Median nerve compression at elbow level by a proximal cubital artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report

We describe the case of an 82-year-old man who had recently undergone cardiac surgery (quadruple coronary bypass), who consulted due to the appearance of a necrotic eschar on the thumb of the right index finger, together with paraesthesia and hypoaesthesia in the first 3 fingers of the same hand. An ultrasound scan of the right elbow was performed to rule out involvement of the median nerve and an anechoic, thick-walled mass was found, dependent on the wall of the proximal ulnar artery, compatible with a pseudoaneurysm of the same, compressing the nerve. Electromyography showed an acute lesion of the proximal median nerve and angio-CT confirmed the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the proximal ulnar artery. Pseudoaneurysm is a dilatation by rupture of the arterial wall, which does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall and communicates with the vascular lumen. Its development after vascular manipulation is very rare, and it is uncommon for it to act by compressing a nerve structure. In our case, together with vascular surgery, treatment with intralesional thrombin was decided, with good evolution.

Se describe el caso de un varón de 82 arios intervenido recientemente de cirugía cardíaca (cuádruple bypass coronario), que consulta por aparición de una escara necrótica en el pulpejo del dedo índice derecho, junto a parestesias e hipoestesias en los tres primeros dedos de dicha mano. Se realiza una ecografía del codo derecho para descartar afectación del nervio mediano y se objetiva una masa anecoica, de paredes engrosadas, dependientes de la pared de la arteria cubital proximal, compatible con pseudoaneurisma de esta, que comprime dicho nervio. En la electromiografía se evidencia una lesión aguda del nervio mediano a nivel proximal y en el angio-TC se confirma el diagnóstico de pseudoaneurisma de la arteria cubital proximal. El pseudoaneurisma es una dilatación por rotura de la pared arterial, que no implica a las tres capas de esta y se comunica con la luz vascular. Su desarrollo tras una manipulación vascular es muy infrecuente y que actúe comprimiendo una estructura nerviosa es poco común. En nuestro caso, conjuntamente con cirugía vascular se decidió tratamiento con trombina intralesional, con buena evolución.

Factor VIII prophylactic therapy reduces neurological complications in patients with Hemophilia A / Terapia profilática com Fator VIII reduz complicações neurológicas em paciente com Hemofilia A

ABSTRACT Background: Bleeding in hemophiliacs can cause complications in the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage has reduced after the introduction of prophylactic treatment with factor VIII or IX, but the benefits of this therapy have not yet been evaluated on PNS complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neurological complications in hemophiliacs and verify the effect of prophylactic therapy in these patients, including PNS disorders. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of CNS and PNS disorders caused by bleeding in hemophiliacs seen at the Hemocentro Regional Norte, Ceará, Brazil, from 1992 to 2018, and we compared the incidence in different periods (before and after the introduction of prophylactic treatment in 2011). Results: Of 75 hemophilia A patients evaluated (4.61/100.000 population), 13.3% (n=10) had either CNS (n=5) or PNS (n=5) disorders secondary to bleeding. Patients submitted to factor VIII replacement prophylactic therapy were less likely to have CNS events: from 1992 to 2011, 5 of 63 patients had CNS disease, while from 2011 to 2018, there were no new cases (p=0.0181). From 2011 to 2018, 5 PNS events occurred in patients without prophylactic therapy, whereas none occurred in those covered by prophylactic therapy (5/20 versus 0/29, p=0.0081). Conclusions: The prevalence of neurological complications in hemophiliacs in our cohort is similar to other studies. Similar to CNS, prophylactic therapy also reduces the risk of PNS complications. This is the first report in the literature showing this benefit.

