Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Microglial and Caspase3 Activation in the Retina.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the main causes of sudden death after head trauma. These injuries can result in severe degeneration and neuronal cell death in the CNS, including the retina, which is a crucial part of the brain responsible for perceiving and transmitting visual information. The long-term effects of mild-repetitive TBI (rmTBI) are far less studied thus far, even though damage induced by repetitive injuries occurring in the brain is more common, especially amongst athletes. rmTBI can also have a detrimental effect on the retina and the pathophysiology of these injuries is likely to differ from severe TBI (sTBI) retinal injury. Here, we show how rmTBI and sTBI can differentially affect the retina. Our results indicate an increase in the number of activated microglial cells and Caspase3-positive cells in the retina in both traumatic models, suggesting a rise in the level of inflammation and cell death after TBI. The pattern of microglial activation appears distributed and widespread but differs amongst the various retinal layers. sTBI induced microglial activation in both the superficial and deep retinal layers. In contrast to sTBI, no significant change occurred following the repetitive mild injury in the superficial layer, only the deep layer (spanning from the inner nuclear layer to the outer plexiform layer) shows microglial activation. This difference suggests that alternate response mechanisms play a role in the case of the different TBI incidents. The Caspase3 activation pattern showed a uniform increase in both the superficial and deep layers of the retina. This suggests a different action in the course of the disease in sTBI and rmTBI models and points to the need for new diagnostic procedures. Our present results suggest that the retina might serve as such a model of head injuries since the retinal tissue reacts to both forms of TBI and is the most accessible part of the human brain.

Serum biomarkers identify critically ill traumatic brain injury patients for MRI.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) carries prognostic importance after traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially when computed tomography (CT) fails to fully explain the level of unconsciousness. However, in critically ill patients, the risk of deterioration during transfer needs to be balanced against the benefit of detecting prognostically relevant information on MRI. We therefore aimed to assess if day of injury serum protein biomarkers could identify critically ill TBI patients in whom the risks of transfer are compensated by the likelihood of detecting management-altering neuroimaging findings. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. Eligibility criteria included: TBI patients aged ≥ 16 years, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 13 or patient intubated with unrecorded pre-intubation GCS, CT with Marshall score < 3, serum biomarkers (GFAP, NFL, NSE, S100B, Tau, UCH-L1) sampled ≤ 24 h of injury, MRI < 30 days of injury. The degree of axonal injury on MRI was graded using the Adams-Gentry classification. The association between serum concentrations of biomarkers and Adams-Gentry stage was assessed and the optimum threshold concentration identified, assuming different minimum sensitivities for the detection of brainstem injury (Adams-Gentry stage 3). A cost-benefit analysis for the USA and UK health care settings was also performed. RESULTS: Among 65 included patients (30 moderate-severe, 35 unrecorded) axonal injury was detected in 54 (83%) and brainstem involvement in 33 (51%). In patients with moderate-severe TBI, brainstem injury was associated with higher concentrations of NSE, Tau, UCH-L1 and GFAP. If the clinician did not want to miss any brainstem injury, NSE could have avoided MRI transfers in up to 20% of patients. If a 94% sensitivity was accepted considering potential transfer-related complications, GFAP could have avoided 30% of transfers. There was no added net cost, with savings up to £99 (UK) or $612 (US). No associations between proteins and axonal injury were found in intubated patients without a recorded pre-intubation GCS. CONCLUSIONS: Serum protein biomarkers show potential to safely reduce the number of transfers to MRI in critically ill patients with moderate-severe TBI at no added cost.

Biomarker Associations in Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

The prognosis for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is heavily influenced by the development of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), but the adequate and effective therapy of DCI to this day has not been resolved. Multiplex serum biomarker studies may help to understand the pathophysiological processes underlying DCI. Samples were collected from patients with aSAH at two time points: (1) 24 h (Day 1) and (2) 5−7 days after ictus. Serum concentrations of eotaxin, FGF-2, FLT-3L, CX3CL1, Il-1b, IL-4, IP-10, MCP3, and MIP-1b were determined using a customized MILLIPLEX Human Cytokine/Chemokine/Growth Factor Panel A multiplex assay. The functional outcome was defined by the modified Rankin scale (favorable: 0−2, unfavorable: 3−6) measured on the 30th day after aSAH. One-hundred and twelve patients with aSAH were included in this study. The median level of CX3CL1 and MCP-3 measured on Days 5−7 were significantly higher in patients with DCI compared with those without DCI (CX3CL1: with DCI: 110.5 pg/mL, IQR: 82−201 vs. without DCI: 82.6, 58−119, p = 0.036; and MCP-3: with DCI: 22 pg/mL (0−32) vs. without DCI: 0 (0−11), p < 0.001). IP-10, MCP-3, and MIP-1b also showed significant associations with the functional outcome after aSAH. MCP-3 and CX3CL1 may play a role in the pathophysiology of DCI.

