Calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with recurrent perilesional edema causing neurological manifestations in an HIV-infected individual: case report with a decade-long follow-up.

Four cases of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with perilesional edema causing a single episode of neurological manifestations have recently been reported. Here, we describe the first detailed description of perilesional edema associated with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis causing three episodes of neurological manifestations in a PLWHA, including seizures in two of them. These recurrences occurred over approximately a decade. Throughout this period, the patient showed immunological and virological control of the HIV infection, while using antiretroviral therapy regularly. This case broadens the spectrum of an emerging presentation of calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis, mimicking a well-described finding of neurocysticercosis in immunocompetent hosts.

Calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with recurrent perilesional edema causing neurological manifestations in an HIV-infected individual: case report with a decade-long follow-up

ABSTRACT Four cases of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with perilesional edema causing a single episode of neurological manifestations have recently been reported. Here, we describe the first detailed description of perilesional edema associated with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis causing three episodes of neurological manifestations in a PLWHA, including seizures in two of them. These recurrences occurred over approximately a decade. Throughout this period, the patient showed immunological and virological control of the HIV infection, while using antiretroviral therapy regularly. This case broadens the spectrum of an emerging presentation of calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis, mimicking a well-described finding of neurocysticercosis in immunocompetent hosts.

Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS): typical clinical and neuroimaging features in a Brazilian family.

Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by late-infantile onset spastic ataxia and other neurological features. ARSACS has a high prevalence in northeastern Quebec, Canada. Several ARSACS cases have been reported outside Canada in recent decades. This is the first report of typical clinical and neuroimaging features in a Brazilian family with probable diagnosis of ARSACS.

Neuromyelitis optica: brain abnormalities in a Brazilian cohort.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease consisting of relapsing-remitting optic neuritis and myelitis with a more severe course than Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, it has been shown that almost 50% of patients with NMO can have brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. We report on six Brazilian patients with NMO, fulfilling the 1999 Wingerchuck criteria for this disease, with abnormal brain MRI and discuss their clinical and radiological features.

Neuromyelitis optica: brain abnormalities in a Brazilian cohort

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease consisting of relapsing-remitting optic neuritis and myelitis with a more severe course than Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, it has been shown that almost 50 percent of patients with NMO can have brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. We report on six Brazilian patients with NMO, fulfilling the 1999 Wingerchuck criteria for this disease, with abnormal brain MRI and discuss their clinical and radiological features.

Neuromielite óptica (NMO) é doença desmielinizante, remitente-recorrente, com acometimento predominante dos nervos ópticos e medula espinal e uma evolução mais grave comparada à esclerose múltipla. Estudos recentes demonstraram que até 50 por cento dos pacientes com NMO podem apresentar lesões encefálicas à ressonância magnética (RM). Relatamos seis pacientes brasileiros com NMO, que satisfazem os critérios diagnósticos de Wingerchuck (1999) para NMO, com alterações encefálicas em RM de encéfalo e discutimos seus dados clínicos e de imagem.

White matter spectroscopy in neuromyelitis optica: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Naa/Cr ratio in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is altered beyond plaques, suggesting early axonal loss, and correlates to clinical disability. Brain lesions not typical of MS have been described in Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and correspond to brain aquaporin-4 channel sites, but the evaluation of Naa/Cr ratio in NAWM of patients with NMO and its association to the presence of brain lesions and clinical disability have not been described. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the Naa/Cr of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in 16 patients with NMO compared to healthy controls. METHODS: We performed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of 16 patients with NMO and compared to age matched healthy controls. RESULTS: NAWM Naa/Cr did not show statistical difference among patients and controls, neither between patients that had normal brain MRI and atypical brain lesions. CONCLUSION: NAWM was found to have a normal Naa/Cr in patients with NMO, reinforcing the concept that the white matter is not primarily affected in this disease.