RESUMO Antecedentes: O sangramento em hemofílicos causa complicações no sistema nervoso central e periférico (SNC e SNP). A incidência de hemorragia intracraniana diminuiu após a introdução da profilaxia com fator VIII ou IX, entretanto esse benefício ainda não foi avaliado no SNP. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de complicações neurológicas em hemofílicos, verificando o efeito da terapia profilática também no SNP. Métodos: Avaliamos retrospectivamente a prevalência de complicações neurológicas causadas ​​por sangramentos em hemofílicos atendidos no Hemocentro Regional Norte, Ceará, Brasil, de 1992 a 2018, comparando a incidência em diferentes períodos (antes e depois da introdução do tratamento profilático em 2011). Resultados: Foram avaliados 75 pacientes com hemofilia A (4,61/100 mil habitantes). Deles, 13,3% (n=10) tinham distúrbios do SNC (n=5) ou do SNP (n=5) secundários a hemorragias. Os pacientes submetidos à terapia profilática com fator VIII apresentaram menor probabilidade de eventos do SNC: de 1992 a 2011, cinco de 63 pacientes apresentaram hemorragia no SNC, enquanto de 2011 a 2018 não ocorreram novos casos (p=0,0181). De 2011 a 2018, cinco eventos no SNP ocorreram entre pacientes sem terapia profilática, e nenhum ocorreu entre aqueles cobertos pela profilaxia (5/20 × 0/29, p=0,0081). Conclusões: A prevalência de complicações neurológicas em hemofílicos em nossa coorte é similar à de outros estudos. Assim como no SNC, a terapia profilática também reduz o risco de complicações no SNP. Este é o primeiro relato na literatura a mostrar esse benefício.

Neurophysiological assessment of brachioradial pruritus patients / Avaliação neurofisiológica de pacientes com prurido braquiorradial

Abstract Background: Pruritus is a common complaint in dermatology. Wartenberg, in 1943, associated pruritus with neuropathy, relating it to the "posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuropathy". In 1968, Waisman described patients with frequent pruritus complaints in the upper limb during the summer, which he named "brachioradial summer pruritus". Currently, this pruritus is named brachioradial pruritus (BRP). BRP is characterized by a chronic pruritus, usually localized, with a long duration, and without apparent cutaneous abnormalities. Neurological disorders both from the central and peripheral nervous systems, including multiple sclerosis, are associated with pruritus. Objective: To investigate correlations between symptomatic dermatomes and alterations in the myotomes, as evidenced by electroneuromyography (ENMG). Methods: Forty-six patients with BRP dermatological diagnoses were subjected to upper limb ENMG. Results: Among 46 patients with C5 to C8 dermatomal pruritus, we evaluated 113 symptomatic dermatomal areas. Overall, 39 (85%) patients had radicular involvement and 28 (60%) had agreement between complaint and the ENMG findings (p=0.015). A total of 80% of the patients with complaints at C7 and 47% at C6 had radicular involvement at the same level. Conclusions: Among the patients who presented complaints, 47 and 80%, respectively, had ENMG alterations in the C6 and C7 myotomes. We conclude that peripheral nervous system involvement is associated with BRP.

RESUMO Antecedentes: O prurido constitui queixa frequente e desafiadora na prática dermatológica. O primeiro estudo a relacionar prurido com neuropatia foi de Wartenberg, em 1943, que associou à "neuropatia do nervo cutâneo antebraquial posterior". Em 1968, Waisman descreveu pacientes com queixas recorrentes de prurido em membros superiores no verão, sendo denominado, então, "brachioradial summer pruritus". Atualmente, esse prurido é denominado como prurido braquiorradial (PBR). O PBR é caracterizado por prurido crônico, geralmente bem localizado, de longa duração e sem anormalidades cutâneas aparentes. Doenças neurológicas, tanto centrais, esclerose múltipla ou acidente vascular cerebral como do sistema nervoso periférico, estão associadas a prurido. Objetivo: Investigar os dermátomos sintomáticos pela eletroneuromiografia (ENMG). Métodos: Foram estudados 46 pacientes com diagnóstico dermatológico de PBR com a eletroneuromiografia dos membros superiores. Resultado: Foram avaliados 46 pacientes com queixa dermatológica de C5 a C8 somando 113 áreas dermatoméricas sintomáticas. Observou-se que 39 (85%) pacientes apresentavam comprometimento radicular, sendo que em 28 (60%) houve concordância plena entre as queixas e os achados da ENMG (p=0,015), e que 80% dos pacientes com queixa em território de C7 e 47% em C6 apresentavam comprometimento radicular no mesmo nível. Conclusões: As queixas mais frequentes foram as correspondentes aos territórios de C6 e C7, sendo que 47 e 80%, respectivamente, apresentaram alteração na ENMG nesses miótomos. Dessa forma, evidenciou-se correlação entre comprometimento do sistema nervoso periférico (i.e., radicular) com PBR.

