BACKGROUND The tinnitus susceptibility patterns in relation to different psychological and life stressors are unknown in different cultures.AIM To determine the comorbid psychosocial factors and behaviors associated w...BACKGROUND The tinnitus susceptibility patterns in relation to different psychological and life stressors are unknown in different cultures.AIM To determine the comorbid psychosocial factors and behaviors associated with tinnitus and the predictors for the increase in its severity.METHODS Participants were 230 adults(males=70;females=160;mean age=38.6±3.3).They underwent audiograms,speech discrimination and masking testing,and neuropsychiatric evaluation.Measures used for assessment included tinnitus handicap inventory,depression anxiety stress scale 21(DASS-21),perceived stress scale(PSS),and insomnia severity index(ISI).RESULTS Patients had mean duration of tinnitus of 11.5±2.5 mo.They had intact hearing perception at 250-8000 Hz and 95(41.3%)had aggravation of tinnitus loudness by masking noise.Decompensated tinnitus was reported in 77%(n=177).The majority had clinically significant insomnia(81.3%),somatic symptoms(75%)other than tinnitus and perceived moderate(46.1%)and high(44.3%)stress to tinnitus.The severe/extremely severe symptoms of depression,anxiety and stress were reported in 17.4%,35.7%and 44.3%,respectively.Patients with decompensated type had significantly higher scores for ISI(P=0.001)and DASS-21(depression=0.02,anxiety=0.01,stress=0.001)compared to those with compensated tinnitus.Psychiatric interviewing showed that 35.7%had non-specific anxiety disorder,17.4%had major depression,and 19.6%fulfilled the criteria of somatization disorder.Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent predictors for tinnitus severity were the duration of tinnitus[odd ratios(OR)=0.832,95%CI:0.640-1.158;P=0.001]and PSS(OR=0.835,95%CI:0.540-1.125;P=0.001)scores.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study in our culture to evaluate the causal relationship between psychological factors and tinnitus onset,severity and persistence.Tinnitus could be the earliest and dominant somatic symptom induced by life stressors and psychological vulnerabilities.Therefore,multidisciplinary consultation(psychologists,psychiatrists,and neurologists)is important to acknowledge among the audiologists and otolaryngologists who primarily consult patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Smell disorders are the most frequent persistent coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)complications.AIM To describe the patterns and characteristics of persistent smell and taste disorders in Egyptian patients...BACKGROUND Smell disorders are the most frequent persistent coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)complications.AIM To describe the patterns and characteristics of persistent smell and taste disorders in Egyptian patients.METHODS Assessment was done to 185 patients(adults=150,age:31.41±8.63 years;children=35;age:15.66±1.63 years).Otolaryngology and neuropsychiatric evaluations were done.Measurements included:A clinical questionnaire(for smell and taste);sniffin'odor,taste and flavor identification tests and the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements(sQOD-NS).RESULTS Duration of disorders was 11.53±3.97 ms(6-24 ms).Parosmia(n=119;64.32%)was developed months after anosmia(3.05±1.87 ms).Objective testing showed anosmia in all,ageusia and flavor loss in 20%(n=37)and loss of nasal and oral trigeminal sensations in 18%(n=33)and 20%(n=37),respectively.Patients had low scoring of sQOD-NS(11.41±3.66).There were no specific differences in other demographics and clinical variables which could distinguish post-COVID-19 smell and taste disorders in children from adults.CONCLUSION The course of small and taste disorders are supportive of the nasal and oral neuronal compromises.Post-COVID-19 taste and trigeminal disorders were less frequent compared to smell disorders.Post-COVID-19 flavor disorders were solely dependent on taste and not smell disorders.There were no demographics,clinical variables at onset or specific profile of these disorders in children compared to adults.展开更多
Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesi...Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesions.FA measurements may are used to predicting the outcome of patients who have spinal cord lesions.Fiber tracking enable to visualizing the integrity of white matter tracts surrounding some lesions,and this information could be used to formulating a differential diagnosis and planning biopsies or resection.In this article,we will describe the current uses for DWI and fiber tracking and speculate on others in which we believe these techniques will be useful in the future.展开更多
Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy had been rarely reported as an adverse effect of some antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) at high cumulative doses or even within the therapeutic drug doses or levels.We describe clinical and ...Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy had been rarely reported as an adverse effect of some antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) at high cumulative doses or even within the therapeutic drug doses or levels.We describe clinical and diagnostic features of a patient with peripheral neuropathy as an adverse effect of chronic topiramate(TPM) therapy.A 37-year-old woman was presented for the control of active epilepsy(2010).She was resistant to some AEDs as mono-or combined therapies(carbamazepine,sodium valproate,levetiracetam,oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine).She has the diagnosis of frontal lobe epilepsy with secondary generalization and has a brother,sister and son with active epilepsies.She became seizure free on TPM(2013-2017) but is complaining of persistent distal lower extremities paresthesia in a stocking distribution.Neurological examination revealed presence of diminished Achilles tendon reflexes,stocking hypesthesia and delayed distal latencies,reduced conduction velocities and amplitudes of action potentials of posterior tibial and sural nerves,indicating demyelinating and axonal peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.After exclusion of the possible causes of peripheral neuropathy,chronic TPM therapy is suggested as the most probable cause of patient's neuropathy.This is the first case report of topiramate induced peripheral neuropathy in the literature.展开更多
We describe an unusual clinical and diagnostic featureof a patient with multiple sclerosis(MS). A 25-yearold woman was admitted to the Neurology department(December 2009) with one month history of rapid cognitive dete...We describe an unusual clinical and diagnostic featureof a patient with multiple sclerosis(MS). A 25-yearold woman was admitted to the Neurology department(December 2009) with one month history of rapid cognitive deterioration. She had poor cognition, dysphasia, reduction in visual acuity and temporal pallor of the optic discs. She had prolonged latencies of P100 component of visual evoked potentials(VEPs). Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-brain showed multifocal large(≥ 3 cm) white-matter hypointense lesions in T1 W and hyperintense in T2 W and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images and patchy enhancement. A diagnosis of tumefactive MS was given. She received two consecutive 5-d courses of 1 g daily intravenous methylprednisolone for 2 mo and oral prednisolone in dose of 80 mg twice/daily in between. At the 3rd month, Mini Mental State Examination and VEPs returned to normal but not the MRI. Patient continued oral steroids after hospital discharge(March 2010) for 9 mo with significant MRI improvement after which tapering of steroids started for a year. The patient refused immunomodulation therapy due to her low socioeconomic status. Neither clinical relapse nor new MRI lesions were observed throughout the next 4 years. In spite of the aggressive course of tumefactive MS variant, good prognosis may be seen in some patients.展开更多
