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Rev Neurol 2022 Jul;75(1):17-20

Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, España.

Introduction: Pneumococcal meningitis is a condition associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

Case Report: We report the clinical case of a 41-year-old man who, following meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, developed subsequent complications such as thoracic transverse myelitis, which caused paralysis in the lower extremities, abolition of all sensory modalities and dysautonomic disorders, as well as an alteration of the anterior horn cells at the cervical level that produced paralysis in the upper extremities, but with preservation of sensibility. This implies the need for a differential diagnosis between what is known as 'poliomyelitis-like' disorder and acute disseminated encephalomyeloradiculitis. Read More

Dis Markers 2022 16;2022:1210002. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Departments of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Background: To investigate the role of gray matter (GM) volume in the identification of HIV-positive patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HAND) using a machine learning approach from normal healthy controls.

Methods: Twenty-seven HIV-infected patients and 14 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Each set of BRAVO images was postprocessed using DPARSF3. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 20;14(5):e25162. Epub 2022 May 20.

Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.

Treatment for vertebral osteomyelitis varies depending on the extent of pathology and includes both medical and surgical approaches. Pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy is often the first-line treatment, however, refractory cases or those with sepsis, segmental instability, or epidural abscess may be candidates for surgical treatment. Patients with extensive bony destruction often require a corpectomy with the placement of a cage for anterior column reconstruction. Read More

J Pers Med 2022 Jun 14;12(6). Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

Urinary incontinence is common after spinal cord injury (SCI) due to loss of supraspinal coordination and unabated reflexes in both autonomic and somatic nervous systems; if unchecked, these disturbances can become life-threatening. This manuscript will review normal anatomy and physiology of the urinary system and discuss pathophysiology secondary to SCI. This includes a discussion of autonomic dysreflexia, as well as its diagnosis and management. Read More

Chin Med J (Engl) 2022 Apr 20;135(8):962-970. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by complex and various clinical manifestations. The study aimed to analyze clinical features and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes of hyperintense white matter (WM) lesions in SLE patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study based on a consecutive cohort of 1191 SLE patients; 273 patients for whom cerebral MRI data were available were enrolled to assess hyperintense WM lesions associated with SLE. Read More

Front Public Health 2022 2;10:854977. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Department of Neurology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has a serious impact on the mental health of the public due to its economic and social impact. And psychological effects have led to drug and alcohol abuse. After the city lifted the lockdown, we consecutively encountered several young nitrous oxide abusers admitted to hospital for neurological treatment. Read More

PLoS One 2022 17;17(6):e0270239. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.

Astrocytes produce extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins contributing to the blood-brain barrier and regulating the immune response in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of astrocyte depletion upon the clinical outcome and the composition of ECM glycoproteins in a virus-induced animal model of demyelination. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-thymidine-kinase transgenic SJL (GFAP-knockout) and wildtype mice were infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). Read More

J Radiol Case Rep 2022 May 1;16(5):1-9. Epub 2022 May 1.

Department of Radiology, Advanced diagnostic and interventional radiology research center (ADIR), Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Neurobrucellosis is an uncommon serious complication of brucellosis. Diagnosis of neurobrucellosis could be difficult due to non-specific clinical and radiological findings. So, in endemic regions, neurobrucellosis should be included in the differential diagnosis list of patients with recent neurological disorders. Read More

Front Immunol 2022 30;13:912193. Epub 2022 May 30.

Department of Neurology, Ohio State Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States.

Recent studies using advanced techniques such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), high parameter flow cytometry, and proteomics reveal that neutrophils are more heterogeneous than previously appreciated. Unique subsets have been identified in the context of bacterial and parasitic infections, cancer, and tissue injury and repair. The characteristics of infiltrating neutrophils differ depending on the nature of the inflammation-inciting stimulus, the stage of the inflammatory response, as well as the tissue microenvironment in which they accumulate. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2022 27;9:890967. Epub 2022 May 27.

Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease. Most infected patients manifest mild flu-like symptoms, but in some cases, the patients rapidly develop severe lung infections and pneumonia. It is estimated that about 15-20% of patients with COVID-19 develop hypoxemia and require some form of oxygen therapy and ventilation support. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2022 Jun 16;23:e936179. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Department of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery, Evangelismos Hospital, Paphos, Cyprus.

