Bilateral Bow Hunter Syndrome Associated with Loss of Cervical Physiological Curvature.

BACKGROUND Bow hunter syndrome is a rare disease that is often overlooked. It presents with complex and variable clinical symptoms and causes, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. This case report focuses on a young patient with bilateral bow hunter syndrome, possibly caused by the loss of cervical physiological curvature. The aim is to enhance understanding and awareness of the disease. It is important to consider the possibility of bow hunter syndrome in young patients with long-term poor neck posture and symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and neck rotation-related symptoms. In such cases, thorough examination of posterior circulation hemodynamics and vascular morphology is recommended. CASE REPORT A 25-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital mainly because of "dizziness for 10 hours." The dizziness was aggravated when the right side of the neck was turned and the body position changed. This was accompanied by visual rotation, nausea, and vomiting. Bow hunter syndrome was diagnosed based on the clinical symptoms and hemodynamic examination of the posterior circulation. The patient was given a cervical collar to limit excessive twisting of the neck and instructed to avoid large-angle deflection of the neck after discharge. During the 3-month follow-up, no characteristic symptoms (such as dizziness) reappeared. CONCLUSIONS Bow hunter syndrome is a rare clinical posterior circulation compression syndrome with complex etiology. This case suggests that the simple disappearance of cervical curvature may be related to the occurrence of bow hunter syndrome. The dynamic monitoring of blood flow by color Doppler ultrasound and transcranial Doppler in different head positions provides clear clues to suspected bow hunter syndrome. With the help of computed tomography angiography, the diagnosis of bow hunter syndrome may be obtained by noninvasive examination.

Hidden Bow Hunter's Syndrome Diagnosed Using Dynamic Cerebral Angiography and Successfully Treated with Spinal Surgery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Hidden bow hunter's syndrome (HBHS) is a rare disease in which the vertebral artery (VA) occludes in a neutral position but recanalizes in a particular neck position. We herein report an HBHS case and assess its characteristics through a literature review. A 69-year-old man had repeated posterior-circulation infarcts with right VA occlusion. Cerebral angiography showed that the right VA was recanalized only with neck tilt. Decompression of the VA successfully prevented stroke recurrence. HBHS should be considered in patients with posterior circulation infarction with an occluded VA at its lower vertebral level. Diagnosing this syndrome correctly is important for preventing stroke recurrence.

Bilateral Hunter's bow syndrome: a rare case diagnosed by dynamic digital subtraction angiography.

A 27-year-old female patient suffered from recurrent episodes of dizziness, visual rotation, and intermittent right-hand numbness over one month. Symptoms persisted and were triggered by rotating the head to the right or left for more than 10 seconds. Neurological examination showed that the symptoms were most pronounced when the head was rotated over 45 degrees to the right. Dynamic digital subtraction angiography (dDSA) was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Leftward head rotation caused occlusion of the right vertebral artery(VA) . However, the symptoms were mild, owing to sufficient compensation by the right posterior communicating artery (PCA) . Rightward head rotation exceeding 45 degrees resulted in occlusion of the left VA. The resultant symptoms were pronounced due to inadequate compensation of the left PCA. CT angiographic reconstruction showed bilateral vertebral arteries with tortuous loops of vessels at the level of the C2 vertebrae . CT images showed no cleavage between the left VA and the anterior surface of the left C2 transverse foramen. Conservative treatment was recommended considering the patient's young age and limited severity of her symptoms. Bow Hunter's syndrome is a rare neurovascular disorder characterized by dynamic occlusion of the VAs during head rotation, leading to inadequate blood flow to the posterior cerebral circulation. Bow hunter syndrome, where bilateral dynamic occlusion occurs without a discernible dominant side of the VA, is uncommon. The medical community must acknowledge cervical vertigo as a distinct disorder. dDSA remains the gold standard for its diagnosis.

Anesthesia management in a child with mucopolysaccharidosis and toxic epidermal necrolysis: A case report.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and mucopolysaccharidosis are both rare diseases that pose significant airway maintenance challenges to anesthesiologists. In this report, we describe the anesthesia management in a 4-year-old male with mucopolysaccharidosis type II who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis and presented for ophthalmic surgical procedures. Combined use of propofol and ketamine with the support of high-flow nasal oxygen enabled adequate analgesia and sedation while maintaining spontaneous ventilation and airway patency. The strategy presented in this report may contribute to enhancing the safety of sedation in spontaneously breathing children with abnormal airways.

