Prevalence and associated factors of cerebral microbleeds in a rural population of the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) can carry an advanced risk for the development and burden of cerebrovascular and cognitive disorders. Large-scale population-based studies are required to identify the at-risk population. METHOD: Ten percent (N = 3,056) of the Geisinger DiscovEHR Initiative Cohort participants who had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for any indication were randomly selected. Patients with CMBs were compared to an age-, gender-, body mass index-, and hypertension-matched cohort of patients without CMB. The prevalence of comorbidities and use of anticoagulation therapy was investigated in association with CMB presence (binary logistic regression), quantity (ordinal regression), and topography (multinomial regression). RESULTS: Among 3,056 selected participants, 477 (15.6 %) had CMBs in their MRI. Patients with CMBs were older and were more prevalently hypertensive, with ischemic stroke, arrhythmia, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, and the use of warfarin. After propensity-score matching, 477 patients with CMBs and 974 without were included for further analyses. Predictors of ≥5 CMBs were ischemic stroke (OR, 1.6; 95 % CI, 1.2 -2.0), peripheral vascular disease (OR, 1.6; 95 % CI, 1.1-2.3), and thrombocytopenia (OR, 1.9; 95 % CI, 1.2-2.9). Ischemic stroke was associated with strictly lobar CMBs more strongly than deep/infra-tentorial CMBs (OR, 2.1; 95 % CI, 1.5-3.1; vs. OR, 1.4; CI, 1.1-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: CMBs were prevalent in our white population. Old age, hypertension, anticoagulant treatment, thrombocytopenia, and a history of vascular diseases including stroke, were associated with CMBs.

Surgical anatomic findings of sphenoid sinus in 1009 Iranian patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The most common surgical technique for the management of pituitary adenomas is the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EEA). preoperative neuroimaging along with detecting surgical landmarks of the sphenoid sinus during surgery is important for making a successful operation. METHOD: This study includes 1009 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent EEA between 2013 and 2020. We evaluated the anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus through a panel of items obtained from imaging and intra-operative findings. RESULTS: Our result includes 57.38% nonfunctional, 8.42% cushing, 12.39% prolactinoma, and 21.8% acromegaly patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. The mean age of the patients was 45 with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Sellar sphenoid type was the most common (91.8%) with only 12% symmetrical inter sphenoid septa, Internal carotid artery dehiscence was found in 1.7% of the cases. Apoplexy was present in 6.3% of patients, which was found more prevalent in nonfunctional adenomas (9.67%, Odds ratio: 4.85, 95% CI 2.24-11.79) and further investigation revealed a significant association between apoplexy and sphenoid mucosal edema and hemorrhage (Odds ratio: 43.0, 95% CI 22.50-84.26), and between apoplexy and cystic lesions (OR = 4.14, 95% CI 1.87-8.45, P-value < 0.0001). Acromegaly is associated with the increased number of lateral recces (Odds ratio: 11.41, 95% CI 7.54-17.52), septation of the sphenoid sinus (Marginal mean: 3.92, 95% CI 3.69-4.14), edematous sinonasal mucosa (Odds ratio: 6.7; 95% CI 4.46-10.08), and higher bony (OR: 4.81, 95% CI 2.60-8.97, P-value < 0.001) and cavernous (OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.13-2.46, P-value < 0.01) invasion. CONCLUSION: The present study provides anatomical data about the sphenoid sinus and its adjacent vital structures with adenomal specific changes that are necessary to prevent complications during endoscopic advanced transsphenoidal surgery.

