Anterior sacral meningocele presenting as intracystic bleeding.

PURPOSE: To report a case of anterior sacral meningocele with intralesional bleeding secondary to sacrococcygeal trauma. Likewise, there is a discussion about the physiopathology and the surgical approach to these types of lesions. METHODS: A 43-year-old man diagnosed with Marfan syndrome suffered sacrococcygeal trauma. He was admitted to the emergency room due to symptoms of headache, nausea, and lower limb subjective weakness. CT and MRI showed a large retroperitoneal mass with hemorrhagic content close to the sacrum. Likewise, the MRI showed an image compatible with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the thoracic spinal area, cerebral convexity, and the basal cisterns. The patient went into surgery for an anterior abdominal approach in the midline to reduce the content of the lesion, and subsequently, in the same act, a posterior approach was done with an S1-S2 laminectomy and obliteration of the pedicle. Postoperative MRI 5 months later showed resolution of the ASM. RESULTS: Anterior sacral meningocele is characterized by herniation of the dura mater and the arachnoid mater outside the spinal canal through a defect of the sacrum. We add the risk of bleeding after trauma-never seen in the literature-as one of the possible inherent complications of this lesion. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights a complication never seen in the literature of a relatively rare condition. In our case, the combined approach was effective for both clinical control and lesion regression.

Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms in a Spanish Cohort of Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear hormone receptor widely expressed in the substantia nigra. Its association with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) is based on vitamin D deficiency and/or different polymorphisms in its gene receptor. This fact has been demonstrated by several case-control studies. Materials and Methods: Consequently, we investigated the association between VDR ApaI, BsmI, FokI, and TaqI gene polymorphisms and PD in a Spanish cohort that included 54 cases and 17 healthy controls. The detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Our data indicate that the SNPs were not associated with the age of onset of PD, nor with the occurrence of motor symptoms. However, only BsmI polymorphism was significantly associated with PD in this Spanish cohort. In fact, BsmI genotype was five times higher among PD patients than among controls, and the A allele was considered as a genetic risk for PD. Additionally, the combination of FokI and BsmI polymorphisms was significantly associated with PD and could represent a risk factor. Conclusion: We conclude that ApaI, TaqI, and FokI polymorphisms were not associated with PD, but BsmI could be a risk factor for PD in this randomized population.

Charlson comorbidity index in ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage as predictor of mortality and functional outcome after 6 months.

BACKGROUND: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is commonly used in outcome and mortality studies. Our aim was to investigate the association between CCI score and the functional outcome and mortality 6 months after ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and IS admitted to the stroke unit during 18 months. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was obtained for subjects 6 months after event. The CCI score was dichotomized (low comorbidity 0 or 1 versus high ≥ 2) for analysis. The mRS score was also dichotomized (good outcome, mRS score 0 or 1 versus poor outcome, mRS score ≥ 2). RESULTS: In all, 175 patients were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression showed that those with a high CCI score (≥ 2) had 37.3% increased odds of having a poor outcome (≥ 2) at 6 months and 68.4% greater odds of death at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid medical conditions independently influence outcome after IS or intracerebral hemorrhage.

Nurses' Perceptions Regarding Their Professional Commitment and Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: During the pandemic, nurses have undergone a high level of professional burnout, suffering emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal realization. OBJECTIVE: The object of this study is to understand in depth, through a phenomenological study of Giorgi, the perceptions on commitment and professional development of frontline nurses during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Qualitative study designed and analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological focus. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were utilized in a theoretical sample of frontline nurses who worked in public hospitals of Extremadura and Madrid, Spain, until saturation of data. The interviews were conducted between the months of May and December 2020 following an outline of topics. The analysis was based on the phenomenological focus of Giorgi and was supported by the software Atlas-Ti 8.0. RESULTS: A total of 14 nurses participated in this study. Two main themes emerged to explain the perceptions of the nurses: (1) the professional commitment of the nurses during the pandemic and (2) the effects of the pandemic on professional development; seven subcategories were also identified. CONCLUSION: The social and professional development of nurses is important. If nurses feel that they are quality professionals, this will enable them to protect their psychosocial health and increase professional commitment toward their patients in difficult situations such as pandemics. The results of this study may serve as a guide for better understanding the problems and needs of nurses as healthcare providers. This may help administrators in the generation of solutions for the establishment of a safe and reliable work environment, which will in turn promote a healthcare system that can efficiently respond to future catastrophes.

