Publications by authors named "Doneddu P"
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) often requires prolonged ongoing treatment to prevent worsening. The efficacy of rituximab in preventing worsening after the discontinuation of immunoglobulin therapy in CIDP patients was assessed. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted at seven Italian hospitals, CIDP patients under immunoglobulin therapy were assigned to receive either rituximab (1g on days 1, 15, and 180±7) or placebo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Microvascular decompression (MVD) in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is currently managed using an operating microscope (OM). Recent experiences with endoscopy-assisted, fully endoscopic, and exoscopic surgery have been described, aiming to improve ergonomics and image quality. The aim of this study was to report the first series of patients operated on with the aid of a robotic binocular exoscope using a head-mounted display (RoboticScope).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To analyze long-term clinical and biomarker features of anti-contactin-1 (CNTN1) autoimmune nodopathy (AN).
Methods: Patients with anti-CNTN1 autoimmune nodopathy detected in our laboratory from which clinical information was available were included. Clinical features and treatment response were retrospectively collected.
Background And Purpose: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a prevalent and high-burden sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the complexity of its manifestations, PCC case definition currently lacks standardisation and reproducibility. We aimed to devise a simple screening tool to boost reproducibility and comparability of PCC case definition across PCC studies, and to provide a framework in which to reliably identify suspected PCC cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the 2010 European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) diagnostic criteria for multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) with those of the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM).
Methods: Sensitivity and specificity of the two sets of criteria were retrospectively evaluated in 53 patients with MMN and 280 controls with axonal peripheral neuropathy, inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Comparison of the utility of nerve conduction studies with different numbers of nerves examined was also assessed.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the potential link between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and the risk of peripheral neuropathy, aiming to understand its features in affected patients compared to a control group.
- Out of 200 participants, 9 with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis were diagnosed with polyneuropathy, indicating a significant relative risk compared to the control group, who had none.
- Although there seems to be an association with increased risk of polyneuropathy in these patients, it is suggested that this risk is more due to other contributing health factors rather than the conditions themselves.
Article Synopsis
- A study evaluated the effectiveness of rituximab in 17 CIDP patients who had not responded to at least two traditional immune therapies.* -
- After 6 months, 76.5% of patients showed improvement, with 92.9% maintaining improvements after 12 months, and no patients dropped out due to side effects.* -
- The results indicate rituximab is a potentially safe and effective treatment for CIDP, suggesting further research through controlled trials is warranted.*
Advances in the understanding of cytokines have revolutionized mechanistic treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as exemplified by rheumatoid arthritis. We conducted a systematic literature review on the role of cytokines and chemokines in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Ovid Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched until August 31, 2022 for human studies investigating cytokines levels in CIDP or MMN.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic criteria, ancillary investigations and treatment response using real-life data in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) patients.
Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were collected from 110 patients enrolled in the Italian MMN database through a structured questionnaire. Twenty-six patients were excluded due to the unavailability of nerve conduction studies or the presence of clinical signs and symptoms and electrodiagnostic abnormalities inconsistent with the MMN diagnosis.
Article Synopsis
- The 2021 EAN/PNS guidelines provide detailed clinical criteria to diagnose various variants of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), despite the lack of research on their treatment impact.
- In a study involving 369 patients from the Italian CIDP database, 66% were diagnosed with different CIDP variants using these new criteria, revealing a distribution of typical and atypical forms.
- The findings indicate that patients with multifocal, distal, and sensory CIDP often experience milder symptoms and may respond differently to steroid treatments compared to those with other variants, underscoring the need for specific guidelines in managing CIDP.
Neuropathic pain, traditionally considered a chronic condition, is increasingly encountered in the emergency department (ED), accounting for approximately 20% of patients presenting with pain. Understanding the physiology and key clinical presentations of neuropathic pain is crucial for ED physicians to provide optimal treatment. While diagnosing neuropathic pain can be challenging, emphasis should be placed on obtaining a comprehensive medical history and conducting a thorough clinical examination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To investigate the utility of regular serum VEGF (sVEGF) levels assessment in the monitoring of POEMS syndrome.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 30 patients with POEMS syndrome whose sVEGF was tested regularly every 6 months. sVEGF levels after treatment were measured and correlated with disability (Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, ONLS), clinical impairment (measured with the modified Clinical Response Evaluation Scale, mCRES), and relapse-free survival.
