Ischaemic Stroke of the "Hand-Knob" Area Due to Paradoxical Cerebral Air Embolism after Central Venous Catheterization-A Doubly Rare Occurrence: A Case Report and an Overview of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are increasingly used across specialties for invasive haemodynamic monitoring and for the delivery of fluids, medications, and nutritional support. Cerebral air embolism (CAE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication associated with the insertion, maintenance, and removal of CVCs. It can occur through different mechanisms, including the direct retrograde ascension of air into the cerebral veins and paradoxical embolism due to a right-to-left intracardiac or intrapulmonary shunt. The "hand-knob" area is the cortical region within the primary motor cortex that contains the representation of the hand. It is located in the superior precentral gyrus and is the site of less than 1% of all ischaemic strokes. We report here the case of a patient who experienced an ischaemic stroke of the right "hand-knob" area, due to paradoxical CAE through a previously undiagnosed patent foramen ovale (PFO), after the insertion of a catheter in the right internal jugular vein. We also provide an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CAE. Suspecting CAE in the case of an acute neurological event occurring in close temporal relationship with central venous catheterization is paramount to allow the early recognition and treatment of this uncommon form of iatrogenic stroke.

Diogenes syndrome in dementia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diogenes syndrome is a neurobehavioural syndrome characterised by domestic squalor, hoarding and lack of insight. It is an uncommon but high-mortality condition, often associated with dementia. AIMS: To describe the clinical features and treatment of Diogenes syndrome secondary to behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). METHOD: We describe a case of bvFTD in a 77-year-old man presenting with Diogenes syndrome. RESULTS: The patient's medical and psychiatric histories were unremarkable, but in recent years he had begun packing his flat with 'art pieces'. Mental state examination revealed confabulation and more structured delusions. Neuropsychological evaluation outlined an impairment in selective attention and letter verbal fluency, but no semantic impairment, in the context of an overall preserved mental functioning. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose showed mild bilateral temporo-insular atrophy and hypometabolism in the left-superior temporal gyrus respectively. An amyloid PET scan and genetic analysis covering the dementia spectrum were normal. A diagnosis of bvFTD was made. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical framing of behavioural symptoms of dementia such as hoarding poses a diagnostic challenge. This case illustrates the importance of a deeper understanding of Diogenes syndrome, leading to timelier diagnosis and effective therapeutic strategies.

A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled study of a Visnadine Emulgel formulation on healthy postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest on women' sexual function improvement provided by topical vulvar application of Visnadine, a natural extractive substance with putative vasodilatory properties. Aims of this study were to evaluate: 1) the vasokinetic activity of a Visnadine Emulgel on mucosal genitalia of 15 healthy postmenopausal women clinically and by instrumental non-invasive analysis; 2) the treatment efficacy by volunteers' judgment regarding to subjective comfort, pleasant warmth, lubrication grade, pinching and burning vulvar sensations. METHODS: Fifteen informed healthy female volunteers with menopause were enrolled in the study, with a single blind controlled study versus placebo corresponding to one single application of the emulgel product (active or placebo) on external genitalia. RESULTS: Visnadine Emulgel single application determined a significant increase of vulvar hyperemia, evaluated both clinically and instrumentally, accompanied by a significant increase of local turgor versus placebo. The volunteers reported a pleasant comfort sensation. CONCLUSIONS: The topical use of Visnadine on female external genitalia may increase regional vascularization affecting turgidity and sensorial threshold of the area of application.

A bioclinical pattern for the early diagnosis of cardioembolic stroke.

Background and Scope. Early etiologic diagnosis of ischemic stroke subtype guides acute management and treatment. We aim to evaluate if plasma biomarkers can predict stroke subtypes in the early phase from stroke onset. Methods. Plasma N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), D-dimer, C-reactive protein, serum albumin, and globulin levels have been investigated in 114 consecutive patients presenting at the emergency room within 6 hours of the ischemic stroke onset. Plasma levels of biomarkers have been correlated with stroke aetiology (based on TOAST criteria) by multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for several covariates. Results. Of the 114 patients, 34 (30%) had cardioembolic stroke, 27 (23%) atherothrombotic stroke, 19 (17%) lacunar stroke, and 34 (30%) stroke of undetermined origin. Patients with cardioembolic stroke had significantly higher levels of NT-proBNP and lower globulin/albumin (G/A) ratio compared with the other subgroups. At multiple logistic regression NT-proBNP > 200 pg/mL, G/A ratio > 0.70, and NIHSS score were independent predictors of cardioembolic stroke with high accuracy of the model, either including (AUC, 0.91) or excluding (AUC, 0.84) atrial fibrillation. Conclusions. A prediction model that includes NT-proBNP, G/A ratio, and NIHSS score can be useful for the early etiologic diagnosis of ischemic stroke.

Gastroduodenal lesions in polycythaemia vera: frequency and role of Helicobacter pylori.

The prevalence of gastroduodenal lesions is higher in polycythaemia vera (PV) than in the general population. However, the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the pathogenesis of such lesions is unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastroduodenal lesions in PV patients and dyspeptic controls, and to assess the role of PV and H. pylori infection in inducing them. Thirty-five PV patients fulfilling selection criteria and 73 age- and sex-matched controls underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Six gastric mucosal biopsies were taken in all patients and controls, and analysed for presence of H. pylori; serum anti-CagA was assayed by Western blot. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis. Compared with controls, PV patients showed a significantly higher frequency of erosions (46% versus 12%), ulcers (29% versus 7%), H. pylori positivity (83% versus 57%), and anti-CagA positivity (66% versus 37%). Fourteen out of 20 (70%) asymptomatic PV patients had gastroduodenal lesions. At multivariate analysis, H. pylori, presence of PV alone, and both PV and anti-CagA were significantly and strongly associated with a higher frequency of gastroduodenal lesions (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). Both PV and H. pylori infection were independent risk factors for gastroduodenal lesions; the underlying pathogenetic mechanism responsible for gastroduodenal lesions in PV possibly involves blood mucosal flow and trophism. The higher susceptibility of H. pylori infection and the high frequency of asymptomatic gastroduodenal lesions in PV patients suggest a surveillance of these patients.