Flexible Bronchoscopy Combined With Videolaryngoscope For Tracheal Intubation In A Child With Hunter Syndrome: A Case Report.

Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II) has the highest reported prevalence of difficult tracheal intubation among the seven known types of mucopolysaccharidoses. Despite improved difficult airway guidelines and equipment, conventional approaches may fail in some cases. A 10-year-old child with Hunter syndrome, was scheduled for multiple dental extractions. On the first visit, failed intubation was declared as per Difficult Airway Society guidelines in the surgical day-care suite of our institute and the procedure was postponed. The case was then planned to be handled in the main operating room with additional preparation and input from the paediatric otolaryngologist for possible tracheostomy, paediatric intensive care for postoperative need for ventilation, and difficult airway resource faculty for an unconventional approach-videolaryngoscope combined with fibreoptic bronchoscope-which resulted in safe administration of anaesthesia. This case illustrates the importance of meticulous planning in the management of previously failed airway.

The impact of Chinese COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of peripheral facial nerve paralysis after optimizing policies.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis (PFNP) in Chinese patients, identify contributing factors, and explore the relationship between COVID-19 and PFNP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study covering the years 2020 to 2023, categorizing patients into three groups based on their visit dates: Group 1 (December 8, 2020 to February 28, 2021), Group 2 (December 8, 2021 to February 28, 2022), and Group 3 (December 8, 2022 to February 28, 2023). We collected and compared data on disease onset and patient characteristics among these groups. Results: In Group 3, following the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase of 22.4 and 12.1% in PFNP cases compared to the same periods in the preceding 2 years (p < 0.001). Group 3 patients were more likely to be aged between 30 and 60 years, experience onset within 7 days, present with Hunter syndrome, and have a higher H-B score of VI compared to the previous 2 years (p < 0.017). Logistic regression analysis revealed a strong association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of Hunter syndrome in PFNP (OR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.81-6.03, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of PFNP increased in China after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients with Hunter syndrome, indicating that COVID-19 infection can trigger and worsen PFNP.

Alterations of Plasmatic Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II Patients Under Enzyme Replacement Therapy.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is a disorder caused by a deficient activity of iduronate-2-sulfatase, a lysosomal enzyme responsible for degrading glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The abnormal storage of GAGs within lysosomes disrupts cellular homeostasis and leads to a severe symptomatology. Patients present neuropsychiatric impairment characterized by mental retardation and impaired cognition. The aim of this study was to quantify four neurodegeneration biomarkers in plasma: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and cathepsin-D, as well as to identify possible correlations with urinary GAGs in seven patients undergoing treatment with ERT (Elaprase® 0.5 mg/kg of body weight). Patients with both severe and attenuated forms of MPS II showed signs of neurodegeneration in neuroimaging exams. Patients have a decrease in BDNF and PDGF-AA concentrations, and an increase in NCAM level compared to controls. No alterations in cathepsin-D concentration were seen. GAGs levels were higher in patients than in controls, but no significant correlations between GAGs and biomarkers were observed. These results evidence that patients have neurodegeneration and that monitoring these biomarkers might be useful for assessing this process. To this date, this is the first work to analyze these plasmatic markers of neurodegeneration in patients.

Challenges of anaesthetising a child with Bow Hunter's syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy for occipitocervical fusion.

Paediatric Bow Hunter's syndrome (BHS), or rotational vertebral artery syndrome, is a rare cause of posterior circulation insufficiency in children. It results from mechanical obstruction of the vertebral artery by the transverse process of cervical vertebrae resulting in vertebrobasilar insufficiency during the neck rotation to the sides. Paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a rare myocardial disease that presents with ventricular dilatation and cardiac dysfunction. This case report describes the successful anaesthetic management of an boy with BHS due to atlantoaxial dislocation and DCM. The child was anaesthetised by keeping the following anaesthetic goals in mind such as maintenance of the heart rate, rhythm, preload, afterload and contractility close to the baseline for both DCM and BHS. Haemodynamic management with optimal fluids, inotrope and a vasopressor and titrating its volume and doses using multimodal haemodynamic monitoring while keeping both cardio and neuroprotective strategies, and the multimodal analgesia techniques helped the child for faster recovery.

