Neurology
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The ICH Score is a commonly used clinical grading scale for outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and has been validated for 30-day mortality, but not long-term functional outcome. The goals of this study were to assess whether the ICH Score accurately stratifies patients with regard to 12-month functional outcome and to further delineate the pace of recovery of patients during the first year post-ICH. ⋯ The ICH Score is a valid clinical grading scale for long-term functional outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Many ICH patients improve after hospital discharge and this improvement may continue even after 6 months post-ICH.
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Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) is considered a good diagnostic tool for small fiber neuropathy (SFN). ⋯ This study provides clinically applicable distal intraepidermal nerve fiber density normative values, showing age- and sex-related differences.
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Guidelines for defining the minimally conscious state (MCS) specify behaviors that characterize emergence, including "reliable and consistent" functional communication (accurate yes/no responding). Guidelines were developed by consensus because of lack of empirical data. ⋯ Accuracy for simple orientation yes/no questions remains challenging for responsive patients in early recovery from traumatic brain injury. Although name recognition questions are relatively easier than other types of yes/no questions, including situational orientation questions, confused patients still may answer these incorrectly. Results suggest the operational threshold for yes/no response accuracy as a diagnostic criterion for emergence from the minimally conscious state should be revisited, with particular consideration of the type of yes/no questions and the requisite accuracy threshold for responses.
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Surgical options for multiple sclerosis (MS) related to trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a severe and disabling pain disorder, include percutaneous rhizotomy, stereotactic radiosurgery, or microsurgical nerve section. Our goal was to evaluate clinical outcomes after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in patients with MS with TN. ⋯ Gamma knife radiosurgery is the most minimally invasive surgical technique for multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia and has low morbidity. For this reason, gamma knife radiosurgery proved to be a satisfactory management strategy for multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia.