Amplitude of Low-frequency Oscillations in Parkinson's Disease: A 2-year Longitudinal Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background:

Neuroimaging studies have found that functional changes exist in patients with Parkinson''s disease (PD). However, the majority of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in patients with PD are task-related and cross-sectional. This study investigated the functional changes observed in patients with PD, at both baseline and after 2 years, using resting-state fMRI. It further investigated the relationship between whole-brain spontaneous neural activity of patients with PD and their clinical characteristics.

Methods:

Seventeen patients with PD underwent an MRI procedure at both baseline and after 2 years using resting-state fMRI that was derived from the same 3T MRI. In addition, 20 age- and sex-matched, healthy controls were examined using resting-state fMRI. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) approach was used to analyze the fMRI data. Nonlinear registration was used to model within-subject changes over the scanning interval, as well as changes between the patients with PD and the healthy controls. A correlative analysis between the fALFF values and clinical characteristics was performed in the regions showing fALFF differences.

Results:

Compared to the control subjects, the patients with PD showed increased fALFF values in the left inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and right middle frontal gyrus. Compared to the baseline in the 2 years follow-up, the patients with PD presented with increased fALFF values in the right middle temporal gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus while also having decreased fALFF values in the right cerebellum, right thalamus, right striatum, left superior parietal lobule, left IPL, left precentral gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus (P < 0.01, after correction with AlphaSim). In addition, the fALFF values in the right cerebellum were positively correlated with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores (r = 0.51, P < 0.05, uncorrected) and the change in the UPDRS motor score (r = 0.61, P < 0.05, uncorrected).

Conclusions:

The baseline and longitudinal changes of the fALFF values in our study suggest that dysfunction in the brain may affect the regions related to cortico-striato-pallido-thalamic loops and cerebello-thalamo-cortical loops as the disease progresses and that alterations to the spontaneous neural activity of the cerebellum may also play an important role in the disease''s progression in patients with PD.     

Abnormal Degree Centrality of Bilateral Putamen and Left Superior Frontal Gyrus in Schizophrenia with Auditory Hallucinations: A Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background:

Dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia has been increasingly emphasized. Recent researches showed that this dysconnectivity might be related to occurrence of auditory hallucination (AH). However, there is still no consistent conclusion. This study aimed to explore intrinsic dysconnectivity pattern of whole-brain functional networks at voxel level in schizophrenic with AH.

Methods:

Auditory hallucinated patients group (n = 42 APG), no hallucinated patients group (n = 42 NPG) and normal controls (n = 84 NCs) were analyzed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The functional connectivity metrics index (degree centrality [DC]) across the entire brain networks was calculated and evaluated among three groups.

Results:

DC decreased in the bilateral putamen and increased in the left superior frontal gyrus in all the patients. However, in APG, the changes of DC were more obvious compared with NPG. Symptomology scores were negatively correlated with the DC of bilateral putamen in all patients. AH score of APG positively correlated with the DC in left superior frontal gyrus but negatively correlated with the DC in bilateral putamen.

Conclusion:

Our findings corroborated that schizophrenia was characterized by functional dysconnectivity, and the abnormal DC in bilateral putamen and left superior frontal gyrus might be crucial in the occurrence of AH.     

Effect of acupuncture plus conventional treatment on brain activity in ischemic stroke patients: a regional homogeneity analysis

Objective

To determine differences in cerebral activity evoked by acupuncture and conventional stroke treatment, and identify the treatment targets.

Clinical profile and visual outcome of ocular injuries in a rural area of western India

Background

Ocular trauma is a major cause of visual impairment and morbidity worldwide.

Aims

To identify the various type of ocular injury in a rural area, determine the presence of any associated visual damage and assess the final visual outcome after treatment.

Method

Hospital-based, prospective study conducted over a period of two years. A total of 60 patients of ocular trauma were included.

