Complicaciones neurológicas en pacientes críticos por SARS-CoV-2 / Neurological complications in critical patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: Nos proponemos analizar las complicaciones neurológicas de los pacientes con infección grave por SARS-CoV-2 que han requerido ingreso en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, observacional, de pacientes consecutivos ingresados en UCI por infección respiratoria grave por SARS-CoV-2 desde el 1 de abril hasta el 1 de junio de 2020. RESULTADOS: Registramos 30 pacientes con síntomas neurológicos, 21 hombres (72,40%), edad media: 57,41 años ± 11,61 desviación estándar (DE). Estancia media en UCI: 18,83 ± 14,33 DE. A nivel sindrómico: 28 pacientes (93,33%) con síndrome confusional agudo, 15 (50%) con patología neuromuscular, 5 (16,66%) con cefalea, 4 (13,33%) con patología cerebrovascular y 4 (13,33%) con encefalopatías/encefalitis. Punción lumbar normal en 6 pacientes (20%). La RMN craneal o TAC craneal mostró alteraciones en 20 casos (66,6%). Se realizó EEG en todos los pacientes (100%), alterado en 8 pacientes (26,66%). En 5 de los 15 pacientes con miopatía clínica se ha podido confirmar con ENMG. Hemos encontrado relación entre la mayor edad y los días de ingreso en UCI (p = 0,002; IC95%: 4,032-6,022; OR: 3,594). CONCLUSIONES: La infección grave por COVID-19 afecta mayoritariamente a hombres, similar a lo descrito en otras series. La mitad de nuestros pacientes presenta una miopatía aguda, y casi la totalidad de los pacientes salen de la UCI con síndromes confusionales agudos que evolucionan a una resolución completa, sin correlacionarse con los resultados del EEG o de pruebas de neuroimagen. La mayor edad se asocia con un mayor número de días de estancia en UCI

INTRODUCTION: We analysed the neurological complications of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive study of consecutive patients admitted to the ICU due to severe respiratory symptoms secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 April and 1 June 2020. RESULTS: We included 30 patients with neurological symptoms; 21 were men (72.40%), and mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 57.41 years (11.61). The mean duration of ICU stay was 18.83 days (14.33). The neurological conditions recorded were acute confusional syndrome in 28 patients (93.33%), neuromuscular disease in 15 (50%), headache in 5 (16.66%), cerebrovascular disease in 4 (13.33%), and encephalopathies/encephalitis in 4 (13.33%). CSF analysis results were normal in 6 patients (20%). Brain MRI or head CT showed alterations in 20 patients (66.6%). EEG was performed in all patients (100%), with 8 (26.66%) showing abnormal findings. In 5 of the 15 patients with clinical myopathy, diagnosis was confirmed with electroneuromyography. We found a correlation between older age and duration of ICU stay (P = .002; 95%CI: 4.032-6.022; OR: 3,594). CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 mainly affects men, as observed in other series. Half of our patients presented acute myopathy, and almost all patients left the ICU with acute confusional syndrome, which fully resolved; no correlation was found with EEG or neuroimaging findings. Older age is associated with longer ICU stay

Neurological complications in critical patients with COVID-19. / Complicaciones neurológicas en pacientes críticos por SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: We analysed the neurological complications of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive study of consecutive patients admitted to the ICU due to severe respiratory symptoms secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 April and 1 June 2020. RESULTS: We included 30 patients with neurological symptoms; 21 were men (72.40%), and mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 57.41 years (11.61). The mean duration of ICU stay was 18.83 days (14.33). The neurological conditions recorded were acute confusional syndrome in 28 patients (93.33%), neuromuscular disease in 15 (50%), headache in 5 (16.66%), cerebrovascular disease in 4 (13.33%), and encephalopathies/encephalitis in 4 (13.33%). CSF analysis results were normal in 6 patients (20%). Brain MRI or head CT showed alterations in 20 patients (66.6%). EEG was performed in all patients (100%), with 8 (26.66%) showing abnormal findings. In 5 of the 15 patients with clinical myopathy, diagnosis was confirmed with electroneuromyography. We found a correlation between older age and duration of ICU stay (P=.002; 95%CI: 4.032-6.022; OR: 3,594). CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 mainly affects men, as observed in other series. Half of our patients presented acute myopathy, and almost all patients left the ICU with acute confusional syndrome, which fully resolved; no correlation was found with EEG or neuroimaging findings. Older age is associated with longer ICU stay.

