MR Features of Varicella-zoster Myelitis in an Immunocompetent Patient.

BACKGROUND: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a latent virus that can remain in the central nervous system. Reactivation of the virus can cause some neurologic manifestations, and myelitis is one of the rarest of them. In this report, we aimed to present the MRI features of long-segment cervical myelitis after VZV infection, which is rarely reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old patient, who was diagnosed with varicella-zoster two months ago and treated with valacyclovir, was admitted to our clinic with worsening of his complaints and weakness in the right upper extremity. Neurological examination was normal in the left upper and bilateral lower extremities, but the muscle strength in the right upper extremity was evaluated as 4/5 grade. While rare leukocytes (10 leukocytes/mm³, 50 erythrocytes/mm³, high protein level (46 mg/dl, ref.15- 40 mg/dl)) were seen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, no microorganisms were seen, and no growth was observed in the culture. VZV antibody-immunoglobulin G (Ab-IgG) was positive in CSF, while polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for VZV was negative. On cervical MRI, lesions showing T2 hyperintensity were observed from the C3-4 level to the C7-T1 level, eccentrically located in the right paramedian spinal cord. On post-contrast images, patchy heterogeneous contrast enhancement was noted in these regions of the spinal cord. When the patient's history, CSF features and MRI examinations were evaluated together, the lesions were consistent with VZV myelitis. The patient was started on valacyclovir treatment, and during the follow-up, the patient's complaints decreased, while no progress was observed in neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION: As a result, we aimed to report the MRI features of this rare complication of varicellazoster and emphasize the necessity of keeping this in mind in the etiology of myelitis, especially in cases with patchy enhancement, to achieve early diagnosis and treatment.

Effects of stroke etiology on angiographic success in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the relationship between stroke etiology and recanalization success with endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 109 patients with anterior circulation stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between August 2017 and June 2019 were included in the study retrospectively. Stroke etiologies of the patients were determined according to the TOAST criteria (Trial of Org 10,172 acute stroke treatment), and the relationship between stroke etiology and successful first-pass recanalization rate with endovascular treatment, total successful recanalization rate, and procedure time was evaluated. RESULTS: The data of 109 patients who presented with anterior circulation stroke and underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-five (50.5%) of the patients were female and 54 (49.5%) were male, and mean age was 67.3 ± 12.9. When the stroke etiologies of the patients were evaluated, it was found that 47 (43.1%) were due to large vessel ateherosclerotic disease (LVAD), and 62 (56.9%) were cardioembolic-related. Recanalization success and clinical outcomes did not differ significantly in patients with LVAD and those with cardioembolic etiology (p > 0.05). In addition, the number of patients with modified Rankin score (mRS) 6 in the atherosclerotic group was significantly higher than in the cardioembolic group (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Recanalization success and clinical outcomes did not differ significantly in patients with LVAD and those with cardioembolic etiology. However, mortality rate was higher in patients with atherosclerotic etiology, due to the complexity of the procedure and the high rate of reocclusion.