Spinal procedures, pneumocephalus, and cranial nerve palsies: A review of the literature.

Purpose: Minimally invasive and surgical spine procedures are commonplace with various risks and complications. Cranial nerve palsies, however, are infrequently encountered, particularly after procedures such as lumbar punctures, epidural anesthesia, or intrathecal injections, and are understandably worrisome for clinicians and patients as they may be interpreted as secondary to a sinister etiology. However, a less commonly considered source is a pneumocephalus which may, in rare cases, abut cranial nerves and cause a palsy as a benign and often self-resolving complication. Here, we present the case of a patient who underwent an intrathecal methotrexate infusion for newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma and subsequently developed an abducens nerve palsy due to pneumocephalus. We highlight the utility of various imaging modalities, treatment options, and review current literature on spinal procedures resulting in cranial nerve palsies attributable to pneumocephalus presenting as malignant etiologies.

Non-stenosing carotid artery plaques in embolic stroke of undetermined source: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aim to identify the association between high-risk carotid plaques and their laterality to stroke in ESUS patient population. We also discuss recurrent stroke events and their laterality to the index stroke. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. We reviewed data for patients with ESUS between June 20, 2016, and June 20, 2021. Using computed tomography angiography, we analyzed plaque features that are associated with ESUS, and then, we identified the recurrent stroke events and characterized lateralization to the index stroke. RESULTS: Out of 1779 patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke, we included 152 patients who met the criteria for ESUS. High-risk plaque features were found more often ipsilateral to the stroke side when compared contralaterally: plaque ulceration (19.08% vs 5.26%, p < .0001), plaque thickness > 3 mm (19.08% vs 7.24%, p = 0.001), and plaque length > 1 cm (13.16% vs 5.92%, p = 0.0218). There was also a significant difference in plaque component in which both components (soft and calcified) and only soft plaques were more prevalent ipsilaterally (42.76% vs 23.68% and 17.76% vs 9.21%, respectively, p < .0001). Of the 152 patients, 17 patients were found to have a recurrent stroke event, and 47% (n = 8) had an ipsilateral stroke to the index event. Moreover, stroke was bilateral in 41% of the patients (n = 7), and contralateral in 12% (n = 2). CONCLUSION: High-risk plaque features studied here were more prevalent ipsilaterally to the stroke side in ESUS than contralaterally. Multicenter studies are needed to form precise prediction models and scoring systems to help guide treatment, i.e., choice of medical therapy and/or revascularization.

The role of non-stenosing carotid artery plaques in embolic stroke of undetermined source, is it a silent offender? A review of literature.

PURPOSE: Atherosclerotic cervical internal carotid artery disease is one of the major causes of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks. The risk of stroke from mild to moderate stenoses (i.e. <50% stenosis) might be underestimated. There is increasing evidence that plaque morphological features reflect plaque instability that may harbor high risk for embolization. In this narrative review, we will review the literature on plaque features that predict vulnerability beyond the degree of stenosis, discuss the clinical association with stroke, and evaluate the evidence that these lesions serve as a source for embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS). METHODS: We performed a literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The terms "embolic stroke of undetermined source" and "plaque morphology" were used either alone or in combination with "non-flow limiting stenosis," "non-stenosing plaques," "high-risk plaque features" or "internal carotid artery plaque." Data on plaque morphology and ESUS were mainly taken from review articles, observational studies including retrospective cohort and cross-sectional studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. CONCLUSION: Nonstenosing carotid artery plaques with high-risk features carry a remarkable risk for stroke occurrence and randomized clinical trials are warranted for further evaluation of using carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy to mitigate the risk of stroke.

Neurosyphilis in disguise.

PURPOSE: Neurosyphilis can mimic different diseases, not only in its clinical presentation but also on imaging. Treponema pallidum is also known as the "great imitator." Having an ultimate diagnosis of neurosyphilis is quite critical as this can affect management drastically. Herein, we discuss the case of a 69-year-old female who was treated for neurosyphilis, while having an atypical imaging finding of anterior temporal lobe enhancement that simulated an infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV); we also review the available literature on different imaging findings in both the early and late stages of the disease. METHODS: We performed a literature search using the new PubMed in June 2021. The terms "neurosyphilis", "MRI", and "neuroimaging" were used either alone or in combination with "early neurosyphilis" or "late neurosyphilis". Data on neurosyphilis and imaging findings was mainly derived from review articles, cohort studies, case series, and individual reports. CONCLUSION: Neurosyphilis can present with an extensive variation and different patterns on the MRI, and clinicians must be aware of the wide variety in radiological presentations. Anterior temporal lobe involvement is a rare presentation and requires evaluating for neurosyphilis to prevent a missed diagnosis and treatment.