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Clin Nucl Med 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Department, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is an inherited syndrome associated with several benign and malignant tumors such as central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma. Herein, we report a known case of A Von Hippel-Lindau patient with a cerebral hemangioblastoma who was referred for further evaluation because of recent paraparesis. F-FDG PET/CT showed no focal uptake in the thoracic spine, which demonstrated increased Ga DOTATATE activity, owing to overexpression of somatostatin receptors, suggesting spinal cord hemangioblastoma. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Apr 9. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to describe the new 2017 revisions of the McDonald diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis and review first experiences in their application to different patient populations.

Recent Findings: The 2017 revisions agreed on by an international expert panel, as the precursors, define criteria needed to fulfill dissemination in time and space in the clinically isolated syndrome after exclusion of alternative diagnoses. One major change is the inclusion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands as evidence of dissemination in time in a patient with dissemination in space gathered by clinical or magnetic resonance examination. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305. Electronic address:

Background: Neurological complications are common in HIV/AIDS patients. While both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be affected, up to 80% of HIV/AIDS patients have CNS involvement during the course of their illness. The brain is the primary site of HIV/AIDS associated CNS complications. Read More

Neuromodulation 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Introduction: Apart from the clinical efficacy of high frequency spinal cord stimulation at 10 kHz, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. In parallel with spinal or segmental theories, supraspinal hypotheses have been recently proposed. In order to unveil hidden altered brain connectome patterns, a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) protocol was performed in subjects routinely treated for back and/or leg pain with high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) HF-SCS at 10 kHz. Read More

J Int Med Res 2019 Apr 8:300060519836533. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

3 Stem cell bank of Hainan Province & Hainan Heze Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Haikou, PR China.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an aggressive and life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment by secreting cytokines and have been used to treat autoimmune diseases. We report the first case of refractory secondary HLH treated with umbilical cord MSCs. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 04 5:1-5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Neurosurgery; and

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disease process characterized by aberrant immune system activation and an exaggerated inflammatory response. Establishing the diagnosis may be challenging and is achieved by satisfying a number of clinical criteria, in addition to demonstrating tissue hemophagocytosis. This syndrome is rapidly fatal if prompt diagnosis and treatment are not achieved. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019 19;9:52. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Extrahepatic injury, particularly neurologic dysfunctions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, neurologic amyotrophy, and encephalitis/meningoencephalitis/myositis were associated with HEV infection, which was supported by both clinical and laboratory studies. Thus, it is crucial to figure out how the virus invades into the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, CNS lesions were determined in rabbits and Mongolian gerbils inoculated with genotype 4 HEV. Read More

J Invest Surg 2019 Mar 25:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

f Department of Cardiovascular Surgery , Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, and Beijing Engineering Research Center of Vascular Prostheses , Beijing , China.

Background: Acute aorta dissection (AD) is a fatal emergency, however, studies addressing the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of acute AD in young adult patients aged under 45 years in China are very few.

Methods: A retrospective study including 490 patients with acute AD as the final diagnosis was conducted. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, medical history, and laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings were retrieved from medical records. Read More

Pain Med 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Anesthesia Pain Care Consultants, Tamarac, Florida.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the wireless Freedom Spinal Cord Stimulator (WSCS) System for the treatment of chronic back and/or leg pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refractory to standard medical treatment utilizing 10-kHz stimulation (high-frequency [HF]) in comparison with 10-1,500-Hz stimulation (low-frequency [LF]) waveforms.

