A New England COVID-19 Registry of Patients With CNS Demyelinating Disease: A Pilot Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to define the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection requiring hospitalization in patients with CNS demyelinating diseases such as MS and the factors that increase the risk for severe infection to guide decisions regarding patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A pilot cohort of 91 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection from the Northeastern United States was analyzed to characterize patient risk factors and factors associated with an increased severity of COVID-19 infection. Univariate analysis of variance was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test or analysis of variance for continuous variables and the χ2 or Fisher exact test for nominal variables. Univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression identified clinical characteristics or symptoms associated with hospitalization. RESULTS: Our cohort demonstrated a 27.5% hospitalization rate and a 4.4% case fatality rate. Performance on Timed 25-Foot Walk before COVID-19 infection, age, number of comorbidities, and presenting symptoms of nausea/vomiting and neurologic symptoms (e.g., paresthesia or weakness) were independent risk factors for hospitalization, whereas headache predicted a milder course without hospitalization. An absolute lymphocyte count was lower in hospitalized patients during COVID-19 infection. Use of disease-modifying therapy did not increase the risk of hospitalization but was associated with an increased need for respiratory support. DISCUSSION: The case fatality and hospitalization rates in our cohort were similar to those found in MS and general population COVID-19 cohorts within the region. Hospitalization was associated with increased disability, age, and comorbidities but not disease-modifying therapy use.

The spectrum of Epstein-Barr virus infections of the central nervous system after organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related neurologic complications have a diverse presentation in transplant recipients, creating diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians. In this case series, we report unique manifestations of EBV related neurologic complications following solid organ transplant and highlight pitfalls in management. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A retrospective search of the electronic medical record of all patients from January 2015 to December 2020 who underwent solid organ transplantation and had central nervous system complications as determined by ICD-10 codes were included. Three patients with unique manifestation of EBV-related neurologic complications after liver transplantation were identified. The first was a 52-year-old man with a live-donor liver transplant 11 years prior for Budd-Chiari syndrome presented with several weeks of headache and several lesions on brain MRI; he was diagnosed with primary central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. The second patient was a 63-year-old man with a deceased-donor liver transplant 16 years prior for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and was found to have a stroke; he was diagnosed with EBV encephalitis. The final patient was a 75-year-old woman with a deceased-donor liver transplant six years prior for primary biliary cirrhosis who presented with four months of gait instability; she was diagnosed with EBV myelitis. A review of the literature was performed to supplement description of the different diseases. CONCLUSIONS: EBV-related central nervous infection in post-transplant patients can manifest in a variety of neurologic syndromes, which can be challenging to diagnose. Careful correlation of clinical, pathologic, and radiologic findings and a high index of suspicion are crucial in identification and appropriate management.

Autoimmune Neurologic Emergencies.

Over the past decade, understanding of autoimmune neurologic disorders has exponentially increased. Many patients present as a neurologic emergency and require timely evaluation with rapid management and intensive care. However, the diagnosis is often either missed or delayed, which may lead to a significant burden of disabling morbidity and even mortality. A high level of suspicion in the at-risk population should be maintained to facilitate more rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment. At present, there is no all-encompassing algorithm specifically applicable to the management of fulminant autoimmune neurologic disorders. This article discusses manifestations and management of various autoimmune neurologic emergencies.

Worsening of anti-Hu paraneoplastic neurological syndrome related to anti-PD-1 treatment: Case report and review of literature.

We present an illustrative case of a 62-year-old woman with small cell lung cancer who developed progressive worsening of pre-existing anti-Hu antibody associated sensory neuronopathy after treatment with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, nivolumab. We review the literature and identify 6 reported cases to understand the clinical outcomes of patients with anti-Hu paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome (PNS) treated with anti-PD-1 treatment. The PNS clinical spectrum comprised of encephalitis, a combination of sensory neuronopathy and anti-NMDAR encephalitis, isolated sensory neuronopathy, and encephalomyelitis. Immune checkpoint inhibitor have the potential to worsen pre-existing anti-Hu PNS and may promote the development of anti-Hu PNS.

The Many Faces of Neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system, and one of the most common causes of epilepsy worldwide. The radiologic appearance of neurocysticercosis varies depending on the stage of the disease, and the stage of the disease determines the appropriate treatment. In this article, we review key neuroimaging characteristics of the stages of NCC (vesicular, colloidal, granular, and calcified) and treatment principles for these different stages of the disease.

