the study. A total of 105 (61.8%) cases were autologous bone flap replacements, and 67 (38.2%) were acrylic cranioplasty. Result A total of five infected grafts were identified among the 172 cases included in the study, resulting in an overall infection rate of 2.9%. Of this infected group, three (4.5%) were cases of cranioplasty and two (1.9%) were cases of autologous bone flap replacement. There was high proportion of male patients undergoing cranioplasty (118 [or 68.6%]) and only 54 (or 31.4%) female patients. The primary pathology in the majority of patients (126 [or 73.2%]) was due to trauma; only 46 cases (or 26.8%) did not result from trauma. Of the patients, 123 (or 71.5%) had undergone a single cranial procedure prior to their cranioplasty, and 43 (or 28.5%) had undergone multiple cranial procedures. Most of the patients (114 [or 66.3%]) underwent cranioplasty 90 days after undergoing decompressive craniectomy while 58 (or 33.7%) underwent cranioplasty less than 90 days after decompressive craniectomy.

Summary Background Previous studies have suggested that any benefits of folic acid-based therapy to lower serum homocysteine in prevention of cardiovascular events might be offset by concomitant use of antiplatelet therapy. We aimed to establish whether there is an interaction between antiplatelet therapy and the effects of folic acid-based homocysteine-lowering therapy on major vascular events in patients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack enrolled in the vitamins to prevent stroke (VITATOPS) trial. Methods In the VITATOPS trial, 8164 patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack were randomly allocated to double-blind treatment with one tablet daily of placebo or B vitamins (2 mg folic acid, 25 mg vitamin B 6 , and 500 μg vitamin B 12 ) and followed up for a median 3·4 years (IQR 2·0–5·5) for the primary composite outcome of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from vascular causes. In our post-hoc analysis of the interaction between antiplatelet therapy and the effects of treatment with B vitamins on the primary outcome, we used Cox proportional hazards regression before and after adjusting for imbalances in baseline prognostic factors in participants who were and were not taking antiplatelet drugs at baseline and in participants assigned to receive B vitamins or placebo. We also assessed the interaction in different subgroups of patients and different secondary outcomes. The VITATOPS trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00097669, and Current Controlled Trials, number ISRCTN74743444. Findings At baseline, 6609 patients were taking antiplatelet therapy and 1463 were not. Patients not receiving antiplatelet therapy were more likely to be younger, east Asian, and disabled, to have a haemorrhagic stroke or cardioembolic ischaemic stroke, and to have a history of hypertension or atrial fibrillation. They were less likely to be smokers and to have a history of peripheral artery disease, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, and a revascularisation procedure. Of the participants taking antiplatelet drugs at baseline, B vitamins had no significant effect on the primary outcome (488 patients in the B-vitamins group [15%] vs 519 in the placebo group [16%]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·94, 95% CI 0·83–1·07). By contrast, of the participants not taking antiplatelet drugs at baseline, B vitamins had a significant effect on the primary outcome (123 in the B-vitamins group [17%] vs 153 in the placebo group [21%]; HR 0·76, 0·60–0·96). The interaction between antiplatelet therapy and the effect of B vitamins on the primary outcome was significant after adjusting for imbalance in the baseline variables (adjusted p for interaction=0·0204). Interpretation Our findings support the hypothesis that antiplatelet therapy modifies the potential benefits of lowering homocysteine with B-vitamin supplementation in the secondary prevention of major vascular events. If validated, B vitamins might have a role in the prevention of ischaemic events in high-risk individuals with an allergy, intolerance, or lack of indication for antiplatelet therapy. Funding Australia National Health and Medical Research Council, UK Medical Research Council, Singapore Biomedical Research Council, and Singapore National Medical Research Council.

Tuberous sclerosis is a known phakomatosis and the associated finding of a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma is common with this disorder. A case of tuberous sclerosis with a finding not previously reported, i.e. that of a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, is presented here.

