Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy.

The question of pregnancy in patients with multiple sclerosis is regularly raised due to the prevalence of the disease in middle age women. The multiple sclerosis think tank (Groupe de Réflexion sur la Sclérose en Plaques [GRESEP]) decided to develop recommendations on this issue, with consideration to both the impact of multiple sclerosis on pregnancy, and that of pregnancy on the disease. As with topics of previous works, the formal expert consensus method was used. The working group was composed of hospital-based and private practice neurologists. The reading group was composed of neurologists, anaesthetists and obstetricians. Each recommendation is presented with the relevant level of consensus.

Recommendations for useful serum testing with suspected multiple sclerosis.

Several practical questions useful for management of patients with multiple sclerosis remain unanswered in the current scientific literature. Decisions are often made individually, without the support of solid scientific evidence. In order to facilitate concurring practices, we present guidelines concerning useful serum exams for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The methodology used was that of a formal expert consensus. A working group performed a systematic analysis of the literature, taking into account both previously existing recommendations and original articles, and then drafted guideline proposals. These proposals were subjected to the critical review of a rating group. Three written drafts, followed by rating of the guideline proposals culminated in a consensual document, which was submitted for review to a second independent reading group. The final resulting document provided the material for the present article, in which each recommendation is presented with its grade according to the level of proof or its degree of consensus in the absence of scientific proof.

Recommendations for the management of multiple sclerosis relapses.

The aim of the Multiple Sclerosis Think Tank (Groupe de Réflexion sur la Sclérose en Plaques [GRESEP]), composed of hospital neurologists involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis, is to provide recommendations in response to clinical questions that are raised when managing these patients. After work done on the themes of useful serum testing with suspected multiple sclerosis, detection and management of cognitive disorders early in the course of the disease, and definition and early management of the disease, GRESEP wanted to develop recommendations on the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse. Following a systematic analysis of the literature, the procedure of formal expert consensus enabled consensual recommendations among a working group, a rating group and a reading group to be written. Each recommendation is presented with its grade or the degree of consensus that it was accorded.

Recommendations for the detection and therapeutic management of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

The aim of the Multiple Sclerosis Think Tank (Groupe de réflexion sur la sclérose en plaques [GRESEP]) is to prescribe recommendations following a systematic literature search and using a Rand Corporation and California University (RAND/UCLA) appropriateness derived method, in response to practical questions that are raised in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The topics of this working program were chosen because they were not addressed in the French recommendations and because of the few data in the literature that enabled practices to be based on validated data. Following the theme on useful serum testing with suspected multiple sclerosis, the subjects of the present work concern the detection and management of cognitive impairment in the beginning stages of the disease course. Two clinical questions were asked: which complementary exams (besides physical examination and neuropsychological tests) would help in the screening of cognitive impairment at the beginning of the disease? What care management should the person with MS and cognitive impairment be offered (treatments and neurocognitive rehabilitation)? The recommendations are the result of a consensus amongst a working group, a rating group and a reading group comprised of hospital neurologists involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis. Each recommendation is presented with the degree of consensus that it was accorded.

Recommendations for a definition of multiple sclerosis in support of early treatment.

The aim of the Multiple Sclerosis Think Tank (Groupe de Réflexion sur la Sclérose en Plaques: GRESEP), composed of hospital neurologists involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis, is to provide recommendations in response to clinical questions that are raised when managing these patients. After work done on the themes on useful serum testing with suspected multiple sclerosis, as well as the detection and management of cognitive disorders early in the course of the disease, the subject of the present work is the early definition and early treatment of the disease. Following a systematic literature review, a RAND/UCLA appropriateness-derived method enabled consensual recommendations among a working group, a rating group and a reading group to be developed and formulated. Each recommendation is presented with the degree of consensus that it was accorded.

[Influence of acute stroke care organization on the implementation of clinical practice guidelines]. / Influence de la structure unité neurovasculaire sur la mise en pratique des recommandations professionnelles.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who receive care in a dedicated stroke unit are more likely to survive and become independent. Specific guidelines describe evidence-based care practices. We examined the results of a French audit validation campaign to determine whether the presence of a stroke unit had an influence on the implementation of these recommendations. METHODS: Eleven hospital centers volunteered for self-evaluation. Care delivered to patients in the emergency room and in the hospital unit (dedicated stroke unit or not) was assessed with the clinical audit method. RESULTS: Compared with non-dedicated units, care delivered in stroke units was significantly more compliant with published recommendations. All aspects of acute stroke care were concerned: initial evaluation, acute phase treatment, screening for complications and their treatment, multidisciplinary team coordination, discharge preparation. Care delivered in dedicated stroke units was more reproducible, protocols were more widely used, acute phase risks were better prevented, and acute and postacute care was better coordinated between professionals. A second audit one year later showed increased quality of care in both dedicated and non-dedicated units, with more items improved in the latter. CONCLUSION: Although statistical bias cannot be excluded, this study suggests that recommendations are applied better in dedicated stroke units. A second audit showed better compliance with recommendations, especially in non-dedicated units.

[Antiphospholipid antibodies and the central nervous system]. / Anticorps anti-phospholipides et système nerveux central.

