Whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging in inflammatory myopathy with mitochondrial pathology.

Introduction: Inflammatory myopathy with mitochondrial pathology (IM-Mito) is a rare condition described in a few case series, and it is not clear whether it is a specific disease or a variant of Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). Radiological data of IM-Mito patients has only been evaluated in one study. Aim: To analyze whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with IM-Mito compared with individuals with IBM. Methods: Fourteen IM-Mito and ten IBM patients were included. IM-Mito was defined by endomysial inflammatory infiltrate, presence of at least 1% of Cytochrome C Oxidase negative fibers, and absence of rimmed vacuoles in muscle biopsy; and IBM was defined by the presence of dystrophic muscular abnormalities, endomysial inflammatory infiltrate, and rimmed vacuoles. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and whole-body muscle MRI to determine the presence of edema, and fatty infiltration in various muscles. Results: Muscle imaging abnormalities were asymmetric in most patients with IM-Mito and IBM. Muscles with the highest average degree of fatty infiltration in both conditions were the quadriceps and medial gastrocnemius. Most patients with IM-Mito and IBM showed imaging patterns of rectus femoris relatively spared compared to other quadriceps muscles. The flexor digitorum profundus was the most affected muscle of the upper limbs in both IBM and IM-Mito. Discussion: Although the results suggest some similarities in muscle imaging features between IM-Mito and IBM, there remains uncertainty whether these two conditions are part of the same clinical spectrum.

The Location of Disease-Causing DES Variants Determines the Severity of Phenotype and the Morphology of Sarcoplasmic Aggregates.

Desmin (DES) is the main intermediate muscle filament that connects myofibrils individually and with the nucleus, sarcolemma, and organelles. Pathogenic variants of DES cause desminopathy, a disorder affecting the heart and skeletal muscles. We aimed to analyze the clinical features, morphology, and distribution of desmin aggregates in skeletal muscle biopsies of patients with desminopathy and to correlate these findings with the type and location of disease-causing DES variants. This retrospective study included 30 patients from 20 families with molecularly confirmed desminopathy from 2 neuromuscular referral centers. We identified 2 distinct patterns of desmin aggregates: well-demarcated subsarcolemmal aggregates and diffuse aggregates with poorly delimited borders. Pathogenic variants located in the 1B segment and the tail domain of the desmin molecule are more likely to present with early-onset cardiomyopathy compared to patients with variants in other segments. All patients with mutations in the 1B segment had well-demarcated subsarcolemmal aggregates, but none of the patients with variants in other desmin segments showed such histological features. We suggest that variants located in the 1B segment lead to well-shaped subsarcolemmal desmin aggregation and cause disease with more frequent cardiac manifestations. These findings will facilitate early identification of patients with potentially severe cardiac syndromes.

Managing intrathecal administration of nusinersen in adolescents and adults with 5q-spinal muscular atrophy and previous spinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease of lower motor neurons associated with frequent occurrence of spinal deformity. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that increases SMN protein level and is administrated by frequent intrathecal lumbar injections. Thus, spinal deformities and previous spinal surgery are important challenges for drug delivery in SMA. OBJECTIVE: To report imaging methods used for Nusinersen injection in SMA patients. METHODS: Nusinersen injection procedures in SMA types 2 and 3 patients who had previous spinal surgery were analyzed retrospectively to describe the imaging and puncture procedures, as well as the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: Nine SMA patients (14 to 50 years old) underwent 57 lumbar punctures for nusinersen injection. Six patients had no interlaminar space available; in five of them, a transforaminal approach was used, and another one underwent a surgery to open a posterior bone window for the injections. Transforaminal puncture was performed using CT scan in three cases and fluoroscopy in the other two, with a similar success rate. One patient in the transforaminal group had post-procedure radiculitis, and another one had vagal reaction (hypotension). In three cases, with preserved interlaminar space, injections were performed by posterior interlaminar puncture, and only one adverse event was reported (post-puncture headache). CONCLUSION: In SMA patients with previous spinal surgery, the use of imaging-guided intervention is necessary for administering intrathecal nusinersen. Transforaminal technique is indicated in patients for whom the interlaminar space is not available, and injections should always be guided by either CT or fluoroscopy.

