Neurological Examination Findings Research Articles

Risk Factors of Post-Stroke Epilepsy in Children; Experience from a Tertiary Center and a Brief Review of the Literature

ObjectivesAcute seizures and post-stroke epilepsy have been reported more frequently in patients with pediatric stroke than adults. Acute seizures in the first days of a stroke may deteriorate stroke and ischemia-related neurodegeneration and contribute to the development of post-stroke epilepsy. In this study, we aimed to investigate risk factors for the development of post-stroke epilepsy in children with arterial ischemic stroke. Materials and MethodsWe recruited 86 children with arterial ischemic stroke. We analyzed variables, including age at admission, gender, complaints at presentation, focal or diffuse neurologic signs, neurologic examination findings, laboratory investigations that were conducted at admission with stroke (complete blood cell count, biochemical-infectious-metabolic-immunological investigations, vitamin B12 levels, vitamin D levels), neuroimaging results, etiologies, time of the first seizure, time of remote seizures, and development of neurologic deficit retrospectively. Seizures during the first six hours after stroke onset were defined as ‘very early seizures’. ‘Early seizures’ were referred to seizures during the first 48 h. Patients who experienced two or more seizures that occurred after the acute phase of seizures were classified as ‘epileptic.’ A binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate risk factors. ResultsAn acute seizure was detected in 59% and post-stroke epilepsy developed in 41% of our cohort. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ‘very early seizures’ increased epilepsy risk six-fold. Epilepsy was 16 times higher in patients with ‘early seizures’. Low vitamin D levels were defined as a risk factor for post-stroke epilepsy. ConclusionSeizures in the very early period (within the first six hours) are the most significant risk factors for the development of post-stroke epilepsy Further studies regarding seizure prevention and neuroprotective therapies are needed because post-stroke epilepsy will affect long term prognosis in patients with pediatric stroke.

Evaluation of serum high-mobility group box 1 concentration in dogs with epilepsy: A case-control study.

BackgroundHigh‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key mediator of neuroinflammation and there are increased HMGB1 levels in laboratory animal models of epilepsy and human patients with epilepsy.ObjectivesTo determine serum HMGB1 levels in dogs with epilepsy.AnimalsTwenty‐eight epileptic dogs, 12 dogs with nonepileptic brain diseases, and 26 healthy dogs.MethodsIn this case‐control study, serum HMGB1 concentrations were estimated using the canine‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. Diagnosis of dogs with epilepsy was based on medical history, physical and neurological examination findings, laboratory test results, magnetic resonance image, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.ResultsSerum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in epileptic dogs (median = 0.41 ng/mL; range, 0.03‐5.28) than in healthy dogs (median = 0.12 ng/mL; range, 0.02‐1.45; P = .002). In contrast, serum HMGB1 levels of dogs with non‐epileptic brain diseases (median = 0.19 ng/mL; range, 0.03‐1.04) were not significantly increased compared to those of healthy dogs (P = .12). Regarding idiopathic epilepsy, dogs with an epilepsy course of >3 months showed a higher serum HMGB1 concentration (median = 0.87 ng/mL; range, 0.42‐2.88) than those with that of ≤3 months (median = 0.26 ng/mL; range, 0.03‐0.88; P = .02).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSerum HMGB1 could be a biomarker of epilepsy.

Accuracy of prehospital ambulance stroke test in terms of diagnosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke: A multi-center study.