[Minimally invasive and O-arm assisted en bloc spinal tumor resections]. / Minimálisan invazív és O-arm asszisztált en bloc gerincdaganat-reszekciók.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The en bloc resection of spinal tumors is required in primary spine tumors and in selected cases of secondary spine tumors, where the primary disease is under control and long survival time is expected. Three cases are presented, applying O-arm assisted navigation or minimally invasive anterior approaches for en bloc tumor removal. METHODS: O-arm navigation assisted osteotomies were carried out to remove a Th.V. breast tumor metastasis en bloc, intact bony part of the Th.V. vertebra was spared. Vertebral corpectomies of a patient with L.IV. chordoma and of a patient with L.V. carcinoid were also performed using minimally invasive, microscope assisted, anterior approaches to the lumbar spine. RESULTS: No morbidity or local recurrence were detected in the patient with breast cancer 1 year after the operation. Nevertheless, new spinal metastasis were revealed 1 year after surgery despite the appropriate oncological treatment. The patient with L.IV. chordoma is still tumor free (last follow-up: 18 month after surgery), but post operatively detected lower limb paresis and gait disturbances are persisted. The posterior healthy bony parts of the spinal column remained intact, since only anterior approaches were used for en bloc L.IV. corpectomy. No morbidity or recurrence was detected in patient with L.V. carcinoid tumor on 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both the O-arm navigation assisted surgery and the minimally invasive anterior approaches to the spine can help to reduce surgical morbidity and to spare healthy bony structures of the spine. The later could play important role to provide long term spine stability. The presented new surgical technologies can be accepted only, if they produce at least the same oncological results on longer follow-ups as conventional surgical approaches.

[The role of intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of large vessel occlusion strokes]. / A mechanikus thrombectomiát megelozo intravénás thrombolysis szerepe az akut agyi nagyérelzáródások kezelésében.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is moderate in the proximal vascular segments of intracranial arteries, as opposed to mecha-nical thrombectomy (MT). In the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusions (LVO), IVT prior to MT is highly recommended based on the latest guidelines, but the necessity of IVT has been questioned by the latest studies of the past years. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of direct mechanical thrombectomy (dMT) and combined therapy (CT) for patients who suffered an AIS with LVO and were treated in our department. METHODS: We investigated patients with AIS caused by LVO who were admitted up to 4.5 hours after symptom onset and underwent MT in our department between November 2017 and August 2019. Patients' data were collected in our stroke register. Patients enrolled in our study were divided into two groups depending on whether dMT or CT was used. Our primary outcome was the 30- and 90- day functional outcome measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Mortality at 30- and 90- day, successful recanalization rates, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were considered as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients (age: 68.3 ± 12.6 years, 53.5% female) were enrolled in our study, including 81 (57.0%) dMT cases, and 61 (43.0%) patients who received CT. The vascular risk factors and comorbidities were significantly higher in the dMT-treated group. At day 30, the rate of favorable functional outcomes was 34.7% in dMT vs. 43.6% among those who received CT (p = 0.307), by day 90 this ratio changed to 40.8% vs. 46.3% (p = 0.542). Mortality rates at day 30 were 22.2% and 23.6% (p = 0.851), and at day 90 33.8% and 25.9% (p = 0.343). The rate of effective recanalization was 94.2% for dMT-treated patients and 98.0% for CT-treated patients (p = 0.318). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 2.5% of dMT-treated patients and 3.4% of CT-treated group (p = 0.757). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CT is associated with a moderately better outcome compared to dMT. IVT prior to MT did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages.