Manifestaciones neurológicas de COVID-19. Revisión de la literatura / Neurological manifestations of COVID-19. Literature review

El nuevo coronavirus se origino en la ciudad de Wuhan, China, esta enfermedad afecta principalmente el sistema respiratorio, los síntomas pueden ir desde leves a severos, así también, existe otra variedad de presentaciones clínicas en otros sistemas, como es el sistema nervioso central, actualmente existe evidencia de gran cantidad de publicaciones de presentación neurológica como manifestaciones de COVID-19. Actualmente se ha descrito el potencial neurotrópico del coronavirus para invadir el sistema nervioso central y también se ha descrito diversos mecanismos de daño secundario. Las diferentes presentaciones neurológicas en niños como en adultos pueden ser variables, y estas incluyen manifestaciones del sistema nervios central, periférico y enfermedades musculares...(AU)

Caracterización del síndrome de Guillain-Barré en pacientes pediátricos / Characterization of the Guillain-Barré syndrome in pediatric patients

El Síndrome de Guillain Barré (SGB) se caracteriza por la manifestación de manera aguda o subaguda de un conjunto de signos y síntomas que demuestran la afectación del sistema nervioso periférico, expresada en parálisis fláccida y arreflexia, que eventualmente pueden complicarse amenazando la vida y/o posteriormente cronificarse si no se instauran tratamientos específicos de manera oportuna. Las causas más importantes del SGB se atribuyen a agentes infecciosos los cuales desencadenan un mecanismo de respuesta autoinmune que afectan tanto la mielina como el axón. La presente investigación caracterizó el SGB en los pacientes ingresados en el Servicio Desconcentrado Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Agustín Zubillaga entre los años 2010 y 2016(AU)

Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) is characterized by acute or subacute manifestation of peripheral nervous system alterations such as flaccid paralysis and arreflexia, which can eventually be life-threatening and/or become chronic if specific treatments are not established in a timely manner. The main causes of GBS are attributed to infectious agents which trigger an autoimmune response that affect both the myelin and the axon. GBS is the most frequent cause of flaccid paralysis in the pediatric population. The present investigation characterized the GBS in patients admitted to the Servicio Desconcentrado Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Agustín Zubillaga in the period 2010 to 2016(AU)

Anticuerpos asociados al lupus neuropsiquiátrico: rol fisiopatológico, prevalencia y utilidad diagnóstica / Antibodies associated with neuropsychiatrie lupus: Pathophysiological role, prevalence and diagnostic usefulness

RESUMEN El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune multisistémica que puede comprometer cualquier órgano. El compromiso neurológico es una de las mayores causas de morbimortalidad en estos pacientes. Las manifestaciones pueden ser muy variadas y comprender compromiso tanto del sistema nervioso central como del periférico. Estas manifestaciones representan un reto para el clínico, puesto que son de difícil diagnóstico y tratamiento. Aunque existen diversas ayudas de laboratorio e imagenológicas que se han reportado como potencialmente útiles para el diagnóstico del compromiso neurológico en LES, no existe aún un estándar de oro disponible en el presente, por lo que esfuerzos para identificar biomarcadores que puedan mejorar la sensibilidad y la especificidad del diagnóstico del compromiso neurológico en LES son materia de estudio actualmente. Puesto que algunas de estas manifestaciones son mediadas o relacionadas a la presencia de anticuerpos específicos, en este artículo se revisan diferentes anticuerpos asociados al compromiso neuropsiquiátrico del LES, su posible rol fisiopatológico, su prevalencia y su asociación en esta forma de presentación clínica.

ABSTRACT Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with the potential to involve any organ. The neurological manifestations are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality related to SLE, and they can be expressed in the central or peripheral nervous system. Given their complexity, their diagnosis and treatment are a challenge for clinicians. Although there are plenty of helpful laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging tools to achieve a good diagnosis, there is no gold standard available yet. Finding biomarkers with adequate sensitivity and specificity are still being studied. A review is presented in this article on the specific antibodies that have been associated with, or that may trigger, the neurological manifestations in SLE, their pathophysiological importance, prevalence, and their association with this clinical presentation of the illness.

