The Importance of Bright Spotty Lesions on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Predicting Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Myelitis.

: Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) stands as one of the most debilitating complications in patients with myelitis owing to its challenging management. Bright spotty lesions (BSLs) are frequently observed in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), but few reports have discussed CNP in myelitis. We aim to demonstrate that BSLs could be one of the potential prognostic factors for CNP development in myelitis.

A double CYP27A1 gene mutation in spinal cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis in a patient presenting with spastic gait: a case report.

Background: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX, OMIM #213700) is a rare inherited metabolic disease caused by the mutation in the CYP27A1 gene. Spinal CTX is a rare clinical subgroup of CTX which lacks typical symptoms seen in classical CTX. Here we report a spinal CTX case revealed double mutation of CYP27A1 gene.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an independent predictor for neurological disability in patients with idiopathic transverse myelitis.

Introduction: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been found to be useful in the prognostication of immune-mediated neurological disorders because it roughly reflects the systemic innate immune response compared to the adaptive immune response. However, studies on the validity of NLR in demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system have shown conflicting results. Therefore, we aimed to investigate NLR in the idiopathic transverse myelitis (ITM) cohort.

Characteristics of Diverse Verbal Pain Descriptors in South Korean Patients With Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: '' (Tingling) and '' (Cold) as Key Neuropathic Pain Descriptors.

Background And Purpose: The description of pain is the most-important indicator leading to the adequate treatment of patients with neuropathic pain (NeP). The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the unique features of Korean verbal descriptions in patients with peripheral NeP.

Methods: This study included 400 patients (167 males and 233 females) and their 1,387 pain-description responses.

Corticosteroid-induced bradycardia in multiple sclerosis and maturity-onset diabetes of the young due to hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha mutation: A case report.

Background: Intravenous steroid pulse therapy is the treatment of choice for acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although steroid administration is generally well-tolerated, cases of cardiac arrhythmia have been reported. Herein, we describe a young woman who developed marked sinus bradycardia and T-wave abnormalities after corticosteroid administration.

Subgrouping of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Patients According to Sensory Symptom Profile Using the Korean Version of the PainDETECT Questionnaire.

Background: A culturally validated Korean version of the PainDETECT Questionnaire (PD-Q) was used to identify neuropathic pain components (NeP) in patients suffering from chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Korean PD-Q can be used to subgroup patients with peripheral NeP according to sensory symptom profiles.

Methods: This study included 400 Korean patients with peripheral neuropathic pain diagnosed as probable or definite NeP.

A multicenter prospective observational study on the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: Several clinical studies using tacrolimus revealed reasonable therapeutic mechanisms and efficacy in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). However, long-period studies in a large number of patients with MG are limited; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacies and safety of tacrolimus in patients with MG during a 12-month follow-up period.

Methods: Tacrolimus was administered to 150 patients with MG who were recruited based on the inclusion criteria.

Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for post-stroke delirium.

Background: Post-stroke delirium is a common problem in the care of stroke patients, and is associated with longer hospitalization, high short-term mortality, and an increased need for long-term care. Although post-stroke delirium occurs in approximately 10 ~ 30% of patients, little is known about the risk factors for post-stroke delirium in patients who experience acute stroke.

Methods: A total of 576 consecutive patients who experienced ischemic stroke (mean age, 65.

Comparison of MSC-Neurogenin1 administration modality in MCAO rat model.

Intracerebral (IC) grafting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is not currently used in humans due to its potential complications. On the other hand, intra-arterial (IA) administration can be facilitated for engrafting of intensifed MSCs in the injured human brain. The study is designed to compare the two methods of MSC administration using IA and IC routes through the parameters of behavior, infarct volume, cell distribution, and MSC identification.

Clinical characteristics of late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A multicenter retrospective study in Korea.

Background: There are currently few studies regarding late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (LO-NMOSD).

Objective: We aimed to describe the characteristic features of patients with LO-NMOSD in Korea.

Methods: Anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) from nine tertiary hospitals were reviewed retrospectively.

The characteristics of chronic pain after non-traumatic, non-compressive myelopathy: Focus on neuropathic pain.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of neuropathic pain after non-traumatic, non-compressive (NTNC) myelopathy and find potential predictors for neuropathic pain.

Design: We analyzed 54 patients with NTNC myelopathy. The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) were used to assess pain.