Aim: The aim of our study was to compare characteristics of stroke patients who presented Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (OSAH) to those of cases that presented Central Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (CSAH) events at PSG, and...Aim: The aim of our study was to compare characteristics of stroke patients who presented Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (OSAH) to those of cases that presented Central Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (CSAH) events at PSG, and to investigate relationships between the type of breathing disturb during sleep and the location of brain damage. Methods: Thirty four patients were submitted to clinical, neuroradiological and polisomnographyc study (PSG) after 4 months of stroke. A Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) was diagnosed in all cases with an AHI > 5. Patients were classified as affected by predominantly OSAH (pOSAH), or predominantly CSAH (pCSAH). Comparisons were made among the groups and correlation analyses were done in each group. Significance was set at p < 0.005. Results: Twenty six patients with ischemic strokes had a SDB during sleep (56% embolic, 31% lacunar, 8% large artery, 8% with undetermined cause). The 61% of them showed pOSAH. Except for age, no statistical differences were found between the two groups as to clinical findings, risk factors for stroke, PSG data, or location of brain lesion. Correlation analysis outlined that in pOSAH cases the time interval from stroke to PSG (Δt) was inversely related to both TST (p = 0.017) and TSP (p = 0.039);in pCSAHs it was inversely related to SE Index (p = 0.021) and directly related to both ODI (p = 0.016) and with the n. of arrhythmias/h sleep (p = 0.033). In pCSAH, AHI did not correlate with ODI. Conclusions: Our data suggest that among cases with post stroke SDB is included 3 different subgroups of cases: OSAHs who terminate the obstruction by arousal, OSAHs who do not arise and alternate obstructive to central events, and CSAHs due to the direct effect of stroke on the breathing network;in a forth subgroup of cases, the microstructure of sleep might be altered, with the consequent occurrence of sleep-related events. Further studies are needed to clarify these hypotheses as well as the role of poststroke depression on the nature and occurrence of SDB after stroke.展开更多
Objective: cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a progressive degenerative cervical spine disease. During later stages of segmental degeneration, kyphosis of the cervical spine can occur and further compromise the spina...Objective: cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a progressive degenerative cervical spine disease. During later stages of segmental degeneration, kyphosis of the cervical spine can occur and further compromise the spinal cord and nerve roots. Optimal surgical approach remains controversial. The choice to perform an anterior, posterior or combined approach depends on: sagittal alignment, number of involved levels, main compression localization, and clinical status. The anterior approach is recommended when compression involves primarily anterior horn of spinal cord. Methods: between January 2001 and December 2005, 121 patients (42 F, 79 M, mean age 62 years) were operated for cervical spondylosis (98 myelopathy, 23 radiculopathy). Anterior surgical approach was performed in 81 patients. 63 patients were operated performing multilevel discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and 18 patients performing corpectomy and fusion and anterior plating (ACCF). Preoperative documentation collected consisted of cervical X-ray (static-dynamic), cervical spine TC, cervical MRI. Clinical documentation permitted us to obtained clinical status of each patient based on JOA, NDI and VAS. A Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 6 years, 12 years. Results: the fusion rate was calculated based on the static and dynamic X-ray (flexion and extension position), only a little percentage of patients underwent CT scan. There were no significant differences between ACDF and ACCF in clinical outcome at 6 years evaluated by VAS and NDI. The rate of fusion at 6 years for 2 levels ACCF (92%) was higher than that for 2 levels ACDF (86%) but is not statistically significative. Conclusion: classifying degenerative disease and biomechanics feature, preoperatively in necessary to guide the surgeon to choose the best anterior approach for cervical spondylosis.展开更多
The nose and the oral cavities are the main sites for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)entry into the body.Smell and taste deficits are the most common acute viral manifestations.Persistent s...The nose and the oral cavities are the main sites for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)entry into the body.Smell and taste deficits are the most common acute viral manifestations.Persistent smell disorders are the most common and bothersome complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection,lasting for months to years.The mechanisms and treatment of persistent post-coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)smell and taste disorders are still challenges.Information sources for the review are PubMed,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Ovid Medline,Embase,Scopus,Web of Science,International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature,Elton Bryson Stephens Company,Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care,Cooperation in Science and Technology,International Clinical Trials Registry Platform,World Health Organization,Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry,and MediFind.This review summarizes the up-to-date information about the prevalence,patterns at onset,and prognoses of post-COVID-19 smell and taste disorders,evidence for the neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and the overlap between SARSCoV-1,Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,and SARS-CoV-2 in structure,molecular biology,mode of replication,and host pathogenicity,the suggested cellular and molecular mechanisms for these post-COVID19 chemosensory disorders,and the applied pharmacotherapies and interventions as trials to treat these disorders,and the recommendations for future research to improve understanding of predictors and mechanisms of these disorders.These are crucial for hopeful proper treatment strategies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Panic disorder(PD)involves emotion dysregulation,but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.Previous research suggests that implicit emotion regulation may play a central role in PD-related emot...BACKGROUND Panic disorder(PD)involves emotion dysregulation,but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.Previous research suggests that implicit emotion regulation may play a central role in PD-related emotion dysregulation and symptom maintenance.However,there is a lack of studies exploring the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD using neurophysiological indicators.AIM To study the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD with eventrelated potentials(ERP).METHODS A total of 25 PD patients and 20 healthy controls(HC)underwent clinical evaluations.The study utilized a case-control design with random sampling,selecting participants for the case group from March to December 2018.Participants performed an affect labeling task,using affect labeling as the experimental condition and gender labeling as the control condition.ERP and behavioral data were recorded to compare the late positive potential(LPP)within and between the groups.RESULTS Both PD and HC groups showed longer reaction times and decreased accuracy under the affect labeling.In the HC group,late LPP amplitudes exhibited a dynamic pattern of initial increase followed by decrease.Importantly,a significant group×condition interaction effect was observed.Simple effect analysis revealed a reduction in the differences of late LPP amplitudes between the affect labeling and gender labeling conditions in the PD group compared to the HC group.Furthermore,among PD patients under the affect labeling,the late LPP was negatively correlated with disease severity,symptom frequency,and intensity.CONCLUSION PD patients demonstrate abnormalities in implicit emotion regulation,hampering their ability to mobilize cognitive resources for downregulating negative emotions.The late LPP amplitude in response to affect labeling may serve as a potentially valuable clinical indicator of PD severity.展开更多
Surgical treatment for cervical kyphotic deformity is still controversial. Circumferential approach has been well described in the literature but long terms outcomes are not well reported. Important to decide the corr...Surgical treatment for cervical kyphotic deformity is still controversial. Circumferential approach has been well described in the literature but long terms outcomes are not well reported. Important to decide the correct treatment option is the preoperative radiological exams to value the type of deformity(flexible or fixed). We report the case of a 67-year-old woman affected by a severe cervical kyphotic deformity who underwent combined anterior/posterior surgical approach, getting a good reduction of the deformity and an optimal stability in a long term follow up.展开更多
