Acta neurologica Belgica
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Apr 2020
Perception and attitude of the general population towards Alzheimer's disease in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
There are many conflicting beliefs about Alzheimer's disease in the general population. Conducting a study on public awareness, attitude, and knowledge towards Alzheimer's disease is useful in decreasing discrimination and stigmatization. This study aims to determine the public perception and attitude towards Alzheimer's disease in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ⋯ Awareness campaigns and public education are needed to increase the knowledge of the general public regarding several aspects of the disease including prevention, causes, and management. Dissemination of information about Alzheimer's disease should be of high priority. Increased awareness will lead to earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia cases and appropriate care and management of those persons.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Feb 2020
Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a prognostic marker in acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Intravenous injection of alteplase is recommended for patients with minor disabling and not non-disabling ischemic stroke symptoms within 4.5 h of ischemic stroke symptom onset. However, it is hard for clinicians to distinguish which type of minor ischemic stroke is disabled at an early stage. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a prognostic marker in acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack. 196 patients diagnosed with acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack within 24 h of symptom onset were enrolled. ⋯ The optimal cutoff value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for prediction of short-term unfavorable outcome was 2.94 with a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 77.1% (area under the curve: 0.767, 95% CI 0.691-0.843). Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with short-term unfavorable functional outcome in patients with acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack. Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is beneficial for clinicians to distinguish minor disabling ischemic stroke at an early stage.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Feb 2020
Median nerve ultrasound in carpal tunnel syndrome with normal electrodiagnostic tests.
To evaluate the ultrasound findings of the median nerve in patients with clinical assigned carpal tunnel syndrome but normal nerve conduction studies. ⋯ US can help the clinicians with the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with clinical symptoms but negative nerve conduction study results.
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Baclofen is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid, used mainly for the treatment of muscle spasticity. Baclofen overdose can result in severe respiratory depression, autonomic disturbances, seizures and coma. Here we report a 15-year-old girl who was found unresponsive, intubated and admitted to the PICU. ⋯ On the 2nd PICU day, she regained consciousness and was able to follow commands. She was extubated and discharged on hospital day 3. Conclusively emergency physicians should consider baclofen overdose in children presenting with acute loss of consciousness, flaccidity, and hyporeflexia.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Feb 2020
ReviewSpontaneous intracranial hypotension: review and expert opinion.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) results from spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking. An underlying connective tissue disorder that predisposes to weakness of the dura is implicated in spontaneous spinal CSF leaks. During the last decades, a much larger number of spontaneous cases are identified and a far broader clinical SIH spectrum is recognized. ⋯ If EBPs fail, after the CSF leak sites identification using invasive imaging techniques, other therapeutic approaches include: a targeted epidural patch, surgical reduction of dural sac volume, or direct surgical closure. The prognosis is generally good after intervention, but serious complications may occur. More research is needed to better understand SIH pathophysiology to refine imaging modalities and treatment approaches and to evaluate clinical outcomes.