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Stroke Epidemiology and Care: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging data indicate an increased risk of cerebrovascular events with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and highlight the potential impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the management and outcomes of acute stroke. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the aforementioned considerations. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of observational cohort studies reporting on the occurrence and/or outcomes of patients with cerebrovascular events in association with their SARS-CoV-2 infection status. We used a random-effects model. Summary estimates were reported as odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We identified 18 cohort studies including 67,845 patients. Among patients with SARS-CoV-2, 1.3% (95% CI = 0.9-1.6%, I2 = 87%) were hospitalized for cerebrovascular events, 1.1% (95% CI = 0.8-1.3%, I2 = 85%) for ischemic stroke, and 0.2% (95% CI = 0.1-0.3%, I2 = 64%) for hemorrhagic stroke. Compared to noninfected contemporary or historical controls, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection had increased odds of ischemic stroke (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.43-8.92, I2 = 43%) and cryptogenic stroke (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.62-9.77, I2 = 0%). Diabetes mellitus was found to be more prevalent among SARS-CoV-2 stroke patients compared to noninfected historical controls (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.00-1.94, I2 = 0%). SARS-CoV-2 infection status was not associated with the likelihood of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.65-3.10, I2 = 0%) or endovascular thrombectomy (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.35-1.74, I2 = 0%) among hospitalized ischemic stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Odds of in-hospital mortality were higher among SARS-CoV-2 stroke patients compared to noninfected contemporary or historical stroke patients (OR = 5.60, 95% CI = 3.19-9.80, I2 = 45%). INTERPRETATION: SARS-CoV-2 appears to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, and potentially cryptogenic stroke in particular. It may also be related to an increased mortality risk. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:380-388.

Changes in Stroke Hospital Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

[Figure: see text].

SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke Characteristics: A Report From the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group.

[Figure: see text].

Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis Among Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Purpose- There are scarce data regarding the safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke among patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Methods- We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature. Data regarding all adult patients pretreated with DOAC who received IVT for acute ischemic stroke were recorded. Meta-analysis was performed by comparing the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in these patients with (1) stroke patients without prior anticoagulation therapy and (2) patients on warfarin with international normalized ratio <1.7. Meta-analyses were further conducted in subgroups as follows: (1) administration of DOAC within 48 hours versus an unknown interval before IVT, (2) consideration of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage outcome according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) versus the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II (ECASS-II) criteria. Results- After reviewing 13 392 reports and communicating with certain authors of 12 published studies, a total of 52 823 acute ischemic stroke patients from 6 studies were enrolled in the present meta-analysis: DOACs: 366, warfarin: 2133, and 503 241 patients without prior anticoagulation. We detected no additional risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage following IVT among patients taking DOACs within 48 hours-DOACs-warfarin: NINDS (odds ratio [OR], 0.55 [95% CI, 0.19-1.59]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.28-2.16]); DOACs-no-anticoagulation: NINDS (OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 0.46-3.31]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.32-2.41]). Similarly, no additional risk was detected with no time limit between last DOAC intake-DOACs warfarin: NINDS (OR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.49-1.45]), ECASS-II (OR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.67-1.85]); DOACs-no-anticoagulation: NINDS (OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.43-3.15]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.33-2.41]). There was no evidence of heterogeneity across included studies (I2=0%). We also provided the details of 123 individual cases with or without reversal agents before IVT. There was no significant increase in the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (OR, 1.48 [95% CI, 0.50-4.38]), symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.09-2.55]), or early mortality (OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.11-3.43]) between cohorts who did or did not receive prethrombolysis idarucizumab. Conclusions- The results of our study indicated that prior intake of DOAC appears not to increase the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in selected AIS patients treated with IVT.

Congenital obstruction of foramen of Monro: report of 10 patients and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: A wide spectrum of etiologies can obstruct foramen of Monro (FOM) and result in hydrocephalus. Congenital occlusion of FOM is a rare entity which may present either in childhood or in adulthood. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2016, we screened all pediatric patients with hydrocephalus of either one or both lateral ventricles. Congenital occlusion of FOM was confirmed in the absence of masses occupying the FOM, prenatal or postnatal central nervous system (CNS) infections, intraventricular hemorrhage, previous cerebral intervention, or associated CNS anomalies affecting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We have performed a comprehensive literature review of the previously reported cases and provided a tentative embryological pathogenesis of FOM occlusion. RESULTS: We introduce 10 new cases of congenital FOM obstruction. The mean age of the patients was 6.65 ± 10.51 months. Two patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting as the primary intervention, while endoscopic septostomy was performed in the others. The mean follow-up was 3.05 ± 2.16 years (1-8 years). Although the hydrocephalus was controlled, all patients remained hemiparetic with some degree of developmental and cognitive impairments. Previously, 38 similar cases were reported: 10 of them (26.3%) were adults. Overall, VP shunting was the treatment of choice in 44.7% of patients. While most adults fully recovered, 7.2% of pediatrics remained hemiparetic and 10.7% of them had cognitive and developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Ten cases of congenital obstruction of the foramen of Monro have been managed through a period of 9-year study. Details of these patients in addition to 38 previously reported cases are presented in this study.