We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman with L5-S1 ontogenetic spondylolisthesis treated with pedicle fixation associated with interbody arthrodesis performed with S1-L5 trans-sacral screwing according to the tech...We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman with L5-S1 ontogenetic spondylolisthesis treated with pedicle fixation associated with interbody arthrodesis performed with S1-L5 trans-sacral screwing according to the technique of Bartolozzi. The procedure was followed by a wide decompressive laminectomy. The patient had a progressive improvement of the symptoms which gradually disappeared in 12 mo. The radiograph at 6 and 12 mo showed complete fusion system. The choice of treatment in L5-S1 ontogenetic spondylolithesis is related to a correct clinical and diagnostic planning(X-ray, computer tomography magnetic resonance imaging, Measurement). In particular, the severity index and the square of unstable zone, and the standard measurements already described in the literature, are important to understand and to plane the correct surgical strategy, that require, in most of the times, fusion and interbody artrodesis.展开更多
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare epithelial tumors, which originate from the thymus gland. According to the World Health Organization there are "organotypic"(types A, AB, B1, B2, and B3) and "non-o...Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare epithelial tumors, which originate from the thymus gland. According to the World Health Organization there are "organotypic"(types A, AB, B1, B2, and B3) and "non-organotypic"(thymic carcinomas) thymomas. Type B3 thymomas are aggressive tumors, which can metastasize. Due to the rarity of these lesions, only 7 cases of extradural metastasis are described in the literature. We report the first and unique case of a man with cervical intradural B3 thymoma metastasis. A 46-year-old man underwent thymoma surgical removal. The year after the procedure he was treated for a parietal pleura metastasis. In 2006 he underwent cervical-dorsal extradural metastasis removal and C5-Th1 stabilization. Seven years after he came to our observation complaining left cervicobrachialgia and a reduction of strength of the left arm. He underwent a cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a new lesion at the C5-C7 level. The patient underwent a surgery for the intradural B3 thymoma metastasis. Neurological symptoms improved although the removal was subtotal. He went through postoperative radiation therapy with further mass reduction. Spinal metastases are extremely rare. To date, only 7 cases of spinal extradural metastasis have been described in the literature. This is the first case of spinal intradural metastasis. Early individuation of these tumors and surgical treatment improve neurological outcome in patients with spinal cord compression. A multimodal treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and postoperative radiation therapy seems to improve survival in patients with metastatic thymoma.展开更多
Cerebrolysin is a drug consisting of low-molecular-weight neurotrophic peptides and free amino acids. Cerebrolysin has been shown to ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress, reduce apoptosis, and promote neuronal g...Cerebrolysin is a drug consisting of low-molecular-weight neurotrophic peptides and free amino acids. Cerebrolysin has been shown to ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress, reduce apoptosis, and promote neuronal growth in several degenerative and acquired central nervous system insults, including dementias, stroke, and traumatic injuries. Little is known about its therapeutic efficacy in peripheral nervous system diseases. In this study, we clinically evaluated the effects of cerebrolysin on peripheral nervous system lesions. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of cerebrolysin in six patients with the following conditions who failed to respond to conventional therapies: (1) atonic bladder due to inflammatory radiculitis; (2) paraplegia due to inflammatory radiculoneuropathy; (3) post-traumatic brachial plexopathy; (4) compressive radial nerve injury; (5) post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis; and (6) diabetic ophthalmoplegia. Our results showed that cerebrolysin was more associated with rapid neurological recovery after various peripheral nerve lesions than other therapies including steroids and supportive therapies such as vitamins and antioxidants. The present results support the therapeutic efficacy of cerebrolysin in the treatment of acquired peripheral nervous system diseases.展开更多
Study Objectives: About a quarter of strokes and transient ischemic attacks occur in the vertebrobasilar distribution. Vertebrobasilar stroke is particularly prone to devastating consequences especially brain stem inf...Study Objectives: About a quarter of strokes and transient ischemic attacks occur in the vertebrobasilar distribution. Vertebrobasilar stroke is particularly prone to devastating consequences especially brain stem infarctions due to damage of the regional brain tissues that contain vital centers, and is associated with high rates of death and disability. Study Design: This was across sectional observational prospective hospital-based study conducted on 60 patients with first-ever acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between different risk factors and different infarction patterns in posterior circulation;single small lacunar lesion, single large lesion, or multiple scattered lesions. Diagnosis of ischemic stroke and stroke subtypes were defined using the Trial of ORG 10,172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria as well as clinical and brain imaging features. Stroke severity using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was done on admission, after 24 hours from admission, and at 7 days from onset of symptoms. The patients functional status was assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) done on admission and on discharge from hospital and at 7-day follow up from onset of symptoms. Patients were classified according to infarction patterns into a single small lacunar lesion (group I), a single large lesion (group II), and multiple scattered lesions (group III) 20 patients in each group. Results: There was no significant difference between the three groups as regard the presence of vascular risk factors and the only significant difference as regard vascular risk factors was atrial fibrillation (AF). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard the occurrence of previous transient ischemic attacks (TIA). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard NIHSS score on admission, after 24 hours, and at 7 days from admission. There were significant differences between the three groups as regard mRS score at discharge and at 7-day follow up from the onset of symptoms and the degree of improvement from admission to discharge. There was significant difference between the three groups as regard volume of infarction in Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Group II and group III patients had larger volumes of infarction when compared to group I patients. There was no significant difference between the three groups as regard presence of significant intracranial stenosis in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard stroke etiology. It was found that largeartery atherosclerosis (LAA) was the most common stroke etiology in posterior circulation being present in (53.3%) of the patient group and was common in group II and III in contrast to group I patients. Conclusions: Different vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking are present in all infarction patterns of posterior circulation ischemic stroke either single or multiple infarctions. However, AF and significant vertebrobasilar stenosis were mostly associated with large and multiple infarct lesion patterns. Small vessel disease was the most common stroke etiology for single small lacunar lesion while large artery atherosclerosis was associated with single large lesion and multiple lesions in the posterior circulation. Early MRI and MRA help in define type and prognosis of posterior circulation infarcts. Early diagnosis and control of potentially modifiable risk factors and comorbid conditions are an important aspect in the early management of patients with infarction in the posterior circulation.展开更多
