Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Infection With Meningitis: Effective Treatment by Radical Debridement and Intrareservoir Baclofen-Vancomycin Co-Infusion.

OBJECTIVES: Intrathecal baclofen pump associated central nervous system (CNS) infection and meningitis is a rare but serious complication and may have dire consequences. Due to bacterial biofilm formation, the optimal treatment strategy is usually for removal of the pump, followed by systemic antibiotics for treatment of local and CNS infection. We describe this case of a patient with recurrent Staphylococcus aureus pump site empyema and meningitis leading to status dystonicus, who was successfully managed with radical debridement and intrareservoir baclofen-vancomycin co-infusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively report a case of infected intrathecal baclofen pump with meningitis and provide a full review of literature. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intrathecal baclofen (ITB)-associated pump site empyema and meningitis successfully treated with this technique. In selected cases where surgical explantation is deemed not feasible, this method can provide clinicians with an additional option for pump salvage and retention, while eradicating CNS infection and maintaining optimal control of spasticity and dystonia.

Maternal thyroid autoimmunity associated with acute-onset neuropsychiatric disorders and global regression in offspring.

Epidemiological studies, animal models, and case-control studies indicate maternal immune activation may be an important factor involved in disease expression of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We report eight children (mean age 6y 6mo [range 4-15y]; six males and two females) referred over a 2-year period with at least one of these neurodevelopmental disorders plus a maternal history of thyroid autoimmunity. Seven of eight children presented with an abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms (OCD [n=6], tics [n=5], and/or psychosis [n=1]), associated with an autistic or global regression. Four children had a pre-existing diagnosis of ASD. Six presentations were preceded by infection, and symptoms followed a relapsing-remitting course in seven children. All children responded to immunomodulatory treatment as indicated by a reduction in psychiatric symptoms, and seven children were also managed with conventional treatment with additional improvement. We propose that maternal autoimmunity can activate fetal microglia or alter transcription of neurodevelopmental vulnerability and/or immune genes in utero, and is an environmental factor that increases the expression and severity of neurodevelopmental problems, and susceptibility to deteriorations after infectious or stress stimuli. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Maternal thyroid autoimmunity may represent a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring. Atypical neuropsychiatric features in these children may be due to maternal immune activation in utero.

AUTOINMUNIDAD MATERNA TIROIDEA ASOCIADA CON TRASTORNOS NEUROPSIQUIÁTRICOS DE INICIO AGUDO Y REGRESIÓN GLOBAL EN LA DESCENDENCIA: Los estudios epidemiológicos, los modelos animales y los estudios de casos y controles indican que la activación inmune materna puede ser un factor importante involucrado en la expresión de la enfermedad del trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), el síndrome de Tourette y el trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC). Informamos ocho niños (edad media 6 años de edad y 6 meses [rango 4-15 años]; 6 varones y 2 mujeres) remitidos durante un período de 2 años con al menos uno de estos trastornos del desarrollo neurológico más un historial materno de autoinmunidad tiroidea. Siete de ocho niños presentaron un inicio brusco de síntomas neuropsiquiátricos (TOC [n = 6], tics [n = 5] y / o psicosis [n = 1]), asociados con una regresión autista o global. Cuatro niños tenían un diagnóstico preexistente de TEA. Seis presentaciones fueron precedidas por infección, y los síntomas siguieron un curso de recaídas y remisiones en siete niños. Todos los niños respondieron al tratamiento inmunomodulador según lo indicado por una reducción en los síntomas psiquiátricos, y siete niños también fueron tratados con tratamiento convencional con una mejora adicional. Proponemos que la autoinmunidad materna puede activar la microglía fetal o alterar la transcripción de la vulnerabilidad del desarrollo neurológico y / o los genes inmunes en el útero, y es un factor ambiental que aumenta la expresión y la gravedad de los problemas del desarrollo neurológico, y la susceptibilidad a deterioros después de estímulos infecciosos o estresantes.