The diagnostic values of UCH-L1 in traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern. The purpose of this study is to identify the diagnostic accuracy of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1)-a protein biomarker-in comparison with CT-scan findings post-TBI. Accordingly, we conducted a systematic review of eligible studies and assessed the risk of bias according to the QUADAS-2 checklist. A total of 13 reports from 10 original studies were included. Based on our analysis, serum UCH-L1 has a high accuracy in predicting CT findings in mild to moderate TBI. Based on the QUADAS-2 checklist, this result has a high risk of bias affecting its applicability. The plasma level of UCH-L1 has moderate accuracy in predicting CT findings when assessed in all GCS levels. This result has a low risk of bias and low concerns regarding applicability. Pooled analysis suggests that the plasma/serum UCH-L1 level has high accuracy in predicting CT findings in a wide range of GCS in patients with TBI. This result has a high risk of bias and high concern about its applicability. The heterogeneity in approaching TBI biomarker interferes with drawing a definitive conclusion. Therefore, although UCH-L1 is a promising blood-based diagnostic biomarker for TBI, but due to differences in reported diagnostic accuracy, further studies are needed to recommend UCH-L1 as an alternative to CT scanning.

Cerebral Microbleeds are Associated with Higher Mortality Among Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) increase the risk of long-term stroke-related mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine if the existence and burden of CMBs are a predictor of in-hospital death among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: We studied consecutive ischemic stroke patients who admitted to our tertiary center over a 2-year period (2013-2014). Patients who underwent thrombolysis were excluded. Baseline characteristics of patients, number and topography of CMBs, white matter lesions, and spontaneous symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation were recorded. Outcome measure in our study was in-hospital death. RESULTS: Out of 1126 consecutive AIS patients evaluated in this study, 772 patients included in the study (mean age 61.9 ± 14.2years [18-95 years], 51.6% men, and 58.2% African American). CMBs were present on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of 124 (16.1%) patients. The overall rate of in-hospital mortality was 4.1%. The presence or absence of CMBs was not predictive of in-hospital mortality (P = .058). After adjusting for potential confounders, the presence of ≥4 CMBs on T2*-weighted MRI was independently (P = .004) associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital death (odds ratio: 6.6, 95% confidential interval: 2.50 and 17.46) in multivariable logistic regression analyses. Older age, higher National Institute of Health stroke scale, and history of atrial fibrillation were also associated with greater chance of in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: The presence or absence of CMBs was not predictive of in-hospital mortality. However, the presence of multiple CMBs was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate among AIS patients.

Racial Difference in Cerebral Microbleed Burden Among a Patient Population in the Mid-South United States.

BACKGROUND: Although intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is more common among African-Americans, data on the burden of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) among different races is limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the number, associated factors, and topography of CMBs between African-American and Caucasian populations in the Mid-South United States. METHODS: Using natural language processing, we extracted all brain MRIs performed during a 2-year period (2012-2013) when the report indicated the presence of CMB. All the extracted MRI studies were evaluated for number and location of CMBs, prior stroke, and deep white matter lesion. Negative binomial regression was used to model for the overdispersed count data. RESULTS: A total 167 patients (mean age was 63 ± 15 years, 49% men, 77% African-American, median CMB count: 8) with 1 or more CMBs on their brain MRI were included in this study. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of CMB locations (P = .086), but there was a significant difference between African-American and Caucasian patients in terms of number of CMBs (16.5 ± 18 versus 6.5 ± 5.5, P < .001). The prevalence of multiple CMBs (CMBs ≥ 5) was similar among African-Americans and Caucasians (72% versus 55%, P = .062). After adjusting for potential confounders, the African-American race was not independently associated with a higher CMB burden (P = .073). CONCLUSION: African-American race was not independently associated with a higher rate of CMB burden when compared to Caucasians after adjusting for potential confounders. We also did not observe a significant racial difference regarding the location and prevalence of multiple CMBs (CMBs ≥ 5).

Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Chronic Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Five-Year Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although the recently updated U.S. alteplase label removed "history of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)" as a contraindication, there are very limited data on the safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with chronic ICH. We sought to evaluate IVT safety in AIS patients with a history of ICH. METHODS: We analyzed consecutive AIS patients treated with IVT at 3 tertiary stroke centers during a 5-year period. We identified AIS treated with IVT with clinical history and neuroimaging confirmation of prior ICH. The safety measure was symptomatic ICH (sICH) defined according to European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study-III criteria combined with the clinical deterioration of 4 points or higher in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) or death. RESULTS: Of the 1212 AIS patients treated with IVT, 7 (.6%) (mean age 72 ± 11 years, 57% men, median NIHSS: 5 points, interquartile range: 2-8) had a history of ICH (hematoma volume: 1-21 cm3, elapsed time between previous ICH and AIS: 1.5-12 years, 5 located in basal ganglia and 2 in periventricular white matter). Patients with previous ICH did not differ in terms of demographics and admission stroke severity in comparison with the rest. The 2 groups had similar rates of sICH (0% [0/7] versus 3.6%, P = .61) and in-hospital mortality (0% [0/7] versus 6.0%, P = .50). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that IVT might be safe among AIS patients with a history of chronic ICH. Further research with a larger sample size is required to confirm our finding and define the shortest time interval between the hemorrhagic and ischemic events that can be associated with the safe administration of IVT.

Racial Difference in Cerebral Microbleed Burden among Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data on the epidemiology of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) among patients with ischemic stroke are limited. This study compared the number, associated factors, and topography of CMBs between African American and Caucasian ischemic stroke patients in the Mid-South United States. METHOD: We evaluated consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to our tertiary stroke center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, in a two-year period. We analyzed T2*-weighted magnetic resonance images for the number, location, and topography of CMBs, as well as patients' demographic and clinical information. RESULTS: Among 760 ischemic stroke patients who were included (mean age was 62.1 ± 13.9 years, 51.4% men), 450 (59.2%) were African American. In comparison with Caucasians, African Americans were about five years younger (P = .000) and had a higher rate of hypertension (80.9% vs. 74.5%, P = .036). Similarly, African Americans had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P = .001). There was no significant difference between African-Americans and Caucasians in terms of CMBs presence and location. African Americans had a higher number of CMBs in comparison with Caucasians, but the difference was not significant. African Americans were more likely to have CMBs ≥5 (P = .047). Although African American stroke patients had a higher rate of large confluent white matter lesions, there was no significant racial difference regarding the rate and severity of deep white matter lesions. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any differences between African American and Caucasian patients with ischemic stroke patients regarding the presence, number, and location of CMBs. However, our results suggested that the prevalence of multiple CMBs (CMBs ≥5) might be higher among African American stroke patients.

Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis among Stroke Patients Taking New Oral Anticoagulants--Case Series and Systematic Review of Reported Cases.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines do not recommend the administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) to patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who take new oral anticoagulants (NOACs). We present a multicenter case series of IV-tPA use while the patients are on NOACs, as well as a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients on NOACs who received IV-tPA for symptoms of AIS at four participating stroke centers in the United States and Europe. Safety endpoints were post-thrombolysis symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) or other serious systemic bleeding. RESULTS: Between October 2010 and October 2014, 6 patients received IV-tPA for possible AIS while taking dabigatran. None of the patients had sICH or any other hemorrhagic complication. Literature review resulted in a total of 26 patients receiving IV-tPA while on NOACs (dabigatran: 15, rivaroxaban: 10, apixaban: 1). Among them, two patients experienced sICH and died. None of the patients experienced major extracranial hemorrhage; however, minor and asymptomatic hemorrhagic complications were described in 7 patients. Pooled analysis indicates an sICH rate of 6.45% (95% CI by the adjusted Wald method: .8-21.7%). The mean interval between the last dose of NOAC and IV thrombolysis was 12 ± 7.8 [4-28.3] hours. CONCLUSIONS: Although the safety of IV-tPA cannot be definitively confirmed in a small series, consideration of stroke severity and management of hemorrhage risk with general precautions with post-tPA management protocols can justify treatment in the absence of coagulopathy.