Background: Andsberg et al. have recently introduced a novel scoring system entitled “PreHospital Ambulance Stroke Test (PreHAST)”, which helps to early identification of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) even in prehospital setting. Its validity has not been assessed in a study yet, and the purpose of this study was to assess this scoring system on a larger scale to provide further evidence in this regard. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multi-center accuracy study, in which, sampling was performed prospectively. All patients over 18 years of age admitted to the emergency department (ED) and suspected as AIS cases were included. All required data were recorded in a form consisting of 3 parts: baseline characteristics, neurological examination findings required for calculating PreHAST score, and the ultimate diagnosis made from interpretation of their brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Data from 805 patients (57.5% men) with the mean age of 67.1 ± 13.6 years were analyzed. Of all the patients presenting with suspected AIS, 562 (69.8%) had AIS based on their MRI findings. At the suggested cut-off point (score ≥ 1), PreHAST had a specificity of 46.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 40.1%-53.0%) and a sensitivity of 93.2% (95% CI: 90.8%-95.2%). Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, at the suggested cut-off point (score ≥ 1), PreHAST had 93.2% sensitivity and 46.5% specificity in detection of patients with AIS, which were somewhat different from those reported in the original study, where 100% sensitivity and 40% specificity were reported for this scoring system.

Presumed optic neuritis of non-infectious origin in dogs treated with immunosuppressive medication: 28 dogs (2000-2015).

To describe the clinical findings, magnetic resonance imaging features, management and outcome of canine cases with presumed optic neuritis of non-infectious origin that were presented to a UK referral centre from January 2000 to December 2015. The clinical database was searched for optic neuritis. Dogs with acute-onset vision impairment, systemic immunosuppressive treatment and follow-up of ≥6months were included. Information collected included: age; gender; breed; clinical signs and duration; physical, ophthalmic and neurological examination findings; concurrent systemic disease; and results of electroretinogram, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, polymerase chain reaction and serology testing for Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and canine distemper virus, haematology and serum biochemistry profiles, abdominal ultrasound, thoracic radiography, treatment and outcome. Twenty-eight dogs were included, with a total of 48 affected optic nerves. Age at presentation ranged from 6 months to 10.5 years. Fundoscopic evidence of optic nerve disease was present in 34 of 48 (71%) optic nerves. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed enlargement of 32 of 48 (67%) nerves and contrast enhancement of 28 of 48 (58%) nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis performed in 25 of 28 (89%) dogs revealed pleocytosis (>5 nucleated cells/uL) in 11 of 25 (44%) and increased protein (>0.35 g/L) in 11 of 25 (44%). Immunosuppressive prednisolone was administered to all dogs. Prednisolone was used alone in 9 of 28 (32%) dogs; the remaining 19 dogs received a combination of prednisolone with cytosine arabinoside, cyclosporine and/or azathioprine. Vision was recovered in 24 eyes (50%) of 18 affected dogs. A positive response to treatment was observed in 64% of dogs with presumptively diagnosed optic neuritis treated with immunosuppressive medication.

Pembrolizumab on pre-existing inclusion body myositis: a case report

BackgroundCases of exacerbation of pre-existing neuromuscular diseases induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have rarely been reported because patients with autoimmune diseases have generally been excluded from ICI therapy due to the increased risk of exacerbation. We describe the first case of an elderly patient who experienced exacerbation of a previously undiagnosed sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), the most common myopathy in the geriatric population, which was triggered by anti-programmed cell death-1 therapy.Case presentationA 75-year-old man who was receiving pembrolizumab presented with limb weakness. Three years prior, he had noticed slowly progressive limb weakness, but he received no diagnosis. After the first infusion of pembrolizumab, his creatine kinase (CK) levels had increased. The neurological examination and muscle biopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of sIBM and suggested exacerbation of sIBM induced by pembrolizumab. After the patient’s CK levels decreased, pembrolizumab was restarted. The tumor progressed after its treatment with pembrolizumab. The patient died after 15 months of follow-up.ConclusionsIn patients with slowly progressive limb weakness, sIBM should be explored before ICI therapy. In addition, if patients show high CK levels after ICI introduction, it is necessary to confirm whether they have sIBM in order to avoid unnecessary immunosuppressive therapies and assess whether they can tolerate ICI reintroduction.