Intragenic variants in the SMN1 gene determine the clinical phenotype in 5q spinal muscular atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to report the proportion of homozygous and compound heterozygous variants in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene in a large population of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and to correlate the severity of the disease with the presence of specific intragenic variants in SMN1 and with the SMN2 copy number. METHODS: Four hundred fifty Brazilian patients with SMA were included in a retrospective study, and clinical data were analyzed compared with genetic data; the SMN2 copy number was obtained by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and pathogenic variants in SMN1 by next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Four hundred two patients (89.3%) presented homozygous exon 7-SMN1 deletion, and 48 (10.7%) were compound heterozygous for the common deletion in one allele and a point mutation in the other allele. Recurrent variants in exons 3 and 6 (c.460C>T, c.770_780dup and c.734_735insC) accounted for almost 80% of compound heterozygous patients. Another recurrent pathogenic variant was c.5C>G at exon 1. Patients with c.770_780dup and c.734_735insC had a clinical phenotype correlated with SMN2 copy number, whereas the variants c.460C>T and c.5C>G determined a milder phenotype independently of the SMN2 copies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with specific pathogenic variants (c.460C>T and c.5C>G) presented a milder phenotype, and the SMN2 copy number did not correlate with disease severity in this group.

Cognitive performance of children with spinal muscular atrophy: A systematic review.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is genetic and progressive, caused by large bi-allelic deletions in the SMN1 gene, or the association of a large deletion and a null variant. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the evidence about cognitive outcomes in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS: Searches on the PUBMED/Medline, Web of Knowledge and Scielo databases retrieved 26 studies (1989 to 2019, descriptors "spinal muscular atrophy" and "cognition"). Nine studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria: (1) cognition tested in individuals with SMA; (2) written in English or Spanish. The Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions was used to describe design, bias, participants, evaluation protocol and main findings. This study was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO). RESULTS: Three studies described normal cognition. In another three studies, cognitive outcomes were above average. Cognitive impairment was found in three studies. Poor cognitive performance was more frequently reported in studies that were recent, included children with SMA type I and that employed visual/auditory attention and executive function tests. Protocols and cognitive domains varied, precluding metanalysis. CONCLUSION: The severity of motor impairment may be related to cognitive outcomes: studies that included a higher number/percentage of children with SMA type I found cognitive impairment. The establishment of gold-standard protocols is necessary. Further studies should compare the cognitive outcomes of subjects with SMA types I to IV.

A atrofia muscular espinhal (SMA) é genética e progressiva, causada por grandes deleções bi-alélicas no gene SMN1, ou pela associação de uma grande deleção e uma variante nula. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as evidências sobre o desempenho cognitivo na atrofia muscular espinhal (AME). MÉTODOS: Pesquisas nas bases de dados PUBMED/ Medline, Web of Knowledge e Scielo localizaram 26 estudos (1989 a 2019, descritores "atrofia muscular espinhal" e "cognição"). Nove estudos foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade: (1) testaram a cognição em pessoas com AME; (2) escritos em inglês/espanhol. A avaliação do risco de viés em estudos com intervenções não-randomizadas foi utilizada para descrever o desenho experimental, viés, amostra, protocolo de avaliação e principais achados. Este estudo foi aprovado no Registro Internacional Prospectivo de Revisões Sistemáticas (PROSPERO). RESULTADOS: Em três estudos, foi registrado que a cognição estava preservada. Em três estudos, o desempenho cognitivo estava acima da média. O comprometimento cognitivo foi encontrado em três estudos. Desempenho cognitivo pobre foi mais frequentemente relatado em estudos recentes, estudos que incluíram crianças com AME tipo I e estudos que incluíram atenção visual/auditiva e testes de função executiva. Protocolos e domínios cognitivos variaram muito, portanto não foi possível a realização de metanálise. CONCLUSÃO: A gravidade do comprometimento motor pode estar relacionada ao desempenho cognitivo: estudos que incluíram maior número/porcentagem de crianças com AME tipo I encontraram alterações no desempenho cognitivo. O estabelecimento de protocolos padrão-ouro é necessário. Novos estudos devem comparar o desempenho cognitivo de pessoas com AME tipos I a IV, ou seja, com diferenças no prognóstico e no desempenho motor.

Cognitive performance of children with spinal muscular atrophy: A systematic review / Desempenho cognitivo de crianças com atrofia muscular espinhal: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is genetic and progressive, caused by large bi-allelic deletions in the SMN1 gene, or the association of a large deletion and a null variant. Objective: To evaluate the evidence about cognitive outcomes in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: Searches on the PUBMED/Medline, Web of Knowledge and Scielo databases retrieved 26 studies (1989 to 2019, descriptors "spinal muscular atrophy" and "cognition"). Nine studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria: (1) cognition tested in individuals with SMA; (2) written in English or Spanish. The Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions was used to describe design, bias, participants, evaluation protocol and main findings. This study was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO). Results: Three studies described normal cognition. In another three studies, cognitive outcomes were above average. Cognitive impairment was found in three studies. Poor cognitive performance was more frequently reported in studies that were recent, included children with SMA type I and that employed visual/auditory attention and executive function tests. Protocols and cognitive domains varied, precluding metanalysis. Conclusion: The severity of motor impairment may be related to cognitive outcomes: studies that included a higher number/percentage of children with SMA type I found cognitive impairment. The establishment of gold-standard protocols is necessary. Further studies should compare the cognitive outcomes of subjects with SMA types I to IV.