AUTOIMUNIDADE TIREÓIDE MATERNA ASSOCIADA COM DESORDENS NEUROPSIQUIÁTRICAS DE INÍCIO AGUDO E REGRESSÃO GLOBAL NA PROLE: Estudos epidemiológicos, modelos animais, e estudos de caso-controle indicam que a ativação imune materna pode ser um importante fator envolvido na expressão de doenças do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA), síndrome de Tourette, e transtorno obsessivo compulsivo (TOC). Reportamos oito crianças (média de idade 6a 6m [variação 4-15a]; 6 do sexo masculino e 2 do sexo feminino) encaminhadas em um período de 2 anos com pelo menos uma desordem neurodesenvolvimental e história de auto-imunidade tireóide materna. Sete das oito crianças apresentaram início agudo de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos (TOC [n=6], tiques [n=5], e/ou psicose [n=1]), associados com regressão autística ou global. Quatro crianças tinham diagnóstico pré-existente de TEA. Seis apresentações foram precedidas por infecção, e os sintomas seguiram um curso recorrência-remisão em sete crianças. Todas as crianças responderam ao tratamento imunomodulatório, indicado pela redução nos sintomas psiquiátricos, e sete crianças também foram abordadas com tratamento convencional, com melhora adicional. Nós propomos que a autoimunidade maternal pode ativar a microglia fetal ou alterar a transcrição de genes de vulnerabilidade neurodesenvolvimental e/ou imunes, e um fator ambiental pode aumentar a expressão e severidade de problemas neurodesenvolvimentais e suscetibilidade a deterioração após estímulo infeccioso ou estresse.

High sensitivity and specificity in proposed clinical diagnostic criteria for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

AIM: To determine the validity of the proposed clinical diagnostic criteria for anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in paediatric patients. METHOD: The diagnostic criteria for anti-NMDAR encephalitis proposed by Graus et al. (2016) use clinical features and conventional investigations to facilitate early immunotherapy before antibody status is available. The criteria are satisfied if patients develop four out of six symptom groups within 3 months, together with at least one abnormal investigation (electroencephalography/cerebrospinal fluid) and reasonable exclusion of other disorders. We evaluated the validity of the criteria using a retrospective cohort of paediatric patients with encephalitis. Twenty-nine patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 74 comparison children with encephalitis were included. RESULTS: As expected, the percentage of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis who fulfilled the clinical criteria increased over time. During the hospital inpatient admission, most patients (26/29, 90%) with anti-NMDAR encephalitis fulfilled the criteria, significantly more than the comparison group (3/74, 4%) (p<0.001). The median time of fulfilling the criteria in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis was 2 weeks from first symptom onset (range 1-6). The sensitivity of the criteria was 90% (95% confidence interval 73-98) and the specificity was 96% (95% confidence interval 89-99). INTERPRETATION: The proposed diagnostic criteria for anti-NMDAR encephalitis have good sensitivity and specificity. Incomplete criteria do not exclude the diagnosis. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The proposed clinical diagnostic criteria for anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis by Graus et al. (2016) have high sensitivity and specificity in paediatric patients. The median time of fulfilling the criteria in patients with anti-NMDAR was 2 weeks from first symptom onset.

A newborn with a 790 kb chromosome 17p13.3 microduplication presenting with aortic stenosis, microcephaly and dysmorphic facial features - is cardiac assessment necessary for all patients with 17p13.3 microduplication?

While deletion of chromosome 17p13.3 (encompassing PAFAH1B1 and YWHAE genes) is known to result in Miller-Dieker syndrome (OMIM 247200), 17p13.3 microduplication gives rise to a condition commonly associated with developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder. We report a Chinese newborn presenting with dysmorphic features, microcephaly and valvar aortic stenosis, who was confirmed to have a 790 kb microduplication in chromosome 17p13.3 by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). The patient passed away at 4 months of age with presumably life-threatening event associated with his cardiac condition. From literature review, congenital heart diseases of various kinds were identified in up to 20% of patients with 17p13.3 microduplication. We propose cardiac assessment should be part of the comprehensive evaluation of these patients.