[A Pediatric Case of Clinically Mild Encephalitis/Encephalopathy with a Reversible Splenial Lesion(MERS)with Recurrent TIA-like Symptoms over a Prolonged Period].

We report a rare case of pediatric clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion(MERS)associated with transient ischemic attack(TIA)-like symptoms. A 13-year-old boy who presented with transient left hemiparesis and dysarthria was transferred to our hospital. He had experienced similar symptoms at the age of nine years and was diagnosed with MERS type 2 due to the typical clinical course and MR imaging findings. His elder brother showed a similar clinical history at the age of eight years. DW-MR images on admission revealed high signal intensity areas in the splenium of the corpus callosum and deep white matter. The territories were depicted as low intensity on apparent diffusion coefficient maps and slightly high intensity on T2-weighted images. Recurrence of MERS type 2 was considered because the symptoms of the patient disappeared within several hours and the abnormal signal intensities markedly decreased on the follow-up DWI performed eight days after initial MR imaging. The abnormal MR imaging findings completely disappeared after five weeks. After discharge, the patient experienced eight TIA-like episodes with a similar clinical course and MR imaging findings over a period of six years. MERS associated with TIA-like episodes is extremely rare, especially MERS associated with recurrent episodes in multiple phases over a long period, as seen in the present case. In addition, the findings in the last two MR imaging scans involving the internal capsule, thalamus, and midbrain were highly unusual and maybe considered to be indicative of an advanced form of MERS type 2, as reported in other familial cases.

Steroid-resistant protein-losing gastroenteropathy complicated with Sjögren's syndrome successfully treated with mizoribine.

A 64-year-old woman with leg edema was diagnosed with protein-losing gastroenteropathy and Sjögren's syndrome. Central venous nutrition led to infection of her catheter, ascites, and deep vein thrombosis. Following successful treatment of these conditions with antibiotics and anticoagulants, she was treated unsuccessfully with prednisolone and steroid pulse therapy. Mizoribine add-on markedly reduced edema and normalized serum albumin. This is the first report of a steroid-resistant protein-losing gastroenteropathy patient with Sjögren's syndrome successfully treated with mizoribine.

A score using left ventricular diastolic dysfunction to predict 90-day mortality in acute ischemic stroke: The DONE score.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify whether diastolic dysfunction predicts death at 90 days after acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with ischemic stroke. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate systolic function and diastolic function by means of assessing ejection fraction and septal E/e'. We evaluated the initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, arterial occlusion, and laboratory data. We used multivariate regression models to identify independent predictors of 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Among 1208 patients, the overall 90-day mortality rate was 8%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher initial NIHSS score, plasma D-dimer level and E/e', and occlusion of internal carotid artery or basilar artery were independent predictors of 90-day mortality. The DONE score derived from these valuables showed good discrimination with area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-0.87) to predict 90-day mortality. The DONE score also predicted poor outcome (modified Rankin scale score, 4-6) at 90 days (AUC, 0.82; 95% CI 0.80-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Higher E/e', indicating diastolic dysfunction, may be associated with 90-day mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The DONE score could readily predict poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke.

Subacute lesion volume as a potential prognostic biomarker for acute ischemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify whether subacute diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volume could predict long-term outcome in patients who had undergone intravenous thrombolysis. METHOD: Patients underwent DWI at baseline and 7days after thrombolysis. Outcomes included complete independence (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 0 to 1), unfavorable outcome (mRS score 4 to 6) at 90days, and mortality within 90days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify outcome predictors. RESULTS: Of 164 patients, 72 patients (43%) achieved complete independence. Poor outcomes were observed in 45 patients (27%) with an unfavorable outcome and 10 patients (6%) who died. Subacute DWI lesion volume was 3.4mL (interquartile range, 1.1-11.6) in patients with complete independence, 90.1mL (23.8-180.2) in patients with unfavorable outcome and 155.5mL (78.4-377.5) in patients who died. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, subacute DWI lesion volume was an independent predictor of complete independence (odds ratio [OR], 0.939; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.914-0.965; p<0.001), unfavorable outcome (OR, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.014-1.033; p<0.001), and mortality (OR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.005-1.028; p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Subacute DWI lesion volume is a critical determinant of 90-day functional outcome and mortality after thrombolysis.