Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia With Sarcopenic Dysphagia by Rehabilitation and Nutritional Support: A Case Report.

Esophageal achalasia is a disease characterized by esophageal motor dysfunction, leading to various symptoms, including vomiting and chest pain. There is no curative treatment for this disease, and the consensus on nutritional therapy or rehabilitation is unclear. Herein, we present the case of a 90-year-old woman with symptoms of esophageal achalasia, exacerbated by secondary sarcopenia and sarcopenic dysphagia after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The patient presented with chest pain and vomiting while on a soft diet, and esophagography revealed typical esophageal achalasia. Her esophageal achalasia symptoms resolved, with improvements in nutritional status, skeletal muscle mass, and physical capacity, when a combination of nutritional and comprehensive rehabilitation therapies was adopted. This case highlights that oral dysphagia is associated with worsening esophageal achalasia symptoms and that nutritional and rehabilitative interventions are effective in relieving the symptoms of achalasia in patients with esophageal achalasia and sarcopenia.

Does a combination treatment of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and occupational therapy improve upper limb muscle paralysis equally in patients with chronic stroke caused by cerebral hemorrhage and infarction?: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: The clinical presentation of stroke is usually more severe in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) than in those with cerebral infarction (CI); recovery of stroke-related muscle paralysis is influenced and limited by the type of stroke. To date, many patients have been treated by neurorehabilitation; however, the changes in the recovery of motor paralysis depending on the type of stroke, ICH or CI, have not been established. This study aimed to determine this difference in improvement of upper extremity paralysis using 2-week in-hospital NovEl intervention Using Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with Occupational therapy (NEURO).We scrutinized the medical records of all patients with poststroke (ICH or CI) upper extremity muscle paralysis using Fugl-Meyer assessments (FMAs) who had been admitted to 6 hospitals between March 2010 and December 2018 for rehabilitation treatment. This was a multiinstitutional, open-label, retrospective cohort study without control patients. We evaluated the effects of NEURO on patients with CI and ICH by dividing them into 2 groups according to the type of stroke, after adjustment for age, sex, dominant hand, affected hand side, time since stroke, and prediction of recovery capacity in the upper extremity.The study included 1716 (CI [n = 876] and ICH [n = 840]) patients who had undergone at least 2 FMAs and had experienced stroke at least 6 months before. The type of stroke had no effect on the outcomes (changes in the FMA-upper extremity score, F[4,14.0] = 2.05, P = .09, partial η2 = 0.01). Patients from all 5 groups equally benefited from the treatment (improvement in FMA scores) according to the sensitivity analysis-stratified analysis (F = 0.08 to 1.94, P > .16, partial η2 < 0.001).We conclude that NEURO can be recommended for chronic stroke patients irrespective of the type of stroke.

The Effect of Selective Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Intensive Speech Therapy on Individuals with Post-Stroke Aphasia.

PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of selective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy guided by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with intensive speech therapy (iST) on post-stroke patients with aphasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight right-handed patients with aphasia in the chronic stage after stroke were grouped into left and right hemisphere-activated for a language task based on pre-intervention fNIRS. Those with left hemisphere activation received 1-Hz TMS to the right inferior frontal gyrus (RtIFG; low-frequency rTMS [LFS] group), and those with right hemisphere activation received 10-Hz TMS to the RtIFG (high-frequency rTMS [HFS] group). The patients underwent an 11-day program of rTMS and iST. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant improvement in language function as measured by Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) total score at post-intervention relative to pre-intervention. Furthermore, the pre-to-post SLTA change scores were not statistically different between the groups. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention fNIRS revealed a resolution of the imbalance of interhemispheric inhibition in the LFS group and activation of the target hemisphere in the HFS group. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of fNIRS-guided selective rTMS therapy and iST to post-stroke patients with aphasia induced a significant improvement in language function, with both groups demonstrating a similar degree of improvement.

Combination Protocol of Low-Frequency rTMS and Intensive Occupational Therapy for Post-stroke Upper Limb Hemiparesis: a 6-year Experience of More Than 1700 Japanese Patients.