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by irreversible deterioration of upper and lower motor neurons(MNs).Previously,studies on the involvement of glial cells in the pat...Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by irreversible deterioration of upper and lower motor neurons(MNs).Previously,studies on the involvement of glial cells in the pathogenic process of ALS have mainly revolved around astrocytes and microglia.And oligodendrocytes(OLs)have only recently been highlighted.Grey matter demyelination within the motor cortex and proliferation of the oligodendrocyte precursor cells(OPCs)was observed in ALS patients.The selective ablation of mutant SOD1(the dysfunctional superoxide dismutase)from the oligodendrocyte progenitors after birth significantly delayed disease onset and prolonged the overall survival in ALS mice model(SOD1G37R).In this study,we review the several mechanisms of oligodendrocyte dysfunction involved in the pathological process of myelin damage and MNs death during ALS.Particularly,we examined the insufficient local energy supply from OLs to axons,impaired differentiation from OPCs into OLs mediated by oxidative stress damage,and inflammatory injury to the OLs.Since increasing evidence depicted that ALS is not a disease limited to MNs damage,exploring the mechanisms by which oligodendrocyte dysfunction is involved in MNs death would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ALS and identifying potential drug targets.展开更多
Single metamere motility should not be interpreted merely as a movement on the 3 planes but also,and above all,as elastic resistance to dynamic stress on these 3 planes.In the light of this consideration,the aim of mo...Single metamere motility should not be interpreted merely as a movement on the 3 planes but also,and above all,as elastic resistance to dynamic stress on these 3 planes.In the light of this consideration,the aim of motion preservation is to neutralize excessive movements while preserving the physiological biomechanical properties of the metamere involved to interrupt the progression of degenerative processes and to prevent adjacent segment disease.Despite the fact that a myriad of devices have been developed with the purpose of achieving dynamic neutralization of the spine,there are now some doubts regarding the true efficacy of these devices.展开更多
We describe clinical, diagnostic features and follow up of a patient with a vanishing brain lesion. A 14-yearold child admitted to the department of Neurology at September 2009 with a history of subacute onset of feve...We describe clinical, diagnostic features and follow up of a patient with a vanishing brain lesion. A 14-yearold child admitted to the department of Neurology at September 2009 with a history of subacute onset of fever, anorexia, vomiting, blurring of vision and right hemiparesis since one month. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the brain revealed presence of intraaxial large mass(25 mm × 19 mm) in the left temporal lobe and the brainstem which showed hypointense signal in T1 W and hyperintense signals in T2 W and fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR) images and homogenously enhanced with gadolinium(Gd). It was surrounded by vasogenic edema with mass effect. Intravenous antibiotics, mannitol(2 g/12 h per 2 d) and dexamethasone(8 mg/12 h) were given to relief manifestations of increased intracranial pressure. Whole craniospinal radiotherapy(brain = 4000 CGy/20 settings per 4 wk; Spinal = 2600/13 settings per 3 wk) was given based on the high suspicion of neoplastic lesion(lymphoma or glioma). Marked clinical improvement(up to complete recovery) occurred within 15 d. Tapering of the steroid dose was done over the next 4 mo. Follow up with MRI after 3 mo showed small lesion in the left antero-medial temporal region with hypointense signal in T1 W and hyperintense signals in T2 W and FLAIR images but did not enhance with Gd. At August 2012, the patient developed recurrent generalized epilepsy. His electroencephalography showed the presence of left temporal focus of epileptic activity. MRI showed the same lesion as described in the follow up. The diffusion weighted images were normal. The seizures frequency was decreased with carbamazepine therapy(300 mg/12 h). At October 2014, single voxel proton(1H) MR spectroscopy(MRS) showedreduced N-acetyl-aspartate(NAA)/creatine(Cr), choline(Cho)/Cr, NAA/Cho ratios consistent with absence of a neoplasm and highly suggested presence of gliosis. A solitary brain mass in a child poses a considerable diagnostic difficulty. MRS provided valuable diagnostic differentiation between tumor and pseudotumor lesions.展开更多
Xanthogranulomas(XG) are benign proliferative disorder of histiocytes, a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Whose etiology is unknown. The nature of these lesions is controversial and could be either reactive or neopl...Xanthogranulomas(XG) are benign proliferative disorder of histiocytes, a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Whose etiology is unknown. The nature of these lesions is controversial and could be either reactive or neoplastic;the presence of monoclonal cells does, however, favor the second hypothesis. Xanthogranuloma is frequently found in young adults and children(under 20 years old), mainly in the skin. In about 5%-10% of all Juvenile XG(JXG) cases xanthogranuloma are extracutaneous. Within this group, the site most frequently involved is the eye. Other involved organs are heart, liver, adrenals, oropharynx, lung, spleen, central nervous system and subcutaneous tissue, although involvement of the spine is uncommon. Isolated lesions involving the sacral region are extremely rare. To date, this is the first reported case of a giant JXG arising from S1 with extension into the pelvic region in an adult spine.展开更多
AIM: To determine the prevalence and risks of suicidality in a group of patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Included were 200 adult patients and 100 matched healthy subjects. The clinical interview using The Diagnostic a...AIM: To determine the prevalence and risks of suicidality in a group of patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Included were 200 adult patients and 100 matched healthy subjects. The clinical interview using The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(4th edition), Beck Depression Inventory(2nd edition)(BDI-Ⅱ), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAM-A), Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Rating Scale testings were used for diagnosis and assessment of severity of psychiatric symptoms. Blood concentrations of serotonin, catecholamines and dopamine were also measured.RESULTS: Suicidality was reported in 35%(compared to 9% for controls), of them 80%, 72.86%, 55.71% and 52.9% had depression, anxiety, obsession and aggression respectively. Patients with suicidality had higher scores of BDI-Ⅱ(P = 0.0001), HAM-A(P = 0.0001), and Y-BOCS(P = 0.037) and lower scores of psychotic(P = 0.0001) and extroversion(P = 0.025) personality traits. Regardless the presence or absence of suicidality, patients with epilepsy had low serotonin(P = 0.006), noradrenaline(P = 0.019) and adrenaline(P = 0.0001) levels. With suicidality, significant correlations were identified between:(1) age and scores of BDI-Ⅱ(r = 0.235, P = 0.0001) and HAM-A(r = 0.241, P = 0.046);(2) age at onset and concentrations of noradrenaline(r =-0.502, P = 0.024);(3) duration of illness and scores of BDI-Ⅱ(r = 0.247, P = 0.041), Y-BOCS(r = 0.270, P = 0.025) and neurotic personality trait(r =-0.284, P = 0.018); and(4) doses of antiepileptic drugs and scores of psychotic personality traits(r =-0.495, P = 0.006 for carbamazepine; r =-0.508, P = 0.0001 for valproate).CONCLUSION: This is the first study which systematically estimated the prevalence and risks of suicidality in a homogenous group of patients with epilepsy. This study emphasizes the importance of epilepsy itself as a risk for suicidality and not its treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Depression is a common problem in women in childbearing years due to burdens of motherhood and building a family.Few studies estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression compared to those in the postpar...BACKGROUND Depression is a common problem in women in childbearing years due to burdens of motherhood and building a family.Few studies estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression compared to those in the postpartum period.AIM To estimate the prevalence and the severities of peripartum depression and major depressive disorder and their predictors.METHODS This is a longitudinal observation study.It included 200 women scoring≥13 with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale,indicating presence of symptoms of depression.They had a gestational age of≥6 wk and did follow-ups until the 10^(th) week to 12^(th) weeks postpartum.Information of women's reactions to life circumstances and stressors during the current pregnancy were gathered from answers to questions of the designed unstructured clinical questionnaire.Severities of depression,anxiety,and parenting stress