Neuropatía sensitiva y motora hereditaria: Enfermedad de Charcot Marie Tooth / Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy: Charcot Marie Tooth disease

La enfermedad de Charcot Marie Tooth (ECMT) o neuropatía sensitiva y motora hereditaria es el grupo de trastornos degenerativos más común del sistema nervioso periférico, asociado a un conjunto de alteraciones genéticas que cambia la estructura, formación y mantenimiento de la mielina. Afecta a 1 de cada 2500 personas sin guardar relación con la edad, género o etnia; su etiología es únicamente genética. Según la velocidad de conducción nerviosa se clasifca en desmielinizante o CMT1, axonal o CMT2 e intermedia la misma que posee características de los dos anteriores. La ECMT en la mayoría de los casos es una enfermedad lentamente progresiva, se presenta con signos característicos de pie cavo, pierna de cigüeña, atrofa y disminución de la fuerza muscular, alteración en la percepción de estímulos vibratorios, de comienzo distal con progresión a proximal; arreflexia y alteración de la marcha. El diagnóstico se realiza en base a los antecedentes familiares, clínica y examen físico, complementando con estudios electromiográfcos para determinar su clasifcación. Las pruebas genéticas se deben realizar dependiendo al tipo de ECMT en sospecha, las mismas que servirán para realizar consejería familiar. En la actualidad no existe tratamiento específco ni curativo, por lo que se debe brindar apoyo con terapia física y de rehabilitación, psicológica, ocupacional, así como un manejo óptimo del dolor.

Charcot Mariet Tooth's disease (ECMT) or hereditary sensory and motor neuropathy is the one of the most common group of degenerative disorders of the peripheral nervous system, related with a set of genetic alterations that changes the structure, formation and maintenance of myelin. It affects 1 out of 2500 people without considering the age, gender or ethnicity; its etiology is entirely genetic. According to the nerve conduction velocity it is classifed in demyelinating or CMT1, axonal or CMT2 and intermediate the same that has the features of the two previous ones. ECMT in majority of cases it is a slowly progressive disease, presenting with characteristic signs of high instep, stork leg, atrophy and decreased muscle strength, altered perception of vibratory stimuli, distal beginning with proximal progression; arreflexia and alteration of march. The diagnosis is based on family history, clinical and physical examination, complemented by electromyography studies, to determine their classifcation. Genetic tests are taken, based on the type of suspected ECMT, and these will be used for family counseling. Nowadays there is no specifc and curative treatment, that's why support should be provided with physical and rehabilitation therapies, psychological, occupational, as well as an optimal pain control.

Rare case of median nerve and brachial artery entrapment by an abnormal musculo-fascial tunnel in the arm: possible cause of neurovascular compression syndrome / 대한해부학회지

Entrapment neuropathies of the peripheral nervous system are frequently encountered due to anatomical variations. Median nerve is the most vulnerable nerve to undergo entrapment neuropathies. The clinical complications are mostly manifested by median nerve impingement in forearm and wrist areas. Median nerve entrapment could also occur at the arm, due to the presence of ligament of Struthers. Here we report a rare case of proximal entrapment of median nerve and brachial artery in the arm by an abnormally formed musculo-fascial tunnel. The tunnel was formed by the muscle fibers of brachialis and medial intermuscular septum in the lower part of arm. Due to this, the median nerve coursed deep, below the tunnel and continued distally into the forearm, underneath the pronator teres muscle and hence did not appear as a content of cubital fossa. The present entrapment of neurovascular structures in the tunnel might lead to pronator syndromes or other neurovascular compression syndromes.

Biphasic Anaphylaxis and Delayed onset Cerebellar Ataxia following a Wasp Sting

Anaphylaxis usually develop immediately after wasp sting, but may develop even after few days later. Neurological complications after stings are uncommon, although several cases have been reported involving central and/or peripheral nervous system. Although wasp sting-induced encephalitis has been rarely reported, all reported cases showed mental change and severe neurological deterioration. Herein, we report an atypical case who showed biphasic anaphylaxis and delayed-onset cerebellar ataxia following a wasp sting, characterized by mild cerebellar ataxia and excellent response to corticosteroids.