Retinitis pigmentosa and nanophthalmos in a patient with attenuated Hunter's syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of retinitis pigmentosa and nanophthalmos in a patient with attenuated Hunter's syndrome. METHODS: Fundus photography, total field electroretinogram, ultrasound, computerized visual field examination, biochemical examination and genetic testing were obtained. RESULTS: The fundus exam showed diffuse arteriolar attenuation, optic disc with regular contours, and pigment agglomerates like "bone spicules" in the middle periphery. Ultrasound examination revealed scleral thickening and short axial diameter in both eyes. The total field electroretinogram exam showed a subnormal result with greater impairment of the scotopic phase of the exam. Computerized visual field examination demonstrated a diffuse reduction in retinal sensitivity in the periphery. Biochemical examination showed increased urine glycosaminoglycan excretion and iduronate-2-sulphatase activity (IDS) deficiency in leukocytes, confirming the type II mucopolysaccharidosis. Molecular analysis revealed a novel missense mutation (p.A77D) in the IDS gene. CONCLUSION: The case report is about a patient presented an attenuated form of the syndrome, with no cognitive impairment. Ophthalmologic follow-up is still an important part of multidisciplinary treatment for Hunter's syndrome.

Thyroid Cartilage Compression Causing Bow Hunter's Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We report a unique case of Bow Hunter's syndrome with a dominant aberrantly coursing right vertebral artery (VA), presenting with persistent dizziness and syncope despite previous decompressive surgery at vertebral levels C5-C6. RESULTS: Re-evaluation with computed tomography-scan during provocation of dizziness by neck rotation revealed compression of the right VA at level C6 from against the ipsilateral posterior border and superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Laryngoplasty resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: This extremely rare cause of Bow's Hunter's syndrome should be considered, especially in refractory cases after neurosurgical decompression, and surgical management is straightforward and successful.

Bow Hunter's syndrome combined with ipsilateral vertebral artery dissection/pseudoaneurysm: case study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Bow hunter's syndrome (BHS), also known as rotational vertebral artery occlusion syndrome, is rare. Occasionally, it combines with dissection/pseudoaneurysm of the ipsilateral VA. METHODS: We report a case of BHS combined with ipsilateral VA dissection/pseudoaneurysm and review eight similar cases reported in the literature. Their aetiology, clinical and imaging features, treatment, and prognosis were analysed. RESULTS: Nine patients (seven male, two female; average age 22.0 ± 4.5 years) were enrolled. Visual symptoms comprised the most common clinical finding (66.7%, 7/9). Clinical symptoms were not related to neck rotation in seven patients (77.8%). Eight patients (88.9%) had multiple, scattered, new and old infarctions of the posterior circulation revealed on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) scans. Dissection/pseudoaneurysm was found in the ipsilateral VA - usually subtle and localised in the atlas, axis, and occipital bone - in all nine patients. Seven patients (66.7%) had special causes for the syndrome (i.e. congenital bone dysplasia). Altogether, 87.5% (7/8) experienced recurrence with cerebral infarction after antithrombotic therapy alone. Aetiologically targeted treatment, including surgical decompression or vertebral fixation, was performed in seven patients (77.8%). CONCLUSION: Young patients presenting with cryptogenic stroke in the posterior circulation and localised, subtle dissection/pseudoaneurysm of the ipsilateral VA around the atlanto-axial joint should undergo carotid ultrasonography with a neck rotation test or dynamic CT angiography/MR angiography/digital subtraction angiography, if necessary, to rule out/diagnose BHS.

An Infant Presenting with Interstitial Lung Disease Diagnosed Later as Hunter Syndrome: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hunter syndrome is a multisystem metabolic inherited disease belonging to the large group of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). Hunter syndrome is also known as MPS type II. Its association with respiratory symptoms has been well documented in the literature; however, it is uncommon that these patients initially present with diffuse lung disease and respiratory failure. Diffuse lung disease has a wide range of differential diagnoses that can overlap in some clinical and radiological aspects, making physicians struggle to quickly reach a final diagnosis. CASE REPORT We report a case of a full-term male infant who presented postnatally with progressive respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and radiologically-demonstrated ground-glass opacity and pneumothorax requiring mechanical ventilation and an extensive workup including CT scan of the chest, a flexible and rigid bronchoscopic examination of the airway with bronchoalveolar lavage, and whole-exome sequencing, which eventually resulted in a diagnosis of Hunter syndrome. After enzyme therapy was initiated, the patient showed marked improvement in clinical status and biological and imaging data and was weaned off oxygen a few months later. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic approach for patients with diffuse lung disease is challenging and requires centers with expertise to reach a final diagnosis, especially in the presence of an unusual clinical presentation. The choice of the diagnostic approach can be influenced by factors such as the patient's critical condition, clinical presentation, imaging data, genetic analysis, and family decision.