were determined by the Beck Depression Inventory,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults,and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form,respectively.Psychiatric interviewing was done to confirm the diagnosis of major depression.Measuring the levels of triiodothronine(T3),thyroxine(T4),and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)was done in both antepartum and postpartum periods.RESULTS Out of 968(mean age=27.35±6.42 years),20.66%(n=200)of the patients had clinically significant symptoms of depression and 7.44%had major depression.Previous premenstrual dysphoria,post-abortive depression,and depression unrelated to pregnancy and were reported in 43%,8%,and 4.5%of the patients,respectively.Psychosocial stressors were reported in 15.5%of the patients.Antepartum anxiety and parenting stress were reported in 90.5%and 65%of the patients,respectively.Postpartum T3,T4,and TSH levels did not significantly differ from reference values.Regression analysis showed that anxiety trait was a predictor for antepartum(standardized regression coefficients=0.514,t=8.507,P=0.001)and postpartum(standardized regression coefficients=0.573,t=0.040,P=0.041)depression.Antepartum depression(standardized regression coefficients=-0.086,t=-2.750,P=0.007),and parenting stress(standardized regression coefficients=0.080,t=14.34,P=0.0001)were also predictors for postpartum depression.CONCLUSION Results showed that 20.66%of the patients had clinically significant symptoms of depression and 7.44%had major depression.Anxiety was a predictor for antepartum and postpartum depression.Antepartum depression and parenting stress were also predictors for postpartum depression.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND The tinnitus susceptibility patterns in relation to different psychological and life stressors are unknown in different cultures.AIM To determine the comorbid psychosocial factors and behaviors associated with tinnitus and the predictors for the increase in its severity.METHODS Participants were 230 adults(males=70;females=160;mean age=38.6±3.3).They underwent audiograms,speech discrimination and masking testing,and neuropsychiatric evaluation.Measures used for assessment included tinnitus handicap inventory,depression anxiety stress scale 21(DASS-21),perceived stress scale(PSS),and insomnia severity index(ISI).RESULTS Patients had mean duration of tinnitus of 11.5±2.5 mo.They had intact hearing perception at 250-8000 Hz and 95(41.3%)had aggravation of tinnitus loudness by masking noise.Decompensated tinnitus was reported in 77%(n=177).The majority had clinically significant insomnia(81.3%),somatic symptoms(75%)other than tinnitus and perceived moderate(46.1%)and high(44.3%)stress to tinnitus.The severe/extremely severe symptoms of depression,anxiety and stress were reported in 17.4%,35.7%and 44.3%,respectively.Patients with decompensated type had significantly higher scores for ISI(P=0.001)and DASS-21(depression=0.02,anxiety=0.01,stress=0.001)compared to those with compensated tinnitus.Psychiatric interviewing showed that 35.7%had non-specific anxiety disorder,17.4%had major depression,and 19.6%fulfilled the criteria of somatization disorder.Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent predictors for tinnitus severity were the duration of tinnitus[odd ratios(OR)=0.832,95%CI:0.640-1.158;P=0.001]and PSS(OR=0.835,95%CI:0.540-1.125;P=0.001)scores.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study in our culture to evaluate the causal relationship between psychological factors and tinnitus onset,severity and persistence.Tinnitus could be the earliest and dominant somatic symptom induced by life stressors and psychological vulnerabilities.Therefore,multidisciplinary consultation(psychologists,psychiatrists,and neurologists)is important to acknowledge among the audiologists and otolaryngologists who primarily consult patients.
文摘BACKGROUND Smell disorders are the most frequent persistent coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)complications.AIM To describe the patterns and characteristics of persistent smell and taste disorders in Egyptian patients.METHODS Assessment was done to 185 patients(adults=150,age:31.41±8.63 years;children=35;age:15.66±1.63 years).Otolaryngology and neuropsychiatric evaluations were done.Measurements included:A clinical questionnaire(for smell and taste);sniffin'odor,taste and flavor identification tests and the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements(sQOD-NS).RESULTS Duration of disorders was 11.53±3.97 ms(6-24 ms).Parosmia(n=119;64.32%)was developed months after anosmia(3.05±1.87 ms).Objective testing showed anosmia in all,ageusia and flavor loss in 20%(n=37)and loss of nasal and oral trigeminal sensations in 18%(n=33)and 20%(n=37),respectively.Patients had low scoring of sQOD-NS(11.41±3.66).There were no specific differences in other demographics and clinical variables which could distinguish post-COVID-19 smell and taste disorders in children from adults.CONCLUSION The course of small and taste disorders are supportive of the nasal and oral neuronal compromises.Post-COVID-19 taste and trigeminal disorders were less frequent compared to smell disorders.Post-COVID-19 flavor disorders were solely dependent on taste and not smell disorders.There were no demographics,clinical variables at onset or specific profile of these disorders in children compared to adults.
文摘Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesions.FA measurements may are used to predicting the outcome of patients who have spinal cord lesions.Fiber tracking enable to visualizing the integrity of white matter tracts surrounding some lesions,and this information could be used to formulating a differential diagnosis and planning biopsies or resection.In this article,we will describe the current uses for DWI and fiber tracking and speculate on others in which we believe these techniques will be useful in the future.
文摘Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy had been rarely reported as an adverse effect of some antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) at high cumulative doses or even within the therapeutic drug doses or levels.We describe clinical and diagnostic features of a patient with peripheral neuropathy as an adverse effect of chronic topiramate(TPM) therapy.A 37-year-old woman was presented for the control of active epilepsy(2010).She was resistant to some AEDs as mono-or combined therapies(carbamazepine,sodium valproate,levetiracetam,oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine).She has the diagnosis of frontal lobe epilepsy with secondary generalization and has a brother,sister and son with active epilepsies.She became seizure free on TPM(2013-2017) but is complaining of persistent distal lower extremities paresthesia in a stocking distribution.Neurological examination revealed presence of diminished Achilles tendon reflexes,stocking hypesthesia and delayed distal latencies,reduced conduction velocities and amplitudes of action potentials of posterior tibial and sural nerves,indicating demyelinating and axonal peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.After exclusion of the possible causes of peripheral neuropathy,chronic TPM therapy is suggested as the most probable cause of patient's neuropathy.This is the first case report of topiramate induced peripheral neuropathy in the literature.
文摘We describe an unusual clinical and diagnostic featureof a patient with multiple sclerosis(MS). A 25-yearold woman was admitted to the Neurology department(December 2009) with one month history of rapid cognitive deterioration. She had poor cognition, dysphasia, reduction in visual acuity and temporal pallor of the optic discs. She had prolonged latencies of P100 component of visual evoked potentials(VEPs). Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-brain showed multifocal large(≥ 3 cm) white-matter hypointense lesions in T1 W and hyperintense in T2 W and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images and patchy enhancement. A diagnosis of tumefactive MS was given. She received two consecutive 5-d courses of 1 g daily intravenous methylprednisolone for 2 mo and oral prednisolone in dose of 80 mg twice/daily in between. At the 3rd month, Mini Mental State Examination and VEPs returned to normal but not the MRI. Patient continued oral steroids after hospital discharge(March 2010) for 9 mo with significant MRI improvement after which tapering of steroids started for a year. The patient refused immunomodulation therapy due to her low socioeconomic status. Neither clinical relapse nor new MRI lesions were observed throughout the next 4 years. In spite of the aggressive course of tumefactive MS variant, good prognosis may be seen in some patients.
