Asociación entre neuroimagen y secuelas neurológicas en pacientes con infección congénita por citomegalovirus

BackgroundCongenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of disability. There is little evidence on the prognostic value of lesions identified in neuroimaging studies.AimThe study aimed to assess the severity of lesions detected with brain MRI and transfontanellar ultrasound and their relationship with long-term neurological deficits.Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective, analytical, observational study of 36 patients with congenital CMV infection. Neuroimaging studies were reviewed and classified according to the modified Noyola’ scale. Imaging findings were compared with neurological alterations in the patients’ most recent follow-up evaluation at the paediatric neurology department.ResultsThirty-six patients were studied (transfontanellar ultrasound: 30; brain MRI: 29). Twenty of 30 patients showed ultrasound abnormalities; of these, 11 showed alterations on brain MR images (P=.04) and 10 had neurological impairment (P=.008). Transfontanellar ultrasound had a sensitivity of 83.3%, 90% CI: 58-100 and a specificity of 44.4%, 90% CI: 18.7-70.2 for predicting neurological sequelae. Brain MRI displayed abnormalities in 20 of 29 patients, of whom 16 had neurological impairment (P<.001). MRI had a sensitivity of 94%, 95% CI: 80-100 and a specificity of 66.6%, 95% CI: 36-97.5 for predicting neurological sequelae. Modified Noyola’ scale values >2 were correlated with psychomotor retardation (P<.001).ConclusionsOur findings validate previous studies reporting a statistical significant correlation between the extension of neuroimaging lesions and severity of neurological deficits.     

Papel de la microbiota intestinal en el desarrollo de diferentes enfermedades neurológicas

IntroductionIn recent years, the scientific evidence supporting a relationship between the microbiota and various diseases has increased significantly; this trend has also been observed for neurological diseases. This has given rise to the concept of the gut-brain axis and the idea of a relationship between the gut microbiota and several neurological diseases whose aetiopathogenesis is yet to be clearly defined.DevelopmentWe review the role of the gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis and analyse those neurological diseases in which alterations in the gut microbiota have been described as a result of human studies: specifically, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and multiple sclerosis.ConclusionsThe body of evidence linking the gut microbiota to various neurological diseases has grown considerably. Several interesting studies show a relationship between the gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer disease, neuromyelitis optica, and multiple sclerosis, whereas other controversial studies implicate it in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Many of these studies place considerable emphasis on modulation of inflammation, particularly by bacteria capable of producing short-chain fatty acids.Despite these encouraging results, many questions remain, and there is a need to demonstrate causality, determine the role of fungi or viruses, and research possible treatment through diet, probiotics, or faecal microbiota transplantation.     

Cirugía endoscópica vs. cirugía abierta en pacientes con neoplasias nasosinusales malignas con invasión cerebral. Estudio de serie de casos

ObjectivesTo determine the safety, effectiveness and perioperative costs of endonasal endoscopic approach in brain invasive malignant sinonsal tumors patients.Materials and methodsThis was a case series bidirectional study; that included 30 brain invasive malignant sinonsal tumors patients treated by endonasal endoscopic approach (2015-2017) and 53 by open surgery (2010-2015). Propensity score matching was used to compensate the prognostic factors; in a sample of 50 patients (25 per group). Primary response variables was local control and 3-years overall survival. Perioperative cost variables were analyzed.ResultsA number of 50 patients were included after matching (25 in each therapeutic group). The age average was 55 years and male proportion was 62%. Squamous cell carcinoma and grade II lesions were the most represented in the sample. Endonasal endoscopic approach reduced surgical time in 1 hour 20 minutes, transfusion needs in 5.5 fold and hospitalization in 19 days; in comparison with open technique. Oncologic control based on surgical free margins, local control, overall survival and progression free survival after three years was higher when the resection was performed endoscopically. Functional status was enhanced and complications diminished by using endoscopic approach. Saving was estimated in $7 355.18 per patient.ConclusionsEndonasal endoscopic approach represents a safe, effective and economic procedure in selected patients with malignant sinonasal tumors and brain invasion.     

La gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea en pacientes diagnosticados de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: mortalidad y complicaciones

IntroductionAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes severe dysphagia and weight loss. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is currently the technique of choice for the enteral nutrition of these patients.ObjectivesTo analyse mortality and complications in a series of patients diagnosed with ALS who underwent PEG, and to evaluate factors related to patient survival after the procedure.Material and methodsWe performed a prospective, observational study including all patients diagnosed with ALS and treated by our hospital's Gastroenterology Department in the period 1997-2013. We studied mortality, complications, and clinical and biochemical parameters, and correlated these with the survival rate.ResultsThe study included a total of 57 patients, of whom 49 were ultimately treated with PEG. ALS onset was bulbar in 30 patients and spinal in 19. Mortality during the procedure and at 30 days was 2% (n = 1). Six patients (12.2%) experienced major complications; 17 (34.7%) experienced less serious complications which were easily resolved with conservative treatment. No significant differences were observed in forced vital capacity, albumin level, or age between patients with (n = 6) and without (n = 43) major complications.ConclusionsPEG is an effective, relatively safe procedure for the enteral nutrition of patients with ALS, although not without morbidity and mortality. Neither forced vital capacity nor the form of presentation of ALS were associated with morbidity in PEG.     