[Neurological complications in critical patients with COVID-19]. / Complicaciones neurológicas en pacientes críticos por SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: We analysed the neurological complications of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive study of consecutive patients admitted to the ICU due to severe respiratory symptoms secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 April and 1 June 2020. Results: We included 30 patients with neurological symptoms; 21 were men (72.40%), and mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 57.41 years (11.61). The mean duration of ICU stay was 18.83 days (14.33). The neurological conditions recorded were acute confusional syndrome in 28 patients (93.33%), neuromuscular disease in 15 (50%), headache in 5 (16.66%), cerebrovascular disease in 4 (13.33%), and encephalopathies/encephalitis in 4 (13.33%). CSF analysis results were normal in 6 patients (20%). Brain MRI or head CT showed alterations in 20 patients (66.6%). EEG was performed in all patients (100%), with 8 (26.66%) showing abnormal findings. In 5 of the 15 patients with clinical myopathy, diagnosis was confirmed with electroneuromyography. We found a correlation between older age and duration of ICU stay (P = .002; 95% CI: 4.032-6.022; OR: 3,594). Conclusions: Severe COVID-19 mainly affects men, as observed in other series. Half of our patients presented acute myopathy, and almost all patients left the ICU with acute confusional syndrome, which fully resolved; no correlation was found with EEG or neuroimaging findings. Older age is associated with longer ICU stay.

Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre el manejo clínico y terapéutico de los diferentes tipos de estatus epiléptico en la práctica clínica / Retrospective multicentre observational study on clinical management and treatment of different types of status epilepticus in clinical practice

Introducción: El estatus epiléptico es una urgencia neurológica asociada a una mortalidad y morbilidad significativa. Analizamos las características en nuestra población. Métodos: Se recogieron los datos de manera retrospectiva de la historia clínica electrónica de adultos con diagnóstico de estatus epiléptico en 5 centros hospitalarios durante 4 años. Resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de un total de 84 episodios en 77 pacientes, con edad media de 60,3 años. El 52,4% tenían historia previa de epilepsia. Clasificación según el tipo de estatus: 47,6% tónico-clónico; 21,4% parcial complejo; 17,9% parcial motor; 6% parcial simple; 3,6% mioclónico y 3,6% sutil. Si analizamos el momento que finalizó el estatus según las fases definidas para este estudio obtenemos: 13,1% precoz (hasta 30 min); 20,2% establecido (entre 30-120 min); 41,7% refractario (más de 120 min) y 13,1% superrefractario (continúan o recurren después de más de 24 h de anestesia). Diez casos (11,9%) fallecieron sin haberse controlado el estatus. El porcentaje acumulativo de éxito alcanzado con el primer tratamiento fue de 8,3%; segundo 27,3%; tercero 48,7%; cuarto 58,2%; quinto 70,1%; sexto 80,8%; séptimo 83,2% y octavo 84,4%. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio encontramos que el estatus no se controló en las primeras 2 h en casi la mitad de los casos, y un 11,9% fallecieron sin controlarse, sin haber diferencias significativas entre el tipo de estatus. En casi la mitad se logró el control del estatus con el tercer tratamiento, pero en algún caso se precisó hasta 8. Son necesarios registros amplios que permitan analizar el manejo en los distintos tipos y fases (AU)

Introduction: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. Methods: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. Results: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic-clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30 min) in 13.1%, established (30-120 min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120 min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. Conclusions: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2h in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted (AU)

Retrospective multicentre observational study on clinical management and treatment of different types of status epilepticus in clinical practice. / Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre el manejo clínico y terapéutico de los diferentes tipos de estatus epiléptico en la práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. METHODS: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. RESULTS: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic-clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30min) in 13.1%, established (30-120min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2h in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted.

