BEYOND THE NEUROLOGIST: CHARLES FOIX AS A POET AND A PLAYWRIGHT.

BACKGROUND: Charles Foix (1882-1927) may be mostly remembered today due to his contributions to vascular neurology and the syndromes that bear his name, such as the Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. However, he also developed a literary career and composed poetry and a vast collection of plays, often dealing with biblical themes or figures from Greek mythology. SUMMARY: His poetry was often inspired by his own experiences during the First World War, in which he was assigned to serve as medical officer in Greece, becoming enamored with his surroundings and the classical lore. KEY MESSAGES: The authors explore Foix's poetry and drama and their relationship to his overall work as a neurologist, including his wartime experiences.

Giuseppe Levi, Natalia Ginzburg, and Lessico Famigliare (Family Lexicon): a seminal figure in the history of neuron cell biology and histology seen through his daughter's literary eyes.

One of the most important figures in the history of neurohistology, Giuseppe Levi (1872-1965) contributed in numerous ways to neuroscience, particularly in the fields of neuronal plasticity and the understanding of sensory ganglia. His daughter Natalia Ginzburg, née Levi (1916-1991), on the other hand, achieved fame as one of the most celebrated Italian writers of the twentieth century. Lessico Famigliare (Family Lexicon), from 1963, is a semibiographical account of her life in which she describes the life and character of her father in detail, providing depth and complexity to a seminal figures in the development of neuroscience. A thorough reading of the book enables modern neurologists to fully appreciate Levi's life and contributions, by means of humanizing him and giving context to his life and works. The present article provides a summary of Levi's and Natalia's lives and times as well as an analysis of the book and of the intimate, vivid descriptions of the neurohistologist's life.

Uma das figuras mais importantes da história da neuro-histologia, Giuseppe Levi (1872­1965) contribuiu de diversas maneiras para a neurociência, particularmente no campo da plasticidade neuronal e na compreensão dos gânglios sensitivos. Sua filha Natalia Ginzburg, nascida Levi (1916­1991), pelo contrário, adquiriu fama como uma das escritoras italianas mais célebres do século XX. Lessico Famigliare (Léxico familiar), de 1963, é um relato semibiográfico de sua vida, na qual ela descreve a vida e o comportamento de seu pai em detalhes, e confere profundidade e complexidade a uma figura seminal no desenvolvimento da neurociência. Uma leitura aprofundada do livro permite que neurologistas modernos apreciem a vida e as contribuições de Levi de forma mais completa, o humanizando e dando contexto a sua vida e suas obras. O autor resume as vidas e épocas de Levi e Natalia, bem como avalia o livro e as descrições íntimas, vívidas, da vida do neurohistologista.

Investigation of the Use of Hollow Elastic Biomodels Produced by Additive Manufacturing for Clip Choice and Surgical Simulation in Microsurgery for Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are dilatations of the cerebral arteries, whose treatment is commonly based on the implant of a metallic clip on the aneurysm neck. Despite the dissection and understanding of the surgical anatomy of the IA when often only parts of it are visible, the choice of the ideal clip to be used is one of the surgical difficulties. Although current imaging tests guarantee IA visualization, currently there is no planning method that allows for a real three-dimensional (3D) visualization for optimal choice of clip prior to surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether IA biomodels generated by additive manufacturing methods are useful for surgical clip selection in microsurgeries for IA. METHODS: Three-dimensional (3D) IA biomodels of 10 patients with IA were evaluated using computerized tomography, surgical microscope, and 3D printer. The research was divided into 4 phases as follows: development of the 3D biomodels, evaluation of the biomodel dimensional characteristics, surgical planning evaluation with the biomodel and its clipping effectiveness, and evaluation of the actual surgical simulation process within the models. RESULTS: Ten 3D biomodels were obtained, made of a malleable and hollow part, formed by the IA and related arteries, and another rigid part, mimicking the skull and other arteries of the skull base. Based on these 3D models, 10 clips were chosen during the surgical planning, and all exactly matched the clip characteristics used during the actual surgeries. The surgical simulation with the biomodels performed by 2 neurosurgeons still in training obtained 100% accuracy in the identification of the clips that were eventually used during the actual surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: 3D biomodels generated by additive manufacturing methods were effective for surgical clip selection in microsurgeries for IA, reducing surgical time, increasing cerebral angioarchitecture understanding, and providing more safety in this type of surgery.