Background And Purpose: Many COVID-19 patients report persistent symptoms, including cognitive disturbances. We performed a scoping review on this topic, focusing primarily on cognitive manifestations.
Methods: Abstracts and full texts of studies published on PubMed (until May 2023) addressing cognitive involvement persisting after SARS-CoV-2 infection were reviewed, focusing on terms used to name the cognitive syndrome, reported symptoms, their onset time and duration, and testing batteries employed.
Background And Aims: Although dysautonomia is a well-recognized complication of acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, it is rarely reported and evaluated in chronic demyelinating neuropathies. The purpose of this review is to search and synthesize the current literature on the prevalence and type of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).
Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting AD in CIDP.
Unclassified clinical presentations of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
August 2023
Background: To assess the ability of the 2021 European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society (EAN/PNS) clinical criteria for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) to include within their classification the whole spectrum of clinical heterogeneity of the disease and to define the clinical characteristics of the unclassifiable clinical forms.
Methods: The 2021 EAN/PNS clinical criteria for CIDP were applied to 329 patients fulfilling the electrodiagnostic (and in some cases also the supportive) criteria for the diagnosis of CIDP. Clinical characteristics were reviewed for each patient not strictly fulfilling the clinical criteria ('unclassifiable').
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to assess the risks and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies, particularly looking at relapse rates before and after vaccination.
- - Involved 336 patients, with 91% vaccinated; 5% experienced mild relapses post-vaccination, while no relapses occurred in unvaccinated patients, indicating a relative risk increase for those who did receive the vaccine.
- - Overall, the vaccination didn’t strongly correlate with an increased relapse risk, although CIDP patients showed a slightly higher risk compared to the three months before getting vaccinated, with mild side effects being the main safety concerns.
Objectives: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the 2021 European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society (EAN/PNS) diagnostic criteria for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) with those of the 2010 European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS).
Methods: Sensitivity and specificity of the two sets of criteria were evaluated in 330 patients with CIDP and 166 axonal peripheral neuropathy controls. Comparison of the utility of nerve conduction studies with different number of nerves examined and of the sensitivity and specificity of the two criteria in typical CIDP and its variants were assessed.
We describe 3 cases of solitary sclerosis (SS), a rare condition characterized by a single inflammatory demyelinating lesion in the white matter of the brain or spinal cord. All patients had progressive limb motor impairment (patient 1, 66-year-old female: left spastic hemiparesis; patient 2, 39-year-old male: right spastic hemiparesis; patient 3, 42-year-old female: proximally predominant left upper limb weakness with amyotrophy and fasciculations). In all patients, MRI disclosed a single small T2-hyperintense demyelinating lesion: in the right anterior paramedian upper medulla, in the median-left paramedian anterior lower medulla, and in the left paramedian anterior cervical spinal cord at C4 level, respectively.
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- * GBS cases from March 2020 to March 2021 showed a 59% increase compared to the previous year, with approximately 50% of GBS patients testing positive for COVID-19.
- * The study concluded that GBS incidence rose during the pandemic, indicating a significant association between GBS and COVID-19, as non-COVID-19 GBS cases decreased during the same period.
Background And Purpose: A diagnostic score was developed to discriminate anti-myelin-associated-glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and applied it to patients with atypical anti-MAG neuropathy.
Methods: The clinical and electrophysiological features of patients with a diagnosis of typical anti-MAG neuropathy were compared to those of patients with a diagnosis of CIDP. The association of each feature with the diagnosis was assessed in the two groups.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined 276 Italian patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) for the presence of anti-nerve autoantibodies and correlated findings with clinical data.
- Anti-neurofascin155 (NF155) and anti-contactin1 (CNTN1) antibodies were found in a small percentage of patients, with specific clinical symptoms linked to each type of antibody.
- The presence of these antibodies suggests that CIDP may have various underlying mechanisms, leading to different clinical manifestations in patients.
Introduction: Anterior synostotic plagiocephaly recognizes the synostosis of one of the hemicoronal sutures as a cause and can manifest itself with varying degrees of severity. Clinically it presents a reduction of the sagittal growth of the affected side and flattening of the frontoparietal complex.
Materials And Methods: The authors retrospectively examined our case sample dividing it into 3 groups based on the Di Rocco classification.
The authors present the case of a patient who underwent the removal of a small bluish lesion of the cheek. After discharge, the patient presented with profuse bleeding and hematoma of the cheek. Blood tests revealed severe secondary immune thrombocytopenia (SITP).
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