BACKGROUND Pyogenic spondylitis comprises several clinical entities, including native vertebral osteomyelitis, septic discitis, pyogenic spondylodiscitis, and epidural abscess. The lumbar spine is most often infected, followed by the thoracic and cervical areas. It mainly develops (i) after spine surgery; (ii) from history of blunt trauma to the spinal column; (iii) from infections in adjacent structures (such as soft tissues); (iv) from iatrogenic inoculation after invasive procedures (such as lumbar puncture); and (v) from hematogenous bacterial spread to the vertebra (mainly through the venous route). Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jun 13;12(6):e059534. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Objectives: COVID-19 has led to rapid changes in rehabilitation service provision for young people living with traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injury. The aim of this project was to understand the experiences of rehabilitation service providers during the acute response stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we aimed to identify innovative approaches to meeting the ongoing needs of young people with traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injury during this time. Read More

J Immunol 2022 Jul 13;209(1):157-170. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH;

Pulmonary infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after spinal cord injury (SCI). Although SCI causes atrophy and dysfunction in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues with a corresponding decrease in the number and function of circulating leukocytes, it is unknown whether this SCI-dependent systemic immune suppression also affects the unique tissue-specific antimicrobial defense mechanisms that protect the lung. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that SCI directly impairs pulmonary immunity and subsequently increases the risk for developing pneumonia. Read More

PLoS One 2022 13;17(6):e0269924. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.

Septic patients commonly present with central nervous system (CNS) disorders including impaired consciousness and delirium. Today, the main mechanism regulating sepsis-induced cerebral disorders is believed to be neuroinflammation. However, it is unknown how another component of the CNS, the spinal cord, is influenced during sepsis. Read More

Ir Med J 2022 Apr 29;115(4):583. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Aim To investigate the impact of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic on the care of patients with newly acquired traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Ireland Methods A prospective audit of patients with newly acquired TSCI from 1st March to 30th June 2020 was undertaken. Cases were drawn from referrals received through the National Spinal Injuries Unit (NSIU) and neurosciences centres. The standard of care guidelines used were from National Health Service (NHS) England standards, the Irish Integrated Care Pathway and British Association of Spinal cord Injury Specialist (BASCIS) COVID-19 guidelines. Read More

Neuromodulation 2022 Jun 8. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, USA.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) colonization for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) surgical patients and to identify specific at-risk patient populations.

Materials And Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective review identified 232 SCS surgical patients. Preoperative Saureus nasal swab results were reviewed. Read More

Med Trop Sante Int 2022 03 4;2(1). Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Service des maladies infectieuses, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Maroc.

Burkitt lymphoma in HIV-infected patients is seldom seen in the oral cavity, and they are rarely reported in the literature. The clinical manifestations may suggest other tumors or gingival infections, which delays diagnosis and management. Spinal cord involvement is exceptional and only a few cases are reported. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 May 25;19(11). Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Nábrežie Armádneho Generála Ludvíka Svobodu 9, 814 69 Bratislava, Slovakia.

The knowledge of the COVID-19 symptomatology has increased since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The symptoms of nervous system involvement have been observed across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity. Reports describing difficulties of nerve roots are rare; the affection of brain and spinal cord by SARS-CoV-2 is of leading interest. Read More

Acute Med 2022 ;21(2):111-114

BMedSci BMBS FRCP DPhil, Consultant Physician. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Patients with acute abdominal pain typically undergo urgent clinical assessment to exclude serious underlying surgical diagnoses. However, a diverse range of less common medical conditions may also present with abdominal pain and their severity can range from benign to life threatening. Here we present a case of myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) presenting with acute abdominal pain that was initially diagnosed clinically as biliary pathology. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2022 Aug 3;17(8):2784-2789. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Town Lane, Southport, PR8 6PN, United Kingdom.

Persons with spinal cord injury are at risk for developing debris in the neuropathic bladder. Ultrasound scan of the urinary bladder helps to (1) detect debris, (2) differentiate debris from other bladder lesions, (3) alert the spinal cord physician to review bladder management, and (4) monitor the effect of various treatment regime to clear the debris. We present 4 cases to illustrate the sonographic appearances of debris in the neuropathic bladder and how treatment plans tailored to the needs of the individual patient helped to clear the debris. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022 Jun 7;119(24):e2201862119. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important but understudied zoonotic virus causing both acute and chronic viral hepatitis. A proportion of HEV-infected individuals also developed neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuralgic amyotrophy, encephalitis, and myelitis, although the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, by using an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, we first investigated whether HEV can cross the BBB and whether the quasi-enveloped HEV virions are more permissible to the BBB than the nonenveloped virions. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Jun 3. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

Treatment Centre for Spinal Cord Injuries, BG Hospital Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Warener Straße 7, 12683, Berlin, Germany.