Among anti-phospholipid antibodies (APA), anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulants are associated with arterial and venous thrombo-embolic manifestations. Antiphospholipid antibodies can be secondary to numerous diseases, especially systemic diseases, but they are usually encountered in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome. Neurological manifestations associated with APA are most often, if not always, ischemic in nature: large or small subcortical, often multiple, infarcts and transient ischemic attacks are the usual clinical presentations. Several mechanisms can lead to cerebral ischemia in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome, and their diagnosis is probably important for therapeutic choices. A prospective controlled study has started, which should provide data on the prognosis and management of this syndrome.

[Complex temporal partial status epilepticus]. / Etat de mal partiel complexe temporal.

The cases of non convulsive, complex, partial ailment are a cause of a confusional state. Such a case on an adult is here reported, and its clinical presentation was a unvarying forgetfulness together with elements of a frontal syndrome. The aetiology was most probably a viral meningo-encephalitis. Clinical semiology of these "EMPC" is variable, either made of partial, recurrent attacks, sometimes with automatisms, or made of a continuous, possibly fluctuating, confusional state. Attacks shown on the EEG are partial or generalized with a variable start, sometimes bilateral, even continuous or discontinuous. The onset is most often temporal or frontal. The cause is very rarely found out. The evolution is usually good, but extended deficiencies of memory are described, linked to the duration (more than 12 hours) of EMPC. Therefore, the treatment must be precocious using diazepam or phenytoin.

[Cerebral infarction, placoid epitheliopathy and sarcoidosis]. / Infarctus cérébral, épithéliopathie en plaques et sarcoïdose.

We report a case of cerebral infarction in the basal territory of the left middle cerebral artery, associated with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, most probably due to sarcoidosis. Neurological symptoms resolved spontaneously without sequelae. We discuss the relationship between acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, sarcoidosis and cerebral granulomatous angiitis.

[Cutaneous vasculitis with renal impairment complicating interferon-beta 1a therapy for multiple sclerosis]. / Vascularite cutanée avec atteinte rénale compliquant un traitement par interféron bêta-1a pour une sclérose en plaques.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous tolerance of the interferon beta used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is good. However, among the rare adverse effects, vasculitis and glomerular impairment have been described for interferon beta-1b. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman had been given subcutaneous injections of interferon beta 1-1a (Rebif, Serono) three times a week for ten weeks. A local transient cutaneous erythema was observed at the injection's sites. A few days after a new injection a erythematous plaques developed at the injection sites followed by pruritus, then purpura with edema on the leg in addition to an increase in body weight of 3 kg. Biological data showed proteinuria and hematuria. The histology study of skin specimens suggested non-specific lymphocytic vasculitis. Outcome was favorable after discontinuing interferon beta-1a. CONCLUSION: The etiology of the cutaneous and renal impairment is not formally established but the drug-induced hypothesis is proposed for interferon beta-1a.

[Magnetic resonance imaging after a one-month interval of lesions of multiple sclerosis in 2 populations, one during an acute attack treated with methylprednisolone, the other stable with no treatment]. / Etude par résonance magnétique à un mois d'intervalle des lésions de sclérose en plaques dans deux populations l'une en poussée traitée par méthylprednisolone, l'autre stable non traitée.

Changes in clinical symptoms and MRI lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) were evaluated on two occasions, one month apart, in 30 patients. Seventeen patients (group 1) with acute exacerbation were treated with methylprednisolone in high, then decreasing doses during a total of 30 days. MRI examinations were performed before and at the end of treatment. The remaining 13 patients (group 2) had been clinically stable for more than 6 months and received no treatment; here again, MRI was performed at 30 days' interval. All patients in group 1 showed functional improvement. The MRI lesions remained stable in 7 of group 1 patients and in 4 of group 2 patients. In the remaining 19 patients (10 in group 1 and 9 in group 2), the number, size and location of MRI lesions were found to have changed over 1 month. There was no correlation between clinical changes and the modification observed at MRI. This study confirms that high-dose corticosteroids are effective, at least clinically, in acute exacerbations, but the main results are that MS is a continually evolving disease, that changes rapidly occur in the lesions observed at MRI and that corticosteroids do not seem to influence the course of MRI lesions. Our study also suggests that MRI is inadequate to evaluate the effectiveness of short-time treatments of MS.

Imaging of cervical artery dissection.

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) may affect the internal carotid and/or the vertebral arteries. CAD is the leading cause of ischemic stroke in patients younger than 45 years. Specific treatment (aspirin or anticoagulants) can be implemented once the diagnosis of CAD has been confirmed. This diagnosis is based on detection of a mural haematoma on ultrasound or on MRI. The diagnosis can be suspected on contrast-enhanced MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) or CT angiography, in case of long stenosis, sparing the internal carotid bulb, or suspended, at the junction of V2 and V3 segments of the vertebral artery, in patients with no signs of atheroma of the cervical arteries. MRI is recommended as the first line imaging screening tool, including a fat suppressed T1 weighted sequence, acquired in the axial or oblique plane at 1.5T, or 3D at 3T. Complete resolution of the lumen abnormality occurred in 80% of cases, and CAD recurrence is rare, encountered in less than 5% of cases. Interventional neuroradiology (angioplasty and/or stenting of the dissected vessel) may be envisaged in rare cases of haemodynamic effects with recurring clinical infarctions in the short-term.