Neuromyositis: A Rare Extramuscular Manifestation of Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are representative idiopathic inflammatory myopathies characterized by symmetric and progressive proximal muscle weakness. Especially, DM is identified by characteristic skin lesions and has many extramuscular manifestations including various cardiac abnormalities, interstitial lung disease, and malignancy. However, involvement of peripheral nervous system in DM/PM is very rare and less known. The term “Neuromyositis” was introduced by Senator in 1893 to describe the concomitant involvement of the peripheral nervous system in DM/PM. Since then, a very few cases of neuromyositis have been reported mainly in the United States and Europe. Therefore, the pathogenetic mechanism and disease progression are unclear. In recent years, a few more cases were reported in Asia, specifically, China and Japan; however, none in Korea. Here, we describe a case of DM-associated neuromyositis in a 42-year-old man in Korea and review previous publications through literature research.

Degranulated Eosinophils Contain More Fine Nerve Fibers in the Duodenal Mucosa of Patients With Functional Dyspepsia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is characterized as chronic recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of any organic disorder. We hypothesized that duodenal low-grade inflammation activates superficial afferent nerve sprouting, thereby contributing to hypersensitivity in patients with FD. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. FD was defined using the Rome III criteria. Standardized endoscopic biopsies were performed in the stomach and duodenum. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for major basic proteins were performed to detect granulated eosinophil-derived granules, and S-100 staining was performed to detect fine nerve fibers. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients with FD (82% female; mean age 35.8 ± 13.4 years) and 35 controls were enrolled. Activated eosinophil counts in the duodenum were significantly higher in patients with FD than in controls (41.4% vs 17.1%, P = 0.005). Microscopic duodenitis was more frequently detected in patients with FD than in controls. Fine nerve fibers were more abundant in patients with FD than in controls (45.1% vs 11.4%, P = 0.029). The abundance of fine nerve fibers highly correlated with the degree of activated eosinophils. CONCLUSION: Duodenal low-grade inflammation, such as mucosal eosinophilic accumulation with degranulation, promoted mucosal enteric nerve fiber density and sprouting in patients with FD.

Origin and distribution of femoral nerves in swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) fetuses from crosses of Dan Bred and AGPIC-337 lines / Origem e distribuição dos nervos femorais em fetos suínos (Sus scrofa domesticus - linneaus, 1758) do cruzamento das linhagens Dan Bred e AGPIC337

The objective of this work was to assess the origin and distribution of femoral nerves in 30 swine fetuses from crosses of Dan Bred and AGPIC-337 lines. Thirty animals­fifteen males and fifteen females­from the collection of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's Animal Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia MG, Brazil, were used. The animals were fixed by injecting a 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution into the descending aorta artery and thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and intramuscular cavities. The specimens were then submerged in a solution with the same concentration. These animals have five to seven lumbar vertebrae. The number of lumbar vertebrae was six in 96.67% and seven in 3.33% of the animals. The femoral nerve originated from the L4 and L5 (66.67%), L5 and L6 (26.67%) and L3 and L4 (6.66%) lumbar vertebrae. It sent branches to the psoas major, psoas minor, iliac, pectineus, and quadriceps femoris muscles in all animals, to the sartorius in 43.33% and to the gracilis in 6.66% of animals. No marked differences were found in the characteristics of origin and distribution of the femoral nerve between the swine fetuses from crosses of Dan Bred and AGPIC-337 lines and the animals described in the literature.

Objetivou-se estudar a origem e distribuição dos nervos femorais em 30 fetos suínos oriundos do cruzamento das linhagens Dan Bred e AGPIC337. Foram utilizados 30 animais, quinze machos e quinze fêmeas, pertencente ao acervo do laboratório de Anatomia Animal da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. A fixação dos animais se deu por meio de injeção de solução aquosa de formaldeído a 10% na artéria aorta parte descendente, cavidades torácica, abdominal, pélvica e intramusculares, em seguida, os espécimes foram submersos em solução contendo a mesma concentração. Esses animais possuem cinco a sete vértebras lombares. Em 96,67% dos animais o número de vértebras lombares foi seis e em 3,33% sete. O nervo femoral originou-se de L4 e L5 (66,67%), L5 e L6 (26,67%) e L3 e L4 (6,66%). Emitiu ramos para os músculos psoas maior, psoas menor, ilíaco, pectíneo, quadríceps femoral em 100% dos casos, 43,33% para o sartório e 6,66% para o grácil. Nota-se que não foram observadas diferenças marcantes nas características tanto na origem como na distribuição do nervo femoral entre os fetos de suínos oriundos do cruzamento das linhagens Dan Bred e AGPIC337 e os animais da literatura consultada

