Development of a new non invasive prognostic stroke scale (NIPSS) including triage elements for sleep apnea and peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Although sleep apnea and peripheral artery disease are prognostic factors for stroke, their added benefit in the acute stage to further prognosticate strokes has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We tested the accuracy in the acute stroke stage of a novel score called the Non-Invasive Prognostic Stroke Scale (NIPSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort with imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. Clinical data, sleep apnea risk score (STOPBANG) and blood pressure measures were collected at baseline. Primary outcome was the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with poor outcome defined as mRS 3-6. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated for NIPSS and compared to six other stroke prognostic scores in our cohort: SPAN-100 index, S-SMART, SOAR, ASTRAL, THRIVE, and Dutch Stroke scores. RESULTS: We enrolled 386 participants. After 90 days, there were 56% with poor outcome, more frequently older, female predominant and with higher admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Four variables remained significantly associated with primary endpoint in the multivariable model: age (OR 1.87), NIHSS (OR 7.08), STOPBANG category (OR 1.61), and ankle-braquial index (OR 2.11). NIPSS AUC was 0.86 (0.82-0.89); 0.83 (0.79-0.87) with bootstrapping. When compared to the other scores, NIPSS, ASTRAL, S-SMART and DUTCH scores had good abilities in predicting poor outcome, with AUC of 0.86, 0.86, 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. THRIVE, SOAR and SPAN-100 scores were fairly predictive. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive and easily acquired emergency room data can predict clinical outcome after stroke. NIPSS performed equal to or better than other prognostic stroke scales.

Stroke Severity and Maximum Inspiratory Pressure are Independently Associated with Functional Mobility in Individuals After Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Clinical changes after stroke can contribute to reduced mobility and negatively affect the survival of these individuals. The objective of this study was to verify factors associated with functional mobility in stroke individuals. METHODS: Crosssectional study carried out with stroke individuals in an outpatient clinic. Demographic and clinical data were collected and the following measures were applied: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Barthel Index, Trunk Impairment Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP).Variables with p < .05 in univariate logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model, using the backward stepwise method. RESULTS: 53 individuals were enrolled with a mean age of 55 years (±13.43). 51% were male and the median NIHSS score was 2.25 (0-13). The final multivariate model included NIHSS (OR = 1.872; 95% CI 1.167-3.006; p = 0.009), physical therapy treatment (OR = 15.467; 95% CI 1.838-130.178; p = 0.012) and MIP (OR = 1.078; 95% CI 1.024-1.135; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Stroke severity and inspiratory muscle strength were factros associated with functional mobility in individuals after stroke, regardless stroke time.

Hematoma subdural crônico no idoso / Chronic subdural hematoma in elderly

Os distúrbios auditivos da terceira idade vêm recebendo crescente importância na medida em que a esperança de vida aumenta e, conseqüentemente, a idade da população. A presbiacusia, alteração mais freqüente, ao lado de outras doenças auditivas são discutidas, abordando-se suas principais características, diagnóstico e o tratamento.(au)

Neuroblastoma metastático simulando hematoma subdural: relato de caso / Metastatic neuroblastoma simulating subdural hematoma: report of a case

O neuroblastoma origina-se freqüentemente na medulaadrenal. As metástases do neuroblastoma são comuns equando localizadas no crânio surgem, geralmente, ao longodas suturas, provocando disjunção destas pelo aumento dapressão intracraniana. Ocasionalmente, apresenta diagnósticodiferencial com hematoma subdural. Os autoresdescrevem um caso de metástase craniana em criançaportadora de neuroblastoma com localização primária namedula supra-renal que apresentou hipertensão intracranianae disjunção da sutura coronária e que simulavatomograficamente um hematoma subdural.