Uremic encephalopathy: A definite diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging?

The aim of this study was to investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for the diagnose uremic encephalopathy and describe the usefulness of MRI findings in the ultimate diagnosis of uremic encephalopathy (UE). A total of 20 patients with uremic encephalopathy admitted to the hospital were evaluated in this prospective study. The clinical manifestations, laboratory and MRI imaging findings, demographic information, and clinical outcome were analyzed for each patient. We observed that the 20 prospectively reviewed patients with UE had no involvement of the basal ganglia or the lentiform fork sign (LFS). However, two-thirds of the patients had white matter involvement, and 80% of the subjects had cerebral or cortical atrophy. The arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis revealed that 50% of the patients suffered from metabolic acidosis (n=10). The results of the present study demonstrated that although the observation of Lentiform Fork Sign and Basal Ganglia involvement in MRI of UE patients is a specific finding the absence of which does not rule out UE. Thus, simultaneous examination of clinical manifestation and laboratory test analyses, along with imaging findings, should also be taken into account.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A case report

Background:

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) as a life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder is not usually diagnosed in early stages of the disease because of a variety in its clinical manifestations. This study aimed to present a middle-aged woman with psychiatric symptoms who ultimately was diagnosed as a CJD case.

Case presentation:

This 48-year-old woman had progressive symptoms of depressed mood, decreased sleep and appetite and mutism which started two months before the first visit. Gradually, slowness in movements, dysarthria and decreased performance were observed. Subsequently, when antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs were prescribed other symptoms such as ataxia and rigidity manifested in the patient. The problem list which led to final confirmation of the disease included non-specific neuropsychological presentations, hypersignality in caudate and putamen areas in brain MRI, generalized high frequency sharp waves in EEG, and protein 14-3-3 identification in cerebrospinal fluid.

Conclusion:

Although CJD is not a common disease, it should be considered in differential diagnoses whenever neuropsychological manifestations, especially progressive decline in cognition, along with symptoms such as visual hallucinations, myoclonus and ataxia are observed in the patient.

Prevalence of Dementia Among Older Patients: A Hospital-Based Study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Dementia constitutes a public health hazard in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dementia and its associated factors in older hospitalized patients.

METHODS

The participants of this cross-sectional study consisted of older patients admitted to medical wards in Rasoul-e Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran. Mini-Mental State Examination, Mini-Cog test, Geriatric Depression Scale, Activities of Daily Living-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL-IADL) scale, and socioeconomic questionnaires were used.

RESULTS

A total of 205 elderly inpatients were included. The mean age was 71.33 ± 7.35 years; 63.4% of the participants had normal cognitive function, while 36.6% had some degree of cognitive impairment. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender, age, number of children, and occupation and the prevalence of dementia.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate cognitive screening of older patients upon admission to hospitals could help identify potential adverse events and enhance the quality of care for patients with comorbid dementia.

Deep Brain Stimulation and Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Review of the Literature

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation is a safe and effective neurointerventional technique for the treatment of movement disorders. Electrical stimulation of subcortical structures may exert a control on seizure generators initiating epileptic activities. The aim of this review is to present the targets of the deep brain stimulation for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: We performed a structured review of the literature from 1980 to 2018 using Medline and PubMed. Articles assessing the impact of deep brain stimulation on seizure frequency in patients with DRE were selected. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies were included. Results: To date, deep brain stimulation of various neural targets has been investigated in animal experiments and humans. This article presents the use of stimulation of the anterior and centromedian nucleus of the thalamus, hippocampus, basal ganglia, cerebellum and hypothalamus. Anterior thalamic stimulation has demonstrated efficacy and there is evidence to recommend it as the target of choice. Conclusion: Deep brain stimulation for seizures may be an option in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Anterior thalamic nucleus stimulation could be recommended over other targets.

Wegener's Granulomatosis Presenting as Wallenberg Syndrome: A Case Report

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis, a vasculitis affecting small and medium sized vessels usually affects the upper and lower respiratory tract, the kidneys, and the eyes. Neurologic manifestation in central nervous system (CNS) is less frequent than the peripheral and usually is in form of stroke. Few cases of lateral medullary ischemic stroke (Wallenberg syndrome) due to GPA have been reported. A 41 year-old female, presented with acute vertigo, nausea/vomiting, hiccups, dysphagia. In physical examination she had a saddled nose, horner syndrome, soft palate paralysis, crossed hypoesthesia of face, and limbs and hemi-ataxia. Brain magnetic imaging revealed a left lateral medullary infarction and sinusitis confirmed by paranasal Sinus CT scans. Chest CT showed a cavitary mass. Laboratory findings were remarkable for anemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)/anti-proteinase 3 was positive. Diagnosis of GPA was established and treatment was started. During 6-month follow-up improvement was satisfying and no relapses occurred. Medullary infarct is reported in few GPA patients, especially at presentation. Definite diagnosis is based on tissue biopsy. Although in context of extra CNS involvement and positive ANCA diagnosis can be made confidently. Treatment of choice in CNS involvement is not clear, corticosteroids and immunosuppressives seem effective. CNS involvement, especially stroke may present GPA or accompany extra CNS symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Action Myoclonus and Seizure in Kufor-Rakeb Syndrome