Methods: Ninety-nine subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HF or LF stimulation waveforms utilizing the same Freedom WSCS System. All subjects were implanted with two 8-electrode arrays in the exact same anatomical positions within the dorsal epidural spinal column, with the top electrode positioned at the T8 and T9 vertebrae levels, respectively, and the wireless receiver placed under the skin in a subcutaneous pocket. Read More

Transl Res 2019 Mar 5. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia Chile; Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIB), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address:

Radial glial cells (RGCs) are the neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) that give rise to most of neurons and glial cells that constitute the adult central nervous system. A hallmark of RGCs is their polarization along the apical-basal axis. They extend a long basal process that contacts the pial surface and a short apical process to the ventricular surface. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2019 Mar;19(2):169-176

Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an uncommon antibody-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Long segments of spinal cord inflammation (myelitis), severe optic neuritis, and/or bouts of intractable vomiting and hiccoughs (area postrema syndrome) are classic presentations of the disease and may alert the clinician to the diagnosis. Untreated, approximately 50% of NMOSD patients will be wheelchair users and blind, and a third will have died within 5 years of their first attack. Read More

Ann Hematol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Hematology, Nagasaki University Hospital, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan.

We conducted a nationwide retrospective study to evaluate the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in 651 patients aged 60-69 years with de novo myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We divided patients into two groups: 152 and 499 patients with an early and advanced disease status, respectively. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of patients with an early disease status was 45. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 22;10:137. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Hunan Clinical Research Center of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changsha, China.

We report a case of a 66-year-old female who burst into flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities, accompanied by loss of pain and temperature sensation below T4 level, during an oxygen-ozone injection for disc herniation. Half an hour later, she suffered from chest pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed long segment hyperintensity in the thoracic spinal cord from T2 to 10 level on sagittal T2-weighted images (T2WI). Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2019 Feb 28;43(1):62-73. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.

Objective: To investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on neurological and functional recovery in patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) involving the upper extremities between the treated and non-treated sides of the treated group and whether the outcomes are comparable to that of the untreated control group.

Methods: Nineteen CCS patients were treated with high-frequency (20 Hz) rTMS over the motor cortex for 5 days. The stimulation side was randomly selected, and all the subjects received conventional occupational therapy during the rTMS-treatment period. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2019;60(2):118-123

Department of Internal Medicine, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Center.

A 57-year-old man with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome underwent umbilical cord blood transplantation. He began receiving steroids on day 14 for acute graft-versus-host disease, and experienced dizziness on day 75 during gradual dose reduction. Multiple hemorrhages were observed in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Read More

Brain Nerve 2019 Mar;71(3):249-256

Department of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery, Yokohama Rosai Hospital.

Identification of various spine and spinal cord disordes using anatomical diagnosis (neurological diagnosis) and imaging diagnosis is essential for effective caring of patients with these disorders; however, sometimes, dissociation of the two diagnoses is encountered. There is a risk of a diagnosis error if the causative pathophysiology of this dissociation is not understood. To avoid this error, it is necessary to fully understand the related pathophysiology of these disorders, including deviation of spinal cord segment from the spine, central cord syndrome, sensory disturbance of cervical radiculopathy, epiconus syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome, tethered spinal cord syndrome and lumbar intraforaminal and extraforaminal nerve root disturbance. Read More

Sleep Med 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Sleep-related disorders have been reported to have a higher prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. They are often undervalued for the presence of more severe physical problems and the occurrence at night, without a direct observation in common clinical practice, but if not recognized and treated they can negatively affect the quality of life causing daytime drowsiness and worsening fatigue. Sleep related disorders most commonly reported in MS are as follows: insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD), restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorders (PLMD). Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 12;5:18. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Orthopaedics, Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Introduction: The commonly recognized causes of post-operative neurological deterioration in spinal tuberculosis are inadequate decompression, damage to vascular supply of the spinal cord, and multi-drug resistant organisms. There are no known cases of syringomyelia developing after surgical decompression of spinal tuberculosis.

Case Presentation: A teenage girl presented with rapid onset quadriparesis secondary to a tubercular epidural abscess extending from C4-T8. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Feb 15:1-17. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

1Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

OBJECTIVEPredicting neurological recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is a complex task considering the heterogeneous nature of injury and the inconsistency of individual studies. This study aims to summarize the current evidence on neurological recovery following TSCI by use of a meta-analytical approach, and to identify injury, treatment, and study variables with prognostic significance.METHODSA literature search in MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed, and studies reporting follow-up changes in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) or Frankel or ASIA motor score (AMS) scales were included in the meta-analysis. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019 Mar 21;11(9):8763-8778. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Advanced Functional Nanostructured Materials Laboratory, Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies , Pondicherry University (A Central University) , Puducherry 605 014 , India.