Results

Ocular injuries were more commonly seen in adult (55 per cent) patients who were associated with agricultural work (43.33 per cent). They were more common in male patients (71.67 per cent). Closed globe injury (68.33 per cent) was more common than open globe injury (31.67 per cent). Both in open and closed globe injuries, the commonest object causing injury was a wooden stick. Just 26.7 per cent of the patients had a visual acuity better than 6/60 at presentation; while after completed treatment at two months follow-up, 68.3 per cent had best corrected visual acuity better than 6/60.

Conclusion

Agricultural trauma is an important cause of monocular blindness in rural India. The visual outcome depends upon the site and size of the injury and the extent of the ocular damage.     

Sellar reconstruction algorithm in endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: experience with 240 cases

Background

Proposing a strategy for sellar reconstruction in endoscopic transsphenoidal transsellar approachfor pituitary adenoma.

Methods

240 patients with pituitary adenoma underwent pure endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.Intra-operative CSF leaks were classified as grade 0, no observable leak; grade 1, CSF dripping through anarachnoid membrane defect of less than 1 mm; and grade 2, CSF flowing through an arachnoid defect of morethan 1 mm. Sellar reconstruction was performed according to our staging system; in stage I, the defect was coveredwith oxidized cellulose and sphenoid sinus filled up with Gelfoam. In stage II, a layer of fat was appliedon the defect and fascia lata placed epidurally. In stage III, one or two layers of fascia were used with addingsurgical glue and/or lumbar drainage. Mucosa of sphenoid sinuses was kept intact as much as possible and approximatedat the end of procedure.

Result

intra-operative CSF leaks grade 0, 1 and 2 resulted in 133(55.4%), 78 (32.5%) and 29(12.1%) patients,respectively. Stage I of reconstruction was used in 126 patients (52.5%) with no intra-operative CSF leak orsever prolapse of arachnoid membrane. Stage II was performed in 80 patients (33.3%) with either leak grade 1(73 patients) or grade 0 with severe prolapse of the suprasellar components induced in the sella (2 cases) or inwhom extra-pseudocapsular dissection performed (5 cases). Stage III was performed in 34 cases (14.2%) witheither CSF leak grade 2 (29 patients) or grade 1 with simultaneous severe destruction or removal of sellar floorlaterally, superiorly or inferiorly (5 patients) which made it impossible to place the fascia underlay to the bone.A minimum of 18 months follow-up showed development of 2 CSF leaks (0.8%), one pneumocephalus (0.4%)and 2 meningitis (0.8%) cases.

Conclusion

Given the low postoperative CSF leak rate, we demonstrated that our adopted sellar reconstructionstrategy focusing mostly on the adopted intra-operative CSF leak grading system is safe and useful forovercoming devastating complications like postoperative CSF leaks.     

Single-site Baseline and Short-term Outcomes of Clinical Characteristics and Life Quality Evaluation of Chinese Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients in Routine Clinical Practice

Background:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among the older population. In China, treatment of age-related ocular diseases is becoming a priority in eye care services. This study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and quality of life of Chinese patients with wet AMD and current treatment types, to evaluate short-term gains in different treatments, and to investigate associations between visual function and vision-related quality of life (VRQoL).

Methods:

A prospective, observational, noninterventional study was conducted. Basic data were collected from patients with clinical diagnoses of wet AMD before clinical assessments at baseline. VRQoL was measured with the Chinese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25). Correlations of the NEI VFQ-25 subscale scores with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and between-group differences were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 80 wet AMD patients were enrolled, with the mean age of 68.40 years. About one-quarter of wet AMD patients received intravitreal (IVT) ranibizumab treatment, and 67% of them were treated on a pro re nata basis. The visual acuity of patients treated with IVT ranibizumab at month 3 after treatment was significantly increased, whereas patients treated with traditional Chinese medicine achieved no significant improvement. Cronbach''s α for the NEI VFQ-25 subscales ranged from 0.697 to 0.843. Eight subscale and overall composite scores were moderately correlated with the BCVA of the better-seeing eye. Significant differences in the overall NEI VFQ-25 scores and other subscales were observed between patients with BCVA in the better-seeing eye of less than 50 letters and the others.

