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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We performed this study to evaluate the prevalence of and factors associated with dural thickening in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative participants with axial FLAIR sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were analyzed. Dural thickness was defined by a linear strip of hyperintense tissue signal along the dura mater observed in at least two different images without evidence of leptomeningeal involvement. RESULTS: Dural thickening was seen in 83 (34%) of 242 persons analyzed (mean age [±SD] 74±7 years: 150 were men) with either mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. The mini mental score was not different in persons with (26±0.3) and without (26±0.2) dural thickening (p = 0.6). The proportion of patients with moderate or severe cognitive impairment (defined by mini mental status score) was similar at baseline and at 12-month evaluations. The rates of annual progression according to Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (p = 0.06) and clinical dementia scale (p = 0.001) were higher in persons without dural thickening. The annual rate of volume loss in entorhinal cortex was higher among persons with dural thickening. CONCLUSIONS: We found relatively high prevalence of dural thickening in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
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BACKGROUND: Developmental venous anomalies (DVA) are found incidentally but sometimes patients with these anomalies present with varying degrees of neurologic manifestations. OBJECTIVE: We report a patient with early onset complex partial epilepsy and associated DVA and discuss the natural history, neuroimaging and clinical characteristics, and management. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 21-year-old man presented with a history of complex partial epilepsy with secondary generalization which started at the age of 4 years. An electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed which demonstrated spike and wave discharges predominantly in the left frontotemporal region. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed which demonstrated a linear flow void suggestive of a DVA. The angiogram demonstrated DVA that connected with the left transverse venous sinus and an anastomotic vein between the straight sinus and the transverse venous sinus traversing the brain parenchyma. He was started on carbamezipine for the treatment of complex partial seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Temporal lobe DVA may be associated with complex partial seizures and can be diagnosed by MRI and angiographic findings.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Approaching the cervical and high thoracic level epidural space through transepidural route from lumbar region represents a method to lower the occurrence of complications associated with direct approach. The authors performed a cadaveric pilot project to determine the feasibility of various catheter-based manipulation and cephalad advancement using the transepidural route. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two cadavers were used to determine the following: 1. Ability to place a guide sheath over a guidewire using a percutaneous approach within the posterior lumbar epidural space; 2. The highest vertebral level catheter can be advanced within the posterior epidural space; 3. Ability to cross midline within the posterior epidural space; and 4. Ability to catheterize the perineural epidural sheaths of the nerve roots exiting at cervical and thoracic vertebral levels. RESULTS: We were able to advance the catheters up to the level of cervical vertebral level of C2 within the posterior epidural space under fluoroscopic guidance from a sheath inserted via oblique parasagittal approach at the lumbar L4-L5 intervertebral space. We were able to cross midline within the posterior epidural space and catheterize multiple perineural epidural sheaths of the nerve roots exiting at cervical vertebral level of C2, C3, and C4 on ipsilateral or contralateral sides. We also catheterized multiple epidural sheaths that surround the nerve roots exiting at the thoracic vertebral level on ipsilateral or contralateral sides. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to advance a catheter or microcatheter up to the cervical vertebral level within the posterior epidural space and catheterize the perineural epidural sheath of the nerve root exiting at cervical and thoracic vertebral levels. Such observations support further exploration of percutaneous catheter based transepidural approach to cervical and thoracic dorsal epidural spaces for therapeutic interventions.