Comparison of Two Minimally Invasive Techniques with Endoscopy and Microscopy for Extraforaminal Disc Herniations

Extraforaminal disc herniations are extraordinary herniations because they are located outside the foraminal bony borders and compress the root exiting at the corresponding level, whereas in median or paramedian herniations, the root 1 level below is compressed. Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) and microscopic extraforaminal discectomy (MEFD) are 2 popular contemporary techniques that have been performed extensively for these herniations since the 1970s. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 118 patients who underwent either PED (66 patients) or MEFD (52 patients). All the patients were clinically evaluated for neurologic examination findings, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day as well as 6 and 12 months after surgery. The complication rates and types of both techniques were discussed. The preoperative VAS score and ODI were all comparable. Improvements in VAS scores 6 months postoperatively and improvements in ODI at all follow-up periods were statistically significant in favor of PED. However, there was great discrepancy regarding the postsurgical complications in favor of MEFD. PED is more prone to complications because this technique is strictly dependent on the tubular system and the ideal anatomy of the Kambin triangle. Variations in or degeneration of the Kambin triangle can lead to devastating complications in the PED technique, but normal anatomic conditions are feasible in only approximately 20% of patients. The most important feature of this study was that both techniques were performed by the same experienced team, who developed their own concept.

Retrospective review of children with vertigo: a 3-year experience

Objectives: To evaluate the age, sex, accompanying symptoms, etiologic factors and laboratory findings in children with vertigo in a tertiary research hospital. Methods: A total of 183 children (65 boys and 118 girls), aged 3-18 (median:14), who presented with complaints of vertigo between November 2016 and September 2019 in the pediatric neurology department were examined retrospectively. Systemic and neurological examination findings, laboratory findings including complete blood count and biochemical tests (fasting blood glucose, electrolytes, liver-kidney function tests), iron, iron-binding capacity, ferritin, vitamin B12 level and thyroid function test results, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging findings were examined. Results: The frequency of vertigo complaints were found to be higher in female gender (p = 0.008). The frequency of admission was significantly higher in adolescents (> 12 years) (67%) compared to other age groups (p < 0.001). The most common cause of vertigo was benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC) (23%) and orthostatic hypotension (22%) was the second. When the relationship between the etiology of vertigo and age was examined, the most common cause was BPVC under 12 years of age, where as orthostatic hypotension was significantly more frequent in adolescents (p < 0.001). Headache (41%), syncope (27%) and nausea-vomiting (10%) were the most common accompanying symptoms with vertigo. Epileptiform disorder was detected in 7% of patients who underwent EEG. Of 171 patients who underwent neuroimaging, 85% reported as normal and 10% had non-specific findings. Conclusions: In children presenting with a complaint of vertigo, a detailed history including the age at when the complaint began and the accompanying symptoms, physical examination, blood pressure measurement, laboratory tests, and EEG and neuroimaging (if necessary) should be performed with a multidisciplinary approach.

Identification of prognostic factors in surgically treated patients with acute epidural hematoma

Context:Only few comprehensive studies have investigated acute epidural hematoma (AEDH), and a low incidence of the lesion has been observed in comparison with other types of traumatic brain injuries such as subdural hematoma, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, and contusion.Aim:This study aims to identify the prognostic factors of surgically treated AEDH.Settings and Design:The medical records of 58 consecutive patients with surgically treated AEDH between September 2011 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.Subjects and Methods:All patients were diagnosed with AEDHs using 5-mm-slice computed tomography (CT). Information regarding the following demographic and clinical characteristics was collected: age, sex, antithrombotic drug use, mechanisms of injury, time from onset to operation, neurological examination, vital signs, blood examination, and CT findings.Statistical Analysis Used:We analyzed prognostic factors in patients with AEDH using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.Results:Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that age (P < 0.01) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS; P < 0.01) were independent predictive factors for good prognosis. In addition, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that an age of <55 years and a GCS score of >12 were optimal cutoff values for predicting good prognoses, with the areas under the ROC curve of 0.827 and 0.810, respectively.Conclusions:Age and GCS are useful predictors of prognosis in patients with surgically treated AEDH. These findings are appropriate prognostic indicators for urgent surgery performed to treat AEDH and intended to help clinicians make a prompt diagnosis.

