Bedside Teaching in Neurology.

The patient's bedside offers an ideal venue for teaching the art of clinical neurology and modeling humanism and professionalism. However, bedside teaching is underutilized in modern medical education, despite evidence that learners desire more. Logistical challenges and lack of teacher confidence are commonly cited reasons, but both can be mitigated with a deliberate approach and sufficient experience. Well-executed bedside teaching can provide lasting lessons for learners while enhancing the patient experience, without affecting the efficiency or quality care delivery. In this review, we discuss the theory and evidence to support the use of bedside teaching, and subsequently delineate a framework for designing and executing effective bedside teaching in neurology.

Financial Literacy Among Medical Trainees and Faculty: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Medical education systems are trained to produce efficient, thorough clinicians. These programs provide limited training on personal finances. The current socioeconomic climate for medical trainees includes increasing education debt and stagnating reimbursement. We conducted a survey-based cross-sectional pilot study at an academic institution targeted at residents, fellows, and attendings of all medical specialties. Our aim was to understand baseline levels of financial literacy at different training and career stages, which can inform targeted interventions to improve this crucial aspect of physician well-being. METHODS: A survey was devised with the assistance of a certified financial planner. This survey was distributed at an academic institution targeting residents, fellows, and attendings. The survey was anonymous, and no identifying data were collected. Two reminders were sent to subjects to complete the survey. RESULTS: A total of 50 physicians completed the survey in 2021. There were eight responses from interns, 14 responses from residents (post-graduate year 2 or later), 14 responses from fellows, and nine responses from attendings. The majority of our respondents reported not having any particular financial education, and over 70% of respondents reported that their graduate education had not provided them with the tools needed for personal financial success. CONCLUSION: Financial education and financial literacy are important topics that need to be further incorporated into the medical education pathway. Physicians are not well equipped in this realm, and further training is necessary. This study provides pilot data that highlight important aspects of physician knowledge and practices in regard to finances.

A Case of Acute Motor and Sensory Axonal Neuropathy Secondary to SGN-LIV1A Therapy.

Antibody-drug conjugate therapy is rarely associated with neurologic immune-related phenomena. In this case report, we present a patient on treatment with SGN-LIV1A antibody-drug conjugate for breast cancer who developed progressive asymmetric quadriparesis, more severe in the bilateral upper extremities. Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), a sub-variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, was diagnosed via electro-diagnostic studies. Serological studies were significant for vitamin B1, B2 and B6 deficiencies, and cerebrospinal fluid studies were significant for albuminocytologic dissociation. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), B complex supplementation, and aggressive physical therapy. There was recovery of muscle strength in all extremities over the course of three months. Our case explores the biologic response to treatment of experimental immunotherapy-induced AMSAN with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Extensive Brainstem Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Hemodialysis Non-Adherent Patient.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) refers to a disorder of reversible vasogenic edema caused by rapid hyperperfusion of the brain that classically involves areas supplied by the posterior circulation such as the parieto-occipital region. It may present with atypical features such as brainstem and spinal cord involvement. Common causes include renal failure, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia among pregnant women, rapid changes in systemic blood pressure, and autoimmune diseases. The most prevalent presenting signs and symptoms are encephalopathy, seizures and headache. A 64-year-old female presented to a dialysis unit after missing several sessions with twitching in her extremities and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, she recently terminated clonidine use and was likely experiencing rebound hypertension. The continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated generalized, non-convulsive seizures. MRI findings were notable for hyperintensities in the pons, middle cerebellar peduncles, cerebellar hemispheres, and periventricular and subcortical matter with medulla and proximal spinal cord involvement. A notable clinical sequela of PRES in this patient was coma. Aggressive blood pressure control led to significant improvement and return to her neurologic baseline. PRES can present with extensive brainstem involvement with a clinical sequela of coma. Multiple underlying causes such as dialysis non-adherence and rebound hypertension following clonidine discontinuation contributed to the development of this condition in this patient.

Powassan Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosis and Management.

Powassan virus (POWV), a rare flavivirus that may be transmitted by a tick bite, causes rare but severe cases of encephalitis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis in humans. We present the case of a 62-year-old man with prior Lyme disease and reactive arthritis who presented to the hospital with symptoms of fever, headache, and fatigue. The patient developed rapid deterioration of mental status including profound expressive aphasia and required intubation and high-dose steroids. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serologies were found to be positive for the POWV.