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with acutepolyneuropathy mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis that commonly affects the peripheral nervous system. EGPA rarely presents with acute polyneuropathy resembling Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). A 51-year-old female patient with a history of asthma suddenly developed bilateral lower extremityparesthesia that progressed to asymmetric ascending paralysis within 10 days of onset. Nerve conduction study results were compatible with acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy, consistent with a GBS subtype. A clinical and neurophysiological diagnosis of GBS was made, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins were administered. However, the patient's painful motor weakness persisted. Furthermore, she had newly developed skin lesions on her back, face, and arms. Her blood test revealed marked eosinophilia (>60%). In addition, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were reported positive. A Water's view radiographic image showed bilateral maxillary sinusitis. Considering the history of asthma, we suspected EGPA-associated polyneuropathy and started steroid treatment. The patient's strength and eosinophilia improved rapidly and dramatically. EGPA can mimic GBS and should be differentiated because of different treatment strategies. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help achieve a good outcome.

Arousal and Valence Classification Model Based on Long Short-Term Memory and DEAP Data for Mental Healthcare Management / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Both the valence and arousal components of affect are important considerations when managing mental healthcare because they are associated with affective and physiological responses. Research on arousal and valence analysis, which uses images, texts, and physiological signals that employ deep learning, is actively underway; research investigating how to improve the recognition rate is needed. The goal of this research was to design a deep learning framework and model to classify arousal and valence, indicating positive and negative degrees of emotion as high or low. METHODS: The proposed arousal and valence classification model to analyze the affective state was tested using data from 40 channels provided by a dataset for emotion analysis using electrocardiography (EEG), physiological, and video signals (the DEAP dataset). Experiments were based on 10 selected featured central and peripheral nervous system data points, using long short-term memory (LSTM) as a deep learning method. RESULTS: The arousal and valence were classified and visualized on a two-dimensional coordinate plane. Profiles were designed depending on the number of hidden layers, nodes, and hyperparameters according to the error rate. The experimental results show an arousal and valence classification model accuracy of 74.65 and 78%, respectively. The proposed model performed better than previous other models. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model appears to be effective in analyzing arousal and valence; specifically, it is expected that affective analysis using physiological signals based on LSTM will be possible without manual feature extraction. In a future study, the classification model will be adopted in mental healthcare management systems.

Technical Review and Perspectives of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Brain Stimulation for Neurorehabilitation

Lack of a region-specific brain stimulation modality having both spatial specificity and depth penetration has limited clinicians to explore novel non-pharmacological treatment options in neurorehabilitation. Focused ultrasound (FUS) has shown excitatory and suppressive modulatory effects on neural tissues in both central and peripheral nervous systems by transcranially delivering low-intensity highly focused acoustic pressure waves to region-specific neural structures in a completely non-invasive fashion. This emerging technique, with exquisite spatial selectively and depth penetration, is considered as a new mode of brain stimulation that may significantly improve existing brain stimulation modalities. This review aims to provide the perspectives of FUS-mediated brain stimulation in neurorehabilitation, along with potential pitfalls and cautions that need to be taken into consideration. When combined with the intravascular introduction of microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents, the technique adds therapeutic potentials in delivering drug/genes/cells across the blood-brain barrier, which may open new opportunities for neurorehabilitation. Efforts are being made to construct FUS devices appropriate for routine clinical use, to investigate its fundamental mechanisms, and to optimize the sonication parameters. Repeated administration of the technique for inducing neuroplasticity, including the assessment of long-term safety, is warranted to reveal its utility in neurorehabilitation.