The Diagnostic Value of Stweak in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background:Considering the critical role of early diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke, biomarkers that can reliable assist in the diagnosis are still needed. These biomarkers should rapidly analyze, have high specificity for brain damage, and be available in the emergency settings for early diagnosis and exclusion of other conditions that mimic acute ischemic stroke. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis, a protein involved in the regulation of several biological functions, could be a potential acute ischemic stroke biomarker.Aims:To investigate the diagnostic value of soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and examine the relationship between ischemic area volume determined at diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis.Study Design:A prospective, case-control study.Methods:This case-control prospective study included 36 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 36 healthy volunteers. Information on age, sex, presence of chronic disease, neurological examination findings, times of presentation to the emergency department after acute ischemic stroke, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels, ischemic area volumes at diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and 6-month mortality rates after stroke were recorded. The results were analyzed on SPSS 22.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:A soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis cut-off value of 995.5 pg/mL exhibited a sensitivity of 80.5% and a positive predictive value of 82.5% with an area under the curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.74-0.94; p<0.001). The mean soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels in the acute ischemic stroke group (1968.08±1441.99 μg/L) were significantly higher than those in the control group (704.81±291.72 μg/L) (p<0.001). No correlation was observed between soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels and ischemic area volume measured at diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (r=-0.008; p=0.07). The mean ischemic area volume was 505.68±381.10 and 60.96±80.89 mm3 in the nonsurviving and surviving patients, respectively (p=0.002).Conclusion:Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis can be used in the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. However, it is inconclusive in estimating ischemic area volume and early mortality following acute ischemic stroke. Ischemic area volume measured at diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a marker of poor prognosis and can be used in predicting early mortality.

33-Year-Old Woman With Postpartum Acute Shortness of Breath

33-Year-Old Woman With Postpartum Acute Shortness of Breath

Altered Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) in Children with Ataxia Telangiectasia

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a devastating multi-system disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia and immunodeficiency. The neurological decline may be caused by multiple factors of which ongoing inflammation and oxidative stress may play a dominant role. The objective of the present investigation was to determine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins and possible low-grade inflammation and its relation to age and neurological deterioration. In the present study, we investigated 15 patients with A-T from 2 to 16 years. Our investigation included blood and CSF tests, clinical neurological examination, A-T score, and MRI findings. The albumin ratio (AR) was analyzed to determine the blood–brain-barrier function. In addition, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 p40, IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-α) were measured by the multiplex cytometric bead array. We compared the results with those from an age-matched control group. Three of the A-T patients were analyzed separately (one after resection of a cerebral meningioma, one after radiation and chemotherapy due to leukemia, one after stem cell transplantation). Patient had significantly more moderate and severe side effects due to CSF puncture (vomiting, headache, need for anti-emetic drugs) compared with healthy controls. Total protein, albumin, and the AR increased with age indicating a disturbed blood barrier function in older children. There were no differences for cytokines in serum and CSF with the exception of IL-2, which was significantly higher in controls in serum. The AR is significantly altered in A-T patients, but low-grade inflammation is not detectable in serum and CSF.