Nurses' Perceptions of Ethical Conflicts When Caring for Patients with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused ethical challenges and dilemmas in care decisions colliding with nurses' ethical values. This study sought to understand the perceptions and ethical conflicts faced by nurses working on the frontline during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and the main coping strategies. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out following Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews until data saturation. The theoretical sample included 14 nurses from inpatient and intensive care units during the first and second waves of the pandemic. An interview script was used to guide the interviews. Data were analyzed following Giorgi's phenomenological method using Atlas-Ti software. Two themes were identified: (1) ethical conflicts on a personal and professional level; and (2) coping strategies (active and autonomous learning, peer support and teamwork, catharsis, focusing on care, accepting the pandemic as just another work situation, forgetting the bad situations, valuing the positive reinforcement, and humanizing the situation). The strong professional commitment, teamwork, humanization of care, and continuous education have helped nurses to deal with ethical conflicts. It is necessary to address ethical conflicts and provide psychological and emotional support for nurses who have experienced personal and professional ethical conflicts during COVID-19.

Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Conversion of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect that cytokines can exert on the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to ongoing dementia is a matter of debate and the results obtained so far are controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to analyze the influence of markers of subclinical inflammation on the progression of MCI to dementia. METHODS: A prospective study involving a cohort of patients ≥ 65 years of age diagnosed with MCI and followed for 3 years was conducted. 105 patients were enrolled, and serum concentrations of several subclinical inflammatory markers were determined. RESULTS: After 3.09 (2 - 3.79) years of follow-up, 47 (44.76%) patients progressed to dementia. Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) was found to be significantly higher in patients who progressed to dementia (486.45 ± 169.18 vs. 400.91 ± 163.03; p = 0.012), and observed to significantly increase the risk of developing dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (1.004, 1.001-1.007; p = 0.007). IL-10 levels were significantly higher in those who remained stable (6.69 ± 18.1 vs. 32.54 ± 89.6; p = 0.04). Regarding the type of dementia to which our patients progressed, we found that patients who developed mixed dementia had higher IL-4 levels than those who converted to AD (31.54 ± 63.6 vs. 4.43 ± 12.9; p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to the ESR and LPa, CRP, IL-1 and TNF-α levels. CONCLUSION: ACT levels have a significant predictive value in the conversion of MCI to dementia. IL-10 levels could be a protective factor. It is necessary to conduct studies with serial determinations of these and other inflammatory markers in order to determine their effect on the progression of MCI to dementia.

The cognitive and psychiatric subacute impairment in severe Covid-19.

Neurologic impairment persisting months after acute severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has been described because of several pathogenic mechanisms, including persistent systemic inflammation. The objective of this study is to analyze the selective involvement of the different cognitive domains and the existence of related biomarkers. Cross-sectional multicentric study of patients who survived severe infection with SARS-CoV-2 consecutively recruited between 90 and 120 days after hospital discharge. All patients underwent an exhaustive study of cognitive functions as well as plasma determination of pro-inflammatory, neurotrophic factors and light-chain neurofilaments. A principal component analysis extracted the main independent characteristics of the syndrome. 152 patients were recruited. The results of our study preferential involvement of episodic and working memory, executive functions, and attention and relatively less affectation of other cortical functions. In addition, anxiety and depression pictures are constant in our cohort. Several plasma chemokines concentrations were elevated compared with both, a non-SARS-Cov2 infected cohort of neurological outpatients or a control healthy general population. Severe Covid-19 patients can develop an amnesic and dysexecutive syndrome with neuropsychiatric manifestations. We do not know if the deficits detected can persist in the long term and if this can trigger or accelerate the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) secondary to epidermoid cyst in the right cerebellopontine angle successfully treated with surgery.