Conclusions:

Patients treated with IVT ranibizumab experienced better vision improvement at short-term follow-up. The Chinese version of the NEI VFQ-25 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the VRQoL of Chinese wet AMD patients.     

Surgical Indications of Exploring Optic Canal and Visual Prognostic Factors in Neurosurgical Treatment of Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas

Background:

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) present a special symptom because of the adherence and compression to the optic nerve, optic artery, and the chiasm. A significant number of patients with TSMs appear visual deficits. This study aimed to investigate the surgical indications of exploring the optic canal and visual prognostic factors in the neurosurgical treatment of TSMs.

Methods:

Totally 21 patients with TSM, who were operated from September 2007 to August 2011 in the Department of Neurosurgery, Tongren Hospital were enrolled in this study. Results of orbital computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual acuity, Goldmann visual field test, orbital color Doppler flow imaging (CDI) test in these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

Visual deficit and optic canal involvement (OCI) were detected in all the 21 patients. Fourteen patients had bone proliferation within the area of the optic canal. After the operation, visual outcomes were improved in 13 patients, unchanged in 7 patients, and deteriorated in 1 patient. All the 21 patients performed orbital CDI test preoperatively, the results showed that if the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of central retinal artery (CRA) value was ≤8 cm/s, the visual outcome would be better.

Conclusions:

The surgical indications of exploring optic canal in TSM cases included: (1) The neuroimaging evidences of OCI (CT and/or MRI); (2) PSV of CRA in orbital CDI test was ≤8 cm/s; (3) visual acuity was below 0.1; (4) visual field deficit. The PSV of CRA in CDI test could be a prognostic factor for visual outcomes of TSMs.     

Medical and Surgical Management of Keratomycosis

Background

Fungal keratitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the ophthalmologist. If not treated energetically it results in marked ocular morbidity and permanent visual loss.

Methods

Twenty five patients of fungal keratitis were studied for their response to management and final visual outcome.

Result

Males outnumbered females. Medical treatment was successful in 72% cases, while 28% required surgical intervention. Keratoplasty was done in five patients out of which graft was clear in four after one year of follow up. Three of these underwent optical keratoplasty since therapeutic grafts became opaque.

Conclusion

Early recognition of the disease and institution of prompt therapy is the key to successful management in fungal keratitis. Occasionally surgical management is required to preserve anatomical integrity of the globe and to salvage useful vision.Key Words: Fungal keratitis, Keratomycosis, Keratoplasty     

垂体腺瘤致视力障碍患者视觉皮层及相关功能网络静息状态局部一致性的改变

目的 探索垂体腺瘤致视力障碍患者视觉皮层及相关功能网络的神经可塑性。 方法 以25例垂体腺瘤致视力障碍患者及25例与之年龄、性别相匹配矫正后视力正常患者为研究对象,进行神经眼科学检查及结构态和静息态功能核磁扫描。分别对两组受试者静息状态视觉皮层及相关功能网络进行局部一致性分析后,再采用双样本t检验进行统计学分析。 结果 与正常人群受试者相比,垂体瘤所致视力障碍患者组双侧V1、V2、V3、枕叶外侧皮层,梭状回、MT+以及丘脑局部一致性显著降低,而双侧楔前回、前额叶、扣带回后部皮层、岛叶、缘上回、辅助运动区局部一致性升高。 结论 垂体腺瘤致前视路功能障碍可引起患者视觉皮层内部脑区神经活动减弱,视觉皮层外默认网络及显著网络内重要脑区神经活动增强。     

Clinical profile and visual outcome of traumatic paediatric cataract in suburban Malaysia: a ten-year experience