Background Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the most disabling and least treatable form of stroke. Its risk factors include old age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and high alcohol intake, which are also associated with arterial stiffness. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of high augmentation index (AI), which is a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, in patients with spontaneous ICH. Methods A prospective study of 60 patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH was conducted. Outcome was assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale at 3 months follow-up. Data were collected on age and sex, risk factors for ICH, clinical parameters, laboratory parameters, radiological findings and hospital management. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify independent predictors of 3-month outcome and mortality. Results Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.450–0.971; p = 0.035), total leukocyte count (OR,1.2; 95% CI, 1.028–1.453; p = 0.023) and haematoma volume (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.024–1.204; p = 0.011) were found to be statistically significant in multivariate analysis of 3-month poor outcome. Factors independently associated with mortality were high AI (OR, 8.6; 95%CI, 1.748–40.940; p = 0.007) and midline shift (OR, 7.5; 95%CI, 1.809–31.004; p = 0.005). Conclusion Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, total leukocyte count and haematoma volume were significant predictors for 3-month poor outcome; high AI and midline shift were significant predictors for 3-month mortality.

BACKGROUND Shunt surgery is frequently chosen to manage periventricular metastasis of pineal region tumours which obscured the floor of the third ventricle. However, this procedure falls short due to distant metastasis. Neuronavigation-guided endoscopic surgery offers a viable alternative. PATIENT A 17-year-old man became symptomatic from widespread periventricular metastasis of a pineal region tumour which completely obscured the floor of the third ventricle. RESULTS Endoscopic tumour biopsy followed by neuronavigation-guided endoscopic third ventriculotomy was performed successfully. CONCLUSION This case report emphasizes the value of neuronavigation-guided endoscopic third ventriculostomy as a feasible surgical alternative for pineal region tumours with widespread periventricular metastasis that obscure the third ventricular floor.

There are numerous ways to prevent or treat ischemic stroke and each of these competing alternatives is associated with a different effectiveness and a cost. In circumstances where health funds are budgeted and thus fixed, cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) can provide information on how to comprehend the largest health gains with that limited fund as CEA is used to compare different strategies for preventing or treating a single disease. The most common medications for ischemic stroke are the anti-platelet drugs. While some drugs are more effective than others, they are also more expensive. This paper will thus assess the CEA of anti-platelet drug available for ischemic stroke patients using goal programming (GP) approach subject to in-patients days and patients' quality-of-life. GP presents a way of striving towards several objectives simultaneously whereby in this case we will consider minimizing the cost and maximizing the effectiveness.

Neuroimaging has evolved from Computed Tomography (CT), CT-Positron Emission Tomography (CT-PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner in 1970s and 1980s to functional MRI (fMRI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Magnetic Source Imaging (MSI) or Magnetoencephalography-MRI (MEG-MRI) fusion in 1990s and 2000s. Anatomical and functional neuroimages are currently regarded by most as vital in planning for brain tumors surgery. These anatomical and functional neuroimages can be fused and exported to the neuronavigation system in the operating theatre (Figure 1). Collectively, these images are known as extraoperative neuroimages. On the contrary, intraoperative neuroimages are images that obtained intraoperatively and can be exported regularly to the navigation system. The intraoperative images can be obtained by using either intraoperative CT (iCT), MRI (iMRI) or ultrasound [3D-iUS) [1-3]. Safer and successful brain tumors surgery requires not only neuroimages-guided surgery but also properly defined the eloquent (important and function‐ al) cortices and monitoring of the vital areas of the brain and other organs. Awake surgery with intraoperative brain mapping, and surgery under general anaesthesia with intraoperative monitoring (IOM) which are guided by neuroimages are two operative techniques for brain tumors that are currently regarded by most as gold standard [4-8]. This chapter describes the current functional neuroimaging modalities (fMRI, DTI and MSI), brain mapping, surgery

The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of a high augmentation index, which was a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The outcome was divided into two groups in which the following data were collected in a computer running SphygmoCor CvMS software version 8.2. Logistic regression analysis was carried out among significant variables to identify an independent predictor of 6-month outcome and mortality. Sixty patients were recruited into the study. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.450–0.971; P = 0.035), total white cell count (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.028–1.453; P = 0.023) and hematoma volume (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.024–1.204; P = 0.011) were found to be statistically significant for identifying poor 6-month outcome in multivariate analysis.