Efectos del entrenamiento en bicicleta con retroalimentación visual sobre la marcha en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple

IntroductionGait alterations are present in a high percentage of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). They appear from early stages of the disease and can limit patients’ capacity to perform basic activities of daily living, affecting their quality of life. Visual biofeedback cycling training appears to be a useful tool in treating these impairments. This study aims to evaluate the short-term effect of visual biofeedback cycling training on gait in patients with MS.Material and methodsA total of 61 patients with mild to moderate MS were randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group. The intervention group received visual biofeedback cycling training (MOTOmed viva2 system) once per week for 3 months, and a home exercise program. The control group only received the home exercise program. Both groups were evaluated using the GAITRite® Walkway gait assessment system before the intervention, during the first month of the programme, and after the intervention.ResultsIn the intervention group, the analysis revealed statistically significant differences between Functional Ambulation Profile (FAP) scores before and during the intervention (P=.014), and before and after the intervention (P=.002). A statistically significant improvement was observed in step length in the intervention group between pre- and post-intervention scores (P=.001) and between first-month and post-intervention scores (P=.004).ConclusionsVisual biofeedback cycling training improved specific gait parameters in the short term and appears to be a therapeutic option for gait retraining in patients with MS.     

Terapia con estimulación del nervio vago en pacientes con epilepsia fármaco-resistente y callosotomía previa

ObjectiveTo analyse the results of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and previous corpus callosotomy.Materials and methodsWe prospectively reviewed data from patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who showed persistence of disabling seizures after undergoing corpus callosotomy, in whom it was not possible to identify an epileptogenic focus and who were subsequently treated with vagus nerve stimulation.Variables analysed included: age, gender, aetiology of epilepsy, frequency and characteristics of the crises and Engel scale classification, before and after vagal stimulator implant. Furthermore, the percentage differences in seizure frequency changes were also calculated.ResultsFour patients were identified: two male and two female. The total seizure frequency had decreased between 20% and 81% after corpus callosotomy in three patients and one of them did not show any favourable response (Engel IVB). Following implantation of the stimulator they became reduced to between 57% and 100% after a mean follow-up period of 8.3 months (range: 3 to 12 months). Generalised seizures decreased between 71.4% and 100%, and focal seizures between 57.7% and 100%.ConclusionsVagus nerve stimulation therapy proved to be an alternative for the reduction of seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who suffered disabling seizures despite undergoing corpus callosotomy as primary surgery.     

Estimulación cerebral profunda en pacientes parkinsonianos con intolerancia a levodopa

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is at present, a useful treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and motor complications. The crucial step toward consistent DBS outcomes remains careful patient selection; several conditions must be fulfilled including excellent levo dopa response. We report two cases of early onset Parkinson's disease with severe intolerance to levo dopa but excellent and sustained response to DBS. DBS can be a useful alternative for parkinsonian patients with severe intolerance to levo dopa, provided a positive acute response to levo dopa or apomorphine is obtained.     

Factores relacionados con el pronóstico de la ventriculostomía premamilar endoscópica en pacientes pediátricos

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for paediatric patients has different success rates between the published series, making its recommendation controversial. Different definitions of ETV success, hydrocephalus aetiology or patient age at diagnosis may influence the outcome of the ETV procedure.The aim of this work was to analyse our clinical series and to examine the influence of different factors on ETV outcome.This was a retrospective study of 45 patients who had undergone ETV at our Paediatric Hospital between 2003 and 2009. Successful outcome was defined as a combination of features including clinical improvement or stability, with at least 1 positive radiological parameter. The influence of age, hydrocephalus aetiology, existence or not of previous shunt and the type of endoscopic procedure were analysed in relation to ETV outcome.Up to 29% of patients were younger than 1 year. The most frequent causes of hydrocephalus were: brain tumour, aqueductal stenosis and myelomeningocele. The overall success rate was 69%, with a mean follow-up period of 26 months and mean ETV survival of 14 months. We obtained statistically significant differences in ETV success between patients aged over and under 6 moths.Our ETV success rate can be considered safe and effective for the treatment of paediatric hydrocephalus. To our knowledge, ETV is most effective in patients aged 6 months and over.     

Prevención de ictus en pacientes con hipertensión arterial: recomendaciones del Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Cerebrovasculares de la Sociedad Española de Neurología

ObjectiveTo update the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology on primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with arterial hypertension.DevelopmentWe proposed several questions to identify practical issues for the management of blood pressure (BP) in stroke prevention, analysing the objectives of blood pressure control, which drugs are most appropriate in primary prevention, when antihypertensive treatment should be started after a stroke, what levels we should aim to achieve, and which drugs are most appropriate in secondary stroke prevention. We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed database and analysed the main clinical trials to address these questions and establish a series of recommendations.ConclusionsIn primary stroke prevention, antihypertensive treatment should be started in patients with BP levels > 140/90 mmHg, with a target BP of < 130/80 mmHg. In secondary stroke prevention, we recommend starting antihypertensive treatment after the acute phase (first 24 hours), with a target BP of < 130/80 mmHg. The use of angiotensin-II receptor antagonists or diuretics alone or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is preferable.