INTRODUCTION

Available data on traumatic cataract in Asian children is primarily confined to South Asian countries. We aimed to describe the demographics, nature of injury and visual outcomes of Malaysian children with traumatic cataract from a suburban area, and discuss the literature on Asian children with this condition.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 29 children below 17 years of age who were diagnosed with traumatic paediatric cataract and who attended Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, between January 2000 and December 2010. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 120 months. Demographic data, clinical features, mechanism and extent of injury, and final visual outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The study population was predominantly male. The right eye was injured in 62.07% of patients. A majority of patients had penetrating injuries, with the most common cause being injury by an organic foreign body (24.14%). Presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60 was observed in 68.97% of patients. Only 34.48% of patients had a final corrected visual acuity of 6/12 and better. 55.18% of patients were operated on within less than one month of their injuries. A majority of children sustained concurrent injuries to the anterior segment structures. Corneal opacity and amblyopia were the most common causes of poor final visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Health education and awareness are essential tools that can prevent avoidable blindness due to traumatic cataract in the paediatric population. The importance of rehabilitation programmes for these patients should be emphasised.     

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of biodegradable bone plates in the treatment of mandibular body fractures

Background:

Many different systems are available for the treatment of fractures ranging from the heavy compression plates for mandibular reconstruction to low profile plates for mid-facial fixation, and are made either from stainless steel, titanium or vitallium. Recently, biodegradable, self-reinforced polylactide plates and screws have been used for the internal fixation of fractures of the mandible with good results.

Aim of this study:

This study evaluated clinically the biodegradable bone plates for treatment of mandibular body fracture and to evaluate bone healing during the follow-up period using digital radiography.

Materials and Methods:

Eight patients had been suffered from mandibular body fractures were treated using Inion CPS^TM bioresorbable fixation system and the healing process were followed up using digitised panoramic radiography at first week and after 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results:

Clinical examination of fractured segments revealed stable fixation across the fracture sites while visual and quantitative assessment of radiograph showed healing process was comparable with results previously reported by titanium bone plates.

Conclusion:

Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures using bioresorbable fixation system with a brief period of inter-maxillary fixation have evolved to the point where the physical properties are sufficient to withstand the post-operative loads required for fracture repair of mandibular body fractures. The foreign body reaction is a major material-related problem which requires further studies.     

Percutaneous aspiration versus catheter drainage of liver abscess: A retrospective review

Background

A review of the effectiveness and outcomes in liver abscess drainage performed by different operators using percutaneous aspiration (PA) and catheter drainage (PCD), respectively, from 2008–2013 at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Australia.

Methods

Forty-two patients (29 males and 13 females; aged between 28–93 years; median age of 67 years) with liver abscesses underwent either ultrasound or CT-guided PA (n=22) and PCD (n=20) in conjunction with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. A median of 18 Gauge needle and 10 French catheters were utilised.

Results

Nineteen (86.4 per cent) PA cases and 12 (60 per cent) PCD cases were successfully drained on a single attempt (p=0.08). More male patients (69 per cent) than females (31 per cent) were observed. Portal sepsis (42.9 per cent) was the most common cause identified. Fever (47.6 per cent) was the most frequent clinical presentation on admission. Thirty-two patients (76.2 per cent) had solitary abscesses with a right lobe (59.5 per cent) predilection. CRP was significantly raised. The PCD group observed a significantly larger abscess size (p=0.01). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common organism isolated in both pus (33.3 per cent) and blood cultures (11.9 per cent). Five procedure-related complications were noted, all in the PCD group. Thirty-day mortality was 2.4 per cent. No difference was observed in clinical and treatment outcomes in both groups.

Conclusion

The null hypothesis that both PA and PCD are equally effective in the drainage of liver abscess cannot be rejected. Apart from PA being simpler and safer to perform, the higher incidence of indwelling catheter-associated complications suggests that a trial of PA should always be attempted first.     