A likely case of progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia in Yasunari Kawabata's The Sound of the Mountain.

Ageing has always been a prominent theme for many authors, who wrote about the physical and cognitive changes that accompany it. Japanese literature, in particular, is rich in examples, especially from the pen of Yasunari Kawabata. In The Sound of the Mountain, Kawabata narrates the old age of Shingo Ogata, who begins the book manifesting only lapses in episodic memory, in a manner compatible with what we would call mild cognitive impairment. After detailed descriptions of other ailments of old age, Shingo comes to realise that a new deficit has appeared: apraxia. Unable to tie his own tie, he realises his own decline to what we could call an initial form of dementia, with this added cognitive deficit impacting his daily life. In short, Kawabata elegantly delineates a disease progression familiar to all neurologists, in a way that leads us to consider with new lenses the neurological challenges of ageing.

Preoperative Endovascular Embolization of Glomus Jugulare Tumors: A Retrospective Case Series of 22 Embolizations in 20 Patients and Literature Review

Objective Glomus jugulare tumors, or tympanojugular paragangliomas, are rare, highly vascularized skull base tumors originated from paraganglion cells of the neural crest. With nonabsorbable embolic agents, embolization combined with surgery has become the norm. The authors assess the profile and outcomes of patients submitted to preoperative embolization in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital. Methods The present study is a single-center, retrospective analysis; between January 2008 and December 2019, 22 embolizations were performed in 20 patients in a preoperative character, and their medical records were analyzed for the present case series. Results Hearing loss was the most common symptom, present in 50% of the patients, while 40% had tinnitus, 30% had dysphagia, 25% had facial paralysis, 20% had hoarseness, and 10% had diplopia. In 7 out of 22 embolization procedures (31%) more than a single embolic agent was used; Gelfoam (Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was used in 18 procedures (81%), in 12 of which as the single agent, followed by Embosphere (Merit Medical, South Jordan, UT, USA) (31%), Onyx (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) (9%), and polyvynil alcohol (PVA) and Bead Block (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) in 4,5% each. The most common vessel involved was the ascending pharyngeal artery, involved in 90% of the patients, followed by the posterior auricular artery in 15%, the internal maxillary artery or the occipital artery in 10% each, and the superficial temporal or the lingual arteries, with 6% each. Only one patient had involvement of the internal carotid artery. No complications from embolization were recorded. Conclusions Preoperative embolization of glomus tumors is safe and reduces surgical time and complications, due to the decrease in size and bleeding.

Beyond 'A Clinical Lesson at La Salpêtrière': a brief assessment of André Brouillet's other paintings on medical subjects, life, and times / Além de 'Une Leçon Clinique à La Salpêtrière': uma breve apreciação das outras pinturas sobre temas médicos, vida e época de André Brouillet

ABSTRACT André Brouillet's (1857-1914) famous group tableau 'A Clinical Lesson at La Salpêtrière' (French: Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière) is possibly the most celebrated painting in the history of neurology. His depiction of one of Jean-Martin Charcot's legendary "Tuesday Lessons" includes portraits of not only one of the master's most famous patients, but also of his pupils, the heirs to the founder of modern neurology. However, the painter himself has long been neglected, and even his other paintings on medical subjects are little acknowledged. The authors aim to bring attention to Brouillet's life and times, as well as the remainder of his notable works; and in giving a proper context to the famous painting, neurologists today may be able to appreciate better the early history of our field and its cultural impact.

RESUMO A famosa pintura 'Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière', de André Brouillet's (1857-1914), é possivelmente a representação mais célebre da história da Neurologia. Seu retrato de uma das lendárias "lições de terça-feira" dirigidas por Jean-Martin Charcot inclui ainda não apenas uma das pacientes mais famosas do mestre como também seus pupilos, os fundadores da Neurologia moderna. Entretanto, o pintor propriamente dito é ainda negligenciado, e mesmo outras pinturas suas sobre temas médicos são pouco reconhecidas. Os autores trazem à atenção a vida e época de Brouillet, bem como o restante de seus outros trabalhos notáveis; dando contexto apropriado à pintura, neurologistas atuais podem compreender melhor a própria história de nossa especialidade e seu impacto cultural.