文摘Aim: The aim of our study was to compare characteristics of stroke patients who presented Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (OSAH) to those of cases that presented Central Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (CSAH) events at PSG, and to investigate relationships between the type of breathing disturb during sleep and the location of brain damage. Methods: Thirty four patients were submitted to clinical, neuroradiological and polisomnographyc study (PSG) after 4 months of stroke. A Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) was diagnosed in all cases with an AHI > 5. Patients were classified as affected by predominantly OSAH (pOSAH), or predominantly CSAH (pCSAH). Comparisons were made among the groups and correlation analyses were done in each group. Significance was set at p < 0.005. Results: Twenty six patients with ischemic strokes had a SDB during sleep (56% embolic, 31% lacunar, 8% large artery, 8% with undetermined cause). The 61% of them showed pOSAH. Except for age, no statistical differences were found between the two groups as to clinical findings, risk factors for stroke, PSG data, or location of brain lesion. Correlation analysis outlined that in pOSAH cases the time interval from stroke to PSG (Δt) was inversely related to both TST (p = 0.017) and TSP (p = 0.039);in pCSAHs it was inversely related to SE Index (p = 0.021) and directly related to both ODI (p = 0.016) and with the n. of arrhythmias/h sleep (p = 0.033). In pCSAH, AHI did not correlate with ODI. Conclusions: Our data suggest that among cases with post stroke SDB is included 3 different subgroups of cases: OSAHs who terminate the obstruction by arousal, OSAHs who do not arise and alternate obstructive to central events, and CSAHs due to the direct effect of stroke on the breathing network;in a forth subgroup of cases, the microstructure of sleep might be altered, with the consequent occurrence of sleep-related events. Further studies are needed to clarify these hypotheses as well as the role of poststroke depression on the nature and occurrence of SDB after stroke.
文摘Objective: cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a progressive degenerative cervical spine disease. During later stages of segmental degeneration, kyphosis of the cervical spine can occur and further compromise the spinal cord and nerve roots. Optimal surgical approach remains controversial. The choice to perform an anterior, posterior or combined approach depends on: sagittal alignment, number of involved levels, main compression localization, and clinical status. The anterior approach is recommended when compression involves primarily anterior horn of spinal cord. Methods: between January 2001 and December 2005, 121 patients (42 F, 79 M, mean age 62 years) were operated for cervical spondylosis (98 myelopathy, 23 radiculopathy). Anterior surgical approach was performed in 81 patients. 63 patients were operated performing multilevel discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and 18 patients performing corpectomy and fusion and anterior plating (ACCF). Preoperative documentation collected consisted of cervical X-ray (static-dynamic), cervical spine TC, cervical MRI. Clinical documentation permitted us to obtained clinical status of each patient based on JOA, NDI and VAS. A Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 6 years, 12 years. Results: the fusion rate was calculated based on the static and dynamic X-ray (flexion and extension position), only a little percentage of patients underwent CT scan. There were no significant differences between ACDF and ACCF in clinical outcome at 6 years evaluated by VAS and NDI. The rate of fusion at 6 years for 2 levels ACCF (92%) was higher than that for 2 levels ACDF (86%) but is not statistically significative. Conclusion: classifying degenerative disease and biomechanics feature, preoperatively in necessary to guide the surgeon to choose the best anterior approach for cervical spondylosis.
文摘The nose and the oral cavities are the main sites for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)entry into the body.Smell and taste deficits are the most common acute viral manifestations.Persistent smell disorders are the most common and bothersome complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection,lasting for months to years.The mechanisms and treatment of persistent post-coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)smell and taste disorders are still challenges.Information sources for the review are PubMed,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Ovid Medline,Embase,Scopus,Web of Science,International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature,Elton Bryson Stephens Company,Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care,Cooperation in Science and Technology,International Clinical Trials Registry Platform,World Health Organization,Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry,and MediFind.This review summarizes the up-to-date information about the prevalence,patterns at onset,and prognoses of post-COVID-19 smell and taste disorders,evidence for the neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and the overlap between SARSCoV-1,Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,and SARS-CoV-2 in structure,molecular biology,mode of replication,and host pathogenicity,the suggested cellular and molecular mechanisms for these post-COVID19 chemosensory disorders,and the applied pharmacotherapies and interventions as trials to treat these disorders,and the recommendations for future research to improve understanding of predictors and mechanisms of these disorders.These are crucial for hopeful proper treatment strategies.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81871080the Key R&D Program of Jining(Major Program),No.2023YXNS004+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81401486the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province of China,No.20170540276the Medicine and Health Science Technology Development Program of Shandong Province,No.202003070713.
文摘BACKGROUND Panic disorder(PD)involves emotion dysregulation,but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.Previous research suggests that implicit emotion regulation may play a central role in PD-related emotion dysregulation and symptom maintenance.However,there is a lack of studies exploring the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD using neurophysiological indicators.AIM To study the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD with eventrelated potentials(ERP).METHODS A total of 25 PD patients and 20 healthy controls(HC)underwent clinical evaluations.The study utilized a case-control design with random sampling,selecting participants for the case group from March to December 2018.Participants performed an affect labeling task,using affect labeling as the experimental condition and gender labeling as the control condition.ERP and behavioral data were recorded to compare the late positive potential(LPP)within and between the groups.RESULTS Both PD and HC groups showed longer reaction times and decreased accuracy under the affect labeling.In the HC group,late LPP amplitudes exhibited a dynamic pattern of initial increase followed by decrease.Importantly,a significant group×condition interaction effect was observed.Simple effect analysis revealed a reduction in the differences of late LPP amplitudes between the affect labeling and gender labeling conditions in the PD group compared to the HC group.Furthermore,among PD patients under the affect labeling,the late LPP was negatively correlated with disease severity,symptom frequency,and intensity.CONCLUSION PD patients demonstrate abnormalities in implicit emotion regulation,hampering their ability to mobilize cognitive resources for downregulating negative emotions.The late LPP amplitude in response to affect labeling may serve as a potentially valuable clinical indicator of PD severity.
文摘Surgical treatment for cervical kyphotic deformity is still controversial. Circumferential approach has been well described in the literature but long terms outcomes are not well reported. Important to decide the correct treatment option is the preoperative radiological exams to value the type of deformity(flexible or fixed). We report the case of a 67-year-old woman affected by a severe cervical kyphotic deformity who underwent combined anterior/posterior surgical approach, getting a good reduction of the deformity and an optimal stability in a long term follow up.
