Medicine
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Case Reports
Cranial and lumbosacral hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report.
Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammatory hypertrophy and fibrosis of dura mater. It can be divided into cranial and spinal forms depending on the location of the lesion. HP involving 2 separate sites simultaneously is quite uncommon. ⋯ HP is etiologically heterogeneous. Despite its rarity, SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HP. Early recognition and therapy may provide an optimal outcome.
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Observational Study
Preoperative evaluation value of aortic arch lesions by multidetector computed tomography angiography in type A aortic dissection.
The purpose of this study was to preoperatively evaluate the value of aortic arch lesions by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in type A aortic dissection (AD). From January 2013 to December 2015, we enrolled 42 patients with type A AD who underwent MDCT angiography in our hospital. The institutional database of patients was retrospectively reviewed to identify MDCT angiography examinations for type A AD. ⋯ Regarding the distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries, compared with the control group, most cases with type A AD had a significant variation. MDCT angiography plays an important role in detecting aortic arch lesions of type A AD, especially in determining the location of the intimal entry site and change of branch blood vessels. Surgeons can formulate an appropriate operating plan, according to the preoperative MDCT diagnosis information.
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Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but it remains the main cause of death in Luxembourg. We aimed to estimate the current prevalence of hypertension, associated risk factors, and its geographic variation in Luxembourg. Cross-sectional, population-based data on 1497 randomly selected Luxembourg residents aged 25 to 64 years were collected as part of the European Health Examination Survey from 2013 to 2015. ⋯ The highest odds ratio was observed in the most industrialized region (South-West) (1.2 [0.9, 1.6]) with a positive effect at 90% credible region. In Luxembourg, the vast majority of people with hypertension are either unaware of their condition or not adequately controlled, which constitutes a major, neglected public health challenge. There are geographic variations in hypertension prevalence in Luxembourg, hence the role of individual and regional risk factors along with public health initiatives to reduce disease burden should be considered.
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Observational Study
Variations of movement disorders in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A nationwide study in Taiwan.
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitis that presents with a wide variety of movement disorders. The purpose of our study is to review the manifestations and duration of movement disorders in different ages with NMDAR encephalitis. A retrospective cohort of 28 patients (20 females and 8 males) with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) anti-NMDAR antibody in a 5-year period from major hospitals in Taiwan was enrolled. ⋯ Compared with other disorders, choreoathetosis persisted significantly longer in patients ≤10 years (P = 0.038), while OFLD and catatonia last longer in patients >10 years (P = 0.047 and 0.002, respectively). Our study shows that hyperkinetic movements such as choreoathetosis are more common and last longer in younger age groups, whereas hypokinetic movements such as catatonia and bradykinesia are more common and last longer in older age groups. Female patients with ovarian tumors had worse short-term outcome.
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Observational Study
Different mean thickness implicates involvement of the cortex in migraine.
The results of neuroimaging studies on migraines have shown that the functions and functional connectivity networks of some brain regions are altered in migraine patients, and different brain structure volumes have also been observed in recent years. However, it is still not known whether the mean thickness of the cortex is different in migraine patients. A total of 48 migraine without aura (MWoA) patients in interictal phase and 48 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. ⋯ The results showed that MWoA results from a complex interactive reaction involving many brain regions and many brain network systems together. However, it is still not clear whether the difference in the brain structure of migraine patients is the result or the cause of headache, which is a topic that must be better elucidated. Therefore, longitudinal neuroimaging studies on migraine patients with large samples sizes should be performed using more advanced neuroimaging techniques.