Atherosclerosis and depression: is carotid intima-media thicker in patients with depression compared to matched control individuals? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if there is an association between atherosclerosis and depression by using as imaging biomarker the carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. METHODS: PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were comprehensively searched to identify studies investigating the association between cIMT and depression. The results were pooled using a random-effects statistical model, appropriate for the expected high heterogeneity. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted where data was available. RESULTS: Overall, 22 and 13 studies met inclusion criteria for the qualitative and the quantitative synthesis, respectively, with a total of 4466 patients and 21,635 control participants. Results showed that cIMT is significantly higher in the depression, compared to the control groups with an overall mean difference of 0.07 mm (95% CI 0.04-0.10, p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that diabetes could present as a confounding factor in patients with depression and an increased cIMT. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a significantly increased cIMT in patients with depression, compared with controls and suggests a possible bidirectional link between atherosclerosis and depression. An early screening of cardiovascular disease in individuals suffering with depression should be considered.

How to avoid intraoperative complications of active paragangliomas?

Background: Paragangliomas (PGs) are very rare neuroendocrine tumors that can be found in unusual locations such as the spinal canal. Some PGs may be endocrinologically active, containing neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin. This can lead to unexpected neurotransmitter release during the removal of PGs, leading to a hypertensive crisis. Case Description: We present two patients who underwent surgical removal of a secretory filum terminale PG. Conclusion: If laboratory tests are suggestive of a secretory tumor, surgery should include anesthesiologic preparation similar to cases of pheochromocytoma.

49-year-old woman • headache and neck pain radiating to ears and eyes • severe hypertension • Dx?

► headache and neck pain radiating to ears and eyes ► severe hypertension.

Does Functional Imaging Play a Role in Pre-Operative Diagnosis of Brain Tumours?

Although there is a large variability in the neural organization of language function between individuals, there is an ongoing debate about functional imaging as a standard procedure in the preoperative setting of brain tumors. Brain mapping of the language centers differs from individual to individual in multilingual patients and changes in its architecture may occur as a result of neuroplasticity induced by a mass lesion. This article discusses the role of functional imaging in the preoperative setting.

A cervical solitary fibrous tumor with intramedullary invasion.

Solitary fibrous tumor is a tumor originating from the mesenchymal cells, which occurrence in the central nervous system is extremely rare and was described in few patients as to yet. We report on a 53-years old male patient presenting with right upper limb radicular pain and ipsilateral limbs paresis, who was diagnosed with a cervical spinal lesion which, after surgical resection, resulted to be a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). We discuss imaging, clinical and histopathological findings to allow considering this tumor early in the differential diagnosis.

Pros of the contralateral (over-the-top) approach to intra/extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations at the L5-S1 level.

Background: Minimally invasive approaches to intra/extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations offer the benefit of less bone removal and reduced nerve root manipulation at the L5-S1 level. Moreover, the potential to better preserve stability. Methods: Here, we summarized the efficacy of the contralateral approach to intraforaminal/extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations particularly focusing on the L5-S1 level. Variables studied included the level of these disc herniations, their locations within the foramina, and the anatomy of the facet joints. Results: A major "pro" for the contralateral interlaminar procedure at the L5-S1 level is that it does not require facet joint removal, or with a spondylotic facet, <30% joint excision, to directly visualize the intraforaminal/ extraforaminal nerve root. It, therefore, reduces the risk of creating iatrogenic instability, while offering a higher certitude of adequate nerve root visualization, decompression, and safer disc removal. Conclusion: The contralateral interlaminar approach is more suitable for all types of intra/extraforaminal disc herniations at the L5/S1 level. The most specific benefit of this approach is its avoidance of disruption/significant removal (i.e., <30%) of the facet joint to adequately expose the foraminal L5 nerve root, and more safely remove the intra/extraforaminal disc herniation.

Intraoperative mobile computed tomography in deep brain stimulation: Comparison between Airo CT and O-arm CT.

