Predictors of functional outcome after symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage complicating intravenous thrombolysis: results from the SITS-ISTR.

Background And Purpose: Several risk factors of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) following intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke have been established. However, potential predictors of good functional outcome post-SICH have been less studied.

Methods: Patient data registered in the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR) from 2005 to 2021 were used.

Pancreatectomy with venous vascular resection for pancreatic cancer: Impact of types of vein resection on timing and pattern of recurrence.

Introduction: Few studies analysed the impact of different venous resection techniques on recurrence in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Primary aim was to compare local recurrence rate and disease-free survival (DFS) between patients who underwent pancreatectomy with tangential versus segmental resection of portal vein/superior mesenteric vein.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent pancreatectomy with venous resection for PDAC between 2009 and 2019 were included.

Prognostic value of preoperative CT scan derived body composition measures in resected pancreatic cancer.

Background: It remains unclear whether preoperative body composition may affect the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which preoperative body composition impacts on postoperative complication severity and survival in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on consecutive patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with preoperative CT scan imaging available.

Management of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula-related fluid collections after distal pancreatectomy.

Background: Distal pancreatectomy is burdened by a high rate of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF). The presence of a fistula-related abdominal collection often requires additional treatment such as antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, and endoscopic drainage thus prolonging patient recovery. Aim of this study was to describe the management of abdominal collections related to CR-POPF and identify variables associated with the need for invasive procedures.

Effect of preoperative biliary stent on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer: Neoadjuvant versus upfront treatment.

Background: Limited data are available regarding the effect of preoperative biliary stent, during long-course neoadjuvant chemotherapy, on postoperative complications. The aim of the study is to analyze whether the association of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and biliary stent increases overall and infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: Data for 538 consecutive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Predictors of cognitive functioning after carotid revascularization.

Purpose: High-grade carotid stenosis can affect cognition, but the relationship between stenosis correction and cognitive outcome is not fully understood, yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of post-operative neurocognitive functioning in patients with symptomatic severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Materials And Methods: Patients with history of transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months and ipsilateral high-grade stenosis of ICA undergoing CEA were prospectively enrolled.

Longitudinal Study on Low-Dose Aspirin versus Placebo Administration in Silent Brain Infarcts: The Silence Study.

Background: We investigated low-dose aspirin (ASA) efficacy and safety in subjects with silent brain infarcts (SBIs) in preventing new cerebrovascular (CVD) events as well as cognitive impairment.

Methods: We included subjects aged ≥45 years, with at least one SBI and no previous CVD. Subjects were followed up to 4 years assessing CVD and SBI incidence as primary endpoint and as secondary endpoints: (a) cardiovascular and adverse events and (b) cognitive impairment.

Migraine: incorrect self-management for a disabling disease.

Migraine is an economically and socially relevant pathology but patients' consciousness and consequently a proper management is often unsatisfactory. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the disease awareness, the general approach and the impact on working activity in a population of headache-affected hospital workers. During an 18-month period, hospital workers responded to a questionnaire investigating headache presence, characteristics and awareness.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio improves outcome prediction of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: The inflammatory response plays a role in determining the course of intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and immune parameters may have prognostic value. The aim of the study was to determine whether the peripheral leukocyte counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were associated to 30-day functional status after ICH, and improved the accuracy of outcome prediction when added to the Modified ICH score.

Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH who underwent blood sampling and cranial CT neuroimaging within 24 h from onset.

Swallowing impairments in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Myotonic Dystrophy type 1: Looking for the portrait of dysphagic patient in neuromuscular diseases.

Background: Dysphagia is a critical symptom of Neuromuscular Diseases and is often associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Objective: This study is designed to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia and to identify different clinical profiles of swallowing disorders in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most common Neuromuscular Diseases in the adult age.

Methods: Consecutive DM1 and ALS patients from 2013 to 2015 referred to a Centre for Neuromuscular Disease were enrolled.

Impact of sleep disorders on the risk of seizure recurrence in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of sleep disturbances in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) using sleep questionnaires. Further, we tried to evaluate whether alterations in sleep quality may influence the clinical expression of JME.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with JME treated with levetiracetam were included.

Neurocognitive functioning and cerebrovascular reactivity after carotid endarterectomy.

Objective: To evaluate in patients with TIA and ipsilateral high-grade internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis whether changes in cognitive performance and cerebral hemodynamics occurred after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to explore their relationship.

