Journal of the neurological sciences
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In patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), damage to extensive regions of normal-appearing WM has been observed. To investigate the possibility that microstructural alterations are present in these WM tracts, DTI and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) techniques were applied and compared. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze WM tracts of NMO patients using DTI and DKI. These data indicate that DKI could have limitations in evaluating the WM integrity in NMO patients. Furthermore, the results obtained are consistent with the hypothesis that diffuse brain involvement characterizes NMO.
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To explore the role of middle latency evoked potentials (EPs) as predictors for favorable outcome in patients with severe ischemic brain injuries by comparing the prognostic ability of short latency somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials (SLSEP and BAEP) with middle latency somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials (MLSEP and MLAEP). ⋯ Compared with using N20 of SLSEP analysis alone, adding MLSEP improves the outcome prediction in patients with severe ischemic brain injuries. When an outcome is uncertain after initial evaluation using short-latency EPs, MLSEP is valuable to be used from the first week to further improve prognostication in these patients.
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To evaluate the factors related to the choice of a tracheostomy and invasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and to determine survival time after a tracheostomy at a single institute in Japan between 1990 and 2010. ⋯ Tracheostomy and invasive ventilation are frequently used in Japan. Various factors impact patients' decisions to have these procedures. This study identified factors related to the decision-making process and post-tracheostomy survival.