[Benign intracranial hypertension. History, clinical features and treatment in a series of 41 patients]. / Hipertensión intracraneal benigna. Antecedentes, clínica y tratamiento en una serie de 41 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a syndrome characterized by the abnormal elevation of the intracranial pressure with a normal composition of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in absence of ventriculomegaly or some intracranial expansive lesion. AIM: The present work seeks, by means of the analysis of diagnosed BIH patients to evaluate its epidemic, clinical and therapeutic features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 87 histories from intracranial hypertension diagnosed patients with normal cerebral CT were reviewed, between 1999 and 2002. 41 BIH patients were selected. RESULTS: The reached results allow us to draw the following profile, a woman (> 70%) of between 21 and 30 years (29%), smoker, obese (59%) with an recent increase of weight (37%) that consults after spending more than three months with headache (89%), alterations of the visual acuity (> 50%) and nauseas with some vomiting (> 40%). In the exploration, it presents with bilateral papilledema (100%), a CSF pressure bigger than 20 cmH2O (40,78 15,55 cmH2O) with normal composition, without alterations in the neuroradiological study results. CONCLUSION: The treatment with acetazolamide was favourable (51,2%), being definitive (70%) the lumbar peritoneal shunt when it is specified (30,7%), being improved these figures in those patients with a smaller pressure of the CSF in the moment of the diagnosis (p<0,035).

Hipertensión intracraneal benigna. Antecedentes, clínica y tratamiento en una serie de 41 pacientes / Benign intracranial hypertension. History, clinical features and treatment in a series of 41 patients

Introducción. La hipertensión intracraneal benigna (HICB) es un síndrome caracterizado por la elevación anormal de la presión intracraneal con una composición normal del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y en ausencia de hidrocefalia o lesión expansiva intracraneal. Objetivo. El presente trabajo pretende, mediante el análisis de pacientes diagnosticados de HICB, evaluar sus características epidemiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas. Pacientes y métodos. Se revisaron 87 protocolos de pacientes diagnosticados de hipertensión intracraneal con TAC cerebral normal, entre los años 1999 y 2002. Se seleccionaron 41 pacientes según los criterios de HICB. Resultados. Los resultados alcanzados nos permiten dibujar el siguiente perfil: una mujer (más del 70 por ciento) de entre 21 y 30 años (29 por ciento), fumadora, obesa (59 por ciento), con aumento de peso reciente (37 por ciento), que consulta tras llevar más de tres meses con cefalea (89 por ciento), alteraciones de la agudeza visual (más del 50 por ciento) y náuseas con algún vómito (más del 40 por ciento). En la exploración presenta papiledema bilateral (100 por ciento), una presión de LCR mayor de 20 cmH2O (40,78 ñ 15,55 cmH2O) con composición normal, sin alteraciones en las pruebas de neuroimagen. Conclusión. El tratamiento con acetazolamida fue favorable (51,2 por ciento), y resultó definitiva (70 por ciento) la derivación lumboperitoneal cuando fue necesaria (30,7 por ciento); son mejores estas cifras si se consideran los pacientes con una menor presión del LCR en el momento del diagnóstico (p < 0,035) (AU)

Introduction. Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a syndrome characterized by the abnormal elevation of the pressure intracranial with a normal composition of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in absence of ventriculomegaly or someone intracranial expansive lesion. Aim. The present work seeks, by means of the analysis of diagnosed patients of HICB, to evaluate its epidemic, clinical and therapeutic features. Patients and methods. 87 protocols intracranial hypertension diagnosed patients with normal cerebral TAC were revised, between 1999 and 2002. 41 patients were selected assisting to the approaches of hypertension benign intracranial. Results. The reached results allow us to draw the following profile, a woman (> 70%) of between 21 and 30 years (29%), smoker, obese (59%) with an recent increase of weight (37%) that consults after taking more than three months with headache (89%), alterations of the visual acuity (> 50%) and nauseas with some vomit (> 40%). In the exploration it presents bilateral papilledema (100%), a pressure of LCR bigger than 20 cmH2O (40,78 ± 15,55 cmH2O) with normal composition, without alterations in the neuroradiological study results. Conclusion. The treatment with acetazolamide was favourable (51,2%), being definitive (70%) the lumbar peritoneal shunt when it is specified (30,7%), being improves these figures in those patients with a smaller pressure of the LCR in the moment of the diagnosis (p<0,035) (AU)