Causas no inflamatorias de consulta urgente en esclerosis múltiple / Non-inflammatory causes of emergency consultation in patients with multiple sclerosis

Objetivos: Describir consultas urgentes de pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) distintas a brotes: causas, dificultades diagnósticas, características clínicas y tratamientos empleados.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo de los pacientes que acudieron a un Hospital de Día de EM en 2 años por sospecha de brote y que recibieron un diagnóstico alternativo. Se evaluaron variables demográficas, características clínicas de los pacientes, diagnósticos finales y tratamientos. Los pacientes con diagnóstico final de brote e inicialmente diagnosticados de pseudobrote se evaluaron específicamente. Con una finalidad exploratoria se compararon las características de los pacientes que consultaban por causas no inflamatorias con una cohorte de pacientes aleatoriamente seleccionados que habían sufrido un brote en el mismo periodo de tiempo.ResultadosSe incluyeron un total de 50 pacientes inicialmente diagnosticados de pseudobrotes (33 mujeres, con edad media 41,4 ± 11,7 años). Cuatro pacientes (8% del total) fueron inicialmente diagnosticados de pseudobrote aunque posteriormente fueron diagnosticados de un verdadero brote. La fiebre y el vértigo fueron los principales factores de confusión. Las causas no inflamatorias de consulta urgente fueron: neurológicas: 43,5% (20); infecciosas: 15,2% (7); psiquiátricas: 10,9% (5); vértigo: 8,6% (4); traumatológicas: 10,9% (5), y otras: 10,9% (5).ConclusionesLa mayor parte de las consultas urgentes no inflamatorias fueron causadas por síntomas relacionados con la EM. El seguimiento estrecho de brotes y pseudobrotes es necesario para detectar diagnósticos incorrectos, evitar tratamientos innecesarios y aliviar los síntomas de los pacientes. (AU)

Objectives: To describe non-relapse-related emergency consultations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS): causes, difficulties in the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and treatments administered.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of patients who attended a multiple sclerosis day hospital due to suspected relapse and received an alternative diagnosis, over a 2-year period. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, final diagnosis, and treatments administered were evaluated. Patients who were initially diagnosed with pseudo-relapse and ultimately diagnosed with true relapse were evaluated specifically. As an exploratory analysis, patients who consulted with non-inflammatory causes were compared with a randomly selected cohort of patients with true relapses who attended the centre in the same period.ResultsThe study included 50 patients (33 were women; mean age 41.4 ± 11.7 years). Four patients (8%) were initially diagnosed with pseudo-relapse and later diagnosed as having a true relapse. Fever and vertigo were the main confounding factors. The non-inflammatory causes of emergency consultation were: neurological, 43.5% (20 patients); infectious, 15.2% (7); psychiatric, 10.9% (5); vertigo, 8.6% (4); trauma, 10.9% (5); and miscellaneous, 10.9% (5).ConclusionsMS-related symptoms constituted the most frequent cause of non-inflammatory emergency consultations. Close follow-up of relapse and pseudo-relapse is necessary to detect incorrect initial diagnoses, avoid unnecessary treatments, and relieve patients’ symptoms. (AU)

Non-inflammatory causes of emergency consultation in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe non-relapse-related emergency consultations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS): causes, difficulties in the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and treatments administered. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who attended a multiple sclerosis day hospital due to suspected relapse and received an alternative diagnosis, over a 2-year period. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, final diagnosis, and treatments administered were evaluated. Patients who were initially diagnosed with pseudo-relapse and ultimately diagnosed with true relapse were evaluated specifically. As an exploratory analysis, patients who consulted with non-inflammatory causes were compared with a randomly selected cohort of patients with true relapses who attended the centre in the same period. RESULTS: The study included 50 patients (33 were women; mean age 41.4 ±â€¯11.7 years). Four patients (8%) were initially diagnosed with pseudo-relapse and later diagnosed as having a true relapse. Fever and vertigo were the main confounding factors. The non-inflammatory causes of emergency consultation were: neurological, 43.5% (20 patients); infectious, 15.2% (7); psychiatric, 10.9% (5); vertigo, 8.6% (4); trauma, 10.9% (5); and miscellaneous, 10.9% (5). CONCLUSIONS: MS-related symptoms constituted the most frequent cause of non-inflammatory emergency consultations. Close follow-up of relapse and pseudo-relapse is necessary to detect incorrect initial diagnoses, avoid unnecessary treatments, and relieve patients' symptoms.

[Validation of supra-aortic trunks ultrasound in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease of the internal carotid artery. Comparison of the results with angiography]. / Validación del estudio ultrasonológico de troncos supraaórticos en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad aterosclerótica de la arteria carótida interna. Comparación de los resultados con los de angiografía.