Beyond 'A Clinical Lesson at La Salpêtrière': a brief assessment of André Brouillet's other paintings on medical subjects, life, and times.

André Brouillet's (1857-1914) famous group tableau 'A Clinical Lesson at La Salpêtrière' (French: Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière) is possibly the most celebrated painting in the history of neurology. His depiction of one of Jean-Martin Charcot's legendary "Tuesday Lessons" includes portraits of not only one of the master's most famous patients, but also of his pupils, the heirs to the founder of modern neurology. However, the painter himself has long been neglected, and even his other paintings on medical subjects are little acknowledged. The authors aim to bring attention to Brouillet's life and times, as well as the remainder of his notable works; and in giving a proper context to the famous painting, neurologists today may be able to appreciate better the early history of our field and its cultural impact.

"Of pearls and stars, he made the verse": the literary career of the founders of Brazilian Neurology / "De pérolas e estrelas ele fez o verso": a carreira literária dos fundadores da Neurologia brasileira

ABSTRACT In the beginning of modern Neurology, between the 19th and the 20th centuries, neurologists often assumed simultaneous positions of intellectual prominence and gained significant cultural credentials. Not only observers and admirers of music, literature, and the fine arts, many neurologists and neuroscientists worldwide developed significant cultural careers. When studying the careers and lives of the founders of Brazilian Neurology, one finds only sparse information on their cultural activities, which are often relegated to side notes. Therefore, the author aims to focus on the literary output of some of the most important early Brazilian neurologists, who excelled in poetry or longer written forms and were eventually immortalized by the Academia Brasileira de Letras: Antônio Austregésilo, Aloysio de Castro, Deolindo Couto, and Miguel Couto, contextualizing their artistic production in their respective academic lives.

Resumo No princípio da Neurologia moderna, entre os séculos XIX e XX, neurologistas frequentemente assumiam simultaneamente posições de destaque intelectual e ganhavam credenciais intelectuais significativas. Não meros observadores e admiradores de música, literatura e artes visuais, muitos neurologistas e neurocientistas do mundo todo desenvolveram carreiras culturais paralelas. Ao estudar a vida e a carreira dos fundadores da Neurologia Brasileira, encontra-se apenas informação esparsa sobre suas atividades culturais, frequentemente relegadas a notas de rodapé. Logo, o autor objetiva focar na produção literária de alguns dos mais importantes neurologistas brasileiros, que se destacaram em poesia ou formas escritas em prosa e foram eventualmente imortalizados pela Academia Brasileira de Letras: Antônio Austregésilo, Aloysio de Castro, Deolindo Couto e Miguel Couto, contextualizando suas produções literárias em suas vidas respectivas.

"Of pearls and stars, he made the verse": the literary career of the founders of Brazilian Neurology.

In the beginning of modern Neurology, between the 19th and the 20th centuries, neurologists often assumed simultaneous positions of intellectual prominence and gained significant cultural credentials. Not only observers and admirers of music, literature, and the fine arts, many neurologists and neuroscientists worldwide developed significant cultural careers. When studying the careers and lives of the founders of Brazilian Neurology, one finds only sparse information on their cultural activities, which are often relegated to side notes. Therefore, the author aims to focus on the literary output of some of the most important early Brazilian neurologists, who excelled in poetry or longer written forms and were eventually immortalized by the Academia Brasileira de Letras: Antônio Austregésilo, Aloysio de Castro, Deolindo Couto, and Miguel Couto, contextualizing their artistic production in their respective academic lives.