Acute liver injury is a critical syndrome ascribed to prevalent death of hepatocytes and imperatively requires liver transplantation. Such a methodology is certainly hampered due to the deficit of healthy donors. In this regard, stem cell-based regenerative therapies are attractive in repairing injured tissues and organs for medical applications. Read More

Anaesthesist 2019 Feb;68(2):115-128

Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101, Mainz, Deutschland.

The acute phase of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is pathophysiologically characterized by an activation of the immune system and its associated inflammatory response. During the course of CRPS, central nervous symptoms like mechanical hyperalgesia, loss of sensation, and body perception disorders develop. Psychological factors such as pain-related anxiety and traumatic events might have a negative effect on the treatment outcome. Read More

Brain 2019 Mar;142(3):633-646

NeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Spinal cord lesions detected on MRI hold important diagnostic and prognostic value for multiple sclerosis. Previous attempts to correlate lesion burden with clinical status have had limited success, however, suggesting that lesion location may be a contributor. Our aim was to explore the spatial distribution of multiple sclerosis lesions in the cervical spinal cord, with respect to clinical status. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Dec;4(4):712-716

Department of Orthopedics, Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA.

Background: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the epidemiology and trends in management of patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) who present to the emergency department. Recent literature has reported that surgical treatment for CCS have increased over the previous decades.

Methods: The National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) was queried from 2009 through 2012 to generate national estimates of patients who presented to the emergency department in the United States and were diagnosed with CCS. Read More

Front Neurol 2018 10;9:1166. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

To provide a comprehensive review of the central nervous system (CNS) involvement in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), including the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, ancillary investigations, differential diagnosis, and treatment. Particular emphasis is placed on the clinical spectrum and diagnostic testing of AAV. AAV is a pauci-immune small-vessel vasculitis characterized by neutrophil-mediated vasculitis and granulomatousis. Read More

Vet Rec 2019 Feb 25;184(6):191. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

A neurological syndrome of small ruminants, known locally as '', has been reported among pastoralist livestock keepers in Tanzania. This study was carried out in four affected pastoral communities to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors, characterise the clinical signs and investigate the aetiology of the syndrome. Questionnaires were administered at all households (n=480) within four study villages. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 16;5. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

1Department of Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd., PHC 7, Washington, DC 20007 USA.

Introduction: Spinal cord injury is one of the leading causes of paralysis and permanent morbidity. High cervical spine injuries, in particular, have the potential to be fatal and debilitating due to injury to multiple components, including but not limited to, discoligamentous disruption, vascular insult and spinal cord injury. To date, no unifying algorithm exists making it challenging to guide treatment decisions. Read More

J Mol Histol 2019 Apr 22;50(2):167-178. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.

Peripheral nerves, which consist of an axon and a unique glial cell called a Schwann cell, transduce signals from the brain and spinal cord to target organs. Peripheral nerve degeneration leads to distal motor or sensory disorders such as diabetic neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and Gullain-Barré syndrome, with symptoms such as dysesthesia, speech impairment, vision change, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. Schwann cells play an important role in peripheral nerve degeneration. Read More

Neurohospitalist 2019 Jan 5;9(1):37-40. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.

The occurrence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in a single patient is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman of East Asian descent with a prior diagnosis of ALS who developed an episode of unexplained hiccups and nausea and vomiting consistent with area postrema syndrome 3 months prior to the onset of acute transverse myelitis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal T2 hyperintensity and gadolinium enhancement at the cervicomedullary junction with extension to C3. Read More

Can Vet J 2019 Jan;60(1):81-88

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

Horner's syndrome arises from dysfunction of the oculosympathetic pathway and is characterized by miosis, enophthalmos, protrusion of the third eyelid, and ptosis. It has been recognized in a wide variety of breeds and ages in small animal patients. The oculosympathetic pathway is a 3-neuron pathway. Read More

J Neurol 2019 Mar 10;266(3):667-679. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

