Enhancing departmental teaching in the digital age: as easy as 1-3-5.

We have recently introduced a new item to our neurology Grand Rounds-the '1-3-5 presentation'. The format comprises a presentation on one topic, using three slides and lasting no more than 5 minutes. This a useful way of covering brief single topics and introducing and sparking discussion on more complex ones. '1-3-5s' have proven popular in our department and we have compiled a library of these presentations that is hosted on a YouTube channel. This article discusses the benefits and prospects for this format and encourages other units to provide similar opportunities for teaching and learning among all clinical grades.

Unique presentation of palatal metastasis from high-grade spindle cell sarcoma of the bone.

Spindle cell sarcoma (SCS) is a rare malignant tumour which can arise in bone and accounts for 2%-5% of primary bone cancer cases. Distant metastasis occurs predominantly in the lungs. However, metastasis to the soft palate, to the best of our knowledge, has never been previously reported. In this case report, we describe a unique presentation of soft palate metastasis in a patient with a history of high-grade SCS of the bone who presented with progressive dysphagia and nausea and vomiting who underwent surgical excision for palliation of symptoms.

Bilateral painful tic convulsif.

'Painful tic convulsif' (PTC) describes the coexistence of hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia. In this report, we describe a unique presentation of bilateral PTC in a man with bilateral hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia secondary to neurovascular conflict of all four cranial nerves. Following failed medical and radiofrequency therapy, microvascular decompression of three of the four involved nerves was performed, where the offending vessels were mobilised and Teflon used to prevent conflict recurrence. He continues to respond to Botox for right hemifacial spasm. Since surgery, he remains pain free bilaterally and spasm free on the left.