Thrombolysis for central retinal artery occlusion: An individual participant-level meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether thrombolysis improves outcomes in non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion (naCRAO) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the rate of visual recovery after intra-venous thrombolysis (IVT) or intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or urokinase among patients with naCRAO and explore the parameters affecting the final visual acuity (VA). AIM: We systematically searched six databases. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and VA of ⩾20/100 were used to quantify visual recovery. To explore the role of other factors on visual recovery, we defined two models for studies with aggregated data (designs 1 and 2) and 16 models for individual participant data (IPD, models 1-16). SUMMARY OF REVIEW: We included data from 771 patients out of 72 publications in nine languages. Visual improvement for ⩾0.3 logMAR was reported in 74.3% of patients who received IVT-tPA within 4.5 h (CI: 60.9-86.0%; unadjusted rate: 73.2%) and 60.0% of those who received IAT-tPA within 24 h (CI: 49.1-70.5%; unadjusted rate: 59.6%). VA of ⩾20/100 was observed among 39.0% of patients after IVT-tPA within 4.5 h and 21.9% of those with IAT-tPA within 24 h. IPD models highlighted the association between improved visual outcomes and VA at presentation, at least 2 weeks follow-up before reporting the final VA, antiplatelet therapy, and shorter symptom onset to thrombolysis window. CONCLUSION: Early thrombolytic therapy with tPA is associated with enhanced visual recovery in naCRAO. Future studies should refine the optimum time window for thrombolysis in naCRAO.

Acute Multiple Cranial Neuropathies in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Report and Scoping Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES: Cranial nerve (CN) involvement is not a common feature of typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients with acute presentation of CN palsy in CIDP may be misdiagnosed and treated as other pathologies. METHODS: We report a patient with multiple cranial neuropathies at the onset of CIDP in detail. In addition, we reviewed a large cohort of patients with CN involvement in CIDP and summarized their characteristics and clinical findings. RESULTS: We presented a 28-year-old woman who presented with progressive weakness and involvement of CN III, VII, X, XII in the subacute phase who was diagnosed as CIDP and was treated accordingly. A scoping review of the literature resulted in a total of 59 patients with available patient-level data [61.2% men, median age of 32 (Q1-Q3; 20-51.5) years]. CN impairment was present in the acute phase of the polyneuropathy in 10 out of 43 patients (23.3%), while it took a median of 7.7 [Q1-Q3; 3-13] years for other patients to present CN palsy. Sensitivity analysis did not reveal any difference among patients with acute-phase presentation of CN symptoms (N = 11) compared with those with delayed CN palsy (N = 33) in terms of demographics, patterns of CN involvement, associated diminished sensorimotor findings, or relapse. However, patients with acute presentation of CN palsy underwent plasmapheresis approximately 4 times more than those with delayed CN presentations (45.5% vs. 12.1%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In this case presentation and review study, we observed that in one-fourth of patients with CIDP and CN neuropathy, CN involvement occurred in the acute phase. This finding indicates the necessity of considering CIDP among differential diagnoses of patients with CN involvement and polyneuropathies.

