Suprise!

Rarely are there real common things presenting in medicine. Although I've heard it said that common things present in common ways, when considered with the unique characteristics of the human sitting, standing or lying in front of you is rarely common. Ponder that.

Exception: If someone rolls in with a large metal object sticking out of his face. An uncommon thing in a common place (his face) perhaps, but uncommonly uncommon none the less. Now I've confused myself.

Neurosurgery is like that. The shock of the presentation wears off into the activity of the care taking, surgerying, ordering, x-raying, and a host of other ings. I think it's the proximity to the head that makes this stuff so unbelievable. Nothing should be that close to the head, unless you are making out with it, or eating it. Rebar belongs embedded in cement, not in a skull. Pretty uncommon.