Pearls & Oy-sters: Tumour-Like Mass Lesion Secondary to Primary CNS Vasculitis.

Primary CNS vasculitis (PCNSV) is uncommonly considered in the differential diagnosis of tumor-like lesions. This case report of tumefactive PCNSV highlights imaging features that should increase clinical suspicion for CNS vasculitis, potentially lending to earlier diagnosis and treatment. A 62-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of focal motor seizures and cortical sensory loss localizing to the right frontoparietal lobe.

Pearls & Oy-sters: Cerebral Abscess Secondary to Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant condition that is linked to a myriad of neurologic complications arising from vascular malformations of the brain, spinal cord, and lungs. Our case describes a previously healthy 3-year-old male who presented to hospital with fever of unknown origin and was found to have a brain abscess stemming from a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). This etiology was identified after a period of diagnostic delay; the medical team was suspicious for a proximal embolic source due to the presence of multiple tiny infarcts seen on MRI of the brain, but transthoracic echocardiogram and head and neck angiogram were unremarkable.

Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Utilization is Associated with Fewer Emergency Department Visits.

Objective: Alberta is a Canadian province with a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this ecological study, we examined group differences in health care utilization among persons with MS (pwMS) living within different regions of the province.

Methods: pwMS were identified from provincial administrative databases spanning 2002-2011.

Twice Negative PCR in a Patient With Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Encephalitis.

Untreated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis is associated with high mortality. Missed cases can have devastating consequences. Detection of HSV-1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is reported to have high sensitivity and specificity and is considered the diagnostic gold standard for HSV-1 encephalitis.

Health status, health related behaviours and chronic health indicators in people with Tourette Syndrome: A Canadian population-based study.

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorder. The objective of this study was to compare self-perceived health status, health-related behaviours, and chronic health conditions in individuals with and without TS using population-based data. Data were derived from Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2010 and 2011 cycles.

The prevalence of diagnosed tourette syndrome in Canada: A national population-based study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome in Canada by sex in youth (aged 12-17) and adults and (2) socioeconomic factors in this population.

Background: The majority of epidemiological studies of tics have focused on children and youth, with few studies describing the prevalence of tics in adult populations.

Methods: Canadian data on Tourette syndrome prevalence were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2010 and 2011 cycles, a Statistics Canada population-based cross-sectional survey that collects information related to health status.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Frontotemporal Dementia: a Systematic Review.

Background: Population-based prevalence and incidence studies are essential for understanding the burden of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify population-based publications from 1985 to 2012, addressing the incidence and/or prevalence of FTD. References of included articles and prior systematic reviews were searched for additional studies.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Dementia with Lewy Bodies: a Systematic Review.

Background: Population-based prevalence and incidence studies are essential for understanding the societal burden of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify publications addressing the incidence and/or prevalence of DLB. References of included articles and prior systematic reviews were searched for additional studies.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Updated information on the epidemiology of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is needed to ensure that adequate resources are available to meet current and future healthcare needs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence and prevalence of AD.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from 1985 to 2012, as well as the reference lists of selected articles.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Dementia: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Introduction Dementia is a common neurological condition affecting many older individuals that leads to a loss of independence, diminished quality of life, premature mortality, caregiver burden and high levels of healthcare utilization and cost. This is an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the worldwide prevalence and incidence of dementia.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant studies published between 2000 (1985 for Canadian papers) and July of 2012.

Proceedings from the 6th Annual University of Calgary Leaders in Medicine Research Symposium.

On November 14, 2014, the Leaders in Medicine (LIM) program at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary hosted its 6th Annual Research Symposium. Dr. Danuta Skowronski, Epidemiology Lead for Influenza and Emerging Respiratory Pathogens at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), was the keynote speaker and presented a lecture entitled "Rapid response research during emerging public health crises: influenza and reflections from the five year anniversary of the 2009 pandemic".

Highlights from the 6th Annual University of Calgary Leaders in Medicine Research Symposium and the Keynote Address by Dr. Danuta Skowronski.

