Testosterone Therapy for Dropped Head Syndrome: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is an impairment of neck extension resulting in a chin-on-chest deformity. DHS is rarely seen but a major hindrance to daily function in affected patients. DHS has been associated with movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and electrolyte and endocrine abnormalities. DHS has also been seen in survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) years after irradiation. HL survivors are also at risk for endocrine hypogonadism after chemotherapy. We present the case of a 58-year-old male HL survivor with dropped head and limited strength in his atrophic neck extensor muscles. Laboratory testing and imaging, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and muscle biopsy of the neck extensors revealed myopathic and neurogenic changes. Conservative management was unsuccessful. With a desire to avoid surgical fixation, he asked his primary care physician to check his testosterone levels, which returned as low normal. Within 4 months of starting testosterone therapy, he no longer experienced dropped head.

Near-Infrared Confocal Laser Reflectance Cytoarchitectural Imaging of the Substantia Nigra and Cerebellum in the Fresh Human Cadaver.

BACKGROUND: Cytoarchitectural neuroimaging remains critical for diagnosis of many brain diseases. Fluorescent dye-enhanced, near-infrared confocal in situ cellular imaging of the brain has been reported. However, impermeability of the blood-brain barrier to most fluorescent dyes limits clinical utility of this modality. The differential degree of reflectance from brain tissue with unenhanced near-infrared imaging may represent an alternative technique for in situ cytoarchitectural neuroimaging. METHODS: We assessed the utility of unenhanced near-infrared confocal laser reflectance imaging of the cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra in 2 fresh human cadaver brains using a confocal near-infrared laser probe. Cellular images based on near-infrared differential reflectance were captured at depths of 20-180 µm from the brain surface. Parts of the cerebellum and substantia nigra imaged using the probe were subsequently excised and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histologic correlation. RESULTS: Near-infrared reflectance imaging revealed the 3-layered cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum, with Purkinje cells appearing hyperreflectant. In the substantia nigra, neurons appeared hyporeflectant with hyperreflectant neuromelanin cytoplasmic inclusions. Cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra revealed on near-infrared imaging closely correlated with the histology on hematoxylin-eosin staining. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that unenhanced near-infrared reflectance imaging of fresh human cadaver brain can reliably identify and distinguish neurons and detailed cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra.

Association between trauma and acute hemorrhage of cavernous malformations in children: report of 3 cases.

OBJECTIVE Cavernous hemangiomas are benign congenital vascular abnormalities. Intracerebral cavernous hemangiomas have an appreciable risk of spontaneous hemorrhage. Little is known as to whether head trauma increases the risk of bleeding for these lesions. In this study, the authors present a case series of 3 patients with posttraumatic nonspontaneous hemorrhage of intracerebral cavernous malformations (CMs). For the first time, to the authors' knowledge, they propose that trauma might constitute a risk factor for acute hemorrhage in intracerebral cavernomas. METHODS The authors reviewed the charts of all patients with a new diagnosis of intracerebral cavernoma at their pediatric hospital between 2010 and 2014. Patients with a history of head trauma prior to presentation were subsequently studied to identify features common to these posttraumatic, hemorrhage-prone lesions. RESULTS A history of head trauma was identified in 3 of 19 cases. These 3 patients presented with seizures and/or headaches and were found to have acute hemorrhage within a cavernous hemangioma. None of these patients had any history of abnormal neurological symptoms. All 3 abnormal vascular lesions had associated developmental venous anomalies (DVAs). The 3 patients underwent resection of their respective vascular abnormalities, and the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma was confirmed with postsurgical tissue pathology. All 3 patients had complete resolution of symptoms following complete excision of their lesions. CONCLUSIONS Trauma may represent a risk factor for acute hemorrhage in patients with CMs. The presence of associated DVAs may represent a risk factor for posttraumatic hemorrhage of cavernomas. Excision should be considered in such cases, if feasible.

Toluene optic neurotoxicity: magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic features.

Toluene, a colorless liquid found in glues, paints, and industrial products, is lipid soluble and rapidly absorbed by the lipid-rich central nervous system. Prolonged exposure through occupation or purposeful inhalation may lead to neurologic abnormalities. Two men presented with multifocal central nervous system defects and bilateral optic neuropathy of unclear etiology. After numerous diagnostic tests, including brain magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, hematologic studies, and in one patient a brain biopsy, chronic inhalation of toluene was found to be the cause. Timely diagnosis is important because patients may experience improvement in neurologic and ocular manifestations with cessation of exposure, whereas continued inhalant abuse or exposure can result in permanent loss of neurologic function.

Incidental finding of placental choriocarcinoma after an uncomplicated term pregnancy: a case report with review of the literature.

Choriocarcinoma is frequently preceded by a complete mole, ectopic pregnancy, nonmolar intrauterine abortion, and uncommonly by a partial mole. Choriocarcinoma coexisting with or after an otherwise "normal" pregnancy is extremely rare, with an estimated occurrence of 1 per 160,000 pregnancies. We here report a case of a placental choriocarcinoma with no metastases in a full-term intrauterine pregnancy. The patient is a 29-year-old gravida 2 para 1 female, who had an uncomplicated full-term vaginal delivery of a healthy 3030 g female infant. Her current pregnancy was uneventful, and past medical history was significant for an elective termination of pregnancy 2 years ago at 8 weeks of gestation. Routine examination of the placenta showed a gray-tan nodule, measuring 2 cm in the largest dimension, with a papillary cut surface. Microscopically, this nodule was composed of highly atypical cytotrophoblastic cells and multinucleated atypical syncytiotrophoblastic cells, which were positive for beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin by immunostaining. Extensive necrosis and multiple foci of hemorrhage were present. The overall morphologic and immunohistochemical features were diagnostic for choriocarcinoma. Further investigations, including a full body computed tomography scan, showed no lesions suspicious for metastases. The patient is currently asymptomatic and being followed-up with monthly beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels, the most recent one being negative. By reporting this case and reviewing the literature, we support the opinion of a recent similar case report that the incidence of placental choriocarcinoma may actually be higher than expected, as placental examination after a normal spontaneous delivery is not routinely performed at most of the institutions.

Disseminated Prototheca wickerhamii infection with arthritis and tenosynovitis.

Achloric algae of the Prototheca species are a rare cause of infection in humans. These infections are usually localized to the skin, olecranon bursae, and tendon sheaths of the hands and wrists. Our patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and a chronic Prototheca wickerhamii skin infection of the hand developed tenosynovitis and arthritis of his ankle in the setting of a documented algemia. This is the first reported case of protothecal arthritis and tenosynovitis resulting from hematogenous dissemination. The reported musculoskeletal manifestations of protothecal infections are reviewed.