Hydrocephalus occurs when the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the cerebral ventricles. This is due to either obstruction in the CSF flow, decreasing its absorption by the arachnoid villus to the Dural venous sinuses, or increasing production of the CSF. The most disproportionately and severely affected by the disease consequences are African children. This is because of the high incidence of postinfectious hydrocephalus and spinal dysraphism compared with other world children. The health care system in Africa has access to 488 neurosurgeons which represents less than 1% of the global neurosurgeons, thus pediatric hydrocephalus is considered an emerging public health problem in Africa because of the difficulty of the patient's access to proper care. Numerous studies conducted in Africa have revealed a significant imbalance in the distribution of neurosurgical resources across the continent. Specifically, South Africa and North Africa collectively account for 86% of the total practicing neurosurgeons, indicating a pronounced concentration of these specialized medical professionals in these regions. Having an abundance of case studies regarding hydrocephalus is vital to increase our awareness and understanding. Hydrocephalus should gain more priority by current policymakers as an important health concern. This may be achieved by proper resource allocation to ensure better quality means of diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation.

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery (LS) has been a promising development in surgical practice globally ever since its introduction. LS has exhibited many an advantage, including bettering patient outcomes, lowering the risk of postoperative infection, and displaying economical affluence. However, its implementation in the African continent still faces various challenges. In this review, we investigated the status of laparoscopic surgery integration in Africa.Objectives: In this review, we aimed to investigate the challenges posed by the implementation of LS in low resource countries as well as critically evaluating initiatives and their impact within said domiciles. We also provide recommendations that may assist in LS prosperity in these settings by focusing efforts on improving training and financial incentives.Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to garner up‐to‐date evidence concerning the fate of LS adoption in low‐ to middle‐income countries. This comprised the analysis of different case studies from countries including Nigeria and Botswana, and investigated relevant recommendations and policies provided by other African countries.Results: Various challenges face the implementation of LS in countries with low resources comprising poor infrastructure, scarce training programs, and expert training personnel alongside financial boundaries. The adoption of LS in Africa has proved its benefits in improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital admissions. From a perspective of policy, it is crucial to sustain strong ties amongst institutions, stressing the importance of dynamic collaboration and locally tailored policies.Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that LS implementations in African nations lower infection rates and expedite recovery. A strong collaboration between governments, stakeholders, and healthcare providers is fundamental for successful integration of LS. Such extension in low‐resource environments may be achieved by providing proper training programs, funding infrastructure and equipment, and fostering effective financial initiatives.

The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide as well as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Currently, researchers are advocating not only for prevention programs but also for early detection. In this study, we aimed to assess the general awareness of cancer among the UAE population, with a focus on environmental risk factors. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 385 participants. A total of 91.2% of the study population identified cancer as the leading cause of death, while 64.6% of the subjects were able to identify the key causes of cancer. A total of 87.3% and 70.5% of the participants were able to define tobacco and alcohol, respectively, as cancer-causing agents. Most of the study population failed to identify cancer-related infectious agents and incense smoke as carcinogens. Respondents in the medical professions had the highest knowledge score when compared with respondents with a non-medical profession and unemployed participants (p < 0.0005). To fill the gaps in cancer-related knowledge, participants were asked about their preferred method for cancer education, and 83.9% of the participants favored the media as a source of information. Conclusively, our findings indicated a gap in cancer knowledge among UAE residents, which highlights the importance of educational campaigns by health authorities; a follow-up study evaluating the success of educational campaigns is also warranted.

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex vascular anomalies requiring classification systems to guide treatment and predict outcomes. This review evaluates multiple AVM classification systems, including the widely used Spetzler-Martin Grading System (SMGS), emphasizing their importance in neurosurgery for improving clinical decision-making and communication. Methods: We conducted a literature search using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus to gather information on AVM classification systems. Our inclusion criteria involved articles that referenced a well-established classification system with at least two components. Radiological, surgical, and clinical outcomes systematically categorized nine distinct AVM grading systems. The review focuses on comparing the advantages and limitations of different AVM classification systems to the SMGS. Results: A review of 33 articles highlights the evolution of AVM classification systems, with the SMGS as a foundation for surgical outcomes. Systems such as the Pollock-Flickinger and Pittsburgh AVM scale improve radiosurgery predictions, while Lawton-Young adds factors for surgical precision. Specialized scores refine grading for specific cases, and simplified systems like Spetzler-Ponce enhance usability in unique contexts. Conclusion: AVM classification systems, including Spetzler-Martin, Pollock-Flickinger, and Lawton-Young, provide critical insights into treatment and prognosis. While Spetzler-Martin effectively predicts surgical outcomes, systems like Lawton-Young enhance accuracy by incorporating additional factors but may face challenges in clinical application due to complexity. Continued refinement and validation are essential to improve predictive accuracy, optimize patient care, and connect research with clinical practice.

SMART syndrome is a rare, delayed complication of brain radiation. The acronym SMART stands for stroke-like migraine attacks following radiation therapy. This case is one of the first to describe episodic vertigo, dysmetria, and impaired tandem gait following proton beam radiotherapy for a craniopharyngioma. An 18-year-old male presented with migraine headaches, upper and lower limb weakness, episodic vertigo, and dysmetria with impaired tandem gait. This occurred following proton-beam radiotherapy, which was completed at around 11 years of age for recurrent craniopharyngioma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated a T1 hyperintense signal in the cortex of the right parietal and temporal lobes consistent with SMART syndrome. In addition, a subcortical hyperintense signal was seen in the right parietal, temporal, and frontal lobes. Atypical presentations of SMART syndrome are out there, and it is essential to recognize them in patients presenting with neurological symptoms following radiation therapy so that diagnosis and treatment can be done.

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), constituting 30% of pediatric malignancies, is the most common childhood cancer. This paper explores the rare presentation of AML with extramedullary involvement, specifically bilateral proptosis, in a 15-year-old boy. Case report: The patient initially presented with worsening shortness of breath, palpitations, extreme fatigue, and bruising. Examination revealed bilateral proptosis, watery discharge from the right eye, and petechial rash. Blood investigations revealed low hemoglobin, severe thrombocytopenia, and high WBC count. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral orbital infiltrative soft tissue lesions. Leukemia fusion gene screening identified RUNX1-RUNX1T1 later. The patient was admitted, received transfusions, and started on antibiotics. Despite initial improvement, he later developed sepsis, septic shock, and severe pancytopenia, necessitating intensive care and specific AML M2 targeting therapy. Conclusion: Bilateral proptosis in AML, termed myeloid sarcoma (MS), is rare but responsive to chemotherapy. Orbital MS has higher responsiveness and survival rates in pediatric cases. The case highlights the importance of identifying AML subtypes, like RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML, for tailored treatment strategies. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and treating pediatric AML with extramedullary involvement. Early recognition of AML subtypes is crucial for prognosis prediction and treatment tailoring.