SummaryBackgroundEpidemiological studies suggest that raised plasma concentrations of total homocysteine might be a risk factor for major vascular events. Whether lowering total homocysteine with B vitamins prevents major vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack is unknown. We aimed to assess whether the addition of once-daily supplements of B vitamins to usual medical care would lower total homocysteine and reduce the combined incidence of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and death attributable to vascular causes in patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack of the brain or eye.MethodsIn this randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack (within the past 7 months) from 123 medical centres in 20 countries to receive one tablet daily of placebo or B vitamins (2 mg folic acid, 25 mg vitamin B6, and 0·5 mg vitamin B12). Patients were randomly allocated by means of a central 24-h telephone service or an interactive website, and allocation was by use of random permuted blocks stratified by hospital. Participants, clinicians, carers, and investigators who assessed outcomes were masked to the assigned intervention. The primary endpoint was the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. All patients randomly allocated to a group were included in the analysis of the primary endpoint. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00097669, and Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN74743444.FindingsBetween Nov 19, 1998, and Dec 31, 2008, 8164 patients were randomly assigned to receive B vitamins (n=4089) or placebo (n=4075). Patients were followed up for a median duration of 3·4 years (IQR 2·0–5·5). 616 (15%) patients assigned to B vitamins and 678 (17%) assigned to placebo reached the primary endpoint (risk ratio [RR] 0·91, 95% CI 0·82 to 1·00, p=0·05; absolute risk reduction 1·56%, −0·01 to 3·16). There were no unexpected serious adverse reactions and no significant differences in common adverse effects between the treatment groups.InterpretationDaily administration of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 to patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack was safe but did not seem to be more effective than placebo in reducing the incidence of major vascular events. These results do not support the use of B vitamins to prevent recurrent stroke. The results of ongoing trials and an individual patient data meta-analysis will add statistical power and precision to present estimates of the effect of B vitamins.FundingAustralia National Health and Medical Research Council, UK Medical Research Council, Singapore Biomedical Research Council, Singapore National Medical Research Council, Australia National Heart Foundation, Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation, and Health Department of Western Australia.

Universiti Sains Malaysia is the only institution in Malaysia which incorporates all fields of the neurosciences under one roof. The integration of basic and clinical neurosciences has made it possible for this institution to become an excellent academic and research centre. This article describes the history, academic contributions and scientific progress of neurosciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Background: Arachnoid cysts are intraarachnoid benign cystic lesions filled with cerebrospinal fluid and should be treated without incurring further morbidity to the patients. Case Description: The authors present a case of a 68-year-old elderly female with a large right fronto-parieto-temporal arachnoid cyst who has been suffering from mild left hemiparesis for the past 4 years and presented with sudden onset of seizures. The 3 Tesla MR system with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and MR tractography of the brain showed a large right fronto-parieto-temporal cystic lesion measuring 7 × 5 × 5 cm with a midline shift of 1 cm, suggestive of an arachnoid cyst with surrounding ipsilateral white matter projection pathways and inferior occipito-frontal fasciculus or inferior longitudinal white matter tracts. The cyst was successfully treated with neuronavigation-guided endoscopic and hodotopical approach to fenestrate the arachnoid cyst into the sylvian cistern, avoiding inadvertent injury to major white matter tracts portrayed by DTI. Postoperatively, a repeated computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain revealed a smaller arachnoid cyst with correction of the midline shift. The patient was weaned off from the ventilator and her hemiplegia improved gradually. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the value of neuronavigation-guided endoscopic and hodotopic approach to fenestrate the intra-axial arachnoid cyst.