Serial Tap Test of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: impact on cognitive function and its meaning.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is characterized by gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and cognitive decline. Symptoms are potentially reversible and treatment is based on cerebrospinal fluid shunting. The tap test (TT) is used to identify patients that will benefit from surgery. This procedure consists of the withdrawal of 20 to 50 mL of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through a lumbar puncture (LP) after which the symptoms of the triad are tested. Improvement in the quality and speed of gait are already recognized but cognitive improvement depends on several factors such as tests used, the time elapsed after LP for re-testing, and the number of punctures. Serial punctures may trigger similar conditions as external lumbar drainage (ELD) to the organism. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify how serial punctures affect cognition to increase the sensitivity of the test and consequently the accuracy of surgical indication. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with INPH underwent baseline memory and executive tests repeatedly following the 2-Step Tap Test protocol (2-STT - two procedures of 30 mL lumbar CSF drainage separated by a 24-h interval). The baseline scores of INPH patients were compared with those of 55 healthy controls, and with intragroup post-puncture scores of the 2-STT. RESULTS: The group with INPH had lower performance than the control group in all cognitive tests (RAVLT, Stroop, CFT, FAR-COWA, FAB, MMSE, orientation, mental control), except for the forward digit span test (p = 0.707). After conducting LP procedures, the Stroop test (words, colors and errors), RAVLT (stage A1, A6 and B1), and CFT (immediate and delayed R) scores were equal to those of the control group (p > 0.05). The INPH group presented significant improvement after the first puncture in MMSE (p = 0.031) and in the Stroop Test (points) (p < 0.001). After the second puncture, subjects improved in orientation, MMSE, RAVLT (B1), Stroop (points, words, errors) and CFT (IR). CONCLUSION: Progressive cognitive improvement occurred over the 2-STT and changes were more significant after the second LP in all cognitive domains except for RAVLT (A7). Encephalic alert system 'arousal' seems to participate in early improvements observed during 2-STT. The second LP increased the sensitivity of the drainage test to detect changes in cognitive variables, and consequently improved the quality of the method.

"Stat Rosa Pristina Nomine, Nomina Nuda Tenemus": The Many Syndromes, Diseases, and Anatomic Structures Bearing Jean-Martin Charcot's Name.

The sheer magnitude of Jean-Martin Charcot's contributions to neurology, pathology, psychiatry, and internal medicine has allowed for the common usage of eponyms bearing the master's name in recognition of his work. However, these are so numerous that confusion has naturally arisen concerning the exact nature of each eponym, allowing for different specialists to refer to completely different ailments or symptoms, while using the very same expression. Previous compilations of his eponyms were often incomplete. Therefore, the authors aimed to bring some clarification into the nature and origin of each known eponym with Charcot's name.

" In the immortal forms of beauty": Frédéric Chopin seen through the eyes of the father of Brazilian neurological semiology.

Aloysio de Castro (1881-1959) is now remembered as one of Brazil's greatest physicians and is considered the father of Brazilian neurological semiology. However, his interests went far beyond the realm of Medicine, and he became one of the most illustrious intellectuals of his time. In 1927, he gave a speech at the São Paulo Society of Artistic Culture on Frédéric Chopin and embarked on a journey across the composer's life and times, discussing the medical issues involving his death, as well as his lovers, his compositions, and the spiritual aspects of musical interpretation. Thus, Castro reinforced the bonds of music and Medicine and provided lessons on Musicology that may very well be as suited to a hospital as they are to a concert hall.

"... In the immortal forms of beauty: Frédéric Chopin seen through the eyes of the father of Brazilian neurological semiology / "... nas imortais formas da beleza: Frédéric Chopin visto pelos olhos do pai da semiologia neurológica brasileira

ABSTRACT Aloysio de Castro (1881-1959) is now remembered as one of Brazil's greatest physicians and is considered the father of Brazilian neurological semiology. However, his interests went far beyond the realm of Medicine, and he became one of the most illustrious intellectuals of his time. In 1927, he gave a speech at the São Paulo Society of Artistic Culture on Frédéric Chopin and embarked on a journey across the composer's life and times, discussing the medical issues involving his death, as well as his lovers, his compositions, and the spiritual aspects of musical interpretation. Thus, Castro reinforced the bonds of music and Medicine and provided lessons on Musicology that may very well be as suited to a hospital as they are to a concert hall.