Sonographic findings in the ulnar nerve according to the electrophysiologic stage of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: Involvement of the ulnar nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate sonographic findings in the ulnar nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: We performed median and ulnar nerve conduction studies with sonography in 109 hands of 60 patients with clinically suspected carpal tunnel syndrome.

Utility of the rio score and modified rio score in korean patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Early identification of suboptimal responders to multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment is critical for optimizing therapeutic decisions. The Rio score (RS) and modified Rio score (MRS) were developed to discriminate the responses to interferon-beta (IFNB) treatment in MS patients. This study was performed to evaluate the utility of RS and MRS in daily clinical practice in Korea.

Evaluation of coexistence of Alzheimer's disease in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus using ELISA analyses for CSF biomarkers.

Background: We investigated levels of the β-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42), total tau protein (T-tau) and tau phosphorylated at position threonine 181 (P-tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients and tried to find their clinical implications in the evaluation and treatment of iNPH.

Method: Twenty-five possible iNPH patients were prospectively enrolled and their CSF was collected to analyze levels of Aβ42, T-tau and P-tau using ELISA method. Gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment were semi-quantified and detailed neuropsychological (NP) test was performed.

Cardiovascular autonomic function in lateral medullary infarction.

Even though the medulla contains the baroreceptor regulatory centers, few studies have focused on the autonomic dysfunction of lateral medullary infarction (LMI). Therefore, cardiac parasympathetic and sympathetic functions were compared in LMI patients and age-matched controls. We prospectively recruited 25 LMI patients who had ipsilateral Horner's sign and cardiac autonomic function testing without a history of diabetes, cardiac disease, or previous stroke.

Ticlopidine with Ginkgo Biloba extract: a feasible combination for patients with acute cerebral ischemia.

Background: Even though clopidogrel is the most used drug for cardiovascular prevention, resistance occurs in significant numbers. Therefore, we evaluated platelet aggregation ability of thienopyridines in relation with various genotypes.

Method: The study population was randomly assigned with clopidogrel (n=43), ticlopidine (n=41), or ticlopidine plus Gingko Biloba extract (EGb) (n=43).

The combined use of mechanical thrombectomy devices is feasible for treating acute carotid terminus occlusion.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy devices have recently been developed and approved for recanalization of intracranial arterial occlusion. Here, we investigated the feasibility of combined stent-assisted and clot aspiration mechanical thrombectomy for effective recanalization of acute carotid terminus occlusion (CTO).

Methods: Ten consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to CTO who underwent intra-arterial (IA) treatment with both stent retrieval and negative-pressured clot aspiration systems were enrolled.

Multiple cerebral arterial occlusions related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

We report the case of a 33-year-old man with a brainstem infarction due to concomitant occlusions in the left internal carotid, both vertebral, and basilar arteries. The patient had experienced a severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection about 10 months prior to symptom onset, and his Mycoplasma antibody titre was positive when the stroke occurred. Despite performing meticulous neurological, vascular, and medical evaluations, we were unable to detect other possible causes of the stroke.

Comparison between clinical disabilities and electrophysiological values in Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A patients with PMP22 duplication.

Background And Purpose: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 1A (CMT1A) is the demyelinating form of CMT that is significantly associated with PMP22 duplication. Some studies have found that the disease-related disabilities of these patients are correlated with their compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), while others have suggested that they are related to the nerve conduction velocities. In the present study, we investigated the correlations between the disease-related disabilities and the electrophysiological values in a large cohort of Korean CMT1A patients.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: an additional contributing factor of cognitive impairment.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether chronic cerebral hypoperfusion would affect cognitive status in an Alzheimer mouse model. Behavioral tests and histological evaluations were performed using female Tg2576 mice eight weeks after right common carotid artery occlusion (rCCAO), which is known to induce a type of vascular dementia without neuronal necrosis in nontransgenic mice. Positron emission tomography with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) was utilized to evaluate metabolic status in the rCCAO-operated brain of nontransgenic mice.

The missing button sign as a tool for detecting proximal internal carotid artery occlusion.

The aim of this study was to develop a simple and reliable sign for detecting proximal internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) using conventional CT scanning. The missing button sign (MBS) is defined as the absence of the ICA at the level of the foramen magnum on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scans. Two raters independently reviewed random CECT samples from consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Influence of recanalization on uric acid patterns in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Most epidemiological studies have reported a significant association between elevated serum levels of uric acid (UA) and increased cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, UA is the most abundant antioxidant in the human body. We hypothesized that UA levels would change noticeably in association with the degree of oxidative stress in acute ischemic stroke.