Pediatric brainstem abscess successfully treated with stereotactic aspiration: illustrative case.

Background: Pediatric brainstem abscesses are rare entities that account for 1% of all brain abscesses and, when diagnosed, constitute a neurosurgical emergency.

Observations: A previously healthy 11-year-old male presented with several days of worsening headache, confusion, and ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a midbrain and pons lesion.

Vertebral osteomyelitis due to Poona in a healthy adolescent female.

We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis in a previously healthy, adolescent Caucasian female athlete. After months of lower back pain, spinal imaging demonstrated phlegmon and suspected osteomyelitis of the L4 vertebral body. A bone biopsy was obtained, and microbiologic cultures yielded pure growth of subsp.

Are Clowns Good for Everyone? The Influence of Trait Cheerfulness on Emotional Reactions to a Hospital Clown Intervention.

Trait cheerfulness predicts individual differences in experiences and behavioral responses in various humor experiments and settings. The present study is the first to investigate whether trait cheerfulness also influences the impact of a hospital clown intervention on the emotional state of patients. Forty-two adults received a clown visit in a rehabilitation center and rated their emotional state and trait cheerfulness afterward.

Safety and efficacy of rapid (1,000 mg in 1 hr) intravenous iron dextran for treatment of maternal iron deficient anemia of pregnancy.

Maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Oral iron is recommended to reverse anemia, but has gastrointestinal toxicity and frequent non-adherence. Intravenous (IV) iron is reserved for intolerance of, or unresponsiveness to, oral therapy, malabsorption, and severe anemia (1% with hemoglobin [Hgb] levels <7 g/dL).

Safety and efficacy of total dose infusion of 1,020 mg of ferumoxytol administered over 15 min.

For the majority of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), a full course of intravenous (IV) iron is 1 g. Most IV irons require 5-10 administrations of 100-300 mg. We have successfully employed 1 g low molecular weight iron dextran over 1 hr.

Neuroimaging of lipid storage disorders.

Lipid storage diseases, also known as the lipidoses, are a group of inherited metabolic disorders in which there is lipid accumulation in various cell types, including the central nervous system, because of the deficiency of a variety of enzymes. Over time, excessive storage can cause permanent cellular and tissue damage. The brain is particularly sensitive to lipid storage as the contents of the central nervous system must occupy uniform volume, and any increases in fluids or deposits will lead to pressure changes and interference with normal neurological function.

The prevalence and impact of restless legs syndrome on patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) a common, under-recognized disorder disrupts sleep and diminishes quality of life. Despite a clear relation between low peripheral iron and increased prevalence and severity of RLS, the prevalence and clinical significance of RLS in iron-deficient anemic (IDA) populations is unknown. In this study all new patients referred for anemia to a community-based hematology practice over a 1-year period (March 2011-2012) were included if they had IDA and no RLS treatment.

Neurotransmitter abnormalities and response to supplementation in SPG11.

Objective: To report the detection of secondary neurotransmitter abnormalities in a group of SPG11 patients and describe treatment with l-dopa/carbidopa and sapropterin.

Design: Case reports.

Setting: National Institutes of Health in the Undiagnosed Disease Program; Children's National Medical Center in the Myelin Disorders Bioregistry Program.