Mills' syndrome is an idiopathic, slowly progressive, spastic hemiparesis. We describe three cases that have been under review for a minimum of 11 years (range 11-19). In all patients, symptoms started in a leg, with a mean age of onset of 59 years (range 53-63). Read More

Front Neurol 2018 21;9:1144. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, a 53-year-old male developed a central cord syndrome with at-level neuropathic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a classical "snake eye" appearance myelopathy, with marked hyperintensities at C5-C7. Clinical examination revealed intact pinprick sensation coupled with lost or diminished thermal/heat sensation. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 12;12:931. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Visceral Pain Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

The bladder is innervated by extrinsic afferents that project into the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, providing sensory input to the micturition centers within the central nervous system. Under normal conditions, the continuous activation of these neurons during bladder distension goes mostly unnoticed. However, for patients with chronic urological disorders such as overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), exaggerated bladder sensation and altered bladder function are common debilitating symptoms. Read More

Exp Gerontol 2019 Apr 4;118:31-38. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between naturally occurring spinal osteoarthritis (OA) (L3-L5), the expression of substance P (SP) centrally (L4-L5) and the presence of neurogenic inflammation within the neurosegmentally linked quadriceps (L2-L5) in elderly rats versus young controls.

Design: Eight aged (27 ± 3.2 months) and six young (4 ± 0. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Dec;30(1):1-18

1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, and.

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event with far-reaching physical, emotional, and economic consequences for patients, families, and society at large. Timely delivery of specialized care has reduced mortality; however, long-term neurological recovery continues to be limited. In recent years, a number of exciting neuroprotective and regenerative strategies have emerged and have come under active investigation in clinical trials, and several more are coming down the translational pipeline. Read More

J Clin Neurophysiol 2019 Jan;36(1):52-59

Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Purpose: Distal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) is an uncommon syndrome associated with cervical spondylosis. The pathogenic mechanism of distal-type CSA is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to analyze central motor conduction time (CMCT) in the cases with distal-type CSA and to investigate the role of cervical cord compressive injury in the distal-type CSA. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Nov-Dec;36(6 Suppl 115):13-27. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Istanbul Universtiy-Cerrahpasa, Turkey.

New epidemiologic studies from Poland, Jordan, Algeria, Taiwan and Korea highlight the geographic differences in incidence, prevalence and clinical features of Behçet's syndrome (BS). A study from Austria comparing clinical manifestations of their BS patients with different countries of origin suggest that environmental factors may be important in the disease phenotype of BS. New genetic association studies dealing with the innate and acquired aspects of BS prevailed during 2017 and novel susceptibility and regulatory factors were described. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 27;11:3025-3030. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.

Purpose: Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS I) is an intractable neuropathic pain syndrome. Chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) model is an animal model of CRPS I which is produced by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury of the hind limb. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a selective and potent α2 adrenergic receptor agonist with analgesic and protective effects following an IR injury. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2018 Dec 2;2(4):382-386. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, Rochester, MN.

We describe a 51-year-old woman who over 5 years had 9 painful monophasic attacks affecting the brachial plexus before a fascicular plexus biopsy diagnosed large B-cell lymphoma. The initial attacks were responsive to steroids with clinical resolution. At last attack, magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal T2 hyperintensities and nodular gadolinium enhancement in the right brachial plexus not seen previously. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13541

Department of Spine Surgery.

Rationale: Nocardial spinal epidural abscess is rare. The diagnosis is often difficult to make and, if delayed, poses a high risk of long-term disability. Nocardial spinal epidural abscess with severe lumbar disc herniation has not previously been reported. Read More

Mol Genet Metab 2019 Feb 13;126(2):117-120. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Background: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is accepted therapy for severe mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS IH). With implementation of newborn screening (NBS) for MPS I in the US, HCT may now occur earlier than 1-2 years of age and it might be assumed that cardiac issues will be fewer. To examine this hypothesis, we reviewed our records for any MPS IH infant who underwent HCT at ≤6 months of age. Read More

Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Service de rééducation neurolocomotrice, EA 7377 BIOTN, laboratoire analyse et restauration du mouvement, université Paris-Est Créteil, hôpitaux universitaires Henri-Mondor, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France.