Background: A new intraoperative mobile device, called Airo computed tomography (CT), is becoming increasingly used in surgery adding to the current most widespread intraoperative imaging in form of the O-arm CT device. Intraoperative CT imaging has the advantage to reduce the discomfort derived from the patient's transfer from the operative room to the radiological unit and also the time of control or time of reposition in cases of lead misplacement. This is the first rapport on Airo CT device application in DBS surgery. Methods: In our retrospective study, we have evaluated 52 patients who had DBS from October 2020 to November 2021. All patients underwent a preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a stereotactic brain CT scan. We performed an intraoperative CT scan with the Airo device. Images were subsequently transferred to the neuronavigation system (BrainLab cranial software) and merged with preoperative planning images to confirm correct position of leads. Five aspects were compared: patient and surgeon comfort, surgical planning, parenchymal visualization, radioscopic lead visualization, and costs. Results: Both imaging devices are easy-to-use, precise, and safe and have their pros and cons. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting on CT-Airo application in DBS. We advise that if only DBS is considered, the O-arm application might be more suitable. If in addition to DBS cranial surgery is performed, the Airo device is more suitable.

Is transcranial magnetic stimulation as treatment for neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury efficient? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropathic pain is a clinically relevant complication in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Pharmacological pain treatment is often insufficient and leads to undesirable side effects. Thus, alternative therapeutic approaches such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are of critical importance. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS in neuropathic pain secondary to SCI. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycInfo (via OVID) database up April 2021. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Results regarding the pain intensity scores were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: The search identified a total of 203 potential articles. Of these, eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria for qualitative synthesis providing the total data of 141 patients. All studies applied high-frequency rTMS. In seven studies, rTMS was applied over the motor cortex, and in one study over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Five studies reported a significant improvement in baseline pain scores after treatment, and three studies found a significant difference between sham vs. non-sham stimulation at any time. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative synthesis and showed a significant overall reduction of pain intensity in the rTMS groups compared with the sham groups (mean difference - 0.81, 95%CI - 1.45 to - 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that high-frequency rTMS of the primary motor cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex might be promising stimulation targets for neuropathic pain in SCI.

SMART Syndrome (Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy): When to suspect it?

BACKGROUND: Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is a benign complication of brain radiation therapy, which presents circa a decade after radiation treatment. Symptoms are stroke-like deficits, epileptic seizures, and migraine. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging is characteristic for alterations in the form of unilateral cortical hyperintensities and gyriform enhancement, most prominent in the parieto-occipital regions. Prompt diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary investigations (e.g., brain biopsy and angiography). CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 51-year-old female patient treated initially with cranial irradiation for a left-sided occipital metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Five years later, she presented with migraine headache, aphasia, and a right sided hemiparesis. CONCLUSION: The triad of migraine, seizure, and hemiparesis within the context of a prior brain radiotherapy should promptly raise the suspicion of SMART syndrome. Prompt diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary invasive investigations.

The need for neuroimaging in first manifestations of psychiatric symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Brain imaging in psychiatry, especially by first-episode psychiatric symptoms, is unfortunately not a standard procedure in psychiatric clinics and is recommended only if indicated by history or if associated with neurological findings. As a result, the most serious diagnoses can be delayed or missed. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a patient who presented with psychiatric symptoms admitted initially to a psychiatric clinic. Thanks to routine imaging the diagnosis of a brain tumor could be made with prompt transfer to neurosurgery. CONCLUSION: Brain imaging should be a mandatory procedure upon admission to a psychiatric clinic also in patients who present with exclusive psychiatric symptoms.

Brain Tumor Presenting with Parkinsonism.

Movement disorders caused by brain tumors are rare. The diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is based foremost on clinical findings. However, not performing imaging already within the initial diagnostic workup in patients presenting with symptoms of PD can delay or miss a serious diagnosis and consequently proper treatment. We describe and discuss a 59-year-old female patient who presented for several months of increasing tremor in her left hand, which was caused by a large meningioma located in the right frontal area, pressing on the right frontal lobe and nucleus lenticularis.