RESUMO A atrofia muscular espinhal (SMA) é genética e progressiva, causada por grandes deleções bi-alélicas no gene SMN1, ou pela associação de uma grande deleção e uma variante nula. Objetivo: Avaliar as evidências sobre o desempenho cognitivo na atrofia muscular espinhal (AME). Métodos: Pesquisas nas bases de dados PUBMED/ Medline, Web of Knowledge e Scielo localizaram 26 estudos (1989 a 2019, descritores "atrofia muscular espinhal" e "cognição"). Nove estudos foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade: (1) testaram a cognição em pessoas com AME; (2) escritos em inglês/espanhol. A avaliação do risco de viés em estudos com intervenções não-randomizadas foi utilizada para descrever o desenho experimental, viés, amostra, protocolo de avaliação e principais achados. Este estudo foi aprovado no Registro Internacional Prospectivo de Revisões Sistemáticas (PROSPERO). Resultados: Em três estudos, foi registrado que a cognição estava preservada. Em três estudos, o desempenho cognitivo estava acima da média. O comprometimento cognitivo foi encontrado em três estudos. Desempenho cognitivo pobre foi mais frequentemente relatado em estudos recentes, estudos que incluíram crianças com AME tipo I e estudos que incluíram atenção visual/auditiva e testes de função executiva. Protocolos e domínios cognitivos variaram muito, portanto não foi possível a realização de metanálise. Conclusão: A gravidade do comprometimento motor pode estar relacionada ao desempenho cognitivo: estudos que incluíram maior número/porcentagem de crianças com AME tipo I encontraram alterações no desempenho cognitivo. O estabelecimento de protocolos padrão-ouro é necessário. Novos estudos devem comparar o desempenho cognitivo de pessoas com AME tipos I a IV, ou seja, com diferenças no prognóstico e no desempenho motor.

Screening of epileptic seizures in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunt / Estudo da ocorrência de crises epilépticas em crianças e adolescentes com hidrocefalia no tratamento por derivação ventriculoperitoneal

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence of epileptic seizures (ES) in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus and their relationship with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of 45 patients from both genders, aged 0 to 18 years, with hydrocephalus and presenting with ES or not. The following variables were analyzed: gender, hydrocephalus etiology, age at diagnosis, age at initial VPS treatment, age at first ES and types of ES. RESULTS: Data analysis showed the following: 20 (44.4 percent) presented with ES, 13 (65 percent) of the girls and seven (35 percent) of the boys. There was a predominance of ES in the girls, but with no statistically significant difference. In total, 13 (65 percent) patients used VPS. Of the 13 patients with VPS and ES, it was observed that the onset of ES was after VPS in 10 (76.9 percent) individuals, whereas it occurred before VPS in two (15.4 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed no association between VPS treatment and ES (ρ=0.832); however, most of the patients presented with their first ES episode after VPS, suggesting a possible relationship between this treatment and the occurrence of ES. A larger sample and a prospective study might answer this question.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a ocorrência de crises epilépticas (CE) em crianças e adolescentes com hidrocefalia e sua relação com o tratamento por derivação ventriculoperitoneal (DVP). MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 45 crianças e adolescentes de ambos gêneros, faixa etária de 0 a 8 anos, com hidrocefalia, apresentando ou não CE. Analisaram-se as variáveis: gênero, etiologia da hidrocefalia, idade do diagnóstico de hidrocefalia, idade de colocação do shunt, tipos de CE e idade da primeira crise. RESULTADOS: A análise estatística mostrou: 20 pacientes (44,4 por cento) apresentaram CE, sendo 13 do gênero feminino (65 por cento) e sete do masculino (35 por cento). Houve predomínio de CE no gênero feminino sem diferença estatística significante. Estavam em uso de DVP 13 pacientes (65 por cento), sendo que em 10 (76,9 por cento), o início das crises foi depois da colocação do shunt, enquanto dois (15,4 por cento) já apresentavam CE antes da DVP. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados não mostraram associação entre o tratamento com DVP e CE (ρ=0,832), entretanto a maior parte dos pacientes apresentou o primeiro episódio de CE depois da colocação do shunt, sugerindo uma relação entre o tratamento com DVP e a ocorrência de crises.