Background

Kufor-Rakeb syndrome (KRS) is a rare autosomal recessive neurologic disease with diverse phenotypic features. Herein we report an Iranian KRS family with seizure and action myoclonus in addition to other typical manifestations of this syndrome.

Method

All family members underwent careful neurologic examination. Exome sequencing was performed and ATP13A2 variation genotyped in all family members.

Results

Cognitive deficits, hypokinesia, rigidity, spasticity, brisk deep tendon reflexes, upward gaze palsy, tremor, and facial-faucial-finger mini-myoclonus were the common manifestations of all affected siblings. Two cases had seizure and the most severely affected sibling demonstrated severe action myoclonus. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous nonsense mutation c.2455C>T;p.Arg819* in ATP13A2 gene.

Conclusions

We reported five KRS affected siblings who manifested myoclonus and seizure. The most severely affected one demonstrated action myoclonus, which has not been reported so far.

Stiff person case misdiagnosed as conversion disorder: A case report

Background:

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disease resulting in stiffness and spasm of muscles. It initially affects the axial muscles and then spread to limb muscles. Emotional stress exacerbated the symptoms and signs of the disease. The pathophysiology of the disease is caused by the decreased level of the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity due to an autoantibody against GAD that decreases the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In this paper, we present a case of atypical presentation of SPS with lower limb stiffness misdiagnosed as conversion disorder.

Case presentation:

We report a patient with atypical presentation of SPS with lower limb stiffness and gait disorder misdiagnosed as conversion disorder for a year. Her antithyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab) level was 75 IU (normal value: 0–34 IU). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered (2gr/kg, 5 days) for the patient that showed significant improvement in the follow-up visit.

Conclusion:

It is essential that in any patient with bizarre gait disorder and suspicious to conversion disorder due to the reversibility of symptoms, SPS and other movement disorder should be considered.

Migraine headache in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Migraine is a neurological disorder that afflicts many people in the world and can cause severe disability during the attacks. The pathophysiology of migraine is complex and not fully understood. It seems that migraine is common in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, the association between migraine headache and IIH is still unclear. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of migraine headache and associated factors in IIH patients. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 68 patients diagnosed with IIH underwent a medical history interview and a neurological examination. The diagnosis of migraine was based on the four diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition. Forty-five patients (63.2%) met the diagnostic criteria of migraine headache. There was no significant difference between patients with and without migraine headache in respect of their age, gender, body mass. This study revealed high prevalence of migraine headache in IIH patients; appropriate treatment can reduce their headache and prevent unnecessary treatments for IIH.

Migraine headache in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Migraine is a neurological disorder that afflicts many people in the world and can cause severe disability during the attacks. The pathophysiology of migraine is complex and not fully understood. It seems that migraine is common in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, the association between migraine headache and IIH is still unclear. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of migraine headache and associated factors in IIH patients. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 68 patients diagnosed with IIH underwent a medical history interview and a neurological examination. The diagnosis of migraine was based on the four diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition. Forty-five patients (63.2%) met the diagnostic criteria of migraine headache. There was no significant difference between patients with and without migraine headache in respect of their age, gender, body mass. This study revealed high prevalence of migraine headache in IIH patients; appropriate treatment can reduce their headache and prevent unnecessary treatments for IIH.

Profiling cancer gene mutations in longitudinal epithelial ovarian cancer biopsies by targeted next-generation sequencing: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) relapse after initially responding to platinum-based chemotherapy, and develop resistance. The genomic features involved in drug resistance are unknown. To unravel some of these features, we investigated the mutational profile of genes involved in pathways related to drug sensitivity in a cohort of matched tumors obtained at first surgery (Ft-S) and second surgery (Sd-S).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Matched biopsies (33) taken at Ft-S and Sd-S were selected from the 'Pandora' tumor tissue collection. DNA libraries for 65 genes were generated using the TruSeq Custom Amplicon kit and sequenced on MiSeq (Illumina). Data were analyzed using a high-performance cluster computing platform (Cloud4CARE project) and independently validated.