Increased level of LIGHT/TNFSF14 is associated with survival in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple cytokines have been implicated in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but tumor necrosis factor superfamily 14 (LIGHT/TNFSF14) and oncostatin-M (OSM) have not been previously explored. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between TNFSF14 and OSM levels and survival. Our secondary goal was to investigate a potential association between these markers and the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). MATERIALS & METHODS: We consecutively recruited 60 patients with a clinical diagnosis of aSAH. LIGHT/TNFSF14 and OSM serum concentrations were determined by ELISA. The primary endpoint was survival at Day 30, while development of DCI was assessed as secondary outcome. RESULTS: Patients had significantly higher levels of both markers than the control group (median of LIGHT: 18.1 pg/ml vs. 7 pg/ml; p = 0.01; median of OSM: 10.3 pg/ml vs. 2.8 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Significantly lower serum level of LIGHT/TNFSF14 was found in nonsurviving patients (n = 9) compared with survivors (n = 51; p = 0.011). Based on ROC analysis, serum LIGHT/TNFSF14 with a cutoff value of >7.95 pg/ml predicted 30-day survival with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 78% (Area: 0.763; 95% CI: 0.604-0.921, p = 0.013). In addition, it was also a predictor of DCI with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 62.5% (AUC: 0.702; 95% CI: 0.555-0.849, p = 0.018). Based on binary logistic regression analysis, LIGHT/TNFSF14 was found to be independently associated with 30-day mortality, but not with DCI. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, a higher serum level of LIGHT/TNFSF14 was associated with increased survival of patients with aSAH.

Provocation and prediction of visual peripersonal neglect-like symptoms in preoperative planning and during awake brain surgery.

Neglect is a severe neuropsychological/neurological deficit that usually develops due to lesions of the posterior inferior parietal area of the right hemisphere and is characterized by a lack of attention to the left side. Our case is a proven right-handed, 30-year-old female patient with a low-grade glioma, which was located in the temporo-opercular region and also in the superior temporal gyrus of the right hemisphere. Upon presurgical planning, the motor, language, and visuospatial functions were mapped. In order to achieve this, the protocol for routine magnetic resonance imaging and navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation has been expanded, accordingly.

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 3 and CXC-Chemokine Ligand 16 are Associated with Unfavorable Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with activation of the inflammatory cascade contributing to unfavorable outcome and secondary complications, such as delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Both fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) and CXC-chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL-16) have been linked to vascular inflammation and cellular death. The authors aimed to assess the 30-day prognostic value of serum levels of FABP3 and CXCL-16 and explore their associations with DCI in aSAH patients. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with aSAH were prospectively enrolled. Sampling for markers was done at 24 hours after the index event. FABP3 and CXCL-16 serum concentrations were determined by MilliPlex multiplex immunoassay method. The primary endpoint was unfavorable outcome at Day 30 based on the modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: Both FABP3 and CXCL-16 levels were significantly elevated in patients with unfavorable outcome compared to those with favorable outcome after aSAH (FABP3: 2133 pg/mL, IQR: 1053-4567 vs. 3773, 3295-13116; p<0.003 and CXCL-16: 384 pg/mL, 313-502 vs. 498, 456-62, p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for serum CXCL-16 levels as a predictor of unfavorable outcome at Day 30 was 0.747 (95% CI =0.622-0.871; p<0.001). Based on binary logistic regression analysis, serum CXCL-16 with a cut-off level >446.7 ng/L independently predicted Day 30 unfavorable outcome with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 62%. Neither CXCL-16 nor FABP3 showed a significant correlation with DCI. CONCLUSION: Early FABP3 and CXCL-16 levels are significantly associated with poor 30-day outcome in patients with aSAH.

[Mentalizing deficit among patients with traumatic brain injury]. / Mentalizációs deficit traumás agysérült betegek körében.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mentalization or theory of mind as an aspect of our social cognition, is our ability to infer mental states of others (intentions, desires, thoughts, emotions) and to predict their behavior accordingly. This function significantly affects our participation and orientation in the social world and plays an important role in conversational situations, social interactions, social integ-ration and adaptation. The brain regions that serve as the basis for mind-reading function can be damaged as a consequence of traumatic brain injury, which frequently occurs among the younger population. Traumatic brain injury can cause focal or diffuse cerebral injuries, often leading to theory of mind deficit. METHODS: In this topic such publications were researched that compared theory of mind ability between traumatic brain injury patients and control subjects (comparative case-control studies). We searched for the studies in the following internet based/online databases: PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, APA PsycNET (PsycARTICLES) and EBSCO Host. The search was performed using the following key word combinations: theory of mind or mentalizing or social cognition AND traumatic brain injury or head/brain injury or diffuse axonal injury. RESULTS: Based on the results of the included and processed studies (21 pc), traumatic brain injury often leads to mentalization deficit with different severity. CONCLUSION: With this present review we aim to draw attention to the fact that the appearance and severity of mind reading dysfunction can considerably affect the outcome of the disease, the length of rehabilitation time and the prognosis of traumatic brain injury patients. Besides this, with this review, we aim to take sides in whether theory of mind ability is domain-specific or domian-general based on studies including traumatic brain injury patients.

