Distinct neural signatures of pulvinar in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutation carriers and noncarriers.

Background And Purpose: Thalamic alterations have been reported as a major feature in presymptomatic and symptomatic patients carrying the C9orf72 mutation across the frontotemporal dementia-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum. Specifically, the pulvinar, a high-order thalamic nucleus and timekeeper for large-scale cortical networks, has been hypothesized to be involved in C9orf72-related neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated whether pulvinar volume can be useful for differential diagnosis in ALS C9orf72 mutation carriers and noncarriers and how underlying functional connectivity changes affect this region.

Clinical outcomes, MRI evaluation and predictive factors of indirect decompression with lateral transpsoas approach for lumbar interbody fusion: a multicenter experience.

Introduction: Evaluating the effects of indirect decompression obtained through lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) by clinical improvements and radiological parameters on MRI scans. Identifying predictors of better decompression and clinical outcome.

Materials And Methods: From 2016 to 2019, patients who underwent single- or double-level indirect decompression LLIF were consecutively reviewed.

C9orf72 ALS mutation carriers show extensive cortical and subcortical damage compared to matched wild-type ALS patients.

Objective: C9orf72 mutation carriers with different neurological phenotypes show cortical and subcortical atrophy in multiple different brain regions, even in pre-symptomatic phases. Despite there is a substantial amount of knowledge, small sample sizes, clinical heterogeneity, as well as different choices of image analysis may hide anatomical abnormalities that are unique to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with this genotype or that are indicative of the C9orf72-specific trait overlain in fronto-temporal dementia patients.

Methods: Brain structural and resting state functional magnetic imaging was obtained in 24 C9orf72 positive (ALSC9+) ALS patients paired for burden disease with 24 C9orf72 negative (ALSC9-) ALS patients.

An uncommon cause of seizures in children living in developed countries: neurocysticercosis--a case report.

Neurocysticercosis represents an important cause of seizures in children in endemic countries, such as Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, while in Europe, especially in Italy, the cases of neurocysticercosis are anectodal. We report the case of a 6 year old boy, born and lived for four years in Cameroon, who presented a right emiconvulsion. The diagnosis was neurocysticercosis.

Treatment of a middle cerebral artery giant aneurysm using a covered stent. Case report.

The authors report the case of a 60-year-old man harboring a wide-necked giant aneurysm of the M1 segment of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA); his symptoms included transient ischemic attacks characterized by right hemiparesis and aphasia. The aneurysm was treated by placing a covered stent across the orifice of the aneurysm. The 18-month follow-up examination showed a very good outcome, with perfect left MCA patency, no new ischemic lesion, and minor residual aphasia and right hemiparesis.

The role of early radiological studies after gastric bariatric surgery.

Background: The authors investigated early radiological findings after gastric surgery for morbid obesity to evaluate their usefulness in avoiding complications or facilitating treatment.

Material And Methods: 413 patients underwent gastric bariatric surgery: 327 had vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), 55 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), 22 adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB), and 9 biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). A radiological upper gastrointestinal investigation employing water-soluble contrast medium was performed in each patient between the 2nd and 8th postoperative day.

Sonographic appearance of aggressive angiomyxoma of the bladder.

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare, benign but locally aggressive mesenchymal neoplasm. We report the sonographic findings in a case of histologically proven aggressive angiomyxoma of the bladder. Sonography revealed a solid polypoid mass 2 cm in diameter with sharply demarcated borders, a heterogeneous echotexture, and a slightly hyperechoic rim.