Reverse Locked-In Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Basilar artery occlusion can cause locked-in syndrome, which is characterized by quadriplegia, anarthria, and limited communication via eye movements. Here, we describe an uncommon stroke syndrome associated with endovascular recanalization of the top of the basilar artery: "reverse locked-in syndrome." METHODS: We report the case of a patient with atypical neurological deficits caused by acute ischemic stroke of the midbrain tegmentum. We perform neuroanatomic localization of the patient's infarcts by mapping the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data onto a brainstem atlas. RESULTS: A 61-year-old man presented with acute coma and quadriplegia due to top of the basilar artery occlusion. He underwent emergent endovascular thrombectomy, with successful recanalization of the basilar artery at 4 h and 43 min post-ictus. The patient regained consciousness and purposeful movement in all four extremities, but the post-procedure neurological examination demonstrated bilateral ptosis with complete pupillary and oculomotor paralysis. MRI revealed infarction of the bilateral oculomotor nuclei in the midbrain tegmentum. At 9-month follow-up, he had anisocoria and dysconjugate gaze, but was living at home and required minimal assistance in performing all activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Since the patient's deficits were the exact opposite of those described in locked-in syndrome, we propose the term "reverse locked-in syndrome" to describe this neurological entity characterized by bilateral ptosis, non-reactive pupils, and ophthalmoplegia with preservation of consciousness and extremity motor function.

Is MuSK myasthenia gravis linked to IgG4-related disease?

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition that affects a wide variety of sites, including the nervous system, where it can involve the meninges or the pituitary gland, and cause perineural mass lesions. A large subset of acetylcholine receptor antibody (Ab)-negative myasthenia gravis (MG) patients has muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) Abs, generally of the IgG4 subclass. There has not been any association found between IgG4-RD and MuSK MG yet. We report the first case of MuSK MG associated with lymphadenopathy with histopathology consistent with IgG4-RD. A 54-year-old woman with MuSK MG developed eight compression fractures related to steroid therapy. Eighteen months after initial presentation she was found to have retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy with biopsy findings consistent with IgG4-RD. She was started on rituximab with clinical improvement and ability to taper immunomodulatory agents for the first time. Our case raises number of questions regarding a potential link between MuSK MG and IgG4-RD which may shed further light on the pathophysiology and management of these diseases.

Antibiotic-associated encephalopathy.

Delirium is a common and costly complication of hospitalization. Although medications are a known cause of delirium, antibiotics are an underrecognized class of medications associated with delirium. In this article, we comprehensively review the clinical, radiologic, and electrophysiologic features of antibiotic-associated encephalopathy (AAE). AAE can be divided into 3 unique clinical phenotypes: encephalopathy commonly accompanied by seizures or myoclonus arising within days after antibiotic administration (caused by cephalosporins and penicillin); encephalopathy characterized by psychosis arising within days of antibiotic administration (caused by quinolones, macrolides, and procaine penicillin); and encephalopathy accompanied by cerebellar signs and MRI abnormalities emerging weeks after initiation of antibiotics (caused by metronidazole). We correlate these 3 clinical phenotypes with underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of antibiotic neurotoxicity. Familiarity with these types of antibiotic toxicity can improve timely diagnosis of AAE and prompt antibiotic discontinuation, reducing the time patients spend in the delirious state.

Imaging in Neurologic Infections II: Fungal and Viral Diseases.

Infections of the nervous system have a significant impact on global mortality and morbidity. These infections are medical emergencies that are frequently diagnostically challenging. Incorporation of neuroimaging can be essential for early diagnosis and initiation of proper treatment. In this second part of this two-part review, we focus on diagnostic imaging features of selected fungal and viral nervous system infections.

Neurologic manifestations of the neglected tropical diseases.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization has identified 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that disproportionately affect the world's poorest populations. The neurologic aspects of many of these NTDs have received relatively little attention. METHODS: A review was performed in PubMed (MedLine) for each NTD by disease name, name of its causative organism, and neurology, neurosurgery, neurologist, brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, nervous system, encephalitis, meningitis, encephalopathy, stroke, neuropathy, and myopathy (1968-Sept. 2013). The Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines were used to determine the level of evidence of neurological involvement and treatment based on the reports identified. RESULTS: Neurologic manifestations were reported for all NTDs except yaws. Neurologic involvement was described in systematic reviews for four NTDs (Chagas disease, echinococcosis, rabies, cysticercosis) (levels 2a-3a), retrospective cohort studies for six (dengue, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis) (levels 2b-3b), case series for one (foodborne trematodiasis) (level 4), and case reports for five (Buruli ulcer, dracunculiasis, filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthes, and trachoma). Level 1 evidence for treatment of neurologic manifestations of NTDs was found for human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, and cysticercosis and level 2 evidence exists for treatment of neurologic involvement in Chagas disease. For the remaining NTDs, treatment of neurologic complications is described in case series and case reports only. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic manifestations of NTDs cause significant morbidity and mortality, although limited evidence exists on how best to treat these neurologic complications. Increased awareness of neurologic manifestations of the NTDs can increase their early identification and treatment, contributing to ongoing elimination and eradication campaigns.

Imaging in neurologic infections I: bacterial and parasitic diseases.

Often presenting as medical emergencies, nervous system infections can be diagnostically challenging. Knowledgeable utilization of neuroimaging modalities and the understanding of characteristic imaging findings facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. In the first part of this two-part review, we address common and unique diagnostic imaging features of bacterial and parasitic nervous system infections.