A randomized pilot study of patients with tandem carotid lesions undergoing thrombectomy

Background and purposeThe optimal management of patients with tandem lesions (TL), or cervical internal carotid artery (c-ICA) steno-occlusive pathology and ipsilateral intracranial occlusion, who are undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) remains unknown. We sought to establish the feasibility of a trial designed to address this question.Materials and methodsThe Endovascular Acute Stroke Intervention (EASI) study was a single-centre randomized trial comparing EVT to medical therapy for large-vessel occlusion stroke. Patients with TL receiving EVT were randomly allocated to acute c-ICA stenting or no stenting. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days. Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) at 24 hours and mortality at 90 days.ResultsOf 301 patients included in EASI between 2013 and 2018, 24 (8.0%) with TL were randomly allocated to acute stenting (n = 13) or no stenting (n = 11). Baseline characteristics were balanced. Eight (61.5%; 95% CI 35.5%–82.3%) and 7 (63.6%; 95% CI 35.4%–84.9%) patients, respectively, had a favorable outcome (mRS 0–2; P = 1.0). One non-stented patient had a symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.ConclusionsThis pilot trial of patients with TL undergoing EVT suggests that a sufficiently powered larger TL trial comparing acute c-ICA stenting to no stenting is feasible.Clinical Trial RegistrationURL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02157532.     

Livedo racemosa in neurological diseases: an update on the differential diagnoses

Livedo is a net‐like violaceous skin pattern. It can be classified as physiological or pathological. The physiological livedo reticularis usually appears in cold conditions, whereas the pathological and irregular livedo, which persists in warm temperatures, is often labeled as ‘livedo racemosa’. Some neurological pathologies are associated with livedo, most commonly those with an inflammatory component or those derived from systemic disorders. The present review summarizes the most important central and peripheral neurological diseases in pediatric and adult age groups associated with livedo, providing physicians with an overview of the clinical presentation, etiology, diagnosis and management of these conditions.     

Spontaneous and reflex movements after diagnosis of clinical brain death: A lesson from acute encephalopathy

BackgroundOrgan transplantation after brain death (BD) of the donor has been promoted in many countries as an established medical treatment. However, some problems with brain-dead organ transplantation have been reported. For example, there is no evidence as to the optimal observation period for a diagnosis and no evidence to support the interpretation of the various body movements observed after the determination of BD.Case reportA previously healthy 17-month-old girl with severe febrile convulsive status was transferred to our intensive care unit. The convulsions were refractory and the patient required respiratory management due to whole brain edema on head CT. Later she was diagnosed with acute encephalopathy. The patient showed a flat EEG, no responses on auditory brainstem responses (ABR), and loss of brainstem reflexes on repeated daily examinations. No apnea test was performed. Based on the diagnosis of clinical BD, coordinator of Japan Organ Transplant Network explained about organ donation on the 17th day of the disease. Subsequently, the family responded that they could not consent to organ donation, and the patient did not proceed to the legal BD determination. Around five weeks after the onset, spontaneous body movements began to appear, as not only the spinal reflexes but also the brainstem involvement.ConclusionThe pathophysiology of acute encephalopathy is largely unknown, and it is difficult to determine the observation period necessary for BD determination. What we have learned from this case is that clinical BD remains ambiguous and cannot be confirmed even with a thorough neurological examination, EEG, and ABR.     

结核特异性抗原与CD4+T细胞计数比值对AIDS合并肺结核的辅助诊断价值

目的:评价结核特异性抗原(TBAg)与CD4⁺T淋巴细胞(简称“CD4”)计数的比值(TBAg/CD4)对AIDS合并活动性肺结核(PTB)的辅助诊断价值。方法:采用前瞻性研究的方法,参照入组标准纳入2018年1月至2020年12月苏州市第五人民医院收治的262例疑似活动性PTB的AIDS患者,并将患者分为AIDS+PTB组(152例)和AIDS组(110例)。采集患者入院次日清晨静脉血进行干扰素体外释放酶联免疫法(TB-IGRA)、血常规、CD4检测,比较两组间TBAg水平和TBAg/CD4比值的差异。以临床诊断为参考标准,评价TB-IGRA检测AIDS合并PTB的效能,并以受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)下面积(AUC)确定诊断效能最佳的检测指标。结果:以临床诊断为参考标准,TB-IGRA检测AIDS合并活动性PTB的敏感度和特异度分别为53.95%(82/152)和75.45%(83/110)。TB-IGRA检测AIDS+PTB组的TBAg、TBAg/CD4水平[分别为92.51(-68.20,906.10)pg/ml和1.01(0.00,10.12)]均明显高于AIDS组[分别为85.20(-33.80,801.30)pg/ml和0.11(0.00,2.07)],对照培养管抗原浓度[529.50(12.50,1160.50)pg/ml]明显低于AIDS组[694.50(29.90,990.00)pg/ml],差异均有统计学意义(Z=-3.481、-9.557、3.289,P值均<0.001)。ROC曲线分析显示,对照培养管抗原浓度、TBAg、TBAg/CD4对诊断AIDS合并活动性PTB的AUC值分别为0.718、0.637和0.842;当TBAg/CD4的临界值为0.592时,约登指数最大,其敏感度为88.10%,特异度为77.10%。结论:相较于AIDS患者,AIDS合并PTB患者的TBAg和TBAg/CD4水平均明显升高,尤以TBAg/CD4诊断价值高,结合患者免疫状态的影响,认为TBAg/CD4对AIDS合并PTB患者具有一定辅助诊断价值。     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in cirrhotics with gastric antral vascular ectasia