Visual and neurologic sequelae of methanol poisoning in Saudi Arabia

Objectives:

To present the visual sequelae of methanol poisoning and to emphasize the characteristics of methanol exposure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:

A retrospective case series was carried out on 50 sequential patients with methanol poisoning seen at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and King Saud University Hospitals in Riyadh, KSA between 2008 and 2014. All patients were examined by a neuro-ophthalmologist at least one month after methanol intoxication.

Results:

All 50 patients were young or middle-aged males. All admitted to drinking unbranded alcohol within 2-3 days before profound or relatively profound, painless, bilateral visual loss. Mean visual acuity in this group was hand motions (logMAR 2.82; range 0.1 - 5.0) with some eye to eye variability within individuals. Worse visual acuity was correlated with advancing age (Pearson correlation: oculus dextrus [right eye] - 0.37, p=0.008; oculus sinister [left eye] - 0.36, p=0.011). All patients had optic atrophy bilaterally, and all tested patients had visual field defects. Tremors with or without rigidity were present in 12 patients, and 11 of 30 patients who had neuroimaging performed had evidence of putaminal necrosis.

Conclusion:

Methanol intoxication causes visual loss within 12-48 hours due to relatively severe, painless, bilateral optic nerve damage that may be somewhat variable between eyes, and is generally worse with advancing age. The coincidence of bilateral optic nerve damage and bilateral putaminal necrosis in a young or middle-aged male is very suspicious for methanol-induced damage.Methanol is a clear and colorless alcohol that tastes and smells the same as ethanol, but causes much less behavioral intoxication.1 It is commonly used in industry as a component of products such as antifreeze, windshield-wiper fluid, and model airplane fuel.2 In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), it can be found as a solvent in some brands of perfume and cologne. Ingestion of methanol may be accidental, or due to a suicide attempt. But the most common situation occurs as isolated episodes, or epidemics of methanol poisoning and its toxic optic neuropathy, which are seen due to the contamination of handmade liquor, smuggled alcohol, and so forth with methyl alcohol.2,3 Death from methanol toxicity has been reported to range between 8-36%,4-6 and permanent loss of vision has been observed in another 20-40% of patients who survive the acute injury.2,5,7 Vision loss is painless and often occurs in both eyes within one to 3 days; vision in some patients may either improve, or decline over subsequent weeks.8 The optic disk in acute intoxication has a hyperemic appearance with edema of the peripapillary retina;9 however, the optic nerve gradually becomes pale within 30-60 days after ingestion. Large, sluggishly reactive pupils have been reported to occur frequently in acute methanol poisoning, sometimes leaving both pupils permanently dilated.5,9 Neurological signs, such as confusion and coma are common in acutely hospitalized patients, and putaminal hemorrhage, and/or necrosis occur less frequently.1,2,10 This study evaluates ophthalmologic, neurologic, and neuroimaging signs in 50 consecutive patients seen at 2 major ophthalmologic centers in KSA due to visual loss after methanol poisoning.     

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in the intensive care unit: An experience from a tertiary hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one the most commonly performed procedures in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, success rate of CPR vary widely from 3.1% to 16.5%.

Patients and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of all cardiac arrests prompting CPR in our ICU for a period of 12 months. Data retrieved from ICU records included patients demographic characteristics, diagnosis at admission, length of ICU stay, time and day of cardiac arrest, cardiac rhythm, duration of CPR and outcome of CPR.

Results:

A total of 156 CPRs were performed within the study period with 8.3% success rate. Male: female ratio was 1.2:1. Indications for ICU admission, length of stay in ICU, time and day of cardiac and duration of CPR were found to be determinants of outcome.

Conclusions:

There is an urgent need to constitute a cardiac arrest team (CAT) which will be available at all times for improved successful outcome after cardiac arrest in our ICU.     