Several years ago, we proposed a combination protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intensive occupational therapy (OT) for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. Subsequently, the number of patients treated with the protocol has increased in Japan. We aimed to present the latest data on our proposed combination protocol for post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis as a result of a multi-institutional study. After confirming that a patient met the inclusion criteria for the protocol, they were scheduled to receive the 15-day inpatient protocol. In the protocol, two sessions of 20-min rTMS and 120-min occupational therapy were provided daily, except for Sundays and the days of admission/discharge. Motor function of the affected upper limb was evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Wolf motor function test (WMFT) at admission/discharge and at 4 weeks after discharge if possible. A total of 1725 post-stroke patients were studied (mean age at admission 61.4 ± 13.0 years). The scheduled 15-day protocol was completed by all patients. At discharge, the increase in FMA score, shortening in performance time of WMFT, and increase in functional ability scale (FAS) score of WMFT were significant (FMA score 46.8 ± 12.2 to 50.9 ± 11.4 points, p < 0.001; performance time of WMFT 2.57 ± 1.32 to 2.21 ± 1.33, p < 0.001; FAS score of WMFT 47.4 ± 14. to 51.4 ± 14.3 points, p < 0.001). Our proposed combination protocol can be a potentially safe and useful therapeutic intervention for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke, although its efficacy should be confirmed in a randomized controlled study.

Does a combined intervention program of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intensive occupational therapy affect cognitive function in patients with post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis?

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) to the contralesional hemisphere and intensive occupational therapy (iOT) have been shown to contribute to a significant improvement in upper limb hemiparesis in patients with chronic stroke. However, the effect of the combined intervention program of LF-rTMS and iOT on cognitive function is unknown. We retrospectively investigated whether the combined treatment influence patient's Trail-Making Test part B (TMT-B) performance, which is a group of easy and inexpensive neuropsychological tests that evaluate several cognitive functions. Twenty-five patients received 11 sessions of LF-rTMS to the contralesional hemisphere and 2 sessions of iOT per day over 15 successive days. Patients with right- and left-sided hemiparesis demonstrated significant improvements in upper limb motor function following the combined intervention program. Only patients with right-sided hemiparesis exhibited improved TMT-B performance following the combined intervention program, and there was a significant negative correlation between Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale total score change and TMT-B performance. The results indicate the possibility that LF-rTMS to the contralesional hemisphere combined with iOT improves the upper limb motor function and cognitive function of patients with right-sided hemiparesis. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of improved cognitive function.

[A case of pontine astrocytoma with unusual neuroimaging features].

We would like to report a rare case of pontine glioma with unusual neuroimaging features. The patient was a 3-year-old girl who suffered from chronic nausea and gait disturbance for several months. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated ventricular dilatation, and ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt was performed for idiopathic hydrocephalus at another hospital. Fever of unknown origin continued for a month after the VP shunt. At our hospital, cerebrospinal fluid examination showed bacterial meningitis, and it was assumed that shunt infection lead to shunt failure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus and pontine swelling, and serial MRI suggested brainstem tumor extending to the bilateral thalamus. The patient underwent stereotactic biopsy of the left thalamic tumor, under general anesthesia, and the histological diagnosis was anaplastic astrocytoma. Diffuse pontine glioma rarely increases without cranial nerve deficits. In the present case, pontine glioma extended to the bilateral thalamus symmetrically. It was difficult to diagnose the presented lesion as pontine glioma in the early period because of its unusual neuroimaging.

Transanal prolapse of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter--case report.

A 4-year-old girl presented with asymptomatic bowel perforation and transanal protrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt catheter. She had undergone repair of myelomeningocele at birth and subsequent VP shunting for congenital hydrocephalus 1 month later. Seven months after VP shunting, she underwent revision of the peritoneal catheter. She complained of abdominal pain and nausea at the age of 4 years. She was treated conservatively for 1 month for intestinal obstruction. One month later, her mother noticed the shunt catheter protruding from her anus. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed that the peritoneal catheter had migrated into the colon, and CT of the head showed symmetrical dilation of the ventricles. The shunt system was removed immediately, repair of the fistula in the sigmoid colon was performed, and external ventricular drainage was continued for 6 weeks until shunt replacement. One month after the first operation, intestinal obstruction recurred. Duplication of the terminal ileum was removed to prevent further recurrence of the intestinal obstruction. She underwent ventriculoatrial shunting 2 weeks after the second operation and was discharged without neurological sequelae.

Tandem balloon protection during emergency carotid artery stenting of a stenotic ICA lesion with intraluminal thrombus.

PURPOSE: To report a technique for emergency CAS of a stenotic internal carotid artery (ICA) lesion with an intraluminal thrombus, which predisposes to distal thromboembolism and could aggravate pre-existing neurological symptoms. CASE REPORT: A 77-year-old man with fluctuating stroke underwent successful emergency CAS for an ICA stenosis with intraluminal thrombus using a tandem balloon protection technique featuring proximal balloon blockade and a PercuSurge GuardWire system for distal protection. CONCLUSION: This experience suggests that emergency CAS with tandem balloon protection is a potential treatment for a stenotic lesion with an intraluminal thrombus in patients with fluctuating stroke.

Subdural extension of recurrent olfactory neuroblastoma. Case report.