文摘We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman with L5-S1 ontogenetic spondylolisthesis treated with pedicle fixation associated with interbody arthrodesis performed with S1-L5 trans-sacral screwing according to the technique of Bartolozzi. The procedure was followed by a wide decompressive laminectomy. The patient had a progressive improvement of the symptoms which gradually disappeared in 12 mo. The radiograph at 6 and 12 mo showed complete fusion system. The choice of treatment in L5-S1 ontogenetic spondylolithesis is related to a correct clinical and diagnostic planning(X-ray, computer tomography magnetic resonance imaging, Measurement). In particular, the severity index and the square of unstable zone, and the standard measurements already described in the literature, are important to understand and to plane the correct surgical strategy, that require, in most of the times, fusion and interbody artrodesis.
文摘Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare epithelial tumors, which originate from the thymus gland. According to the World Health Organization there are "organotypic"(types A, AB, B1, B2, and B3) and "non-organotypic"(thymic carcinomas) thymomas. Type B3 thymomas are aggressive tumors, which can metastasize. Due to the rarity of these lesions, only 7 cases of extradural metastasis are described in the literature. We report the first and unique case of a man with cervical intradural B3 thymoma metastasis. A 46-year-old man underwent thymoma surgical removal. The year after the procedure he was treated for a parietal pleura metastasis. In 2006 he underwent cervical-dorsal extradural metastasis removal and C5-Th1 stabilization. Seven years after he came to our observation complaining left cervicobrachialgia and a reduction of strength of the left arm. He underwent a cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a new lesion at the C5-C7 level. The patient underwent a surgery for the intradural B3 thymoma metastasis. Neurological symptoms improved although the removal was subtotal. He went through postoperative radiation therapy with further mass reduction. Spinal metastases are extremely rare. To date, only 7 cases of spinal extradural metastasis have been described in the literature. This is the first case of spinal intradural metastasis. Early individuation of these tumors and surgical treatment improve neurological outcome in patients with spinal cord compression. A multimodal treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and postoperative radiation therapy seems to improve survival in patients with metastatic thymoma.
文摘Cerebrolysin is a drug consisting of low-molecular-weight neurotrophic peptides and free amino acids. Cerebrolysin has been shown to ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress, reduce apoptosis, and promote neuronal growth in several degenerative and acquired central nervous system insults, including dementias, stroke, and traumatic injuries. Little is known about its therapeutic efficacy in peripheral nervous system diseases. In this study, we clinically evaluated the effects of cerebrolysin on peripheral nervous system lesions. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of cerebrolysin in six patients with the following conditions who failed to respond to conventional therapies: (1) atonic bladder due to inflammatory radiculitis; (2) paraplegia due to inflammatory radiculoneuropathy; (3) post-traumatic brachial plexopathy; (4) compressive radial nerve injury; (5) post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis; and (6) diabetic ophthalmoplegia. Our results showed that cerebrolysin was more associated with rapid neurological recovery after various peripheral nerve lesions than other therapies including steroids and supportive therapies such as vitamins and antioxidants. The present results support the therapeutic efficacy of cerebrolysin in the treatment of acquired peripheral nervous system diseases.
文摘Study Objectives: About a quarter of strokes and transient ischemic attacks occur in the vertebrobasilar distribution. Vertebrobasilar stroke is particularly prone to devastating consequences especially brain stem infarctions due to damage of the regional brain tissues that contain vital centers, and is associated with high rates of death and disability. Study Design: This was across sectional observational prospective hospital-based study conducted on 60 patients with first-ever acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between different risk factors and different infarction patterns in posterior circulation;single small lacunar lesion, single large lesion, or multiple scattered lesions. Diagnosis of ischemic stroke and stroke subtypes were defined using the Trial of ORG 10,172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria as well as clinical and brain imaging features. Stroke severity using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was done on admission, after 24 hours from admission, and at 7 days from onset of symptoms. The patients functional status was assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) done on admission and on discharge from hospital and at 7-day follow up from onset of symptoms. Patients were classified according to infarction patterns into a single small lacunar lesion (group I), a single large lesion (group II), and multiple scattered lesions (group III) 20 patients in each group. Results: There was no significant difference between the three groups as regard the presence of vascular risk factors and the only significant difference as regard vascular risk factors was atrial fibrillation (AF). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard the occurrence of previous transient ischemic attacks (TIA). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard NIHSS score on admission, after 24 hours, and at 7 days from admission. There were significant differences between the three groups as regard mRS score at discharge and at 7-day follow up from the onset of symptoms and the degree of improvement from admission to discharge. There was significant difference between the three groups as regard volume of infarction in Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Group II and group III patients had larger volumes of infarction when compared to group I patients. There was no significant difference between the three groups as regard presence of significant intracranial stenosis in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). There was significant difference between the three groups as regard stroke etiology. It was found that largeartery atherosclerosis (LAA) was the most common stroke etiology in posterior circulation being present in (53.3%) of the patient group and was common in group II and III in contrast to group I patients. Conclusions: Different vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking are present in all infarction patterns of posterior circulation ischemic stroke either single or multiple infarctions. However, AF and significant vertebrobasilar stenosis were mostly associated with large and multiple infarct lesion patterns. Small vessel disease was the most common stroke etiology for single small lacunar lesion while large artery atherosclerosis was associated with single large lesion and multiple lesions in the posterior circulation. Early MRI and MRA help in define type and prognosis of posterior circulation infarcts. Early diagnosis and control of potentially modifiable risk factors and comorbid conditions are an important aspect in the early management of patients with infarction in the posterior circulation.
基金The current study was supported by the innovative population project of Hubei Province(Grant No.2019CFA030)the clinical research project of Bethune Charitable Foundation,China.
文摘Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by irreversible deterioration of upper and lower motor neurons(MNs).Previously,studies on the involvement of glial cells in the pathogenic process of ALS have mainly revolved around astrocytes and microglia.And oligodendrocytes(OLs)have only recently been highlighted.Grey matter demyelination within the motor cortex and proliferation of the oligodendrocyte precursor cells(OPCs)was observed in ALS patients.The selective ablation of mutant SOD1(the dysfunctional superoxide dismutase)from the oligodendrocyte progenitors after birth significantly delayed disease onset and prolonged the overall survival in ALS mice model(SOD1G37R).In this study,we review the several mechanisms of oligodendrocyte dysfunction involved in the pathological process of myelin damage and MNs death during ALS.Particularly,we examined the insufficient local energy supply from OLs to axons,impaired differentiation from OPCs into OLs mediated by oxidative stress damage,and inflammatory injury to the OLs.Since increasing evidence depicted that ALS is not a disease limited to MNs damage,exploring the mechanisms by which oligodendrocyte dysfunction is involved in MNs death would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ALS and identifying potential drug targets.
文摘Single metamere motility should not be interpreted merely as a movement on the 3 planes but also,and above all,as elastic resistance to dynamic stress on these 3 planes.In the light of this consideration,the aim of motion preservation is to neutralize excessive movements while preserving the physiological biomechanical properties of the metamere involved to interrupt the progression of degenerative processes and to prevent adjacent segment disease.Despite the fact that a myriad of devices have been developed with the purpose of achieving dynamic neutralization of the spine,there are now some doubts regarding the true efficacy of these devices.
