Brain doctors. Parts 4, 5 & 6.

UK : ITV West, 2005.

1 DVD (90 min.) : sound, color

Programme 4 broadcast on 28 April 2005, Programme 5 broadcast on 5 May 2005 and Programme 6 broadcast on 12 May 2005.

Produced and directed by Wendy McLean for Available Light Productions in association with ITV.

Programme 4 At Frenchay Hospital, the fourth patient, an 18-month-old boy has a huge cyst squashing his brain, and only a 50-50 chance that surgery can put it right. The consultant is Mike Carter, a paediatric neurosurgeon. He uses keyhole surgery and then an endoscope to puncture the cyst. He talks us through her operation as it is in progress. There are clear shots within the patient's brain viewed through the endoscope. Six months later, the cyst is noticeably smaller. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:30:00:00 Length:00:30:00:00

Programme 5 At Frenchay Hospital, the fifth group of patients have early onset Parkinson s disease. The specialist, Steve Gill, uses high resolution brain scans in order to pinpoint the exact area for deep brain stimulation. His research shows a different location for the treatment which is giving 20% better outcomes for the patient. Gill talks us through an operation as it is in progress. The patient gets very good symptomatic control and greater mobility. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:30:00:00 Length:00:30:00:00

Programme 6 At Frenchay Hospital the sixth patient is a woman who has already suffered a near-fatal brain haemorrhage. Her consultant, Rick Nelson, must try to remove a massive lump of tangled blood vessels from the brain, known as 'AVM'. Some of the blood flow into the brain has to be stopped and this can be risky. There are clear shots within the patient's brain. A doppler probe is used to ascertain the blood flow for the arteries (described as similar to plumbing). The operation lasted 14 hours and a huge mass is removed. Two months later, the patient is making good progress with some difficulties with her speech and word recall. Her condition is further updated at the end of the programme and she has regained her speech fully. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:30:00:00 Length:00:30:00:00

ITV, 2005.