New method for fixation point of tibialis posterior tendon transfer

Background

The transfer of the tibialis posterior tendon to the dorsum of foot can restore the function of theparalyzed dorsiflexor muscles of the foot and ankle. In order to reduce the wound complication in the insertionsite of tendon to bone by a plantar knop we used a new method of fixation by an absorbable screw inserted dorsally.

Methods

we performed this operation on 15 patients in a 3 years period. All patients had drop foot deformitydue to irreversible lesions of the peroneal nerve. The inclusion criteria was the peroneal nerve palsy that wasnot improved after 18 months even by using nerve releasing or nerve repairing. All patients were evaluatedafter 6 months for ankle function and wound complications.

Result

Of 15 patients one was excluded from study. At 6 month ten patients got excellent score (66%) and 4good score (26%) further ankle function. There was no wound complication at insertion site

Conclusion

This simple modification for insertion site fixation had good result in restoring ankle functionwhiles eliminated the possibility of plantar pressure sores caused by fixation knop.     

Hepatitis C treatment – better outcomes through partner support

Background

Globally, it is estimated that 170 million people are living with hepatitis C and between three and four million are newly infected annually. In Australia, around 1% of people are living with chronic hepatitis C, with two-thirds of these being men.

Aims

This research aimed to determine the impact of hepatitis C treatment on partners of patients using in-depth exploratory techniques.

Method

Four infected men and their partners (n= 8 participants) and three service providers were recruited and interviewed separately to identify the needs of female partners supporting patients with Hepatitis C. Discussion was based on the experiences of female partners during the treatment phase of male hepatitis C patients.

Results

All participants recognised a need for greater assistance for partners of hepatitis C treatment patients. It was also recognised that strong social support improved treatment outcomes and helped to maintain the survival of family relationships during the intensive treatment phase.

Conclusion

Although this research was limited by size, it provides valuable insights into ways to enhance hepatitis C management outcomes beyond traditional medical treatment regimes, for example through formal partner support.     

Multidisciplinary assessment of vision in children with neurological disability

Introduction

There is no consensus as to the best method of assessing vision in children with neurological disability. There are a variety of tests and approaches that can be used. It is important to look at models of assessment that identify the visual diagnosis and provide appropriate feedback and explanation to parents, carers and educational professionals.

Methods

This study reports on the results of comprehensive visual assessments of fifty children with neurological disability over a three year period. It focuses on the feedback from families and professionals after the assessment report was disseminated.

Results

The majority of families and professionals strongly agreed that a specialist assessment was needed in this population. Parents and professionals particularly valued the written report which provided guidance on appropriate visual material including advice relevant to education.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of specialist teams engaging with local child development services and indicates how partnership working can potentially be emotionally supportive as well as developmentally beneficial.     

Importance of accurate sampling techniques in microbiological diagnosis of endophthalmitis

Background

Endophthalmitis is an ocular emergency and bacteria are the commonest aetiological agents of infectious endophthalmitis. Any delay in treatment will result in serious complications like complete loss of vision. Therefore, obtaining the most appropriate sample is of paramount importance for a microbiologist to identify the aetiological agents that help the ophthalmologist in planning treatment.

Objetive

This study was undertaken to determine the intraocular specimen that is most likely to yield a positive culture on microbiological examination.

Methods

From 60 cases, intraocular samples were collected in the operation theatre under anaesthesia. The samples obtained were aqueous humour and vitreous humour by vitreous tap, vitreous biopsy or pars plana vitrectomy. The specimens were processed within half an hour, first by inoculating onto culture media and then direct smear examination by Gram’s Stain

Results

Eighty samples were obtained from 60 cases of which the most were vitreous fluid (vitreous biopsy/tap + vitrectomy fluid), i.e., 75%. Culture was positive in 88% vitrectomy fluid as compared to 74% in vitreous tap/biopsy followed by 20% in aqueous fluid.

Conclusion

Vitrectomy fluid appears to be the best sample for culture from clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis cases.