European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
-
Ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture for nusinersen administration in spinal muscular atrophy patients.
The purpose was to report the results of ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture for the administration of nusinersen in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with complex spines. ⋯ The ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture, following an interlaminar parasagittal approach, is a safe and effective approach for intrathecal treatment with nusinersen in children, adolescents and carefully selected adult SMA patients with complex spines and could be considered the first option in them.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Impact of COVID-19 outbreak in reperfusion therapies of acute ischaemic stroke in northwest Spain.
Spain has been one of the countries more heavily stricken by SARS-CoV-2, which has had huge implications for stroke care. The aim was to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak on reperfusion therapies for acute ischaemic stroke in the northwest of Spain. ⋯ A decrease in the number of patients benefiting from reperfusion therapies was found, with a delay in out-of-hospital and door-to-needle times and worse reperfusion rates in northwest Spain. COVID-19 patients had more in-hospital mortality.
-
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) incidence can increase during outbreaks of infectious illnesses. A few cases of GBS associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have been reported. The aim was to identify specific clinical features of GBS associated with COVID-19. ⋯ Published cases of GBS associated with COVID-19 report a sensorimotor, predominantly demyelinating GBS with a typical clinical presentation. Clinical features and disease course seem similar to those observed in GBS related to other etiologies. These results should be interpreted with caution since only 18 cases have been heterogeneously reported so far.
-
Ischaemic stroke has been described in association with COVID-19. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been suggested, i.e. prothrombotic state, cardiac injury etc. It was sought to assess the potential association between ischaemic stroke associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and underlying atherosclerotic lesions. ⋯ Our study should alert clinicians to scrutinize any new onset of ischaemic stroke during COVID-19 infection, mainly in patients with vascular risk factors or underlying atherosclerotic lesions.