[A case of destructive cervical spondylarthropathy related to chronic dialysis]. / Krónikus dialízis kapcsán kialakult destruktív cervicalis spondylarthropathia esete.

A case of a 61-year-old male patient suffered chronic renal failure and dialysed for 23 years with destructive cervical spondylarthropathy is presented. The patient presented with sudden onset of cervical pain radiating into his shoulders without neurological deficits. CT and MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine revealed severe destructive changes and compressive fractures of C6 and C7 vertebrae which caused the narrowing of the nerve root canals at these levels. A 360-degree fixation was performed to treat the unstable fracture and the patient's pain (C6 and C7 corpectomy, autolog bone graft replacement of the two vertebral bodies, anterior plate fixation and posterior instrumentation with screws and rods). Postoperatively the patient had no significant pain, no neurological deficit and he was able to manage independent life himself. During the immediate follow-up CT of the neck showed the satisfactory position of the bone graft and the metal implantations. The 6 months follow-up CT revealed the anterior migration of the two screws from the Th1 vertebral body and 2 mm ventral elevation of the caudal end of the plate from the anterior surface of the Th1 vertebral body. The 1-year follow-up could not be performed because the patient died due to cardio-pulmonary insufficiency. This is the second Hungarian report of a chronic dialysis related severe spondylarthropathy which may cause pathologic fractures of the vertebral bodies. The typical radiological and histological findings are discussed. This disease affect patients' quality of life and the conservative treatment alone seems to be ineffective in most cases. Based on the literature and personal experiences, the authors suggest 360-degree fixation of the spine to provide sufficient stability for the vertebrae of "bad bone quality", and early mobilisation of the patient can be achieved.

Prostaglandin E2, a postulated mediator of neurovascular coupling, at low concentrations dilates whereas at higher concentrations constricts human cerebral parenchymal arterioles.

There is considerable controversy regarding the vasoactive action of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). On the one hand, indirect evidence implicates that astrocytic release of PGE2 contributes to neurovascular coupling responses mediating functional hyperemia in the brain. On the other hand, overproduction of PGE2 was also reported to contribute to cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The present study was conducted to resolve this controversy by determining the direct vasoactive effects of PGE2 in resistance-sized human cerebral parenchymal arterioles. To achieve this goal PGE2-induced isotonic vasomotor responses were assessed in parenchymal arterioles isolated from fronto-temporo-parietal cortical tissues surgically removed from patients and expression of PGE2 receptors were examined. In functionally intact parenchymal arterioles lower concentrations of PGE2 (from 10-8 to 10-6 mol/l) caused significant, endothelium-independent vasorelaxation, which was inhibited by the EP4 receptor blocker BGC201531. In contrast, higher concentrations of PGE2 evoked significant EP1-dependent vasoconstriction, which could not be reversed by the EP4 receptor agonist CAY10598. We also confirmed previous observations that PGE2 primarily evokes constriction in intracerebral arterioles isolated from R. norvegicus. Importantly, vascular mRNA and protein expression of vasodilator EP4 receptors was significantly higher than that of vasoconstrictor EP1 receptors in human cerebral arterioles. PGE2 at low concentrations dilates whereas at higher concentrations constricts human cerebral parenchymal arterioles. This bimodal vasomotor response is consistent with both the proposed vasodilator role of PGE2 during functional hyperemia and its putative role in cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage in human patients.