INTRODUCTION: Arteriosclerosis of the extra-cranial arteries is believed to be responsible for almost one-third of all ischaemic strokes. The sound diagnosis of the degree of stenosis is essential in deciding the best therapeutic strategy. Although cerebral angiography is considered the reference technique, ultrasound study (UST) is a more readily available, non-invasive and well-established procedure for quantifying carotid stenosis. However, on being a dependent exploratory technique, it is recommended that each laboratory validates its results against angiography. OBJECTIVES: To establish the validity of the neuro-ultrasound study in our laboratory for use in the diagnosis of extracranial atheromatous disease, and determine its capacity to quantify the degree of stenosis in the internal carotid artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with extracranial carotid atheromatous disease, in whom the diagnostic process was carried out with carotid ultrasound as well as supra-aortic trunk digital-subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A total of 254 carotids were evaluated and the degree of stenosis being classified into > 50%, 70-99% and 100%. The UST for the first group had a sensitivity (Se) of 97%, a specificity (Sp) of 90%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.6% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.2%. The second group had an Se of 96.4%, Sp 93%; PPV 94.4% and NPV 95.4%. The respective values for carotid occlusion were, 85%, 96.8%, 80% and 97.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data validates the ability of UST performed in our Laboratory to diagnose the degree of carotid stenosis.

Deterioro neurológico grave tras una intoxicación por monóxido de carbono tres semanas antes / Serious neurological deterioration three weeks after carbon monoxide poisoning

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[SUNCT syndrome and neoplasms in the central nervous system. A new association]. / Síndrome SUNCT y neoplasias en el sistema nervioso central. Una nueva asociación.

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome is a rare form of primary headache disorder, although secondary causes are well known. A growing number of cases have been described since its description in 1978 up to now. We report a new case in a 72 year old woman suffering SUNCT syndrome secondary to two ipsilateral intracranial lesions in the basal portion of the left frontal lobe of the sphenoid wing and the left pontocerebellar angle, suggestive of meningiomas. The patient was successfully treated with carbamazepine. We discuss the differential diagnosis with other very brief headaches associated with cranial autonomic features and the therapeutics possibilities. We review the secondary cases previously reported. The possible pathophysiological mechanism in this case is discussed.

Infarto cerebral en paciente joven de etiología poco habitual / Cerebral infarction of rare etiology in a young patient

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[Cerebral infarction due to spontaneous dissection of the left common carotid artery]. / In process citation.

Spontaneous dissection of the extracranial cervicocephalic arteries occurs most often in the internal carotid artery or vertebral artery. Spontaneous dissection of a common carotid artery is rare, with only nine cases having been reported. A 43-year-old man was hospitalized for sudden onset of motor aphasia and right arm weakness due to spontaneous dissection of a left common carotid artery; no sign of aortic disection was evident on aortogram. The most common causes of dissection of the common carotid artery are the extension of an aortic dissection and the complication in an angiogram with direct puncture; spontaneous dissection being very rare. We review the previous literature on this topic.

Infarto cerebral por disección espontánea de la arteria carótida común izquierda / Cerebral infarction due to spontaneous dissection of the left common carotid artery

La disección arterial espontánea de las arterias cervicocefálicas ocurren generalmente en la arteria carótida interna y en la vertebral. La disección de la arteria carótida común es rara, y se han comunicado muy pocos casos en la bibliografía. Describimos el caso de un paciente de 43 años, hospitalizado por un cuadro brusco de afasia motora y debilidad en el brazo derecho secundario a un infarto cerebral por disección espóntanea de la arteria carótica común izquierda, no acompañada de disección de la aorta. Las causas más frecuentes de disección de la arteria carótida común son la extensión de una disección aórtica y la complicación de una angiografía por punción directa; la forma espontánea es excepcional. Realizamos una revisión de la bibliografía a este respecto (AU)

[Motor neuron disease and HIV]. / Enfermedad de motoneurona e infección por VIH.

Motor-neuron disease, in particular its commonest form (lateral amyotrophic sclerosis) is a degenerative disease of unknown aetiology and inexorable course with an estimated incidence of 0.4-1.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. In recent years great efforts have been made to discover the aetiopathogenesis of this disorder, studying genetic, viral, endocrine, toxic factors, etc. We present the case of a 30 year old man who started to develop a clinical condition compatible with motor-neuron disease 18 months after diagnosis of HIV. An extensive differential diagnosis was considered in view of this past history. Complementary tests considered necessary for diagnosis of motor-neurone disease and for exclusion of other neurological conditions related to HIV were done. After 16 months of follow-up the condition has become a clear case of ELA type motor neurone disease with no further HIV-related pathology. We discuss questions concerning the aetiopathology of the disease, based on the currently accepted viral hypothesis and describe recent findings related to both.

[The association of the Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome and subacute cerebellar degeneration of nonparaneoplastic origin]. / Asociación de síndrome miasteniforme de Eaton-Lambert y degeneración cerebelosa subaguda de origen no paraneoplásico.

A 52-year-old male with Eaton-Lambert syndrome associated to seven years subacute cerebellar degeneration of non paraneoplastic origin is presented. Immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine allowed the neuromuscular symptoms to be controlled although no appreciable effects were observed in the cerebellar symptoms which remained stable.