Congenital Melanocytic Hairy Nevi in a Child from North-Western Nigeria

Aim: To present the first report of a large congenital melanocytic nevus with satellite nevi in an apparently healthy child from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria.&#x0D; Presentation of Case: A three year old girl was brought to the paediatric out-patient clinic of Paediatrics department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto with complaints of darkened skin colour on the left side of the face and scalp, the left arm, lower back, buttocks, and thighs, and excessive hair growth over the same side of the face since birth. There were no neurological symptoms Physical examination findings revealed a well-nourished, not ill looking child. She had a hyper pigmented patch on the left side of the face extending from the lower jaw to the scalp, measuring 21 cm in its longest length, with hypertrichosis on the same site, and two distinct, firm, painless nodular lesions on the left temporal region measuring 3 mm and 4mm respectively. On the lower one-third of the left arm was a hairy, velvety area of hyperpigmentation measuring 2X3 cm in diameter. Other affected sites were the lower back, the gluteal region and the thighs. Her neurologic and other systemic examinations were normal. A diagnosis of large congenital facial melanocytic hairy nevus with multiple satellite nevi was made.&#x0D; Discussion: Congenital melanocytic nevi are benign proliferations of melanocytic cells said to be present at birth or in the first two years of life. Large lesions are rare, they measure 20 cm or more and are said to occur more commonly on the trunk and thighs. The exact pathogenesis of congenital melanocytic nevi is yet, unknown. It is thought to occur as a result of a morphological error in the neuroectoderm during embryogenesis. Treatment of patients with large congenital melanocytic nevus may include surgical or non-surgical procedures as well as psychological interventions. Large lesions, multiple satellite lesions or paravertebral and axial locations are sometimes associated with the risk of neurological complications and malignant transformation.&#x0D; Conclusion: Large congenital melanocytic nevi are uncommon skin lesions that can occur in apparently healthy children. Individualization of the patients with regards to treatment options and long term monitoring are imperative.

Neuroimaging findings in headache with normal neurologic examination: Systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo determine if pooled estimates of the prevalence of unexpected findings in patients with headache and normal neurologic examination support current expert opinion-based neuroimaging guidelines. MethodsWe searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting neuroimaging findings in patients with headache and normal neurologic examination up to September 30, 2017. The overall and disease-specific prevalence of unexpected findings were pooled through random-effects meta-analysis. This study is registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42017079714. ResultsIn forty-one studies including 15,760 participants, the overall prevalence of unexpected findings and normal variants was 17.5% (95% CI: 13.1–22.3). The prevalence was 26.6% (95% CI: 15.5–39.4) in studies using MRI only. The prevalence of vascular, neoplastic, and non-neoplastic findings was 6.6%, 1.4%, and 9.6%. The pooled disease-specific prevalence was 2.0% for stroke, 1.8% for aneurysms, 0.8% for subdural hematoma, 0.7% for hydrocephalus, 0.2% for glioma, and 0.1% for meningioma. In secondary analysis, there was 0.4% increase in the prevalence of vascular unexpected findings with each 1% increase in the proportion of migraine with aura (p-value for meta-regression = 0.005). ConclusionsIn patients with headache and normal neurologic examination, important vascular and neoplastic unexpected findings are rare and better detected with MRI. This supports current American College of Radiology and European Headache Federation recommendations to avoid systematic imaging in such patients and prefer MRI when imaging is needed.

A Rare Complication of Bariatric Surgery; Guillain Barre Syndrome

Objectives: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive paresis and sensory disturbances. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), used of morbid obesity, is the standard surgical treatment method for Bariatric Surgery (BS). Neurological complications of BS are also increasing with growing obesity prevalence. We present a case of developed acute polyneuropathy after BS. Study Design-Methods: The presentation of GBS is ascending paralysis, reduction/loss of muscle stretch reflexes, and albumino-cytologic dissociation in the CSF. The diagnosis was made using anamnesis, neurological examination, Electroneuromyography (ENMG) and laboratory findings. Results: Neurological complications of BS are usually related to micronutrients deficiencies secondary to malabsorbtion after surgery. The complications are seen variable which are count encephalopathy, optic neuropathy, myelopathy, polyradiculoneuropathy, and polyneuropathy. Conclusions: Among these, GBS appears to be a very rare complication in BS. It is important to consider the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, and discrimination of GuillainBarré syndrome. Because of, their treatments are different.