Prevalence and Determinants of Long-Term Post-COVID Conditions in the United States: 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of COVID survivors experience lingering and debilitating symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection. According to the national research plan on long COVID, it is a national priority to identify the prevalence of post-COVID conditions and their associated factors. METHOD: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022, the largest continuously gathered health survey dataset worldwide by the Centers for Disease Control. After identifying individuals with a positive history of COVID-19, we grouped COVID-19 survivors based on whether they experienced long-term post-COVID conditions. Using survey-specific R packages, we compared the two groups' socio-demographics, comorbidities, and lifestyle-related factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with post-COVID conditions. RESULTS: The overall estimated prevalence of long-term post-COVID conditions among COVID survivors was 21.7%. Fatigue (5.7%), dyspnea (4.2%), and anosmia/ageusia (3.8%) were the most frequent symptoms. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, female sex, body mass index (BMI)≥25, lack of insurance, history of pulmonary disease, depression, and arthritis, being a former smoker, and sleep duration <7 h/d were associated with higher odds of post-COVID conditions. On the other hand, age >64 y/o, Black race, and annual household income ≥$100k were associated with lower odds of post-COVID conditions. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate a notable prevalence of post-COVID conditions, particularly among middle-aged women and individuals with comorbidities or adverse lifestyles. This high-risk demographic may require long-term follow-up and support. Further investigations are essential to facilitate the development of specified healthcare and therapeutic strategies for those suffering from post-COVID conditions.

Exophytic glioma of the medulla: presentation, management and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Exophytic gliomas of the medulla are rare childhood tumors that mostly are pilocytic astrocytomas. Here we report our experience in 11 -children with this rare tumor. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using the records of children with exophytic gliomas of the medulla at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Tehran, Iran, from 2002 through 2013. The general, clinical, and radiological data and follow-up of all patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The patients mostly were male aged from 11 months to 7 years. Swallowing problems, failure to thrive and nausea and vomiting were the most common symptoms. The time span between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis was 2-24 months. Gross total resection of tumor was possible in 8 patients. Most tumors were pilocytic astrocytomas. Patients were followed for 2 months to 11 years (mean = 3.6 years). There was no intraoperative mortality. Recurrence occurred in 1 child with fibrillary astrocytoma. CONCLUSION: Gross total resection of symptomatic dorsal exophytic medullary glioma is recommended. Most tumors are pilocytic astrocytomas. The attachment of these tumors to important brainstem structures usually inhibits total resection. Electrophysiological monitoring of sensorimotor pathways and cranial nerves can be helpful to preserve surrounding neural tissue during tumor resection and to minimize complications. Regular follow-up of patients with clinical examination and brain MRI is mandatory. Repeated surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are suggested in cases with tumor recurrence or progression.

Transient Ischemic Attack Outpatient Clinic: Past Journey and Future Adventure.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), a constellation of temporary neurological symptoms, precedes stroke in one-fifth of patients. Thus far, many clinical models have been introduced to optimize the quality, time to treatment, and cost of acute TIA care, either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. In this article, we aim to review the characteristics and outcomes of outpatient TIA clinics across the globe. In addition, we discussed the main challenges for outpatient management of TIA, including triage and diagnosis, and the system dynamics of the clinics. We further reviewed the potential developments in TIA care, such as telemedicine, predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and advanced imaging.

Direct Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Prior Bridging Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current guideline recommends using an intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV tPA) prior to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in eligible acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). Some recent studies found no significant differences in the long-term functional outcomes between bridging therapy (BT, i.e., IV tPA prior to MT) and direct MT (dMT). METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the safety and functional outcomes between BT and dMT in AIS patients with ELVO who were eligible for IV tPA administration. Based on the ELVO location, patients were categorized as the anterior group (occlusion of the anterior circulation), or the combined group (occlusion of the anterior and/or posterior circulation). A subgroup analysis was performed based on the study type, i.e., RCT and non-RCT. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (3985 patients) matched the eligibility criteria. Comparing the BT and dMT groups, no significant differences in terms of mortality and good functional outcome were observed at 90 days. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhagic (sICH) events were more frequent in BT patients in the combined group (OR = 0.73, p = 0.02); this result remained significant only in the non-RCT subgroup (OR = 0.67, p = 0.03). The RCT subgroup had a significantly higher rate of successful revascularization in BT patients (OR = 0.73, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis uncovered no significant differences in functional outcome and mortality rate at 90 days between dMT and BT in patients with AIS who had ELVO. Although BT performed better in terms of successful recanalization rate, there is a risk of increased sICH rate in this group.