Infección Urinaria en Pacientes con Lesión Medular / Urinary Infection in Patients with Spinal Cord Lesion

La micción es un proceso complejo, que requiere la coordinación entre el sistema nervioso central y periférico. La alteración en ése, aumenta el riesgo para que se produzcan infecciones complicadas y a largo plazo, daño renal. La alteración en el vaciado de la vejiga, obliga a que muchos de esos pacientes, realicen cateterismos intermitentes o sonda vesical permanente, aumentando el riesgo de infecciones polimicrobianas o por gérmenes multiresistentes. Algunos factores implicados en el desarrollo de las infecciones de esos pacientes, son el residuo postmiccional elevado, estasis urinario, litiasis vesical, uso de catéteres, además de las alteraciones en el sistema inmune y las capas de recubrimiento en la mucosa vesical. El diagnóstico de infección se realiza al encontrar: piuria y bacteriuria, según método de vaciado vesical, y un síntoma general que sugiera infección. Conclusión: Las infecciones urinarias en pacientes con lesión medular, deben ser tratadas de acuerdo a sensibilidades de la zona, siempre con la toma previa de un urocultivo y con un diagnóstico adecuado de infección urinaria, teniendo en cuenta las diferentes maniobras de evacuación de la vejiga. No están recomendados los tratamientos cortos ni el tratamiento de las bacteriurias asintomáticas. Una de las formas de prevenir las infecciones, está en evitar situaciones de riesgo como el estasis vesical, las presiones intravesicales elevadas y los vaciamientos incompletos. En la actualidad existen múltiples medicamentos para prevenir las infecciones urinarias, pero faltan estudios con evidencia de más peso y en pacientes con lesión medular, para que puedan ser recomendados.

Urination is a complex process, requiring coordination between the central and peripheral nervous system. The alteration in this, increases the risk for complicated infections and long-term kidney damage. The alteration in the emptying of the bladder, causes many of these patients to perform intermittent catheterization or permanent bladder catheterization, increasing the risk of polymicrobial infections or multiresistant germs. Some factors involved in the development of infections of these patients are high postvoiding, urinary stasis, vesical lithiasis, use of catheters, as well as alterations in the immune system and the layers of lining in the bladder mucosa. The diagnosis of infection is made on finding: pyuria and bacteriuria, according to the method of bladder emptying, and a general symptom that suggests infection. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injury should be treated according to the sensitivity of the area, always with prior urine collection and an adequate diagnosis of urinary tract infection, taking into account the different maneuvers of bladder evacuation. Short treatments and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria are not recommended. One way to prevent infections is to avoid risky situations such as bladder stasis, elevated intravesical pressures and incomplete emptying. At the moment there are multiple drugs to prevent urinary tract infections, but there are no studies with evidence of heaviest weight and in patients with spinal cord injury, so that they can be recommended.

Methimazole-Induced Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis in the Peripheral Nerves

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis has been reported in Graves' disease patients treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), especially propylthiouracil. ATD-induced ANCA-associated vasculitis usually involved the kidneys followed by the respiratory organs and skin. The treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis induced by ATDs is to stop ATD therapy immediately, which often leads to an overall good prognosis. We report a case of ANCA-associated vasculitis in the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities in a 66-year-old woman who was treated with methimazole (MMI) for Graves' disease. To our knowledge, this is the third case of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement of ATD-induced vasculitis and the first case of PNS vasculitis associated with MMI.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection Presented with Multiple Neurological Complications

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is common pathogen of the respiratory tract. M. pneumoniae infection cause a wide variety of clinical manifestation involving the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems. There is no satisfactory explanation for the pathophysiology of CNS complication, but possibilities include direct infection and an immune-mediated reaction. We report a case of encephalitis by M. pneumoniae infection which showed uncommon course of multiple neurologic manifestations and reviewed the literature about the CNS complication of M. pneumoniae.

Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Urinary Tract Infection by Escherichia coli

Recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system. It has been reported to occur at intervals ranging from four months to 10 years; published case studies suggest that 1%–6% of patients who have had GBS will experience recurrent attacks. The most commonly identified infections coinciding with GBS are Campylobacter jejuni, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and cytomegalovirus, while an antecedent infection with Escherichia coli is very uncommon. In this case report, we present a rare episode of recurrent GBS, which followed a urinary tract infection (UTI) by E. coli, and an accompanying literature review. A 75-year-old woman with a prior history of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), a subtype of GBS, presented with subsequent weakness of limbs and areflexia following 10 days of fever, frequency, and dysuria. Base on nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and other clinical investigation, we diagnosed the patient with recurrent GBS caused by E. coli. The patient recovered with mild subjective weakness following treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin with ceftriaxone. We suggest that E. coli causes UTI could be one of the diverse trigger factors involved in recurrent GBS.