27-Year-Old Woman With Fever, Headache, and Anemia

27-Year-Old Woman With Fever, Headache, and Anemia

Clinical signs, aetiology and outcome in 30 cats with recurrent seizures (2002-2018)

The purpose of the current study was to describe seizure types, aetiology, treatment response and outcome in 30cats with recurrent seizures. This retrospective case series study included the medical records of client-owned cats, admitted to the Clinic of Companion Animals for seizure disorders, from 2002 to 2018. Recorded data included history, seizure type, physical and neurological examination findings, blood pressure measurements, complete blood counts, serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis, tentative/final diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization and longterm outcome. A total of 298 feline neurology cases were examined during the study period. Of those, 38 cases were admitted for seizure disorders and 30 met the inclusion criteria. Median age on admission was 38,2 months (3,1 years) (range 2 months- 14 years old).Seizure types, as per owner description, were generalized (26 cats), focal with secondary generalization (3 cats), focal (2 cats) and complex (1 cat). Cluster seizures appeared at least once in 18/30 and status epilepticus in 7/30. Different seizure types were also recorded in individual cases. Fifteen cats (15/30) were hospitalized at least once and the duration of hospitalization ranged from 1-10 days. In most cases, in which diagnosis was established, epilepsy wassecondary (25/30), due to previous head trauma(11/30),metabolic (1/30), or inflammatory (4/30) disease, arterial hypertension (3/30), toxicosis (3/30) and intracranial neoplasia (2/30).Congenital hydrocephalus was detected in 1 cat. Tentative diagnosis could not be established in 5cats; however differential diagnosis included inflammatory or neoplastic encephalopathies.Antiepileptic drug monotherapy (phenobarbital or levetiracetam) was sufficient to control the seizures in 14 cases, while administration of combination therapy with 2 or more antiepileptic drugs was required in 5 cases (phenobarbital, levetiracetam, gabapentin). Successful control was achieved in 11/30 animals for 1-5 years. Seven cats required intensive care at least once due to status epilepticus. Until today, eighteen (18/30) cats are still alive and 11 died or were euthanized.Although in most cases epilepsy was secondary, seizure control was adequate and quality of life (QoL) was improved with antiepileptic drugs when metabolic, inflammatory and neoplastic encephalopathies were excluded.

Case-Control Study of Paresthesia Among World Trade Center-Exposed Community Members.

To investigate whether paresthesia of the lower extremities following exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster was associated with signs of neuropathy, metabolic abnormalities, or neurotoxin exposures. Case-control study comparing WTC-exposed paresthesia cases with "clinic controls" (WTC-exposed subjects without paresthesias), and "community controls" (WTC-unexposed persons). Neurological histories and examination findings were significantly worse in cases than controls. Intraepidermal nerve fiber densities were below normal in 47% of cases and sural to radial sensory nerve amplitude ratios were less than 0.4 in 29.4%. Neurologic abnormalities were uncommon among WTC-unexposed community controls. Metabolic conditions and neurotoxin exposures did not differ among groups. Paresthesias among WTC-exposed individuals were associated with signs of neuropathy, small and large fiber disease. The data support WTC-related exposures as risk factors for neuropathy, and do not support non-WTC etiologies.

Neurological outcomes of congenital Zika syndrome in toddlers and preschoolers: a case series

