Forame oval patente e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico em jovens: associação causal ou estatística?

OBJETIVOS: Determinar se há evidências de uma relação causal entre forame oval patente (FOP) e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) criptogênico em jovens. Analisar essa relação à luz dos critérios de causalidade. MÉTODOS: Avaliaram-se, retrospectivamente, 168 pacientes jovens com AVCI, divididos em dois grupos: criptogênico e de causa definida. Como parte da rotina, os pacientes foram submetidos a pesquisa de FOP por ecocardiograma transesofágico e/ou Doppler transcraniano, ambos associados ao teste de bolhas. Demonstrada a associação estatística univariada entre FOP e AVCI, procedeu-se a análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: Após análise multivariada, a associação FOP e AVCI criptogênico mostrou-se ainda estatisticamente significante, com razão de chance (RCajustada de 3,3 (IC95% 1,5-7,4). O número total de lesões no encéfalo também apresentou associação significativa com o AVCI criptogênico (RCajustada= 0,4 IC95% 0,2-0,9). A associação FOP e AVCI criptogênico satisfez todos os critérios de causalidade. CONCLUSÃO: A relação causal entre o FOP e o AVCI criptogênico em jovens é altamente provável. Esse fato deve ser considerado na decisão terapêutica

Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and high brain lactate: report of three brazilian patients Leucoencefalopatia com envolvimento do tronco cerebral e da medula espinal e elevação do lactato cerebral: relato de três casos brasileiros

A novel leukoencephalopathy was recently identified based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) findings. Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and high lactate (LBSL) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early onset of symptoms and slowly progressive cerebellar, pyramidal and spinal cord dorsal column dysfunction. MRI and ¹H-MRS typically show abnormalities within cerebral and cerebellar white matter, a characteristic involvement of brainstem and spinal cord tracts and elevated lactate in the abnormal white matter. We present three cases with characteristic clinical and neuroimaging findings of this disorder. Some additional unique findings of our patients are discussed, like distal motor neuropathy and elevated creatine kinase in the serum.Uma nova leucoencefalopatia foi recentemente descrita com base em achados característicos de ressonância magnética e espectroscopia de prótons por ressonância magnética. Leucoencefalopatia com envolvimento do tronco cerebral e da medula espinal e elevação do lactato cerebral é uma doença autossômica recessiva de aparecimento precoce e evolução lenta, caracterizada por disfunção cerebelar, piramidal e das colunas dorsais da medula. Ressonância magnética e espectroscopia de prótons tipicamente demonstram anormalidades na substância branca cerebral e cerebelar, com envolvimento característico de tratos no tronco encefálico e na medula espinhal e aumento de lactato na substância branca cerebral anormal. Relatamos três casos com achados clínicos e de neuroimagem característicos. Achados adicionais peculiares aos nossos pacientes são discutidos, como a elevação da creatina-quinase sérica e a presença de neuropatia motora distal

Meningeal Carcinomatosis for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction Cerebral metastases are the most common cancer of the central nervous system (CNS). Meningeal infiltration by neoplasms that did not originate in the CNS is a rare fact that is present in 0.02% of the autopsies. Epidemiologically, the radiological presentation mimicking a subdural hematoma is even more uncommon. We report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis by an adenocarcinoma of the prostate mimicking a chronic subdural hematoma. Case Report A 60-year-old male patient was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. He underwent radical resection of the prostate, as well as adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Five years later, the patient presented peripheral facial paralysis that evolved with vomiting and mental confusion. Tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed the subdural collection. At surgery, the dura was infiltrated by friable material of difficult hemostasis. The anatomicopathological examination showed atypical epithelial cells. The immunohistochemistry was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and other key markers, and it was conclusive for meningeal carcinomatosis by a prostate adenocarcinoma. Discussion Meningeal carcinomatosis presents clinically with headache, motor deficits, vomiting, changes in consciousness and seizures. The two most discussed mechanisms of neoplastic infiltration are the hematogenous route and retrograde drainage by the vertebral venous plexus. Conclusion Variable clinical presentations may occur in dural metastases; however, the radiological presentation as subdural hematoma is rare. There are few descriptions of cases like this one in the literature. To support the diagnosis, the previous medical history is as important as the complementary exams and the radiological findings, because the symptoms are common at the neurological emergency. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a prostate neoplasm mimicking chronic subdural hematoma in Brazil

The nature of excessive sleepiness and sudden sleep onset in Parkinson׳s disease

Objectives: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sudden sleep onset (SOS) episodes are frequent in Parkinson׳s disease (PD). The objectives are to identify clinical characteristics and factors associated with EDS and SOS episodes. Methods: Clinical demographic data were recorded (N=100, mean age=65.0±10.4). EDS was identified by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS>10) and SOS episodes were registered. Disease severity was evaluated by the Unified Parkinson׳s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS, I, II, and III), sleep disturbances by the Parkinson׳s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS10) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) by the REM sleep behavior scale. Levodopa equivalent dose was measured. Results: PD patients with EDS (67%) were predominately male (73.1%) and had worse disease severity (UPDRS II and III p= 0.005); SOS episodes (39%) were associated with disease duration, diabetes, sleep disturbances (PDSS Scale), disease severity (UPDRS I, II, III) and RBD symptoms (p<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis showed that EDS was independently associated with motor-symptoms severity (UPDRS III scale, p=0.003). SOS episodes were independently associated with disease duration (p=0.006) and sleep disturbances (PDSS scale, p=0.03): patients had more uncomfortable immobility at night, tremor on waking and snoring or difficult breathing. Discussion: EDS and or SOS episodes are frequent and manifest a differential pattern in PD. SOS episodes are associated with longer disease duration, diabetes, sleep disturbances and RBD symptoms indicating that these “sleep attacks” are of multifactorial origin and probably influenced by brain structural abnormalities

Magnetic resonance neurography in the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: Case report and literature review

Magnetic resonance neurography is a technique for identifying anatomy and pathologic lesions of nerves, and has emerged as a helpful technique for localizing lesions and elucidating the underlying etiology. Ganglioneuromas are highly differentiated benign tumors. This lesion is rare and exhibits undetermined symptoms, the features of using the magnetic resonance neurography are a great ally to determine its diagnosis. The authors illustrate a case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma emphasizing its image characteristics using magnetic resonance neurography with the diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination. Keywords: Ganglioneuroma, Lumbosacral plexus, MRI, MR