Neurosyphilis with positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody: a case report.

A case of neurosyphilis with a positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody was reported. A 54-year-old man who presented with acute memory deficits was admitted to our hospital. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was initially considered, and he was prescribed intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). However, the intermittent onset of episodic memory and orientation disorder still occurred. No diffusion restriction was indicated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and subclinical seizures were frequently found by electroencephalogram (EEG). Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test of serum showed positive results for syphilis. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed elevated leukocyte count and protein level. RPR test, Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay, and Treponema pallidum antibody (TP-Ab) in CSF showed positive results, and the anti-NMDAR antibodies were positive in CSF and serum. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with neurosyphilis with a positive anti-NMDAR antibody. The clinical symptoms were improved, and the leukocyte count in CSF was reduced after treatment with intravenous penicillin G and levetiracetam. This case suggests that in cases with positive results for neurosyphilis and NMDAR antibodies, the proper treatment has to be decided based on all of the available clinical and diagnostic testing data.

Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, imaging features, treatment, prognosis, and possible causes of myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction.Methods:The clinical data of four patients with myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction who received treatment at Peking University International Hospital and Beijing Jingcheng Boai Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All four patients experienced myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction for the first time. They were aged 60-69 years, with a median age of 65 years. Bone marrow suppression occurred in the four patients with myelodysplastic syndrome after chemotherapy, resulting in a remarkable reduction in the number of platelets. All four patients had just been transfused with platelets before the onset of myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction. The main clinical manifestations were dyskinesia, language disorder, paresthesia, and dizziness. Three patients had multiple foci, two of them involved bilateral cerebral hemispheres, and only one patient had a single focus. Circulation improvement and symptomatic treatment were given after admission. Two patients with cerebral hernia died, and two patients were discharged after improvement.Conclusion:The pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction is complex. It includes many causes rather than common risk factors for stroke. Myelodysplastic syndrome complicated by acute cerebral infarction is rare in the clinic. It is difficult to treat, is serious, and has a poor prognosis.

Intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery under block anaesthesia of the cervical plexus / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)function during thyroid surgery by recording the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle(LCA) under block anaesthesia of the cervical plexus. Methods Nicolet Endeavor CR(Viasys Healthcare, USA) was applied for the intraoperative monitoring. A pair of needle electrodes were inserted into LCA to record CMAP, and a concentric electrode was used to intermittently stimulate the RLN for monitoring the RLN function during operation under block anaesthesia of the cervical plexus.Results In these 28 cases 31 RLNs were exposed during operation, CMAPs appeared with consistent latency when stimulation was applied at the exposed segment. The stimulating intensity threshold ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 mA. The average value was 0.96 mA. 25 of 31 showed CMAPs with consistent latency when stimulation was provided along the possible pathway of the unexposed segment. The stimulating intensity threshold ranged from 1.3 to 3.5 mA. The average value was 2. 03 mA. 6 of 31 did not evoked CMAP even though the maximal stimulating intensity was 5 mA. When these six nerves were exposured, compound muscle action potential were evoked consistently. All of the 28 patients had normal phonation function after surgery.Conclusions It is a safe, effective and feasible method to monitor the RL N function by recording the CMAP of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle under block anaesthesia of the cervical plexus.