文摘We describe clinical, diagnostic features and follow up of a patient with a vanishing brain lesion. A 14-yearold child admitted to the department of Neurology at September 2009 with a history of subacute onset of fever, anorexia, vomiting, blurring of vision and right hemiparesis since one month. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the brain revealed presence of intraaxial large mass(25 mm × 19 mm) in the left temporal lobe and the brainstem which showed hypointense signal in T1 W and hyperintense signals in T2 W and fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR) images and homogenously enhanced with gadolinium(Gd). It was surrounded by vasogenic edema with mass effect. Intravenous antibiotics, mannitol(2 g/12 h per 2 d) and dexamethasone(8 mg/12 h) were given to relief manifestations of increased intracranial pressure. Whole craniospinal radiotherapy(brain = 4000 CGy/20 settings per 4 wk; Spinal = 2600/13 settings per 3 wk) was given based on the high suspicion of neoplastic lesion(lymphoma or glioma). Marked clinical improvement(up to complete recovery) occurred within 15 d. Tapering of the steroid dose was done over the next 4 mo. Follow up with MRI after 3 mo showed small lesion in the left antero-medial temporal region with hypointense signal in T1 W and hyperintense signals in T2 W and FLAIR images but did not enhance with Gd. At August 2012, the patient developed recurrent generalized epilepsy. His electroencephalography showed the presence of left temporal focus of epileptic activity. MRI showed the same lesion as described in the follow up. The diffusion weighted images were normal. The seizures frequency was decreased with carbamazepine therapy(300 mg/12 h). At October 2014, single voxel proton(1H) MR spectroscopy(MRS) showedreduced N-acetyl-aspartate(NAA)/creatine(Cr), choline(Cho)/Cr, NAA/Cho ratios consistent with absence of a neoplasm and highly suggested presence of gliosis. A solitary brain mass in a child poses a considerable diagnostic difficulty. MRS provided valuable diagnostic differentiation between tumor and pseudotumor lesions.
文摘Xanthogranulomas(XG) are benign proliferative disorder of histiocytes, a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Whose etiology is unknown. The nature of these lesions is controversial and could be either reactive or neoplastic;the presence of monoclonal cells does, however, favor the second hypothesis. Xanthogranuloma is frequently found in young adults and children(under 20 years old), mainly in the skin. In about 5%-10% of all Juvenile XG(JXG) cases xanthogranuloma are extracutaneous. Within this group, the site most frequently involved is the eye. Other involved organs are heart, liver, adrenals, oropharynx, lung, spleen, central nervous system and subcutaneous tissue, although involvement of the spine is uncommon. Isolated lesions involving the sacral region are extremely rare. To date, this is the first reported case of a giant JXG arising from S1 with extension into the pelvic region in an adult spine.
文摘AIM: To determine the prevalence and risks of suicidality in a group of patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Included were 200 adult patients and 100 matched healthy subjects. The clinical interview using The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(4th edition), Beck Depression Inventory(2nd edition)(BDI-Ⅱ), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAM-A), Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Rating Scale testings were used for diagnosis and assessment of severity of psychiatric symptoms. Blood concentrations of serotonin, catecholamines and dopamine were also measured.RESULTS: Suicidality was reported in 35%(compared to 9% for controls), of them 80%, 72.86%, 55.71% and 52.9% had depression, anxiety, obsession and aggression respectively. Patients with suicidality had higher scores of BDI-Ⅱ(P = 0.0001), HAM-A(P = 0.0001), and Y-BOCS(P = 0.037) and lower scores of psychotic(P = 0.0001) and extroversion(P = 0.025) personality traits. Regardless the presence or absence of suicidality, patients with epilepsy had low serotonin(P = 0.006), noradrenaline(P = 0.019) and adrenaline(P = 0.0001) levels. With suicidality, significant correlations were identified between:(1) age and scores of BDI-Ⅱ(r = 0.235, P = 0.0001) and HAM-A(r = 0.241, P = 0.046);(2) age at onset and concentrations of noradrenaline(r =-0.502, P = 0.024);(3) duration of illness and scores of BDI-Ⅱ(r = 0.247, P = 0.041), Y-BOCS(r = 0.270, P = 0.025) and neurotic personality trait(r =-0.284, P = 0.018); and(4) doses of antiepileptic drugs and scores of psychotic personality traits(r =-0.495, P = 0.006 for carbamazepine; r =-0.508, P = 0.0001 for valproate).CONCLUSION: This is the first study which systematically estimated the prevalence and risks of suicidality in a homogenous group of patients with epilepsy. This study emphasizes the importance of epilepsy itself as a risk for suicidality and not its treatment.
文摘BACKGROUND Depression is a common problem in women in childbearing years due to burdens of motherhood and building a family.Few studies estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression compared to those in the postpartum period.AIM To estimate the prevalence and the severities of peripartum depression and major depressive disorder and their predictors.METHODS This is a longitudinal observation study.It included 200 women scoring≥13 with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale,indicating presence of symptoms of depression.They had a gestational age of≥6 wk and did follow-ups until the 10^(th) week to 12^(th) weeks postpartum.Information of women's reactions to life circumstances and stressors during the current pregnancy were gathered from answers to questions of the designed unstructured clinical questionnaire.Severities of depression,anxiety,and parenting stress were determined by the Beck Depression Inventory,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults,and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form,respectively.Psychiatric interviewing was done to confirm the diagnosis of major depression.Measuring the levels of triiodothronine(T3),thyroxine(T4),and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)was done in both antepartum and postpartum periods.RESULTS Out of 968(mean age=27.35±6.42 years),20.66%(n=200)of the patients had clinically significant symptoms of depression and 7.44%had major depression.Previous premenstrual dysphoria,post-abortive depression,and depression unrelated to pregnancy and were reported in 43%,8%,and 4.5%of the patients,respectively.Psychosocial stressors were reported in 15.5%of the patients.Antepartum anxiety and parenting stress were reported in 90.5%and 65%of the patients,respectively.Postpartum T3,T4,and TSH levels did not significantly differ from reference values.Regression analysis showed that anxiety trait was a predictor for antepartum(standardized regression coefficients=0.514,t=8.507,P=0.001)and postpartum(standardized regression coefficients=0.573,t=0.040,P=0.041)depression.Antepartum depression(standardized regression coefficients=-0.086,t=-2.750,P=0.007),and parenting stress(standardized regression coefficients=0.080,t=14.34,P=0.0001)were also predictors for postpartum depression.CONCLUSION Results showed that 20.66%of the patients had clinically significant symptoms of depression and 7.44%had major depression.Anxiety was a predictor for antepartum and postpartum depression.Antepartum depression and parenting stress were also predictors for postpartum depression.
