Artery occlusion independently predicts unfavorable outcome in cervical artery dissection.

Objective: To assess the impact of dissected artery occlusion (DAO) on functional outcome and complications in patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: We analyzed combined individual patient data from 3 multicenter cohorts of consecutive patients with CeAD (the Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients [CADISP]-Plus consortium dataset). Patients with data on DAO and functional outcome were included.

Genetic Imbalance Is Associated With Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- We sought to explore the effect of genetic imbalance on functional outcome after ischemic stroke (IS). Methods- Copy number variation was identified in high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray data of IS patients from the CADISP (Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients) and SiGN (Stroke Genetics Network)/GISCOME (Genetics of Ischaemic Stroke Functional Outcome) networks. Genetic imbalance, defined as total number of protein-coding genes affected by copy number variations in an individual, was compared between patients with favorable (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) and unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3) outcome after 3 months.

Determinants and outcome of multiple and early recurrent cervical artery dissections.

Objective: To assess putative risk factors and outcome of multiple and early recurrent cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: We combined data from 2 multicenter cohorts and compared patients with multiple CeAD at initial diagnosis, early recurrent CeAD within 3 to 6 months, and single nonrecurrent CeAD. Putative risk factors, clinical characteristics, functional outcome, and risk of recurrent ischemic events were assessed.

Next generation sequencing analysis of patients with familial cervical artery dissection.

Background: The cause of cervical artery dissection is not well understood. We test the hypothesis that mutations in genes associated with known arterial connective tissue disorders are enriched in patients with familial cervical artery dissection.

Patients And Methods: Patient duos from nine pedigrees with familial cervical artery dissection were analyzed by whole exome sequencing.

Cervical artery dissection in patients ≥60 years: Often painless, few mechanical triggers.

Objective: In a cohort of patients diagnosed with cervical artery dissection (CeAD), to determine the proportion of patients aged ≥60 years and compare the frequency of characteristics (presenting symptoms, risk factors, and outcome) in patients aged <60 vs ≥60 years.

Methods: We combined data from 3 large cohorts of consecutive patients diagnosed with CeAD (i.e.

Familial occurrence and heritable connective tissue disorders in cervical artery dissection.

Objective: In a large series of patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a major cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged adults, we aimed to examine frequencies and correlates of family history of CeAD and of inherited connective tissue disorders.

Methods: We combined data from 2 large international multicenter cohorts of consecutive patients with CeAD in 23 neurologic departments participating in the CADISP-plus consortium, following a standardized protocol. Frequency of reported family history of CeAD and of inherited connective tissue disorders was assessed.

Clinical import of Horner syndrome in internal carotid and vertebral artery dissection.

Objective: To study the prognostic importance of Horner syndrome (HS) in patients with internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) or vertebral artery dissection (VAD).

Methods: In this observational study, characteristics and outcome of patients with ICAD or VAD from the CADISP (Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients) database were analyzed. The presence of HS was systematically assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma involving the nail's apparatus. Case report and literature review.

Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma is a rare tumor of soft tissues. It is a relatively new entity described in 2001 by Fetsch et al. It probably represents a fibrohistiocytic tumor with less than 170 described cases.

Design and mechanical evaluation of a capacitive sensor-based indexed platform for verification of portable coordinate measuring instruments.

During the last years, the use of Portable Coordinate Measuring Machines (PCMMs) in industry has increased considerably, mostly due to their flexibility for accomplishing in-line measuring tasks as well as their reduced costs and operational advantages as compared to traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). However, their operation has a significant drawback derived from the techniques applied in the verification and optimization procedures of their kinematic parameters. These techniques are based on the capture of data with the measuring instrument from a calibrated gauge object, fixed successively in various positions so that most of the instrument measuring volume is covered, which results in time-consuming, tedious and expensive verification procedures.

Cervical artery dissection: trauma and other potential mechanical trigger events.

Objective: To examine the import of prior cervical trauma (PCT) in patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: In this observational study, the presence of and the type of PCT were systematically ascertained in CeAD patients using 2 different populations for comparisons: 1) age- and sex-matched patients with ischemic stroke attributable to a cause other than CeAD (non-CeAD-IS), and 2) healthy subjects participating in the Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients Study. The presence of PCT within 1 month was assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Small particle-size talc is associated with poor outcome and increased inflammation in thoracoscopic pleurodesis.

