Neurophysiological Findings in Critical COVID-19 Patients With Peripheral Nervous System Manifestations.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 patients hospitalized in intensive care units develop neuromuscular manifestations. However, to our knowledge, a study describing the neurophysiological findings in these patients has not been reported. The objective of this study was to diagnose the cause of neuromuscular deficit in severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients, through neurophysiological examination. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational case series. Data were collected from April 13, 2020, to May 31, 2020. Twenty-two coronavirus disease 2019 patients with generalized neuromuscular deficit during intensive care unit hospitalization were studied. Neurophysiological examinations included motor and sensory peripheral nerve conductions, needle electromyography, F waves, and repetitive nerve stimulation. RESULTS: The subjects were 14 men (63.6%) and eight women, ranged from 35 to 74 years old (58.0, interquartile ranges 50.7-66.2). Intensive care unit hospitalization time ranged from 14 to 82 days (median 37.5, interquartile ranges 22.7-55.0). Through neurophysiological examination, myopathy was diagnosed in 17 patients (77.3%) and polyneuropathy in four (18.2%). Focal neuropathies were diagnosed in 12 patients (54.6%), with a total of 19 affected nerves. Common peroneal nerve lesions at the fibular head (68.4%) and ulnar nerve lesions at the elbow level (21.1%) were the most frequent locations. No significant differences were established between neurophysiological findings and clinical or analytical data. CONCLUSIONS: In critical coronavirus disease 2019 patients with neuromuscular complaints, neurophysiological examination provides an accurate diagnosis-useful to select treatment measures and establish the prognosis of recovery. Neurophysiological findings are similar to those described for critical illness neuromuscular disease, with myopathy being the most frequent diagnosis.

Sweet or Bland Dreams? Taste Loss in Isolated REM-Sleep Behavior Disorder and Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Hyposmia and isolated REM sleep behavior disorder are well-established features of prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether taste loss (reported in PD and possibly suggesting brain stem involvement) is present at the isolated REM sleep behavior disorder stage. METHODS: We assessed taste function using the Taste Strip Test (evaluating 4 concentrations of bitter, sweet, sour, and salty) in 44 participants with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder, 19 with PD, and 29 controls. All participants underwent video-polysomnography, standardized questionnaires, and clinical examination, including olfactory assessment. RESULTS: Participants with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and PD had lower taste scores than controls. There was no difference between isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and PD cohorts, nor was there any correlation between taste and olfaction, age, disease duration, cognition, or autonomic function. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of taste impairment in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder that is independent of olfactory dysfunction and comparable to participants with PD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Síndrome cistocerebral: a propósito de un caso / Cystocerebral syndrome: A case report

RESUMEN El síndrome cistocerebral fue descrito por primera vez en 1990 por Blackburn y Dunn. Los casos estudiados fueron varones ancianos con síndrome confusional agudo y retención urinaria aguda que, tras un drenaje vesical, presentaron resolución completa del cuadro clínico. Se reporta el caso de un anciano con disminución rápida del nivel de consciencia, mioclonías, hipotensión arterial, bradicardia y retención aguda de orina que experimentó total remisión del cuadro clínico luego del drenaje vesical correspondiente. Se describen, asimismo, los posibles mecanismos implicados en el origen de este síndrome y las alteraciones hemodinámicas y autonómicas subyacentes. Se sugiere considerar al síndrome cistocerebral en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes varones ancianos con síndrome confusional o deterioro cognitivo e hipertrofia prostática y que presenten, además, un episodio de retención urinaria aguda.

SUMMARY Cystocerebral syndrome was first described in 1990 by Blackburn and Dunn, in elderly males with acute confusion syndrome and urinary retention, who after bladder drainage experienced full resolution of the clinical picture. We report the case of an elderly male patient with Cystocerebral syndrome and symptoms such as a rapid decrease in consciousness level, myoclonies, hypotension, bradycardia and acute urinary retention who, after bladder drainage presented a complete remission of the clinical picture. The potential mechanisms involved in the origin of this syndrome are described, as well as its underlying hemodynamic and autonomic alterations. Cystocerebral syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a confusional syndrome and cognitive impairment, diagnosed with prostatic hypertrophy and presenting, in addition, an episode of acute urinary retention.

Estado de coma y patrón electroencefalográfico de brote-supresión por sobredosis de Baclofeno / Coma state and the electroencephalogram burst-suppression pattern related to baclofen overdose

El baclofeno es un análogo estructural del ácido gamma-aminobutírico empleado principalmente como relajante del músculo esquelético para el tratamiento de espasticidad y distonías. Las manifestaciones clínicas de intoxicación por este fármaco, se deben a alteración del nivel de conciencia que produce somnolencia, estado de coma e incluso la muerte. Desde el punto de vista electroencefalográfico, se ha descrito en estos casos, el llamado patrón de brote- supresión. Se presenta el caso de una mujer que súbitamente presentó dificultad para la bipedestación y mutismo acinético y, posteriormente, evolucionó a un estado de coma sin causa aparente. Una evaluación minuciosa en el Servicio de Emergencia, incluyó electroencefalograma urgente que resultó compatible con un patrón continuo de brote-supresión. Ante la sospecha de una intoxicación por baclofeno, la paciente fue tratada con diálisis, la cual revirtió el cuadro clínico y normalizó la actividad electroencefalográfica en un periodo de cinco días.

Baclofen is a structural analog of gamma-aminobutyric acid, primarily used as a skeletal muscle relaxant for treatment of spasticity and dystonia. The clinical picture of baclofen intoxication includes reduction or loss of consciousness and manifestations such as sleepness, coma or even death. Electroencephalograms performed in these cases have consistently shown the so-called burst-suppression pattern. The case of a female patient who suddenly presented difficulty to still-standing and mutism and later evolved into coma, is presented. A detailed study was performed in the emergency department, including an electroencephalogram compatible with a continuous burst-suppression pattern. The patient was treated with dialysis in the face of a possible baclofen intoxication and, in a period of five days, the clinical symptoms reverted and the electroencephalographic activity was normalized.