Does Quantitative Electroencephalography Refine Preoperative Cognitive Assessment in Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated with Deep Brain Stimulation? A Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVE: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with an increased risk of post-operative cognitive deterioration. Preoperative neuropsychological testing can be affected and limited by the patient's collaboration in advanced disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) may be a useful complementary examination technique during preoperative assessment to predict cognitive changes in PD patients treated with DBS. METHODS: We compared the cognitive performance of 16 PD patients who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS to the performance of 15 PD controls (matched for age, sex, and education) at baseline and at 24 months. Cognitive scores were calculated for all patients across 5 domains. A preoperative 256-channel resting EEG was recorded from each patient. We computed the global relative power spectra. Correlation and linear regression models were used to assess associations of preoperative EEG measures with post-operative cognitive scores. RESULTS: Slow waves (relative delta and theta band power) were negatively correlated with post-operative cognitive performance, while faster waves (alpha 1) were strongly positively correlated with the same scores (the overall cognitive score, attention, and executive function). Linear models revealed an association of delta power with the overall cognitive score (p = 0.00409, adjusted R2 = 0.6341). Verbal fluency (VF) showed a significant decline after DBS surgery, which was correlated with qEEG measures. CONCLUSIONS: To analyse the side effects after DBS in PD patients, the most important parameter is verbal fluency capacity. In addition, correlation with EEG frequency bands might be useful to detect particularly vulnerable patients for cognitive impairment and be supportive in the selection process of patients considered for DBS.

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy with Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Which Is the Most Suitable Surgical Procedure? A Technical Note.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) are widely performed to resolve anterior cervical spine compression. The main purpose of the different surgical techniques is to obtain an adequate decompression of the spinal cord and nerve roots, preserving spinal stability like in oblique corpectomy or leading to a final solid construct to achieve arthrodesis. TECHNICAL NOTE: We describe a surgical procedure for treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM) with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) at the level of C3-C4 and C4-C5. A double level discectomy C3-C4 and C4-C5 and selective posterior wedge corpectomy of C3, C4, and C5 were performed. Two cages (Zero-P VA) at C3-C4 and C4-C5 were positioned to obtain segmental stability and arthrodesis. An extended anterior cervical canal decompression was obtained and confirmed by postsurgical CT scan. At 15 months, dynamic X-ray showed fusion, and cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed evidence of spinal canal decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical discectomy followed by selective wedge corpectomy appears to be a safe and effective technique for anterior spinal cord compression extending above and below the intervertebral disc space.

Does Madopar Have a Role in the Treatment of Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness? A Call for Randomized Controlled Trials.

It is suggested that dopaminergic treatment may contribute to accelerated improvement in patients with a disorder of consciousness (DoC). Dopamine is an important stimulatory neurotransmitter, which plays a key role in alertness, arousal, behavior, emotion, cognition, and motor function. We discuss our experience with Madopar in 2 patients with DoC and review the literature on dopaminergic medication in patients with DoC.

Differentiation of rare brain tumors through unsupervised machine learning: Clinical significance of in-depth methylation and copy number profiling illustrated through an unusual case of IDH wildtype glioblastoma.

Methylation profiling has become a mainstay in brain tumor diagnostics since the introduction of the first publicly available classification tool by the German Cancer Research Center in 2017. We demonstrate the capability of this system through an example of a rare case of IDH wildtype glioblastoma diagnosed in a patient previously treated for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Our novel in-house diagnostic tool EpiDiP provided hints arguing against a radiation-induced tumor, identified a novel recurrent genetic aberration, and thus informed about a potential therapeutic target.

[Posterior cortical atrophy-plus syndrome. A case report]. / Posteriores kortikales Atrophie-Plus-Syndrom. Eine Kasuistik.

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease, which manifests with complex visual disturbances. PCA can present in isolation ('PCA-pure') or in association with other neurodegenerative disorders ('PCA-plus'). Diagnosis is nevertheless frequently delayed, as PCA is a less known disease entity and initially a primary ocular disease is taken into consideration.

Is Animal-Assisted Therapy for Minimally Conscious State Beneficial? A Case Study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this single case study was to qualitatively investigate the effects of animal-assisted therapy in a patient in a minimally conscious state. METHOD: We present a 28-year-old female patient in a minimally conscious state following polytrauma after a sports accident leading to cerebral fat embolism causing multiple CNS ischemic lesions. She received eight animal-assisted therapy sessions and eight paralleled control therapy sessions over 4 weeks. We investigated the reactions of the patient during these sessions via qualitative behavior analysis. RESULTS: The patient showed a broader variability and higher quality of behavior during animal-assisted therapy compared to control therapy sessions. CONCLUSION: The observed behavioral changes showed higher arousal and increased awareness in the presence of an animal. The presented case supports the assumption that animal-assisted therapy can be a beneficial treatment approach for patients in a minimally conscious state.