The Leaders in Medicine (LIM) Program at the University of Calgary hosted its 6th Annual Research Symposium on November 14, 2014, showcasing the quality and breadth of work performed by students at the Cumming School of Medicine. Participation at this year's event was our most successful to date, with a total of six oral and 77 poster presentations during the afternoon symposium. For a detailed description of the work presented at the symposium, please see the Proceedings from the 6th Annual University of Calgary Leaders in Medicine Research Symposium published in this issue of Clinical and Investigative Medicine.

Health-related behaviors and comorbidities in people with epilepsy: Changes in the past decade.

Objective: We aimed to explore the patterns of health-related behaviors (HRBs) such as smoking and physical activity in people with epilepsy in the community and examine whether behaviors have changed over the past decade.

Methods: We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using data from a series of five cycles (2001-2011) of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a national population-based survey. The proportions and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for HRBs and comorbidities in people with epilepsy (PWE) compared to respondents without epilepsy were calculated for each survey over the 10-year period, and estimates were examined for changes over time.

Neurologists' knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy surgery: a national survey.

Objectives: In the current study, we aim to assess potential neurologist-related barriers to epilepsy surgery among Canadian neurologists.

Methods: A 29-item, pilot-tested questionnaire was mailed to all neurologists registered to practice in Canada. Survey items included the following: (1) type of medical practice, (2) perceptions of surgical risks and benefits, (3) knowledge of existing practice guidelines, and (4) barriers to surgery for patients with epilepsy.

A prescription that addresses the decline of basic science education in medical school.

Over 30 years ago a cry rang out through the proverbial halls of academia; "The clinician scientist is an endangered species." These prophetic words have been reverberated in the ears of every specialty and every general medical organization in deafening tones. Why is the role of the clinician scientist or clinician investigator so important that this phrase has been repeated subsequently in medical and educational journals? Simply put, the clinician scientist bridges the ravine between the ever-growing mountain of scientific knowledge and the demanding patient centered clinical care.

Feasibility of using an online tool to assess appropriateness for an epilepsy surgery evaluation.

Objectives: To examine the applicability of applying an online tool to determine the appropriateness of referral for an epilepsy surgical evaluation and to determine whether appropriateness scores are concordant with the clinical judgment of epilepsy specialists.

Methods: We prospectively applied the tool in 107 consecutive patients with focal epilepsy seen in an epilepsy outpatient clinic. Variables collected included seizure type, epilepsy duration, seizure frequency, seizure severity, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tried, AED-related side effects, and the results of investigations.

Patient perceptions and barriers to epilepsy surgery: evaluation in a large health region.

Purpose: Despite evidence that carefully selected patients with refractory focal epilepsy benefit from epilepsy surgery, significant delays remain. We examined patient knowledge and perceptions regarding epilepsy surgery.

Methods: A 5-minute questionnaire was administered to consecutive adults with focal epilepsy seen in the epilepsy clinic in a large Canadian health region.

Recommendations for optimal ICD codes to study neurologic conditions: a systematic review.

Objective: Administrative health data are frequently used for large population-based studies. However, the validity of these data for identifying neurologic conditions is uncertain.

Methods: This article systematically reviews the literature to assess the validity of administrative data for identifying patients with neurologic conditions.

Using a standardized assessment tool to measure patient experience on a seizure monitoring unit compared to a general neurology unit.

Seizure monitoring unit (SMU) research typically focuses on diagnostic utility and medical management of epilepsy. However, patient safety and satisfaction are also imperative to high-quality SMU care. This study uses a standardized tool to evaluate patient experience on a SMU compared to a general neurology unit (GNU).

Patient knowledge about issues related to pregnancy in epilepsy: a cross-sectional study.

In 2009, new guidelines were established by the American Academy of Neurology regarding pregnancy in women with epilepsy. A questionnaire was developed to assess patient knowledge of current guidelines related to epilepsy and pregnancy. Patients were recruited from a single outpatient clinic in a large Canadian tertiary care center.

Neurologists' and neurology residents' knowledge of issues related to pregnancy for women with epilepsy.

We aimed to assess physician knowledge for 2009 guidelines established by the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society regarding issues related to pregnancy for women with epilepsy. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all neurologists and neurology residents practicing in a large Canadian health region serving a population of 1.4 million.