COVID-19-Associated PRES-like Encephalopathy with Perivascular Gadolinium Enhancement.

We describe the case of a 63-year-old woman who developed a coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute encephalopathy with perivascular gadolinium enhancement.

Peri-lead edema after deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson's disease: a prospective magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and characteristics of peri-electrode edema in a prospective cohort of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and to correlate it with clinical findings. METHODS: We performed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 7 and 20 days after surgery in 19 consecutive patients undergoing DBS surgery for Parkinson's disease. The T2-weighted hyperintensity surrounding DBS leads was characterized and quantified. Any evidence of bleeding around the leads was also evaluated. Clinical and follow-up data were recorded. In a subgroup of patients, a follow-up MRI was performed 3-6 weeks after surgery. We also retrospectively reviewed the post-operative computed tomography scans of patients who underwent DBS at our center since 2013. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging showed a peri-lead edematous reaction in all (100%) patients, which was unilateral in three patients (15.8%). In six patients (31.6%), we detected minor peri-lead hemorrhage. Edema completely resolved in eight out of 11 patients with a follow-up MRI and was markedly reduced in the others. Most patients were asymptomatic but six (31.6%) manifested various degrees of confusional state without motor symptoms. We found no significant correlation between edema volume, distribution and any clinical feature, including new post-operative neurological symptoms. The retrospective computed tomography analysis showed that peri-electrode hypodensity consistent with edema is absent at early post-operative imaging but is common at scans performed >3 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-electrode edema is a common, transient reaction to DBS lead placement and a convincing relation between edema and post-operative clinical status is lacking.

Multiparametric MR imaging of Parkinsonisms at 3 tesla: Its role in the differentiation of idiopathic Parkinson's disease versus atypical Parkinsonian disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The Nigrosome-1 and putaminal hypointensity depicted on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and midbrain atrophy assessed on T1-weighted are some of the most common radiological parameters to diagnose Parkinsonism at Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Our aim is to assess the feasibility of these signs in the differentiation of Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients versus disease (DC) and healthy controls (HC) and in the assessment of the Atypical Progressive Parkinsonisms (APPs). METHODS: Presence or loss of the Nigrosome-1 was assessed retrospectively on multiple-echo SWI obtained on a 3 T scan by two neuroradiologists. Results were compared with the 123I-FP-CIT SPECT images. Morphologic diagnostic features suggestive of APPs such as midbrain atrophy and putaminal hypointensity were evaluated by qualitative scores. The midbrain and putaminal scores were summed (combined score) and then added to the Nigrosome-1 score (global score). RESULTS: The study included 126 patients with IPD (n = 56), APPs patients (n = 30; 18 PSP, 3 MSA-C, 9 MSA-P), 16 DC and 24 HC. Sensitivity and specificity of the Nigrosome-1 in discriminating IPD from controls were 96,43% and 85.00%, APPs from controls were 100% and 85%, IPD from APPs were 96,43% and 0% respectively. Combined score for midbrain atrophy and putaminal hypointensity resulted in the most accurate for distinguishing APPs from IPD with a value of ≥ 2 (AUC = 0.98). CONCLUSION: Nigrosome-1 is a valid tool to differentiate IPD-APPs from controls. The combined score of midbrain atrophy and putaminal hypointensity represents a valid diagnostic pointer in the differential diagnosis of APPs from IPD.

Rituximab induces distinct intraorbital and intrathyroidal effects in one patient satisfactorily treated for Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Hyperthyroid Graves' disease (GD) is a B-cell-mediated disease caused by antibodies stimulating the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TRAb). A proportion of patients (40-60%) present with an associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease of the retroorbital tissue. We thought that the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX), by inducing transient B-cell depletion, may potentially modify the active inflammatory phase of TAO. One patient with GD and TAO in its active phase and unresponsive to steroid, was treated with RTX. Whereas the ophthalmopathy responded to RTX therapy and a decrease in the clinical activity score from 5 to 2 was observed during the B-cell depletion, serum antithyroid antibodies, and in particular serum TRAb, were not affected by therapy. When the patient underwent total thyroidectomy, we found B-cells in the thyroid tissue specimens. The eye disease remained stable (clinical activity score=2) and the patient subsequently underwent orbital decompression to correct proptosis of the eye. At that time we did not find lymphocytes in any of the orbital tissue specimens. We believe that RTX therapy in GD may cause amelioration of ophthalmopathy by depleting total lymphocyte population in the orbit, but not lymphocyte depletion in thyroid tissue with consequent unchanged serum TRAb levels.

[Intraluminal ultrasonography of the biliary ducts]. / Ecografia endoluminale delle vie biliari.

We report our 4 years' experience with intraluminal US of the biliary ducts performed on 24 patients via a biliary transhepatic-duodenal drainage catheter or a surgically inserted T tube (2 cases). The final diagnosis was a malignant disease in 16 patients and a benign disease in 8 patients. We used an Intra Vascular Ultra Sound (Diasonics) unit with a 20 MHz transducer inserted into a 9 F catheter with closed tip, which in turn was pushed through the biliary ducts in a 12 F sheathed introducer which provides a safety metal guide wire in the duodenum. US examinations lasted only a few minutes and caused no additional patient discomfort; no complications followed. Intraluminal US confirmed the results of other clinical and instrumental tests in 18/24 patients and improved the diagnostic yield in assessing lesion nature and operability in 6 cases (25%). Its cost is high, but the Intra Vascular Ultra Sound includes a 3.5 MHz and a 7 MHz probes and can therefore be used for all the other US examinations needed in interventional radiology rooms and in the study of the biliary ducts. To decrease the cost, we used the Intra Vascular Ultra Sound in less than 10% of the patients treated for biliary obstruction in the same period of time, namely those with questionable diagnosis and operability. We conclude that intraluminal US of the biliary ducts is a useful tool in the centers using interventional radiology to treat many obstructive jaundice patients by a transhepatic approach.