Rationale: Talc is very effective for pleurodesis, but there is concern about complications, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate if talc with a high concentration of small particles induces greater production of cytokines, and if pleural tumor burden has any influence on the local production and spillover of cytokines to the systemic circulation and eventual complications.

Methods: We investigated 227 consecutive patients with malignant effusion submitted to talc pleurodesis.

Confusion, agitation and delirium.

Delirium is one of the most serious and common complications that up to one third of older patients admitted to hospital develop. It is characterized by a disturbance of consciousness, decreased attention, and disorganized thinking that develops over a short period of time, and fluctuates during the course of the day. Delirium post-stroke prevalence ranges from 13 to 48% in general hospitals, and from 10.

Cholesterol dependence of Newcastle Disease Virus entry.

Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol, sphingolipids, and glycolipids that have been implicated in many biological processes. Since cholesterol is known to play a key role in the entry of some other viruses, we investigated the role of cholesterol and lipid rafts in the host cell plasma membrane in Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) entry. We used methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) to deplete cellular cholesterol and disrupt lipid rafts.

Cranial nerve injury after minor head trauma.

Object: There are no specific studies about cranial nerve (CN) injury following mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale Score 14-15) in the literature. The aim of this analysis was to document the incidence of CN injury after mild head trauma and to correlate the initial CT findings with the final outcome 1 year after injury.

Methods: The authors studied 49 consecutive patients affected by minor head trauma and CN lesions between January 2000 and January 2006.

Boost radiosurgery as a strategy after failure of initial management of pediatric primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Object: The aim in this study was to determine the outcomes of boost stereotactic radiosurgery, specifically Gamma Knife surgery (GKS), for recurrent primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) in children in whom initial multimodality management had failed.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 7 patients who underwent a total of 15 GKS procedures for locally recurrent or metastatic PNETs. Nine procedures were directed at the primary site, whereas 6 were directed at distant brain sites.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for convexity meningiomas.

Object: Meningiomas of the cerebral convexity are often surgically curable because both the mass and involved dura mater can be removed. Stereotactic radiosurgery has become an important primary or adjuvant treatment for patients with intracranial meningiomas. The authors evaluated clinical and imaging outcomes in patients with convexity meningiomas after radiosurgery.

Trends in childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence in Oviedo (Asturias, Spain) 1992-2006.

Aim: To analyse obesity and overweight prevalence trend in Oviedo (Spain) during the last 14 years.

Patients And Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in the same five public schools of the urban area of Oviedo in 1992 and 2004-06. One thousand one hundred sixty-five children and young adults between the age of 6 and 17 years were studied in 1992 and 1312 in 2004-06.

Radiosurgery as definitive management of intracranial meningiomas.

Objective: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become an important primary or adjuvant minimally invasive management strategy for patients with intracranial meningiomas with the goals of long-term tumor growth prevention and maintenance of patient neurological function. We evaluated clinical and imaging outcomes of meningiomas stratified by histological tumor grade.

Methods: The patient cohort consisted of 972 patients with 1045 intracranial meningiomas managed during an 18-year period.

Radiosurgery for chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base.

Object: Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base are aggressive and locally destructive tumors with a high tendency for local progression despite treatment. The authors evaluated the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on local tumor control and survival.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with histologically confirmed chordomas (18) or chondrosarcomas (10) underwent Gamma Knife SRS either as primary or adjuvant treatment.

Cranial nerve preservation and outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for jugular foramen schwannomas.

Objective: Jugular foramen region schwannomas are rare intracranial tumors that usually present with multiple lower cranial nerve deficits. For some patients, complete surgical resection is possible but may be associated with significant morbidity. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a minimally invasive alternative or adjunct to microsurgery for such tumors.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2: an analysis of tumor control, complications, and hearing preservation rates.

Objective: Vestibular schwannomas present significant management challenges in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). We evaluated the results of gamma knife radiosurgery for the management of these tumors, focusing on tumor response, hearing preservation, and other factors affecting outcomes.

Methods: Stereotactic radiosurgery was performed to manage 74 schwannomas in 62 patients.