Clinical response to surgical decompression in atypical pediatric Bow Hunter's syndrome suggesting alternative pathophysiology: Case report.

Bow Hunter's syndrome is a rare cause of posterior circulation ischemia, produced by the mechanical and reversible occlusion of the vertebral artery during cephalic rotation. Diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and careful inspection of images with three-dimensional reconstruction. The study of choice is dynamic digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Treatment alternatives are: medical, surgical or endovascular. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with recurrent infarctions of the posterior circulation secondary to the dissection of the vertebral artery, in association with an occipital bone spur. Dynamic DSA was negative. Conservative initial management was elected with cervical immobilization and anticoagulation, but due to persistence of symptoms, surgical decompression was decided. The patient did not repeat symptoms postoperatively and returned to his usual life. This is the first case reported to our knowledge of a surgical pediatric patient with asymptomatic atypical compression of VA secondary to BHS, whose dynamic angiography was negative, suggesting an alternative mechanism of the syndrome.

Subcortical infarction in a young adult with Hunter syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II, MPS II) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase. Recently, stroke caused by embolization with Hunter syndrome has been reported. Here, we report the case of a 23-year-old Japanese man with Hunter syndrome who developed subcortical infarction by the mechanism similar to branch atheromatous disease (BAD). CASE PRESENTATION: He had been treated with idursulfase supplementation. He presented with left-sided weakness and conjugate eye deviation to the right, and was diagnosed with branch atheromatous disease affecting the right corona radiata, based on MRI findings. The patient was treated with argatroban and aspirin. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated no evidence of luminal narrowing of the cerebral arteries. T1-sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) imaging revealed thickened middle cerebral artery. The patient had markedly low flow-mediated vasodilation, suggesting impaired vasodilation in response to nitric monoxide. CONCLUSION: The arterial wall thickening and impaired vasodilation in the cerebral arteries related to subcortical infarction. We should clarify the mechanism of cerebral infarction in Hunter syndrome patients.

A Case of Posterior Circulation Embolism Due to a Subtype of Bow Hunter's Syndrome Diagnosed by Non-Invasive Examination.

Bow hunter's syndrome is the mechanical compression of the vertebral artery due to cervical rotation, resulting in ischemic symptoms in the vertebrobasilar artery territory. However, some cases present without typical symptoms and exhibit compression of the non-dominant side of the vertebral artery. We encountered a case of posterior circulation embolism due to a subtype of bow hunter's syndrome in a 74-year-old man. Although the right vertebral artery was not visualized on time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography in the neutral position, duplex ultrasonography and time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography in the left cervical rotation position showed blood flow in the right vertebral artery. In this case, blood flow in the contralateral vertebral artery was normal, and typical bow hunter's syndrome symptoms did not occur. In a case of posterior circulation embolism with undetermined etiology, wherein the routine duplex ultrasonography and time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography results were inconclusive, additional testing with head positioning led to the diagnosis of a subtype of bow hunter's syndrome.

Expanding the phenotype of mucopolysaccharidosis type II retinopathy.

Purpose: To report novel retinal findings in two male patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome) receiving long-term human recombinant idursulfase enzyme replacement therapy.Method: Two males aged 19 and 26 years who had received enzyme replacement therapy for 12 and 13 years, respectively, with good compliance and no infusion-related reactions, were examined clinically and underwent optical coherence tomographic scanning of the retina and electroretinography testing.Results: Case 1 had visual acuity 20/32 in each eye and case 2 had visual acuity 20/25 in each eye. Both patients had clinically unremarkable anterior segment and fundus examinations. Ocular coherence tomography imaging in both patients showed thickening of the external limiting membrane with hyperreflective material in at least one eye each. One patient had bilateral foveoschisis and the other had mild foveal hypoplasia. Electroretinography showed a negative response in the patient with foveoschisis and reduced amplitudes in the patient with foveal hypoplasia.Conclusions: These two patients with Hunter syndrome receiving idursulfase treatment both have subfoveal deposition of hyperreflective material in the external limiting membrane despite good compliance and tolerance of the standard dose of enzyme therapy for this disorder. One patient has developed foveoschisis and negative electroretinogram suggesting abnormality of inner retinal function. Further studies are needed to determine the nature of the hyperreflective material, as well as the effect of systemic treatment on retinal findings in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II.