FINAL COVER LETTER

Dear Dr. Horton

We are submitting “Fractures of the Odontoid Process and their surgical aproaches” to The Lancet Neurology for possible consideration of publication. The authors are Juan E. Vásquez, MD, Franco Ravera, MD and Chief Department and Carlos Wilson, MD, all members of the Neurosurgical Department of the Rancagua Regional Hospital. Our study was performed to provide an important guideline for this specific upper cervical fracture and its therapeutical options.

This study provides longuitudinal evidence of 97 cases followed up during ten years, with low rates of complications and excellent surgical output. It may serve as a guideline to enhance surgical outcomes at the different neurosurgical departments.

Finally, the article has not been submitted for publication nor has it been published in whole or in part elsewhere, and that there is no conflict of interests.

Sincerely,

Juan Enrique Vásquez, MD

Student of the Neurosurgical internship program, University of Chile

Correspondance to: JE Vásquez j.e.vasquez@uchile.cl

COVER LETTER DRAFT 1

Dear Dr. Horton

We are submitting “Fractures of the Odontoid Process and their surgical aproaches” to The Lancet Neurology because is the leading specialist neurology journal in the world with the highest impact factor. The authors are Juan E. Vásquez, MD, Franco Ravera, MD and Chief Department and Carlos Wilson, MD, all members of the Neurosurgical Department of the Rancagua Regional Hospital. Our study was performed to deliver a powerful guide of the different therapeutical options for this upper cervical fracture.

Although is a retrospective study we have an exceptional high number of cases (ten years follow up, 97 cases), low rates of complications and an excellent surgical output.

As it was mentioned previously this study provides the most clear therapeutic guide ever and it will enhance the surgical outcomes of the different neurosurgical departments.

Finally, the article has not been submitted for publication nor has it been published in whole or in part elsewhere and that there is no conflict of interests.

Sincerely,

Juan Enrique Vásquez, MD

Student of the Neurosurgical internship program, University of Chile

Correspondance to: JE Vásquez j.e.vasquez@uchile.cl

HOW MISTAKEN THEY ARE

The first thing we have to mention is the importance of the talker: Sir Ken Robinson was from 1998 a member of the British government advisory commitee on creative and cultural education and was knighted in 2003 for his achievements, besides that, he has written several book about education, the last one published in January 2009.

One important issue is that education not only in the UK but in the whole world tries to teach us dogmas and how to work with parameters, in other words society thwarts us and shape us into its own benefit. In a way we are like a squadron of soldiers whose has been teached to be (or tried to be) good in math, language and the other “major” subjects because otherwise we are not going to be able to be someone in life, raise a family, buy our own house, etc.

How mistaken they are!!! society needs (i say need not only the basic for its survival) entertainment, poetry, drama, arts, comedy, sports, etc. etc. etc. and if you want to became an entertainer, a poet, an artist, a comedian, an athlete you are stigmatized and treated as an outlaw.

Here mental illness comes into play. Because of the mental impairment inherent in the condition, the mentally ill are not susceptible to the requirements of society, they are as free as they desire.