Background and aimsGastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by angliodysplastic lesions that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The mechanism behind GAVE and its association with other diseases remains unknown. We investigated the association of metabolic syndrome in cirrhotic GAVE patients when compared to esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 941 consecutive esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) for UGIB at a medical center between 2017 and 2019. The GAVE group consisted of EGD or biopsy diagnosed cirrhotic GAVE patients, and the EVH group consisted of EVH patients with active bleeding or stigmata of recent hemorrhage on EGD. Baseline variables including co-morbidities and cirrhotic etiology were recorded. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon test and categorical variables were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Multiple logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between GAVE and covariates.ResultsThe final cohort had 96 GAVE and 104 EVH patients. Mean BMI was significantly higher in the GAVE cohort (32.6 vs 27.9, p < 0.0001) in addition to diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (53.1% vs 37.5%; 76% vs 47.1%; 38.5% vs 14.4%; respectively, all p < 0.05). Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis was more prevalent in GAVE than EVH patients (50% vs 24%, p = 0.0001). Multiple logistics regression revealed female sex, increased BMI, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia all having significantly higher risk of GAVE (all p < 0.05).ConclusionOur data indicates that when compared to cirrhotics patients with EVH, cirrhotics with GAVE have increased risk of metabolic syndrome. This may play a role in the underlying pathophysiology of GAVE.     

Intranodal Lymphangiography with Thoracic Duct Embolization for Treatment of Chyle Leak after Thoracic Outlet Decompression Surgery

From 2015 to 2019, 9 patients underwent ultrasound-guided intranodal lymphangiography for the treatment of a chyle leak following thoracic outlet decompression surgery. Chyle leaks were identified by Lipiodol (Guerbet, Roissy, France) extravasation near the left supraclavicular surgical bed in all patients. The technical success rate of thoracic duct embolization was 67% (6 of 9), including fluoroscopic transabdominal antegrade access (n = 4) and ultrasound-guided retrograde access in the left neck (n = 2). Clinical success was achieved in 89% of patients (8 of 9). The mean interval from lymphangiography to drain removal was 6.6 days (range, 4–18 d). No patients had a chyle leak recurrence during clinical follow-up (mean, 304 d).     

Pericapsular hip muscle activity in people with and without femoroacetabular impingement. A comparison in dynamic tasks

ObjectivesCompare anterior pericapsular muscle activity between individuals with and without femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) during dynamic tasks, to investigate whether muscle activity is consistent with a role in retracting the capsule to prevent impingement and active restraint of the femoral head in walking.DesignCross-sectional.SettingUniversity-laboratory.ParticipantsThirteen athletes with FAIS and 13 pain-free controls.Main outcome measuresMuscle activity was recorded using fine-wire (Iliocapsularis, iliacus and anterior gluteus minimus) and surface (rectus femoris) electromyography (EMG), during three hip flexion tasks (active and assisted hip flexion; squatting) and four walking trials.ResultsIliocapsularis EMG amplitude was no different between active and assisted hip flexion tasks around 90° of hip flexion in FAIS. There was no difference in EMG between groups in squatting. The pattern of burst activity preceding peak hip extension in iliacus, iliocapsularis, and anterior gluteus minimus was similar in both groups during walking.ConclusionIn FAIS, similar activation of iliocapsularis during active and assisted hip flexion, despite reduced flexion torque demand in the latter, suggests a role in capsular retraction or enhanced hip joint protection. Pericapsular muscle activity in advance of peak hip extension during walking is consistent with a proposed contribution to femoral head control.