Methods: Participants were patients who underwent CEA, had TIA within the last 6 months, and had an ipsilateral severe ICA stenosis. Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) plus Complex Figure Copy Test (CFCT) and phonemic (ph) plus categorical (ca) Verbal Fluency (VF) tests were performed to assess right and left hemisphere cognitive functions, respectively.

Correction to: Management of pregnancy-related issues in multiple sclerosis patients: the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

The original version contained a mistake. The authors have specified only in a few paragraphs that all the contents of the paper are meant for Copaxone but not for unbranded glatiramer acetate, Authors ask to add the specification of Copaxone or branded glatiramer acetate everytime.

The organisation of the acute ischemic stroke management: key notes of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Stroke Organization.

The main aim of acute ischemic stroke treatment is the as much possible prompt, safe and effective arterial recanalisation, in order to restore reperfusion into the ischemic brain area. The procedures obtaining this result are rapidly evolving and in the last years, we observed new evidences that affirmed the therapeutical benefit of the concomitant treatment using endovenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in selected patients with ischemic stroke. However, all treatments are time-sensitive and the main limitation for their application is represented by the time.

Sleep Apnea, Cognitive Profile, and Vascular Changes: An Intriguing Relationship.

Background: Sleep breathing disorders can affect cognitive performances through complex brain anatomical and functional changes.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the correlations between cognitive performances and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), as well as the possible influence of vascular factors.

Methods: Thirty-four non-demented OSAS patients and 34 controls were submitted to a neuropsychological evaluation and to a vascular screening including the study of cerebrovascular reactivity by means of the breath-holding index (BHI) calculation.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and neurological deterioration following acute cerebral hemorrhage.

Immunity plays key roles in pathophysiology of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of the study was to determine whether the peripheral leukocyte count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicted neurological deterioration (ND) after ICH. We identified consecutive patients with ICH who had blood sampling performed within 24 hours from symptom's onset.

Persistence to oral disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis patients.

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), fingolimod (FTY) and teriflunomide (TFN) are oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) whose efficacy and tolerability have been separately assessed in phase III trials. Conversely, little evidence exists about their head-to-head comparison. The aim of the study was to evaluate the 1-year persistence to DMF, FTY and TFN in patients with RRMS.

Management of pregnancy-related issues in multiple sclerosis patients: the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), most probably autoimmune in origin, usually occurring in young adults with a female/male prevalence of approximately 3:1. Women with MS in the reproductive age may face challenging issues in reconciling the desire for parenthood with their condition, owing to the possible influence both on the ongoing or planned treatment with the possible consequences on the disease course and on the potential negative effects of treatments on foetal and pregnancy outcomes. At MS diagnosis, timely counselling should promote informed parenthood, while disease evolution should be assessed before making therapeutic decisions.

Eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment in partial-onset epilepsy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical response to eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as add-on therapy in adult patients with partial-onset epilepsy by means of the time-to-baseline seizure count method.

Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization, prescribed to ESL add-on therapy. The primary endpoint was the time-to-baseline monthly seizure count.

Framingham Risk Score and the Risk of Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often represents the clinical manifestation of cognitive deterioration preceding Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, there are no reliable approaches for an objective evaluation of the risk of developing AD in MCI patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify whether the Framingham cardiovascular risk profile (FCRP) could be useful to identify patients at the highest risk of conversion from MCI to AD.

Raven coloured progressive matrices in migraine without aura patients.

Conflicting results emerged from studies investigating cognitive performances in migraine patients. Based on clinical and neuroradiological aspects, the possible involvement of executive functions has been especially taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a population of subjects affected by migraine without aura (MwoA), frontal lobe cognitive functions.

Selective associative phonagnosia after right anterior temporal stroke.

We report the case of a 48 year old men who developed a selective impairment in famous voice recognition after ischemic stroke in right subcortical structures (lenticular nucleus and head of the caudate) and right anterior temporal lobe. He underwent fibrinolytic treatment. During the following days he progressively recovered and was discharged without neurological focal sign.

Oral and intravenous steroids for multiple sclerosis relapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Glucocorticoids are the standard of care for multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, but the most desirable route of administration is still matter of debate. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous steroids for treatment of acute relapses in patients with MS. Randomized or quasi-randomized, parallel group trials with direct comparison between oral and intravenous steroid treatment in MS patients with acute relapse were identified through a systematic literature search.

Lacosamide during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Background: The epilepsy treatment during pregnancy represents a balance between teratogenic hazard and seizure control. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lacosamide (LCS) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Methods: Patients referred to our Epilepsy Center for pregnancy planning who became pregnant while taking LCS were prospectively followed-up.