Risk analysis of post-procedural intracranial hemorrhage based on STAY ALIVE Acute Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) are classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic according to the presence of clinical deterioration. Here, we aimed to find predictive factors of symptomatic intracranial bleeding in a registry-based stroke research. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were extracted from the prospective STAY ALIVE stroke registry. Analysis of the total population and treatment sugroups such as endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), or their combination (IVT+EVT) were also done. Outcome measures were ICH, 30- and 90-day clinical outcome based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS:0-2 as favorable outcome). The hemorrhage was captured by a non-enhanced CT of the skull within 24 h after procedure. RESULTS: A total of 355 patients (mean age: 68±11; female N=177 (49.9%); EVT n=131 (36.9%); IVT n=157 (44.2%); IVT+EVT n=67 (18.9%) were included in the analysis. The total number of ICH was 47 (13%), symptomatic (sICH) 12 (3.4%) and asymptomatic (aICH) 35 (9.9%) in the whole population. NIHSS ≥15.5 at 24 post stroke hours predicted sICH with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92% (p<0.001). Furthermore, lower age, good collateral circulation on initial CT angiography and lower NIHSS score measured at 24 h independently associated with a favorable 90-day outcome, whereas baseline NIHSS and ASPECT score were not. CONCLUSION: Although partial recanalization, ASPECT< 6, and poor collaterals were significantly associated with sICH, the only independent predictor was NIHSS ≥15.5 at 24 post stroke hours. This suggests a careful evaluation of patients with worsening NIHSS despite an adequate therapy.

Single Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Persistent Disruption of the Blood-Brain Barrier, Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Hypertensive Rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which contributes to secondary injury of brain tissue and development of chronic cognitive decline. However, single mild (m)TBI, the most frequent form of brain trauma disrupts the BBB only transiently. We hypothesized, that co-morbid conditions exacerbate persistent BBB disruption after mTBI leading to long term cognitive dysfunction. Since hypertension is the most important cerebrovascular risk factor in populations prone to mild brain trauma, we induced mTBI in normotensive Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and we assessed BBB permeability, extravasation of blood-borne substances, neuroinflammation and cognitive function two weeks after trauma. We found that mTBI induced a significant BBB disruption two weeks after trauma in SHRs but not in normotensive Wistar rats, which was associated with a significant accumulation of fibrin and increased neuronal expression of inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1ß and IL-6 in the cortex and hippocampus. SHRs showed impaired learning and memory two weeks after mild TBI, whereas cognitive function of normotensive Wistar rats remained intact. Future studies should establish the mechanisms through which hypertension and mild TBI interact to promote persistent BBB disruption, neuroinflammation and cognitive decline to provide neuroprotection and improve cognitive function in patients with mTBI.

Extracellular vesicles: pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic value in traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Accurate classification according to injury-specific and patient-specific characteristics is critical to help informed clinical decision-making and to the pursuit of precision medicine in TBI. Reliable biomarker signatures for improved TBI diagnostics are required but still an unmet need. Areas covered: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a new class of biomarker candidates in TBI. These nano-sized vesicles have key roles in cell signaling profoundly impacting pathogenic pathways, progression and long-term sequelae of TBI. As such EVs might provide novel neurobiological insights, enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TBI pathophysiology and recovery, and serve as biomarker signatures and therapeutic targets and delivery systems. Expert commentary: EVs are fast gaining momentum in TBI research, paving the way for new transformative diagnostic and treatment approaches. Their potential to sort out TBI variability and active involvement in the mechanisms underpinning different clinical phenotypes point out unique opportunities for improved classification, risk-stratification ad intervention, harboring promise of predictive, personalized, and even preemptive therapeutic strategies. Although a great deal of progress has been made, substantial efforts are still required to ensure the needed rigorous validation and reproducibility for clinical implementation of EVs.

[Minimally invasive, extrapleural-anterolateral approach to the spine]. / Minimálisan invazív, extrapleuralis, anterolateralis gerincfeltárás.

In spine surgery, minimally invasive approaches (MIS) are getting accepted and more popular worldwide during the last decades. It is due to the reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased infection rate, less postoperative pain and earlier discharge from hospital compared to traditional approaches. The present paper puts forward a minimally invasive extrapleural approach to the thoracic spine that is not applied in Hungary. This new approach, in contrast to the standard costotransversectomy, provides direct visual control over the ventral surface of the dural sac. Furthermore, contrary to the transthoracic way, following minimally invasive extrapleural surgery thoracic drainage and intensive care are not necessary. The approach can be applied safely in treatment of ventral or ventrolateral pathologies of the thoracic spine.