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome is a rare headache syndrome classified among the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. It is usually idiopathic, although infrequent secondary forms have been described. Recently, the term short-lasting unilateral headache with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) has been defined by the International Headache Society (ICHD-2) as similar to SUNCT with less prominent absent conjunctival injection and lacrimation. We report a patient with paroxysmal orbito-temporal pains, phenotypically suggesting SUNA, secondary to epidermoid cyst in the cerebellopontine angle which disappeared after tumor resection. Neuroimaging should be considered in all patients with SUNA, notably in those with atypical presentation as our patient who presented on examination trigeminal hypoesthesia and tinnitus. Realization of a brain MRI would rule out injuries that causes this type of syndrome.

Depressed Mood after Stroke: Predictive Factors at Six Months Follow-Up.

We aimed to know the prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) in our context, identify the variables that could predict post-stroke depression, by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, occurring within six months after stroke, and identify patients at high risk for PSD. METHODS: descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study. We included 173 patients with stroke (transient ischemic attack (TIA) included) and collected sociodemographic and clinical variables. We used the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) for depression assessment and Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for functional assessment. The neurological severity was evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). RESULTS: 35.5% were women, aged 71.16 (±12.3). Depression was present in 42.2% patients (n = 73) at six months after stroke. The following variables were significantly associated with PSD: diagnosis of previous depression (p = 0.005), the modified Rankin Scale at discharge (p = 0.032) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: PSD is highly prevalent after stroke and is associated with the severity, left location of the stroke, and the degree of disability at discharge. Its impact justifies the evaluation and early treatment that still continues to be a challenge today.

Serum cholesterol LDL and 90-day mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prognostic significance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the association between LDL-C and mortality in ICH. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n=88) presenting with ICH were included in the study. Lipid profile was obtained during the first hours after admission. We analyzed the impact of LDL-C on 90-day mortality using the Hazard Rate (HR) crude, analysis crude for trend by Mantel-Haenszel Test, Multiple Cox Proportional Hazards model, and analysis of survival curves. Association between LDL-C and severity markers of ICH were explored using Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Low LDL-C levels were independently associated with death after intracranial hemorrhage (HR=3.07 (95% CI:1.04 to 9.02; P=0.042) in multivariable analysis after controlling for confounding factors. Analysis for trend showed a significant association (Xt=-2.144; P=0.032) by Mantel-Haenszel Test. Spearman analysis showed no correlation between LDL-C and variables that are markers of ICH severity: NIH score (r=-0.091; P=0.400), GCS score (r=0.136; P=0.207), ICH volume (r=0.140; P=0.192), and length of stay (r=-0.111; P=0.308). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of LDL-C are independently associated with an increased risk of death in patients with brain hemorrhage. We have not found evidences that the levels of LDL-C can act as a biological marker of severity.

MRI predicts intracranial hemorrhage in patients who receive long-term oral anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with cardioembolic ischemic stroke who are treated with oral anticoagulants (OAs) can be predicted by evaluating surrogate markers of hemorrhagic-prone cerebral angiopathies using a baseline MRI. METHODS: Patients were participants in a multicenter and prospective observational study. They were older than 64 years, had a recent cardioembolic ischemic stroke, and were new users of OAs. They underwent a baseline MRI analysis to evaluate microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and cortical superficial siderosis. We collected demographic variables, clinical characteristics, risk scores, and therapeutic data. The primary endpoint was ICH that occurred during follow-up. We performed bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: We recruited 937 patients (aged 77.6 ± 6.5 years; 47.9% were men). Microbleeds were detected in 207 patients (22.5%), moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities in 419 (45.1%), and superficial siderosis in 28 patients (3%). After a mean follow-up of 23.1 ± 6.8 months, 18 patients (1.9%) experienced an ICH. In multivariable analysis, microbleeds (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-7, p = 0.034) and moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities (hazard ratio 5.7, 95% CI 1.6-20, p = 0.006) were associated with ICH (C index 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.85). Rate of ICH was highest in patients with both microbleed and moderate/severe WMH (3.76 per 100 patient-years, 95% CI 1.62-7.4). CONCLUSION: Patients taking OAs who have advanced cerebral small vessel disease, evidenced by microbleeds and moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities, had an increased risk of ICH. Our results should help to determine the risk of prescribing OA for a patient with cardioembolic stroke. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02238470.