A 37-year-old man presented with olfactory neuroblastoma, which apparently recurred as diffuse extension in the subdural space of the cranial vault and spinal column 3 years after initial resection. Head and spinal magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium demonstrated a subdural lesion. Cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid was negative. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen suggested recurrence of the olfactory neuroblastoma. This type of recurrence is very unusual.

Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery aneurysm manifesting as progressive hemifacial spasm.

A 62-year-old woman presented with right hemifacial spasm persisting for 6 months. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography showed a wide-neck aneurysm of the intracranial portion of the right vertebral artery. The patient underwent endovascular trapping of the aneurysm by coil embolization of the parent vessel on both sides of the aneurysm. The patient experienced gradual disappearance of the hemifacial spasm within 3 months. No relapses occurred during a follow-up period of 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed shrinkage of the vertebral artery aneurysm which had compressed the facial nerve. Endovascular trapping of a vertebral artery aneurysm can be used to treat hemifacial spasm caused by an aneurysm instead of surgical microvascular decompression.

Clinical features and management of intracranial hemorrhage in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis therapy.

The management and outcome were retrospectively investigated in patients with chronic renal failure receiving maintenance blood purification who suffered intracranial hemorrhage. Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH, n = 36) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH, n = 5) were evaluated. Both groups were initially managed using continuous hemofiltration (HF) after admission, except for two patients with SAH receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis. Patients with ICH were managed with HF three times a week after computed tomography showed decreased peripheral edema. Nafamostat mesilate was used as the anticoagulant for both continuous HF and HF. Hemodialysis (HD) three times a week was initiated after confirming the absence of neurological deterioration using HF. Craniotomy was not performed in any patient with ICH, but if necessary, the hematoma was aspirated using burr-hole surgery. Angiography was performed on the day of admission in patients with SAH. Delayed neck-clipping surgery was performed after continuous HF for 2 weeks with lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage. In patients with ICH, continuous HF was continued for 2-9 days after admission (mean 5.2 +/- 2.2 days), followed by 2-9 courses of HF (mean 4.7 +/- 2.1 courses). HD was initiated 9-26 days after admission (mean 15.5 +/- 4.6 days). Favorable outcomes were achieved by 13 of the 36 patients with ICH and two of the five patients with SAH, whereas 22 patients with ICH and three patients with SAH died. Death occurred in 12 of 16 patients with ICH and diabetic nephropathy. In contrast, 10 of 20 non-diabetic patients with ICH had favorable outcomes. Ten of the 16 patients with initial GCS < or = 8 and six of the 20 with GCS > or = 9 were diabetic. Therefore, there were significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients (p = 0.05). Poor outcomes in diabetic patients with ICH are caused by primary brain damage, reflected in the initial disturbance of consciousness.

Recurrent intrasellar arachnoid cyst.

A 48-year-old man presented with complaints of decreased visual acuity persisting for 6 weeks in December 1997. Neurological examination demonstrated defects in the superior bitemporal visual field and bilateral optic atrophy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an intrasellar cystic lesion. The cyst wall was excised via a transsphenoidal approach. The diagnosis was intrasellar arachnoid cyst. The sellar floor was reconstructed after packing fat in the sellar turcica. The visual complaint improved, but he was lost to follow up. Four years later, he was re-admitted complaining of decreased visual acuity. Superior bilateral field defects were found. MR imaging revealed recurrence of the intrasellar arachnoid cyst. The cyst wall was excised through a craniotomy. The visual acuity and the visual field defects gradually improved. Intrasellar arachnoid cyst may recur after transsphenoidal surgery, so long-term follow up is necessary after excision of the intrasellar cyst wall.

Ruptured traumatic aneurysm after trivial injury mimicking acute spontaneous subdural hematoma--case report-.

A 75-year-old man suffered acute subdural hematoma shortly after trivial head trauma. Thirteen hours after a trivial brow to the occipital region, caused by contact with a mat, he suddenly deteriorated to the level of a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6. Computed tomography demonstrated an acute subdural hematoma on the left and angiography revealed an aneurysm of the distal middle cerebral artery. An emergent craniotomy disclosed no skull fracture and exposed a thick subdural hematoma with no brain contusions. After evacuation of the hematoma, an aneurysm was found on the distal portion of posterior temporal artery, which was compatible with the angiographical findings. The neck of aneurysm was so fragile that neck clipping could not be successfully performed. Therefore, the aneurysm was extirpated, and the bleeding site coagulated with oxidized cellulose reinforcement. Histological examination of the aneurysm indicated a pseudoaneurysm during the early phase of clot formation. The acute subdural hematoma resulted from rupture of this pseudoaneurysm which was formed shortly after the minor head trauma. Rupture of a pseudoaneurysm caused by trivial trauma might be one of the origins for so-called acute "spontaneous" subdural hematoma.