RESUMO Aloysio de Castro (1881-1959) é hoje lembrado como um dos maiores médicos do Brasil, bem como o pai da semiologia neurológica brasileira. Entretanto, seus interesses iam muito além dos domínios da Medicina, e ele se tornou um dos mais ilustres intelectuais de sua era. Em 1927, Castro deu uma palestra na Sociedade de Cultura Artística de São Paulo sobre Frédéric Chopin, e embarcou em uma jornada pela vida e época do compositor, discutindo o aspecto médico de sua morte, bem como suas amantes, composições e aspectos espirituais da interpretação musical. Assim, Castro reforçou os laços entre música e Medicina e ensinou lições de Musicologia que podem muito bem ser tão aplicadas à Medicina quanto a uma sala de concertos.

The Devil Is in the Details: Neurological Diseases Presenting as Religious Hallucinations in Two Literary Works.

Few authors in the Western literature have acquired such a monumental reputation as Thomas Mann and Fyodor Dostoyevsky; although with different backgrounds and aesthetic peculiarities, their writings converge thematically in their frequent relationship with disease. From Dostoyevsky's struggle with epilepsy to Mann's descriptions of tuberculosis and cholera, many are the examples found in their body of work describing medical afflictions. One noteworthy similarity in their works is the presence of hallucinations with Mephistopheles-like devilish entities, possibly caused by neurological diseases: in Mann's case, concerning the main character of Doctor Faustus, caused by neurosyphilis, while for Dostoyevsky, concerning one of the titular Brothers Karamazov, by delirium tremens. In both cases, the authors leave room for ambiguity, with the characters themselves casting doubts on whether their experiences were indeed caused by their disease or by an actual supernatural being. In this, we may find an interesting intersection between neurology and the literature.

Salomón Hakim: the man behind normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The illustrious Colombian Professor Salomón Hakim provided the annals of neurology with one of the most brilliant and original bodies of research on record, developing the concept of normal pressure hydrocephalus, as well as proving that ventricular shunting is an effective treatment. Thus, Professor Hakim proved that some of the dementias, at that time considered senile, could be successfully treated. Here the authors present an historical review of his main contributions, which continue to influence the study of dementia to this day.

Salomón Hakim: the man behind normal pressure hydrocephalus / Salomón Hakim: o homem por trás da hidrocefalia de pressão normal

ABSTRACT The illustrious Colombian Professor Salomón Hakim provided the annals of neurology with one of the most brilliant and original bodies of research on record, developing the concept of normal pressure hydrocephalus, as well as proving that ventricular shunting is an effective treatment. Thus, Professor Hakim proved that some of the dementias, at that time considered senile, could be successfully treated. Here the authors present an historical review of his main contributions, which continue to influence the study of dementia to this day.

RESUMO O ilustre professor colombiano Salomón Hakim deixou como legado nos anais da neurologia uma das mais brilhantes e originais séries de pesquisa da história, desenvolvendo o conceito de hidrocefalia de pressão normal, bem como introduzindo a derivação ventricular como tratamento efetivo. Assim, Hakim provou que algumas das demências até então consideradas senis tinham possibilidade de tratamento bem-sucedido. Aqui os autores apresentarão uma revisão histórica de suas maiores contribuições, que continuam a influenciar o estudo de demências até os nossos dias.

Neurosyphilis and classical music: the great composers and "The Great Imitator".

OBJECTIVE: Throughout history, neurosyphilis has victimized many people, including classical composers, with a wide range of clinical presentations. Six articles with descriptions of composers with possible neurosyphilis were reviewed. METHODS: Neurosyphilis is a possible diagnosis for composers like Beethoven, whose progressive hearing loss influenced his career, culminating in complete deafness. In his autopsy, cochlear nerve atrophy and cochlear inflammation were described. Donizetti developed behavioral changes, as well as headaches, general paresis and seizures. RESULTS: Both Schumann and Wolf suffered from personality changes, persecutory delusions and general paresis. Joplin and Delius also had symptoms attributed to syphilis. Autopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of Smetana, who developed dementia, deafness and auditory hallucinations with rapid progression. His tinnitus was musically represented in his first String Quartet. CONCLUSION: Neurosyphilis victimized several notorious composers. It can be argued that neurosyphilis was a major source of inspiration as well, being responsible for the genesis of musical masterpieces.