[Hypertension and cognitive function]. / Hipertensión arterial y función cognitiva.

Progressive population aging is determining that the spectrum of clinical manifestations of cognitive deterioration reaches epidemic proportions. At the present time, there are not available treatments that can modify the natural history of the different nosologies that determine a progressive lost of cognitive functions. In the last years, several vascular risk factors have been established as risk factors for cognitive deterioration. Arterial hypertension, by its prevalence, possibility of treatment, and control, emerges as a potentially modifiable risk factor for the deterioration of cognitive function. This review updates the knowledge of the impact of arterial hypertension in cognitive function, analyzing its physiopathological consequences in tissues and cerebral vessels with implications in cognitive function.

Critical points in the experience of spouse caregivers of patients who have suffered a stroke. A phenomenological interpretive study.

AIMS: To explore and document the experiences and values of spouse caregivers of stroke survivors. To gain more in-depth knowledge of how the act of caring and the adaption process affects caregiving spouses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phenomenological, qualitative study. This study included spouses of stroke survivors who also served as primary caregivers. Individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analysed using a thematic content analysis as proposed by Giorgi. Data was analysed and managed using Atlas-ti (version 7.0). This study was approved by our institution´s Complejo Hospitalario de Caceres Ethics and Research Committee. RESULTS: Spouse caregivers of stroke survivors undergo a process of disruption in their private lives and relationships, marked by their caregiving duties. The experiences of spouses caring for stroke survivors is condensed into topics and subtopics: "Caregiving and that´s all" summarizes the sense of having no life horizons and also caregiver impossibility of moving away from caring role. Otherwise, "Breaking the couple´s life together" enlightens the further consequences of stroke in couples shared live biography, which needs to be understood and rebuilt. Finally, "Going through the (non) loss alone" alludes to how spouses reinterpret meaning of loss, which is not appreciated by others and that refers to the balance between stroke survival and any acquired global disability. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive approach to the couple (family), from a psycho-socio-emotional and relational perspective, is essential for ensuring adequate quality of life for people who suffered a stroke as well as their caregivers. Spouses-caregivers must be considered as individuals living a transition process due to their unexpected disrupting change, which nurses should address through a comprehensive and integrated approach focused on transition care. Care resources must be adapted to the interpretation that the spouses have of their caregiving role and their relationship with the different components of the caregiving process.

Vascular Risk Factors and Lesions of Vascular Nature in Magnetic Resonance as Predictors of Progression to Dementia in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the effect of vascular risk factors and white matter lesions on the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia is not conclusive. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the impact of these factors on MCI progression to dementia from a global perspective. METHODS: Our study included a population of 105 patients with MCI. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 3.09 years (range, 2-3.79), 47 patients (44.76%) progressed to dementia: 32 (30.8%) to mixed dementia, 13 (12.5%) to probable AD, and 2 (1.9%) to vascular dementia. Total cholesterol levels (OR: 1.015 [1.003-1.028]) and LDL cholesterol levels (OR: 1.018 [1.004-1.032]) increased the risk of progression to dementia. Cystatin C was a protective factor against progression to dementia (OR: 0.119 [0.015-0.944], p = 0.044). During the second year of follow-up, the presence of subcortical white matter hyperintensities increased the risk of progression to dementia (OR: 5.854 [1.008- 33.846]). Subcortical and periventricular white matter hyperintensities were also associated with an increased risk of progression to dementia during the second year of follow-up (OR: 3.130 [1.098-8.922] and OR: 3.561 [1.227-10.334], respectively). The same was true for silent infarcts (OR: 4.308 [1.480- 12.500]). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of patients progressed to dementia. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and white matter hyperintensities were found to be associated with MCI progression to dementia. In contrast, cystatin C was shown to be a protective factor against progression to dementia.