This paper revisits the taxonomy of the neurophysiological consequences of a persistent impairment of motor command execution in the classic environment of sensorimotor restriction and muscle hypo-mobilization in short position. Around each joint, the syndrome involves 2 disorders, muscular and neurologic. The muscular disorder is promoted by muscle hypo-mobilization in short position in the context of paresis, in the hours and days after paresis onset: this genetically mediated, evolving myopathy, is called spastic myopathy. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019 Jan 16;27:350-363. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Introduction: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the introduction of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) as a separate entity, there have been many reports on its association with other disorders including systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed other immune-mediated diseases associated with NMOSD and tried to categorize them. Read More

Int Rev Neurobiol 2018 29;143:109-162. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Nuclear Medicine, "Le Scotte" University Hospital, Siena, Italy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are the main instruments for neuroimaging investigation of patients with chronic ataxia. MRI has a predominant diagnostic role in the single patient, based on the visual detection of three patterns of atrophy, namely, spinal atrophy, cortical cerebellar atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, which correlate with the aetiologies of inherited or sporadic ataxia. In fact spinal atrophy is observed in Friedreich ataxia, cortical cerebellar atrophy in Ataxia Telangectasia, gluten ataxia and Sporadic Adult Onset Ataxia and olivopontocerebellar atrophy in Multiple System Atrophy cerebellar type. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2018 13;4:102. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, 249203 Uttarakhand India.

Introduction: In India, the incidence of penetrating spine injury (PSI) is increasing because of the increased use of advanced ballistics (missile PSI) among military personnel and sophisticated tools and construction instruments like nail-guns or drills (non-missile PSI) among civilians. These injuries are associated with a risk of neurological damage, central nervous system infections, vascular injury, dural tear followed by CSF leakage, and spinal instability.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male presented with a non-missile PSI with retained iron nail bisecting his dorsal spinal cord, without any motor deficits. Read More

Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018 Nov 8;4(1):43. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system in young adults. This disorder is a heterogeneous, multifactorial, immune-mediated disease that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In most patients, reversible episodes of neurological dysfunction lasting several days or weeks characterize the initial stages of the disease (that is, clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting MS). Read More

Curr Opin Rheumatol 2019 Jan;31(1):32-39

Department of Neurology, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Purpose Of Review: Neurological involvement in Behçet's syndrome is defined as 'the occurrence of neurological symptoms and signs in a patient who meets the International Diagnostic Criteria for BS not otherwise explained by any other known systemic or neurological disease or treatment, and in whom objective abnormalities consistent with neuro-Behçet's syndrome (NBS) are detected either on neurological examination, neuroimaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and/or on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination'. Given that the neurological involvement of Behçet's syndrome carries a poor prognosis, we aimed to describe the differential diagnosis of NBS and highlight the different radiological patterns together with the treatment options.

Recent Findings: Two distinct MRI patterns of spinal cord involvement in Behçet's syndrome according to T2-weighted axial images were described: 'Bagel Sign' pattern: a central lesion with hypointense core and hyperintense rim with or without contrast enhancement; and 'Motor Neuron' pattern: a symmetric involvement of the anterior horn cells. Read More

Cureus 2018 Aug 24;10(8):e3202. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Neurology, Bay Pines VA, Bay Pines, USA.

We report a case of a 61-year-old man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting with rapidly progressive symmetric ascending weakness with areflexia. The weakness was quickly followed by respiratory decompensation requiring intubation. Lumbar puncture yielded cerebrospinal fluid with elevated protein (177 mg/dL), normal glucose (61 mg/dL), normal red blood cell count (0 per/µl), and normal white blood cell count (0 per/µL). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Oct 24;2018. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Medicine (Neurology), School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Acute bacterial meningitis is not an uncommon central nervous system infection. In severe cases, it can be associated with various neurological or systemic complications. However, acute spinal cord dysfunction rarely occurs. Read More