Introduction: This study on pyogenic spinal infections with intraspinal epidural involvement (PSI +) compared the outcome of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) to those without (noSCI) taking diagnostic algorithm, therapy, and complications into account.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in an ambispective study (2012-2017). Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, complications, and neurological outcome were analyzed descriptively. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2022 May 30;16(1):213. Epub 2022 May 30.

Department of General Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Swami Ram Nagar, P.O. Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 248016, Uttarakhand, India.

Background: Spontaneous spinal cord hemorrhage is extremely rare in dengue fever. We report a case of spontaneous spinal intradural hemorrhage in dengue fever associated with severe thrombocytopenia.

Case Presentation: A 48-year-old Indian woman presented with fever and body aches followed by acute onset of paraplegia with bladder and bowel dysfunction and loss of sensations below the level of the umbilicus. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2022 May 26. Epub 2022 May 26.

College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Objective: Identify the relationship of health conditions with self-reported emergency department (ED) visits and ED related hospitalizations among people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), while controlling for demographic, injury, and socioeconomic factors.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: A regional SCI model system in the Southeastern United States. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2022 May 30. Epub 2022 May 30.

From the Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI (McDonald, DiSilvestro, Zhang, Kuris, and Daniels), Warren Alpert Medical School/Brown University, Providence, RI (McDonald, Hogan, Alsoof, Kuris, and Daniels), and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Hershman).

Introduction: Cervical laminoplasty (LP) and laminectomy with fusion (LF) are common operations used to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Conflicting data exist regarding which operation provides superior patient outcomes while minimizing the risk of complications. This study evaluates the trends of LP compared with LF over the past decade in patients with cervical myelopathy and examines long-term revision rates and complications between the two procedures. Read More

J Pediatr Rehabil Med 2022 ;15(2):369-376

Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an acute condition occurring mostly in children. Although affected patients can show a broad spectrum of symptoms, it is mainly characterized by the progressive onset of focal limb weakness, presenting over a period of hours to a week, with or without pain, and spinal cord gray matter involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is compelling evidence to support the role of viruses, in particular enteroviruses. Read More

Viruses 2022 05 11;14(5). Epub 2022 May 11.

Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) not only affects the respiratory tract but also causes neurological symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, headache, fatigue or severe cerebrovascular complications. Using transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution and pathomorphological features in the CNS following intranasal infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as after prior influenza A virus infection. Apart from Omicron, we found all variants to frequently spread to and within the CNS. Read More

Children (Basel) 2022 May 11;9(5). Epub 2022 May 11.

Pediatric Orthopedic Department, Children's Hospital, Chémin de Montétan 16, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Nowadays, is considered an important cause of primary spinal infections in children aged between 6 and 48 months. The presentation of the disease is often characterized by mild clinical features and a moderate biological inflammatory response, requiring a high index of suspicion. Performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and obtaining an oropharyngeal specimen and subjecting it to a -specific nucleic acid amplification test are recommended for its diagnosis. Read More

Antibiotics (Basel) 2022 May 6;11(5). Epub 2022 May 6.

Infectious Diseases Research Program, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908, USA.

infections are challenging to treat due to multi-drug resistance (MDR) and the complexity of the patients affected by these serious infections. As new antibiotic therapies come on the market, limited data exist about the effectiveness of such treatments in clinical practice. In this comparative effectiveness study of ceftolozane/tazobactam versus aminoglycoside- or polymyxin-based therapies among hospitalized patients with positive MDR cultures, we identified 57 patients treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with 155 patients treated with aminoglycoside- or polymyxin-based regimens. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 May 27;101(21):e29426. Epub 2022 May 27.

Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon 14584, Republic of Korea.

Rationale: Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide; the treatments vary according to the stage at diagnosis. Advanced esophageal cancer is usually treated by concurrent chemoradiation which is associated with complications including esophagitis, esophageal stricture or perforation, radiation pneumonitis, and/or cardiac toxicity. Herein, we describe epidural abscess, which is a very rare but severe complication that can occur after concurrent chemoradiation therapy for advanced esophageal cancer. Read More