Statins do not increase Markers of Cerebral Angiopathies in patients with Cardioembolic Stroke.

We investigated whether pre-treatment with statins is associated with surrogate markers of amyloid and hypertensive angiopathies in patients who need to start long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. A prospective multicenter study of patients naive for oral anticoagulants, who had an acute cardioembolic stroke. MRI was performed at admission to evaluate microbleeds, leukoaraiosis and superficial siderosis. We collected data on the specific statin compound, the dose and the statin intensity. We performed bivariate analyses and a logistic regression to investigate variables associated with microbleeds. We studied 470 patients (age 77.5 ± 6.4 years, 43.7% were men), and 193 (41.1%) of them received prior treatment with a statin. Microbleeds were detected in 140 (29.8%), leukoaraiosis in 388 (82.5%) and superficial siderosis in 20 (4.3%) patients. The presence of microbleeds, leukoaraiosis or superficial siderosis was not related to pre-treatment with statins. Microbleeds were more frequent in patients with prior intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 9.7, 95% CI 1.06-90.9) and in those pre-treated antiplatelets (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.09-2.53). Prior treatment with statins was not associated with markers of bleeding-prone cerebral angiopathies in patients with cardioembolic stroke. Therefore, previous statin treatment should not influence the decision to initiate or withhold oral anticoagulation if these neuroimaging markers are detected.

[Nutritional status and the relationship regarding functional status after stroke]. / Valoración nutricional y su relación con la situación funcional tras sufrir un ictus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status (NS) of patients at three months of suffering a stroke, and to establish the relationship between functional recovery and complications in this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study evaluating the NS of patients older than 65 years at three months of having a stroke. The NS was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, cardiovascular risk factors, as well as functional status (through the Barthel index and the modified Rankin scale) and the presented complications were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients were included, with a medium age of 75.81 (± 6.73). The MNA score was 23.13 points (± 4.47); 8.2% had malnutrition and 38.1% had risk of malnutrition. There were no differences in the NS between women and men (p = 0.076) neither relation of the NS with age. NS deficiency was associated with poorer function (r = 0.608; p < 0.001), the development of complications (urinary tract infection and fever) (p = 0.044) and dysphagia (p = 0.014). In addition, those patients with better nutritional status had a better quality of life (r = 0.506; p < 0.001). It was also associated with poorer socioeconomic status (p = 0.020) and institutionalization (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of malnutrition is common in stroke survivors at the short-term. This NS is associated with a worse functional situation and self-perceived quality of life and with a higher rate of complications. Early detection of the risk of malnutrition is essential in patients who have suffered a stroke.

Functional Status and Disability in Patients After Acute Stroke: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To use the Barthel Index to evaluate basic activities of daily living in stroke survivors and detect any predictors of functional outcome at 6 months after stroke. METHODS: In an observational longitudinal study, data were gathered on consecutive patients admitted to the comprehensive stroke unit at Hospital San Pedro de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained prospectively at hospital admission and during follow-up 6 months later. Information on type of stroke, score on the Barthel Index, findings from the neurological evaluation, and other relevant data were collected. RESULTS: Of 236 patients admitted, 175 participated in the study. Mean age was 69.60 (SD, 12.52) years, 64.6% were men, and mortality was 12.8%. Six months after experiencing a stroke, 84.8% of patients had returned to their own homes, 8.0% were institutionalized, and the others were residing at a family member's home. Scores on the Barthel Index 6 months after stroke correlated with baseline scores on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (r = -0.424; P < .001) and with depressive mood 6 months after stroke (r = -0.318; P < .001). Age was negatively associated with Barthel Index scores at the time of hospital discharge and 6 months after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Functional status 6 months after stroke was influenced by age, sex, stroke severity, type of stroke, baseline status, mood, and social risk. Comorbid conditions, socioeconomic level, and area of residence did not affect patients' functional status.