[Comparison of subthalamic nucleus planning coordinates in 1Tesla and 3Tesla MRI for deep brain stimulation targeting]. / A subthalamicus mag célkoordinátáinak összehasonlítása 1 és 3 Tesla MR-vizsgálattal mély agyi stimulációs mutétek tervezése során.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves placing electrodes within specific deep brain nuclei. For movement disorders the most common indications are tremors, Parkinsons disease and dystonias. Surgeons mostly employ MR imaging for preoperative target selection. MR field geometrical distortion may contribute to target-selection error in the MR scan which can contribute to error in electrode placement. METHODS: In this paper we compared the STN target planning coordinates in six parkinsonian DBS patients. Each patient underwent target planning in 1T and 3T MRI. We statistically compared and analysed the target-, and the fiducial coordinates in two different magnetic fileds. RESULTS: The target coordinates showed no significant differences (Mann-Whitney test, p > 0.05), however we found significant difference in fiducial coordinates (p < 0.01), in 3T MRI it was more pronounced (mean ± SD: 0.8 ± 0.3 mm) comparing to 1T (mean ± SD: 0.4 ± 0.2 mm). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results showed no significant differences in planning of target coordinates comparing 1T to 3T magnetic fields.

How Efficient Is Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in Reducing Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease?

BACKGROUND: Dyskinesia is among the most troublesome symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The recently developed Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) can simultaneously measure several subjective and objective aspects of dyskinesia, irrespective of the other motor symptoms of PD. Despite the advantages of deep brain stimulation (DBS), previous studies on DBS have not used the UDysRS yet. METHODS: In this prospective study, 71 consecutive patients undergoing DBS implantation were enrolled. Patients were examined twice: 1 week prior to the DBS implantation (baseline) and 12 months postoperatively. The severity of PD-related symptoms was assessed by the Movement Disorders Society Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). The presence and severity of dyskinesia were specifically measured by the UDysRS and patient diaries. RESULTS: At baseline, all 71 patients had dyskinesia, but 1 year after DBS implantation, 25 patients were dyskinesia-free, and an additional 19 had only mild dyskinesia. The total score on the UDysRS decreased from 38.0 ± 17.8 to 10.8 ± 13.0 (p < 0.001). Besides this, all parts of the UDysRS showed significant improvement after STN DBS treatment, and the magnitude of these changes had a large effect size. The total score of MDS-UPDRS improved from 76.5 ± 24.3 to 60.4 ± 21.4 points (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, UDysRS can reliably detect improvements in dyskinesia after DBS implantation.

[Relationship between sport and traumatic brain injury - risks and sequelaes]. / A sportolás és a baleseti agysérülés összefüggései - veszélyek és következmények.

Traumatic brain injury represents major public health problem worldwide. A typical form of brain injuries is the injury suffered during sports, which according to severity ranges from mild injuries to fatal damages. The significance of the sport related minor head injuries derives form the high incidence, the excessive involvement of the younger age groups, and their potential repetitive nature. The repeated mild head injuries may accumulate, leading to complex structural, neurochemical, neuroendocrine, and psychological alterations, which in long term may result in changes of the patients quality of life and in significant deterioration of participation in the everyday activity. Actually we neither have enough knowledge about the ne-gative consequences, nor the way of prevention, or protection against the harmful long term results. With this study summary we would like to draw attention to the potential hazards emerging from sport injuries, moreover we would like to emphasize the importance of study participation and follow up of articles in this field.

Combination of severe facial and cervical vascular malformation with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

The combination of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and vascular malformation within the head and neck region is a rare condition, and interestingly, only a few cases have recently been published. Propagation of the vascular mass to the larynx and pharynx can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties. Due to these sypmtoms, examination and initiation of appropriate therapy for such patients are indeed challenging. We reviewed the literature available and present our case of a 64 year old woman emphasizing the complaints of sleep apnea syndrome and vascular malformation of the face and neck region. Polygraphic examination detected severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The MR examination of the neck revealed extensive vascular mass narrowing the pharyngo-laryngeal region, thereby causing temporal bone destruction on the right side with intracranial propagation. ENT examination demonstrated significant narrowing of the pharyngeal lumen and the laryngeal aditus caused by multiple hemangiomas. CPAP titration showed the minimalization of the apnea-hypopnea index on the effective pressure level. Regular CPAP usage resulted in diminishing a majority of the patient's complaints. Our examination clearly demonstrates, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome coupled with significantly obstructing vascular malformation in the head and neck region can be effectively treated safely with a CPAP device, if surgical therapy is not possible. We summarized our findings and the data available in the literature to set up recommendations for the appropriate examination and therapy (including mask fit, etc.) of vascular malformations and hemangiomas causing pharyngo-laryngeal obstruction.