Congenital Zika syndrome causes a spectrum of neurological symptoms with varying effects on function that require different therapeutic strategies. To date, this spectrum of effects and its clinical implications have not been completely described. We describe the neurological examination findings in toddlers and preschoolers, including predominant symptom complexes and comorbidities. This study is a case-series neurological evaluation of 75 children with congenital Zika syndrome in Campina Grande, Brazil. The study is part of a cohort of children with congenital Zika syndrome that started in 2015 and is still ongoing. Children with Zika virus infection detected during pregnancy (mothers exhibited rash and were followed and diagnosed by fetal ultrasound abnormalities or RT-PCR) or through microcephaly screening after birth, using Intergrowth 21 guidelines, were selected by laboratory and radiological criteria. Children were examined during a 10-day period in September, 2018, and underwent neurological interview, examination, and assessment of functional outcomes and comorbidities. Children were divided in groups of predominant corticospinal or neuromuscular clinical signs and the associations between these groups and clinical comorbidities were assessed. All of the children recruited to the study from Nov 29, 2015 to Nov 30, 2017 had imaging correlates of congenital Zika syndrome. Children were assigned to groups depending on the signs exhibited, either corticospinal or neuromuscular, with or without dyskinetic signs. 75 children completed the evaluation, 38 (51%) girls and 37 (49%) boys. Median age was 33 months (range 26-40 months; IQR 29-34). Microcephaly was present at birth in 56 (75%) children, and 19 (25%) children were born with normal head circumference, 15 of whom later developed microcephaly. Neurological examination grouped four children as having isolated dyskinetic signs, 48 children were assigned to the corticospinal group and 23 into the neuromuscular group. Dyskinetic findings were present in 30 (40%) children, either alone (four [5%]) or combined with corticospinal (19 [40%] of 48) or neuromuscular (seven [30%] of 23) findings. Comorbidities were highly prevalent, and the neuromuscular group had worse functional outcomes, evaluated by gross motor function (p=0·026), manual abilities (p=0·0013), and communication function (p<0·0005) classification scales, than the corticospinal group, whereas pneumonia (p<0·0005) and urinary tract infections (p<0·0005) were more frequent in the corticospinal group. Cortical hyperexcitability was supported by several clinical correlates, such as early onset epilepsy, persistence of primitive reflexes, and dystonia. We describe distinct neurological profiles in the congenital Zika syndrome spectrum, with functional outcomes tending to correlate with these groups. The clinical division of children based on the disease signs proposed here is supported by the literature on central and peripheral nervous system pathology in congenital Zika syndrome. The high prevalence of dyskinetic symptoms merits special attention. Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel.

Multimodal Approach for Management of Retinal Angioma: A Case Series

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of multi modal approach in management of Retinal Angioma. Material and Methods: Medical reports of 15 eyes of 12 patients having retinal angioma presented over a period of 12 years were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, presenting complaint, general physical examination and neurological examination findings, initial Visual Acuity, eye involved, tumor location, growth pattern, ocular complications were noted. Fundus photographs and FFA, OCT at initial visit as well as those taken during follow-up and final visual acuity were noted. CT/MRI brain and abdominal ultrasound reports were reviewed. Any pedigree association with von-Hipple-Lindau disease was recorded. Results: Records of 15 eyes of 12 patients with retinal angioma were reviewed including 7 males and 5 females. Mean age of presentation was 27.7 yrs. Initial vision was 6/6 –6/18 in 27%, 6/24 –6/60 in 20%, 5/60 –3/60 in 27%, <2/60 in 26%. Laser was given as initial treatment in 8 eyes in which 4 eyes received intravitreal anti VEGF along with laser. Cryotherapy was done in 2 eyes and VR surgery was done in 5 patients. At final follow-up all patients had stable tumor and resolution of exudates and macular edema and vision was better than 6/18 in 73% 6/18 - 6/60 in 7% and less than 3/60 in 7%. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of retinal angiomas with multimodal approach yields good visual outcome. If untreated the tumors may eventually have exudative RD and have a poor visual prognosis even with vitreoretinal surgery.

Neuropathological findings in comatose patients with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

We sought to describe the relation between neuropathology and clinical information including neurological examination and electroencephalogram findings in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We reviewed the patients who had undergone brain autopsy from November 2017 through December 2018. Four patients with neuromonitoring had post mortem examination with brain autopsy. The median age was 56, and all had venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation. There was no known acute neurologic injury prior to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. While on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, all were persistently comatose off sedation. Continuous encephalogram was done on all four, all of which showed delta frequency with absent reactivity. In Case 1, the pathological evaluation demonstrated small infarcts in cerebral cortices. In Case 2, it showed cortical microhemorrhages and chronic microinfarcts in basal ganglia. In Cases 3 and 4, the neuropathological assessment demonstrated diffuse hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The clinical presentation was consistent with the widespread neuropathologic injury in two cases (Cases 3 and 4) but not in the other two (Cases 1 and 2). While "poor neurological status" was provided in the end-of-life discussion in all four, only two had significant brain injuries. There is limited understanding about brain injury in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Extrapolations related to prognostication from experience in other brain injury needs to be approached cautiously.