My Neuro-oncology Elective at The Walton Centre, Liverpool – Summer 2024

Written by Sherin Mubarak, 4th year medical student.

My name is Sherin Mubarak, and I am currently a 4th year medical student with a keen interest in neurosurgery, particularly neurosurgical oncology. I hoped to use my short summer break in 2024 to explore neurosurgery in greater depth, making it especially important to find the right elective. The Walton Centre in Liverpool, one of the UK’s leading specialist neuroscience hospitals, stood out immediately. Its reputation, breadth of complex neurosurgical cases, and supportive teaching environment made it the ideal place to deepen my exposure.

In this blog, I’ll share why I chose neurosurgery, what my placement involved, some highlights from the surgeries and clinics I attended, and the key things I learnt about the specialty and myself. I’ll also finish with some practical advice for anyone interested in arranging a neurosurgery or neuro-oncology elective.

Why Neurosurgery? Why the Walton Centre?

Neurosurgery has been the specialty that has consistently fascinated me throughout medical school. The blend of meticulous technical skill, high-stakes decision-making, and the profound impact neurosurgical conditions have on patients’ lives drew me in from my earliest clinical experiences. I have a particular interest in neurosurgical oncology, where surgery intersects with imaging, pathology, radiotherapy and rapidly advancing technologies.

I chose the Walton Centre because it is both a regional and national centre for complex neurological and neurosurgical care. I wanted to gain first-hand exposure to high-acuity cases, observe expert surgeons in action, and understand what a career in neurosurgery might truly entail beyond what textbooks can teach.

What My Elective Involved

I spent two weeks immersed in the day-to-day workings of the neurosurgical firm, shadowing Dr. Lee in clinics, on the wards, and in theatre. My timetable varied by week but generally included:

Operating Theatre

One of the most rewarding aspects of the elective was the opportunity to scrub into a wide range of neurosurgical procedures, including:

• Craniotomy

• Posterior L4–S1 interbody fusion with internal fixation

• Chiari decompression with dural patching

• Insertion of a right VP shunt and removal of a right EVD

• Cervico-cranial wound revision

• Exchange of rods and cervical-cranial wound revision

• Right fronto-temporal wound revision

• 
  

Being scrubbed in allowed me to appreciate operative anatomy in a way that lectures simply cannot. I was able to observe microsurgical techniques up close, understand the flow of a neurosurgical theatre, and witness the coordination between surgeons, anaesthetists, radiographers, and theatre staff.

Clinics

I attended several neurosurgical and neuro-oncology clinics with Dr Lee, where I observed consultations involving:

• Primary and metastatic brain tumours

• Spinal pathology

• Chronic neurological conditions, where some required surgical input

• Dermatomes involved

  
  

Clinics were invaluable for understanding decision-making: which patients were suitable for surgery, how risks were explained, and how imaging findings translated into operative plans.

Ward Rounds

On the neurosurgical wards, I joined the clinical teams in assessing postoperative patients and new admissions. One particularly memorable case involved a patient with an acute subdural haemorrhage. I observed the team working through the urgency of imaging, neurological assessment, and deciding whether same-day surgery was warranted. It was a powerful example of how time-critical neurosurgery can be, and how calmly and effectively the team balanced risks and benefits.

What I Learnt

About Neurosurgery

• Decision-making is complex and multi-layered. Even technically “straightforward” procedures require careful patient selection and explanation.

• Teamwork is crucial. Neurosurgery relies on seamless collaboration between surgeons, ICU staff, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and specialist nurses.

• The specialty is diverse. From trauma to oncology, paediatrics to spine, no two days were the same.

  
  

About Myself

• My interest in neurosurgery, especially neuro-oncology, has deepened. Seeing the specialty up close reinforced how much I enjoy the precision, and intellectual challenge it offers.

• I learnt that I work well in high-pressure environments and genuinely enjoy problem-solving within multidisciplinary teams.

• I became more confident interpreting imaging, especially CT and MRI brain scans, and understanding how findings translate into real operative indications.

  
  

About Career Planning

This elective deepened my curiosity about neurosurgery and provided valuable insight into the specialty. It also reinforced how beneficial early exposure, research opportunities, and strong mentorship can be, which I hope to build on in the coming years. 

Advice for Students Interested in Neurosurgery or Neuro-Oncology Electives

1. Start planning early. Neurosurgery departments are busy, and electives fill quickly. Email consultants, elective coordinators, or supervisors as early as possible.

2. Identify your learning goals. Be clear about whether you want more exposure in theatre, research opportunities, neuro-oncology, spinal surgery, or trauma. Communicating this early helps supervisors tailor your experience.

3. Read up on common conditions beforehand. Understanding basic tumour types, spinal anatomy, and CT/MRI interpretation makes the elective far more rewarding.

4. Be proactive and curious. Ask questions, volunteer to scrub in, and show interest, teams are usually very happy to teach enthusiastic students.

5. Don’t overlook clinics. While many students focus on theatre, clinics provide essential insight into patient selection, long-term outcomes, and the reality of living with neurosurgical conditions.

6. Take care of yourself. Neurosurgery days can be long and intense; make time to rest, reflect, and get the most from the experience.

   
   

Conclusion

My neurosurgery elective at the Walton Centre was one of the most formative experiences of my medical training so far. It strengthened my passion for neurosurgery, broadened my understanding of neuro-oncology, and gave me a realistic insight into both the challenges and immense rewards of the specialty.

If anyone is thinking of applying for a neurosurgery elective, especially at the Walton Centre, I would highly recommend it, and I am always happy to share more about my experience with other students, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. 

Sherin Mubarak