Clinical Features of Neuromuscular Disorders in Patients with N-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Antibodies.

Neuromuscular junction disorders affect the pre- or postsynaptic nerve to muscle transmission due to autoimmune antibodies. Members of the group like myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome have pathophysiologically distinct characteristics. However, in practice, distinction may be difficult.

Value of DSA in the diagnostic workup of pulsatile tinnitus.

Objectives: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a rare complaint, but can be a symptom of life-threatening disease. It is often caused by vascular pathologies, e.g.

Diagnostic value of 3D fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequence in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an indispensable tool in the diagnostic work-up of multiple sclerosis (MS). To date, guidelines suggest MRI protocols containing axial dual-echo, unenhanced and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences. Especially the usage of dual-echo sequences has markedly improved the ability of MRI to detect cortical and infratentorial lesions.

No evidence of jugular venous valve insufficiency in patients with migraine--a controlled study.

Background: Migraine with aura is associated with patent foramen ovale and right-left-shunt. Jugular venous valve insufficiency is a further vascular anomaly. It is a frequent finding in transient global amnesia which is associated with migraine.

Pallidal deep brain stimulation relieves camptocormia in primary dystonia.

Camptocormia, characterised by a forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine may occur in various movement disorders, mainly in Parkinson's disease or in primary dystonia. In severe cases, patients with camptocormia are unable to walk. While treatment options are limited, deep brain stimulation (DBS) with bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus internus (GPi) has been proposed as a therapeutic option in refractory cases of Parkinson's disease.

Neuroform stent-assisted treatment of intracranial aneurysms: long-term follow-up study of aneurysm recurrence and in-stent stenosis rates.

Introduction: Our purpose was to analyze the long-term evolution of wide neck cerebral aneurysms treated with stent assistance.

Methods: Data of consecutive patients treated with the Neuroform stent over 9 years were retrospectively analyzed with emphasis on periprocedural complications, aneurysm occlusion grade evolution, and in-stent stenosis rates.

Results: Altogether, 113 patients with 117 unruptured and ruptured aneurysms were subject of analysis.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): electroencephalographic findings and seizure patterns.

To better describe seizure type, frequency, and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and correlate these data with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, we retrospectively assessed medical charts and EEG studies of patients with PRES treated between 2004 and 2011. Data collected included patients' underlying pathology, lesion distribution by MRI, seizure type and frequency, EEG pathologic background activity, focal pathology, and epileptogenic activity. Thirty-eight of 49 adults with PRES suffered from seizures; 17 underwent EEG and were included in the analysis.

Short term effects of magnetic resonance imaging on excitability of the motor cortex at 1.5T and 7T.

Rationale And Objectives: The increasing spread of high-field and ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners has encouraged new discussion of the safety aspects of MRI. Few studies have been published on possible cognitive effects of MRI examinations. The aim of this study was to examine whether changes are measurable after MRI examinations at 1.

Neuroimaging of infections of the central nervous system.

Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of neurologic infections. This article summarizes imaging findings in brain abscesses, ventriculitis, viral diseases, and opportunistic infections. In cases of uncomplicated meningitis, cranial computed tomography is sufficient to exclude brain edema, hydrocephalus, and skull base pathology.

Transcranial sonography of the third ventricle and cognitive dysfunction in HIV patients.

Background: Although the incidence and prevalence of dementia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has decreased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, cognitive dysfunction remains one of the most prevalent factors severely affecting quality of life in patients with HIV. Previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed a correlation between brain atrophy, enlargement of the ventricles and cognitive impairment in HIV patients.

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of transcranial sonographic (TCS) measurement of the third ventricle in detection of brain atrophy in HIV patients and the correlation with neuropsychological deficits.

Carotid intima-media thickness in HIV-infected individuals: relationship of premature atherosclerosis to neuropsychological deficits?

Background: Intima-media thickness (IMT) measured by extracranial duplex sonography is a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. It is well known that IMT is greater in HIV patients than in age-matched healthy controls due to HIV- induced endothelial damage and metabolic side-effects of antiretroviral therapy. However, it remains unclear whether atherosclerosis has an additional impact on cognitive function in HIV patients.

Visual cortex excitability in migraine evaluated by single and paired magnetic stimuli.

Objective: To determine the excitability of the visual cortex by phosphene thresholds (PT) in patients with migraine using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with single- and paired-pulses.

Methods: Nineteen patients with migraine with aura (MWA), 19 patients with migraine without aura (MWoA), and 22 control subjects were included. Patients were free from preventive anti-migraine treatment and were investigated within 3 days before or after an acute migraine attack.

Neuroimaging of infections.

Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and therapeutic decision making in infectious diseases of the nervous system. The review summarizes imaging findings and recent advances in the diagnosis of pyogenic brain abscess, ventriculitis, viral disease including exotic and emergent viruses, and opportunistic disease. For each condition, the ensuing therapeutic steps are presented.

Update on neuroimaging in infectious central nervous system disease.

Purpose Of Review: Neuroimaging constitutes an important component in the diagnosis of the underlying infectious agents in central nervous system infection. This review summarizes progress in the neuroimaging of infectious central nervous system disease since January 2003. It focuses on imaging of viral encephalitis, including that caused by exotic and emerging viruses, and on imaging in immunodeficient patients.

CNS manifestations of cytomegalovirus infections: diagnosis and treatment.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the CNS occurs most commonly in patients with severe immunosuppression such as those with advanced HIV infection (i.e. AIDS) or those who have undergone bone marrow or solid organ transplantation.