RESULTS

A total of 2270 somatic mutations were identified (89.85% base substitutions 8.19% indels, and 1.92% unknown). Homologous recombination (HR) genes and TP53 were mutated in the majority of Ft-S, while ATM, ATR, TOP2A and TOP2B were mutated in the entire dataset. Only 2% of mutations were conserved between matched Ft-S and Sd-S. Mutations detected at second surgery clustered patients in two groups characterized by different mutational profiles in genes associated with HR, PI3K, miRNA biogenesis and signal transduction.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low level of concordance between Ft-S and Sd-S in terms of mutations in genes involved in key processes of tumor growth and drug resistance. This result suggests the importance of future longitudinal analyses to improve the clinical management of relapsed EOC.

R632W mutation in PLA2G6 segregates with dystonia-parkinsonism in a consanguineous Iranian family

BACKGROUND

PLA2G6 mutations are known to be responsible for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). In addition, novel mutations in PLA2G6 have recently been associated with dystonia-parkinsonism in two unrelated consanguineous families.

METHODS

Direct sequencing analysis of the PLA2G6 gene.

RESULTS

Here, we report the segregation of R632W with disease in an Iranian consanguineous dystonia-parkinsonism pedigree. The identical mutation was previously observed in a patient affected with NBIA.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that different and even identical PLA2G6 mutations may cause neurodegenerative diseases with heterogeneous clinical manifestations, including INAD, NBIA and dystonia-parkinsonism.

[H1N1--pregnancy as risk factor]

There have been repeated reports of a particularly severe course of disease on H1N1 infection in pregnant women. Complemented by a review of the current literature, this paper gives an overview of recommendations with respect to vaccination, therapy and prophylaxis in this risk group.

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis in 51 cases of holoprosencephaly: craniofacial anatomy, associated malformations, and genetics

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prenatal ultrasound findings of the craniofacial and extracephalic anatomy, the postnatal pathological findings, and the genetic anomalies in 51 cases of holoprosencephaly (HPE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 2005, a collective of 51 fetuses with tentative ultrasound diagnosis of HPE was recruited at two tertiary referral centers for prenatal ultrasound diagnostics via the Pia Fetal Database (GEMedical Systems, Webling, Germany). Cephalic as well as extracephalic anomalies were investigated, and all cases were subdivided into the subgroups lobar, a lobar, and semilobar HPE. In addition to the ultrasound investigation, 45 fetuses were analyzed for genetic anomalies and 21 fetuses underwent an autopsy.

RESULTS

The average age at diagnosis was 21.9 weeks of gestation. There was a greater number of female fetuses, with an overall ratio of 2.67:1. In 61% of all cases, there was a reduction of growth in comparison with healthy fetuses of the same age. Within the second trimenon, the cephalic anomalies became evident when investigating the diameter of the fetal head (second trimenon: 71%below the fifth percentile; third trimenon: 92% below the fifth percentile). In 82%of the cases, extracephalic anomalies were diagnosed additionally. In 63%, the diagnosis of holoprosencephaly led to a termination of pregnancy. Ten percent of the fetuses were born alive. In 81% of the cases, the diagnosis of HPE was confirmed postnatally. The remaining 19% showed other severe cephalic and extracephalic anomalies. Chromosomal anomalies were detected in 79% of the fetuses, most frequently trisomy 13 (59%).

DISCUSSION

Because of recent advances in the development and improvement of high-resolution ultrasound, early diagnosis of congenital anomalies such as HPE is now possible. In this study, which represents the largest collection of prenatally diagnosed HPE reported in the literature to date, the average age at diagnosis was earlier than in other studies. The ultrasound devices of today provide excellent images of the fetus that allow an exact diagnosis of craniomaxillofacial anomalies as well as extracephalic anomalies. Apart from a very few cases, the diagnosis of HPE is incompatible with life.

Genome-wide linkage analysis of a Parkinsonian-pyramidal syndrome pedigree by 500 K SNP arrays

Robust SNP genotyping technologies and data analysis programs have encouraged researchers in recent years to use SNPs for linkage studies. Platforms used to date have been 10 K chip arrays, but the possible value of interrogating SNPs at higher densities has been considered. Here, we present a genome-wide linkage analysis by means of a 500 K SNP platform. The analysis was done on a large pedigree affected with Parkinsonian-pyramidal syndrome (PPS), and the results showed linkage to chromosome 22. Sequencing of candidate genes revealed a disease-associated homozygous variation (R378G) in FBXO7. FBXO7 codes for a member of the F-box family of proteins, all of which may have a role in the ubiquitin-proteosome protein-degradation pathway. This pathway has been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, and identification of FBXO7 as the causative gene of PPS is expected to shed new light on its role. The performance of the array was assessed and systematic analysis of effects of SNP density reduction was performed with the real experimental data. Our results suggest that linkage in our pedigree may have been missed had we used chips containing less than 100,000 SNPs across the genome.